Last Call: Blue Parakeet

Join Us for an 8-Week Journey Through "The Blue Parakeet"

Hey everyone!

Are you at all curious about how the Bible speaks to us in today’s world? Join us as Kevin Platt leads a 8-week deep dive into Scott McKnight’s The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible. This is your chance to rethink traditional views and see Scripture in a fresh, dynamic way alongside others from Missio Dei Mesa.

Our plan is to explore McKnight’s ideas about the Bible as a living conversation with God rather than just a static set of rules. We will dialogue through his book, engage with each others questions, and by God’s grace, move towards a more faithful reading of the Bible.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Fresh Perspectives: Should we break away from old interpretations and discover new ways to read and understand Scripture?

• Storytelling & Community: Embrace the Bible’s narrative in a communal approach that is sure to resonate with you.

• Real-Life Implications : How do we work out timeless wisdom, truth, and perspectives to modern challenges and experiences.

Whether you’re new to the book or a returning reader, this cohort is designed for open discussion and shared learning. Connect with others who are eager to engage with the Bible in a meaningful and transformative way.

When: August 12 – September 24th (7.30-9pm)
Where: Platt House
Sign Up By: August 5th - September 24th

Don’t miss out on this chance to explore and grow with us. We can’t wait to see you Tuesday!

Psalm 69- Reading Plan

Opening Prayer

Blessed Lord,
you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning.
May we so hear them,
read, learn, and take them to heart,
that being strengthened and comforted by your holy Word,
we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

Book of Common Prayer

Psalm 69

1 Save me, O God,
    for the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in the miry depths,
    where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
    the floods engulf me.
3 I am worn out calling for help;
    my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
    looking for my God.
4 Those who hate me without reason
    outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
    those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
    what I did not steal.

5 You, God, know my folly;
    my guilt is not hidden from you.

6 Lord, the Lord Almighty,
    may those who hope in you
    not be disgraced because of me;
God of Israel,
    may those who seek you
    not be put to shame because of me.
7 For I endure scorn for your sake,
    and shame covers my face.
8 I am a foreigner to my own family,
    a stranger to my own mother’s children;
9 for zeal for your house consumes me,
    and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
10 When I weep and fast,
    I must endure scorn;
11 when I put on sackcloth,
    people make sport of me.
12 Those who sit at the gate mock me,
    and I am the song of the drunkards.

13 But I pray to you, Lord,
    in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
    answer me with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mire,
    do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
    from the deep waters.
15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
    or the depths swallow me up
    or the pit close its mouth over me.

16 Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;
    in your great mercy turn to me.
17 Do not hide your face from your servant;
    answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
18 Come near and rescue me;
    deliver me because of my foes.

19 You know how I am scorned,disgraced and shamed;
    all my enemies are before you.
20 Scorn has broken my heart
    and has left me helpless;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
    for comforters, but I found none.
21 They put gall in my food
    and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

22 May the table set before them become a snare;
    may it become retribution and[b] a trap.
23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
    and their backs be bent forever.
24 Pour out your wrath on them;
    let your fierce anger overtake them.
25 May their place be deserted;
    let there be no one to dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute those you wound
    and talk about the pain of those you hurt.
27 Charge them with crime upon crime;
    do not let them share in your salvation.
28 May they be blotted out of the book of life
    and not be listed with the righteous.

29 But as for me, afflicted and in pain—
    may your salvation, God, protect me.

30 I will praise God’s name in song
    and glorify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the Lord more than an ox,
    more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
32 The poor will see and be glad—
    you who seek God, may your hearts live!
33 The Lord hears the needy
    and does not despise his captive people.

34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
    the seas and all that move in them,
35 for God will save Zion
    and rebuild the cities of Judah.
Then people will settle there and possess it;
36     the children of his servants will inherit it,
    and those who love his name will dwell there.

The 4 Questions

1. Who is God?
   What do you notice about God’s character in this text?  Are there things you are reminded of, discover for the first time, are unsure of, or unsettle you? Make note of each of them.

