I’m excited to let all of you know that I’m going to continue writing, except now alongside of my wife.  We’ve chosen to do this because we both believe that together we are more effective in encouraging people than apart.  I hope to continue sharing my journey in becoming a more Genuine Disciple in this new space.  Most of my “Genuine Disciple…” posts will now be under the heading “thoughtful.” You can see the new site, posts, and more about why we both made the jump right here on our “About Us” page.

Born on May 20, 2011 at 6:35pm…We couldn’t be happier!

1. Writing – Of course!  I have 3 blog posts written that I’ve embraced the overly idea of, but I can’t help but think that something is missing from each of them.  I don’t like to release things that don’t reflect how I truly feel about them, so I’ll wait and tweak them some more.  The problem with doing regular blogging is the internal feeling that you need to release something on regular intervals.  Well, I’m not this week so deal with it.

2. The Sermon on the Mount - I think I’m on week 4 of studying the Sermon on the Mount and I’m about 1/2 way through Matthew 6.  I knew the amount of rabbit trails available to me when beginning my journey into the Mount, but I decided not to skip it…ask me in a month if I made the right decision.  However, I can tell you that I’ve been more challenged by Jesus’ teachings in these passages than ever before.

3. Waiting for Baby Wallace - I’m starting to wonder when that little girl/guy is coming out.  God has given Rebekah and me so much patience through this pregnancy, and now we’re praying daily for that same patience to continue.  Also, I still need to pack my “hospital bag.”  I should really get to that tonight

4. Our House - Seriously, our house is much better than the ones I’ve seen priced in our range (95k).  We’ve had over 15 couples come through it by now, had it basically sold twice (both fell through), and a few more that said they’d be back (never came back).  School doesn’t start till August 22, so we’re not feeling any real pressure to sell it, but its been a bit frustrating at times.  However, the lessons Bekah and I have learned thus far have been worth it. We keep reminding one another of God’s goodness to us in that we have a place to live that we absolutely love and a place to invite people into.  Most people in the world are not as fortunate as we are, and we don’t want to take that responsibility lightly or minimize its blessing.  If it sells, it sells.  If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.  Blessed be the name of the Lord.

5. EGM Involvement – I’m a focused individual and require clarity of direction.  I’m really feeling good about where things are headed at EGM.  The conversations that are taking place should continue to cultivate deeper roots within our congregational leadership.  We are getting started on very practical ways to journey with and grow future leaders at EGM.  I’m running a class on Sunday nights for a small group piloting some of these things we’ve been working on…and am having a blast I might add.  I suppose this isn’t really a challenge, but it is challenging me to be a more effective leader as well.  If you attend EGM, get excited with me.

What’s challenging you lately?

Alas, I come back to Genuine Disciple and why it all began.  I desire to be an authentic follower of Jesus, and I desire people to journey with me both physically and digitally.  Along this journey I’ve realized that it’s less and less about being a disciple (individual) and being disciples (community).  My heart has grown for communal life together in the kingdom.  I’ve even noticed a change in my writing from an individual focus to one of community.  I hope this continues and that my heart for the church continues to beat stronger.  I’m not sure where the writing end of things will lead, but maybe like most things, each days journey is what we’re asked to be faithful in.

If you have any thoughts on Matthew 5, throw them in the comments section and add to the exploration.

*Comment on post “But Now I See” from “Jay Wasp” on May 4, 2011, email address:  dubstepdistrubution.com/blog/2011/104/kornskrillex…@scircle497@AOL.com says the following:  “Tickets for Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas begin selling this Saturday at noon.”

My Response:  Jay, thanks for the the heads up on the Electric Daisy Carnival Tickets.  I wasn’t aware of what an Electric Daisy was, nor that there was a Carnival celebrating it.  I checked out the website at http://www.electricdaisycarnival.com/LasVegas/ for information and found that it’s basically a 3 day dance festival.  I just don’t have the means to fly out to Vegas and pay $180 for the tickets, sorry.  Hopefully we can connect again some other time.  I always wanted to be friends with a guy with such a cool name…Jay Wasp, should do nicely.

*Comment on post “Not a Kinder Egg” from “TungKwooHoh” on May 3 2011, email address:  blog.xuite.net/ajdiedlknbkfjfheudnBonnavia@gmail.com says the following: “Recently I did a search on the issue and found a alot number of persons will agree with your blog?2″

My Response:  Dear TungKwooHoh, I think you’ve just taken the award for coolest name from Jay Wasp.  Also, What is with that email address, and how many hours a year do you waste trying to correctly give it out to people?  Anyway, I appreciate your seemingly kind comment, but I was wondering if I could get a bit of clarity on it.  Are you trying to ask me whether people agree with me that freaking out over a chocolate egg that contains toys is ridiculous?  It seems that you’re not really asking a question, but then you ended with a question mark that really threw me off.  Also, that number “2″ at the end was just confusing.  I’d really like to converse with you on this topic, but it would help if you could clarify those things for me.  Thanks!

