March 11 - God Knows and Cares

Read: Matthew 10:26-33

But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. (Matthew 10:30 ESV)

God cares about you deeply. Jesus implicitly expressed this as he prepared to send out his followers to minister to the Jews. The message was multi-faceted, yet clear. The disciples and other followers of Jesus would face persecution, but God would help them. God cared for them. God valued them.

Depending on where you live you may face actual physical persecution for your faith. It is something that is far more prevalent than many in the American Church realize. This kind of persecution always has a variety of outcomes. Sometimes the person is miraculously delivered. Often someone gives their life for their faith.

Jesus reassured his followers that hard times were to come. Following him meant something. It was historic. It was monumental in the shaping of the destiny of creation. And basically all of Jesus' disciples died martyr's deaths. John, the youngest of the disciples, was the only one not killed for his faith. But it wasn't for a lack of trying.

John was dipped in boiling oil, he was set on fire, and he was poisoned. None of it worked. What was so special about John? I'm not entirely sure. However, I know that Jesus expressed value in all of his followers. A value that extends to those who authentically follow him today. In truth, Jesus knows us better than we even know ourselves. I'll admit, that thought gives me a great deal of comfort.

Review: Oz the Great and Powerful (No Spoilers)

I have a seen the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz more than any other film. I don't think it would be any kind of a stretch to say that I have probably seen it over a hundred and fifty times. Growing up in my house it was a regular affair to watch the annual broadcast, and once we owned a copy of our own it was viewed even more regularly. So it was with great anticipation and the glassy eyes of nostalgia that I took my seat today to see Sam Raimi's interpretation of Frank L. Baum's wonderful world of magic and munchkins. It did not disappoint.

In a way I feel sorry for the creative collaborators for having undertaken a project that carries so much history. In my opinion they did a good job. It's not a perfect movie, but it is a perfectly delightful movie.

From the moment the opening credits dawned in an otherworldly 4:3 screen ratio, complete with black and white color pallet, I was hooked. The story unfolded with charm and pointed story telling that never felt like it was too much for kids, but connected with my adult sensibilities just as well. In a film where every shot is essentially a special effects shot the characters must truly sell the picture. The characters were at the heart of the story, with Oz (the land itself) being inasmuch a character as any of the others. What stole the show for me was the color. I have never seen such a visually pleasing movie. It was vibrant, imaginative, and delightful.

I'll not go on about plot elements or boring details. I enjoyed the movie. I have been traveling to Oz via books, movies, and cartoons all my life. Oz the Great and Powerful was the best trip yet.

March 10 - Teach and Learn

Read: Matthew 10:16-25

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. (Matthew 10:24 ESV)

I love living life with my fellow Christians. I have the wonderful privilege of working and serving in a close knit community of believers. We're in a season of rapid change as God brings in more and more people. We are experiencing a ton of growth. This has created a lot of really amazing opportunities for discipleship.

It is an awesome experience to have a hand in the spiritual development of a young adult. It also comes with the hefty weight of responsibility. Being given that kind of degree of authority places people under your care. When you're discipling someone you begin to care for them deeply as both parties begin to understand their unique roles in the relationship.

A mentor is burdened with the wonderful task of guiding someone toward a greater level of understanding and obedience in their faith. The one being mentored, the disciple, has the appointed opportunity to absorb and obey as they share in life and ministry with their teacher. This is probably my favorite aspect of ministry.

This was Jesus' model for growing the Kingdom. Take twelve guys, pour everything into them, and turn it over to them. Incredible. Along the way he offered up this little reminder. We all have a teacher to follow. We all have a master to serve. Sometimes that means we just need to pause and consider: How might I learn better? How and who can I serve better?

I love teaching and I love sharing. Sometimes I can learn just as much from those God has placed under my authority. They often teach me a great deal about dreaming big, about sharing faith, and about walking in transparency.

March 9 - At Hand

Read: Matthew 10:5-15

And proclaim as you go, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 10:7 ESV)

For hundreds of years the Jews had been waiting for the Messiah. He had arrived. Jesus was on the scene. As he selected, trained, and sent his disciples he granted them authority to do miracles, to proclaim the good news of the Gospel, and to invite people into the Kingdom of God.

They spread out across the region sharing the Gospel. The message; the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. It was at hand. It was near. It was now. It was attainable. It was within reach.