2. What has God done?
   What does God reveal about his actions in this text? Are they past, present, or promised for the future?

3. Who are we? 
   What does this text teach us about humans? How does God’s character and activity transform his people?  How is the identity of God’s people affirmed or given in this text?

4. What do we do?
   As you sit with the Spirit in this text how do you sense him leading you? Sometimes these are direct commands in the text and at others they are words the Spirit speaks to you. Maybe it’s repentance, or obedience, a conversation, or even further meditation. Jesus is inviting you to continue the journey with him- let him guide you.

Bonus Reflection

• How do you see this Psalm connecting to the crucifixion of Jesus in Matthew 27.37-48?

• How does walking with David in this Psalm help you connect with the death of Jesus in Matthew?

• How does it make you feel to consider both of these texts side by side?

Rest. Reflect. Worship.

We are scattering to embrace some different rhythms of rest, worship, and reflection the next two Sundays. These moments are a gift to create space but it’s up to you how you use them.

(Remember: Rest doesn’t always mean isolation that’s solitude.)

Here’s a few ideas…

• Take some time to fill out the questions we’ve given HERE.

• Invite someone newer to the Missio family over for a slowed down meal to hear their story and help them see how God is at work in their lives.

• Process through our reflection questions for the first half of the year and verbally talk through them with another member of your MC / Missio.

• Plan out your fall. What are the discipleship priorities in your life as you share life with our church?

• Stay immersed in Matthew with our reading guides. (Just scroll back from here to find them on our blog)

• Imagine your table at the end of these six months. Who do you hope is there? What small steps of invitation could you extend in this season to see that fruit in the next?

- Draw a map of your relationships and see how God might be at work to use you as a person sowing seeds of beauty, truth, and justice in your networks of influence.

Psalm 22: Calling Out In The Darkness

Psalm 22 was a gift on Sunday.

In our conversation we saw how each of us will experience pain, loss, darkness, and the seeming absence of God. We talked through the historical conversation of “dark nights of the soul” and “dark nights of the senses” but ultimately leaned in with Hope again at the reality of the gospel events and the reign of Jesus.

As we reflect on our time together don’t forget - In the midst of dark seasons, we will find ourselves lamenting, crying out in desperation and confusion. It's like being lost in a fog, unsure of which way to turn. But just as David's lament turns to praise in Psalm 22, we're reminded that even our deepest cries are heard by God. In our brokenness, we discover a glimpse of Jesus, who walked the path of suffering before us and offers us a way forward, not devoid of pain, but infused with the hope of resurrection and new life. I can’t tell you how long the darkness will last, but I can tell you it doesn’t win.

Looking back, we can see how David's experience foreshadows the suffering and triumph of Jesus Christ. Jesus, too, cried out on the cross, quoting the words of Psalm 22. In His darkest hour, He bore the weight of our sins and experienced the agony of separation from God, fulfilling the prophecy of David's psalm and paving the way for our redemption.

The events of the gospel offer a historical hope as the violent waves of circumstances batter us and leave our vision of God blurred.

If you are in a dark space as you read this, look back at the events of the gospel, look around at the community and ask for help, and look forward to the day when pain and loss are dealt their final death blow at the restoration.

Next Steps

• Cry out to God. He is not put off by your pain, anger, frustration, or point of view.

• Cry out with friends. There are multiple resources across Missio who aren’t looking to fix you, but will pray, lament, and walk with you in seasons of darkness.

• Remember, Dark Nights of the Soul don’t mean you’ve done something wrong, but seem to be part of the experience of following God and nurturing faith in the experience of Christians.

• The Arc of the story is from death to life. Continue to rehearse the story in its entirety even as the shadows close in.

• Make Psalm 22 a meditation text for you. Revisit it often. Let that prayer give shape to your own.

Simple Review Tools

SLOW DOWN

We are entering the season of our calendar where we often strategically withdrawal from some of the regular rhythms of our training, equipping, coaching and create some unhurried space to process, pray, discern, and ultimately continue on in the journey of following Jesus. All across our church we purposefully slow down shared rhythms to be able to pay attention to what is going on in and around us.

