All is Sacred
One of my concerns in the church is how many people are not living in their full potential because they haven’t been able to connect their spiritual and secular life in one same cause. Many still don’t see work as sacred, and most of them, don’t have a clue which is their gifts or calling.
What we could do as a Church is constantly celebrating people that are making the difference in the world through their professions, or through their faithfulness as a mom, grandmother, etc.
Photgraphy: The Garden of the movie "The Shack"
Vision
1. In your experience, what has been the church’s message about the future? How has this experience influenced what you believe matters most today?
In my experience, Church doesn’t talk much about how heaven is going to look or work out. But it in general (charismatics and reforms) evangelical protestant do talk about Christs 2nd coming. Their message is that we are living a special moment in Gods history. As the darkness advances, the Gospel is advancing more than ever at the same time and proportional. That when this big revival takes place (that already started) will come a big persecution. Some believe in the rapture, others not. Some believe that the Antichrist will rule, others that he is already ruling. All agree that there will be many martyrs. After all the events described in the book of revelation in whatever shape it is, Jesus will establish a new heaven and a new earth. Our actual heaven and earth will disappear. A holy city and a new Jerusalem will come down. The city won’t need of a sun or moon. The glory of God illuminates the city. The Lamb will continue being the light. All the nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. The gates of the City will never be closed. There will be no night. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
What personally affects me about the message is that in general, I don’t see that believers act and live what we believe. This challenges me to do so. Even though I’m truly far from what I expect as a daughter of Christ. In my personal intimacy with God, I have this sense of eternity that helps me live focus and laying my life down for his purposes.
2. What experiences, positive or negative, have most influenced the way you think about the future?
The experiences that most influence me for positive is being aware of Gods presence, every time I worship I believe I’m in Revelation 4 worshiping in the presence of God in reverence in front of his bright throne, with the 24 elders, and living beings.
I live truly inspired by what God is doing today because of what's coming next. I don’t feel finite but in a transition to eternity.
3. Do you believe the future will be better or worse than the present?
4. What matters more to God: being a missionary or being a gardener? Why?
What matters to God I believe is that we hopefully live what we preach. God doesn’t care what profession we perform, but he designed us even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:4-5
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
I believe that Skye (author) wants us to reimagine the way we relate to God and the world based on love and not on fear. Getting our relationship with God right must find its completion in how we relate to those around us. Learn to cultivate and explore our beliefs in communion with God of the future, will be life-giving for our lives today. What we believe and how we live our present, will directly shape our future. If we have a selfish and narrow idea of existence, this will draw us back to a posture of control and fear.
Culmination
1. Think about teachings you’ve heard or read concerning the “end times” in the past. Describe the tone and emphases of these teachings. Did they fill you with hope, fear or both?
A long time ago, the tone and message of end times sounded like a threat to those who were not in Christ o not behaving piously. I have the sense that Jesus 2nd coming wasn’t really good news, but an alarm to watch out and be aware of “being good” because if not, we could screw things out. The tone was a bit violent and not loving.
The message has been changing and from my experience, improving a lot. Today the Church is saying: Jesus is the eternal revival. We are experiencing the beginning of a spiritual awakening that will bring a revolution in the light of the nations. Only those who know where they come from and where they are going can be effective today! "We are children of the cross and heirs of eternity ...". We can not fulfill God's purpose or see His Kingdom if we do not know who we are and where we belong.
What I hear today in a loving way is:
Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven.
And everyone will see him—
even those who pierced him.
And all the nations of the world
will mourn for him.
Yes! Amen!
There will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.
“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.
“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”
2. Why did God create humans? How did the description of the guard of Eden in this chapter shift the way you think about work?
God created humans to be their image barriers in the world, to be his representatives, have dominion and rule over creation in communion with him. They weren’t on vacations on the Garden of Eden. They were managing and maintaining what God trusted them. They were given the mission to cultivate the entire earth to reflect the order, beauty and the abundance of Eden.
Today because of the lack of purpose in a fallen world, most of the people don’t enjoy their jobs, and in many cases, it doesn’t have any meaning for their lives eighter.
