8.24.2006

The Rabbit Hole

As with some of my previous posts, the subject of this entry will eventually have something to do with John.

I feel like I am right now sitting in front of the character "Morpheus" from the film The Matrix (1999). And he's asking me if I'm ready to--if I want to--go down the "rabbit hole" of discovery that will lead me to see things in the light of reality.

In the film, The Matrix, we have a world where human beings are grown in a factory by sentient robots, and the robots have created a computer program whereby people are made to live in a virtual fantasy world that looks and feels just like a normal world, when in fact all the humans are asleep in coffin-like containers, hooked up to a computer, while their body's natural energy is harvested for the use of the robots.

Of course some of the humans have figured this out, freed themselves from the computer-generated virtual world called "the Matrix" and it is now their mission to free others, by exposing the truth about the Matrix to individuals who are willing to listen.

Once again I've been asking deep questions as to "Why am I here?" and "What purpose am I serving?" and "Am I even making a difference in the kingdom of God?"

These past two months, the Lord would take me down another "rabbit hole," one that would cause me to examine myself once again, in the light of reality. I began to see my own deep-rooted character flaws. And with this understanding, He's slowly chipping away at my stubborn-ness...my pride.

And finally, the answer to "Why am I here?" -- is that I am here to make a difference. By being Jesus--not of my own strength, but by "dying" to myself and letting Jesus' character ooze out through me. I know, I'm being vague, but right now, it's the best I can explain. The Lord is giving me a course-correction, a heart-correction, a motivation-correction.

And He's showing me, that if I am to do anything that holds water, is that I have to know that it's about that man that Jesus loves. That woman that Jesus loves. That child. That teen. That college kid.

It's ringing in my ears: "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and WEEP WITH THOSE WHO WEEP!"

Every time you become a listening ear to some one who needs another human being to catch their tears, see their blood, and send prayers to God...

...and every time some one sends a dollar in toward the realization of John--it is to do a small thing for His glory that actually holds water. Done in sincerity. Done in humility. Done in the grace of God. Done in the hope that we would, together with other precious human beings, go down the rabbit hole of discovering the flesh-and-blood love of Jesus Christ--together crying, together bleeding, and together triumphing in Love, in Truth, in Beauty--who is Jesus Christ--the Word of God made flesh.

"In the beginning was the Word..."(John 1:1) Imagine that.

8.11.2006

The e-Newsletter...and more

There is so much going on at the John website!

Bruce is doing some more radio and TV appearances on behalf of John.

Sharon at Marchiano Ministries has set up a brand new, awesome John e-Newsletter that is full of updates, new information, and reports coming in from John supporters all around the world--and of the wonderful things that the Lord is bringing about. (This is also a great tool to spread the news about John because you can fill out a form to have the newsletter emailed to your friends!)

Go to www.gospelaccordingtojohn.com and click on recent updates to get in on all the goings on.

Finally, a word of encouragement to all of us involved in this kingdom project (and to any Christian laboring for His kingdom):

Currently my Bible reading plan is taking me through the book of Nehemiah. In reading chapter 4, it really blessed me: The Jewish people have returned from their captivity in Babylon to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah's leadership. And I saw how everyone contributed, how everyone did their part, and how the surrounding nations would attack and taunt the wall-builders, but they kept at it, arming themselves with swords, and they kept at it, saying:

"Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes [...] The work is great [...] Our God will fight for us"(Neh. 4:14,19-20).
And so, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. (And go, go, go, sign up for the e-newsletter if you haven't already!)