"'You are a king, then!' said Pilate.  Jesus answered, 'You are right in saying that I am a king.  In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.'"  John 18:37

Unless you are from Switzerland, you probably take a side in most matters (no offense to Switzerland by the way...love the place...been there...they just stay neutral on just about everything in world affairs it seems).  Everyone takes a political side - whether that is Republican, Democratic, or independent.  Funny thing, though.....when it comes to the spiritual realm, all of those sides would say that God is on theirs.

Happens in sports all the time.  If you have ever played sports, then you have probably gathered for a pre-game pep up prayer that says something about nobody getting hurt, playing with good sportsmanship, and, oh yeah, winning.  Subconciously, I really think we believe that God is on our side in the game - that we think God has a stake in who wins or something.  But, as I soon learned, the other team thinks the same thing.  So, whose side is God on anyway?

Now that the political races are beyond heated up, and the debates are fully engaged on all fronts, how is it that the Republicans and the Democrats can say that God is on their side?  I know it probably hasn't been stated that forthrightly, but the essence of it has certainly been communicated.  Whose side is God on anyway?

Gets confusing pretty quickly, doesn't it?  Maybe that is because the question is a poor one - a presupposed one - one that really can't be answered accurately or maybe even at all.  The question is not really about whose side God is on, the question is whether or not we are on God's side.

So, where is God's side?  Well, I will offer two words that actually mean the same thing to answer that question:

Truth.  Jesus.

The logic of it would go something like this:  God is on the side of truth.  Jesus is the truth (note John 14:6).  Jesus is God (note the entire New Testament).  Therefore, God, in being on the side of truth is on the side of Jesus.  More specifically, God is on His own side.

Now, my logic may be flawed (wouldn't be the first time).....but my conclusion is not.  Jesus says,  "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."  That is a big statement with huge implications.  Instead of wanting God to bless my endeavors, whatever they may be, I might first want to ask the question "Am I asking God to be on my side, or am I seeking to join God on His side?"  If I want to be on the side of truth, then I will, by default, be on the side of God.  It's a good beginning point, though I acknowledge how complicated this thought process can be.

Maybe a good place to start - a place to get our feet wet - is in reading the words of Jesus in the Bible.  If we listen to Him - obey Him - we will land squarely on the side of truth.  If not, no matter how impressive we might think our particular thing is, then we can never be sure can we?

Jesus is truth.  Truth is Jesus.  The source of truth is the only sure way to land on the side of truth. 

"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"  1 Corinthians 3:16

I have had some interesting conversations with pastors recently, and I have heard the same theme - "People associate the church with a structure more than they do with themselves".  That kind of mindset is hard to overcome, and is the mindset most people in the West have of the church - it really is the church institutional rather than the church missional.  So, it is no wonder that the church in the West is experiencing a dramatic decline.

I think that the mindset comes from some good motives, but bad theology.  Let's see if I can explain.  Most people that claim to know Christ do, in varying degrees, want to do what is "Biblical" (that phrase is loaded and has different layers of meanings to different people I realize).  They want the guidance for the church to be one that is Biblical in foundation, and thus I would say that the motive is good and well-intentioned.  But good motives, combined with bad theology, doesn't get you where you want to be.

For instance, let's take Moses for a moment.  It seems as if churches today are looking for a Moses to lead the church.  They want prophet, priest, and king - so to speak - to lead them.  All things to all people.  They want their "man of God" to go up the mountain, hear from God, and come back down and give the marching orders (though in some churches, they want the "man of God" to go up the mountain so that they can begin building a golden calf I guess).  So, Moses is the idea of the pastor to many.  Good motives, wrong place.

How about looking at the tabernacle/temple of the Lord?  It is a holy place where the priest goes in to minister.  It is a place of sacrifices, and a place for the dwelling of God's presence.  So, naturally, we think that our church building ought to be the same.  It is the temple of the modern age, so you should dress properly, speak in hushed tones, etc. right?  Well, again, good motives, wrong spot.

The New Testament teaches us something about the nature of the church that, if we miss it, causes us to miss the mission that God has called us to accomplish.  Here it is:  You are the priest.  You are the temple.  You are the church.  That is a different paradigm altogether.

That means that there are no Moses' on the mountain - Moses was a portrait of the One coming to lead a new nation known as the Church.  The building where we gather is not singularly holy (though it may be precious as a sacred space) - it is the people of God that are to be holy, as He is holy.  The temple is mobile - wherever you go is where the temple resides (if, of course, you are a follower of Jesus Christ).  Just thinking this way causes us to act differently about what God desires of us.  God wants us to be the church, not just invite people to a building (which is not a bad thing by the way).  It takes us from thinking institutionally to thinking missionaly.

Where can you impact your world on Monday or Thursday?  Where does God want to use you to show His glory?  Where does God want to meet with you?

I guess the answer to that question is "Wherever you are."  Why?  Because you are the priest.  You are the temple.  You are the church.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well"  Matthew 6:33

Ok, so this is my second try at this.............I timed out on my first one, didn't save everything, and lost it all.  That means this one will be shorter, more to the point because I don't want that happening again.

Here was the working definition we reached yesterday - "Simplicity is the opposite of duplicity; it is about one thing, not about two." (if you didn't get to hear the message on Simplicity, and the heart attitudes that it develops, then please go to the "Messages" portion of this website and listen/watch/download/podcast at your leisure....it is important to get this info. first before trying to apply the info. below).