This incredible spiritual happening was happening in the here and now for them. It continues today. No longer was a relationship with God something to be gained through ritual, rules, and religious regulation. God could be known simply by reaching out to know Him. Jesus personified this. He made it possible.

Jesus is the door to the Kingdom. To know God is to know Christ. To know Christ is to know God. Want relationship with the Father? Get to know the Son. Need the restoration of the Father? Seek the hand of the Son.

Even today God longs to reconcile us to Himself. It is the work of salvation. It is the mission of the Incarnate Christ. It is at hand.

March 8 - Authority

Read: Matthew 10:1-4

And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. (Matthew 10:1 ESV)

Authority is generally pretty easy to recognize. We recognize the authority of police by their uniforms, badges, or vehicles. Firemen are recognized by their uniforms and equipment. First responders by their sirens and ambulance.

All of these things are not authority. They are only the tools that allow the ones who wield them to utilize and represent their authority by completing their jobs. Police use those tools to enforce the law, firemen to aid civilians and stop fires, and first responders to rescue people of provide emergency medical assistance. Each of these people are operating under a type of authority given to them by a larger governing power.

Jesus was the disciples' larger governing power. As he was the face of God before the Twelve he represented the interest and authority of God. He passed this authority on to his disciples.

The Apostle Paul later wrote that all Christians were Christ's ambassadors. Each of us carry an official mark of authority that recognizes us as official representatives of the Kingdom of God. In some way, on some level, that bestows upon us an inherent authority. The disciples were granted authority to cast out demons and to heal people. What does that kind of authority mean for you and I?

March 7 - Fishermen

Read: Matthew 4:18-22 & Mark 1:16-20

And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19 ESV)

I am a pretty poor fisherman. My dad tried really hard to teach me, but it just never took. I am pitifully unskilled at it. Others in my family are pretty good at it. My mom, brother, wife, and dad are all better at it than I am.

There are a lot of reasons why I am not a good at fishing, but the biggest one comes back to me not being very teachable concerning the subject. Fishing is one of those kinds of things that you can gain some proficiency at on your own, but if you want to be truly skilled you have to learn from a master. You have to learn the tricks for the different kinds of fish, the way to use different bait, how you change techniques depending on water depth and flow. Fishing is a complicated and yet simple activity.

Sharing the story of Jesus is much the same. Jesus told his disciples that by following him he would "make them become fishers of men." The gospel is easy to share, and at the same time it can seem complicated. It can seem overwhelming. It's a beautiful paradox.

Jesus developed his followers. He took a handful of men and women and entrusted Christianity to them. Every Christian on the planet can trace their faith back to one of those original twelve followers. In 2000 years the model for reaching people is still the same. His will is shape people over time into people who can reach out and lead and shape other people. So, how are you letting him shape you?

March 6 - Casting Nets

Read: Luke 5:1-11

And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." (Luke 5:5 ESV)

Everything we know about Simon Peter suggests that he was a successful fisherman. He made a career out of it. He had multiple boats and even several partners. When Jesus climbed into his boat one day he had already fished unsuccessfully for the entire night. So, why then did he obey the advice of a carpenter and cast his nets?

Sometimes the person with the most talent, best intentions, or superior intellect can miss the mark. There is always grace in those situations. There is always opportunity for improvement. There is always a chance to let Jesus show you how that you might do it better.

Peter had already seen Jesus at work. He was no stranger to Capernaum. He had even healed Peter's mother-in-law at an earlier date. No, Simon Peter knew who Jesus was, and what he was about. He didn't completely grasp the full implications of it all, but he believed. He believed in Jesus. So when Jesus, a trained carpenter and traveling preacher, asked him to cast his nets at the end of a long and fruitless night, it wasn't a man Peter was listening to. It was faith.

Unfortunately, we often wait until we have weathered a fruitless night before casting our net with Jesus. When all along we could have started with him. All along we could have followed him into a life of fruitfulness. Casting nets is work; and pulling in full nets is even harder work. Still Jesus compels us to come and throw out our nets. I for one am anxious to see the catch.

I Love This Season

I love spring. I really look forward to it every year. And no, it's not quite spring yet. Especially these last few days have felt very unspringish—with a naughty wind that feels like winter's stubborn attempt to linger longer than it is welcome. But as the saying around here goes... this is Arkansas, if you don't like the weather just wait a little, it will change. Isn't that the truth? Weather is always changing here. Seasons are seasonal. We have four on the calendar but some years if feels like we have about fourteen.

