Sitting on a flying cloud

This is one of the “other sides” of this interesting city I live in. Apart from the beautiful landscapes, the cold weather and the snow you have buildings, houses, people, people and people.

And for me… that’s challenging. I (well, not just me) want to lead everybody in Rio Grande into the Kingdom of God. I want to “go and make disciples“. And that is, basically, working with people.

Unlike some years ago, now I realize that you can’t be a “disciple maker” without spending time with the people you want to lead to Christ. You have to walk with them, talk to them, listen to them (yes, I know this one is hard for most of us), laugh with them, cry with them, drink their coffees and mates (this option only works here ^^) and love them.

We cannot preach the Gospel without the LOVE part. And not the “I love you because of who you’re going to be” but “I love you now, as you are” (as Kurt Cobain said… just kidding).

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness“.

Genesis 1:26a (NVI)

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Romans 8:29 (NVI)

I just returned from one of my cell groups (actually, I don’t like that word… ‘cell’… mmm… I should describe them as… ’small home-groups’ =). While I was reading some blogs I was thinking about how much I love preaching the gospel and teaching the Bible in such an informal and also powerful way. I love being used by the Holy Spirit to change lives… after all, that is what preaching the gospel of the Kingdom is all about.

Today’s teaching was about Mark 1.14-15:

‘Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!“‘

God has been teaching me about the gospel of the Kingdom lately. I’m trying to learn and live all about that powerful truth, that I’m a citizen of an incredible kingdom. Isn’t that great?

Reading aloud the Bible has totally changed my attitude towards at what used to be a well-known book, and now appears to me as a fascinating collection of misteries. Verses that I know by heart seem different when I read them aloud and slowly. And some others that I’ve never paid attention to, are forcing me to meditate more and more the Bible.

Yesterday while I was reading Romans I found this particular verse, that apparently contradicts all about doing things without expecting a reward. So now I’m trying to “understand” it.

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

Romans 2.7 (NIV)

Seeking glory, honor and immortality doesn’t sound very “Christian”, right? What about having good motivations? Any ideas?

God gives the youth the freedom of honoring Him or not. The duty of the church is not to force them to honor God. The duty of the church is to teach them to honor God. And honoring God is much deeper than doing that which seems ‘normal’, ‘Christian’ or ‘formal’ […]

You can’t teach a generation to honor God through rules, customs and churches’ cultural preferences. The teaching of honoring God is based on the freedom that the individual has of choosing to honor Him.

- Junior Zapata in ‘La generación emergente’