THE PROCESS

The process of review often brings a season of unsettled feelings. When we slow down we often sense the disappointment , recognize relationships that have faded, but also can, perhaps, see a little more clearly the beauty of what Jesus is doing in small, everyday moments all across your networks and neighborhoods. We want to pay attention, grieve what we have to, cultivate hope where we are able, and place ourselves again in the rhythms of God’s grace and the shared life that nurture that faith.

Good news

As you navigate these waters with patience and hope, remember that the gospel is still true, Jesus is still Lord, he is still accomplishing his purposes. God does not work on our timeline, but he is absolutely at work. This realization is not always comfortable, but he is absolutely still on the throne!

This is also a season where creativity often kicks in. Embrace that as well. How can you continue to share life, mission, and formation with this community that God is knitting together for your good and his glory?   You are dearly loved and deeply valued.  

-Kevin  

Psalm 110- Reading Plan

Opening Prayer

Blessed Lord,
you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning.
May we so hear them,
read, learn, and take them to heart,
that being strengthened and comforted by your holy Word,
we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

Book of Common Prayer

Psalm 110

Psalm 110:1–7 (NIV): The Lord says to my lord:

“Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies

a footstool for your feet.”

2 The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying,

“Rule in the midst of your enemies!”

3 Your troops will be willing

on your day of battle.

Arrayed in holy splendor,

your young men will come to you

like dew from the morning’s womb. 

4 The Lord has sworn

and will not change his mind:

“You are a priest forever,

in the order of Melchizedek.”

5 The Lord is at your right hand;

he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.

6 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead

and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.

7 He will drink from a brook along the way,

and so he will lift his head high.

The 4 Questions

1. Who is God?
   What do you notice about God’s character in this text?  Are there things you are reminded of, discover for the first time, are unsure of, or unsettle you? Make note of each of them.

2. What has God done?
   What does God reveal about his actions in this text? Are they past, present, or promised for the future?

3. Who are we? 
   What does this text teach us about humans? How does God’s character and activity transform his people?  How is the identity of God’s people affirmed or given in this text?

4. What do we do?
   As you sit with the Spirit in this text how do you sense him leading you? Sometimes these are direct commands in the text and at others they are words the Spirit speaks to you. Maybe it’s repentance, or obedience, a conversation, or even further meditation. Jesus is inviting you to continue the journey with him- let him guide you.

Bonus Reflection

• How do you see this Psalm connecting to the crucifixion of Jesus in Matthew 22.41-45?

• How does understanding this Psalm give color to the experience of Jesus in Matthew 22?

How Should We Live? (Psalm 2)

How do we Live? We’ve sat with Jesus in Psalm 2. Learned some background, explored God’s character, and even saw some uncomfortable and liberating truths about his justice. But what does that mean for us and the way we live today? That’s what the fourth question is all about.

Here are some of the answers we came up with yesterday at our gathering.

Jesus is Lord.

Arrange your life accordingly.  Who or what we see as central and worthy of service will dictate our calendars, our friendships, and our budget decisions. Don’t follow a lesser god towards destruction, but lean more fully into the good reign of Jesus and leverage your lives to love more fiercely as he leads you.

Live Out the Baptismal Identity:

When we embrace our role in God’s story as those who bow our knees to king Jesus we find our heads lifted to a reality we aren’t just subjects we are sons and daughters. And When we embrace our given identity as God’s beloved children, it transforms us. For John from our first story, when he embraced this identity it gave him the inner strength to offer forgiveness to his dad, extend grace to his family, and a new pathway of disrupting family patterns with redemptive ones.

Participating in God’s Mission:

Submission to the king is expressed in service. We’re all called to participate in God’s mission. When we align our hearts and our lives under His kingdom agenda it will effect our life choice.   Small acts done with great love can change the world. It can easily start with where am I already placed and what’s already in my hands, great- now how do I serve with that? .”

