meanderings of a restless wanderer

My friend Chris Koble is in continued preparation and service to the people of Russia.  He has a new blog and website that I would like to bring everyones attention too.  It kind of works out well considering that Chris looks like a Russian…so dust off your furry hat, put in ‘Spies Like Us‘, and go take a gander at what Chris is doing and will be doing.

Chris Koble’s Blog

Koble in Russia Website

I’m still tired.

As I sit here in my office listening to music I can’t escape the odd silence that surrounds me. It’s a contradiction really. Music playing, but I here nothing…time standing still as I sit and ponder the realities I am involved in. As I look back at what has transpired these past few days my brain fumbles…Friday seems like it was weeks ago. Sunday came and never in my life did I think that I would have to stand in front of people and share the kind of news that was given. They don’t really teach you about how to handle things like that in Bible College.

As I watched the shock give way to confusion, the confusion give way to anger, and the anger give way to sadness - I realized something…God is still God. It seems like a simple statement, but the truth is it’s a deeper concept than any of us can fully grasp. The reality is, what has happened does not change who God is. What has happened does not change who Jesus is. What it does change is us…and what that change entails is determined by how we handle this painful time.

It would be easy to rest in anger, pain, guilt, hate, irritation, hopelessness, and sadness…and believe me it is OK to feel all of those things…but when we rest in those things…when we give in to the negative we slowly become hardened. We become mere memories of our former selves…and we loose sight of the truth that is right before our eyes.

Romans 5:4-5 says, “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because We know that suffering produces endurance; endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us.”

I believe in hope. I believe it does not disappoint us. I believe it is a gift from God. I believe that in this time we have a unique opportunity to be honest with our spouses and friends about our feelings, thoughts, struggles, and weaknesses. I believe we have an opportunity to bless particular families in ways they could have never expected. I believe we have a chance to learn from the mistakes of others. I believe we have a chance to rise above and show how beautiful the bride of Christ really is. I believe that it is in this hope that we are able to see the church at it’s best.

Satan has not won…and I will not stop fighting.

Although the future is unclear, I believe more than ever that God is calling me to be a person of hope, compassion, truth, and love. And I know it is in those things that I am able to surrender and trust God to lead me through the battles. Let our attention not be on those that have caused the pain, but on those that are wounded by it. We have to keep singing. Let us crawl into the lap of God and weep…let his compassion wash over us and give us strength…allow him to sing over us…as he prepares us for the celebration of victory that is Easter. I refuse to let Satan steal that from us.

My friends…my hope and prayer is that we find time to rest, that we are honest with how we feel and wise in how we share it, that we are realistic in that all of this can’t be fixed in a week, month, or even a year…my hope and prayer is that those that have been affected by all that has happened will be willing to show patience to each other, that we can love one another and serve one another, that we can wash each others feet, that we can help one another up out of the mud and allow God to lead us forward…together as one body…united…broken but beautiful.

I don’t know when this silence will break…or when confusion will give way to clarity…or even when anger will give way to peace…What I do know is that there will come a day when we will begin to hear something faintly around us…it will be a sweet sound, one of celebration…one of victory…until that time comes however, know that I will keep fighting…I will keep pursuing…I will rest in hope and trust God to lead me through the battles…and I hope you will join me in the journey.

When men fall we weep…but never forget that hope endures.

Sadness and disappointment fill my head, as my heart breaks at the reality of it all. Not understanding adds a confusion I’ve never had before and in the process anger rears it’s ugly head. But I will still trust….I will still believe…I will still have faith…and I will lead with conviction, love, grace, hope, passion, balance, boundaries, boldness, and humility. For the bride of Christ may weep and the dress may be a bit soiled…she is still beautiful and radiant even amidst the pain and brokenness.

Chapter 1 - The opening

The morning began with men on stilts, a cow throwing t-shirts, a rock wall, a rapper, pancake corn dogs, and cannons that shot streamers. Then we went inside. The theme this year is “reverb” and in the spirit of this theme the opening experience was incredible. It began with an orchestra on stage while a conductor (not a real one) led them through some classical music and then the fun really began. The conductor began to wave his wand out into the audience and a spotlight followed, when the light finally came to rest it lit up a man in a tux way up high and he began to sing opera. Next the light went to a guy playing the didgeridoo, followed by a guy playing bag pipes, followed by some Japanese drummers, followed by some dueling banjos…and then a guy on guitar began playing Back in Black, then the orchestra played Back in Black, then the guy on guitar played Walk this Way, followed by the Orchestra playing Walk this Way…finally combining and playing a little Sweet Home Alabama. And the transition into the worship set was the coolest thing ever! The orchestra began to play Bittersweet Symphony and melded it into How Great is our God!

Chapter 2 - Speakers

Andy Stanley - What can I say? There are very few communicators that when I listen to them I completely feel the presence of God challenging me to my core…Andy Stanley is one of those communicators.

Patrick Lencioni - This is the author of “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team”. I have never seen a more sporadic speaker in my life…that being said, he was great! He leveraged his apparent ADD and humor to great benefit for all who were listening.

Shane Claiborne - Interesting cat. Likes to push buttons, he embraces who he is, and above else has a desire to see peace throughout the world and the least of these taken care of.

