There is so much in life that we can be offended about.  People will hurt us.  Life is unfair.  People are broken and hurt and hurting people hurt others.  But the scripture clearly commands us to not let a root of bitterness grow (Hebrews 12:15).  Over and over Jesus and the apostles command us to practice forgiveness, refuse to seek revenge and be peacemakers.

The Proverbs give some great advice regarding offense.

• A fool shows his annoyance at once; but a prudent man overlooks an insult. (Proverbs 12:16)
• A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11)
• A fool gives full vent to his anger; but a wise man keeps himself under control. (Proverbs 29:11)

Besides the Bible, the best book I know that unpacks the subtle scheme of Satan to trap us in offense is The Bait of Satan – Your Response Determines Your Future (written by John Bevere).  We choose to be offended.  Yes, that’s right, we choose it.  We may not choose to have someone do something bad to us, but we choose the response.  When we choose to live in offense, we allow Satan to spiritually rob us of life and joy.  Offense is a trap!  The only way out of the trap is to choose something else – forgiveness.

I have the honor and joy of leading a church with a membership somewhere around 4000 folks (we don’t count very well).  Everyday I make someone unhappy.  I get calls, letters and emails about something I said or did or a decision I made.  I choose not to be offended.  I choose to offer grace and forgiveness.  I also have learned to keep clear boundaries and finally, I’ve committed to continue to grow to place my personal security and significance in the FACT that I am loved and accepted by Jesus and not by people.

Stay on the journey!  Be free from offense.  It’s a choice to be free!

Glen

For instance, the courts of Tucson have asked the church to provide community service AND mentoring to those facing misdemeanor violations.  The justice system realizes it is the church that can help folks the best!

God has called our church to be a catalyst.  That’s our vision – “A catalyst to bless Southern Arizona and the world.” God has blessed this church with godly leaders, resources, experience, direction and an army of dedicated followers of Jesus to bring the blessings of the Kingdom of God to our community.  So we are focused on growing in our ability to follow Jesus well, reaching folks no one is reaching, planting healthy life giving churches and helping neighborhoods and villages experience transformation.  These are not just goals on paper – we are doing these things right now.  We can do them better.  We will do them better.  We can do these things faster touching more folks.  We are moving and we will make a difference.

But we, Pantano Christian Church, can’t do this alone.  God wants us to be a catalyst to influence and encourage other churches and organizations to make a difference.  We are serious about that too.

We just hosted an all day seminar called “Externally Focused Church” that was sponsored by Family Life Radio.  About 75 folks from 12 churches were in attendance.  Everyone got a clear vision for what it means to be a church that is vital to its community and how to really make a difference.  It was an honor to end the seminar sharing just a few of the many ways we are making a difference in our community.  Our joy is to see what we are doing multiplied over and over in the churches of Tucson.

What are YOU doing to make a difference in others?  How are you being Jesus in your world?  It can be here on our campus or through one of the many ways we are touching our community.  We are blessed!  But the blessing is multiplied as we bless others.

Don’t forget that the Leadership Summit is coming August 5^th & 6^th (put it on your calendar).  This is a “don’t miss” discipleship event.  Leadership Summit can help you to make a difference in the lives of others and is another way we’ll be a catalyst to help the church and community leaders of Tucson.

Together to make a difference,

Glen

What does leaving mean?  We often think of the leaving to be like Abraham’s huge caravan move from Haran to Canaan.  Or when we remember that Jesus called us to “go” we often think that applies to the missionary types who will go to a far away place.  But for most of us, the leaving and going is right where we live day in and day out.

Let’s think about some of the leavings and goings that God wants us to embrace.  We need to leave the comfort of our “own kind of people” and intentionally go across the room, the office or the street to engage folks from another race.  We take a risk to get to know someone who is not like us.  We take the initiative to break down the dividing wall of race.  May we be the first to make the move across our racial differences.

Another leaving and going is to leave the safety of being with fellow believers who share similar moral values and beliefs to go to engage those who don’t know or are not following Jesus.  Jesus preferred to hang out with those who were disliked by the religious folks.  May we have the heart of God that loves those who are lost.

Another leaving and going is to leave the comfort and safety of our everyday lives to serve those who are in need.  It is leaving our focus on ourselves to go to the place where we put others first.

Yes, in the world it is normal for “birds of a feather to flock together,” but that is not the life Jesus has called us to.  We are called to love those who are different, challenged or challenging.  We are commanded to love our neighbor.  Jesus asked what the big deal is if we only love people who are like us and who we like – anyone can do that.  We are called to love our enemies and even those who dislike us (Matthew 5:43-48).

Following Jesus means going across the racial divide, across town or to a place of need to be Jesus among those who are different.  And just like Abraham, that takes faith!

Together to make the world different,

Glen