Prayer and Dependence on the Spirit in Community

Lastly, Remember, we can’t do this on our own. Prayer and the Holy Spirit empower us. As we’ve watched Jesus walk out of this water in the Jordan we’ve seen him deeply dependent on the power of the Spirit.

Summer in the Psalms (Psalm 22 Reading Guide)

Opening Prayer

God I believe you want to meet with me in this Psalm. I’m making space to be aware of your presence and ask that you speak to me today. Would you give me wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  Would you form in me a heart of love for you, for my community, and for my neighbor. Help me see how this story fits in your unfolding True Story. Would you expose my idols, peel my fingers from my self-reliance, and stir up my affections for you and your kingdom. Would I not hide from the places where my own story reflects the Psalmists and would I embrace your presence and your voice as I sit with you in stillness. Direct my steps according to your word and align my wandering heart with yours so that I may abide in your love and endure in my calling.

In the Name of Jesus and the power of the Spirit. Amen.

Psalm 22

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?

My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.

Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.

In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.

To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.

All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.

“He trusts in the LORD,” they say, “let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”

Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.

From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.

Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me.

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me.

My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.

Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they piercemy hands and my feet.

All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me.

They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.

But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.

Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs.

Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen.

I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you.

You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!

For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows.

The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him— may your hearts live forever!

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORDand he rules over the nations.

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive.

Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.

They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!

The 4 Questions

1. Who is God?
   What do you notice about God’s character in this text?  Are there things you are reminded of, discover for the first time, are unsure of, or unsettle you? Make note of each of them.

2. What has God done?
   What does God reveal about his actions in this text? Are they past, present, or promised for the future?

3. Who are we? 
   What does this text teach us about humans? How does God’s character and activity transform his people?  How is the identity of God’s people affirmed or given in this text?

4. What do we do?
   As you sit with the Spirit in this text how do you sense him leading you? Sometimes these are direct commands in the text and at others they are words the Spirit speaks to you. Maybe it’s repentance, or obedience, a conversation, or even further meditation. Jesus is inviting you to continue the journey with him- let him guide you.

Bonus Reflection

How do you see this Psalm connecting to the crucifixion of Jesus in Matthew 27?

July Reading Plan: Psalm 2

Opening Prayer

God give me wisdom knowledge and understanding. Let any knowledge I gain serve to help me love you and others more and not puff me up. Help me see something new about you I've never seen before. God correct any lies I believe about you or anything I misunderstand. Direct my steps according to your word and align my wandering heart with yours.

Psalm 2

Psalm 2:1–12 (NIV)

1 Why do the nations conspire 

and the peoples plot in vain? 

2 The kings of the earth rise up 

and the rulers band together 

against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 

3 “Let us break their chains 

and throw off their shackles.” 

4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; 

the Lord scoffs at them. 

5 He rebukes them in his anger 

and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 

6 “I have installed my king 

on Zion, my holy mountain.” 

7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: 

He said to me, “You are my son; 

today I have become your father. 

8 Ask me, 

and I will make the nations your inheritance, 

the ends of the earth your possession. 

9 You will break them with a rod of iron; 

you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” 

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; 

be warned, you rulers of the earth. 

11 Serve the Lord with fear 

and celebrate his rule with trembling. 

12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry 

and your way will lead to your destruction, 

for his wrath can flare up in a moment. 

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

The 4 Questions

1. Who is God?

   What do you notice about God’s character in this text? Are there things you are reminded of, discover for the first time, are unsure of, or unsettle you? Make note of each of them.

2. What has God done?

   What does God reveal about his actions in this text? Are they past, present, or promised for the future?

3. Who are we?

   What does this text teach us about humans? How does God’s character and activity transform his people? How is the identity of God’s people affirmed or given in this text?

4. What do we do?

   As you sit with the Spirit in this text how do you sense him leading you? Sometimes these are direct commands in the text and at others they are words the Spirit speaks to you. Maybe it’s repentance, or obedience, a conversation, or even further meditation. Jesus is inviting you to continue the journey with him- let him guide you.

