Latest Develoments

Happy Thursday!

I'm sending this message out to an undisclosed group of friends who have prayed, supported and partnered with us over the past few years. (Doesn't that sound intriguing??)

Many of you receive our periodic updates (if you don't and would like to, just hit "reply" and let me know) and have probably heard about my transition into a 2nd (or is it 5th?) career as a roofing contractor in order to support our mission work. Things are going pretty well, I've actually even seen a couple paychecks! I really believe that this is going to provide the flexibility and long-term financial support we need in order to continue focusing our efforts on connecting with broken, hurting, skeptical (and often poor) folks around south Fort Worth and beyond. Even some of my very jaded roofing co-workers are showing interest!

I hope, pray and fully expect that over the course of the next year I will be able to cultivate a large enough referral base and proficiency in this job to make a sustainable living without abandoning my calling to plant churches. But, I need help to get through the next 12 months. In addition to the support we're currently receiving, I am looking to raise, through one time and monthly commitments, the equivalent of $2000/month... $24000 for those whose math skills are no better than mine. ;) By next summer I hope to be self-supported (financially speaking) in ministry through my roofing work.

I would like to be able to use the money I'm already making from roofing to get us moved into a house near the Chappotins (which is a very modest and affordable neighborhood...and there is currently a house for sale two doors down from them) in order to enter more fully into the rhythms and lifestyle we're currently attempting from a distance. For those that don't know, we were offered a temporary living situation when we moved here in October of 2008. Some friends who live just outside of town have a small mobile home on their property. It would be a bit cramped for our family of five, but was just what we needed to get relocated, and would only be for a few months... We are very grateful for Mr. Ron and Mrs. Debbie, but we are ready to move into a neighborhood. (Besides, the boys miss their dog Chicory who has been living with my parents for the past 2 years.)

We've done a pretty good job over the past couple years (thanks in large part to the concern and generosity of our friends and family) of eliminating significant portions of debt. We're committed to continue making choices that allow us to live on less.

Many of you receiving this are currently monthly supporters of ours - thank you! Can you think of another person that might consider a short-term - just one year - or even a one time commitment? Perhaps you could organize a dinner with couples from your Sunday school class or even talk to leaders in your congregation.

If you, or someone you know, wants to hear more about any of our ministry efforts I would love the chance to meet with you. If anyone wants to see this stuff in action I would love to show you. If they want to know more about the theology behind what we’re doing I can share it. If someone wants to know how to partner with us financially, the address for Christ Journey is PO Box 3283 Burleson, TX 76097.

I have never aspired to be a fundraiser and it pains me that there are people who've received more requests for money from me than anything else. This continues to be a humbling experience but I have learned the truth that none of us makes it through life on our own. Our level of conscious dependence on God's provision has increased and so has our realization of how much we need other people. I pray that this will be my final fundraising push, but that I am merely beginning to understand my need for God and others.

Please also continue to pray for the development of this long-term bi-vocational approach.

Grace and Peace,
Bret

April Update

Hey everybody!

I pray all is well with you and your family. We've been through a lot of changes in these past few months, but we're mostly keeping our heads above water. I'm sorry its been a while since my last update...I've written several and the information was outdated before I could finish!

I put new roofs on three houses this past week (well...I managed the projects).

The life of domestic missionaries in Burleson, TX continues to baffle and astound us all. 2010 has gotten started with a whirlwind of seemingly random activity (unusual for our family, I know).

For starters, many of you are aware that the Christ Journey community and several friends in various locations decided to engage in a shared commitment to prayer and scripture reading. From January 1 to February 16 we spent six days a week reading through substantial passages of scripture and then processed our reading together on Sundays. During this time we read through Isaiah, Micah, Haggai, Hosea, Zechariah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts and Ephesians. We also spent time each day reading and praying over Luke 10:2, begging the Lord of the Harvest to send out workers into the field, asking that we may be those harvesters and that we would encounter those God was preparing to become harvesters as well.

Words cannot describe the impact that this has had. It was incredible to witness the ways in which the Holy Spirit opened scripture to our community and opened our eyes to miracles occurring all around. We came to expect our worship gathering each week to be opportunity to replay the miracles of the previous week and to anticipate even greater transformations in the coming week...what a novel thought for the people of God!

During this season we witnessed no fewer than a dozen NEW connections with broken people in search of something. Friendships were begun with exhausted single moms, angry dads and frustrated grandparents. We “randomly” reconnected with a few high school friends and had “chance” encounters with strangers.

Coming into this season, Chris and I both had some friendships that had developed over the past couple years but which seemed stuck. We had no idea how to help these friends take the next step in their journey...until we began praying more regularly and more specifically. Some of those friends have now shared dinner and spiritual conversation at the Chappotins’ house. I spent a morning at Denny’s with another of those friends, describing what it would look like to begin a house church in his living room.

Chris and I have both had friends who are either avowed atheists or who have said they have no use for church (regardless of whether or not there is a God) say to us in the past several weeks, “That is a Jesus I could get behind. Why haven’t I heard of this before?”

Over the last couple months, I’ve gotten to know a young man who is trying to leave behind a life of selling drugs and stolen merchandise. He’s already spent considerable time in jail. This past week we had a conversation about the radical new kingdom that Jesus came to announce. A kingdom that functions with a different understanding of power, success and wealth. The reign of God announced by Jesus is a direct attack against the systems of power fed by greed and manipulation. His response, “I like this. Is this way ever going to be possible?”

