Home » Posts filed under God's Kingdom
Showing posts with label God's Kingdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's Kingdom. Show all posts

Monday, November 19, 2012


I’ve recently been challenged with Paul’s bold and dangerous statement in 1 Corinthians 11:1“And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” - if we backup just a bit into chapter 10:33 , “I too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved”.

Sounds a lot like Mark 10:45, where Jesus states “The Son of Man did not come to be serve, but to serve”. I am additionally challenged by Heb 1:3 that remind us that Christ is the perfect reflection of the Father. The very nature of God is to serve and do what is best for others.

Firstly, I’m not sure that I feel as bold as Paul to be able to say to others “you should imitate me…” Yet, that’s not what Paul is saying, he IS saying only imitate me as I imitate Christ. The focus is not Paul, but Christ.

Many may not consciously state “do as I say, not as I do…” however; we tend to behave in that manner. We hold or expect something different than what he in fact hold ourselves too. The problem is I think that really I expect people to behave better than I am will to do myself.

Paul says “I try to please everyone in everything I do; I don’t just do what is best for me”. But we need to dig a little deeper into his motivation – “I do what is best for others, so that they may be saved.”

What I need to understand is that the Kingdom of God isn’t ‘over there’ or ‘just for Sunday’ – the Kingdom of God overarches our entire being – the physical, spiritual, emotionally, the mental. When we come to work – we don’t leave the Kingdom of God behind, it’s here – we’re in it. We’ve talked about this before, and we know this. For the Christian, they are in and are representatives of the Kingdom of God where ever they may be. The only thing that makes Christian Horizons different than any other work place is that we have the rare opportunity to be working alongside Kingdom minded people.

Living in this Kingdom mind set ticks me off sometimes. My wife does a much better job – I was reminded of this recently while at a restaurant. I have an expectation that when I go to a restaurant, I will be treated and served well – and I tip accordingly. If the service is lousy, it definitely affects the tip I leave. It affects the tip my wife leaves as well, but in the opposite direction. This drives me crazy. I know that when we have received lousy service, its’ going to cost me – because, she will tip more rather than less. Her belief is, in spite of bad service, her witness of goodness and grace to another is more important and vital than ever.

I however have pointed out the incongruently of her argument, because when I do less around the house, I don’t get reward more.

All that aside, I am deeply challenge by how I bring the imitation of Christ into existence in all aspects of my life that doesn’t’ depend on the actions or expected reward of another, but solely on the desire to be a living witness of gospel. I certainly believe that is essential when living before people that don’t know Christ. But, we are to do so no less for those that do know him.

Back to my restaurant rant, I don’t know if this is true or not, but I have heard people from the service industry say, that Christians groups can be some of the worst groups to serve because of their attitudes and expectations, and they can the worst tippers.

My point is not to advocate for better tipping – What I am convicted by is the experience others have me and whether they could conclude “I am seeking to imitate Christ” and whether I make things easier – or more difficult for them.

I certainly don’t think Paul’s promoting a spineless, wish washy approach. In fact we can point else in Paul’s writings where he is anything but a dish rag. What he is saying how we interact with one another matters – how we honour, respect – how we follow authority. Every action I undertake either represents the kingdom well – or it does so poorly. I hear in this passage, that I have to take responsibility for my actions, opinion and attitudes – for how I respond – and the frustrating thing for me is, that how I am to respond in my imitation of Christ, has little if nothing to do with the actions, behaviours and decisions of another.

Psalm 1 comes to mind.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

The psalmist identifies three specific actions here, walking, standing, sitting. I think it is a conscious progression, one that I have seen in myself too often. I can easily get caught up in the ‘walking of grumbling and complaining – I react, I pull another in, we walk along together initially in the problem, if I don’t get a handle on it, it isn’t just a chance meeting of other walkers, I’m standing, I’m looking to draw people, to drag them into my compliant – by standing I’m becoming an obstacle that others might bump into an now I’m trying to get others to stand with me. If I don’t stop standing, I sit. Not only am I obstacle, now I become a stumbling block for others to trip over. I become entrenched and get others to entrench – to dig in with me.

When this happens I’m a long way from Paul’s call to imitate, to do what is best for others so that they might be saved – or having them experience the Kingdom of God through me.

