Why Jesus is not relatable.....

It is not so much that we have made the religion of Christianity not relatable or even unattractive, but we have made Jesus Christ Himself  not relatable. For almost thirty years of my life, I was immersed in the lost world, mingling with a diverse blend of Muslims, Jews, atheists, new age folks and even hippies. Coming out of my stubborn salvation journey, I was very fortunate to find a community and church. In the last two years, I found salvation, daily fellowship, necessary healing, continued spiritual and emotional growth, service opportunities,  and clear direction on God's purpose for my life. And of course love and marriage! It has indeed been a catalyst two years for me. When I pleaded with God in the summer of 2012 upon my departure to Kansas City "Lord, I know you want me to wait and be patient, but you might wanna hurry it up this time..," I never expected Him to press fast forward. "We don't have time to waste" I heard Him, and now I understand why.

More recently, I found myself at times feeling caged in again, even within my new found Christ community. I had to ask myself, am I once again resurrecting that broken bird my dad once called me, unable to settle or find true satisfaction anywhere? I can now finally reply with wholehearted assurance that the answer is no. The anxiety and dissatisfaction arose from the fact that I fled the lost world only to build a "Christian bubble" around me. Don't get me wrong, I desperately needed and I am thankful for this Christian bubble as a place and time to heal and to reconcile "who I was and AM as a Muslim in order to comprehend where I am going as a Christian." My true transformation needed this. However, every aspect of my life started to become attached to and dependent upon Christians.(once again) I started to see how so many around me only ever interacted with other believers. I started to crave the lost. NOT because I tempted the former passions of my flesh, being lured back into a grave of sin. Absolutely not. I passionately and tearfully cherish my walk with Jesus. Rather, I started to crave the lost because that is exactly where God can use me the most for His Kingdom.  I caught myself using the "Christianese" language of "praise God and blessings" way too much. I would catch myself using Christian lingo while visiting friends and family in Canada, getting disgusted with myself. Please don't get me wrong, I DO praise God and I sure do count His blessings.... but He did not relentlessly pursue me to get comfortably Christian in my Christianity, not relatable to those He expects me to now relentlessly pursue. 

It hit me, not only have we made Jesus unrelatable to the world, but "I" was slowly becoming not relatable to the world. So, I made a decision which I intend to use as an anchor and motivation in my organization objective.... more accurately put, my life purpose: The message I communicate must be one that is relatable to anyone, everyone and anywhere. That means that when I am speaking and teaching before people, I can feel confident that there can be an atheist, Muslim, Hindu, Jew, Budhist, or new age person sitting among the crowd and he or she can grasp what I am saying. What I am saying is not a "Christian" thing, it is a "Humanity" thing. We have over-spiritualized Jesus. We have stuffed Him in a spiritual box, not relatable to the rest of the world- His message, identity and very essence detached from philosophy, psychology, environment etc. I can picture Him yelling out from this over-spiritually stuffed box, "...But I am a philosopher!, I am a psychologist! I am an environmentalist!" We have forgotten that Jesus is all of creation- "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together" Colossians 1:17.  I want my core spiritual message to walk through the common courtyard of all these genres while being dressed in what the world can recognize and relate to, therefore building a bridge of familiarity and destroying hostility. People give high obedience to what they already know. We must wrap truth around what they already know. Jesus and Paul were masters at this while always maintaining their core identities. That is authentication. People desire to be around authentic people over people who are not relatable.

