Sensitive and Surrendered

What a great Word from the Word to kick-start our study together!  HELLO!!  There were many parts of the message that stood out to me, but there was one that kept me rewinding, revisiting, and processing throughout the week.  I will reveal that in a moment, but first what made the point so poignant was the set-up that came before.  Darrell tells us that, “The church in Philippi emerges solely out of the sovereign work of the sovereign missionary spirit of God.”   I was translating this in my head as, “Sonshine Ministries emerged and exists today solely out of the sovereign work of the sovereign missionary spirit of God.”  God communicates His mission through His Spirit to us.  But what do we have to do to hear the Spirit and discern the Spirit to fulfill His sovereign work? 

Darrell goes on to answer this question in the example of Paul and Silas.  DJ describes when Paul, Silas, and others were making their way across Turkey and heading into Asia.  The Holy Spirit stops them and forbids them by the Holy Spirit to speak the Word in Asia.  DJ describes it as, “The spirit of Jesus did not permit them.”  He then quotes this next line from JH Pickford which made my say out loud, “Woah, woah, woah!  Hold up! REWIND!”

 “They were sensitive enough to feel the impulse of the Spirit and surrendered enough to follow the leading of the Spirit.” 

Sensitive and surrendered.  We must have both!!  If I am not sensitive to feel or know the Spirit, then the process of God’s sovereign work communicated to me is lost.  How do I get to know the feel of the Spirit’s impulse?  By getting to know the heart of my Lord.   Oh how vital prayer, time in the Word, meditation, and quiet listening to Him as I keep my ears on His chest to know Him and His heartbeat.  It is then I can discern the Spirit. 

There is a Part 2 however— it is not enough to just feel the impulse of the Spirit, I must be SURRENDERED enough to follow the Spirit.   I could feel the Spirit but, not want to follow it.  This usually occurs (for me) when the work of the message is difficult or it just seems too hard.  Once again, the sovereign work communicated to me is lost.

Paul and Silas were sensitive and surrendered to the Spirit because their original plans were suddenly changed when Paul was given a vision.  DJ reminds us that a man comes upon the troupe and says, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  Paul discerns it is of the Spirit and changes course and heads to Macedonia. 

As a result, incredible, supernatural things happen. Miracles happen.  All because they were sensitive and surrendered.  But here’s the kicker……Paul and Silas end up in jail!!!!!!  What???  For their sensitivity and surrender they get locked in the slammer?  Yes.  God never promises easy.  But…..more miracles happen there, and the Philippians are encouraged and could embrace their exhortation, “Rejoice in the Lord always.”  I couldn’t help but sing the chorus of the song, “You make beautiful things out of dust.”    Because of their sensitivity to the Spirit and being surrendered enough to follow it, God fulfilled his work in Macedonia.

Sensitive and Surrendered.

This summer out on the water, may our ears be pressed against the heartbeat of Christ so we can know and feel His Spirit, and may we be surrendered enough to follow and fulfill His work. 

Immeasurably More

Immeasurably More. "Our God delights to give us immeasurably more."

As DJ continued speaking about the background of the passage and the context of the letter, I kept returning to that quote.

Paul develops a deep friendship and fondness towards the Philippians. In missionary work, this is not a entitled position. The Lord CHOSE to bless him with support and love. The church is founded based off of a earthquake in which the guard accepts Christ. The Lord CHOSE to inspire the people and reveal his mighty power in this way.
This past week, I went on a trip with all of my housemates that we had planned months ago. Praying over the trip and watching God answer my prayers, but in magnitude, gratuitously. Weather, company, community, events, beauty....it was as if every part was lavished with attention to detail and care, not because he had to, but because he CHOSE to.

What I found myself thinking about most was, "how do I respond?" Any response felt too trivial, so petty, and not nearly enough to show my gratitude. I could say thank you over and over again. All I could offer was myself, delighting in the blessing. Whether that be playing in the snow or standing in awe of the beauty of white covered halfdome, I found my joy increasing when I responded in grateful enjoyment of the gifts my Father chose, and wanted, to give me.

I am praying this over this summer and the experiences leading up to it. That we are able to simply enjoy what the Lord has prepared and worship through wonder and delight.

-Paulina

Resistance

I felt a strong resistance as I listened to DJ speak about living in the land of the Gospel, loving and serving sacrificially.  As summer draws nearer and the reality sinks in that I have committed to giving myself away in self-giving-sacrificial-servant love, I feel myself drawing away.  Partially out of fear, partially out of selfishness, partially out of unwillingness to do as I am called.  As I stand here at the Sonshine house, I am flooded with memories of Jesus calling me to live in the Gospel, to rejoice in the sufferings, to recognize and accept the abundant grace the Lord offers time and time again.  But I am also reminded of the exhaustion that comes from my natural tendencies to resist and want things done by my agenda.