July Reading Plan: Preview

THE PLAN

This July, we will be exploring some of the Psalms that underlie the gospel narrative in the book of Matthew. Each Psalm we examine can be found within Matthew's gospel account. NT Wright reminds us that this should not surprise us, as...

"...the story the Psalms tell is the story Jesus came to complete. It is the story of the creator God taking his power and reigning, ruling on earth as in heaven, delighting the whole creation by sorting out its messes and muddles, its injuries and injustices, once and for all.” — NT Wright

Take a moment to slow down and immerse yourself in the Scriptures that were meaningful to Jesus and Matthew. These are the songs and stories that shaped the life and ministry of Jesus and his band of disciples. Don’t let their significance be lost on you as you spend time with Jesus through these ancient Psalms.

THE PATTERN

The format for these reading guides will be to begin with a prayer of invitation, read the Psalms, and then reflect on four questions that often lead us toward the heart of God in a text, guiding us in how to respond to that revelation in loving obedience.

Our prayer for the Missio family is that we can journey together through these texts, allowing them to lead us into a deeper enjoyment of God, active participation in his community, and faithful witness in the places and spaces where we are sent!

The Psalms

Week 1: Psalm 2

Week 2: Psalm 110

Week 3: Psalm 22

Week 4: Psalm 69

The Questions

• Who is God?

• What has God done?

• Who are we?

• What do we do?

The Additional Reading and Watching

• Read The Case for The Psalms

• Buy Psalms Only Portion of Scripture for Reflection

• Watch The Psalms (Bible Project)

On Earth As It Is In Heaven: Life with God Today (pt2)

In part 1, we concluded that Jesus invites us to pray in such a way that anticipates the union of heaven and earth. Prayer gives us eyes to see reality as it truly is and will be forever- a world permeated with God’s near and loving presence. But if we are really being honest with ourselves we rarely experience prayer this way. More often, prayer feels burdensome, tiring, disappointing, or overwhelming. We experience disharmony when what we know should be true about our experience with God fails to match up with our reality. We see this all over the scriptures, embodied in biblical characters, explicit instructions to persevere in prayer, and throughout the prayer book of the Bible known as the Psalms. Ultimately, prayer is something that is often met with struggle and dissonance. But in a beautiful, upside-down-sort-of-way, this births the encounter of where divine grace meets our human frailty. 

So, what do we do when our experience of prayer feels lacking? Below I offer 5 humble suggestions from trial and (much) error.

Cultivate a Deep Confidence in the Character of God

A.W. Tozer once famously wrote, “what comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” How we understand God impacts many of our daily decisions either consciously or unconsciously. Likewise, our assumptions about God’s character either drive us towards or away from prayer. Curating a true and trustworthy image of God in our self-understanding will lead us to prayer when it feels most difficult.

Have a Container for When Life Spills

Tyler Staton writes, “prayer is about love, and that means it cannot be sustained on fluttery feelings, good intentions, and spontaneous moments alone. It needs a container, something like the fidelity of a marriage, a set of practices or rituals within which that love can grow, mature, and blossom.” Many times our efforts to pray are frustrated by our inconsistent and busy schedules. Having a committed daily and weekly prayer rhythm might help us cultivate the kind of heaven on earth prayer that Jesus encouraged his disciples to seek.

Don’t Be Afraid to “Fail”

I put fail here in quotations because it’s nearly impossible when it comes to prayer. According to Roberta Bondi, “if you are praying, you are already ‘doing it right.’” Our job is pretty simple when it comes to prayer. We mustn’t overcomplicate it or idealize any form, version, or model. Ronald Rolheisser encourages us with this urge: “There is only one nonnegotiable rule for prayer: ‘show up! Show up regularly!’”