We want people to meet us at a spiritual point, so that we can speak to them and give them understanding of spiritual things. Where we have become misguided is that we must meet people where they are and not where we want them to be. Just as Jesus meets us where we are and not where we should be. My savior was revealed to me as I was a culturally Muslim- new age worshiper and He walked me to spiritual awakening through a seeking heart and His Holy Spirit, ultimately leading me to Him. We must remember that we meet people in a common place where we can relate to them and walk them towards spiritual things through the power of the Holy Spirit and in God's time. I have a Kurdish friend in KC. She has denounced the "religion of Islam" but her identity can not escape being culturally Muslim. Yet, she proclaims herself to be a new age follower, being led by the enticing notion that we are our own God's living a life where our approach to the "universe" dictates our success, growth and overall life. Hmmmm hope that sums it up. She confides in me. She trusts me. She seeks me out for guidance and advice. She feels that I "get her" and that we can meet in a common place regardless of our different beliefs and relate to one another. What she does not see is that everything I say to her and encourage her with is from my faith. Yet, my words and my friendship is not dressed up in Christianity or Christian lingo. I demonstrate my faith, I do not need to define it. I have confidence not in me, but in my God that as we continue to be in this common place of fellowship and love, that "naturally" she is being walked towards a spiritual horizon with the hope that the veil may be torn in time....giving all ownership to Christ and not to the universe or oneself. I suppose I love spending time with my Kurdish friend because she draws me back to a familiar place...

We focus so much on the branches and leaves, that we have forgotten the seed beneath the soil. This seed is where all humanity finds a common place. I am very intentional when I teach to point out a deeply humbling truth that sometimes is hard for Christians that have placed themselves on a pillar of righteousness, to accept. It is that we all have the same universal needs and roles, and the only thing that separates us as believers is that we have the saving grace and love of Christ and we are commissioned to share it. When we know Christ and live for Christ, our needs and roles wrap around Him and His Kingdom cause. We must destroy lines of separation if we intend to effectively engage in Kingdom work. "Us" and "Them" mentality must be replaced with "We." This statement pulls us down from the clouds, and like it or not, sits us down in the company of all people. 

I suppose that is why I felt uneasy in my Christian bubble after awhile.... in some small, but detrimentally unconscious way, I raised myself above the crowd- living in our self made Kingdom. I needed to be pulled down and sit in a common place with the rest of humanity.......sharing life together, finding points of compassion, therefore, creating parallel paths that I pray leads to truth.

God kicks me in the butt when He reminds me, "Who do you think you are...?" I love when He keeps me in check, especially considering "We don't have time to waste"

NGLC - 2014

Some phrases that caught my attention during my time in Nashville with NGLC

Discipleship is apprenticeship – V

They are not the enemy. You can shoot me, but I am going to give them food. – Karen

We get very passionate against one another sometimes. – V

Be a lover of people – Jim O’Niel

“Efficiency is really bad strategy.” - V

“..Put up a tent of mediocre non fruit.” –V

“Christ is everything or He is nothing…..Christ is ALL, not first.”- V

“We will make mistakes in the process of moving towards one another.” - V

“I will not spend the second half of my life making excuses….. I will make mistakes towards obedience.” – V

“Put down the burden of that thing you invented by yourself.” – V

“The purpose of the fifty was to hear the one” – V

“It’s not the unity of collectiveness, but the unity of the Spirit. We do know how to do that.” – V

“Credibility comes from being in motion, not when you have arrived.” - V

Don’t let ministry become your idol. It takes away the God given power and capacity to fully engage in your ministry.

American’s are like Jonah – resistant to reaching Muslims. – Dave Ray

“At what time should you stop fellowshipping with yourself?” - V

Sometimes God chooses to speak to us through unjust jerks. – Dave Ray

The struggles, pains caused by people is used as an incubator to reveal to you, YOU. – Al Henson

“On my best day, I am a beautiful mess”

He left my heart here, so that my heart may be with the nations. – Al Henson

20 mile radius – 136 languages. Lighthouse Christian Fellowship – Al Henson

I really don’t like Church people. Be honest, most of you don’t. What is it about the fact that we get together in a Church that makes us go weird. – Mike Baer

“I asked, how do I connect with lost people. The Lord said, become like them.” – Mike Baer

I got to meet lost people in THEIR TURF. – Mike Baer

“…When it has a global flavor, it usually has the mark of God on it” – Mike Baer

Obedience is the coin of the Kingdom – Mike Baer

The great thing about reading books is getting mentored by people I haven’t even met… people who are even dead. But it’s also good to have living mentors. – Jim Jeffrey

Ask a question to listen. The best leaders are the best listeners and constantly ask questions. And when they speak, it really matters. – Jim Jeffrey

I think cancer burned all the junk in me that doesn’t matter… -John Bonar

I don’t create disciples, my job is to create and engineer an environment where God will grow them. – John Bonar

Key lessons are learned by watching behind the wall. – John Bonar

“I don’t want to leave a place where everyday I am dependent on my God, because I can’t create that place.”