Life can get that way too. It has its ebb and flow. There are times when things feel incredible. You feel unstoppable, unbeatable, and if you're looking in the direction, incredibly humbled by it all. That pretty much sums up how I'm feeling these days. Life is just so incredibly undeservedly good.

I'm working harder than I have ever worked in my life. I'm busier than I have ever been. I've taken on more responsibility, committed myself to do more, be more, and give more—and rather than feeling used up and burned out I am loving it! For me, this is a very good season.

My son will be a year old in three weeks, these last several months have been magical in a way that is inexplicably serene. I love my wife in a greater measure than I ever have before. I have built bonds in ministry that are astounding and eternal. The truth is that I have actually done very little of anything in any of this.

God is definitely at work in my life. Good things are happening. So while the weather can change at a moment's notice, for now I am going to keep on keeping on. I'm going to enjoy this season.

March 5 - Leave Everything

Read: Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27-32

And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. (Luke 5:28 ESV)

Matthew the tax collector (also called Levi) was probably wealthy compared to the people around him. He was essentially a government sponsored swindler. An employee of the Roman's, it was Matthew's job to get the needed taxes from his countrymen. Anything collected above the needed amount was kept as payment. It was a system that set Matthew up as an apparent traitor to his fellow Jews. That all changed for Matthew the day Jesus walked into his life.

Matthew left everything. The tax booth, the pay check, his assignment by the Roman conquerors. He left it all and started following a homeless traveling preacher. Why? Because Matthew recognized that there was nothing he had that was better than anything Jesus was offering. To him that was worth leaving everything.

How does the story translate to us today? Are you and I willing to leave behind everything? What would that even look like? Those are pretty tough questions to consider. They are made even tougher if you are someone sitting high atop the ladder of financial success. Still, Matthew did it. So can we. He even went on to write the Gospel that bears his name.

Our pursuits and passions are often varied and frivolous. Sometimes our careers can be as well. A life lived in full pursuit of Jesus is never frivolous. It is measured. It is costly. It is worth leaving everything.

March 4 - Rabbi, Son, & King

Read: John 1:46-51

Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (John 1:49 ESV)

Jesus' prophetic display convinced Nathan to follow him. He exclaimed his astonishment by attributing three very Jewish titles to Jesus. He called him a rabbi, the Son of God, and King of the Jews.

Rabbi was a title. It was and still is a Jewish word for teacher. It was used frequently when speaking of Jesus. For good reason too. He was teaching the people of his day the truth of the kingdom of God in a way that baffled, angered, and shamed the religious elite, while encouraging and empowering the destitute and ignored. Jesus taught about a lot of things, but he demonstrated all of his instruction very pointedly by becoming the sacrifice to fulfill all of his earthly promises.

Son of God seems to be a really straight forward thing to call someone, and basically it is. It is a figure of speech that goes all the way back to the creation story when Adam is called the son of God. It is a theme that runs through the entire Old Testament, spinning out of the promise God made to Abraham that he would be an exalted father. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of those three words. He is the Son of God. He is God the Son. Essentially, all Old Testament themes speaking of sonship and family point ahead to Jesus. He is the fulfillment of that and so much more. And you and I can also be sons of God as we are adopted into the family of God through Jesus' sacrifice.

King of Israel was a curious thing to call Jesus. After all, the nation already had a king. This title declares two things. First, the man who sat on the throne at the time of Jesus was not the true king of Israel. He was not a descendant of David. No, Herod was a puppet king put in place by the Romans. Second, the title attributed to Jesus recognition of his lawful right to the throne, something he did not pursue at that time, as well as his role as an eternal king of God's people.

Ultimately Jesus is the supreme teacher, son, and ruler. In him we have revealed to us absolute truth. In him we find restoration into the original family. In him we gain citizenship to a sovereign eternal kingdom.

Memphis Lights

I'm pretty excited about finally being able to share the new short film with you guys. After hours and hours of work here it is.... [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljLuja369Gw&w=560&h=315]

Poverty and homelessness are prominent in parts of Memphis, TN. This is the story of one church's effort to share a light in the darkness.

March 3 - A Personal Connection

Read: John 1:43-45

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." (John 1:43 ESV)

According to the Bible, in terms of human attraction, Jesus was nothing spectacular to look upon. He was well regarded by people. He was admired for his teaching, compassion, and miracles. Was that alone enough to cause the large numbers of people who gathered around him to follow him?

