hey men… so after dan had me share on friday about the door God is amazingly opening for us to go to africa, i wanted to be sure to post the short summary here, in case some of you were gone, or couldn’t hear me in the back w/o dan’s magic microphone.

here’s the deal:
chris arias (my video partner), and i got invited on extremely short notice by my neighbors to go with them to Swaziland, Africa for 10 days after Christmas and shoot video, documenting not only an orphanage their non-profit ministry is in the process of building but also document the lives of people all throughout Swaziland and what God is doing there, so that they can use this as a tool in the States to build support and funding for the ministry. yeah… crazy, huh?

backstory:
a few months ago i didn’t know our neighbors, the Martins, very well. i knew they went to BBCC and worked in Waumba Land, and our kids played together, but i had no idea that behind the scenes, they have been running a non-profit ministry, building an orphanage in Swaziland! last year, they sold their house to use the profit to start this ministry and began working with El Shaddai to build the second of two orphanages in Swaziland. This is a country where 50% of children are orphans and the life expectancy is 29, so what they are doing is nothing short of miraculous, extreme Jesus stuff.

well, one day while our kids were playing together, in talking to my wife, they found out i do video production. this peaked their interest, because apparently a few months ago God had put it on their hearts to document with video what is happening, because up until now they have only had photos on a slideshow. they had been praying that God would either show them how videotape, or would connect them with someone who knows video to help them. after hearing this, one night over hashbrowns at the Waffle House, chris and i had been chatting casually about their ministry, and he said “hey, tell them if they can get us there we’ll go shoot it for them”, which was followed by chuckling and one or two off the cuff “wouldn’t that be cool” comments. not long after that, they called to ask me a few questions about a camera someone was loaning them for their next trip, and how to best use it for interviews, etc. and while i was giving them my $.02, i mentioned chris’ comment to them, not really expecting it to go anywhere, and that was the last i heard of the trip, but i was glad to help with my advice.

how it came together:
well, about 2-3 weeks later, out of the blue, they called me and said “are you guys serious about going, because God has opened the door!”. basically God provided mine and chris’ travel, to and from Swaziland, and all meals, lodging etc., and they wanted us to go with them to document the trip and the ministry. we would be staying at the existing orphanage, traveling around the whole country every day shooting video of what God’s doing there. it wasn’t a hard question to answer, but it was hard to answer the question, because suddenly we were faced with a very real challenge, and after seeking God, we gave the nod, and began preparing.

this won’t be like a church mission trip where in the course of several days we build a small church or complete some other project - this is going to be an unscripted adventure through this country, capturing the lives of people and what God is doing through this orphanage ministry. the story we will tell has yet to be written, but no doubt the documentary that comes out of this experience will be His story, and a powerful one.

so, ok God, don’t let me screw this up. lens cap is off, right chris?

getting ready to go:
of course “all expenses paid” always leaves some expenses. we will have to buy extra batteries, a lot of tape, a few peripherals to help us be prepared when there is no radio shack. so we do have to dig up some funds for that…. but that isn’t why i’m writing. this isn’t a funding request per se, but i wanted you to know about this, because you never know if it might sync up with something in your heart.

please be praying for us as we tie up loose ends and prepare to go. here’s a few things we definitely need prayer for:

• the team’s health and safety as we travel
• i had to expedite my passport order, it needs to show up soon
• we are bringing pro gear to do this right - pray for the safety of our equipment, that it would work flawlessly and be kept safe and intact as we travel. also pray we don’t forget anything important
• power issues - we *should* have power at the orphanage we are staying at, but please pray it works, as we’ll be charging a handful of batteries every night for the next day’s adventure
• buddy passes - we are all flying on passes, and there is only one flight per day. please pray we all get on the same plane because that one logistic could throw the whole trip off drastically
• pray for our families whom we will be leaving behind for 10 days, from Dec 26 through Jan 5. this will not be easy for them.
• pray that chris and i will see more than great shots, great angles and a great story. pray that we will be moved to a new level of serving the Lord based on this experience.

that’s the story, and i look forward not only telling you all how it went, but showing you the video as well.

1. Read Matthew 16:21-24. What stands out to you?
2. List some “things of men” that influence you.
3. Why do these influence you?
4. When do the things of men and Satan’s interests align?
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?
5. What does the above verse mean to you, personally? Today?

“And now, the end is here and so I face the final curtain. My friend, I’ll say it clear, I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain. I’ve lived a life that’s full; I traveled each and every highway. And more, much more than this, I did it my way.”