I would contend that Paul’s idea of ‘saved’ is broader than simply ‘converted’ – certainly that is part of Paul’s hope and agenda, but I believe he has the idea of ‘redeemed’ more in mind – redeemed to be Kingdom livers.

I think Paul would be urging us to wrestle with how can Live, work, be with one another that brings God’s Kingdom into reality – that when we encounter each other, we’re bringing the Kingdom into a fuller existence in this place, in one another’s lives.

As a group of Kingdom people gathering in this place, we return to our Psalm passage, it is necessary and appropriate for us together to mediate on His law – day and night. But that mediation translates into a changed life – one that more fully reflects Christ and the Kingdom of God.

It is the delight of God I think to see us as his people imitate his Son with one so that we become a tree firmly planted by streams of water – his sustaining and life giving power. A gathering which yields nourishing fruit to one another here, and outward to those whom we will be in contact with.

I guess this can sound kinda corny – and ‘feel goody’ or pietistic but I think it really depends on how we understand the Kingdom to God. Is it something we move in and out of – or is it the very existence of our collective beings.

Anyway, I was just thinking,

Neil

Imitate me?

Monday, November 19, 2012 at 9:08 am · by Neil · in , , , , , , , , No comments


I’ve recently been challenged with Paul’s bold and dangerous statement in 1 Corinthians 11:1“And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” - if we backup just a bit into chapter 10:33 , “I too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved”.

Sounds a lot like Mark 10:45, where Jesus states “The Son of Man did not come to be serve, but to serve”. I am additionally challenged by Heb 1:3 that remind us that Christ is the perfect reflection of the Father. The very nature of God is to serve and do what is best for others.

Firstly, I’m not sure that I feel as bold as Paul to be able to say to others “you should imitate me…” Yet, that’s not what Paul is saying, he IS saying only imitate me as I imitate Christ. The focus is not Paul, but Christ.

Many may not consciously state “do as I say, not as I do…” however; we tend to behave in that manner. We hold or expect something different than what he in fact hold ourselves too. The problem is I think that really I expect people to behave better than I am will to do myself.

Paul says “I try to please everyone in everything I do; I don’t just do what is best for me”. But we need to dig a little deeper into his motivation – “I do what is best for others, so that they may be saved.”

What I need to understand is that the Kingdom of God isn’t ‘over there’ or ‘just for Sunday’ – the Kingdom of God overarches our entire being – the physical, spiritual, emotionally, the mental. When we come to work – we don’t leave the Kingdom of God behind, it’s here – we’re in it. We’ve talked about this before, and we know this. For the Christian, they are in and are representatives of the Kingdom of God where ever they may be. The only thing that makes Christian Horizons different than any other work place is that we have the rare opportunity to be working alongside Kingdom minded people.

Living in this Kingdom mind set ticks me off sometimes. My wife does a much better job – I was reminded of this recently while at a restaurant. I have an expectation that when I go to a restaurant, I will be treated and served well – and I tip accordingly. If the service is lousy, it definitely affects the tip I leave. It affects the tip my wife leaves as well, but in the opposite direction. This drives me crazy. I know that when we have received lousy service, its’ going to cost me – because, she will tip more rather than less. Her belief is, in spite of bad service, her witness of goodness and grace to another is more important and vital than ever.

I however have pointed out the incongruently of her argument, because when I do less around the house, I don’t get reward more.

All that aside, I am deeply challenge by how I bring the imitation of Christ into existence in all aspects of my life that doesn’t’ depend on the actions or expected reward of another, but solely on the desire to be a living witness of gospel. I certainly believe that is essential when living before people that don’t know Christ. But, we are to do so no less for those that do know him.

Back to my restaurant rant, I don’t know if this is true or not, but I have heard people from the service industry say, that Christians groups can be some of the worst groups to serve because of their attitudes and expectations, and they can the worst tippers.

My point is not to advocate for better tipping – What I am convicted by is the experience others have me and whether they could conclude “I am seeking to imitate Christ” and whether I make things easier – or more difficult for them.

I certainly don’t think Paul’s promoting a spineless, wish washy approach. In fact we can point else in Paul’s writings where he is anything but a dish rag. What he is saying how we interact with one another matters – how we honour, respect – how we follow authority. Every action I undertake either represents the kingdom well – or it does so poorly. I hear in this passage, that I have to take responsibility for my actions, opinion and attitudes – for how I respond – and the frustrating thing for me is, that how I am to respond in my imitation of Christ, has little if nothing to do with the actions, behaviours and decisions of another.