Commit to Simplicity, Creativity, and Spontaneity

A common misunderstanding about prayer has to do with the way we often compartmentalize our lives, thinking that our praying time has to fit within a prescribed piece of our day. In reality, the more prayer becomes what Jesus imagined, heaven on earth, the more we begin to see that this kind of praying concerns all life. And that is not to say that we should lock ourselves in a private room and spend all day in “heaven on earth,” but rather begin to imagine in concrete ways how we can bring heaven into earth through creative, simple, and spontaneous acts of prayer in ordinary life. 

Expect to Give Something Up 

Lastly, while this kind of prayer is something many of us long for, it is not inevitable. It must be pursued intentionally, and with all intentionality comes sacrifice. To experience the richness of life with God, here and now, a taste of how it is in heaven, we will most likely have to give something up. So I close with the wisdom of the Anglican saint Evelyn Underhill, “spiritual achievement costs much, though never as much as it is worth.”

By Ben Ide

On Earth as it is in Heaven: Life with God Today

The Lord’s prayer begins with Jesus teaching his disciples to address “Our Father” who is “in heaven.” Which begs the question… where is heaven? By the middle of the prayer Jesus then shifts his focus from heaven as a set apart space, to now heaven on earth, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”  Initially, Jesus instructs his disciples to pray to heaven, and by the end of the prayer they are pleading for heaven to come down to earth.

Again, begging the question, where is heaven? Along with, how will it come to us? 

Heaven is a convoluted word, with many unhelpful associations in our cultural context. When we look at the biblical story, heaven has less to do with a physical place and more to do with space. We see the heavens and the earth united in the creation story, and then reunited once again in the restoration of all things. The breach between heaven and earth occurs due to human rebellion, and Jesus comes to heal the fracture of God’s space and human space. The good news is that through his inauguration of the kingdom at hand, heaven and earth are being reunited. God is recreating his world to be a place where every square inch is filled with his loving presence. 

So… what does this have to do with prayer?

When we pray to “Our Father in heaven,” as Jesus modeled, we are experiencing a foretaste of what has yet to take place, the availability of God’s intimate and near presence. This is what Jesus has made accessible to his followers by instructing them to pray. Thus, prayer is the intersection between heaven and earth now, the in between, the now not yet, a portal to what will be forever. As Jesus’ disciples, we pray not just to recite his words, but because it gives us eyes to see and experience reality for what it truly is and will be. 

Some of Jesus’ most famously recited words teach us that prayer is the direction in which the entire biblical story is headed in the union of heaven and earth. Ultimately through him, prayer is how we enter, remain, and anticipate life with God now as it will one day always be “on earth as it is in heaven.”

Some Quotes to Reflect on Over the Next Week:

“Of all the Spiritual Disciplines prayer is the most central because it ushers us into perpetual communion with the Father.” - Richard Foster

“Our final prayers will all be praise- heaven reverberating with our amens and hallelujahs.” - Eugene Peterson

“Prayer is the act of seeing reality from God’s point of view” - Philip Yancey

[Prayer is] “a way of existing, of living each moment in the awareness that one’s whole life is permeated with the presence of God.” - Tim Mackie

“True prayer is not so much something we say, nor is it something we do: It is something we become.” - Pete Greig

Check out this video for more on Heaven and Earth!

Post was written by Ben Ide

Posture(s) of Prayer

Have you ever considered how different postures affect the way you pray?

If you are like me, you may have been taught that the “right” or “normal” posture for prayer is eyes closed and maybe even hands folded. You see it in everything from small children to emojis. This is a posture of prayer, but I assure you it is not the posture of prayer. As we follow along the story of God and his kingdom we see his people engaging in different postures of prayer.

(In fact as I read through Matthew I see Jesus much more with his eyes open and hands lifted towards heaven. Just saying.)

One of our MC leaders, Brittany Johnson, put together this resource for their downtown Mesa MC and we thought it would be great to share with you. This “Prayer Postures” tool is a helpful resource for you as a disciple, DNA group, family, or MC to engage afresh in the rhythm of prayer.

If you’ve got some questions after reading it feel free to reach out.

