http://www.kingstreet.org/index.php/blog en josh@kingstreet.org Copyright 2012 2012-02-01T12:00:55+00:00 http://www.kingstreet.org/main/why_read_the_bible/ http://www.kingstreet.org/main/why_read_the_bible/#When:12:00:55Z I recently had a conversation with an individual who was sincerely wondering why Christians need to read the Bible. Throughout the conversation, I heard the issue of the Bible’s relevancy addressed, the topic of the Bible being confusing was raised, and the idea that God could be primarily known and understood outside the Bible was strongly communicated to me. I disagreed with this individual in several areas but I left the conversation thinking, “I wonder how many other Christians feel like this?” I’ve always taken the words of Paul seriously that say “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV). Scripture is the very breath of God. And when God breathes, it is profitable and valuable for me to listen. I’ve often wondered why Christians feel so compelled to go from service to service looking for a “word” from the Lord, when there are hundreds of “words” from the Lord located in the very Word of God! We read the Bible because it is our primary way of knowing and discovering God. It doesn’t mean that we can’t learn and experience God in things like songs, prayer, fasting, service, and other acts of worship, but it is the primary instrument that God uses to help us understand him more fully. Knowing this should inspire and encourage us to learn new ways and put deliberate practices in place that will help us read and understand the Bible more clearly. Certain sections of the Bible can at times be confusing. But confusion shouldn’t prevent us from digging deeper to discover the many truths found in the Bible. Perhaps something simple as changing the Bible version you use can greatly assist you in the quest to minimize confusion. Finding an online commentary or a study guide can help you understand the historical, cultural, and theological context of the passage you read. Choosing to meditate on the passage and ask God to reveal his truth to you can be an excellent way to bring God into the conversion and allow him to bring clarity to you. Probably, the biggest excuse I hear about why people don’t read the Bible is “they don’t get anything from it” which is another way of saying that it’s irrelevant. I couldn’t disagree more! Recently, I was facing a challenging that was pretty heavy on my heart. I was praying that God would provide, lead, and guide me through this situation. That morning as I opened up the scriptures, I felt like the words in the Bible leaped off the page and spoke to my heart directly. I had a moment while sitting in amazement where I could only thank God for being real to me in life’s circumstances. That day, I was reminded that even though I read a story that happened thousands of years ago, the principles found in this story are still relevant for me today. The Bible has that way of getting right to our hearts and speaking to our specific situation. This doesn’t mean that you won’t have days where picking up the Bible and reading it feels like a chore. Trust me, you will! But when we approach the Bible with confidence that it is relevant, understandable, and our primary way of connecting with God, we open our hearts to receive what God has for us that day. Yours for making space in our lives each day for the Word of God Pastor Josh 2012-02-01T12:00:55+00:00 http://www.kingstreet.org/main/learning_from_the_past/ http://www.kingstreet.org/main/learning_from_the_past/#When:06:20:47Z Ever since I was a child, I have LOVED the Christmas holidays. I’ve always viewed the season as a time that brings a little magic to the world. Suddenly, between December 1st and January 1st the world falls under a beautiful ‘spell’. Enchanted by the season, people begin to magically smile more, give more, gather together, and welcome new hopes and beginnings with the coming of a New Year. It’s almost surreal to watch the world transform in such a way. Together, we wait for Christmas to arrive and ready ourselves to embrace the coming of a New Year. Preparing for the celebration of the New Year has always been the same. On New Year’s Eve, I find myself filled with anticipation watching that magnificent ball of lights slowly drop; yet shockingly, every time the chandelier reaches the end of its journey and I hear the crowds begin to sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’, I can’t help but feel a little sad. With the rest of the holiday season barreling forward, pushing us to continually pursue the future, New Years is like a pause button, directing the world’s attention to the things gone by. This year many people will be thinking about lost loved ones, amazed at how fast their children have grown, and reminiscing on the many stories that infiltrated the news. Understandably, this can be rather sad. But with another year closing, one does not have to merely be sad. Moments of reminiscing can in fact help us look to the future with hope. We don’t have to look back and think, “if only it were the good old days again.” Instead, we can learn from our mistakes and ready ourselves for a healthy future. On New Year’s life’s moments begin to show their ‘true colours’. Significant moments of the past become apparent unlike any other day of the year. We begin to discern what was most important and determine what wasn’t; for example, that time you may have embarrassed yourself, or said something silly no longer holds any weight. Instead, moments like your child’s first steps, your graduation, family time, the moments you laughed so hard it hurt or helped someone in need are counted as most important. So when we look into the future, we should first look into the past and remember what is going to matter most. There is much to learn from our pasts and much to hope for in the future.  