Psalm 1 comes to mind.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

The psalmist identifies three specific actions here, walking, standing, sitting. I think it is a conscious progression, one that I have seen in myself too often. I can easily get caught up in the ‘walking of grumbling and complaining – I react, I pull another in, we walk along together initially in the problem, if I don’t get a handle on it, it isn’t just a chance meeting of other walkers, I’m standing, I’m looking to draw people, to drag them into my compliant – by standing I’m becoming an obstacle that others might bump into an now I’m trying to get others to stand with me. If I don’t stop standing, I sit. Not only am I obstacle, now I become a stumbling block for others to trip over. I become entrenched and get others to entrench – to dig in with me.

When this happens I’m a long way from Paul’s call to imitate, to do what is best for others so that they might be saved – or having them experience the Kingdom of God through me.

I would contend that Paul’s idea of ‘saved’ is broader than simply ‘converted’ – certainly that is part of Paul’s hope and agenda, but I believe he has the idea of ‘redeemed’ more in mind – redeemed to be Kingdom livers.

I think Paul would be urging us to wrestle with how can Live, work, be with one another that brings God’s Kingdom into reality – that when we encounter each other, we’re bringing the Kingdom into a fuller existence in this place, in one another’s lives.

As a group of Kingdom people gathering in this place, we return to our Psalm passage, it is necessary and appropriate for us together to mediate on His law – day and night. But that mediation translates into a changed life – one that more fully reflects Christ and the Kingdom of God.

It is the delight of God I think to see us as his people imitate his Son with one so that we become a tree firmly planted by streams of water – his sustaining and life giving power. A gathering which yields nourishing fruit to one another here, and outward to those whom we will be in contact with.

I guess this can sound kinda corny – and ‘feel goody’ or pietistic but I think it really depends on how we understand the Kingdom to God. Is it something we move in and out of – or is it the very existence of our collective beings.

Anyway, I was just thinking,

Neil

Thursday, February 26, 2009


We have such a convoluted and an ethereal view of heaven. Philadelphia Cream Cheese isn’t helping. I certainly know I cannot tell you ‘this is where and what heaven is’ in a conclusive manner. For the simple reason, I do not know. We know it is real, it has tangible qualities – God is there, Jesus will greet us personally, it will come to have its city on earth. We are given some ideas about heaven. Jesus tells us ‘it is at hand’. He tells that thief on the cross, ‘on this day you will be with me in paradise’. We have numerous references “the Kingdom of God is like….” We know that heaven itself finds its existence within the person of God – in that it is an extension of who he is – much like the earth itself.

It also tells us something of God – although he is infinite, he also has location – a specific address, so to speak. We all struggle ontologically – which is a fancy word for the nature of being or existence of God. We ask; where is God? Where do we ‘go’ when we die? How do we know that it a real place? And on and on the questions go. I have them, I know you do as well.
We speak of the omni-presence of God – He is in all places with equal presence and awareness – he is ‘close’, but He also has transcendence – complete ‘otherness’, He is above and beyond all that is. We often translate God’s presence as spatial - separate distance, close near, here or there. God is not governed or confined by the physics of time and space. He created them. God is not living outside or breaking the laws as an outlaw might – but they exist in, by, through and for Him. They exist because He exists, they are reflections of the nature and character of God.

If anything is true, we are the outlaws, and presently we living outside the Laws that God created to govern the world. We are not living according to God’s ‘natural laws’ at the moment – quite the contrary – sin is the invader, the unnatural law. We exist surrounded by the Kingdom of Heaven – the enemy kingdom itself exists as small almost immeasurable rebel outpost within the infinite borders of God’s kingdom. It’s all a matter of perspective. A poor example is like the Miami airport I recently visited in route to Haiti. Walking around that airport, it is huge – especially when you have to run from one gate to another. However, once you lift off the ground, the large airport becomes only a small element with the city of Miami itself, and becomes an unidentifiable dot at 33,000 feet. If I was able to afford the millions dollars for a ride on the Soviet space shuttle, my perspective would even be greater as I’d see the continent that Miami was one, but would be indistinguishable as its own identity.

