are we rooted?

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, not sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither." -Psalm 1.1-3

this past sunday i had the opportunity to preach...this was the first time i had the opportunity at my church...at foothills community. i've done this particular message before in front of different audiences and perhaps in a different style. this, however, was the first time that i'd done this message and intentionally gave my testimony...

in doing so, i wanted the church to have a chance to get to know me - and if any of them read this blog, i hope that it opens their eyes even more to what a dysfunctional worship pastor looks like. (forgive the sarcasm)

what is it about someone's testimony that spurs people on to do things different?

personally, i think that when someone opens up, and lets others see in, then all the things that they've ever heard taught--especially from a biblical standpoint--become more than just theory...more than being simply something that the bible teaches...it become more real...it become authentic....it becomes tangible.

isn't this what Jesus was to the people around him? wasn't he real? wasn't he authentic? i'm not using authentic because its one of the latest 'buzz-words', but because authenticity matters...anyone who has ever worked with teens knows this. teens in most contexts can spot a fake...a fake adult...a poser. most students don't care if you're cool or not, they just want you to be real...it just means more. even if what you say isn't what they want to hear...

why is our authenticity important? because it leads people deeper...it leads them past all of the surface-level b***s*** that clouds people's perceptions of christians and christianity--and therefore, Christ. it leads people into being rooted...

the psalm at the top of this post is about being rooted...about a man or woman whose heart is on God and whose roots are going deep...a person who will not be moved...isn't that the kind of disciples Jesus was looking for?

another verse...

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." -Jeremiah 17.7-8

am i rooted? are you? are our lives leading people to this place? are we being transparent enough for people to see the good and the bad--in order to lead them past surface-level christianity into something deeper? am i? are you?