Reality is that the so called "land of the gospel" is the same on houseboats as it is in my life at school and home.  Maybe my strong resistance when I hear Darrell talking is indicative of my lack of "living in the land called gospel"-ness in my life at home.  I'm comfortable at home, little suffering, little resistance.  On the water, there is discomfort, there is suffering, there is STRONG resistance.  I want more resistance NOW because I know that it comes with discomfort and Jesus beckoning me to suffer with him.

On a different note, I found it very interesting when DJ mentioned Paul specifically calling out the two men of the church of Philippi who were not living with one mind.  I can easily hear Paul substitute my name in there, I entreat Lara to agree in the Lord!  Stop living with your mind set on yourself!  Don't be a hindrance, just put your eyes on Jesus.

Alright, that's all.

Lara

Shortened Title - (Full Title in Post) -- Reckless, Irresponsible, Spastic Yelps of Joy for the opening of BLOG Season

Full Title:
Reckless, Irresponsible, Spastic Yelps of Joy for the opening of BLOG Season…… and …… Rejoicing that Christ has invited us into His Kingdom - the Land Called Gospel - Especially, when considering the macabre, vomit weeping up my esophagus, Septic Brothers Mikey stew of psychotic violence that reigns in those places of my  heart where  -- for some sucky, idiotic, stupid, hideous reason in conspiracy with the evil one --  I allow  NERO ZERO to lay claim!

(Editors Note: -- Sonshine word softeners intentionally used to communicate disgust at my Child of Adam penchant to live in the unpalatable, necrotic netherwold of self-sufficiency and control.)

ON A MORE CHEERY NOTE:

To each of you – reading about how Jesus’ story impacts your story has become one of the highlights of my spiritual calendar each year. 

Your thoughts, confessions of joy, hope, frustration, confusion, (and if you read my posts – Major confessions of DESPERATION!) amp me beyond waking up on Christmas morning with the kids amptitude.   

The blog for me is more akin  to “HOLY SHNIEKEES!  JESUS IS AT THE FRONT DOOR!!” level of excitement.   Super charged pump-amped for BLOG and our ramp up to SUMMER!

Thanks for partnering with us on in ministry and getting your pencils, erasers, backspaces, and auto-corrects cranked up for spilling the living Word out of the cisterns of LIVING water waiting to spill out living water and sparkling wine out of YOUR SOULS and into  THIS BODY we call SONSHINE ADMIN!!! 

Allright, now, please brace yourself for a horrific/pathetic beast of a run-on sentence......

So, here's to you.... -  you life giving, word spilling, truth telling, evil-spewing (prophetic allusion to what usually comes out in my posts from time to time) body building, ecstatic communioning, worshippers of the baby bomb messiah who makes all things new and issues in His messianic-kingdom-new-world-order establishing complete resocialization and world-view change by His citizenry animated by the blood of His covenant poured out by Him and through us (with words on this blog and many other ways) and additionally as a citizenry not just ANIMATED by His glowy blood but also DOMINATED ** by His Jesus Curios/Jesus Satore (JESUS LORD/JESUS SAVIOR)  social facts of self-giving sacrificial life…. Let me end this ridiculously long run on with SW’s heart ripping searing simple declaration and follow up question?

Drum roll.................................ADMIN 2017 -- 

THIS IS YOUR LIFE…..are you who want to be? 

My response (when tempted to shame and self-reliance) – HELL NO.

My response as God’s child (Roman’s 8) created in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2) – Heck yeah!!

In summary – most of this post is a paraphrase of the following section of DJ’s sermon (I wrote it out below.)

Before I get to Darrell first Let me paraphrase what I just wrote and then dish to DJ.

Paraphrase of this post (since it’s a mess)  – “Our true citizenship is in heaven.  The Kingdom of God is at hand.  His kingdom is unstoppable.  Our call as His body, I think, is to let His Kingdom Come break us and remake us in His image so that we can live according to His plan from the very beginning/Genesis – “Let us make the admin of Sonshine in our image.”

Darrel’s Paraphrase of this post – “They (the Philippians and us ADMIN 2017) are now citizens of a colony of heaven right in the midst of the colony of Rome and Paul is calling to live at citizens of this everlasting empire.”

DJ’s input on the matter if citizenship…..

The Philippians live in the city of Philippi which seeks to live as though it where in Rome it self. All things Roman.

