Values

Pursue GOD : Knowing Him

We are all created by one divine being. We are His. Made to be like Him, We belong to Him and in our hardwiring there is a desperation to find our way back to Him. Maybe not everyone realizes that we are all on such a journey. In our travels, all of us will place our faith in someone or in something. Yet, because He loves us, He makes every effort to lead us back to Him. He is all around us - moving, guiding, existing, never forcing. As some begin to find Him, they come to understand that He is the answer. To everything. Some choose to make Him boss, captain, Lord. Those who make this declaration are allowed to see and know more and more about Him. They are led by His Spirit - a part of Him that is able to exist in us to serve as our guide or counselor. The more we find out about the one we call Father, the more we want to know. He can become so active in our minds and in our hearts that we can reach this point of constant conversation with Him. He teaches us about Himself through holy scriptures, nature, other believers, through others who do not believe, and through means we may never realize. His goal for us is to depend on Him. Like any good parent, He wants to take care of us. He loves being our God.

Pursue COMMUNITY : Existing in Him

Because He loves us so much, He is not about to abandon us on our journey. Not only is He going to deposit a portion of Himself within us, He is going to surround us with other journeymen. He created us as relational beings. We all desire to love and be loved. Humans seem to have a distinct and innate desire to belong, to be noticed, and even appreciated. The Father created His people this way. There is this natural tendency to flock together and to be in relationship. A community of His people can be a power-filled realm. They are of one mind and one purpose. They are all led by the Father. They can become to one another His arms, His voice, and His love. It is in that community where believers learn how to receive and, in turn, give His love. The community acts as a sort of healing agent. Within it is the power to bind wounds, strengthen weakness, and mend broken hearts. Through this tight-knit band of fellow travelers, we will find courage and boldness. No, it is not perfect. Although, it is being made perfect. Perhaps, in reality, He uses our own imperfections to sharpen us. Maybe it is the faults within the community that teach us how to give. To share. To sacrifice.

Pursue CALLING : Following Him

As we grow in community with others, a truth will begin to resonate in the hearts of believers. We begin to know and feel that we are part of a living, moving organism much bigger than ourselves. A picture that may have previously been two-dimensional and static starts to dynamically jump off of the page and our vision is expanded. As the community models the love of the Father, we come to understand that we all are extensions of His body, so to speak. He has the power to begin using us as carriers. His people are chosen to be ambassadors on His behalf. As His Spirit leads us, we begin uncovering these special tools within us. These tools are useful. They are not meant to define you or make you famous. However, they are meant to encourage the people around you. The tool left unused is, of course, rusty, dull, and virtually worthless. Yet, as we begin using it, the Father's power can be so clearly demonstrated through us. Here again, no concerned father who loves his children will abandon them. No gardener would ever expect his workers to plant seeds or harvest crops having no equipment - no tools. And so, the Father buries within each of His people these gifts to be used for His purposes. His gifts within us must be cultivated, harnessed, and sharpened. Through these gifts we form an even more intimate connection with His Spirit and with His community. With the power of the Creator living inside of us, we can discover insatiable passion and purpose.

Pursue MISSION : Serving Him

As the call in our hearts and minds grows louder and louder, we start to embrace His purposes, His desires for people, His mission. We come to trust all the accounts recorded in scriptures about God becoming flesh and visiting His creation. One thing after another seems to teach us that He is a God willing to do anything to be with His people. He fought for us. He lowered Himself for us. He even died a horrible physical death for us. He was on a very determined mission! The eye witness accounts all seem to agree that in bodily form this Son of God modeled something never before seen. Perfection. He possessed amazing powers and could do many wonderful, supernatural things. Yet, above all of those miraculous deeds, nothing compared to the way He loved people. He cared about their needs. He touched the untouchables. He brought dignity to people who had nothing. The Son restored and even created hope. His mission became clearer with time. He was here to represent the Father and to help humans find their way back. He was the sent One. Then He blew everyone away when He started teaching that we can be like Him and exhibit that same love. He began to call people to serve others. Through deep imagery, He encouraged His followers to live out His story in their life. Before He left this physical place, He commissioned His people to continue the movement. This movement is a new Kingdom. It is a new order. It is a new way of living. It runs counter to all natural thought. It opposes the principles of this world. His teachings call humans to dismantle everything they know and restructure their heart, mind, and soul around Him. He wants to become our reason.

Pursue GLORY : Worshiping Him

As followers move in faith and boldness seeking after the mission of God, they begin to catch glimpses of His power, His love at work, and His splendor. In community, we share simple tales from the journey and they all point to the amazing things that are happening in His Kingdom. The more we hear and see with our own eyes, the more we find ourselves in awe of His perfection, His magnitude, and His glorious nature. It becomes overwhelming and inexplicable at times. Followers are then challenged with an internal need to begin communicating this awe, somehow. So, we continue to serve and love for we know more glimpses await us. He has even prepared in advance opportunities for us to serve and love others. It is certainly not like the cheap thrills of this world nor a temporary fix. These things are permanent. The memories last and continue to impact us. Followers are constantly being shaped and transformed into this new identity. The community, our calling, the mission, the whole experience becomes more enhanced as we witness more and more glimpses of His glory. Our desire becomes to live in a state of being where we are surrounded by His glory. Over time we learn that His glory is being revealed in certain places perhaps more than others. Sometimes, it is where we least expect it. Certainly His light is apparent amongst His people. However, as with any light, the effect is most vivid when it interfaces with darkness. It may be that His glory shines brightest at the edges of His Kingdom - where light meets darkness. Contrast speaks so loudly. If believers were to go to that place and exist daily, glimpses would turn to vision and true vision is His desire for us. With true vision, a sense of immeasurable humility, utter gratitude, and complete joy are the results. Then and only then, is a heart made ready to worship Him.