Livingloud - The Bowmanblog

Bold Moves

This time in Israel has been so good for my soul and a much needed time of refreshment and healing. There has been so much to take in and process as we have studied the life, ministry and disciple making movement of Jesus on location. Aside from the obvious benefit of this in terms of ministry development it seems that every time we go to a location and Dann or Steve open the scriptures to teach Jesus has been speaking to me right where I am, how I've been feeling and what I've been going through. Its been uplifting and encouraging. I've so much to process but I want to share just a few thoughts here from Israel about what Dann was sharing as we crossed the sea of Galilee this afternoon.

Mark 4:35-41 Jesus says to his disciples 'let us go across to the other side' it would take them to Kursi (Gergesa) and the region of the decapolis (a pagan area at the time of Jesus). It's a Bold Move to go there and if you read this section of Marks Gospel the disciples attitude reveals they are not too keen about it. This storm blows up (perhaps demonic in origin to keep him away) but Jesus won't be deterred. He's come for the whole world and here we see him again assert His authority over nature, sin, and demons. The disciples end up with a storm in their hearts that's more terrifying than the one outside their boat!
They are getting a lesson that they need to learn, with Jesus they have nothing to fear and that His movement will require bold moves. Long story short- this demon possessed man is healed and Jesus tells him to tell his friends what the Lord has done for him. Chapter 5 ends with him telling in the decapolis (10 cities) what Jesus has done. This guy became the man of peace and his witness paid off because when Jesus returned some time later 4000 people show up.

The question Dann encouraged us to reflect on and I invite you to do also is... What is your other side? Perhaps you/I are frightened to go there, reluctant, lacking faith. What Bold Move is God calling you/I to? If we are going to bear fruit/more fruit & much fruit, it'll mean some bold moves.
The thing that makes the difference is that Jesus is in our boat! We don't have to be afraid.

Song of Ascents - Day 15

Psalm 134

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1 Oh, praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
    

you who serve at night in the house of the Lord.

2 Lift up holy hands in prayer,
    

and praise the Lord.

3 May the Lord, who made heaven and earth,
    

bless you from Jerusalem.

 

I hope that as you read this I have arrived in Jerusalem.  And so we come to the end of our journey through the Psalms of Ascent.  In many ways this Psalm is fitting for the end of a journey.  All the focus is again on the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  Wherever you are (Jerusalem or Belfast) May the Lord, who made heaven and earth, bless you.     

song of Ascents - Day 14

Psalm 133

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
   

 when brothers live together in harmony!

2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
    

that was poured over Aaron’s head,
    

that ran down his beard
    

and onto the border of his robe.

3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
    

that falls on the mountains of Zion.

And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
    

even life everlasting

 

A Psalm that celebrates the beauty of brothers dwelling together in unity.  V2 & 3 convey lavish images of what this is like and its impact.  John 17:20-23 this should be the goal of the church.  ONE.  They'll know we are christians by our love.  It's as Francis Schaeffer stated 'the final apologetic'.  It's a beautiful thing to see, even more beautiful to experience.  

 

Song of Ascents - Day 13

Psalm 132

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1 Lord, remember David
    

and all that he suffered.

2 He made a solemn promise to the Lord.
    

He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel,

3 “I will not go home;
   

 I will not let myself rest.

4 I will not let my eyes sleep
    

nor close my eyelids in slumber

5 until I find a place to build a house for the Lord,
    

a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.”

6 We heard that the Ark was in Ephrathah;
    

then we found it in the distant countryside of Jaar.

7 Let us go to the sanctuary of the Lord;
   

 let us worship at the footstool of his throne.

8 Arise, O Lord, and enter your resting place,
    

along with the Ark, the symbol of your power.

9 May your priests be clothed in godliness;
    

may your loyal servants sing for joy.

10 For the sake of your servant David,
    

do not reject the king you have anointed.

11 The Lord swore an oath to David
    

with a promise he will never take back:

“I will place one of your descendants
 on your throne.

12 If your descendants obey the terms of my covenant
    

and the laws that I teach them,
 then your royal line
    

will continue forever and ever.”

13 For the Lord has chosen Jerusalem;
    

he has desired it for his home.

14 “This is my resting place forever,” he said.
    

“I will live here, for this is the home I desired.

15 I will bless this city and make it prosperous;
   

 I will satisfy its poor with food.

16 I will clothe its priests with godliness;
    

its faithful servants will sing for joy.

17 Here I will increase the power of David;
    

my anointed one will be a light for my people.

18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,
    

but he will be a glorious king.”

 

A song celebratings God's promises to David.  As I read it I'm reminded how the whole Bible whispers the name Jesus.  It's here too... v11,18 a new king would come... the kingliest of kings.  He wouldn't be what anyone would expect.  He'd come from David's line.  

Silver Medal Ministers

I really like Jon Acuff, his book 'Stuff Christians Like' is hilarious... he makes us take a look at ourselves and we cringe because the stuff he points out is often uncomfortably true.  (Though I'm waiting for someone to write 'stuff christians don't like' which would probably be a much thicker book, perhaps a multi volume tome.  

A friend recently sent me the link to this on Jon's website Treating Youth Ministers like silver medal ministers As expected it is very funny and I found myself nodding in agreement as to why youth ministry is the toughest job in church, have a read... all the way to the end.  You'll find out why we do this oft misunderstood role and why we consider it the greatest privilege in the world.  