This chapter confirms the desire of God to reconcile and redeem his creation. In spite of our personal sin, struggles, of the presence of evil on the earth, chaos, ugliness, lack of resources, difficulties in the world, we children of God are his representatives. We are not abandoned but guided by his mighty hand. In communion with Him, our work is transcendent. The original purpose of “work” has meaning & purpose. We are called not only fulfill our purposes in Jesus, but it’s a commandment to be good stewards, and live out his wholeness that lives inside of us to see glimpses of the Garden of Eden and pursue on earth as it in heaven. Since Abraham God continuos establishing order until today, beauty and abundance redeeming all that have been deteriorated to show His glory.
3. Shalom describes the world when everything is right, whole and flourishing. How did Jesus bring shalom during his earthly ministry? What might his example mean for the way we live today?
Jesus is our Shalom. He is our wholeness and who makes us whole. His ministry is not only an example but the highest model of how our lives in wholeness should look like. Even though he said we would do even greater things in his name. When Jesus came to earth, heaven came down. Where ever he went he brought freedom, healing, justice, love. Whoever received him as Lord, Shalom can be cultivated because we humans can carry Gods presence where ever we go and there is nothing more powerful.
4. In Revelation, rather than seeing people ascending into heaven, John sees the city of God descending to the earth. What might be significant about this? How does this challenge your assumptions about the future?
Once more is God reaching out to us, it says that heaven and earth will disappear and new heaven and earth will be replaced. The Holy City of God represents the Garden of Eden fully matured. God plans have not been derailed. The unity humanity shared with him in the Garden at the beginning will be restored. The fear experienced in the wilderness will be gone. This city will be a place of unimaginable beauty. The fruits and leaves of the tree of life will bring neverending healing to the nations. Every curse will disappear. Abundance and holiness with mark this new age.
Evolution
1. Would you describe yourself as someone who believes humanity is gradually improving or steadily declining? Share your reasons.
Both. I believe that the world is declining and improving. I can recognize there is an evil strategy focus to destroy the identity of people, of the family, and destruction of human beings more than ever before. As Skye, at the same time, I also see more engagement than ever with social issues. Many important activists, leaders, are making progress, as technology, science, and health improvements. But our worst enemy is always sinning, that has humanity stuck in circles, and that usually exploits in international relationships, unfair governments, wars, exploitation, slavery.
2. Why are Christians, and particularly young people, attracted to messages about “changing the world”? What do these calls appeal to you?
Because it is worth living for doing things better than not. Changing the world is a godly business to pursue. But not only is it through social change, but we can also change the world, being a godly mother, a good teacher, making beautiful art. Perhaps because of this threat that exists against the original purpose of the human being, God is raising the new Wilberforce and Martin Luther Kings of this new era. The fight is not an easy thing, and in reality, the change will not be in one person. God needs many leaders to intervene and be the voice of those who have no voice and stop the evil as much as possible.
3. Who is most celebrated in your church or the Christian community? How is this communicated, and what messages are sent, directly or indirectly as a result?
The most celebrated in my Church is the Holy Spirit through the voice of my pastor, because of his love for Jesus and desire for justice, provoking cultural influence causing social change. The power of his message is of great impact and far-reaching. His messages are full of wisdom and intelligence, challenge the foundations of the current social structures of my country. They are very direct messages, no way to escape from it.
6. Share an example from your own experience of how Christians attempting to bring positive change, in fact, caused conflict and harm.
When we communicate to establish truth without love in different spheres or public squares, we disqualify those who don’t think like us. This is so common and so unhealthy because instead of making bridges, we directly lift up enemies, we create division, we lack wisdom and respect for human beings.
Evacuation
1. How are Christians perceived in your community and in our society? How might this perception be the natural outcome of Christians believing the earth is doomed?