 2012-01-01T06:20:47+00:00 http://www.kingstreet.org/main/keeping_the_under-resourced_in_our_budget_this_christmas/ http://www.kingstreet.org/main/keeping_the_under-resourced_in_our_budget_this_christmas/#When:07:00:30Z It’s ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ … again! The annual countdown to Christmas begins, but this year, it’s going to be different. For the first time ever I’m thinking … ‘It’s budget time!’ Weird, right? It's not always the first thing we think about when it comes a season often characterized by generosity and even extravagance. I’m usually spending fairly indiscriminately on gifts – I want these people to know I love them … don't I? But, what would Jesus Christ do? Or, in the case of the first Christmas, what did Jesus’ father do? God gives us a solid hint of where his priorities lie when he makes his son’s birth announcement to shepherds. The first people told of Christ’s birth were poor – even to the point of discrimination. Did you know shepherds were not even allowed to be witnesses in the court of law? Isn’t it just like a saviour to be flipping the tables and making things right, from the very first moment?! So, what’s your budget like this year? Have you allotted a certain amount for your loved ones, including God’s loved ones; the under-resourced among us? Christ's arrival on earth changed everything – giving us the chance to be reborn, to re-engage our hearts like we never left Eden (even if the world around us is anything but paradise). And that's what we long for! A world-wide healing and restoration to the way things God intended them to be. So we hope, and so we pray to God,  "Your kingdom come  Your will be done,  on earth as it is in heaven." (Matt. 6)   And then we take action! There will always be inequality – later on in his life, Jesus said, “You will always have the poor among you” (John 12.8). And through this imbalance, he has given us the opportunity to partner with him in making things right. So, I’ve chosen to remember the ‘poor’ in a very intentional way this year. I’m including them in my Christmas budget. And I’m excited for the chance to celebrate the season Jesus-style. Hoping and praying the same opportunity for you!   Looking for practical ideas? Check out the video below. Promo 2011 from Advent Conspiracy on Vimeo. 2011-12-01T07:00:30+00:00 http://www.kingstreet.org/main/learning_to_forgive/ http://www.kingstreet.org/main/learning_to_forgive/#When:18:14:02Z What is forgiveness? Here is a short story illustrating Christ’s forgiveness towards all mankind. I find when I think of Christ’s forgiveness towards my own life I can’t but learn to forgive others when they hurt me. Read and allow Christ’s forgiveness to give you hope and let it inspire you to forgive others in your life. In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like ones in libraries that list title by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in each direction, had different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “girls I liked.” I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.   And then, without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in detail my memory couldn’t match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring there content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named “Friends” was next to the one marked “Friends I Have Betrayed.” I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life that I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in twenty years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my handwriting. Each signed with my signature.   When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts”, I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!” In an intense frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and begun pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.   And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.   But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch his response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did he have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, and covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.   Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting on one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. I thought to myself “His name shouldn’t be on these cards.” But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.   He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, it seemed the next instant I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.”   I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.   