You are beat up. That is a sign that you are doing the right thing. – John Bonar

Just as Harriet Tubman …”We are leading spiritual slaves to freedom. “

Even if you don’t believe, you belong. – John Bonar (his church philosophy)

I belonging before I believed. – Indian believer at John Bonar’s church

It is an ongoing dialogue between a discerning community and the Spirit of God – V

God’s blessings got in the way of me and God – Mariya

Truth without love is only noise – Fran Pratt

A Letter To You.....

Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity. -- Robert Alan Silverstein

I am seeking unity in diversity. I know I must abolish my “us versus them” mentality. “Come follow us, we will show you the way” is not the message I announce to you. Rather, “Let me walk with you …… Let me walk with you in your pain, fear and even in your distrust of me. In the midst of our differences, you will see that we walk carrying the same burdens. You’re a lot like me and I’m a lot like you”   I must meet you where you are, just as my King met me where I was and not where I should have been. There is a wall of misconceptions so thick yet low enough for me to climb over.  Better yet, let me bring this wall down by showing you that two worlds apart can not separate the common human heart and condition.  So, let us break this wall and use the bricks to build a bridge to walk across. Better yet, let us sit on this bridge awhile and exchange stories. Strip away my identity attached to my flag, my bank account and the language I speak. See me in my essence, a common place where you and I meet as one – Oh how I pray that you may come to fully understand this oneness that is much bigger than you and I.

We may have used different color schemes to paint our lives, but the picture is the same.  Culture is rooted in creation, unleashing diversity and vibrancy to life and its people that celebrates the handiwork of my God.  Our cultures are so rich that I am sure that their fusions will create an endless banquet table. Let us dine there for while and exchange stories. I am confident we have met before- in a common place of circumstances, needs, fears and hope. I apologize for allowing this stupid wall of misconceptions to separate us all this time.  But I must admit the blame is on me and not the wall.

Let us put that behind us, for we have now used what once separated us as a building block to bridge us. Let us walk awhile and exchange stories. Let us walk in dialogue and not debate. Let me demonstrate and not define. I am not sure where we will end up, but I am confident we will have much to see and be revealed along the way……. You might even meet my King along this way.

Abandonment of Creative Life

“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light." Luke 8:16

We have reached the crossroads in faith and culture.

Why have Christians abandoned embracing any and all aspects of the creative life by being confined to their self imposed rigid guidelines? The creativity of so many believers is hostile to mainstream culture. Some Christians argue that Christianity has “degenerated into an intellectually and artistically anemic subculture, and the general population is consuming an unsatisfying blend of mindless, soulless, spiritually delusional entertainment?” I can not agree. The discussion is less about the judgement of mainstream culture, and more about relatability and how Christians have negotiated their relationships to culture. Christians have become so "otherworldly". Culture is rooted in creation and an integral part of life where the arts, fashion, music and other creative forms of expression have left footprints throughout the story of man. The flesh, culture and all of creation have been ravaged by sin, but just as God did not abandon Man, we also can not abandon the rest of creative life that does not convey our values and beliefs. What keeps Christians from leaving their footprints into all aspects of life and culture - is judgement and fear. That can be the only explanation. Outlets such as fashion and mainstream music "suggest" the lure of sex, drugs and alcohol - temptation of our fleshly passions and desires. So, we keep our Christianity away in the face of fear. It is love that takes our light into the darkness where we shine the brightest. We have alienated ourselves, thinking we are superior beings. So, we stay paralyzed in our boring Christian cages because of judgement and fear. The result is a less vibrant, less bold, less creative, less artistic... ultimately, a less relatable Christianity.  Those who attempt to integrate and unleash their natural creative talents into the web of mainstream culture are criticized as, "too worldly" by uptight Christians who are just "too Christian."