Below are some thoughts/ideas for consideration about how to implement and flesh out the idea of simplicity in our everyday lives (some of the thoughts are adapted from Richard Foster):

1.  Develop a habit of giving things away.  Go through your room or your basement and ask God what He would have you do with the stuff you never use.  Don't make your junk someone else's burden (or your church's) - look for useful things that may find a home with someone else to be used properly.  This habit of giving stuff away periodically helps to break the bondage of possessions over our lives.

2.  Buy things for their usefulness, not their status.  God gave me the opportunity to drive a car that was a decade old.  When He finally gave me the clearance to get a newer vehicle, I got the same make and model because it was so reliable and so gas friendly.  Things don't really make us significant because of their perceived status.

3.  Reject anything that develops an addiction in you.  These can range from drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes to food, internet, shopping or television.  Don't let your life be controlled by anything other than Christ - to do so is to live "double minded and unstable" (note James 1).

4.  Learn to enjoy things without owning them.  Sure, some things are worth owning, but not everything.  We can check out books from the library at times instead of always buying a book.  We can enjoy the beach or mountains without feeling we have to own a part of them.  This discipline will help to remind us that we really are not the owners of anything - what we have is a gift from the King.

5.  Develop a deeper appreciation for creation.  I am not an environmentalist, more of a creation trustee or conservationist maybe.  The term "environmentalist" usually (not always) refer to those that make creation the object of worship rather than creation being the object of respect, care, and admiration.  The life of simplicity lives to seek first the Kingdom of God, so it will have respect for the creation of that King.  Do some things to care for creation - recycle, consider the eco-impact of your next car purchase, turn lights off, use less energy, save paper at work or home, etc.

6.  Don't incur excessive, or unnecessary, debt.  The average American consumer is upside down in consumer debt (I am not here talking about home debt that is investment equity or the like).  People get in serious debt because of the newest gadgets that they "must" have, cool shoes, clothes, new vehicles that they don't need, etc.  Bottom line, to live simply means that if you don't have the money, don't make the purchase.  It leads to complexity and anxiety and will take your focus off of Christ.

7.  Speak simply.  Jesus said to let your "Yes be Yes, and your No, No" (note Matthew 5:37).  The desire to manipulate with words does not come from a heart of simplicity, it comes from a heart of duplicity - a heart that is after its own, selfish agenda.  This is not the language of the kingdom, the language of the kingdom is simple, straightforward, and full of grace and truth.

To these thoughts, you could probably add many more, but I offer these to think about as we pursue Christ with a life of simplicity.

"You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."  Galatians 5:13

My family has had some classic mixups in words.  At one point in her life, my wife enjoyed listening to the rock duo "Hauling Oats" (of course the name of the group is "Hall and Oates", don't worry, she knows now so you don't have to tell her).  This Christmas, my youngest son Tanner was singing along with the Christmas classic Winter Wonderland.  But in the middle of the song he asked my wife, "Who is Possum Brown?" (of course, as you all know, it is Parson Brown who is the snowman/pretend pastor).

So, with that Gillis history, you may be thinking that the title of my blog entry is another one of those mixups.  It's not.  In fact, it helps me to explain some things I want to see in my life for 2008.

rev-o-lu-tion n. one complete turn in the act of revolving //  an unconstitutional overthrow of an established government //  a fundamental social change //  the act of going around in an orbit.

This is a better description of what I want to see happen in my life than the term "resolution."  I have tried resolution and it just doesn't stick to me for some reason (can anyone with a rusty ab roller, cobweb gathering roller blades, or pants that are still on the hanger because they are too tight say amen to that?).

Here's some of what I want to see in me for 2008, and I will use each piece of the definition to describe it:

1.  A Soul Revolution (one complete turn in the act of revolving) - My soul needs to grow.  To breathe.  To awaken even more.  I know that this will only happen if I am committed to solitude in God's presence, and the corresponding relationship features of silence, prayer and Scripture meditation/action.  I have begun my year well in this area, but I will need to continue to press in here so that my soul can live, grow, and completely turn in the direction of Christ.

2.  A Mind Revolution (an unconstitutional overthrow of an established government) - The United Negro College Fund commercials of years past got it right - The Mind is a terrible thing to waste.  The culture tries to press us and our mental government into a mold that is inconsistent with the atmosphere of the kingdom (note Romans 12:1-2 here).  We need to revolt and overthrow that mental governance.  Our sin-tainted vantage point on life needs to be colored and livened by the Spirit of God, and that will only happen with a mind renovation that emanates from the words that God breathed out.  Wrong ideas of God, of people, of ourselves, combined with wrong ideas of God's kingdom, will do harm and sequester growth.  The mind needs to grow with the soul, and the soul with the mind.

3.  A Missional Revolution (a fundamental social change) - I have never been more committed to the mission of every man, woman, and child having repeated opportunities to both see and hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.  That is the hope of the world.  Here in Buffalo, there is a need for fundamental social change (and my guess is, wherever else you may be as well).  We need more of just about everything - justice, jobs, political unity, missional unity.  But these won't be accomplished - can't be accomplished - by just economic or political means.  Men and women, and boys and girls need the freeing demonstration and announcement of the kingdom of God among us.  I want to see it.  I want to BE it.

4.  A Joy Revolution (the act of going around in orbit) - Followers of Jesus are seriously joyful.  C.S. Lewis said that joy is the serious business of heaven.  I want people to sense, taste, touch, and see the joy of Christ in my life.  Not fake smiles - not prepared lines - not pretentious pietism - just authentic, raw, joy in Jesus.  It's contagious when it's not obnoxious.

If these were true of me in 2008, then it will be a good year because I will be one year closer to, and one year more like, Jesus.