2011-10-31T18:14:02+00:00 http://www.kingstreet.org/main/giving_thanks_creatively/ http://www.kingstreet.org/main/giving_thanks_creatively/#When:07:02:32Z Thanksgiving is just a few short weeks away and many of us “turkey fans” find our mouths watering at the thought of Thanksgiving dinner. Not only is Thanksgiving a great opportunity to take part in delicious feasts, but to spend time making memories with family, friends and most importantly looking back on the blessings in our lives - demonstrating a heart of thankfulness to those who have been part of our stories. If you have served alongside me in children’s ministry in any capacity over the years, you will likely have received a note of thanks in one form or another. I love writing thank you notes - some more cheesy than others! Words are a main ‘love language’ for me and therefore I resort to written word, more often than not, to help convey my ‘thanks’. Thank-you notes are a great way to give thanks creatively. Depending on the personality of the recipient, they will read it and treasure it for years to come. But don’t let the Hallmark industry hold you back from doing something “outside the envelope” to say thanks - there are many ways to express gratitude in fun and creative ways: - Take a photo of the event or of you with the received gift and include it in a note of ‘thanks’. This helps to remind the giver of what they took part in for years to come. - Keep your ears open for small things (such as a favourite snack) that the person might enjoy and include that with a note on top that says ‘thanks’. - Go ahead and think of some word plays. I find most of my inspiration for ‘thank you gifts’ at the grocery store (of all places!). For example, at the end of our VDC a few years back, I got all of my leaders a Kit-Kat chocolate bar and said something to the effect of “You have served with excellence this week! Sit back and enjoy a well deserved break,” in light of Kit-Kat’s slogan, “Give me a break!”. Don’t be afraid to get creative (and even borderline cheesy) at times. It’s a fun way to say thanks creatively. - Affirming someone behind their back is a great way to not only encourage someone but also to let others know what a great job they are doing. A family friend is a teacher at a local elementary school. One year, her husband and daughter received a letter from the principal thanking them for allowing their mother and wife to commit so much time and energy to her job and for their support of her position. Not only did this husband and daughter see the letter, but guess who they showed it to? The teacher and mother whose efforts were so kindly recognized. What a great way to go behind someone’s back to say ‘thanks’! - Send out an e-mail now and then to someone who has inspired you or encouraged you in some way. Knowing that they are being thought of by you goes a long way to affirm someone. - Try not to take your family members or close friends for granted when they help you with something or give you something. It is easy to just rely on them without remembering to thank them. Giving thanks creatively starts with taking time to demonstrate that the giver deserves to be thought of and thanked. Giving creatively is a part of giving generously... of your time, words and sentiment. This Thanksgiving, don’t forget to give thanks. In a world where there is endless opportunity, many people, and demonstrations of kindness worthy of thanks, let’s not neglect to take the time. 2011-10-01T07:02:32+00:00 http://www.kingstreet.org/main/what_did_we_learn_from_september_11th/ http://www.kingstreet.org/main/what_did_we_learn_from_september_11th/#When:17:17:43Z At 8:45 a.m., September 11th, 2001, the first of two airlines struck the World Trade Center in New York, in the first of a series of coordinated terrorist attacks on the United States. At 9:03, a second plane crashed into a second World Trade Center tower, and exploded.  With both buildings ablaze, hundreds of rescue personnel rushed to the scene. At 9:43 a.m., a third passenger plane crashed into the Pentagon, in the world’s largest office building. At 10:05, the south tower of the World Trade Center collapses, plummeting into the streets below. A massive cloud of dust and debris forms and slowly drifts away from the building. Five minutes later, a portion of the Pentagon collapsed. At 10:28, The World Trade Center's north tower collapses from the top down, releasing a tremendous cloud of debris and smoke. At 10:48 police confirm that a fourth passenger jet had crashed in western Pennsylvania. Most of us remember exactly where we were and what we were feeling when we heard and saw of the above tragedy. It is hard to believe ten years have already passed since it all happened. So the question begs to be asked: What did we learn from September 11th? I would say there are many things to learn from such a horrifying day, but I would propose that on top of the list is the truth that evil exists and Jesus is the answer. I submit the words of Jesus Himself when he said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16, 17). Jesus makes it clear that His love is for all people, no matter what color of skin or religious background they may have. Christ’s desire is to give life, life eternal. The Father did not send His only Son to die to condemn and judge the world but rather He sent His Son to save the world. Jesus came to save us for our sin, save us from ourselves, and save us from each other. Yes, evil exists…but Jesus is the answer! May God continue to console and strengthen all the families who lost loved ones as once again we remember on September 11th. We