Wow, twenty-four last week!!! And a bunch of new folks hanging out, playing football, jamming some music and sharing about Jesus...sweet time with Nomad, ya'll.
Been getting asked again: "Why do you call it Nomad?"
The short version - there is a long and boring version, for sure - I didn't name it Nomad. It just kind of happened. The more it was repeated, the more "Nomad" made sense. Nomadic people do not stay in the same place. They are on the move. Many Native American tribes were nomadic until they were forced by the government to stay in one physical location. The same thing has happened in Jesus' church: we've forced people to stay in one physical location when he has said, "Go!" from the start.
This is where I squint my eyes and clench the jaw, and my words growl from the throat because there is thunder in this truth and I want you to hear it:
If we do not go, we are not Jesus' people.
If you think the thing that united the disciples during Jesus' life was his teaching....you are dead wrong.
The thing that united their lives, relationships, mission and purpose was always Jesus' road to the cross.
It was always the "Go!" Jesus teachings, his miracles, the fact he fulfills over 300 prophecies...all of those things point to the cross (and, of course, the empty tomb!). Jesus always knew what united his core group....even when they weren't straight on what the core-uniting-element was.
We still can miss the heart of the mission...even today.
Bible studies are good. So are small groups. But there are small groups and Bible studies all over where people sit and "dig deep" and yet never seem to grow - and certainly never, "Go!" - because Jesus mission is not at their core. I've been in these groups, so trust me when I say they exist. I'm sad to say I've facilitated them as well.
Jesus has something simple to say about those kinds of groups. "Why do you call me Lord, Lord....and do not do what I say?" He says spiritual life like that is like building a beautiful house on sand. When the storm comes and the thunder rolls, the house is destroyed.
But those who do what Jesus says....their house is built on rock.
So Nomad goes.
A second question: Where do we go? I'll save that explanation for next week's entry. But being "nomadic" means we are only at home when we are together, and we're only ourselves when we are "going"....as Jesus has commanded.
Follow me. Go, make disciples. I send you to the ends of the earth.
Follow him.
Come on and join us at Westchester Park! That is on the corner of Lincoln and Manchester @ 6:20ish pm. Cooking out! Bring something to share if you can. Be ready for a family-style time of fellows hip and fun, and expect God is going to teach you something when we gather. Because he will.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Jesus' Love - The Best!
Hey everyone! We had an AWESOME men's retreat last weekend. I have so many thoughts rattling around in my brain from the weekend, but one thing I keep coming back to - and in order to tell the story, I have to name names.
One of the guys I met at the campsite - there were hundreds and hundreds of people near Lake Piru where we stayed - told me that our group of guys seemed like they'd been friends for a logn time. He said, You guys are having the time of your lives! I'm sure it did seem that way.
But here's the facts: everyone who went on this trip has met someone in the group in just the last few weeks. No one knew everyone in the group for longer than a month.
I've known Terrance for a couple months, same with David and Chandler; Mark I've known for Three weeks. We aren't a bunch of friends who go way back!
But I know our group gave that impression to a number of people. I mean, we had people coming from other camp sites to eat with us, pray with us, listen to God's word being spoken (one very drunk man bawled in my arms after hearing the gospel - first, he poked a finger in my chest and said, "Convince me..." Then...). Howard was an AMAZING host and cook. It was just a time of total hospitality and love.
This is what Jesus brings to our lives, guys. This is what must soak us. The world is done with Christians who keep toweling off the water of God, so to speak. They want and need to see people doused in his love.
Jesus has so much love that when he's on the cross with his wrist-bones are shattered, and he can barely breathe from the wound in his side, and he can't think with a crown of old Judean thorns pounded into his head, and he can only aleviate pressure on his arms and chest by standing on the spike in his feet, he still loves his neighbors. Father forgive them, he says of the crowd. Behold your mother, he says to John. Surely you will be with me this day in paradise, he says to the criminal beside him.
This Friday, let's talk about the invasiveness and power of God's love. Maybe you have a story of how God has touched your live through someone else. Guys on the retreat, this is on opportunity to share what's happened during that time.
Our text is Mark 9 - please read it two or three times before Friday.
If you want to help with anything - prayer, discussion, food, whatever, comment on the blog or email me!
6:20pm Friday Night at Westchester Park. If you are able, bring something to share - we'll have the grill!
Peace,
John
One of the guys I met at the campsite - there were hundreds and hundreds of people near Lake Piru where we stayed - told me that our group of guys seemed like they'd been friends for a logn time. He said, You guys are having the time of your lives! I'm sure it did seem that way.
But here's the facts: everyone who went on this trip has met someone in the group in just the last few weeks. No one knew everyone in the group for longer than a month.
I've known Terrance for a couple months, same with David and Chandler; Mark I've known for Three weeks. We aren't a bunch of friends who go way back!