Our first season of reading was so transformational that we and the Chappotins have now completed our second round...and we’re making plans for what we’ll cover in round three.

I wish I could say that this amazing experience has solved all our frustrations and struggles. It hasn’t. Not even close. But it has certainly strengthened our framework of faith in order to accept those struggles.

The reality is that to reach many of the broken and hurting people in our community, many of whom have been burned by “Christians” or the church, we must go to them. Creating the newest high impact worship gathering or glossy invitation mailer will not get their attention because they aren’t interested in attending any religious gathering. A rocking worship band is cool...for people who are looking for Christian worship music. A fantastic children’s and youth ministry is attractive to those who are looking for a Christian place to take their kids. But what about those who aren’t so sure they want Christians teaching their kids anything?

To reach these broken people, we need to have a presence of hospitality in our neighborhood. We must be actively praying for God to open our eyes to those he’s allowing to cross our paths. We need to be inviting our kids’ friends and their parents to the park, and if Sunday morning is when they are available...

There’s a question that Chris and I have been asking people lately, “How long do you need to sit and listen to stories of Jesus before you are ready to share those stories with others?” I’ve known of good, kind, loving people who sit in Sunday school classes every week for decades on end without ever feeling that they are ready to invite someone else to follow Jesus. Why is that?

We realize that our goal must go beyond merely planting churches. Our goal is to call people to become fully devoted disciples of Jesus. Fully devoted disciples of Jesus are those who hear the words of Jesus and put them into practice; they make disciples who in turn make disciples. These disciples certainly worship together (we are still planting churches!) but they refuse to simply form a club that meets weekly. They are on mission together to be like the one they worship.

This is much more difficult than just planting churches...which isn’t an easy thing to begin with! Please continue to join us in prayer for the harvest and harvesters in the south Fort Worth area.

Now back to that comment about roofs...

This school year I’ve been substitute teaching to cover the balance of our financial needs. We have been so blessed to have such a large group of friends and family supporting us financially - some of you have now been partners with us for two years! We know that many of you have been giving, not out of your abundance, but sacrificially. We cannot thank you enough. Truly there are times that I am kept from despair by the realization that so many people believe in us and are praying for us. It is an honor to be entrusted to this ministry by God and supported in it by you.

In addition to subbing I began the process for obtaining certification as a junior high/ high school teacher. However, it became apparent that we weren’t going to be able to make it to September before that more substantial paycheck would possibly come along. So we continued moving forward in faith, praying that God would provide an answer.

We believe that answer was provided through a phone call from a friend I haven’t seen since 10th grade. David works for Quick Roofing here in the metroplex and invited me to join his team as a sales rep / roofing contractor.

After some time of prayer and deliberation we decided to go for it. I’m still subbing some, but mostly I’m devoting a large amount of my time learning and developing a customer base as a roofing contractor. It has been so promising that my little brother has decided to join me as well.

After this summer I will only have 1 class remaining in my DMin work (with just my doctoral project remaining), I do not anticipate subbing next year, and as my customer base and referrals grow in roofing, time spent “pounding the pavement” will decrease. I am hopeful that a more healthy and stable lifestyle is within reach.

We feel called to devote our lives and our time to proclaiming resurrection in the midst of darkness and pouring ourselves out for those who are skeptical and wary of the Christians; for those who desperately need to hear the good news of hope and new life. It appears that, at least for the time being, to do so faithfully I need to develop a “tent making” approach as Paul did at different points in his missionary journeys.

Such a transition is difficult and slow. I’m working very hard to keep all the plates spinning, but I continue to need your help. We are in a particularly vulnerable position right now and over the next year. In order to get this new job off the ground without abandoning my church planting and evangelistic calling, I will need continued support during this period.

If you are currently a financial partner with us, we hope that you will continue with us over this next year. If you are not currently, would you please consider doing so? Perhaps you have friends or a congregation that would be willing to contribute to this specific goal.

There are people right here in our own backyard who have never heard the gospel. Our Lord Jesus has called me to announce the arrival of the Kingdom to these very people, to proclaim good news to the poor and oppressed. I readily acknowledge that I will not be able to fulfill my calling without the support of God’s people in this land - this is a call that must be lived out in and supported by the community. And I am convinced that God wouldn’t have it any other way.

-Bret

40 Days...Again

Yesterday we completed our 40 Days of Scripture and Prayer. I didn’t write as much about it as I had originally intended – but not because it wasn’t powerful. Quite the opposite, actually.

During the past 40 days (excluding Sundays), we read through Isaiah, Hosea, Micah, Haggai, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, and Ephesians. I am always amazed how God’s word speaks right to your heart, no matter where you are reading, no matter what season of life you are in. But this one, this one was different. It was the first time I had really taken on something like this in the midst of community. The added element of talking with others nearly daily about what we were reading was powerful.

I was amazed at how the same Scriptures really stood out to, in particular, both Bret and me as well as Chris and Heidi. And when the same things didn’t stand out, the combination of the different things we had seen really said something, too. This process really brought us as a leadership team – and friends – to a different level.

I didn’t write much about it here though. And I feel a little bad about not sharing more of it. But honestly, a lot of what I was hearing just did not have a place here in the very public blog-o-sphere. It’s changed me, it’s changed Christ Journey, and I pray that the fruit of that transformation will be evident as we move forward.