I’ve never been much of a Sinatra guy because, 1) He’s way before my generation, 2) I’m not a fan of anything New York 3) I’m not Italian (though I sure do like Italian food) and 4) I don’t have blue eyes. Not that those are any prerequisites. But I just never identified with him much. (Maybe also because his real name was Francis, which was my grandmother’s middle name, and I didn’t think that was very manly).

There’s a strong correlation between our likes and our plans and the things with which we identify. Peter obviously identified himself with Jesus — or at least with what Jesus had going on during his three years of earthly ministry. One day late into that effort, Peter announced Jesus was the Christ, the son of God. Jesus acknowledged the statement, saying it was God who’d revealed that to Peter. That probably stroked Pete’s ego a little. He probably thought, hey, this guy’s about to establish something big here on this real estate. Forget the fishing business–I’ll leave that to my brother-in-law for good–I’m putting all my stock in this Jesus guy and the kingdom he’s about to build.

But then, just a few verses later, Jesus says something different. Something about him having to suffer, die and then raising again on the third day… Whatever all that meant, it didn’t line up with Pete’s plans. “No way, Jose–or son of Jose, rather,” Peter told Jesus. “I’m not going to let that happen. I’ve invested time here with you. You’ve got an empire to conquer, a new kingdom to create. We’re doing it my way!”

And then Jesus said something that made it sound like Peter identified not with Jesus, but with… Satan?

Here’s what we discussed at our table:

1. Several different things stood out: Peter’s boldness in rebuking Jesus, Jesus calling him out so harshly, Jesus pointing out the things of men–the stuff we prioritize with our limited view of things instead of seeking the things of God, Peter–whose name meant “the rock”–being called a different kind of stone–one that causes people to stumble instead of being a foundation on which the church would be built.
2. Fear. Pain–we have more fear of having to endure painful circumstances rather than dying itself. Personal peace and comfort–as a society, we are so addicted to being comforted and entertained with our lifestyles (a Western/American phenomenon). Providing for ourselves. Disappointing our friends and family. The list just went on and on! Or maybe a is more appropriate.
3. Because our eyes are not fixed on Jesus. We succumb to the mind games thrown our direction that distract us from focusing on the things of God. None of these things sustain us, but we get caught up in our emotions and think we’re missing out on something, causing those fruitless pursuits to influence our lives. That fruit in the garden still causes fruitlessness with us today.
4. When don’t they?!?! It doesn’t take much to get us off God’s will. Just a slight nudge, and then we’re off to others’ interests.
5. That our calling is counterintuitive to the world’s way of thinking. We must empty ourselves, pouring out our interests and filling ourselves up with what God wants. We must decrease, He must increase. We must not be of this world, but we must be in it, sharing God’s mercy, grace and love to those who have the things of men in mind.

Can you imagine what life might look like today if Peter had done it his way? If he’d followed Frank Sinatra’s ode to opting for the things of men–that stuff that we want, because we think we know better?

Sinatra’s song ends with a very interesting, very stubborn proclamation: “For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught. To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels. The record shows I took the blows and did it my way! Yes, it was my way….”

As for me, I’ll gladly kneel before the One on the throne. As tough as it is, I’ll have “naught” in order to take up my cross and follow the Chairman of the Board (Universe, that is). I’ll ditch Burger King’s like-minded motto and opt for another one of Sinatra’s song lines: “I want to be a part of it…” God’s will, that is.

This concludes our 5th Dimension series–thanks for being a part!

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The unspoken plea; the unheard cry - for hope and freedom - from America’s traditional poultry dinner. This Thanksgiving, be thankful, but give a turkey a break.

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Produced by: Andy Waddell • Matt Wilson • Chris Arias | revolutionEYES

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UNC meets weekly at the Atlanta Bread Company in Cumming GA. Each Friday, the morning’s opening talk is posted to the blog. Don’t forget, you can easily subscribe to our RSS feed.

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“Get behind me Satan…

 …you do not have in mind the things of God but the things of men.” 

Jesus pointed these words at Peter, His loyal friend and follower.

This same Peter who had confessed Jesus as the Christ now protested Messiah’s mission.  

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

Peter wanted nothing of it.  The getting killed thing wasn’t on his agenda.  

Pictures formed in Peter’s mind of a world without Jesus.         

“What will become of me?  I have everything riding on this guy.”   

Peter stood witness to a head on collision between two ideas, both involving Jesus.

Idea #1: Jesus marches into Jerusalem and takes control with Peter by his side.

Idea #2:  Jesus suffers and dies.

“Ummm….  I’ll take Door #1.”

