Kaleo has recently been on a journey of rediscovering the book of Acts.
I will say its been an eye opening experience to truly spend time walking through this text and seeing how the Spirit of God chooses to work through His people... It's interesting how we often skim over certain texts and phrases and often believe we know just how the Spirit of God is going to act in a situation... because honestly if there is anything Acts tells us its that we don't know squat.
The Spirit of God wouldn't be the Spirit of God if we always knew what He was up to! This is why faith if faith... because the element of "certainty" is sort of missing when we begin to talk about the Spirit of God.
Truth is, sometimes there are tongues of flames, sometimes there are miraculous healings, sometimes there are prison breaks, sometimes people drop dead, and at some points He doesn't even show up and other times He does!
Despite what you believe about the Spirit of God... whether because you can't see Him you rationalize Him away... or whether you are a full on miracle-believing-Spirit-filled believer... you can't ignore what happens.
Acts is documented transformation. Truth is, at some point Something got into a group of Jesus-followers and from that moment on their lives were radically rerouted.... A group of pathless people became a people with great purpose! ... A people moved toward justice and healing in the world. A people empowered and doing great and unexplainable works!
... And since then the world has been changed...
I love what one of the Pharisee's in Acts 5 named Gamaliel says about the apostles... "A Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered the men to be taken outside for a little while. 35 He said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re going to do to these men. 36 Not long ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about 400 men rallied to him. He was killed, and all his partisans were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following. That man also perished, and all his partisans were scattered. 38 And now, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.”"
... interesting words and a spark of light in the midst of a people set against the Spirit of God...
The Spirit of God is at work... and if you try to pin Him down or lock Him up... it will be like trying to capture the wind.
Today, how might you become more open to the Spirit of God in your life?
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
Is it enough?
Part of our vision as Kaleo is to see how heaven will break into our world.
In our day and time we can hardly avoid 'the world' any longer. Anytime you flip on the news, turn on the radio, or log onto Facebook. The world is in our face.
But as the world becomes more unavoidable we can still avoid the world. And many of us do.
But not perhaps because we don't want to do good in the world, but simply for many of us its a matter of not knowing what to do or where to do it!
This is why from the start we said that, as a faith community we will support good causes in the world. Whether it be giving a family an alpaca, helping to dig a well, supplying seeds to a village, giving mosquito nets to countries full of aids, or simply providing clothing to warm the cold places of the world. There is too much need for us to do nothing. We find it essential not only to be a church that says we are about helping the world, but actually being a people who do these things together.
But here's what I wonder... Is it enough?
The age-old danger that people of good intention have fallen into for years now will not leave us without lure. The temptation that is to "give our portion" and leave feeling great about ourselves. Too often for some "giving their portion" becomes their own personal scapegoat to move on with life without any further thought or regard to the world. This is dangerous.
My hope is that we can change this. That we as the people of God can begin to let the fire within us burn for the world. That we don't stop with our wallets but that we continue with our hands, with our feet, with the platforms God has given us. If we truly allow the Spirit of God to have His way we may just end up losing everything we have for the pursuit of a better world.
As you go, announce this: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, drive out demons. You have received free of charge; give free of charge. ~ Jesus
Matthew 10:7-8
In our day and time we can hardly avoid 'the world' any longer. Anytime you flip on the news, turn on the radio, or log onto Facebook. The world is in our face.
But as the world becomes more unavoidable we can still avoid the world. And many of us do.
But not perhaps because we don't want to do good in the world, but simply for many of us its a matter of not knowing what to do or where to do it!
This is why from the start we said that, as a faith community we will support good causes in the world. Whether it be giving a family an alpaca, helping to dig a well, supplying seeds to a village, giving mosquito nets to countries full of aids, or simply providing clothing to warm the cold places of the world. There is too much need for us to do nothing. We find it essential not only to be a church that says we are about helping the world, but actually being a people who do these things together.
But here's what I wonder... Is it enough?
The age-old danger that people of good intention have fallen into for years now will not leave us without lure. The temptation that is to "give our portion" and leave feeling great about ourselves. Too often for some "giving their portion" becomes their own personal scapegoat to move on with life without any further thought or regard to the world. This is dangerous.
My hope is that we can change this. That we as the people of God can begin to let the fire within us burn for the world. That we don't stop with our wallets but that we continue with our hands, with our feet, with the platforms God has given us. If we truly allow the Spirit of God to have His way we may just end up losing everything we have for the pursuit of a better world.
As you go, announce this: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, drive out demons. You have received free of charge; give free of charge. ~ Jesus
Matthew 10:7-8
Friday, January 25, 2013
Family Meeting 2013!
This coming Wednesday, Jan. 30th at 6:30pm is the Kaleo Family Meeting! This happens about once a year and is a time for us to get together, along with anyone who might just be interested in what Kaleo is about, and talk a little.
This year we will spend some time up front discussing a little bit about who we are as a community of faith, but then we'll have some discussion groups about certain aspects of what we do.
It will be a good time just to share in community and also raise any thoughts or questions you may have about Kaleo Nashville.
So with that said, anyone is welcome to join us!
Food will be provided so don't worry about it. We will begin eating at 6:30pm and discussion will start at 7. We'll be getting together at Ryan and Deirdre's lovely abode at 2015 Hutton Dr. 37210.
Hope to see you there!
This year we will spend some time up front discussing a little bit about who we are as a community of faith, but then we'll have some discussion groups about certain aspects of what we do.
It will be a good time just to share in community and also raise any thoughts or questions you may have about Kaleo Nashville.
So with that said, anyone is welcome to join us!
Food will be provided so don't worry about it. We will begin eating at 6:30pm and discussion will start at 7. We'll be getting together at Ryan and Deirdre's lovely abode at 2015 Hutton Dr. 37210.
Hope to see you there!
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