They live in a colony of an empire where Ceaser.

Neros Ceaser is called sotare savior. And Nero is called curios Lord.

But they also live in the colony of another Empire. Their true citizenship is in heaven in relationship with Jesus Christ. They are now citizens of a colony of heaven right in the midst of the colony of Rome and Paul is calling to live at citizens of this everlasting empire.

To live axiomatically as befitting citizens of heaven or as citizens of a colony called gospel.

Which is why I am calling this 11 weeks series. Living as citizens in a land called Gospel.

In this land where Jesus not Nero is Savior and where Jesus not Nero is Lord.

And now what does that mean the answer is in the next major imperative of the letter?

Cchapter 2 verse five your attitude be your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus. Paul is saying that we live worthy of the gospel of Christ Jesus by having the mind of Christ Jesus who because he is God lives the life of a servant The life of a household slave.

Do you hear where Paul is going?

A core value in the land called gospel is servant hood putting others needs before our own needs. Regarding others as more important then ourselves. Doing so will lead to joy says Paul.

One of the dominant marks in Paul's mind for the land called gospel is Joy. And he is going to tell us that the joy is found in living like Jesus the Savior and King lives.  The joy is found ingiving ourselves away for others which is why Paul, he introduces himself as Paul and Timothy bond servants. Not apostle but bond servant. Because for Paul the highest ranking name in the land called gospel is servant. 

** Dominated -- (by gentle invitation and mutual submission - okay I give you that)

Of the Same Mind

While listening to DJ explain the context that the Philippian Christians were living in at the time of this letter, I was struck by how incredibly NOT easy following Jesus is. Or can be. Like Torrey mentioned, I feel a resistance to Paul’s words. I relish in the romance of Jesus stooping lower, taking on the form of a servant, but I falter when I realize that to “conduct myself in a manner worthy of the Gospel” means that I myself need take on the form of a servant.

Paul asks the Philippians in verse 2:2 to “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” As followers of Jesus we are united under the Spirit of God that transforms us into the same image of God. If we are not of this same image, then may God show us where we are hiding from His light.

Despite the persecution that Paul and the Philippians were facing, Paul speaks about the life and joy and light of following Christ. He speaks of the true affection that he has for the Philippians with whom he is united. So it is not easy, but it is good. It is so true that we never graduate from Jesus school.

I’m looking forward to jumping in with you all this weekend and throughout the summer. Being transformed into one mind – the mind of Jesus, the greatest (lowest?) servant of them all! It is not easy, but it is good!

--Miriam 

The True Nature of Friendship

Thanks Molly and Collin for such great insights!  I especially am encouraged by your inclusion of the verse in 1 Corinthians, Collin, and the brutal honesty it takes to see when we start to fall into having the prideful mindset of Nero.

One of the things that DJ talked about this first week that really caught my attention is the true nature of friendship.  I understand him as he cries out: I have a whole lot to learn about friendship.  I am encouraged that by living in the 'land called Gospel' Christ nurtures our friendship with himself, and draws us into relationship that is the center of the cosmos!  One reason why this stuck out to me is through moving back to SLO and re-sparking friendships, especially those with my roommates.  Oh I want to do those friendships well!  But how?  That hymn that Paul includes in 2:5-11, "that by which we frame everything else."

Lastly, I am challenged by Paul's first imperative (1:27) and the core values of the Land called Gospel: servanthood that leads to joy.  Praying for all of us that we would live in this book and that the living God would bring these words off the pages to life in our lives!!

Joy in Servanthood

Hey team! It’s good to be back on the blog. I’m excited for some new DJ in my life - I’m also reading a book by N.T. Wright called “Simply Good News” all about the gospel and it will be cool to have these two coincide and give different perspectives.

Paul’s first and second imperatives helped me understand the foundation for Philippians. From 2:27, he says “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel.” We do this by “Having this mind in you which is in Christ Jesus” (2:5). When I think about each summer on houseboats, they’re marked by immense joy amidst challenges. When I give myself away for Jesus and for my team and for the campers, I experience more joy than I could ever experience on my own.  In “Simply Good News,” N.T. Wright talks about how the gospel is such good news because of the context in which Jesus’s death and resurrection occur - I think similarly, the joy we experience on houseboats is so life-giving because of the context in which it occurs. At the end of each summer, I always have the same thoughts: I remember the challenges and frustrating moments, but what brings me back each year is the joy of Jesus leading me to continue to stoop lower.

Praying that we would absorb the words of Philippians this pre-season and allow it to mold our hearts of service!