pray: God keep our land, strong and free! 2011-08-31T17:17:43+00:00 http://www.kingstreet.org/main/why_pray/ http://www.kingstreet.org/main/why_pray/#When:05:00:48Z If God knows everything, why pray? Has that thought ever crossed your mind? Have you ever found yourself struggling to pray because you didn’t know what to say to a God that already knows everything? The fact that God is omniscient should not prevent us from praying to him. If anything, it should draw us into God who knows us personally and understands our need to connect with him. Prayer helps us connect with God! Jesus was a big advocate for prayer. He practiced the discipline of prayer regularly in his life because he knew that God needed to play a central role in his life. Mark 1: 35 – “Rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there his prayed.” Matthew 14: 23 – “After he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.” Luke 9: 18 – “Now it happened that as he was praying alone...” Even though Jesus was divine, he was also human and understood the real need to connect with his creator. Life wasn’t something to be explored solo but was intended to be done in partnership with the one true living God. Jesus knew this and modelled it for his disciples. At his ascension in Acts 1, Jesus instructed the disciples to go, wait and pray. He knew that it was absolutely crucial for the sake of the Gospel that his disciples be praying people. The disciples understood this value and practiced it wholeheartedly Acts 2:42 – “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers. Acts 12:12 – “...many were gathered together and were praying” The early church was built around prayer and the belief that God responds when people pray. All throughout the New Testament, we are given examples of praying people and God’s response to them. God loves it when we pray to him. It’s pleases him that his creation wants to be in community with him. We have a great opportunity to communicate through prayer with our God. Jesus and the disciples recognized this need and practiced it faithfully. What would our lives look like if we faithfully prayed to God? How would things be different if we developed a life-style of prayer that didn’t just include giving requests? God has his ears wide open waiting for us to engage him through prayer. May we take every opportunity we have in this life to connect our hearts to God through a meaningful prayer. 2011-08-01T05:00:48+00:00 http://www.kingstreet.org/main/why_are_christians_fascinated_with_jesus_death/ http://www.kingstreet.org/main/why_are_christians_fascinated_with_jesus_death/#When:07:00:19Z Hello. my name is Dave, and I have a confession to make: I am a Christian, and I’m fascinated with Jesus’ death.   I’m fascinated by the death of Christ because he did the impossible and came back to life again.   I’m amazed by the death of Jesus because through it, death – humanity’s greatest fear – is defeated in one gracious and divine act.   I’m in awe of Christ’s death because he was willing to go through with it despite the anguish it caused him to be separated from God.   I’m amazed by Christ’s death because, while there’s no greater love than being willing to lay down your life for a friend, he did it just as much for people who claimed to be his enemies.   I’m drawn to Christ’s death because it’s difficult to imagine why anyone would do that, let alone the Son of God.   I’m a debtor to Christ and his death because he took my place.   I’m captivated by Christ’s death because now that I know about this amazing love, there’s no other purpose or person I want to live for.   I’m obsessed with the death of Jesus Christ because the way I live depends on it.   I’m enthralled with the death of Christ because it gives me hope for life beyond death.   I’m liberated from fear by Jesus’ death because, even with Christ at his weakest and Satan at his strongest, it’s still no contest.   I’m won over by Christ’s death because in it, I see an absolutely glorious flourish of God’s extravagant love.   I’m filled with wonder by Jesus’ death because in it, I see the choice to reverse the curse of Adam and Eve and fully belong to God again.   2011-04-01T07:00:19+00:00 http://www.kingstreet.org/main/why_lent/ http://www.kingstreet.org/main/why_lent/#When:07:11:10Z Have you ever found yourself involved in a conversation where the person you are talking to whips out their cell phone and begins texting or surfing while you’re speaking? Although that person may be hearing what you are saying, they are not giving you their undivided attention. While sometimes it may seem that this behavior is acceptable, it certainly leaves you feeling as though what you are saying is less important than that email or text message. For real conversation to take place, both parties must be equally focused and committed to the conversation, and willing to set aside the many distractions that might beg their attention. This type of focused, undivided attention is what the observance of Lent calls Christ followers to. Lent is a practice generally observed in the Catholic and Anglican tradition, and a discussion of its roots and purpose is well worth consideration for those in the broader faith community as well. So, what is Lent, you may ask? In its bare essence, Lent is a time set aside on the calendar where, for forty days people are called to make some sort