The Heritage Work year end 2018
During this season (and all the time actually), it is good to consider the unconventional strategy of God to make Himself known to us, with no Plan B.
Choosing an unusual descending path, not seeking power and position; laying aside, not grasping; self-emptying, not self-filling or ego-centric; serving, not being entitled; dying so we might live, and live in abundance, not scarcity.
From Philippians 2:5-8
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus...
who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
how can we have this attitude in ourselves?
look for a way to 'empty’ yourself, or lay aside your privileges...
look for Jesus in a relatively obscure, lonely, humble encounter or situation: (He still comes this way)...
how was Incarnation a descending path for Jesus?
what would a descending path look like in your attitude? your life?
My friend & board member Chad Holladay on how HeritageWork is distinctive:
In Mark 3:14, we read that Jesus, “appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach….” Most often we focus on the second reason that Jesus chose twelve disciples – to DO ministry. And then we try to do likewise running around like busy little bees expending tons of energy but seeing little fruit. What about the first part of that verse – “that they might be with him”. How often have we read this verse about Jesus appointing the disciples and skipped right over this critical detail? If you asked any of the disciples what made a bigger difference in their lives, Jesus’ preaching or simply being with Jesus for three years, what do you think they would say?
I’ve known Pat for a few years now and from what I know, many of Pat’s earlier ministry years looked more like the second half of the verse. Now, with Heritage Work, Pat is living the first half and the second part naturally follows.
In today’s attention starved culture, the work of “being with” people is increasingly diminished but ever more critical for our souls. This is who Pat & Sarah are in the lives of the people they meet. This is who Pat & Sarah are for my wife, Tami & I. Their sheer presence in our lives has been soul restoring. At the risk of sounding grandiose, being with Pat & Sarah is not simply time with friends, but a tangible experience of the presence of God between people.
(see below) September trip: The Johnston family we visited in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, sharing life and similar work vision; Pat's 60th with Sarah on quiet unpopulated Monhegan Island, ME.
