We are having a great discussion and debate on the topic of discipleship at Rooftop currently. The church leadership wants to improve the process by which Christians who are attending Rooftop and consider it their church home, actually grow spiritually and in their love for God. A couple things to consider here:
1) This is a debate that has been taking place in the church since Pentecost in Acts 2 and I am pretty sure that we are not going to find the silver bullet after all these years.
2) I believe there are certain conditions that exist and can be created in a person's life that either help or hinder true spiritual growth. It is very much like the parable of the seeds being thrown on the different types of soil. Some seed dies off or never grows and other seed grows and produces a crop 10 to 100 fold.
While there are many great resources out there and a lot of things "to do", I am finding more and more that this issue boils down to DESIRE. Do the people in our church who say they are a follower of Jesus Christ want to live like a follower of Jesus Christ lives? If yes, are they willing to do the things they want and need to do to allow God to bring about the result and growth that He wants and that in most cases we as followers of Jesus want ourselves?
Human nature is on display here in that is our DESIRE and therein our resolve, is competing with the obstacles both internal and external that stand in our way and that we so readily accept as a wall between us and God. How do we tap into the DESIRE of our heart, which God has placed in each redeemed heart, and help release it into every aspect of our daily lives, regardless of the obstacles?
The question is very interesting and the issues are very complex just like the heart of a person is complex. I am thankful for the discussion, the energy being put into helping our church grow up in Christ, and to encourage one another to live the lives God desires for us. (To be continued...)
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The Narrow Path
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
A Zilkie Family First for Easter
As I have written about before, our family has developed some pretty involved Christmas traditions which have added much value and meaning to Christmas as well as additional enjoyment for everyone, child and adult. This year I wanted to add in some Easter traditions as well.
So on Palm Sunday we sat down in the evening and opened to the Gospels and read the Palm Sunday/Triumphal Entry passages in each of the four gospels. Interestingly, it is one of the few events which is covered by all four gospels. As we discussed it we were able to teach, and give important contextual meaning to the palm branches, the donkey, the people, and the fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies.
On Thursday evening we sat down again and opened up to the Last Supper. We started reading in Matthew and talked a little bit about it together. But then I stopped and went to the kitchen and came back with a dinner roll and some purple vitamin water Julie picked up at Walgreen's (I had asked for juice but at least it was the right color). We moved from the couches down onto the floor and sat around the coffee table in the living room. I then turned from Matthew's recording of the Last Supper to Luke's. Now if you don't know, Luke is my favorite Last Supper passage because it is the only gospel that records Jesus saying the words, "I have desired to share this meal with you..." when speaking to his disciples.
So there I sat with my dear children who were smiling from ear to ear, and I repeated the words of Jesus from Luke, "I have desired to share this meal with you..." Those words were true for me just as they were for Jesus when He said them. I did not know this would happen, but all five of our children thought that acting out the Last Supper with real bread and fake wine was the coolest thing they could imagine. Caroline especially could not stop smiling and giggling as we very seriously talked through the rest of the passage and each shared a piece of the bread and a drink from the fancy wine glass filled with purple water. Although I didn't call it "communion" that is essentially what I led my family in together. I can not fully describe it, but what our family experienced together, Selah included, was very, very special and a very spiritual moment. We closed out our time and every child prayed at least a little prayer together.
The next morning Caroline comes bouncing into our room and has this hug smile on her face. And then she says, "Papa, do you "wemember" when we "pwetended" to be the disciples last night and had bread and "dwank" out of the special glass?" (all the while giggling as she was asking). I said "Yes, did you enjoy that?" She replied back, "that was my favorite thing!"
Who would have known? And who knows to what degree that shared experience together touched the hearts of one or all of our children. The response and the spiritual "fruit" that evening produced has encouraged me greatly. I am motivated and excited to create more opportunities for the Bible and the lives of our children to intersect, and in the process give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to do what God wants to do in each of their beautiful hearts.
As of this writing on Saturday evening, we talked through the crucifixion on Good Friday and the events on Saturday. But that time Thursday evening has been by far the best moment of this Easter season. Happy Easter to you and I hope you have a similar "Last Supper moment" which will mark this Easter and set it apart as special for you and your family.
So on Palm Sunday we sat down in the evening and opened to the Gospels and read the Palm Sunday/Triumphal Entry passages in each of the four gospels. Interestingly, it is one of the few events which is covered by all four gospels. As we discussed it we were able to teach, and give important contextual meaning to the palm branches, the donkey, the people, and the fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies.
On Thursday evening we sat down again and opened up to the Last Supper. We started reading in Matthew and talked a little bit about it together. But then I stopped and went to the kitchen and came back with a dinner roll and some purple vitamin water Julie picked up at Walgreen's (I had asked for juice but at least it was the right color). We moved from the couches down onto the floor and sat around the coffee table in the living room. I then turned from Matthew's recording of the Last Supper to Luke's. Now if you don't know, Luke is my favorite Last Supper passage because it is the only gospel that records Jesus saying the words, "I have desired to share this meal with you..." when speaking to his disciples.
So there I sat with my dear children who were smiling from ear to ear, and I repeated the words of Jesus from Luke, "I have desired to share this meal with you..." Those words were true for me just as they were for Jesus when He said them. I did not know this would happen, but all five of our children thought that acting out the Last Supper with real bread and fake wine was the coolest thing they could imagine. Caroline especially could not stop smiling and giggling as we very seriously talked through the rest of the passage and each shared a piece of the bread and a drink from the fancy wine glass filled with purple water. Although I didn't call it "communion" that is essentially what I led my family in together. I can not fully describe it, but what our family experienced together, Selah included, was very, very special and a very spiritual moment. We closed out our time and every child prayed at least a little prayer together.