Song of Ascents - Day 12

Psalm 131

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

1 Lord, my heart is not proud;
    

my eyes are not haughty.
I don’t concern myself with matters too great
    

or too awesome for me to grasp.

2  Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,
    

like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.
    

Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, put your hope in the Lord—
    

now and always.

 

This Psalm speaks of a quiet confidence in the Lord; to be simply content in His presence.  I'm trying to live the reality of these words today, to not concern myself with the questions, frustrations, things I don't understand and beyond my control and to trust, to hold fast hope.   

Songs of Ascent - Day 11

Psalm 130

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1 From the depths of despair, O Lord,
    

I call for your help.

2 Hear my cry, O Lord.
    

Pay attention to my prayer.

3 Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
    

who, O Lord, could ever survive?

4 But you offer forgiveness,
    

that we might learn to fear you.

5 I am counting on the Lord;
   

 yes, I am counting on him.
    

I have put my hope in his word.

6 I long for the Lord
    

more than sentries long for the dawn,
    

yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord;
    

for with the Lord there is unfailing love.
    

His redemption overflows.

8 He himself will redeem Israel
    

from every kind of sin.

 

This is one of my favourite Psalms, a heartfelt prayer of repentance.  It begins in the depths of despair, a fitting description of the mess and misery sin causes and from here it moves to repentance to holding fast to hope and finally assurance of the Lord's redemption and His unfailing love.

I imagine the pilgrims ascending this song on their lips realising that if the Lord kept a record of wrongs no one could stand/survive in His presence, yet it is because of His unfailing love and his offer of forgiveness that we can come right into His presence.  Our response to this is to worship, to long for the Lord who we can count on.  Hope in the Lord today!

Songs of Ascent - Day 10

Psalm 129

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1  From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me.
    

Let all Israel repeat this:

2 From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me,
    

but they have never defeated me.

3 My back is covered with cuts,
   

 as if a farmer had plowed long furrows.

4 But the Lord is good;
    

he has cut me free from the ropes of the ungodly.

5 May all who hate Jerusalem
    

be turned back in shameful defeat.

6 May they be as useless as grass on a rooftop,
   

 turning yellow when only half grown,

7 ignored by the harvester,
    

despised by the binder.

8 And may those who pass by
    

refuse to give them this blessing:
“The Lord bless you;
    

we bless you in the Lord’s name.”

 

The Temple was the nexus of heaven and earth for the Israelites, and they ascended towards the temple mount with this song on their lips; vivid in its earthy descriptions of the injustices and persecution the faithfull have endured.  It's not an individualistic 'me' in v1 the 'me' is the people of God.  V3 is a powerful image of pain and suffering but v4 breaks in 'But the Lord is good'  And we are reminded again that God is the mighty deliverer.  

I like this Psalm because it is honest, it expresses the pain and struggle that the faithful sometimes must endure.  But it is never despairing, it is resilient echoing hope 'The Lord is good'.  It is also an honest appeal for justice.  

Have you been beaten down of late?  Have you taken some scars lately?   Take courage, you may get beaten down but you'll never be defeated.  The Lord is good!  

Songs of Ascent - Day 9

128 

Blessed Is Everyone Who Fears the Lord

A Song of Ascents.

1 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
    

who walks in his ways!

2 You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands;
    

you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    

within your house; your children will be like olive shoots
    

round your table.

4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
    

who fears the Lord.

5 The Lord bless you from Zion!
    

May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
    

all the days of your life!

6 May you see your children's children!
    

Peace be upon Israel!

 

This Psalm builds on the picture painted in Psalm 127, adding more colours to the picture of blessedness of the person who fears the Lord/Walks in His ways.  Blessed is to know true happiness and the smiling approval of God.  I love that this Psalm connects the individuals blessedness with the well being of God's people see vs 5&6.  Faith is so often seen as this 'personal/individualistic thing' and certainly that is part of it, but it doesn't stop there.  We're better/stronger together.  

Bearing in mind this is also a song used in worship it is in stark contrast to many worship songs we sing that are of the individualistic 'me and Jesus got a good thing going' kinda mindset.  We need more songs that speak of what it means to be the people of God less of me more of we!

 

 

Songs of Ascent - Day 8

127 

Unless the Lord Builds the House

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

1  Unless the Lord builds the house,
    

those who build it labour in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,
   

 the watchman stays awake in vain.

2 It is in vain that you rise up early
    

and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
    

for he gives to his beloved sleep.

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
    

the fruit of the womb a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
    

are the children of one's youth.

5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!

He shall not be put to shame
    

when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

 

This Psalm was written by Solomon and it is filled with wisdom.  So what is a wisdom poem doing here in the songs of ascent?  well it makes perfect sense when you think about it; worship and wisdom coming together.  Wisdom is about faithfulness in everyday life, its what we know about God and what he expects from his people applied to our daily lives.  It goes hand in hand with worship.  It's that sense of our daily lives... our everyday, ordinary lives placed before God as an offering.  I love how Keith Green put it: Make my life a prayer to you, I wanna do what you want me to.  No empty words and no white lies, no token prayers, no compromise.  

In Psalm 127 we're reminded that without the Lord everything is in vain, all our efforts, all our hard work.  The psalm is pretty clear that whatever we're doing (building a house, fulfilling our duty as a watchmen, raising our families etc these task require considerable effort and commitment) it's got to be done in faith, we've got to put the work in, but we've got to do it in faith.  Trusting God, not our mere efforts!  Yes there is much wisdom here when it comes to ministry... how often do we rush on with little dependance on God.  But the same applies to our everyday, ordinary lives.