As I was working at the Buck the other night something occurred to me: I can’t remember the last time someone shared the love of God, the Gospel, did something intentional to reveal God’s love to me, told me about Jesus in any way, invited me to anything, or (heaven forbid) gave me a tract. I really can’t remember the last time someone personally “witnessed” to me in any way. It’s odd because I’m generally thinking about how to reach out TO people, but it struck me that no one is reaching out TO me. Is my experience similar to everyone else’s?

Why is this important? Because if my experience is an indicator of what others, who don’t know Christ are experiencing, then my assumption is that the majority of people (in Santa Cruz at least) are not hearing, seeing, or experiencing the life Jesus offered, which (in theory?) is now being lived & demonstrated through the life of the church. (Church: Not a place where, but a people who…)

“You’re a believer, of course no one is telling you about Jesus!” Being new to SC means no one knows me; they might as well think I’m a Klu-Klux-Clan Grandwizard! Since living here in SC I have yet to have one person engage me personally with the Gospel.

However, I have witnessed certain, “Come & See” events downtown. I remember Vintage Faith’s Easter display, Wonderful! Too, & hands-down the coolest (my bias), was when 12 Tribes of Israel (a Jesus commune from San Diego that has “communities” around the world—Slightly odd, some weird theologies) danced & sang songs about Yeshua. They were weird, but they were stoked about Yeshua (They don’t call him Jesus). Their joy was evident.

In my day-to-day life, I must admit, although in many ways surrounded by churches & Christians, no one has actually attempted to personally reach out to me, invite me, confront me, compliment me, encourage me, or engage me in an attempt to help me know or understand Jesus. I haven’t even gotten a fake $20 bill tract in the tip jar.

Is my experience typical to what others, who don’t know Jesus, are experiencing? Am I resigned to believe that Church Events (Wonderful as they are: Thank you for doing them) are enough to give people the opportunity to really know Jesus?

If as churches our function is to, “Equip the Saints for the work of the ministry,” Etc, etc… Why am I surrounded by churches, but left behind by “His” followers? I’m right next to a Christian campus, meet people who go to church, & talk with people who have crosses around their necks & fishes on their SUV’s; yet no one has personally engaged me.

I stopped praying prayers like these: “God please reach out to my neighbors.” “God touch the people of Santa Cruz.” “God love on the people at Starbucks.” Why? Because every time I prayed prayers like this I get one response: “That’s why you’re there.”

Guatemalan Rainforest Coban roasted to a “Light French” roast is very nice. Too, the place I buy my beans from is a Home Brew & Coffee Roasting Co-op. I’m going there today. I'm stoked to "Go..." They have what I want & I have what they need: Jesus.

Say ye what?

Well, Easter was incredible. We had over 50 people up at the house & many of them don't know how much God loves them. However, we hope the Tri-Tip helped them to experience a little love! So, after church, I'm really tired (Easter week was a little crazy) & when we come home I lay down for a nap. Well...I get up & the property is filling up, fast. I was totally thrown off! Thanks be to God for a little brown bean. Anyways, 5 BBQs!!, 8 Tri-Tips, 20lbs of Chicken, 10 lbs of Korean Beef, & we're all happy campers. Hopefully I'll post some pics later. Ironically, I didn't have a good time. Why? Because a couple of people I hoped would celebrate with us at church didn't show up. Wow, what a bummer. I'm crying because things aren't where I'd hoped they would be, all the while MISSING what God has done & was doing through our little church! This is something God is working on in my life right now & it's fun in an interesting kind of way.

Anyways, here’s something I’ve been thinking about. I took a grad class in which my prof passionately defended a very classic & common INTERPRETATION upon Luther's "by faith alone" salvific theology. We studied "Savior only" & "Lordship" salvation. He is "Savior Only," I disagree. I have been on a quest (of some sorts) to really find out what it means to "Be Saved" as this is somewhat of an important question. I was reading through Romans today, Paul's little Reformed book, & came across a verse which stood out to me: Chapter 2:7-11 "He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. 9There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 10But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism." I guess my question is: What is the nature of saving faith? I believe salvation comes through Christ alone; however, what does Paul mean when he says, "He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers." What is the nature of saving faith & what’s your life got to do with it?