Christ Journey has been going through some pretty major transitions since last fall. Several different things came to a head at the same time, and not everyone was ready for, understood, and/or agreed with the way things were handled, decisions that were made, or the directions to which we have returned. God’s Word has spoken directly to us and confirmed many of the things that we have been thinking and feeling in all of this, and it has been so wonderfully refreshing.

Also as a part of this, we’ve been praying Luke 10:2 everyday. “2He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” As harvesters, we’re praying to be in contact with the harvest, and for them in turn to become harvesters, too.

During this time, we’ve all (Bret, Chris, Heidi, and me) had some unmistakable answers to this prayer. Old relationships have “randomly” been renewed, opportunities have fallen into our laps, and hearts that were once thought to be hopelessly calloused have begun to soften. We have had conversations and experiences that we had begun to let ourselves think only happened to others in books. Any one of these might could be explained as “coincidence,” but when the literally over a dozen specific individuals who have risen up as a part of this harvest are combined, the role of the Spirit is undeniable.

So we’re doing it again! This time we’re reading a little of Psalms, a Proverb, and few chapters from one of the gospels each day. I can’t wait to see what’s in store this time around…

Acts

An Overview of Acts

1:1-6:7 – A description of the primitive church in Jerusalem, its early preaching, its common life, its spread, and its initial opposition. Notice how Jewish everything is, including the sermons, the opposition, and the fact that the early believers continue associations with the temple and the synagogues. The panel concludes with a narrative indicating that a division had begun between Greek speaking and Aramaic-speaking Jews.

6:8-9:31 – A description of the first geographical expansion, carried out by the Hellenists” (Greek-speaking Jewish Christians), to Greek-speaking Jews in the Diaspora or “nearly-Jews” (Samaritans and a proselyte). Luke also includes the conversion of Paul, who was 1) a Hellenist, 2) a Jewish opponent of the gospel, and 3) the one who was to lead the specifically Gentile expansion. Stephen’s martyrdom is the key to this initial expansion.

9:32-12:24 – A description of the 1st expansion to the Gentiles. Key moment is the conversion of Cornelius, whose story is told twice. (remember the OT narrative use of repetition to highlight something of importance). The significance of Cornelius is that his conversion was a direct act from God, who carried it out through Peter, the acknowledged leader of the Jewish-Christian mission (had God used the Hellenists – like Paul – the event would have been even more suspect in Jerusalem). Also included is the story of the church in Antioch, where Gentile conversion is now carried out by the Hellenists in a purposeful way.

12:25-16:5 – a description of the first geographical expansion into the Gentile world, with Paul in the leadership. Jews now regularly reject the gospel because it includes Gentiles. The church meets in council and does not reject its Gentile brothers and sisters, nor does it lay Jewish religious requirements on them. The latter serves as the key to full expansion into the Gentile world.

16:6-19:20 – Description of the further, ever westward, expansion into the Gentile world, now into Europe. Repeatedly the Jews reject and the Gentiles welcome the gospel.

19:21-28:30 – Description of the events that move Paul and the gospel on to Rome, with a great deal of interest in Paul’s trials, in which three times he is declared innocent of any wrongdoing.

Luke’s Purpose

Key to understanding Acts seems to be in Luke’s interest in the movement of the gospel from its Jerusalem-based, Judaism oriented beginnings to a worldwide, Gentile-predominated phenomenon. On the basis of structure and content alone, any statement of purpose that does not include the Gentile mission and the Holy Spirit’s role in that mission will surely have missed the point.

This interest in “movement” is further substantiated by what Luke does NOT tell us.

First, he has no interest in the “lives,” that is, the biographies, of the apostles. James (the son of Zebedee) is the only one whose end we know (12:2). Once the movement to the Gentiles gets underway, Peter drops from sight except in chapter 15, where he certifies the Gentile mission. Apart from John, the other apostles are not even mentioned, and Luke’s interest in Paul is almost completely in terms of Gentile mission.

Second, he has little or no interest in church organization or polity. The Seven in chapter 6 are not called deacons, and in any case they soon leave Jerusalem. Luke never tells us why or how it happened that the church in Jerusalem passed from the leadership of Peter and the apostles to James the brother of Jesus (12:17; 15:13; 21:18); nor does he ever explain how any local church was organized in terms of polity or leadership, except to say that elders were appointed (14:23).

Third, there is no word about other geographical expansion except in the one direct line from Jerusalem to Rome. There is no mention of Crete (Titus 1:5), Illyricum (Rom 5:19 – modern Croatia and Yugoslavia), or Pontus, Cappadocia (1 Peter 1:1), not to mention the church’s expansion eastward toward Mesopotamia or southward toward to Egypt.

All of this together says that church history per se was simply not Luke’s reason for writing.

Luke’s interest also does not seem to be in standardizing things, bringing everything into uniformity. When he records individual conversions there are usually two elements included: gift of the Spirit and water baptism. But these can be in reverse order, with or without the laying on of hands, with or without mention of tongues, and scarcely ever with a specific mention of repentance – even after 2:38. Such diversity could likely mean that no specific example is being set forth as THE model Christian experience.

Does that mean that Luke is not trying to tell us something by these various specific narratives?
Not necessarily. The real question is, What was he trying to tell his first readers?