We are surrounded by heaven, by God – we exist as a small dot inside it/Him. Heaven is bigger, infinitely bigger than earth. When we pray, “who art in heaven” we are not praying to some far off place and our prayers travel at the speed of light to get there. It is here and now enveloping us. We are separated by what is to God a thin veil, but to us a massive steal wall. We can’t break out without death, but by life God has entered in.
Anyway, I was just thinking.

Neil

Who Art in heaven

Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 9:24 am · by Neil · in , , , , No comments


We have such a convoluted and an ethereal view of heaven. Philadelphia Cream Cheese isn’t helping. I certainly know I cannot tell you ‘this is where and what heaven is’ in a conclusive manner. For the simple reason, I do not know. We know it is real, it has tangible qualities – God is there, Jesus will greet us personally, it will come to have its city on earth. We are given some ideas about heaven. Jesus tells us ‘it is at hand’. He tells that thief on the cross, ‘on this day you will be with me in paradise’. We have numerous references “the Kingdom of God is like….” We know that heaven itself finds its existence within the person of God – in that it is an extension of who he is – much like the earth itself.

It also tells us something of God – although he is infinite, he also has location – a specific address, so to speak. We all struggle ontologically – which is a fancy word for the nature of being or existence of God. We ask; where is God? Where do we ‘go’ when we die? How do we know that it a real place? And on and on the questions go. I have them, I know you do as well.
We speak of the omni-presence of God – He is in all places with equal presence and awareness – he is ‘close’, but He also has transcendence – complete ‘otherness’, He is above and beyond all that is. We often translate God’s presence as spatial - separate distance, close near, here or there. God is not governed or confined by the physics of time and space. He created them. God is not living outside or breaking the laws as an outlaw might – but they exist in, by, through and for Him. They exist because He exists, they are reflections of the nature and character of God.

If anything is true, we are the outlaws, and presently we living outside the Laws that God created to govern the world. We are not living according to God’s ‘natural laws’ at the moment – quite the contrary – sin is the invader, the unnatural law. We exist surrounded by the Kingdom of Heaven – the enemy kingdom itself exists as small almost immeasurable rebel outpost within the infinite borders of God’s kingdom. It’s all a matter of perspective. A poor example is like the Miami airport I recently visited in route to Haiti. Walking around that airport, it is huge – especially when you have to run from one gate to another. However, once you lift off the ground, the large airport becomes only a small element with the city of Miami itself, and becomes an unidentifiable dot at 33,000 feet. If I was able to afford the millions dollars for a ride on the Soviet space shuttle, my perspective would even be greater as I’d see the continent that Miami was one, but would be indistinguishable as its own identity.

We are surrounded by heaven, by God – we exist as a small dot inside it/Him. Heaven is bigger, infinitely bigger than earth. When we pray, “who art in heaven” we are not praying to some far off place and our prayers travel at the speed of light to get there. It is here and now enveloping us. We are separated by what is to God a thin veil, but to us a massive steal wall. We can’t break out without death, but by life God has entered in.
Anyway, I was just thinking.

Neil

Wednesday, April 30, 2008



Building on Mark's reflection of Joseph through difficult times, the aspect of the story that I'm most struck with is Joseph's patience and integrity. The length of time from pit to palace was not a quick one. Joseph was just a boy when thrown into the pit, (early teens?) and was 30 when he was appointed by Pharaoh to rule. So we have at least 15 years, with a bulk of those being lived in prison. This was not a quick solution to a problem. I get frustrated with God when my prayers and needs are not answered after a day – let alone over 15 years. Yet, this did not seemly erode Joseph's reliance and faith in God. Joseph was in this alone, no family, no faith community support, and no available daily devotional materials. It was him and his faith and trust in the existence and awareness of God. I can't think of a much tougher situation to be in. Alone! Who would blame him from straying or indulging in some momentary personal pleasures? Who would see? Who would care? What difference would it make? How could it get worse? But Joseph remained steadfast and faithful. So much so that even though he had not been 'ministered' to himself, when the occasion arose, he ministered to others. He didn't permit his circumstance to rob him of his integrity or his humanity.