Like a Good Neighbor…

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to overlook the simple, yet profound call of the Jesus: to love our neighbors as ourselves. This isn't just about being nice or waving hello as we pass by. It’s about embodying the radical hospitality and grace of Jesus in our everyday lives. This doesn’t just mean your metaphorical neighbor, but your literal neighbor as well. Grab your coffee and look out your front door- those are the people Jesus has planted you among to cultivate hidden potentials with!

Think about the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Jesus flipped the script on who our "neighbor" is, showing us that it's not just those who look like us, think like us, or hold the same social status. It's anyone in need, anyone we encounter in our daily rhythms.

So, how do we live this out? That’s a great question. I’d say, start small, but be consistent. Invite your neighbors over for a meal. Listen to their stories. Show up when you say you will. Serve them in practical ways, whether it’s helping with groceries or lending a hand with yard work. Be present. Be intentional. The gospel compels us to move beyond our comfort zones, to see and serve the people around us. We have a savior who “moved into the neighborhood” as Eugene Peterson says in his translation of John 1- let us continue our role in the Story by being planted in our neighborhoods as well.

Before you move too fast, Prayer is crucial in this process, guiding us to discern needs and giving us the strength and wisdom to act in love- don’t skip this step!

One more thing, being a good neighbor isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about consistent, genuine acts of love and kindness. As we do this, we reflect the heart of Jesus and create a ripple effect of grace and community. That’s the power of the gospel lived out in everyday life.

If you’d like more help thinking through how you can be a good neighbor or on starting a MC in your neighborhood -LET US KNOW. We’d love to set up a meeting to hear what God’s been stirring up in your imagination.

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June Reading Plan- Praying With Jesus

This June we are inviting Missio to learn to pray by walking with Jesus in the gospel of Matthew. Each of these passages has been picked as part of the mosaic we are beginning to see emerge as Jesus, the Messiah, sets up his kingdom, forms a people who have been saved by his power, and releases them for the sake of the world!

Three Ways To Steward God's Money With Missio

Here Are Three Ways To Steward God’s Money With Missio.

1. This is not the only priority, but we are putting it first. All throughout the Story of God there has been a place for the people of God to put their financial resources together to care for the household of God and the community they’ve been placed in. If you are a part of our MC network and aren’t yet giving regularly and sacrificially we encourage you to start here. CLICK HERE TO START GIVING.

2. Here’s a second way to invest your money into equipping the body of Christ. Each year we host soma school, which is a 5 day discipleship immersion here in the valley. This year we are hoping to scholarship 4 people from less affluent contexts by scholarshipping all or most of their costs. If you want to invest in the global church by helping disciplemaking sisters and brothers come to Soma School CLICK HERE.

3. And rounding out this top three is a chance to build a school. We are hoping to fund one of our church planting teams in the Eastern Sahara with the resources needed to build a school for local villages to educate their kids. If you want to be a part of this endeavor in prayer- that’s free and you can start doing that now! If you want to give financially, HERES THE LINK FOR THAT.

As always if you have any questions or complications with the giving process you can reach out directly to finances@missiodeicommunities.com and we’d love to help!

A Few More Words On The Miracles

As you reflect on Matthew 8 consider this a bit ….

This chapter doesn’t just highlight these miracles, but draws a center stage spotlight to God’s redemptive work in this act of the True Story. These aren’t just sideshow acts, but the main event as creation is healed by the Creator.

Think about it…

Just as God displayed his power over nature and oppressive forces during the Exodus, freeing the Israelites from slavery and leading them through the Red Sea, Jesus' miracles in Matthew 8 signify a new Exodus, where he liberates humanity from the bondage of sin and inaugurates a new era of salvation and freedom. There is no force- natural or spiritual that is stronger than the Redeemer himself.

But, just like the Israelites had to choose to follow YHWH so we must also decide we will trust and follow the Messiah.

Can you see the parallel? What other ones are you seeing?