But I know our group gave that impression to a number of people. I mean, we had people coming from other camp sites to eat with us, pray with us, listen to God's word being spoken (one very drunk man bawled in my arms after hearing the gospel - first, he poked a finger in my chest and said, "Convince me..." Then...). Howard was an AMAZING host and cook. It was just a time of total hospitality and love.
This is what Jesus brings to our lives, guys. This is what must soak us. The world is done with Christians who keep toweling off the water of God, so to speak. They want and need to see people doused in his love.
Jesus has so much love that when he's on the cross with his wrist-bones are shattered, and he can barely breathe from the wound in his side, and he can't think with a crown of old Judean thorns pounded into his head, and he can only aleviate pressure on his arms and chest by standing on the spike in his feet, he still loves his neighbors. Father forgive them, he says of the crowd. Behold your mother, he says to John. Surely you will be with me this day in paradise, he says to the criminal beside him.
This Friday, let's talk about the invasiveness and power of God's love. Maybe you have a story of how God has touched your live through someone else. Guys on the retreat, this is on opportunity to share what's happened during that time.
Our text is Mark 9 - please read it two or three times before Friday.
If you want to help with anything - prayer, discussion, food, whatever, comment on the blog or email me!
6:20pm Friday Night at Westchester Park. If you are able, bring something to share - we'll have the grill!
Peace,
John
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Less Like "Cancelled", More Like "On The Move"
Unless you can get to Lake Peru, most of you won't be able to hang with Nomad this week. So keep checking the blog but Nomad will not be at Minerva's, Cheri Kay's or the park - unless you blow everyone away and just ignore this email and do it!
Peace...see you soon. Pray for us as we take these guys out of town for a couple days for spiritual renewal - and some serious eats, fishing, etc, etc. We're taking a bunch of guys out for the first ever men's retreat our church has done since I've been hanging in this community. Good times planned, wicked menu, and back at a decent hour on Sunday. Can't wait!
If you're interested in going, too, shoot me an email tonight. Still have a couple spots.
Peace,
John
310-743-6849
Peace...see you soon. Pray for us as we take these guys out of town for a couple days for spiritual renewal - and some serious eats, fishing, etc, etc. We're taking a bunch of guys out for the first ever men's retreat our church has done since I've been hanging in this community. Good times planned, wicked menu, and back at a decent hour on Sunday. Can't wait!
If you're interested in going, too, shoot me an email tonight. Still have a couple spots.
Peace,
John
310-743-6849
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Prayer Is A Trip
So last week, we had no drinks. And you know, I realized that. Yes I very much did, okay. Didn't need Joe saying, "Yo, John...drinkee?" or Marcus knifing his hands and saying, "We must find drinks - how can one eat a meal without liquid sustenance!? John, this is serious..." It was like Marcus was addressing a clean water shortage or something.
But, hey, I agree. If we are going to take the church to the park, and we're inviting anyone who'd like to come to come on and eat....be great to have drinks.
So we prayed right there in the park parking lot: "God, for real, we need some drinks."
Then we set up the gear.
Then Mark picked up the guitar.
Then Tyler threw the frisbee over the pool fence.
And then, my neighbor pulled up. I was thinking, "He's probably bout to walk the dog..." but he opens his trunk and starts lifting out cases of soda (yo, I say "soda", ok - sometimes "sodie", you "pop" weirdies). He looks towards me and waves, with a case of soda under his arm. He sets the cases on the table, busts out this massive box of chips. "You guys are feeding people tonight, right?" I'm like, "Yeah, man, and we needed drinks."
Answer to prayer.
The boys went nuts. It was actually pretty amazing.
So we'll be back at the park tomorrow night. There is a link to the park on the previous post, if you need directions.
MEET AT 6:20ish. PLEASE BRING A BIT O' FOOD TO SHARE. COME AS YOU ARE, AND WE'LL HAVE A GREAT TIME.
Mark 8 - everything after the blind dude Jesus heals.
Can't wait!!!!!
Minerva's Nomad is still officially on, but right now, guys, Johnny's got to be at the park. Can I be blunt: I'm praying everyday that God raises up disciples to pastor this church on the West side. Until then, we've got a person of peace but no disciples to send to her house! I do feel this burning desire to get to Minerva's, but not without God making it clear 'it's time' for me to do so.
Do you remember Luke 10:2-6:
Jesus told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If a man (or woman) of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house."
So, here's the truth. No one with Nomad can deny this: Minerva is a person of peace!!!! She has allowed our peace to rest on her. Jesus' commands us to, then, "Stay in that house...." Do not move around from house to house, he says. And that doesn't mean, "Don't plant the church in a new house..." It means that old-school method of passing out fliers and then passing on by the, like, two people who get excited about talking to us - that method is not Jesus' method.
Why?
Because we can be the church right there in that home for that family, for the people in that neighborhood, and God can reach people as he desires to - through peace. See peace is kind of like his "clue" that we're on the right track. When people welcome us, we need to stay, even when it's inconvenient or we don't see the big picture.