With all this said, it does seem that much of Acts is intended by Luke to serve as a model. But the model is not so much in the specifics as in the overall picture. By the very way God has moved him to structure and narrate this history it seems probably that we are to view this triumphant, joyful, forward-moving expansion of the gospel into the Gentile world, empowered by the Holy Spirit and resulting in changed lives and local communities, as God’s intent for the
continuing Church.

Luke

Happy Monday!

Weʼve entered a new phase of our reading together. This week we begin the second half of our schedule and from here on the readings will come from the New Testament. Personally, Iʼm really glad to have read so much from the prophets recently. Sure, it was a little “doom and gloom” in places, but at least for me, it seemed that everyday the prophets were speaking directly into my own life.

Those last sections of Isaiah though...those chapters contain some of my absolute favorite pieces of writing anywhere. To begin the week last week with the words, “Comfort, comfort my people...” - I suspect that I wasnʼt the only one who needed to hear those words. As I reminded our friends gathered together yesterday morning, the role of the prophets is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. The Israelites in captivity (chps 40-55) and returning to a destroyed Jerusalem (chps 56-66) were no longer comfortable.

It struck me, as it often does, that it is very difficult to treat issues of social justice, freedom for the oppressed, care for the poor and concern for the forgotten as a “special interest” ministry. When we actually read the Scriptures those issues seem to play a very prominent role in descriptions of what it means to follow God faithfully.

And then our reading this morning begins not only with two substantial quotes from Isaiah (chp 40 quoted in Luke 3 and chp 61 quoted in Luke 4), but also ties the nature of Jesusʼ ministry so directly to this call for justice for the poor and oppressed.

I pray that you will find your story in the Story of Jesus this week. Next week weʼll read 2nd Luke (also known as Acts) and then finish Matthew, read Ephesians and John and our 40 days of reading will be fulfilled.

If youʼve gotten behind in your reading I encourage you to do two things. First, donʼt become overloaded with guilt or stress about not keeping with the schedule. The main goal is to spend significant time each day reading from Godʼs Word, not to accomplish a certain amount of reading.

Second, donʼt let yourself off the hook just because thereʼs no guilt being laid on you. This is a chance to challenge yourself, to be immersed in Godʼs word - this is not something that anyone else can do for you.

I am anticipating miracles this week. I donʼt know where God will bring transformation, but I believe that its coming. Do you?

Intro to Isaiah 40-66 and Haggai

Hey folks,

Sorry I'm getting this to you late in the evening...haven't really had the computer on much today (which was nice!)

Hope this is helpful as we enter the next week of reading. This week will be days 16-22 - when we finish with Isaiah we are half-way through this commitment. Rachel and I have already seen some amazing things happen that we believe are directly related to this period of reading and prayer. My continued prayer is that we will see miracles...that we will see transformation occur.

May God continue to bless you through the reading of his Word.

Bret

2nd Isaiah (chapters 40-55)

Most likely, this section of Isaiah was written by a latter day disciple of Isaiah, who is anonymous except we refer to him as “Deutero- Isaiah” to distinguish him from the 8th century Isaiah of Jerusalem.

The prophets had warned Judah to have faith in God or else destruction would come. Micah seemed convinced that exile was unavoidable. He was right. King Jehoiakim revolted against Nebuchadrezzer some time around 602, and it took the Babylonians some time to respond to this rebellion. But by 598, apparently Nebuchadrezzer surrounded the city of Jerusalem. During this time Jehoiakim died and his son Jehoiachin took the throne, reigning for only 3 months (597).

He gave in to Nebuchadrezzer and was taken to Babylon along with the cream of Judean society, including Ezekiel, Daniel, and the friends mentioned in Daniel 1–5. Nebuchadrezzer set another son of Josiah on the throne, Zedekiah. Zedekiah reigned for 11 years and witnessed the end of the nation of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem.

The question is finally settled with the capture of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Nebuchadrezzer fulfills the harsh prophecies that Judah had been warned of and the exile begins.

However Nebuchadrezzar died in 562 and his empire began to crumble. In 555, Nabonidus ascended to the throne and shortly thereafter, he went into the Arabian desert to contemplate the moon god, Sin. In his absence he leaves his son, Belshazzar as regent in his place.

Meanwhile the Persian Empire is on its own conquering warpath (remember the movie 300?) and the Babylonians actually welcome Cyrus and the Persian army as liberators. Persia takes Babylon without a fight. Cyrus was benevolent and actually allowed most conquered peoples to return to their own homelands. But, for whatever reason most Jews did not come home from Babylon, beginning the diaspora (dispersion).

As you read, look for these themes:
- Yahweh is the Holy One of Israel and has no rivals
- There will be new acts of redemption
- All the nations will benefit from Judah’s restoration: Judah will be a light to the nations.
- The Suffering Servant: 42, 49, 50, 52:13–53.
- Impact of II Isaiah on the New Testament.

Haggai

Haggai is written around the same time as 3rd Isaiah, during the return of the Israelites from captivity to Jerusalem.

Haggai has only two messages: 1) you are languishing in Judah with poor harvests because you have rebuilt your own houses but not the house of God. 2) The people responded with vigor and rebuilt the temple. Haggai then proclaimed that Zerubbabel, the governor, was the Davidic messiah.