I think most of them are perceived as lukewarm. They go to Church, but outside the Church, most of them bearly have any difference with nonbelievers. There is a group, that are the most committed to discipleship and up leaders, to unify the church and prepare & purify the bride for the 2nd coming of Jesus that is completely out of the world with a few exceptions counted in one hand. I believe they don’t have time to reach out the world, and eighter want to expose themselves to evil.
2. Share an experience of feeling guilty about not doing enough for God’s mission or the church. What made you feel this way? How did you respond?
Sometimes I have the feeling that I should not be studying now, but in return, that I should be on the missionary field because I'm more useful there. I know it's a lie, and that I'm moving by obedience. This is because for many years all my value was in what I could do and give to others. It's not easy for me to receive what God wants me to have just because he loves me. I'm getting out of that spot and learning from Gods love.
3. How do you see the value of safety being pursued by Christians? What is good about this? How might it be unhelpful?
It has nothing Godly. I think its truly dangerous because our calling is to be the salt and light to the world, not to stay safe in the bubble. I don’t see any value in playing safe or not engaging with the world. I would ask Jesus that he brings persecution so we can be effective.
4. Have you ever entertained the idea of leaving your present vocation to serve in a full-time ministry role? What sparked that idea / How would your community respond to such a decision?
I did it 12 years ago, I left my job, not my vocation, to serve God fulltime. He called me for a purpose, and he has equipped me for being more effective for his mission. My calling has to do with guiding people to the identity in Christ and purpose (that does not mean to work only inside the Church) to influence society.
Resurrection
1. Thinking back to God’s original intent for humanity (see chapter 2), in what ways did Jesus fulfill Adam’s original purpose?
Jesus came to fulfill and surpass Adams original purpose. When heaven came down to earth through Jesus, the process of restoration and redemption started for whoever believed in him. Jesus is not worried only for our souls, but for the physical world too. His presence and power bring order, beauty, and abundance where ever he shows up.
2. What have you been taught about the significance of Jesus’s resurrection in the past? Why does it matter to Christians?
Jesus is our elder brother whom we imitate because we were united to him in his baptism. Everything was created through Him and for Him ... Jesus is the first to rise from the dead, and just as all died because they belong to Adam. All who belong to Christ will receive new life. Christ already existed before things were created and is supreme over all creation. He goes ahead of us and we follow him. Christ Himself IS THE RESURRECTION. It’s important because if we don’t resurrect it means we go to hell.
3. If God is interested in redeeming our bodies and this earth, not simply taking souls to a nonphysical heaven, what are the implications for the way Christians live? How does this change the way we think about our purpose?
That we should take more care of our bodies, like the scripture says:
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Maybe the transformation of our bodies when we resurrect will be qualitatively not substantively. We shall be liberated by the fall.
4. Speculate together. What do you think might endure from the present age for eternity? What will not endure? How does this challenge what you’ve been taught in the past about the future?
I believe our unique shape and natural beauty as human beings could endure. And what would not endure is any sickness, curses provoked because of the fall in our bodies.
Vocation
1. Do you live as if there is a division between secular and sacred work? How this division evident in your own life and activities?
No, I don’t. I live one life, all is sacred for me. Even cutting my hair or having time with non-Christians. I don’t believe in dualism, I think this is an unhealthy style of life and hypocrite. What bothers me is that since I serve the Lord 100% in Church to reach out and now in Ywam (12 years ago), also with the desire to reach out, I have the sense I don’t relate enough with the world specifically with non-believers. I hope there is a time coming when I’ll have more of a balanced life, Christians and non-Christians in same proportions.
2. When did you first sense a calling to a specific task or work? What did you do to test that calling or determine whether it was a fit with your gifts and abilities?
Since always I felt drawn to missions, or spreading truth. But it was 12 years ago when God called me full time to do TV. I didn’t test much, as an art director and a producer by default, working in a TV station, I just knew I could do anything I proposed myself. Finally, the biggest challenge was finding people on the same page, that wanted to spread the truth with me. I can testify that my desires and abilities were in perfect harmony. I was way much better than I even new. I think that when God puts desires in our hearts, He will accomplish those dreams.