Francis Chan - Although I love Andy Stanley I must say that Francis moved me. His heart, passion, vulnerability, humility and confidence challenged me to think in brand new ways. I will take much away from him…but above all things I will take away that God is doing something supernatural through me. It reminded me that I am the slave and He is the master…and even if I fail God will still be glorified and spread His Kingdom.

Rick Warren - I have to be honest, I’m not the biggest Rick Warren fan. I’m not a hater or anything I just don’t connect with his style. However, there is no denying the impact God has had through him. I respect the man immensely for his dreams, investment in leaders, and his willingness to allow God to use his influence throughout the world.

Chapter 3 - Angels and Demons

While I was in college I had many mentors. Today I ran in to two of them and let me just say one word…AWKWARD! One of them was and is like a father figure to me. He has always been my wise council and I hope he will continue to be. The other person…well, let’s just say that our relationship ended with me wanting to punch him hard in the neck. It was just an awkward encounter with him…but the other one was, as always, a huge blessing. I do wish the other guy well, and I am glad that God is using in him in some pretty incredible ways…but it was still awkward.

Chapter 4 - Cracker Barrel

We have eaten there twice in less than 24 hours. We don’t have them in California…which is a crying shame cause it is definitely good eats.

Chapter 5 - Reflections

In the ongoing journey that is my life I have found that the moment I allow myself to get away, God fills me with huge dreams and big ideas. This trip is no different. My heart longs to love people. My soul longs to make a global impact. There is this fire that burns so intensely within me that I can’t help but dream, and pursue the impossible. I am filled with a humble confidence knowing that God is leading me and doing amazing through me. I know that I am His, and that He will use me in ways that I can not even comprehend. I know that the dreams he is giving me are the dreams he has for my life…and I embrace them with anticipation. It is time to listen. Listen to his calling, direction, and rebuke. I am an unfinished wanderer who has given his life to change the world…and I have only just begun.

Until next time…

We are officially launched!!!!!

My heart is filled with so much joy that I don’t even know what to do. Although there were some minor bugs that happened things went amazingly well. We had 297 people, over 75 new visitors (that we know of of), 7 first time decisions to follow Christ, and countless amazing God stories.

Everything from the message, to the music, to the drama (which made me cry by the way), to the children’s ministry, to the welcome team and facilities…..all of it went great. And I am so proud of our launch team! They have dedicated themselves to helping launch this new campus, and not only have they taken ownership, but they also bring an immense amount of joy and heart to all they come in contact with.

God did some amazing things on Sunday and if you were there you know what I am talking about. There are not enough words to express that things that God did. Just know, that He is faithful and good and amazing. There is so much to celebrate and I hope you will celebrate with us and I hope you will continue to pray for us as well as we continue to invest inspire and ignite.

Christopher

It has been an interesting day and half. ABC 7 in Los Angeles (the number 1 watched news in LA) did a story on Revolution yesterday that aired on the 6 o clock news. Subsequently we ended up being talked about on the number 2 morning show in LA on Star 98.7 where Valentine and Lisa Fox played almost the entire interview and then made some hysterical connections between David and the Church Lady. All in all it was some great free press for what God is doing at Revolution.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=local&id=5179997

http://valentine.star987.com/cc-common/mainheadlines2.html?feed=174928&article=1934396

http://www.zionpublish.com/

Also I came across this interesting commentary on CNN about a well known scientist an his faith…just though others might be interested in it as well.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/03/collins.commentary/index.html

I hope all is well in your neck of the woods…

On April 1st the newly minted Revolution Downey had their 1st preview service and it went great!

The past two weeks have been crazy with us having to suddenly change locations, however God has been amazingly faithful as He lead us to an even better facility. Revolution Downey will be meeting at Columbus High School every Sunday morning at 9 & 11 beginning this Easter.

All though we had a few minor hiccups our second first preview service went well. The team pulled together and did a fantastic job. We had 96 adults! 96! That is about 25 more than our first preview service that we had in Bellflower.

Easter is the big day and it just around the corner. There is still much to be done so please keep us in your prayers. Specifically pray for all of our personal invitations, as well as all of our marketing invitations. Also please pray for stamina, patience, and abundant joy for our team. Pray for the cities of Downey, Norwalk, Paramount, and Bellflower. Lastly I ask you you to pray that above all else our King be glorified and His name be made famous.

Revolution Downey will be a safe and dangerous place willing to show the communities around us an ocean sized love as we embrace the call to be revolutionaries.

Why don’t you join us?

There are times in life when we hope for the best but prepare for the worst…this past Sunday was one of those days. We had our first preview service for Revolution Bellflower, and the week leading up to it (I must confess) I was preparing for the worst.

Boy did God prove me wrong and humbly teach me that He is the one in control.

With a preview service it is expected that things will go wrong…heck, that’s why it’s a preview service. Yet this past Sunday was AMAZING! Sure we had few minor problems here and there…but overall it was great. The launch team was fantastic, the video was the best yet, worship rocked, kids had fun…and my list can go on and on.

To see the excitement in the launch team, to see that God is already working in HUGE ways, to see people in the community already becoming interested…just humbles me so much and drives me on even more. It is a comfort to know that as we do everything we can do to prepare and serve it is God that is leading us every step of the way.

In two short weeks will be our second preview service and then April 8th we officially launch Revolution Bellflower. We still have lots to do and more volunteers to find, but I believe with everything that is within me that God is going to do amazing things through Revolution Bellflower. Keep us in your prayers, and hey if your looking for a place to serve give me a call!

Until next time…