3rd Isaiah (chapters 56-66)

Many scholars suggest that the book of Isaiah should be divided into 3 parts, as we have seen. The third part many feel is neither Isaianic nor part of Deutero-Isaiah, but an addition by a post-exile writer or writers not long after the return from Babylon. This writer carries on Isaiah’s motif of the Holy One of Israel, but seems not to have the messianic emphasis of Isaiah of Jerusalem and Deutero-Isaiah (or Haggai).

One of the main points of 3rd Isaiah is to show how Israel is to be a light to the nations in the period of restoration, but that the nations will be subservient to Israel and be, like the Gibeonites, drawers of water and hewers of wood.

Timeline of Important Old Testament Dates

1200-1000: the period of the Judges and beginnings of the monarchy.
1000 ±: David’s reign.
950 ±: the temple is built.
922 ±: the division of the kingdom (Israel in North, Judah in South).
735: the Syro-Ephraimite war (Isaiah).
732: the first exile of North Israel under Tiglath-Pileser III (Isaiah, Hosea).
722: the exile of North Israel to Assyria under Shalmaneser V.
701: the invasion of Judah by Sennacherib of Assyria (Micah, Isaiah).
622: the reform of Josiah (Jeremiah).
612: the destruction of Nineveh by the coalition of Medes, Babylonians, and Scythians (Nahum).
609: Josiah dies in battle against Necho of Egypt.
605: the battle of Carchemish (Egypt and Assyria against Babylon and the Medes) (Habakkuk).
597: the first exile of Judah under Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah, Ezekiel).
586: the second exile of Judah to Babylon (Jeremiah, Ezekiel).
539: the edict of Cyrus and the first return under Sheshbazzar.
520: the temple is rebuilt in earnest (Haggai, Zechariah, Chronicles, Zerubbabel).
515: the temple is completed.
ca. 450: Ezra’s mission to Palestine.
ca. 445ff: Nehemiah’s mission to Palestine.
ca. 400: Malachi’s prophecies and the “end” of Old Testament writings.

Prayer Requests

Good Evening everyone,

I have a couple special items for prayer that I would like to urge you to lift up to our God.

First, those of you who are local may have heard that there have been a string of suspected attempted abductions of children here in Burleson. On three separate occasions over the last few days a young person has been approached by a person they did not know and felt threatened - at least one of the children was actually grabbed by the man, but escaped. It seems likely that at least 2 of the 3 encounters may have been the same person.

This is certainly unnerving to those of us in the area, especially parents of young children. To make matters worse, 2 of the 3 events occurred in the Shenandoah community - where some of our friends live. This of course hits very close to home and we would like to ask you to pray for the safety of children everywhere, but particularly for our friends in Shenandoah who are certainly dealing with heightened anxiety tonight.

On another - happier - note, we'd also like you to be in prayer for a meeting I will have with a church this Thursday. Rachel and I have grown extremely cautious about getting our hopes up - we have certainly had to learn to deal with rejection over the last few years. However, the very promising conversations and events leading up to this meeting, and the timing... we are excited, nervous and, for the first time in a while, hopeful that a church may be willing to partner with us financially.

Please join us in prayer for this meeting and potential partnership.

Grace and Peace,
Bret

Intro for Hosea and Micah: Days 9-14

Hey Everyone,

I hope that last week's reading was a blessing. Rachel and I had some amazing experiences that can only be described as answers to our prayers out of Luke 10:2. It seems that the Lord of the Harvest is, in fact, concerned with harvest. Who knew?

Here is a short bit of information regarding the background of this week's readings. We'll start with Hosea, move to Micah and finish with Mark. Hosea and Micah are interesting in that together they function as a contemporary voice to Isaiah 1-39. Hosea was prophesying during the events which occurred in the first part of last week's reading (as Assyria is preparing to destroy the northern country of Israel) and Micah picks up around the time of that the Assyrian's attempt to take over Judah as well (which they nearly do, taking pretty much everything but Jerusalem.)

We had some great conversation this morning regarding the Isaiah readings and I'm already looking forward to what the community will have to say about this next round. Blessings to you this week!

Grace and Peace,
Bret

Our reading last week concluded with King Hezekiah’s refusal to lose faith in the face of a looming invasion by the powerful Assyrian King Senacherib - some 20 years after the destruction of the northern Kingdom of Israel (often referred to in the text by its capitol, Samaria) by the Assryians. This period of faithfulness in Judah came on the heels of King Ahaz’s failure to trust God and would be followed by even greater sin and faithlessness by Hezekiah’s son, Mannaseh. Isaiah seems to hold out hope that Judah will escape destruction and exile(which they will...for now).

This week we will read from the prophets Hosea, who was a contemporary of Isaiah during the early part of his career and Micah, who prophesied during Sennacherib’s invasion around 701.

We know that Hosea was a North Israelite who prophesied during the uncertain times of the anti-Assyrian coalition we read about last week; during the days of Uzziah, Jotham (and possibly even Ahaz and Hezekiah) of Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel. Of course we also know that he had an unfortunate marriage which God commanded him to enter as a metaphor for the relationship between the Lord and his chosen people.

The historical background for Micah’s prophecy is set around 701 and Sennacherib’s invasion.

Micah is far less optimistic about Judah’s survival than Isaiah. They do survive this invasion, but will eventually be destroyed by the Babylonians and be carried into exile as he predicts. Micah is also much more scathing about Judah’s oppression of the poor, in language reminiscent of Amos. Judah would be punished for breaking the covenant. Judah must go into exile, unlike Isaiah’s message, and there seems to be no way out. Chapters 3–4 suggest that Micah believed that Judah would someday be restored, but only after punishment and exile.

