I first started saving regularly after going through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University a few years ago. I don’t really like saving. I’d rather give money or spend it. But as a result of FPU a few years ago, I started being intentional about savings.

And I started saving just in time. Experience has taught me well. We save today for tomorrow’s troubles. My car has taught me that. 

Two and a half years ago my car died. It was a 99 Honda Civic. It had 145,000 miles on it. I was planning on keeping it till 200,000 miles and was saving up for a new car. Unfortunately, my car never made it to 200,000. It died of a mysterious aliment. The mechanics had no idea what the trouble was. So I had to buy another car years before I thought I’d need to. That’s why you save in advance. You never know. 

Last week I was in a car accident (a minor fender bender in a parking lot). So this month I’m out 500 extra dollars (my deductable). I was not planning on getting into an accident this month. That’s why you save in advance. You never know.

Jesus says:  In this world you will have trouble. He’s right. That’s why we save. We make provisions today for tomorrow’s troubles. God’s word has taught me that. My car troubles have confirmed this teaching.

The term black sheep is a familiar one.

Apparently every family has at least one. Oftentimes, the black sheep is the middle kid (full disclosure: I’m a middle kid).

And it’s kind of a bad thing.

The kinds of things that mark someone as a black sheep vary. But when it comes down to it, it means: “You don’t fit in because there’s something wrong with you.” Mama Sheep and Papa Sheep had four lovely white sheep… and then came Bobby Black Sheep. Sigh.

Sheep are one of those nice, neat and tidy Biblical images. Jesus is the Lamb of God. David was a shepherd. God is the Good Shepherd. Pastors sometimes refer to their congregations as “the flock.” We’re sheep. So on and so forth. The visuals accompanying all these sheep were white sheep: white-sheep illustrations, white-sheep flannelgrams, white-sheep stickers, white-sheep posters. So, we can say Bible-sheep are white sheep.

And being the black sheep among a bunch of white sheep is kind of bad because that means you stick out like a sore thumb. The thing about being a sheep is that you’re supposed to work as a unit and go along with the others. You follow directions, and you behave and look like the other sheep. It’s about blending in. 

If you’re a black sheep, you’re in big trouble right from the get-go. You are just different and there’s nothing you can do about it. Basically, Black Sheep are loners, outsiders, and not a part of the larger group.

This feeling of being different and tainted sometimes makes people afraid to join “the flock” on Sundays. Church People have this reputation for being “good.” They’re the white sheep. Black sheep who go to church feel like they have to put on a nice white overcoat to try to fit in, and hope nobody whispers about how their real wool is showing.  

But let’s be honest with one another: We’re all Black Sheep.

None of us stick out like sore thumbs, because we’re all sore thumbs.

This is good news.

The thing about people is we’re not perfect, and we need one another.

We were built to share our struggles and our problems with other people, not necessarily because these other people are perfect and have all the answers, but because these people know what struggles and problems are, simply because they have them, too.

The sooner we realize this, the better we connect and work as a group. When we pretend we’re perfect, and try our hardest not to show our true selves to others, and when the church tries to promote a holier-than-thou kind of image, we’re only hurting ourselves. 

(This Post is the fourth installment in a series inspired by the book How People Grow.)

To all my fellow garden-lovers, at St. Paul's and beyond...

My cup overfloweth - and so do my garden beds! If you are in need of locally tested perennials, please check my yard first!

I encourage anyone who is interested to come by and take a look around - I am happy to split and share. Pachysandra, burning bush, daylily, feverfew, Persicaria "Painter's Palette", sweet woodruff, Queen Anne's lace, Chinese lantern, Evening Primrose, Black-eyed Susan, ajuga, fern, lilac and much more...

Come see for yourself - we are home most evenings. I'm happy to dig and bag for you.

These plants are offered free and without obligation. However, if anyone is so moved, Katie and I are happy to accept contributions to our "overseas travel savings account".

God bless you, and happy gardening!

(This is the third installment in a blog series on How People Grow).

The word “dependent” is kind of a bad word for most of us.

First of all, it’s not good to have a dependence on some sort of substance. That would be addiction. And second of all, it’s not good to depend on people, because we are supposed to learn how to get by on our own, and people are often undependable or untrustworthy.

And as Americans, our forefathers stressed the importance of independence. Other famous writers and politicians stressed things like self-reliance and pulling oneself up by one’s bootstraps. We celebrate people who do their own thing, and accomplish great feats all by themselves. Cowboys and Rebels without Causes are awesome because they’re loners who ride off into the sunset on their horses and in their cars.