24 Hours of Prayer and Fasting

You Are Invited

We are inviting our entire network of Missio Communities and friends to a time of collective fasting on May 18th-19th. We are setting aside the 24 hours prior to our Pentecost gathering to purposefully pray for our church, our city, and our world. We long to see a movement of Jesus take place across our neighborhoods and networks of friends and don’t believe this happens without prayer. If you are a part of Missio we hope you’ll seriously consider joining us in this time we are setting aside to intercede, lament, discern, and listen to the voice of the Spirit. We are desperate for him to heal, guide, convict, empower, and restore- so we are setting aside time to meet with him.

If you want to be a part of the 24 hours of prayer you can sign up on the link below. We will break the fast together on May 19th at 10am for a meal to start off our Sunday gathering.

An Opportunity

If you want to put together some prayer prompts or a prayer guide to offer for your sisters and brothers to use if they want- feel free to send it to us!

Don’t Be Surprised…

Real Quick… Here’s a reminder.

Don’t be surprised that our faith may cost us.

That cost may be in the form of comfort, jobs, relationships, finances, preferred zip codes, or even personal safety- but suffering and sacrifice are part of following Jesus. That’s not just a public service announcement for remote corners of the globe, but it is for us as we follow Jesus in the East Valley and wherever else Jesus may send us.

We are meditating on the words in Matthew 10 and I can’t help but see how they remind all disciples of Jesus that suffering, injustice, and personal risk are all factors to be considered as they are being sent out. Yes disciples are sent with the power and presence of God himself, but that doesn’t mitigate that suffering is part of the journey.

I heard from a friend that the way he equips his church for these realities in his part of Africa is that “In everything they may lose for the gospel, they have one more opportunity to learn their need for God and dependence on his power and grace. I want my church to know that whatever threatens to destroy them, instead gives them more good news to share. God never leaves or forgets. I have experienced this, and I want them to be prepared as well- I don’t want them to be surprised.”

We may really like a God of worship services whose meetings we attend semi-regularly, but the calling and commissioning of Jesus into everyday discipleship reads much different the longer we continue to sit in the book of Matthew. We started the gospel seeing the power struggle between the kingdom of God and the corrupt powers of the first century political world and the religion of the day. Five months into this journey, I continue to see a daily encounter with Jesus, experiences with his community on the journey, rest in his presence, and commissioning into some really messy, painful, and costly places for the sake of the kingdom.

What are you noticing as you journey with Jesus through the gospel of Matthew?

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May Reading Plan: The Spirit

During the month of May, we will be looking at the work of the Holy Spirit within the Gospel account of Matthew. Jesus entered the world through the Holy Spirit, performed miracles through the Holy Spirit, conquered death through the Holy Spirit, and empowered his followers with the Holy Spirit. For us to clearly see the work of Jesus, we must look at how he depended upon and partnered with the Holy Spirit in all he did. Of course, Jesus is one with the Holy Spirit and with the Father — but what does it mean for us that we have been given the Holy Spirit as well?

May 19th, 2024 is the day we remember the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the first disciples. This seems a fitting time for us to examine His work not only in the book of Matthew, but also in our own lives today. Stay tuned for the 24 hour prayer sign up! 

WEEKLY READINGS

The 31 days of May span across 5 weeks, even though the first and last weeks are not a full seven days. We will utilize those partial weeks for 5 reading plans, but you may break this reading up differently for your own schedule.

Week 1 (May 1-5) — Matthew 1:18-20, Matthew 3:11-4:1

Week 2 (May 6-12) — Matthew 10:16-20

Week 3 (May 13-19) — Matthew 12:15-32

Week 4 (May 20-26) — Matthew 22:41-46

Week 5 (May 27-31) — Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 1:1-5, Acts 2:1-21

APPROACH

This month’s reading plan will follow a simple 3-part process:
Read. Reflect. Respond.

We will read the text, take some time to reflect on the story (this section will include some questions and thoughts to guide you), and we will utilize our BLESS rhythms to respond. The goal here is not to create some call-to-action to perform, but to respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you Chris Priebe of Missio PHX for putting this reading plan together!

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