As we think about the setting in Israel and Judah in the 8th century BCE, the struggle to find faith often seems insurmountable. The prophets had their work cut out for them. Their messages,which sought to stoke the imagination of the people, called for repentance and were seldom well received. Keep this in mind as you then read the gospel according to Mark. You will likely notice how Mark seems to be racing toward the cross - the word “immediately” is often used to describe Jesus’ movements.

Throughout our season of reading we will continue to move back and forth between the prophets and gospels. Hopefully, as we progress we’ll notice that our understanding of one deepens our appreciation of the other.

Background in Isaiah

Rachel made a good comment to me this morning while reading the Isaiah passage. She was confused as to why God seemed so mad at King Ahaz. She said, "The background information you gave us makes sense, but I haven't gotten to the point in Isaiah where that happened yet. Why is God angry already?"

What I apparently failed to tell you guys is part of the reason for giving the historical background is that most of that information cannot be found in Isaiah itself, you have to read through Kings, Chronicles and even some of the minor prophets.

So don't be confused, you won't find all the information about Ahaz's treaty with Assyria in this reading - its a backdrop.

Hope that helps.

Grace and Peace,
Bret

Intro for Isaiah: Days 3-8

Happy Sunday,

As we prepare for our second week of readings, we will leave Matthew for a while and dive into Isaiah. Hopefully you've already benefitted from the readings. You may have noticed in Matthew 1-13 that the writer often says something to the effect of "this happened in order to fulfill what was said by the prophets." As you know, over these 40 days we will read all 4 gospels (usually the whole book on consecutive days). One reason to read books like Isaiah, though not at all the only one, is that these texts serve as important source and reference material for the gospel and other new testament writers. It is hard for us to hear what the authors were saying if we aren't aware of the stories to which they referred.

The attached document gives a little background to Isaiah 1-39. As you read I encourage you to be aware of the situation that Judah faced and to which Isaiah was speaking, but also ask yourself, "Where are these types of situations present in my own life and the life of my community?"

For instance we'll see that King Ahaz is afraid of the armies of Pekah and Rezin and is called by Isaiah to trust God for protection. Instead he turns to even worse King of Assyria for assistance. To avoid one bad option he turns to another, more dangerous option out of perceived necessity, instead of trusting God - a move of fear that will have terrible implications. But are we not often tempted to do the same? Asking such questions as we read will allow God to shine light on the areas of our lives that need a little prophetic "prompting."

Please let me know if you have any trouble opening the file or if you can think of someone else who needs to be added to the email list for these updates. May God bless the reading and hearing of His Word.

Grace and Peace,
Bret

I owe the bulk of this material to Dr. Mark Shipp who teaches the graduate Intro to Old Testament class at ACU. As we prepare to read Isaiah 1-39 this week, the following information might provide some helpful background.

Isaiah can most likely be split into three distinct books. This week we’ll be reading the first of those books, found in chapters 1-39. It was written by a prophet referred to as Isaiah of Jerusalem, as distinguished from the Isaiah of the exile 200 years later. He was probably called to the prophetic ministry with the extremely tense political situation of the Syro-Ephraimite war and Assyrian political intervention in view. Isaiah was called in ca. 740, ± the year of the death of Uzziah. Some have suggested that in the death of good king Uzziah, and his foot disease which forced a co-regency with his son Jotham, Isaiah 6 reflects the uncertainty of the times and the end of this golden age. In any event, Isaiah is called at the beginning of bad political times and its subsequent loss of political independence to the Assyrians soon after this.

Isaiah 6 reflects much of the theology and focus of Isaiah 1–39: the holiness of God, the judgment and purging of Jerusalem, the righteous remnant which would remain.

This section of Isaiah was likely written around 700 BCE with the imminent threat of Assyria and Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria mounting. He came to the throne in 745 and with him we have the true beginning of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. According to II Kings 15, Menahem (King of Israel) paid tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III and averted destruction. His son, Pekahiah, was murdered by an officer named Pekah (ca. 737). Pekah soon joined an anti-Assyrian Coalition with Rezin of Aram and possibly Tabeel or Ittobaal of Tyre. They attempted to get Judah to join, but Judah and her king Ahaz refused so they invaded Judah.

Isaiah is first sent by God to contact Ahaz while he was inspecting the city waterworks, probably with the siege in view. Note also that Isaiah was to take his son Shear-Jashub (which means “a remnant shall escape or return”) with him, a son with a very strange name who was a kind of visual aid to Ahaz. Isaiah’s message is that Ahaz and Judah should not fear, for Rezin and Pekah were not worthy of their fear. Not only this, God was with Judah and would not let them fall. Later, Isaiah came back with a further word of comfort for Ahaz. This time, Isaiah offers a sign to Ahaz—anything in the earth or the underworld. Ahaz demurs with false piety and Isaiah responds with a sign from God anyway, the sign of Immanuel. The obvious positiveness of these oracles is followed by Isaiah’s exasperation with Ahaz’s refusal to believe and then the interpretation of his own prophecies in a negative light. Ahaz, rather than listening to the word of the Lord from Isaiah, chose to seek help instead from Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria. Assyria invaded, deposed Pekah and put Hoshea on the throne.

