Over the past few days the pastors of centralcoastchurches.com or the CCEPN had the privilege of hosting John Piper at Cal Poly.
Upon reflection about the words Piper said I am amazed at how truly in rhythm with the will of heaven the man is. I spent most of today downtown at Peet's praying journaling thinking going over again what he said because I know there was more there than met my initial ear. I knew such initial thoughts were incomplete at best so I spent the day in reflection letting the holy spirit search them out. And after much prayer I am just honestly blown away by the man God has very close to His heart and the word Piper spoke last night.
Piper spoke on missions. He began with a note on the history of missions how it began with William Carey in the late 1700's and named those who followed in his footsteps forging ahead into new unreached areas. He continued for about three to four hours to explain and expound upon what it looks like to forge ahead and be a goer. You can read the notes here
I reflect here because the message did not sink in initially till I got to God's heart though the words. And in that reflection I believe Piper made me realize some very fascinating things about SLO culture.
1.The Christian culture here although, very much at the forefront of God's heart of anyplace I have encountered, has not gotten to such a place through books on missionaries. Many here do not know about Carrey, Elliot, and those great missionary men who forged into new areas. SLO Christian culture has gotten to such a place by the placement of God's word at the forefront of their ministries and lives doing and heeding what it says. It is not about more methodology or wisdom it is about God's word!
2.Many here have because of such lack of knowledge and thought life not focused beyond simply being a sender. Many have not asked the question will God send me. If God is to fulfill the great commission in my lifetime there will be a heck of a lot of goers, many of them will be of great intellect, as we are abounding here in SLO.
Personally as I said before I was not initially struck with what Piper said but upon reflecting they sank in very much : I have wrestled with this issue of missions that many began to wrestle with last night for about three years ever since I had an initial desire to go to SE Asia and do relief/mission work there. After three years of much thought and prayer on the subject I am sure beyond a shadow of a doubt I am to be a sender for the meanwhile, but last night rekindled the idea that perhaps one day I will fulfill what my heart still burns for in part.
1.The Christian culture here although, very much at the forefront of God's heart of anyplace I have encountered, has not gotten to such a place through books on missionaries. Many here do not know about Carrey, Elliot, and those great missionary men who forged into new areas. SLO Christian culture has gotten to such a place by the placement of God's word at the forefront of their ministries and lives doing and heeding what it says. It is not about more methodology or wisdom it is about God's word!
2.Many here have because of such lack of knowledge and thought life not focused beyond simply being a sender. Many have not asked the question will God send me. If God is to fulfill the great commission in my lifetime there will be a heck of a lot of goers, many of them will be of great intellect, as we are abounding here in SLO.
Personally as I said before I was not initially struck with what Piper said but upon reflecting they sank in very much : I have wrestled with this issue of missions that many began to wrestle with last night for about three years ever since I had an initial desire to go to SE Asia and do relief/mission work there. After three years of much thought and prayer on the subject I am sure beyond a shadow of a doubt I am to be a sender for the meanwhile, but last night rekindled the idea that perhaps one day I will fulfill what my heart still burns for in part.
So when Piper spoke on the "going" last night he struck every single chord that I have that still desires to go. I wrote in my journal today.
He spoke on missions Lord. There is still a flame in me that would easily take what He has said and move immediately and reach all those people left unreached. But it would be contrary to all you have taught me these past three years...I will continue to tarry Lord.
And although yesterday I was confused by such a topic for the "event" considering the three years of thought life on the cubject. I have come to see mainly through his words and God's work with them that many will be going in this age, perhaps not I now but many will be going.
I believe and firmly see that God is doing something extraordinary with this age, perhaps the last great age and the last great "work" of God.
And as was the words of many I asked over break about this "work."
To His Glory alone,
JG
And as was the words of many I asked over break about this "work."
I see pockets of revival scattered across this vast nation and a return to the strict fundamentalism that led to such a remarkable transformation as was present during the renaissance.If what I sense and see and discern is true what a church God is redeeming, what a vast people God is reaching!
To His Glory alone,
JG
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