3. Describe your experiences within the church or a Christian community. Share a time you felt empowered and equipped to accomplish what Christ is calling you to do in the world? Likewise, can you identify a time you felt controlled and used to further the agenda of the organization? How would you describe the leaders in each of these settings?
What empowered me was a “yes” of my Pastor when I proposed him to do a TV show together. We had the same desire, to interact with the different social actors of the public arena, being consequently Christian and at the same time contemporary. We agreed to have a critical look without prosecution. Choosing topics that would generate discussion and debate, around the clear objective of transmitting a value message.
This was an important season of my life. Full of difficulties, frustrations, but also, I saw the powerful hand of God, helping me, and breaking through in so many obstacles to speak the truth.
Sadly, like Skye (the author) mention, because I wasn’t equipped to do Ministry, just empowered, I did feel used mainly because my identity wasn’t well rooted. All my worth was based on how much I loved the Lord, and all that I could do for him. I believed I was pretty good in developing whatever for Jesus (Evangelistic events, Communication Ministry, help Pro-Life (Activism), so also there was a bit of pride. Because of sins and wounds of the past not entirely healed, It wasn’t that easy for me to understand the unconditional and deep love of God for me. I had to burn out to go to the root of this problem and take responsibility.
There were few leaders that would invest in other leaders.
4. What is something your church could do to communicate the value and dignity of each person’s calling? How could you begin to do this in your own relationship with other Christians?
Well, from this question, pops out my passion. One of my concerns in the church is how many people are not living in their full potential because they haven’t been able to connect their spiritual and secular life in one same cause. Many still don’t see work as sacred, and most of them, don’t have a clue which is their gifts or calling.
This is my main topic when I relate with anyone. Also about identity and share my experience how God speaks.
What we could do in Church is constantly celebrate people that are making the difference in the world through their professions, or just their faithfulness as a mom, grandmother, etc. We have to teach and talk about the significance of glorifying God outside the Church. There is where we can truly evangelize and preach the Good New not only preaching, but working with excellence, being honest, having the love for others. In my relationships what I always ask is what makes their heartbreak, what doesn’t let them sleep, what makes them cry? What is their deepest joy? If we put these 3 answers in one line, we can discover the vision of their callings.
Order
1. How have a relationship with others affected your relationships with God? Describe how your communion with God has influenced your relationship with another person. Why are we tempted to disconnect these two areas of our lives?
What didn’t help at all to understand Gods love, was my relationship with dad. I believe that since 3 years God has been able to go deeper to show how much He loves me. And this has also helped me to relate with my dad in a wiser way.
Before I had a right relationship with God, I would see people like projects, to evangelize, or take out their demons, and bring them to Church to make sure they would be free. Now, the Gospel expresses himself in a different way. I reflect my self in people before I speak truth to their lives. I’m so broken, that I can identify myself with almost anybody. My starting point now is not just bringing Jesus and order, but express my love authentically. I care that people can feel seen, or special, valuable, unique, irreplaceable. In a genuine way. God is responding to my desires of being vulnerable for the sake of true relationships.
We are tempted to disconnect our love for others when we are struggling with God. We are not whole when Christ is not been glorified. When we are facing a major problem that doesn’t permit us to see that there is grace in any situation and that love doesn't run out. We tend to disconnect from the core of the Gospel leading us to isolation.
2. Share about someone in your life or community who has cultivated order. How has God used this person to bring shalom? How would things be worse if this person stopped using his or her gifts for the benefit of others?
When my mom started to have a right relationship with God she started to cultivate order in my life. She has been key in my Christian walk. Her testimony, her wisdom, her life, what she speaks into me, is a life given, is hope, is constantly helping me to confirm what God is guiding me. My mom is the biggest expression of love that I know in my whole life. She will lay down her rights so others have peace or can fulfill their dreams. If she would stop doing this, many people would not be impacted by the love and transcendence of the Gospel.
4. What should matter more for Christians: alleviating present suffering or eternal suffering? What’s wrong with this question?