Finally, there follows in chapter 8 a final prophecy dealing with sign children, just as in Hosea there are three: the sign of Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (which means roughly, "Hurrying to the spoil, he has made haste to the plunder.”) As with Shear-Jashub and Immanuel, this son is also supposed to be a sign of God’s protection and comfort to Ahaz. It also is reinterpreted as a prophecy of disaster when Ahaz refuses to believe. Ahaz has refused the peaceful waters of the Shiloah—a canal or aqueduct that flowed through Jerusalem—and has brought upon himself and his people the raging torrents of the Euphrates, the king of Assyria and his armies. He has hired a hired razor from beyond the Euphrates to cut of his hairy situation, but this razor was not content with a close shave, but a whole body makeover. There is one other overt historical background which bears mentioning in Isaiah. This pertains to ca. 701 B. C. and the invasion of Judah by king Sennacherib of Assyria. We read about Judah’s further involvement in conspiracies to throw off Assyrian domination in chap. 39. Here, Merodach-Baladan of Babylon came to Judah and was shown everything which the king possessed—his wealth and armaments. It is understandable why Isaiah becomes very upset with this because Merodach-Baladan was a well-known rebel against Assyria and king of Babylon during a 10-15 year period. The only reason Merodach-Baladan had to be in Judah was to gather support among the petty kings of the Assyrian empire to throw off their vassal status. Regardless of when this event happened in Hezekiah’s reign, Judah was clearly immersed in sedition and it did not take long for Sennacherib to respond. (701 and Sennacherib’s 3rd campaign). The chaps. 1 and 28–33, + 36–39, seem to reflect this period. As in the earlier period, Isaiah’s message is one of judgment, purging, and a righteous remnant emerging.

This historical background is meant only to help us have a framework as we begin to read Isaiah. We can see how the original context of the prophecies came into play. Once that is established our goal, through much prayer and listening to God is to, like the gospel writers, discern what the prophet has to speak into our present situation. You should have noticed during our Matthew readings that in that particular gospel account it is very important that the reader/hearer see the connection between Jesus and Israel: prophecies pertaining to Israel pertain to Jesus, regardless of what their original context was. This is just one of the reasons why it is important to read Isaiah and other Old Testament texts - we miss so much that is said about Jesus if we don’t read the authors’ reference material!

Outline of the book of Isaiah:
1: Introduction to the book as a whole.
2–12: Oracles mainly from 735 and the Syro-Ephraimite war.
2–5: Oracles of judgment, chiefly from 735.
6–9:16: the Denkschrift, or memoirs, of Isaiah.
9:17–chap. 11: Further oracles of judgment and future restoration.
chap. 12: a short poem about the restoration of Judah.
13–23: Oracles against foreign nations.
24–27: The Apocalypse of Isaiah.
28–33: Oracles pertaining to the year 701.
34–35: Oracles pertaining to the chaps. 40–55 and the exile.
36–39: Narrative about 701, almost verbatim from II Kings 17–19.
40–55: Deutero-Isaiah.
56–66: Trito-Isaiah.

Theology: The theology of Isaiah of Jerusalem is conveniently located in chap. 1:
1) God is the Holy One of Israel and has an indictment against his people.
2) Oppression of the poor, like Amos.
3) False religion.
4) Idolatry of Judah.
5) Certainty of judgment and destruction.
6) The purging of Jerusalem from sinful elements (also found in chap. 2).
7) The restoration of the righteous remnant (also found in chap. 3). Related to this theme is the prevalence of the Zion theology in Isaiah, particularly in chap. 3.

40 Days of Prayer and Scripture

January 1 - February 16, 2010

One of the greatest things about road-trips are the occasional side adventures that crop up. In similar fashion over the next few weeks, in the midst of our life-long journey into God, we are calling one another to take on a mini-adventure of sorts. For some of us participating, this arises from a recognition that without Godʼs intervention we are on the brink of destruction. For others this is a moment of surrender - weʼre lost and weʼre tired of pretending we know how to find our way back to the main road. Others are just excited about exploring new landscape. Whatever motives are involved, Prayer and Scripture make up the landscape to be explored.

Our calendar for reading is organized in weeks. There is a daily schedule which is meant to help provide structure. But as always, structure exists to support life, not to create or define it. This is not meant to be a burden, but it is meant to be a challenge. It should take intentional focus and planning to carve out time - that is part of the point of this adventure. Together we are crying out against the temptation for faith in God to become nothing more than a convenient accessory to our comfortable lives.

This is not only a time of reading. There are three specific ways we are being called to prayer in these 40 days.

1) Throughout the course of your reading there are questions meant to aid in prayer - for those who are participants in our Sunday morning gatherings, we will also discuss these together each week. But make sure to note that these are not intellectual questions for you to consider and answer. They are prompts to assist you in approaching God in prayer through the reading of these scriptures.

2) We also encourage you to take one or two verses from each dayʼs reading and allow them to roll around in your heart and mind. As you read listen for a passage that really stands out.

From that passage choose a manageable section to read several times - just a verse or two. As you read, ask for God to allow a word or phrase to grab you. Spend time in silence and simply listen to this word.

In prayer, invite God to speak and then take time to listen.

Read the verse again asking God what this word or phrase could be highlighting in your life. Not life in general, but your life - a life that God cares about dearly.

Take your time here - donʼt rush to find an answer. Wait and attend to the Lord.