This may be one of those romantic and intrinsic values that permeates all of society. It may seem kind of cool, and desirable, somehow. It may also make life appear nice and neat, cut-and-dry, easier to deal with.

But it isn’t good. In fact, it is the opposite of good. It can be harmful.

When God created us, he knew we depended on some basic things to get by. And no, these things weren’t familiar symbols of independence. There weren’t any bald eagles, or cowboy hats or anything.

We need God.

We need others.

It needs to be in that order, because like I already mentioned, people have their own issues. But we depend on both of those God and others just as much as we depend on food and water to live.

When we rely on ourselves, and try to live in a vacuum of us-ness, we are pretty sad creatures. Even the most seemingly independent people had to rely on other people at some point in their lives. And really, a lot of people are leading sad, confused, and messy lives just because they think they can get by on their own power.

Part of growth as a person begins when we acknowledge that we not only need God’s and other people’s help, but that we also completely depend on it. 

This summer we will have a recreation group that meets on Saturdays to play outdoor games and occasionally grill food together. Here’s what you need to know:

 When: Every Saturday at 3pm (this may change if another time works better)

Where: Meeting at St. Paul’s, sometimes driving together to nearby athletic fields

What: Assorted games including ultimate Frisbee, wiffle ball, volleyball, bocce ball, etc and a cookout

We encourage everyone to come and play, to invite others, and bring your friends! It is not a traditional “small group,” but you can still sign up through the website or just get in touch with Troy Helming, Jason Riddell, or myself. Feel free to just show up, but if you are planning on coming it would be helpful to know so that we can plan accordingly as far as food goes.

So join us this Saturday, June 11^th, at 3pm for Ultimate Frisbee and a cookout afterward. Hope to see you there!

Jeff Liddle

Asher Intrater is the senior leader of a Messianic congregation in Israel. Asher's perspectives and insights are highly valued both in the Holy Land and beyond. He is also personal friend of Pastor Frangipane. Our ministry is committed both to Israel and to the many excellent leaders in Israel's emerging church. For more information about Asher's ministry, please visit their website: www.revive-israel.org.

Pentecost-Shavuot Prayer
By Asher Intrater
(En Español)

It is so simple. It is so profound. It is so earth shaking. It's so exciting.

Acts 2:17 - "In the end times I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh."

This has not happened yet. It really will happen. It will happen soon.

When does this happen? - In the end times.

What will happen? - Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Who will it happen to? - All flesh.

There are three major elements:

1. In the end times,

2. God will pour out His Spirit,

3. On all nations.

Any individual or congregation can receive the Holy Spirit at anytime. Yet this prophecy is referring to a world-wide revival. Gifts of prophecy will be multiplied, particularly among the younger generation (Acts 2:17-18). It will happen during the events concerning the end times and the tribulation (Acts 2:19-20). It will usher in the Second Coming of Yeshua (Jesus), the great and terrible day of the Lord (Acts 2:20). It will be accompanied by a massive sweep of evangelism (Acts 2:21).

Before the outpouring in the first century, the early Messianic believers prayed together in unity all night in anticipation of Shavuot (Acts 1:14; Acts 2:1). In the twenty-first century, it is upon us, International Christians and Israeli Messianic Jews, to pray together in unity all night, in anticipation of this great end times' outpouring. As we do the same preparations they did, we will look forward in faith to the same kinds of results, and greater.

Simon Peter's prophecy was quoting from Joel. Joel went on to mention that the catalyst for the prayer leading to the world-wide revival would be the renewed Messianic Jewish remnant in Israel (Joel 3:1). It will happen parallel to the time that the nations are gathering against the people of Israel and the land of Israel (Joel 3:2). All the conditions are coming into place now as they have never been in history.

We want to be obedient to this heavenly vision. Won't you please join us in prayer and intercession! Pastors, prayer houses, and youth groups in Israel will be praying all night. Wherever you are, you are invited to prayer along with them. Attached is an English translation of the announcement that went out to the Israel Messianic community. Attached as well is a basic outline for the prayer and praise watches throughout the night. Please invite your friends, Facebook contacts, congregations, email lists, and prayer groups.

Pentecost Prayer

Shavuot-Pentecost

All Night Prayer and Praise

World-wide Revival in End Times

Acts 2:17 - "In the last days, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh."