The pictures Satan planted conjured hope inside this age.  But hope inside this age is fleeting, Peter found. You can either attach your hope to this age or to Jesus…  but you cannot do both.

This age exalts the things of men.  And, the things of men do not suffer the Cross of Christ…  

The things of men tether themselves to the now.  The things of God stretch Eternal.

The things of men are about delaying death.  The things of God are about extending life.

The things of men are driven by fear.  The things of God are forged in faith.

Had the things of men prevailed upon Jesus, Jesus would not have prevailed against death.

Talk about the ultimate deceit…….! Take scripture….add or subtract a couple words here and there…or maybe take it out of context and presto…..the devil can slip “twisted” scripture right under your radar and have you believing what you heard was the truth!  This is what Satan did with Jesus when he tempted him after 40 days and 40 nights in the desert.  Could Jesus really trust God to sustain him?  Would He provide the necessary sustenance that Jesus needed?

As it turns out…it was the Word of God that Jesus “ate” that sustained him.  And every time Satan tried to appeal to any possible weaknesses that Jesus might have…. Jesus countered with the Truth.   And so can we!

Here’s what we discussed at our table:

1.)  Do you ever doubt that God will sustain you?  When and Why?

Yes, when we don’t fully trust Him.  When we start believing Satan’s lies! Because we base our view of God on our circumstances rather than on who He is and who we are in Christ.

2.)  What does provision look like to you?

Provision can cover the whole range from basic necessities like food and shelter to the extravagant desires of caviar and multiple mansions.  It depends on whether or not God is God in our lives or if some “idol” has taken his place.  This is a reflection on where we are in our spiritual development i.e.  the condition of our hearts and whether or not we think we are in control.

3.)  How has God provided for you this week?  What role did you play?

Yes, but when we cut through all of the layers of “me-me-me” what we discovered is that all we really have is our “next breath”!  In other words, God provides us with everything but we still need to do our part i.e. till the soil.

4.)  Read Genesis 3:14-23 out loud.  What stands out to you?

God said….and so it is.  Cursed…..the serpent and the ground( woman and man were judged).  God said “…man has become like one of us…..” This is plural and alludes to the Trinity.  Death became man’s ultimate consequence.  Man was banished from the garden but not abandoned.

5.)  What do we learn about God from this text?

God controls everything. Disobedience has consequences(sometimes long term). God is just. God is merciful…..he let Adam and Eve live!  Eventhough Man would have to work hard (judgment), he would be able to produce food that would sustain him (grace).  Inspite of their sin, God provided clothing to cover their shame. God loves us…always.

The devil quotes Scripture, too…

                                                             …just ask Jesus. 

The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point in the temple.  “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here.  For it is written: 

“‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands , so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 

The words were right, but the meaning was wrong.

Way wrong.

Satan left out an important phrase, the words ”in all your ways.”  

Satan twisted the truth.  He does that a lot.  He pulls  truth to a place where its meaning is inverted.

To that place where truth becomes… a lie.

Lies are not always contradictions of truth.  Often, lies are obfuscationsof truth.

In this case, God’s words described His faithful provision.  Satan leveraged these into an intimation that God does not faithfully provide.   

Jesus retained within His divine nature the ability to provide for Himself.  But He didn’t.  He relied upon the Father for sustenance and pursued faithfulness over fulfillment.   

This is where Satan aimed his temptation.  He sought to convince Jesus to short cut the Cross, that He should rule men in glory without first suffering. 

Ruling was Jesus’ birthright, after all.  

Suffering was optional.  

Easy call.  

The same lie Satan pitched to Jesus hovers before you today.  Its power flows from your agreement that you can accomplish noble ends by ignoble means.  

You cannot.

Nobility derives from an abiding trust in the  One True God.  

So often, Satan dangles a  solution within arm’s reach.  Too often, we stretch for it as our ancestors stretched for the fruit in Eden. 

Jesus came to undo Eden.  His mission carried Him into a direct confrontation with Satan in the Desert of Sin.

We can learn from Jesus’ Desert days.  

Jesus battled our enemy with the Truth of God said and an abiding Trust in His Person.  

These same weapons avail themselves to us today.  If we’re going to reach, we should reach for these.

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UNC meets weekly at the Atlanta Bread Company in Cumming GA. Each Friday, the morning’s opening talk is posted to the blog. Don’t forget, you can easily subscribe to our RSS feed.

Also, you can subscribe to our Podcast in iTunes. Start iTunes, enter the iTunes Store, and search for “UNC Friday Morning”.