Kingdom Work

This afternoon as I was riding home from someplace, it occurred to me that I have managed to arrange my life around the perifery of Kingdom work and Kingdom issues, but I am conveniently not getting involved in the heart of the matter, that being “doing” the Kingdom work.  I know that this is a messy subject because there is so much debate over what Kingdom work looks like, what it actually involves or doesn’t involve, but that isn’t what I am talking about . . . I am talking about the simple Kingdom work that Jesus called us to do, that being loving God and loving each other; simple instruction  with enormously difficult execution involved.

I realized that I spend a lot of time reading all the right books about Kingdom work, I have wonderful conversations about Kingdom work with dear friends both near and far, and I have even more wonderful plans about doing Kingdom work; but when reviewed at the end of the day . . . not much Kingdom work got done.  I am really no longer interested in making excuses for myself; excuses like “I am so busy, I have so much on my plate.” If I have time to sit down and read a book for two hours I have 60 minutes, at least, to be involved in some front row, roll up your sleeves missional living.  The needs abound, the same needs that Jesus clearly addressed personally and in his teaching, it is time for me to shift from the academic approach to Kingdom/missional work and move into the blue collar aspect of Kingdom work; actually doing something with what I know.

Another new book, thanks to Bill Bean, which is not helping my conviction level whatsoever is the Great Omission by Dallas Willard.  It you can’t take criticism, I wouldn’t bother to read the book. I am sure that this book applies to everyone who puts it into their hands, even though admitting its application is not a fun thing to do.  Thanks Bill for once again steering me toward another fantastic book.  I will only read it for 60 minutes at a time.

Rummage Sale Bennefit

Things are going well for the upcoming rummage sale to benefit the Palmers and the Canipes. We have a number of people who are moving in early August and they are all bringing their excess stuff to the sale this year, which means we should be able to raise a significant amount of money for our friends.

I think I mentioned in a previous post that one friend who is very much into nutrition and supplementation is coming to make food and to provide supplements for the sale. She is going to spend the two days of the sale making the food and selling it and selling the supplements that she has set aside specifically for the sale, and everything that is made through the sale of the food and the supplements she is going to donate to the families.

We are still in need of help to pull this off on the scale that this is mounting up to be . . . we also need a very large tent to borrow for about four days so if anyone has a large tent and is willing to share it or is willing to rent one and donate the use to the sale, you will win Saint of the Month; I’ll even make you a special “frame-able” certificate to hang in your garage.

If you are coming from out of town to help or just be part of this, we have some room at the Cottage where you can rest your weary bones, but I am warning you . . . you will be subject to Char’s hospitality so plan on gaining about 10 pounds while you are here. Acts 2:44, 45 is the overarching theme for this sale, we hope to live up to its call.