*Comment on post “The King” from “Web Designers, Hosting Companies, Nigeria Resellers” on May 4, 2011, email address:  Curl88108@yahoo.com says the following:  “Yeah I agree & I couldn’t have said it better.  keep it up“

*My Response:  Hey Web Designers, Hosting Companies, Nigera Resellers!  Long time no talk/see.  I sent you $5,000 about a year ago and didn’t hear back from you.  I was wondering if that guaranteed investment you got me into went south seeing as I didn’t hear back from you.  I see that you’re also doing Web Design and Hosting?  I could use a new company to host my websites through and I’m wondering what packages you may offer?  Also, thanks for the comment and the encouragement to keep persevering with my writing.  Sometimes it can be draining, and it’s so nice to be encouraged from a friend and business partner.  You keep it up as well my friend.

As I walked I couldn’t help but wonder how long I had thought the world looked one way when it really looked another.  I didn’t think I needed new lenses in which to properly see the world, but apparently I did.  See, things started getting a little fuzzy in my right eye a couple years back.  I admit, I’m not a person that frequents doctor or hospital visits of any kind, unless of course my arm is falling off or if I accidentally stab myself with a knife (true story for another time).  However, I finally gave in to my wife’s request and went to see an eye doctor.  He confirmed that my right eye was in need of a new lens.  Even though I agreed with him, I wasn’t convinced that a new lens would make much difference.  I was wrong.

Worldview.  C.S.Lewis famously stated, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” I have an entirely new respect for this quote and the many others pertaining to the concept of our worldview being seen through new and different lenses.  We’re all jaded a bit.  Whether at times it’s from our nature or nurturing process can be debated, but there’s no question that you and I see the world in a specific way for specific reasons.  If everyone is at some level trying to answer the question of, “why are we here / for what purpose?” we shouldn’t be shocked that we come up with varying answers having grown up differently and having had different experiences. This is why C.S.Lewis’ quote is even more forthright and powerful.  Lewis knows that differing options on life’s most important questions is frustrating, and he is proclaiming that it is through Christianity, the lens of Scripture, that he will choose to view the world and the totality of creation.

When I place the new lenses of my black church planter glasses over my eyes I’m able to see the world differently.  Much the same, the more I study and interact with Scripture I’m able to see the world in a new way.  Many will fight the fact that they require a new lens, mostly because we believe that our way of viewing the world is better than Gods.  It will take humility to ask for a new pair, but we have a Savior ready to bestow them upon us if we are willing. I’m thankful for this daily physical reminder that should help me to recall that, “In the total expanse of human life there is not a single square inch of which the Christ, who alone is sovereign,does not declare,’That is mine!’” (A.Kuyper)

A Genuine Disciple…Has a Scripture Lens

Jesus is brought into the wilderness before He goes out to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom.  While in the wilderness he is tempted just as we are throughout our lives.  While there, He is forced to answer 3 questions, of which he uses the Text to answer with.  First, “What sustains Him?” He answers with proclaiming that it is God’s Word that sustains Him.  Second, “What controls Him?” Jesus answers with proclaiming that is God who controls life, His safety.  Finally, we see Jesus answer the question of, “What governs His life?” Jesus boldly announces that everything is for God’s glory.  Satan is trying to get Jesus to trip up (sin) by playing into the desires that each person is born with.  Humanity says that it is our efforts and things of this world that ultimately sustain us.  It is actually our own selves that control circumstances and final outcomes.  It is about us, and promoting our glory in the world, not Gods.  Interesting to note though, Jesus answers exactly the opposite way that mankind has answered since sin entered the world.  Throughout Matthew’s Gospel we see that where God’s people have failed in testing and temptation, Jesus will not.

40 days and 40 nights.  Matthew gives us a time frame.  I can’t help but think that this must have been the weakest time of Jesus’ life prior to hanging on the cross:  Physically drained, mentally tired, emotionally hurting.  Jesus was fully human just as you and me.  Matthew even states in verse 2 that “Jesus was hungry.”  Of course he was, he hadn’t eaten in 40 days!  However, no matter how tired and hurt Jesus was, he was able to overcome it all.  As one writer puts it, “Jesus recognized that Satan’s suggestion entailed depriving God of his exclusive claim to worship: neither God’s “son” Israel nor God’s “Son” Jesus may swerve from undivided allegiance to God himself (See Exod 23:20-33; Deut 6:13). So Jesus responded with a third “it is written” and banished Satan from his presence. The time would come when Jesus’ expanding kingdom would progressively destroy the kingdom Satan had to offer (12:25-28;  Luke 10:18). The day still lies ahead when King Messiah’s last enemy is destroyed (1Cor 15:25-26). But Jesus achieves it all without compromising his filial submission to the Father.”

We serve a King who has been tempted just as we are/have been (Hebrews 4:15).  He identifies with our hardships even within the wilderness.  However, we are reminded even in difficult times that it is God’s Word that sustains us, that it is God who controls all of creation, and that everything is to be governed by God.  The lens in which I view the world, or my worldview, must be oriented around these truths. My hope is that even in the wilderness, my lens will be clear so that I might remember and walk in these truths.