Friday, August 22, 2008

Wild @ Heart

Do you ever feel like you're faking it? Like somewhere in your journey with God you began feeling the pressure to be a “good Christian” so you slowly began wearing a mask. Or perhaps you feared rejection and wanted to fit in. And, since the other people in your church seemed to have it together, you began to act like you did too.

We all struggle with this at some point in our lives. Actually, many struggle with this for much of their lives. The Bible talks a lot about this problem of wearing a religious mask, otherwise known as hypocrisy, and Jesus addresses it on numerous occasions in the Gospels (see Luke 11, 12). As a matter of fact, it seems to be the one thing that upset Jesus the most. In the pages of the Gospels we find Jesus constantly confronting the Pharisees in the most direct and...how can I say it? Let's just say that He doesn't mince words.

Hypocrisy and religiosity are prevalent in the Church in South Africa, as they are in most places. And in my experience they seem to be especially prevalent in the townships. For a long time the guys I meet with have sensed that something isn't right, but it's just the way things are done. Basically, it's just standard operating procedure, if you will.

So, that brings us to the Epic Quest retreat that we hosted near Soshanguve, a local township. The content of the retreat was based on the book Wild At Heart by John Eldredge, which has had a big impact on my life. Each time I've read it, I have been challenged to deeply engage my heart and live in the fullness of who God has created me to be.

During these Epic Quest retreats, men are taken on a journey of the heart that not only exposes the masks that we wear, but also the wounds our hearts have suffered. And, as we face the these challenging issues, we encounter the Father's great love for us. Our hearts drink in the fact that we are the beloved of God.

In the two retreats that I have participated in, I am greatly encouraged by the responses of the young men from Soshanguve. Their honesty and willingness to face the past is courageous, and their willingness to remove their masks is heartening. And, although a good amount of their woundedness comes from nonexistent fathers and the absence of male role models, it seems that many of their masks come from imitating those who lead them in their churches. A sobering thought.

So our weekend together marks the beginning of a long journey. A journey that my teammate, Doug, and I will continue to walk alongside these young men. A journey towards living life to the fullest in partnership with God. A journey towards freedom.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Community Psalm

This is a community psalm that we recently wrote as part of our Friday Night worship and prayer time that we call "Rhythm". This was written in response to a time of worship that centered around our identity in Christ.


Lord, how much of You is in each day?
More than I could ever be aware of.
Praising You, I come seeking Your face,
You are my Refuge,
Your love drifts around me like air,
And I eagerly drink it in.
Oh Lord, my God, my Love, my Joy,
My Peace, my Provider, my King;
Let my life be a living testimony of Your magnificent love for me!
For You alone have made me whole,
Your grace, Lord, is beyond anything I could imagine.

The Lord of Love my Shepherd is,
I am His and He is mine forever.
You are my still calm waters,
And the fierce water that crashes upon the shore,
You take this frail vessel
And make something beautiful in Your time.
Oh Lord, my God,
Thank you for Your love.
Understanding what you are doing in the struggles and victories of others,
Gives life to my soul,
May I seek this understanding more often.

I was born to serve You, Oh Lord,
May Your love be upon me forever and ever.
You are too near to me for me to see You,
Too close for me to understand.
I am compelled by the colour of your countries,
Your voice is deeper than all roses,
No one, not even the rain, has such small hands.

And when all is said and done,
When the sun dips low and the stars reveal themselves in the heavens,
You write Your special name on my heart,
And claim me as Your own.
I will not forget the wonderful things my God has done for me,
For this, I am forever grateful.
For I am accepted, secure and significant,
Thank you for the Lamb,
Worthy is the Lamb,
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He touches me in my innermost being.