According to poet and art critic Dana Gioia, "The retreat from the culture that Christians have made is the product of several things, one of which is believers becoming too engaged in their own sub-culture rather than trying to reach out and promote their values. Christians have been naïve to think that they can prosper in a society and not be engaged in cultural creation,”  “Christians are naïve to think that they can be engaged positively in society and ignore culture. If you turn your back on the arts, essentially you are leaving all of those stories, those images, those forms of communication in the hands of others. And that’s what we’re seeing. People of faith have unambiguously lost the culture wars. They complain about it but they aren’t doing anything about it. Collectively, we have lost sight of the awesome power that art and media have to express ideas (including religious ones) in ways that can be meaningful to people who may have a different background or perspective.  Instead of encouraging a vibrant art culture which is inspired by faith, Christian leaders have been predominantly interested in explicitly devotional art, which has little importance to people who do not attend or believe. Well, I think what we’ve seen is this very strange retreat the church has made—both internally less confident about itself, less presence in culture, which represents a complete historical turnaround for the church which was seen as the natural home for artists; I mean the glory of Church has been its presence in material culture: architecture, paintings, sculpture, literary, music. But it’s become a rather generic and anonymous cultural presence now"

We must encourage and promote the next generation of Christians to engage in culture FOR Christ with compassion and self control, while belonging to a community of believers. This strong foundation allows one to have understanding of their creative talents, themselves, and their cultures - and how to authentically and naturally impact the world around them as ambassadors of Christ. Ultimately, instead of alienating ourselves from mainstream culture and society, we leave our cages and pour out our God given skills and talents into all aspects of creative life that need our light and not our judgement. 

Kingdom Mindset

Focusing on the Kingdom also means focusing on what it means to experience authentic character
transformation. A Kingdom mindset does not seek merely information which is false knowledge, but rather craves His Word that has the power of transformation. Cultivating a Kingdom mindset requires continual awareness of God's indwelling presence.  Diving deeply into spiritual formation requires an integrated way of living rather than a compartmentalized one. Everything I do with every aspect of my life is connected to my spiritual formation as an effective Kingdom Ambassador. Everything I do with every aspect of my life is held together by Christ my cornerstone. This is a Kingdom mindset.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” - Matthew 6:33

This Kingdom mindset differs from merely a Church mindset. This is the intentional seeking and pursuit to transform entire communities, rather than the motivation towards mere church programs and church living contained within the church walls. As my pastor says, "Go and BE the Church" "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ." 2 Corinthians 2:15-17  The power of this love and light can not be contained and spills over to surrounding unchurched communities, transforms the hardened of hearts and overcomes darkness. This Ambassador does not live within the confines of a self-constructed Christianity with conveniently built white picket fences that only go as far as one's own life.

The dimensions of Kingdom living was a focus in Jesus's teachings. He spent time in dialogue about what the Kingdom really is, and how we can participate in cultivating Kingdom cultures in and through our lives. This Kingdom mindset must permeate our lives, fueling us to share and teach the news of the King and His Kingdom with others. "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:1-2 

"Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him." 2 Timothy 2:3-6 This Christ soldier is obedient, disciplined and unshaken. Their feet stay firm on shaking ground, while others run in every direction. This soldier is not distracted, swayed or impressed by things of this world because he or she can already see them fading away....... Those who possess a Kingdom mindset are dangerous to Satan's efforts.

The Fullness of Blessings

Reconciling some old thoughts.......


I wrote a blog post a few months back entitled, "My heart in His hands" Below is the post:

I will be the first to admit that I have always been foolish in the heart. In the past, the desires of my heart have led me astray. My passions have chased the heart of Man and not the heart of God. Yet, the amazing truth and power that I now recognize is that God needed to break my heart into pieces in order to draw me to Him. He took away the world's version of love in order to include me into the greatest love story to ever unfold. 