Sovereign Missionary Spirit of God

"The Church of Philippi emerges solely out of the sovereign work of the sovereign missionary Spirit of God."

The way the Philippian church started is incredible, through instances of miracle after miracle. Miracles that could only be oriented by God.

When DJ said this it reminded me of 1 Corinthians 3:7- "So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth."

So often, I think that I have to be the one to make sure that people are listening and following Jesus. I think that I have to do all the work to make sure that people are growing in their relationship with Jesus, but God does that.

God is the only one who gives growth. We may be a small part in planting or watering, but God, and God alone, produces growth.

I think when I want to be the one doing the growth, I start to have the mindset of Nero. I want to be like God. I want to be the savior. I want to act and do the things He does so that people will call me the savior. But God calls us to humility in planting and watering. God deserves the credit. God is the one working life change. If God isn't in it, it won't happen. God changes hearts. God does the growth. We play a small part. And I am so thankful that I even get to play that small part, especially through places like houseboats!!

Stoked to see you all soon!

Particular!!!

Torrey, thanks for kicking us off!  Great post.  I kept hearing Kenneth Bailey say, "No one graduates from Jesus school!"  (For some reason google won't let me comment on your post so there it is)

Now my post:
Steve and I chose this particular sermon series for a few reason:
1. As Torrey noted, Philippians reaffirms our staff culture in a very relational way.
2. Philippians 2:5-11 is the banner verse/hymn for any Admin team.
3. We felt that we were being led there by Christ Himself.

I couldn't agree more with DJ particularly in the section of his sermon where he used the word "Particular" about 10 times.  "A particular group of people, at a particular time, for a particular reason,..... and so on.  I believe that is how the Spirit calls the admin team each year.

He calls a particular community of believers (4 to the Lake and 5 to the Delta (Steve in Office))
At a particular time (For some of you this calls is now going on 3 years and for others it has just begun)
To inhabit a particular text of His living word (Philippians)
So that He can accomplish a particular work (Houseboats)
which is best done through that particular text (Philippians)

I believe Jesus Christ wants to do a particular work in us which is best accomplished through us living in the book of Philippians!

I am PARTICULARLY excited to listen to 3 of the sermons together and discuss.  See you all Friday night!

-Reid

Core Value = Servanthood

"We live worthy of the gospel of Christ Jesus by having the mind of Christ Jesus who, because He is God, lives the life of a servant, the life of a household slave. A core value in the land called Gospel is servanthood."

I probably replayed this section of the sermon twenty times. You want the gospel? Great! You're worthy, by having the mind of Christ Jesus. What is his mind? Others-centered. Self-giving. Servant-lifestyle. 

I want to live in Gospel so bad and experience the joy that Paul (& Darrell) talk about over and over again. Yet I refuse to adapt to the customs and values and culture of the land! It reminds me of my barney training weekend, when I learned about Sonshine culture (which is really just Jesus culture) and felt this intense resistance to it. It made me realize how much of me does not naturally want to conform to that culture. But my BC challenged me, saying that that is exactly where Jesus wants us, identifying where we don't want to fit his culture and inviting him to change us. 

Haha I thought I was done with that! But here I am again, feeling just like I did at my barney training weekend, identifying where I don't want to fit in Jesus' culture, and asking him to change me, to keep changing me. And the change only comes through relationship, so when I feel resistant to the change, I know something is off with the relationship. And I don't have to waste time figuring out who's fault it is, it's always mine. But God is still there, graceful as always, welcoming me back! The adventure never stops!

ADMIN 2017!!! Living As Citizens In The Land Called Gospel

Hello Admin and welcome to our Admin Study Blog.  This blog is a simple platform for us to share our thoughts, insights, and questions as we journey together through the book of Philippians.  We will be listening to 8 sermons from our friend Darrell Johnson as he walks through the letter to the church at Philippi.  The sermon schedule is as follows:

Sermon #1.- January 22-28 "Living as a citizen in the land called Gospel"
Sermon #2-4 - Will be listened together at Admin Wknd.
Sermon #5 - January 29- Feb 4 "All I finally Want"
Sermon #6 - February 5-11 "Our True Home"
Sermon #7 - February 12-18 "He is near....so very near"
Sermon #8 - February 19-25 "Secrets of Contentment"

If any of you cannot access the sermons please let me know sooner than later.  I look forward to seeing each of us post at least once a week and encourage each other with comments and conversation.  Each year the Admin Study Blog serves as an incredible tool to prepare us for summer.
If you have any questions, please let me know!  I look forward to seeing you all Friday January 27.

-Reid