Both, because the Gospel is complete. Salvation means healing too. As Christians, our commitment and communion with people are not partialized. It complete. Jesus wasn’t only worried about our eternity but of our present. Eternity starts when we are in Christ. We can see the fruits of those that are saved by what they give to others.
5. Read Isaiah 58. What is the link between the way God’s people worship and the cultivation of justice in the world? How might you apply the message of Isaiah 58 to your church or Christian Community?
The link is that worship and justice go together. If there is no justice, there is no worship, and there is no worship if there is no justice. Not only to my Church but to Christians and starting by me, Gods desire is a true worship, that includes serving and helping people. It's not an option. Not even for the preachers. It would be better not to preach, or not be Christian if we will continue been irresponsible with what God asks us to take care. And it would be easier if we do this together, not alone.
Beauty
1. Describe the last time you were arrested by beauty. What capture your attention? Why? How did it make you feel? What do you think makes God feel that way?
Usually, I'm arrested by beauty through music or children. This is almost every day. There is nothing more powerful and profound for me than Gods presence, and I can see him more powerfully through the children, or through a musical composition that glorifies him (with or without words), its rhythms and melodies that flood my soul with a superior pleasure. This is a kind of flowing worship that nothing can stop it.
2. In what ways do you see Christians forcing beauty to submit to practicality? When is this a good thing, and how can it be taken too far?
I see this when they want to evangelize through art or through movies. Usually, it's not well done, because it forced. But if it’s the other way around, because I glorify God, all that I do has his mark, and God will express himself naturally and not forced. I proved this experiment through the TV. Art doesn’t need to be utilitarian.
3. Do you think it is ever acceptable for a church to spend money on purely aesthetic, impractical things? Why or why not?
Yes! Because beauty itself has a cost and doesn’t have to be practical to have more worth.
4. Would you describe yourself more like the disciples or the women in the story from Mark 14: 3-9?
Of course, I would describe myself more with the woman of the alabaster jar. My life represents that action, and I want it to be constant. That I'm always pouring Jesus the best I have, cause he deserves it all.
5. Share something you’ve done purely for the joy of it without any consideration of its practicality. Do you think God approves or disapproves of such behavior? Why?
I like to see movies, dance, dream, talk to friends, swim in the ocean, laugh, paint, organize for pure joy. I think God is happy that I can have a good time with simple stuff in life. He approves and loves this behavior because he created us his children 1st for joy with other many other things in this world.
To contemplate, full of wonder and appreciate different expressions because of how they make us feel, its related to Gods character, his beauty and creativity are in his DNA.
Abundance
1. How might a business operate differently if those running it were interested in flourishing the community and not just making financial profits? What would the business measure other than the bottom line?
If Jesus is the cause, and there is a desire to restore all things, for sure a business will operate differently, because of transparency, treating people fairly, faith and working with enthusiasm, there will be enough, for paying and honoring all those who work hard, and help the community flourish. The business would measure the joy and commitment of the people in their roles. They would check their hours of rest, the earnings with the goal to continue blessing and restoring all that God proposed. They would measure fair payments. No debts and pay all taxes.
2. How do you feel when the offering is collected during worship gatherings in your church or the Christian community? Why do you feel this way?
I think that what is the last to evangelize is the wallet, and children of God struggle with money and don’t get how important are the principles of sowing and reaping. I believe it can be useful to do it in worship time, to soften the hearts. But also some can feel manipulated, and that's not good. I think there have to be good teachings about offerings because it is so true that God inspires us to give abundantly because we are his children and we are so abundantly rich because of him. That we have grateful hearts and we can give in abundance is an external sign of who we are, in who are trust relies on upon, also, an expression of the state of our hearts.
3. What fears do you have about giving your money away? What do your fears reveal about where you place your faith?
I don’t fear much, because I've seen Gods faithfulness in this matter. When I don’t have much to give, is sometimes a weird feeling. It's like connecting with my old me when I had a proper job, that would have money to give and bless more freely. Now I can do it but on another scale. I would prefer to have a work while I do missions.
4. What is scarce in your community? How might you, together with others begin to address this scarcity to create abundance?
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