When my heart was broken, wounded and in agony, I received a heavenly visual. I was sitting at a coffee shop in Mexico writing out the bitterness in my heart.  As I closed my eyes, He was standing before me with His hands reached out. Without words, He spoke to my heart saying, "do you trust me?" If you do, place  your broken, wounded and darkened heart in my hands." I did. I remember saying, "...And don't you give it back to me until it is healed, strong, and bright" He promised.

To give Jesus everything does not mean what I choose to give Him. It is not a compromise. Everything means everything. Everything means my mind, my heart, my family, my hopes, my dreams, my pains, my joys.... everything is His. He is in control of everything. I trust Him with everything. Therefore, I walk in peace and assurance. This is faith at its best.

I look forward to the day when I close my eyes and revisit Jesus as He stands before me with my heart in His hands. This time, He will give my heart back as He had promised- healed, strong and bright. Yet, even when my heart dwells brightly within me, I will continue to passionately seek and chase after the heart of Christ - the lover of my soul for a love eternal.

"Do you trust me?" He said. 

I sure do. I trust you with my whole heart.

Much has happened since that post...... The journey of my heart has brought me to a place of new love. I have discovered and have been lavished by a love unimaginable. The pursuit of God's heart and Man's heart are no longer separate. You see, I have come to understand that I only pursue God's heart- and it is only THERE that I will also find the heart of the Man I love. This ensures that both our hearts walk side by side only towards His direction.

The Lord gave my heart back to me as He promised- healed, strong and bright. He blessed me with this. We remember that we are blessed to be a blessing, so this blessing can not stop here. I am drowning in the joy of this blessing, but I also understand that I now have a responsibility to it. The true obedience to this blessing, is ultimately an act of giving glory back to God- where the blessing came from. Everything goes back to Him. A blessing truly magnified which captures its true fullness is when it:

1. Blesses us
2. Used to Bless others
3. Blessing is returned to God in the form of praise for His ultimate glory.

So, now that God has been faithful in His promise to me, what is my obligation? My obligation is the responsibility of my Man's heart. Just as Christ held my heart in His hands- healing it. Making it stronger. Protecting it. And making it bright. I now must do the same with my Man's heart that He has entrusted me with. This is my responsibility and obedience to the blessing He faithfully bestowed upon me.

Just as Christ held my heart in His hands as if it were His own..... I now carry my Man's heart in my hands..... as if it is my own. This is my demonstration of obedience and praise to my faithful God - returning the blessing back to Him for His splendid glory.

Proof and Trust

This blog post is a collection of thoughts during my last couple weeks of teaching and reflecting.

The Messenger is the proof of the Message.

 I have been relating this tag line for much of my teachings this past month. "Who we are" comes before "What we do." Often times in our sincere heartfelt passion to bring the light and love of Christ to the unsaved, we jump to strategies and "how to" methods without fully establishing a firm foundation and understanding of what it means to be the humble servant- adopting the incarnation model illustrated by Jesus Christ Himself.

Each culture and people we reach are unique. Therefore, the bridge we build to these cultures and people must be unique and look differently to one another. However, it must be understood that although each bridge may look different, "who we are"- the identities we carry over the bridge AND the message we carry must remain the same. The result: Authenticity of the servant, therefore, authenticity of the message. The result: Integrity of one's own identity and integrity for the culture and people we reach.

Here is the danger and hardship. Often times, when the "who we are" / identity that we carry over is tainted or compromised, so to is the message. The messenger IS the proof of the message. When the messenger is received, so is the message. "The one who receives you receives Me" It is more critical that Christ's messengers are "received" than "believed"

Here goes my frustration.....  how often do churches and sending agencies train the minds of missionaries  on the "how's" and "strategies" of missions, without genuinely preparing the messenger's heart in regards to ensuring that he or she stands on a solid foundation in the identity of Christ. Without the patience and proper molding of the servant attitude, the "doing" and "action" is compromised. In essence, the message of Christ is compromised. Ultimately, the salvation of the unreached people is compromised.