It's so hard not to let circumstance and experience jade us. But if we are to follow, (to borrow a phrase from Erwin McManus) The Barbarian way we must be willing to live the 'raw, primal and dangerous faith of Jesus Christ'. It means that we must live above our circumstances and not be led by feeling and emotion, but by Truth and Grace. We must not respond eye for eye, but live as lambs – gentle and dependent on the Great Shepherd to guide us through the Valley of Death. Even if it takes 15 years --- or maybe a life time




Anyway I was just thinking




Neil

Celling Intergrity- Joseph

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 1:47 pm · by Neil · in , 1 comment



Building on Mark's reflection of Joseph through difficult times, the aspect of the story that I'm most struck with is Joseph's patience and integrity. The length of time from pit to palace was not a quick one. Joseph was just a boy when thrown into the pit, (early teens?) and was 30 when he was appointed by Pharaoh to rule. So we have at least 15 years, with a bulk of those being lived in prison. This was not a quick solution to a problem. I get frustrated with God when my prayers and needs are not answered after a day – let alone over 15 years. Yet, this did not seemly erode Joseph's reliance and faith in God. Joseph was in this alone, no family, no faith community support, and no available daily devotional materials. It was him and his faith and trust in the existence and awareness of God. I can't think of a much tougher situation to be in. Alone! Who would blame him from straying or indulging in some momentary personal pleasures? Who would see? Who would care? What difference would it make? How could it get worse? But Joseph remained steadfast and faithful. So much so that even though he had not been 'ministered' to himself, when the occasion arose, he ministered to others. He didn't permit his circumstance to rob him of his integrity or his humanity.


It's so hard not to let circumstance and experience jade us. But if we are to follow, (to borrow a phrase from Erwin McManus) The Barbarian way we must be willing to live the 'raw, primal and dangerous faith of Jesus Christ'. It means that we must live above our circumstances and not be led by feeling and emotion, but by Truth and Grace. We must not respond eye for eye, but live as lambs – gentle and dependent on the Great Shepherd to guide us through the Valley of Death. Even if it takes 15 years --- or maybe a life time




Anyway I was just thinking




Neil

Monday, April 07, 2008


This past weekend my wife (that is not her in the picture, I found that shot online), some friends and I went to Medieval Times in Toronto. It is a dinner show where you eat an “authentic” meal with your hands (no cutlery in medieval times) while you watch a tournament of knights on horseback. You cheer on your favorite knight while you drink “medieval Pepsi” and buy “medieval glow bracelets”. It is very cheesy and quite fun. One of the strange things is that the waitresses are called “wenches” and every time they speak to you they call you either “lord” or “lady” . This takes some getting used to. I can’t speak for everyone but being called “lord” is not something that happens to me everyday. I don’t know why but it made me uncomfortable. Maybe it was because our society is so focused on equality. Maybe it was because if I let someone call me lord I may have to call someone else lord.

As Christians we know we serve a lord. Or at least we say we do. I know I am constantly trying to put myself on the throne of my life. I get my focus off of His kingdom and I start to work on my own. When I know I should be praying

"Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven. "
(Mat 6:9-10)

Instead I pray,

My name is great,
My kingdom come,
My will be done
On earth and I’ll worry about heaven later.

I don’t pray these words out loud or even explicitly in my mind but my actions show that sometimes this is the prayer of my heart. This is what happens when I lose sight of the real King. I start to think that the world exists for my benefit. Pride is the gate to the rest of the “7 deadly sins” . Likewise the last 9 commandments flow out of “you shall have no other gods before Me.” When I make myself lord I forget that Christian Horizons does not exist to fill my needs. I fall into the trap of thinking a good shift in a group home is a shift that is easy for me. I forget that I am there to provide service to my fellow members of His kingdom on His behalf. As Don Miller writes “The most difficult lie I have ever contended with is that life is a story about me.”

We somehow manage to ignore the all powerful being who deserves our service not only because he created us but also bought us back with His blood. The 10 commandments are prefaced by:

2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 "You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:2-3 (NIV)


He saved the Israelites from slavery. He has a right to be their lord. He saved us from the slavery of sin. He has every right to be our lord. He is all powerful and He is loving. Why would we not want him to be our Lord?

At Medeival Times there is a King that presides over the ceremonies. His has a big white beard, a booming voice and a grand costume. When my wife and I left the show we got on a bus to head home. The King got on too, wearing a baseball hat and a leather jacket. Our Lord is not like that.