Watch 1 - Topic: Unity of the Body of Messiah

Theme Verse: John 17:21 - "That they all may be one." (also Acts 1:14)

22:00 - 23:00 - Praise and Worship

23:00 - 24:00 - Prayer and Intercession

Watch 2 - Topic: Coming of the Kingdom of God

Theme Verse: Matthew 6:10 - "Let Your kingdom Come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (also Revelation 11:15)

24:00 - 1:00 - Praise and Worship

1:00 - 2:00 - Prayer and Intercession

Watch 3 - Topic: Reaching the Nations

Theme Verse: Acts 1:8 - "Be witness of Me in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (also Matthew 24:14; Psalm 2:8)

2:00 - 3:00 - Praise and Worship

3:00 - 4:00 - Prayer and Intercession

Watch 4 - Topic: Miraculous Power of Holy Spirit

Theme Verse: Acts 4:29 - "…Stretch out Your hand to heal, that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy servant Yeshua." (also Isaiah 61:1)

4:00 - 5:00 - Praise and Worship

5:00 - 6:00 - Prayer and Intercession

Watch 5 - Topic: Salvation of Israel

Theme Verse: Romans 11:26 - "And so, all Israel will be saved." (also Romans 9:1; 10:1)

6:00 - 7:00 - Praise and Worship

7:00 - 8:00 - Prayer and Intercession

Watch 6 - Topic: Coming of Yeshua

Theme Verse: Matthew 23:39 - "Blessed be He who comes in the name of the Lord." (also Revelation 21:20)

8:00 - 9:00 - Praise and Worship

9:00 - 10:00 - Prayer and Intercession

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(This Post is the Second Entry in a series that explores ideas in the book How People Grow, by Henry Cloud and John Townsend).

There’s a reason why the prosperity gospel reeks of something less-than-holy.

Anyone with access to a television set or the Internet can see that despite Jesus’ death and resurrection, there are still people suffering from disease and starvation. Anyone who comes across another human being every now and then will find that these humans can be kind of nasty, careless, and downright evil at times. And anyone who lives on planet Earth has witnessed the havoc that can be wreaked by seemingly mundane and inoffensive things, such as water and air.

In fact, the prosperity gospel doesn’t even make sense in the Bible, either. I wonder if all those early disciples were a little confused right before they were martyred: “Hey, wait a sec! Everything was supposed to be easy-peasy; that’s what Jesus told me, anyway.” 

(Oh, wait. That’s right. Jesus never said anything about life becoming instantly easy when we decide to follow him).

And yet there seems to be some confusion over this point among many people, Christians and non-Christians alike.

I often find myself asking: “Why, if God’s with me, am I still getting this wrong? Why do I still struggle? Why do I do these stupid things all the time? Why do I hurt others? Why do I hurt myself? Why am I having such a hard time?”

Basically, I’m asking: “Why am I not perfect?” 

The answer, I think, is kind of simple. The reason I’m not perfect is because I am broken, and the world is broken. To be a human (whether one follows God or not), and to live on earth is to be a broken being living on a broken planet. We are incapable of perfection.

It’s like getting angry at a two year old for being incapable of eating an ice cream cone without making a complete mess. Ice cream isn’t perfect: it melts, especially on hot sunny days. And two year olds aren’t perfect: their motor skills just aren’t there yet. It would be a little unreasonable to approach this two year old and ask him or her: “What happened? Why couldn’t you finish that without dripping everywhere? How did you manage to get it in your hair?!”

That’s where God steps in. 

To continue with the ice cream analogy: I come from a family of six kids, and we used to go out regularly to get ice cream during the summer. And the particular ice cream place we’d go to would always dole out massive ice cream cones. This meant that ice cream outings had the potential to be very messy.

So to help out, my dad would “fix” our ice cream cones periodically. “Fixing” meant licking up all the drips and making the ice cream cone neat again. Sure, it was kind of nice for him and everything, but it also made things easier for the rest of us, too. Our clothes wouldn’t get dripped on. We wouldn’t have melted ice cream oozing down our hands and arms. Things weren’t instantly perfect, and we didn’t instantly become the best ice cream eaters, but it certainly made those outings just that much better.

And that’s kind of how God works with us. He steps in to “fix” things. He knows we’re incapable of perfection. He knows the conditions we live in aren’t perfect. And he wants to help us. When we pray, and when we ask for help, he steps in. 

Something we need to understand is that this isn’t God’s ideal world, either. This is at the heart of Christianity’s message. We are broken beings. This world and this life are filled with hardship. But God wants to help us.