Orlando, FL 2009: Meat and Potato. Advocate and Observer. One brings the heft. The other offers the variety and complement. They do not switch roles, priorities, or purposes. They are what they are, and God has asked for them both.

From Trent Ling:

Disciples of Jesus exemplify the freest of peoples.  While they can do, be and become anything they wish, they choose to pour out the truth with which they have been rescued and entrusted.  This sharing occurs across two dynamically powerful positions:  advocate and observer.

Advocate:

As evidenced throughout this website, advocacy focuses upon but one universal appeal to all:  be a disciple of Jesus, living up to heaven’s calling.  Spiritual and educational components lay within this charge.  Namely, talents, gifts, and opportunities must be put to work to the glory of the God; and Jesus and the Scriptures must be followed as standards (not as ideals nor as severable philosophies).

The Ministry Page of this website sets out specific instructions across four particular preached messages to hasten adherence to the call of this solitary advocacy.  Ultimately, absolutely nothing can rise to the level of mattering in lives forsaking this godly premise of human life.  Though, in accordance with Romans 9:22-23, the populace may enjoy the exploits of those who forego the universal calling from heaven, those who ignore God’s call will themselves simply lack the “everlasting” label on all that they do (no matter how things may look or appear in the meantime).

Observer:

Beyond one-hit advocacy, God has built an incredible and glorifying array of people, places, and things worthy of observation and comment.  For the benefit of the attentive, the true, right, and rich observations of disciples of Jesus add flavor, color, and meat to the bones.  Surely, Jesus sharing even his casual observations added keen insight and bountiful explanation to what would otherwise have been an academic and dry Bible.

“At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else.  Herod wants to kill you.’  He replied, ‘Go tell that fox…”  Luke 13:31-32.

Famously, Jesus was well aware of King Herod, his ways, and his policies.  As an observational matter, Jesus could sum up Herod in one word.  He did not forsake his one-fold advocacy by undertaking efforts to remove Herod from office.  Rather, he just shared the depth of what he noticed to the benefit and enrichment of all.  Across the landscapes of life, Jesus so gave.  He offered his two cents on pain, loss, and heartache, along with his take on joy, gain, and hope.  He paid attention, reached right conclusions, and offered them for the benefit of the interested.  He knew and spoke freely of casts of characters, human history, and human hearts.  He spoke from a depth and a breadth to be emulated by his disciples, and as would be read in the later works and words of John, Peter, and Paul.

This website and the life behind it likewise strive to offer a singularity of advocacy along with a bevy of truthful and enriching observations.  Those previously scratching their heads can now more readily understand the dual roles–advocate and observer–of walking, breathing disciples of Jesus.  In proper measure and context, here you will always receive the benefit of both.

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