Each time I thought about the passage of Scripture that Jesus said to His first disciples, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men,” I had assumed He was talking about evangelism and that evangelism was about telling the message and convincing others to follow Jesus. Similarly, I thought Jesus’ emphasis was about catching men, fishing for people and also that evangelism was about the bait, the content of the message, and about reeling men in, the delivery and so on.

“Fishers of men” might really have to do with going out to where there might be a lot men, and making the effort to bring them to know the Lord. But, the other day, as I was sitting and listening a sermon about the story of the young boy in the sixth chapter of John, there was a “connecting of the dots” in my mind. It occurred to me that the phrase “fishers of men” might have a lot to do with what happened that day about the boy with the fish and the loaves. Read the rest of this entry »

NOTE: As I was writing this post, I surfed around a bit and found that, oh! joy! Messy Christian is back! And, she just post about Church too! Now, this is what you call colla-blog-aration at its best!

Of late, my church pastors have been talking a lot about this concept of Church Without Walls“>Church Without Walls or the Underground Church. He was referring to the practice of taking our faith beyond the four walls of the Church building and outside the structures of the traditional idea of “doing church.”

Too many times, when we think of being a Christian, or being part of a Church, we think in terms of the organization or a group that has a particular structure or organizational framework.

Yet, when we think of the disciples of Jesus in the first century, they really got it when they went to out to engage people in the synagogues, the temple and in other public meeting places, even to other sacred or religious sites. They went back to each other homes for fellowship, prayer and more study and learning.

So, what does this mean to us modern day Christians then? What does Church Without Walls mean to you and me?

Last night I witnessed a Church Without Walls. I went down to L.A. Skid Row where a group of Christians meet every Friday night and read and preach from God’s Word at the Corner of Wall and Winston right in the heart of Skid Row. Read the rest of this entry »

The story of the encounter between Jesus, the Pharisees and the woman taken in the act of adultery in the eighth chapter of John contains powerful lessons for us today. Imagine being in the place of this woman, probably half-naked, baring your body and soul to the world, caught at the point of shame, misery and rejection. Condemned by society, outcast by community and condemned by the tribunal. There you are standing before the Holy One, in front of the world, alone, naked, and ashamed. Around you fingers are pointing, chins are waging, head are shaking. Sneered upon, pitied and despised.

In a powerful demonstration of unconditional love, the Christ shows the accusing religious mob what He is about. None of the accusers could do continue. They retreated one by one until it was just the woman standing there before the Savior.

“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

Powerful words that touches the soul of the one who was tormented, outcast and defenseless only moments earlier. No longer is she accused. Isn’t this the experience of repentance?

Repentance is not solely a human response to God’s mercy and grace. It is a change in position from one under judgment, to one redeemed. It is a change to realize the full force of transformation love - for He has forgiven you and you no longer stand accused. Read the rest of this entry »

There I was. At the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, quietly enjoying the Vienna Boys’ Choir serenading a hushed, reverent audience basking in their unique brand of symphonic vocal ballads and serene “sacred Austrian hymns”.

As I sat there soaking in the harmonies from the boys’ melodious voices, wild images invaded the peace and quiet of my mind. For wild explosions of a completely different kind of vision burst into my my mind’s eyes and ears as I saw a rowdy group of street hip-hop artist descend onto the stage and start to harmonize themselves along with the Vienna Boys Choir..

Can you imagine that? Read the rest of this entry »