Mark Wallace

Lordship

Monday, April 07, 2008 at 1:22 pm · by Neil · in No comments


This past weekend my wife (that is not her in the picture, I found that shot online), some friends and I went to Medieval Times in Toronto. It is a dinner show where you eat an “authentic” meal with your hands (no cutlery in medieval times) while you watch a tournament of knights on horseback. You cheer on your favorite knight while you drink “medieval Pepsi” and buy “medieval glow bracelets”. It is very cheesy and quite fun. One of the strange things is that the waitresses are called “wenches” and every time they speak to you they call you either “lord” or “lady” . This takes some getting used to. I can’t speak for everyone but being called “lord” is not something that happens to me everyday. I don’t know why but it made me uncomfortable. Maybe it was because our society is so focused on equality. Maybe it was because if I let someone call me lord I may have to call someone else lord.

As Christians we know we serve a lord. Or at least we say we do. I know I am constantly trying to put myself on the throne of my life. I get my focus off of His kingdom and I start to work on my own. When I know I should be praying

"Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven. "
(Mat 6:9-10)

Instead I pray,

My name is great,
My kingdom come,
My will be done
On earth and I’ll worry about heaven later.

I don’t pray these words out loud or even explicitly in my mind but my actions show that sometimes this is the prayer of my heart. This is what happens when I lose sight of the real King. I start to think that the world exists for my benefit. Pride is the gate to the rest of the “7 deadly sins” . Likewise the last 9 commandments flow out of “you shall have no other gods before Me.” When I make myself lord I forget that Christian Horizons does not exist to fill my needs. I fall into the trap of thinking a good shift in a group home is a shift that is easy for me. I forget that I am there to provide service to my fellow members of His kingdom on His behalf. As Don Miller writes “The most difficult lie I have ever contended with is that life is a story about me.”

We somehow manage to ignore the all powerful being who deserves our service not only because he created us but also bought us back with His blood. The 10 commandments are prefaced by:

2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 "You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:2-3 (NIV)


He saved the Israelites from slavery. He has a right to be their lord. He saved us from the slavery of sin. He has every right to be our lord. He is all powerful and He is loving. Why would we not want him to be our Lord?

At Medeival Times there is a King that presides over the ceremonies. His has a big white beard, a booming voice and a grand costume. When my wife and I left the show we got on a bus to head home. The King got on too, wearing a baseball hat and a leather jacket. Our Lord is not like that.

Mark Wallace

Friday, February 01, 2008

We have been looking this past week at God’s Kingdom and our place in bringing it to Earth. Looking at the prophesies of Zechariah chapter 8. It may seem impossible to us that the world can return to a safe place where the vulnerable are cared for (see Kingdom part 1) but nothing is impossible for God (see Kingdom pt 2). Once we know what God wants for the world and we listen to His prompting of the ways He wants to use us to bring it about, there are amazing results.

Zechariah 8:20-23 (NIV) 20 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, 21 and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, 'Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.' 22 And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him." 23 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'" An Oracle

Once we catch the vision of what God is doing and align ourselves with His purposes, people will start to notice that we are different. Wouldn’t it be great if people saw us working with the individuals we serve and were prompted to say: “What is different about you?” “Why are you so loving, joyful, peaceful…etc.?” Wouldn’t it be great if people thought we must be Christians by our service and demeanor before even knowing the name of our organization? When we act as citizens of God’s Kingdom we will reflect the King. As Francis of Assisi is attributed with saying:

“Preach the gospel continually, use words if necessary”.

When people meet us do they see us or our king?
Do we live in a way that gives Him glory and inspires people to follow Him?

Mark Wallace

God's Kingdom Part 3

Friday, February 01, 2008 at 3:34 pm · by Neil · in No comments

We have been looking this past week at God’s Kingdom and our place in bringing it to Earth. Looking at the prophesies of Zechariah chapter 8. It may seem impossible to us that the world can return to a safe place where the vulnerable are cared for (see Kingdom part 1) but nothing is impossible for God (see Kingdom pt 2). Once we know what God wants for the world and we listen to His prompting of the ways He wants to use us to bring it about, there are amazing results.

Zechariah 8:20-23 (NIV) 20 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, 21 and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, 'Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.' 22 And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him." 23 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'" An Oracle

Once we catch the vision of what God is doing and align ourselves with His purposes, people will start to notice that we are different. Wouldn’t it be great if people saw us working with the individuals we serve and were prompted to say: “What is different about you?” “Why are you so loving, joyful, peaceful…etc.?” Wouldn’t it be great if people thought we must be Christians by our service and demeanor before even knowing the name of our organization? When we act as citizens of God’s Kingdom we will reflect the King. As Francis of Assisi is attributed with saying:

“Preach the gospel continually, use words if necessary”.