Philip is counted among the original twelve. He was one chosen by Christ to steward Christianity in its infancy. Philip gave his life to fulfill the role Jesus had called him into. Philip probably already knew a lot about Jesus by the time Christ found him and stated those two words that changed his eternal destiny. Jesus was extremely well known in the region. Still, it took an experience with Jesus. It took personal connection for Philip to engage.

There are many we interact with on a regular basis that are similar to Philip. They need only experience a personal connection with Jesus to start their life of following. We are their best chance at a personal connection. After all, we are the representatives for Christ and his kingdom in this world.

How well are you representing? How are you representing? Are you connecting? Can you connect better?

March 2 - Finding Jesus

Read: John 1:41-42

He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). (John 1:41 ESV)

I can not even begin to imagine the euphoria experienced by Andrew and Peter when they realized that they had found the Messiah. The title Messiah was such an important word in Old Testament Jewish tradition. For them to conclude that Jesus fulfilled that role was monumental. It was historic. It was life changing.

"Have you found Jesus, Gump?" "I didn't know I was supposed to be looking for him."

Those classic lines from Forrest Gump used to replay in my mind all of the time. I came from a church culture and family tradition where I definitely did have to go searching or looking for Jesus. There was nowhere for him to hide in my life. We were in church every time the doors were open for the vast majority of my childhood. I never had to find Jesus because I never felt like he was lost.

In truth, I was the lost one. Actually that is all of our condition before beginning our relationship with Jesus. The sweet beauty of it all is that he finds us in our lostness. Jesus finds us.

March 1 - Follower

Read: John 1:37-40

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. (John 1:40 ESV)

Following is a big deal. When you follow someone you go where they go. Following someone with the intention of learning from them means you begin to follow them not only in terms of locale, but also in behavior. It means adapting behavior of thought, behavior of speech, and behavior of heart.

John and Andrew became followers of Jesus. They began a life of living for him and with him. And eventually both of them would die for him.

Following Jesus is not something you just say, or claim, it is something you do. It is initiated and maintained by faith that is more than merely contemplative. It is active. It is believing, saying, and doing.

Sometimes it is easy. Often it is incredibly hard. Always it takes everything, requires everything, and offers everything. We follow Jesus. We live for Jesus. Possibly, we may even die for Jesus.

February 28 - Jesus’ Tours

Read: Matthew 11

When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. (Matthew 11:1 ESV)

Jesus went on several large tours of the region around Galilee. He preached and taught about the kingdom of God everywhere he went. Traveling, preaching, and teaching were the practical means by which he communicated the purpose of God.

Jesus recruited men from all over Galilee. Men of all different backgrounds, probably from cities and villages of all different backgrounds, and then he travelled to their various cities preaching the kingdom of God. In some way I believe he was strategically modeling for them how to reach their own people.

Several instant images that come to mind when I think of the word tour. There is the kind of tour you need a guide for. It means stepping into unfamiliar territory and having someone explain your surroundings. For some of the disciples that's exactly what Jesus did.

There is also the kind of tour where you travel a previously determined route. Musicians, authors, and many other creative outlets use is kind of tour in order to help maximize the amount of people connecting with their work. I believe that's why Jesus went on his various preaching tours. He was going to strategic places of maximum impact. He was influencing in a way that would forever change the course of history, and it did.

February 27 - Say and Bring

Read: Luke 8:1-3

Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, (Luke 8:1 ESV)

Jesus preached a lot about the kingdom of God. He was always proclaiming his radically correct ideas through spoken words. But he also brought the good news with him. It was more than a simple theological proclamation. It was also a practical demonstration. Jesus talked about the kingdom of God, and then he showed people the kingdom of God.

I genuinely believe that we can show people the kingdom of God, but we need to bring it to them. All to often our mentality is to bring people to the kingdom, when in reality Jesus demonstrated a model that was all about taking the kingdom to the people. Truthfully many people won't come to your kingdom, but of you take them THE kingdom they will be more receptive.

It's not a guaranteed way to reach everyone. I'm not convinced anything like that actually exists. But it will be fruitful. Not everyone will see, comprehend, or embrace the kingdom of God through a saving knowledge of Jesus, but not taking it to them greatly lessens the potential that they will.

To be in the kingdom we have to bring the kingdom. To be in light we have to be sharers of light. The gospel is the best news. People need and want to know it. Take it to them.