of sacrifice - of either food, festivity, or both - in order to remember the sacrifice that Christ made when He died on the cross to take away the sins of humanity. For the forty days prior to Easter Sunday, Christ-followers are encouraged to forego certain food items or activities, with the intent that the ongoing conscious choice will serve as a constant reminder of both what it means to sacrifice and Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. The number 40 has many spiritual implications. For example, Moses spent 40 days in the presence of God on Mount Sinai; for 40 days and nights Noah saw rain come down as God flooded the earth to start afresh; for 40 years the Israelites wandered around in the desert before arriving at the land that God had promised them; for 40 days, Jesus prayed and fasted in the desert while he was tempted by Satan, yet he remained focused on the purpose that God had for him. Although neither the term nor the practice of ‘Lent’ find its roots explicitly in the Bible, the core of this observation is rooted in both Old Testament and New Testament teaching on the importance and benefit of fasting. In 2 Chronicles 20:3, we see Jehoshaphat calling the people to get serious about serving God by going without food for a designated time. By separating themselves from the daily routine of food preparation and eating, they could devote extra time to considering their sin and praying to God for help. Hunger pangs would serve as a very real reminder of their human weakness and dependence upon God. Fasting can be just as helpful today as we seek God’s will in both unique and everyday situations. Too often we pray glibly and superficially, without really considering what we are asking or of whom we are asking it. Serious prayer, by contrast, requires concentration. It puts us in touch with God’s will and can really change us. Without serious prayer, we reduce God to a quick-serve pharmacist with painkillers for every ailment rather than seeking the permanent solution He offers. Scripture records numerous times when people were called to fast and pray as a way to help refocus their attention from what the body craves to what the soul craves. If a life is lived in consistent repentance, as Christ calls us to do, then Lent has meaning and is a powerful testimony to the world about the truth of God’s amazing grace. Part of the reason for Lent is to help us trace the steps of Jesus as he spent 40 days fasting in the desert. His experience in the desert was a hyper-intense, more fervent extension of a lifestyle that he lived daily. With this in mind, as a leadership team we encourage you to consider observing the practice of Lent this month, as we intentionally refocus our minds on Christ and turn our hearts towards a posture of worship and love for the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity.  2011-03-01T07:11:10+00:00 http://www.kingstreet.org/main/who_is_valentine/ http://www.kingstreet.org/main/who_is_valentine/#When:05:00:11Z For centuries, people have devoted February 14th as Valentine’s Day. This day has been used by people to celebrate their love to one another through words and gifts. Others use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to feed their addicting sweet tooth by gorging on low quality inexpensive chocolates and candies. But whether you find yourself celebrating love or feeding addictions this Valentine’s Day season, may you be reminded of why we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is named after a famous priest who lived around 270 A.D. As the story goes, the Roman Emperor Claudius II was imprisoning Christians for not worshipping the Roman gods. During this persecution, a priest named Valentine was arrested. Some say he was arrested for performing Christian marriages which were outlawed at the time by Emperor Claudius II. Others suggest he was arrested for helping Christians escape from prison. Whatever the case may be, we know that Valentine was a devoted Christian. During Valentine’s trial, he was asked what he thought of the Roman gods Jupiter and Mercury. Adamantly, Valentine proclaimed that they were false gods and that the God whom Jesus called Father was the only true God.  This statement upset the Romans and they threw him in prison for insulting the gods. Valentine would be beheaded on the 14th of February becoming a martyr because of his love for Christ. Valentines Day is a day when we remember love. Not simply the love that we have for one another or the love we have for chocolates and candies, but the love that we have for Christ and the love he has for us. Saint Valentine was killed because of his deep unwavering love for Christ. It’s that same love that Christ has for us. John 15:13 – “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (NLT) Jesus showed the world this love by dying for our sins. Saint Valentine demonstrated this love to God by staying committed even when persecuted. I imagine it wasn’t easy for Saint Valentine to stand strong in his beliefs while facing persecution by those around him. Nor is it easy to stand strong today in our culture. But I know we have an excellent example in Jesus Christ who modeled for us the kind of love that God desires. So may Valentine’s Day be more than just a celebration of love towards one another. May it be a celebration of love towards God! 2011-02-01T05:00:11+00:00