The next morning Caroline comes bouncing into our room and has this hug smile on her face. And then she says, "Papa, do you "wemember" when we "pwetended" to be the disciples last night and had bread and "dwank" out of the special glass?" (all the while giggling as she was asking). I said "Yes, did you enjoy that?" She replied back, "that was my favorite thing!"
Who would have known? And who knows to what degree that shared experience together touched the hearts of one or all of our children. The response and the spiritual "fruit" that evening produced has encouraged me greatly. I am motivated and excited to create more opportunities for the Bible and the lives of our children to intersect, and in the process give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to do what God wants to do in each of their beautiful hearts.
As of this writing on Saturday evening, we talked through the crucifixion on Good Friday and the events on Saturday. But that time Thursday evening has been by far the best moment of this Easter season. Happy Easter to you and I hope you have a similar "Last Supper moment" which will mark this Easter and set it apart as special for you and your family.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
An Opportunity To Partner With Us In Africa
The trip is planned and the details are being worked out. Now the fun part, the fund raising. :-)
If you would consider partnering with me on this trip, I would be incredibly grateful. You can do so at www.gofundme.com/zimtrip
I continue to ask for your prayers as we begin assigning responsibilities and preparing for our opportunities to serve the churches in Chinhoyi.
Thank you!!!
If you would consider partnering with me on this trip, I would be incredibly grateful. You can do so at www.gofundme.com/zimtrip
***If you would like to receive a tax deductible receipt for your donation, you do so by making a check out to "Vital Connections" and write "Jeremy Zilkie - Africa" in the comments.
You can mail all donation checks to:
Rooftop Africa Mission Trip
6915 Weber Rd
Affton, MO 63123
I continue to ask for your prayers as we begin assigning responsibilities and preparing for our opportunities to serve the churches in Chinhoyi.
Thank you!!!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Africa Team Is In Place
Over the past several months I have been praying, talking with people, emailing people, and recruiting for the August trip to Zimbabwe. As of today we have four definite team members with a possible fifth. Three of us reside here in St. Louis and one team member lives in Grand Rapids. I am very excited about the team and about our mission in August. It has been exciting to see how the team and the mission have slowly morphed and come together and are aligning themselves quite nicely.
When this process began I had no idea who would and would not be going on the trip. Some people who I would have loved to join the trip could not or chose not to. A couple of the people on the trip I would not have thought to ask and yet here they are.
Please be praying for myself, Nathan, Lori and Rebecca. Also, pray for this fifth possible team member as well. We need to finalize exactly who will be on the team as we purchase some pricey plant tickets. If you could, please pray for the pricing on the plane tickets as well. Most of the trip's expenses is airfare and that is always fluctuating. I am hoping that we get some good pricing to keep the costs down as much as possible.
When this process began I had no idea who would and would not be going on the trip. Some people who I would have loved to join the trip could not or chose not to. A couple of the people on the trip I would not have thought to ask and yet here they are.
Please be praying for myself, Nathan, Lori and Rebecca. Also, pray for this fifth possible team member as well. We need to finalize exactly who will be on the team as we purchase some pricey plant tickets. If you could, please pray for the pricing on the plane tickets as well. Most of the trip's expenses is airfare and that is always fluctuating. I am hoping that we get some good pricing to keep the costs down as much as possible.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Wow, life has been busy!!!
In the midst of a very busy winter and spring I had the opportunity to preach from Titus 2:11-15 yesterday at our church, Rooftop Community Church in St.Louis, MO. The week prior our lead pastor had done a great job emphasizing the importance of teaching each other within the body of Christ.
Yesterday I had the follow up passage on training which Paul mentions in verse 12. Training is taking what we have been taught and applying it to our lives in a consistent and effective manner. It was a great opportunity to encourage our church in their spiritual journeys. I opened the message with a humorous clip from the original Karate Kid, circa 1984. Appropriately, my closing application had to do with God wanting to grow us up or train us up. To illustrate this point I talked about God wanting to build us each a "dojo" where he as our Sensei will direct and guide our training towards Christlikeness, which is the ultimate goal for the follower of Christ.
In addition to giving some basic guidance on what components are necessary for God to build us each a good dojo in which to train spiritually, I offered a follow up meeting on the Tuesday night to follow. As of this posting we have a good number of people signed up. It is VERY exciting to see God's people want to take their "following Jesus" so seriously.
If you are interested in listening for yourself, here is the link.
Yesterday I had the follow up passage on training which Paul mentions in verse 12. Training is taking what we have been taught and applying it to our lives in a consistent and effective manner. It was a great opportunity to encourage our church in their spiritual journeys. I opened the message with a humorous clip from the original Karate Kid, circa 1984. Appropriately, my closing application had to do with God wanting to grow us up or train us up. To illustrate this point I talked about God wanting to build us each a "dojo" where he as our Sensei will direct and guide our training towards Christlikeness, which is the ultimate goal for the follower of Christ.
In addition to giving some basic guidance on what components are necessary for God to build us each a good dojo in which to train spiritually, I offered a follow up meeting on the Tuesday night to follow. As of this posting we have a good number of people signed up. It is VERY exciting to see God's people want to take their "following Jesus" so seriously.
If you are interested in listening for yourself, here is the link.
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