2 Months In

So, here we are. What started as a personal challenge to hang out in the Gospels for the last half of 2012 has taken shape as something that's become pretty special to me. Many of you have been following along. The daily hits are more steady than they have ever been. All of this works together to put nathanology on track to majorly surpass last year's traffic statistics. I just wanted to extend a personal thanks to everyone that's been reading along. And to offer a warm hello to some of the new faces that have popped in over last couple of weeks. Your participation here is an honor. I will try not to disappoint.

I've received emails, tweets, and Facebook correspondence from some of you about the project, but many of you are still silently following along. That is of course welcome here, but I would love to hear your thoughts, questions, or critiques. I may not be able to respond to them. However, I promise to read and carefully consider each one.

That being said, please sound off with your feedback about the "A Year With Jesus" project in the comments below. As always warm regards and happy reading.

February 26 - The Compassion of Christ

Read: Matthew 9:35-38

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36 ESV)

Jesus was compassionate. He was sincere in approach, specific in affection, and direct in the administration of humanitarian consideration toward those in need. If you were sick, he was a healer. If you were blind, he made you to see. If you were marginalized, he sought justice. If you were dead to your sin, he brought you to life. His compassion seemed to come without boundaries, borders, or prerequisites. However, Jesus especially, and lovingly, reached out to the poor and neglected.

Crowds followed Jesus. He did the miraculous regularly. Often these were comprised primarily of those deeply marginalized by the corrupted religious establishment. They gathered en masse as a leaderless people looking for a leader, protector, and provider. Jesus came to be exactly that. He was and is the good shepherd. Whether physically or spiritually blind, he can still help you see. If you are arrested by fear he can set you free. If you are walking in the death of darkness he can lead you to the light of life. He still has great compassion.

What about you? I've been personally reevaluating this for some time. How compassionate are you? Sometimes people are just naturally compassionate. Some of us have to work at it. How do we do that? By reaching out with the authentic love of Jesus to someone that just needs to know him. Jesus showed compassion to show his caring nature, desire to serve, and to glorify God. Should our motivation be any different?

February 25 - Famous

Read: Matthew 4:23-25; Mark 1:35-39; Luke 4:42-44

So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. (Matthew 4:24 ESV)

If you could pray for someone with pretty much any ailment in existence and they were miraculously healed do you think it would make you famous? Never mind your particular personal stance on the possibility of miracles. If you could instantly heal people you would get attention of all kinds. You would be famous.

Jesus had begun to travel quite a bit in his ministry. He was basing his work out of Capernaum, but was spending a lot of time in the overall geographical region of Galilee. He healed a lot of people, and huge crowds began to follow him.

What merits fame? Sometimes it seems like people become famous over the most frivolously silly things. When is the last time you remember someone becoming famous for the good they were doing?

Jesus worked with his fame. A couple of his miracles actually involved feeding the humongous crowds that had begun to follow him. He used his platform to great affect. He used his influence. Each of us have our own sphere of influence. We have our own platform. We may not be famous or have large crowds following us, but we still must daily choose how to use that influence to shape the world around us.

February 24 - Authority

Read: Luke 4:31-37

...and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. (Luke 4:32 ESV)

We all know and recognize authority. Even if we don't like that authority or feel like it is being abused we know authority when we see it. Official representatives of our government carry authority. Officers of the law, firemen, first responders, and other emergency personnel carry authority. Even the IRS has authority.

Authority is power. It is a voice of order. When authority speaks, those of us within the sound of the message have to choose how that we will respond. Compliance or rebellion? The trick I think sometimes comes in recognizing and validating authority. It's fairly easy if a policeman pulls up behind you with their lights flashing and siren going to recognize the authority they should have over you. Sometimes in the world of Christian faith this seems to get a little unclear for people.

As Christians our ultimate authority is Jesus. The demons he cast out recognized his absolute authority. As such, we should filter life's big decisions, personal victories, and private troubles with Jesus. He already knows them, but his authority works in our favor. In fact, in some ways it actually extends to us. Jesus cast out demons because of his authority, and for nearly two millennia his followers have done the same thing while operating as heavenly representatives of his authority.

Also, chances are pretty good that God has placed us under the authority of a fellow believer. Timothy was under Paul, even as Paul had submitted himself to the authority of the disciples and other Christian leaders such as Peter and James. Rare indeed is the occasion that God places us in a position to love and serve Him without living under authority. It's unhealthy and dangerous. Who is your authority? How are you submitting to them?