Some of you are plugged into your weekly worship service, getting your God fix...and during the week you simply aren't reaching out to the community. How can you on our own? Well, when you've got a person of peace you've got a venue. And God will provide the rest, but not unless we respond to his call.
So we need some teachable, obedient folks to begin saying, "I want to make a difference for the kingdom of God on Adams, at Minerva's."
Love you all! See you tomorrow!
But, hey, I agree. If we are going to take the church to the park, and we're inviting anyone who'd like to come to come on and eat....be great to have drinks.
So we prayed right there in the park parking lot: "God, for real, we need some drinks."
Then we set up the gear.
Then Mark picked up the guitar.
Then Tyler threw the frisbee over the pool fence.
And then, my neighbor pulled up. I was thinking, "He's probably bout to walk the dog..." but he opens his trunk and starts lifting out cases of soda (yo, I say "soda", ok - sometimes "sodie", you "pop" weirdies). He looks towards me and waves, with a case of soda under his arm. He sets the cases on the table, busts out this massive box of chips. "You guys are feeding people tonight, right?" I'm like, "Yeah, man, and we needed drinks."
Answer to prayer.
The boys went nuts. It was actually pretty amazing.
So we'll be back at the park tomorrow night. There is a link to the park on the previous post, if you need directions.
MEET AT 6:20ish. PLEASE BRING A BIT O' FOOD TO SHARE. COME AS YOU ARE, AND WE'LL HAVE A GREAT TIME.
Mark 8 - everything after the blind dude Jesus heals.
Can't wait!!!!!
A Note on Nomad at Minerva's
Minerva's Nomad is still officially on, but right now, guys, Johnny's got to be at the park. Can I be blunt: I'm praying everyday that God raises up disciples to pastor this church on the West side. Until then, we've got a person of peace but no disciples to send to her house! I do feel this burning desire to get to Minerva's, but not without God making it clear 'it's time' for me to do so.
Do you remember Luke 10:2-6:
Jesus told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If a man (or woman) of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house."
So, here's the truth. No one with Nomad can deny this: Minerva is a person of peace!!!! She has allowed our peace to rest on her. Jesus' commands us to, then, "Stay in that house...." Do not move around from house to house, he says. And that doesn't mean, "Don't plant the church in a new house..." It means that old-school method of passing out fliers and then passing on by the, like, two people who get excited about talking to us - that method is not Jesus' method.
Why?
Because we can be the church right there in that home for that family, for the people in that neighborhood, and God can reach people as he desires to - through peace. See peace is kind of like his "clue" that we're on the right track. When people welcome us, we need to stay, even when it's inconvenient or we don't see the big picture.
Some of you are plugged into your weekly worship service, getting your God fix...and during the week you simply aren't reaching out to the community. How can you on our own? Well, when you've got a person of peace you've got a venue. And God will provide the rest, but not unless we respond to his call.
So we need some teachable, obedient folks to begin saying, "I want to make a difference for the kingdom of God on Adams, at Minerva's."
Love you all! See you tomorrow!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Nomad II
So...the bonfire. Yeah, what about that? Headed down to the beach, all of us nomadic people, and sure enough every single pit was taken. So, a bit saddened, we retreated to Westchester Park where I was schooling some boys in a lil' football and we ate some jalapeno and mango sausage that was off the hook! Good times. Well, it was such a good time that it looks like we're heading back to Westchester Park for a little bit more cooking out!
So tomorrow night, we'll be - listen carefully - on the Lincoln Boulevard side of Westchester Park, the massive park which runs along Manchester and ends at Lincoln. We'll be gathering around 6:20ish and will be eating shortly thereafter.
Tomorrow night, bring your bible and be ready to see what God's got in store. We won't force it, we'll let him do his thing; but it looks like our target text is Mark 8. Now, for those of you who have the Ravi CD - you know who you are - be ready to discuss it. And if you have a nomad bookmark with something to do (uh huh), get er' done.
Last week we had a ton missing and still had 19 at the gathering. That's awesome! Let's keep it up this week - God will take care of the rest.
Peace,
John
Oh, yeah, bring something good to eat, yo!!!
So tomorrow night, we'll be - listen carefully - on the Lincoln Boulevard side of Westchester Park, the massive park which runs along Manchester and ends at Lincoln. We'll be gathering around 6:20ish and will be eating shortly thereafter.
Tomorrow night, bring your bible and be ready to see what God's got in store. We won't force it, we'll let him do his thing; but it looks like our target text is Mark 8. Now, for those of you who have the Ravi CD - you know who you are - be ready to discuss it. And if you have a nomad bookmark with something to do (uh huh), get er' done.
Last week we had a ton missing and still had 19 at the gathering. That's awesome! Let's keep it up this week - God will take care of the rest.
Peace,
John
Oh, yeah, bring something good to eat, yo!!!
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