I recently watched "Luther," which is a great movie. Something really stood out to me as I watched this movie again. Luther DEMONSTRATED a great deal of faith. He stepped outside of the bounds of the only system of salvation available at that time. He was very scared, but he stepped out in faith. I’m no expert on the Reformation, but it seems as if faith to Luther meant more than our modern INTERPRETATION of "what the Reformers said" faith means.

Romans 2:16 "And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life." Evidently, THIS is the message Paul proclaims; I have been taught & almost every tract or end to a good sermon ended with this verse: "And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Ironcilly my prof would say, "Jesus is Lord" means "Jesus is God." Funny...Lord can mean God, but it can't mean Lord? Who knew?) What’s my "Life" got to do with my "Faith?"

Too, I just got done reading a wonderful book: "Father Abraham: The Jewish roots of our Christian Faith." What an eye-opening book. As I understand Judaism more I start to read the NT with greater clarity. Judaism is the lense by which God created the NT, not the reformation.

We roasted some Sumatra last night; we drank some dark Sumatra this morning!

What say ye?

Here's a snapshot:

Pearl, a South Korean student at UCSC, prays outloud this last Sunday, "I don't know you, but I want to know you. I've never met such merciful people before. Please help me to know you." Half of us have tears in our eyes. Rachel leads her to Christ over lunch. Marina was hanging with Rachel 'cuz they were gonna' do discipleship or something like that. Marina said she didn't mind that Pearl interupted what was going to be a teaching about which letters are Paul's & which might not be.

We had 5 new Bethany Students at church. One of them drove from San Jose to our house for dinner. Our "tent-making" lifestyle as ministers kinda' blew her mind.

A friend of mine from Starbucks cam up to our house to to cook a French dinner for us. It was great. I wasn't sure what to expect, & neither did she, but she did a great job. It's been awesome seeing real relationships develop at the Buck.

Laben's cousin is here to start chargin' for Jesus. He worked from 6am to 6pm on the property; my type of guy!

We're expecting 50people for Easter at our house. 80% don't know Jesus.

Laben is leading our first trip to Mazatlan. He cried...for joy.

& Last, but not least...

Roast your own beans. It's going to a whole new level.

We are going through Mark right now & last week we looked at the passage when Jesus calms the storm. One thing we discussed was the two groups: Those on the shore & those in the boat (boats actually). Here's something from tomorrow's sermon I especially like.

Sadly, we have been trained to read & think of scripture as "truth to be understood," rather than "life to be lived." Too, Jesus isn't a "truth to be understood," although he is truth; he is life, & gives a "life to be lived." Are you standing on the shore or are you in the boat with Jesus?

I'm on a surfboard, but Jesus understands.

I thought this was fitting for the current title I've chosen. Too, Aug. 3 my goal is a 3:15 marathon in SF.


March 03, 2008

After 65 Marathons, a Sub-3:00

Perseverance, thy name is Frank Livaudais.

The 33-year-old triathlete is on a quest to run a marathon in each of the 50 states; so far, he's knocked 37 states off his list. He'd run 65 marathons, in addition to several ultras, when he lined up last month for his 66th 26.2-miler: the AT&T Austin Marathon.

Livaudais had never broken 3 hours in the marathon before, but he'd come tantalizingly close, according to the Austin American-Statesman:

"I thought I'd have a shot at last year's AT&T, but when I hit that hill on 38th Street, I blew up and ended up with a 3:02:09," he said.

He came close again last November at the Sun Trust Marathon in Richmond, Va., missing by 49 seconds.

In Austin, he finally did it, clocking a 2:58:15. (The American-Statesman, bless its heart, knocked another 30 minutes off his time, saying that Livaudais ran "a fine 2:28:15 on the challenging course.")

Congratulations, Frank!

And a note to all those readers heading into spring marathon season: If at first you don't succeed, just try again... 65 more times.

What? Who's that runnin' in the Green & Gold for Cal Poly!? Yeah, that guy dropped me at mile 11. Jeff ran 8.8 miles & did great. He got 19th place out of 71 people! He said he burned by this guy near the finish line, but it turns out the guy he ran by was 73yrs old! Viva El Jefe!!