When people meet us do they see us or our king?
Do we live in a way that gives Him glory and inspires people to follow Him?

Mark Wallace

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Can God’s kingdom come to be on Earth? In the last blog we looked at some passages in Zechariah where God was envisioning Jerusalem rebuilt, with the old and young living safely inside, with the vulnerable protected. To the Israelites, at the time, it must have seemed next to impossible. The city was in ruins. No one was safe there. Today, Christians often feel that same sense of hopelessness when we look at the present state of our world. When we watch the news we see just how far from God’s Kingdom our world seems. We may even be tempted to throw up our hands and say: “Well I hope Jesus comes back soon because this world is beyond repair.” But God did not allow His people in the time of Zechariah to give up hope and He doesn’t want us to despair either.

Firstly, God reminds His people who He is:

Zechariah 8:6-8 (NIV) 6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?" declares the LORD Almighty. 7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. 8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God."

The things that are “marvelous” to us are not marvelous to God. He knows what He is capable of and we should not doubt him. Every generation since Jesus ascended into heaven has thought, “Look at how bad things are. These must be the last days.” These may indeed be the last days but if they are it will not be because God cannot fix the world or is powerless to change it. If we think our world is beyond hope we have a small view of our God.

Secondly God reminds his people how He usually works to build His Kingdom.

Zechariah 8:9 (NIV) This is what the LORD Almighty says: "You who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were there when the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD Almighty, let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.”

He tells the people “Let your hands be strong” - your hands, not someone else’s. He tells the people to be ready; He is going to use them. When we watch the news we can’t say: “It is hopeless”. Instead, we need to ask: “What can I do?”. We feel so small when we look at the problems facing the world. We are right to think that we can’t do anything on our own to bring about God’s Kingdom but if we think we can’t do something with Him working through us than we again have a very small view of God.

I am reminded of the Gandhi quote: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Say: “God, how can I bring your Kingdom?” and then do it. Bring safety, peace, love and hope to the group home in which you work. Give the people you serve an encounter with God’s love through you. Never forget that these ‘simple’ things to you are “marvelous” things to the world. Allow God to show you which brick is yours to put in his Kingdom wall.

Mark Wallace

God's Kingdom Part 2

Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 2:02 pm · by Neil · in No comments

Can God’s kingdom come to be on Earth? In the last blog we looked at some passages in Zechariah where God was envisioning Jerusalem rebuilt, with the old and young living safely inside, with the vulnerable protected. To the Israelites, at the time, it must have seemed next to impossible. The city was in ruins. No one was safe there. Today, Christians often feel that same sense of hopelessness when we look at the present state of our world. When we watch the news we see just how far from God’s Kingdom our world seems. We may even be tempted to throw up our hands and say: “Well I hope Jesus comes back soon because this world is beyond repair.” But God did not allow His people in the time of Zechariah to give up hope and He doesn’t want us to despair either.

Firstly, God reminds His people who He is:

Zechariah 8:6-8 (NIV) 6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?" declares the LORD Almighty. 7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. 8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God."

The things that are “marvelous” to us are not marvelous to God. He knows what He is capable of and we should not doubt him. Every generation since Jesus ascended into heaven has thought, “Look at how bad things are. These must be the last days.” These may indeed be the last days but if they are it will not be because God cannot fix the world or is powerless to change it. If we think our world is beyond hope we have a small view of our God.

Secondly God reminds his people how He usually works to build His Kingdom.

Zechariah 8:9 (NIV) This is what the LORD Almighty says: "You who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were there when the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD Almighty, let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.”

He tells the people “Let your hands be strong” - your hands, not someone else’s. He tells the people to be ready; He is going to use them. When we watch the news we can’t say: “It is hopeless”. Instead, we need to ask: “What can I do?”. We feel so small when we look at the problems facing the world. We are right to think that we can’t do anything on our own to bring about God’s Kingdom but if we think we can’t do something with Him working through us than we again have a very small view of God.

I am reminded of the Gandhi quote: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Say: “God, how can I bring your Kingdom?” and then do it. Bring safety, peace, love and hope to the group home in which you work. Give the people you serve an encounter with God’s love through you. Never forget that these ‘simple’ things to you are “marvelous” things to the world. Allow God to show you which brick is yours to put in his Kingdom wall.