Read the verse again. Consider the area of your life being spoken into. What is God calling you to do or be...or to stop doing or being? Speak Lord for your servants are listening...

3) Finally, let us each pray that God will introduce us to others who can join us in our life long adventure. In Luke 10:2 Jesus encourages us to pray for harvesters - where will they come from? From the Harvest! In addition to your reading and prayers each day, we encourage you to read Luke 10:2 and follow Jesusʼ encouragement to pray on behalf of those whom God is inviting into this journey.

Our task, the goal of this adventure, is to seek the face of God together. Acts 17 says that it is God who has placed the desire to do so in our hearts - and he isnʼt far from any one of us! Rejoice!

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Questions for Prayer in the Upcoming Week:
“What does Jesus preaching ʻRepent for the kingdom of heaven has come nearʼ mean to us today? (4:17) How does this message relate to the Sermon on the Mount? (5-7) What things have we seen that we could report to John? (11:4) In what ways have we treated Jesus like a prophet from our home town? (13:57)”

*each day - Luke 10:2

Fri, Jan 1 Matthew 1-7
Sat, Jan 2 Matthew 8-13

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Questions for Prayer in the Upcoming Week:
“What enemy is on our doorstep, tempting us to give in to our fears? In what ways does God need to cleanse our lips so that we can say, ʻHere we are, send usʼ? What woes and prophecies could be leveled against us and how are we to respond?”

*each day - Luke 10:2
Mon, Jan 4: Isaiah 1-6
Tue, Jan 5: Isaiah 7-12
Wed, Jan 6: Isaiah 13-20
Thurs, Jan 7: Isaiah 21-27
Fri, Jan 8: Isaiah 28-33
Sat, Jan 9 : Isaiah 34-39

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Questions for Prayer in the Upcoming Week:

In what ways are we Gomer? How can we, like Hosea, faithfully marry our Gomer? What does it look like to ʻact justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our Godʼ? If Markʼs Gospel is ʻthe beginning of the good news about Jesusʼ (1:1) whatʼs the next part?”

*each day - Luke 10:2

Mon, Jan 11: Hosea 1-8
Tue, Jan 12: Hosea 9-14
Wed, Jan 13: Micah

Thurs, Jan 14: Mark 1-6
Fri, Jan 15: Mark 7-11
Sat, Jan 16: Mark 12-16
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Questions for Prayer in the Upcoming Week:
“Who are those living in exile, who need to be comforted? Who are those living in comfort who need to warned of the coming exile? What could God be saying to us through Haggai if WE are Godʼs temple? Does the way weʼre living prepare us for faithful worship, or leave our songs and assemblies detestable to God?”

*each day - Luke 10:2

Mon, Jan 18: Isaiah 40-44
Tue, Jan 19: Isaiah 45-50
Wed, Jan 20: Isaiah 51-55
Thurs, Jan 21: Haggai
Fri, Jan 22: Isaiah 56-60
Sat, Jan 23: Isaiah 61-66

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Questions for Prayer in the Upcoming Week:
“What deserts has the Spirit led us to and for what purpose? (4:1-13) How have we found ways to make following Jesus less costly? (9:57-62) ʻLord are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?ʼ (12:41) How does our own denials of sin lead to assertions of our greatness? (22:23-24) In what ways are ʻour hearts burning within usʼ as He is explaining things? (24:32)”

*each day - Luke 10:2
Mon, Jan 25: Luke 1-4
Tue, Jan 26: Luke 5-8
Wed, Jan 27: Luke 9-12
Thurs, Jan 28: Luke 13-16
Fri, Jan 29: Luke 17-20
Sat, Jan 30: Luke 21-24
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Questions for Prayer in the Upcoming Week:
“How are we guilty of “standing here looking up into the skyʼ? (1:11) Is there any persecution in our lives that could have come because we havenʼt gone as Jesus commanded? (8:1) Do we still need more conversion to see people as Jesus would have us? (10) God, how are you seeking to form us through these stories of the early church?”

*each day - Luke 10:2
Mon, Feb 1: Acts 1-5
Tue, Feb 2: Acts 6-9
Wed, Feb 3: Acts 10-14
Thurs, Feb 4: Acts 15-20
Fri, Feb 5: Acts 21-24
Sat, Feb 6: Acts 25-28
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Questions for Prayer in the Upcoming Week:
How does having just read Acts impact the jump back into Matthew? How does reading Matthew explain what we just read in Acts? Where do Paulʼs exhortations to the Ephesian Christians present the greatest challenge or critique to us today? What does the reality of Jesus ʻmaking his dwelling among usʼ (John 1:14) mean for how we view the specific things happening in our communities and larger culture today? What does it look like (practically and specifically) for us to have ʻlife to the fullʼ today? (John 10:10)”

*each day - Luke 10:2
Mon, Feb 8: Matthew 14-20
Tue, Feb 9: Matthew 21-25
Wed, Feb 10: Matthew 26-28
Thurs, Feb 11: Ephesians
Fri, Feb 12: John 1-5
Sat, Feb 13: John 6-10
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Questions for Prayer in the Upcoming Week:
“Has Jesusʼ prayer in John 17 ever been taken seriously? What will happen to our community if we do?”

*each day - Luke 10:2
Mon, Feb 15: John 11-16
Tue, Feb 16: John 17-21
Wed, Feb 17: Ash Wednesday - Lent Begins