In my personal walk with the Lord and in my ministry efforts, I ask myself two questions and two questions only: Who is He? and Do I proclaim Him? These are simple, yet profound questions. By holding on to these two questions, I remain found IN Christ – and not lost in Christianity.

I     "Who is He?" is the seeking and attitude - the "Do we proclaim Him?" is the action and doing. We must possess both- they are extensions of one another. We are ineffective if we are one without the other. "Who is He?".... does not merely mean Lord or Savior... or the understanding of merely the cost of eternal salvation, grace, His love, freedom in Christ etc. We all can comprehend the cost, because we know the cross. The cost was Jesus Christ on the cross, crucified and killed for our sake. No, rather I mean, the value. Most of us do not comprehend the value. It is then when we truly know "Who He is."  If you know Him... I mean if you truly know Him, then "You would proclaim Him." Proclaiming Him then becomes not a "choice" but an automatic, authentic, passionate outpouring of our love for Him because we truly know who He is and the value of what He has given us.  If you truly know Him - you LISTEN. As my pastor says: If you listen, therefore, you do. This is the parable of the sower.

Hey Humble Servant! Can you crystalize a deliberate impact for the Kingdom? I am talking about strategic missions versus aimless missionaries. "Be pure as a dove and sharp as a serpent" When I read that verse, I am reminded that the Lord has given us a heart and a mind to be utilized for His Kingdom cause. We must also remember that we now have a "Mind in Christ." Most of our missions efforts is propelled and fueled by a passionate heart to reach the lost. The heart leads, but the mind gives us wisdom to prepare, be aware, become listeners etc. The heart and mind of Christ within us must partner and go hand in hand in strategic missions. We are not to be aimless missionaries lost in a la la land by a naive heart. The early church in Acts was strategic. Why are we not?  "And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them" Acts 16:6-7 We have a strategic God. We possess a strategic Holy Spirit that dwells within us.

·      My assessment to why we have become aimless is that in our self righteous arrogant selves, we still believe that we are in control. We forget that the Spirit must lead. The hardest thing in the humble approach in cross cultural communication or even in our daily walk is to TRUST THE SPIRIT. This is especially difficult for Western missionaries who have become hardened by the belief that they are teachers and not learners. Avoid do's and dont's in ministry approach. Of course we have the wisdom not to be idiots in new cultural settings, disregarding their values, beliefs and behaviors, but trusting that the Spirit can do what we can not! We assume that the success of our mission efforts depends solely on the effectiveness of our approach. Who do we think we are? That clearly means that we are in control and not the Spirit. The Spirit is the Chief communicator! The Spirit has the ultimate power to penetrate the message in the most restrictive cultures, circumstances and hearts. Even when we stumble and mess up, the Spirit is still in control. Don't we see that the Spirit can do more through our mistakes than through our success. I often say, even the enemies evils, God can use for our good. A pure heart and a humble mind require us to relinquish oneself to the awesome power of the Holy Spirit. I would rather partner and collaborate with the Holy Spirit than with man or even my own intentions.

These are the understandings that a humble servant must posses before attempting to build a bridge to the hearts of unreached people and cultures. This is all part of the molding, shaping and preparing of a servant attitude. The Lord does not send an untrained calf out for His cause, so why do we? I am speaking of the internal preparation of the messenger. The messenger is the proof of the message.

When I reflect on my journey, I remember that my heart broke open to the saving power and grace of Jesus, but I still could not allow Him to enter. I was almost there... but I just could not surrender. I now understand what happened. Christians did not trust the Spirit enough to back off. What was in the way and in between me and Christ - were Christians. True servant attitude and humility gives us wisdom to say, "Holy Spirit, I need you. Holy Spirit, I have been obedient. Holy Spirit, I have done my part. But I trust your power. It is time for me to move out of the way, so that you can unleash your power into the heart of your child."

We must not only understand, but trust and believe that the Holy Spirit has the ultimate transforming power to direct the hearts of people, cultures and even an entire generation to Kingdom principles and values. The only thing that stands in the way of God's movement... is you and I.