Mark Wallace

Monday, January 28, 2008


On Saturday I attended an alumni event for staff members of the summer camp where I used to work. It was a great time to reconnect with friends I hadn’t seen in a while. During the evening, the speaker made reference to Zechariah chapter 8. This passage is the vision passage for that organization. While hearing it I thought about how it relates to Christian Horizons and our ministry.

Zechariah 8:1-5 (NIV) 1 Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me. 2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her." 3 This is what the LORD says: "I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain." 4 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. 5 The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.

Zechariah used these words in around 520 BC. This was during the Persian empires’ reign. Years before, the Babylonian Empire had captured Jerusalem, torn down its walls, burned its gates and took the Hebrew people into captivity. When the Persians overthrew the Babylonians under King Cyrus, he allowed some of the exiles to return. When God gave the above words to Zechariah, Nehemiah had not yet rebuilt the walls. The city was in ruins. The idea of people living to old age would have seemed next to impossible to the Hebrews living in the land. The idea of children playing in the streets of the city was unthinkable in its condition. God was jealous for his city.

We don’t live in Jerusalem but we do live in God’s kingdom. He still has plans for His kingdom and His subjects. Zechariah’s prophesy makes me think of the people we serve, and thank God that they are living much longer lives than ever before due to the quality of their lives and advances in medicine. I have been to many Christian Horizons homes and seen many happy seniors on their porches, just as the seniors would have been in the rebuilt Jerusalem. I think of the children that are sponsored through Christian Horizons Global all around the world. It is amazing that we are able to provide them with the necessities of life and a safe place to play.

God’s vision for Jerusalem is that those who need others to advocate for them are living well, that his children are taking care of each other. It is not that there will be a great palace or that it will have a small group of the most successful people in the world. God’s Kingdom is a place where no one is marginalized, where there is safety, where people who need advocacy find a voice. The greatness of a king is how the least of his subjects are doing, not the nobles. I am honoured to work for an organization that is able to do work for the God’s Kingdom.

As this week goes on we will look at Zechariah chapter 8 further and see some more aspects of living out His Kingdom.

Mark Wallace

God’s Vision Of A Healthy Kingdom

Monday, January 28, 2008 at 12:44 pm · by Neil · in No comments


On Saturday I attended an alumni event for staff members of the summer camp where I used to work. It was a great time to reconnect with friends I hadn’t seen in a while. During the evening, the speaker made reference to Zechariah chapter 8. This passage is the vision passage for that organization. While hearing it I thought about how it relates to Christian Horizons and our ministry.

Zechariah 8:1-5 (NIV) 1 Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me. 2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her." 3 This is what the LORD says: "I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain." 4 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. 5 The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.

Zechariah used these words in around 520 BC. This was during the Persian empires’ reign. Years before, the Babylonian Empire had captured Jerusalem, torn down its walls, burned its gates and took the Hebrew people into captivity. When the Persians overthrew the Babylonians under King Cyrus, he allowed some of the exiles to return. When God gave the above words to Zechariah, Nehemiah had not yet rebuilt the walls. The city was in ruins. The idea of people living to old age would have seemed next to impossible to the Hebrews living in the land. The idea of children playing in the streets of the city was unthinkable in its condition. God was jealous for his city.

We don’t live in Jerusalem but we do live in God’s kingdom. He still has plans for His kingdom and His subjects. Zechariah’s prophesy makes me think of the people we serve, and thank God that they are living much longer lives than ever before due to the quality of their lives and advances in medicine. I have been to many Christian Horizons homes and seen many happy seniors on their porches, just as the seniors would have been in the rebuilt Jerusalem. I think of the children that are sponsored through Christian Horizons Global all around the world. It is amazing that we are able to provide them with the necessities of life and a safe place to play.

God’s vision for Jerusalem is that those who need others to advocate for them are living well, that his children are taking care of each other. It is not that there will be a great palace or that it will have a small group of the most successful people in the world. God’s Kingdom is a place where no one is marginalized, where there is safety, where people who need advocacy find a voice. The greatness of a king is how the least of his subjects are doing, not the nobles. I am honoured to work for an organization that is able to do work for the God’s Kingdom.

As this week goes on we will look at Zechariah chapter 8 further and see some more aspects of living out His Kingdom.

Mark Wallace

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)