Just finished talking about the real world. Had a good discussion with Marcia Lorraine about it, too. Anyway, this morning I read something on another blog that I think ties in quite well.
What do we think about when we hear the word, "Lord"? Typically, it carries negative overtones. Lord Vader...Lord of the Sith...to "'lord' it over someone"...etc. (Excuse my Star Wars jargon!) Anyway, I think at times we do one of two things with Jesus: Either we make him our best friend who is just like us in everyway or we make a strict overseer. I think both are wrong, but have the seeds of truth, as well.
This morning I read a blog that I think combined the two wrong notions, taking their true and valuable points and excluding their negative, wrong, and weak ones. It talked about that "Jesus is Lord" carries with it the notion of "Lord for...." Jesus is Lord and his victory is given to us: So, Jesus' victory over sin carries with it his desire to be Lord over sin for us--to give us victory; his victory over racial barriers (Gal. 3:26-29) is for our victory in this way, etc. Now, this is much beyond a best friend who is in the same predicament we are in, and it is much different from a detached boss who abuses his/her power. This is a Lord who is for his subjects!
Let this notion of what it means to be Lord influence and change the negative thoughts that are something associated with it. Seeing what it means to be lord in this light is part of what it means to live in the real world ;)
Monday, January 30, 2006
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
the real world
I'll post it here again today. If anyone has any thoughts on this, feel free to share them. If not, I'll try to think of something much more profound and meaningful to spur discussion! :)
What is the real world?
Since moving to Johnson City, I have become a little more acquainted with the area: its unique customs, its interesting history—all the things that make Johnson City what it is. Every city and town has certain qualities in a certain combination that make up its personality and identity.
I recently overheard a student sharing about his inevitable return to university after Christmas holidays. He said, “Yeah, I have to go back to the real world.” In other words, “Vacation isn’t the normal world; it’s not the normal pace of life. Hard work and stress and conflict is the real world.” This got me thinking: How do we know what the ‘real world’ really is? Why is stress and conflict the real world? Could the world of stress and conflict, just as easily, be the fake world that we live in?
Some of you are thinking: “Just wait till he’s lived a little longer! He’ll know what the real world is!” And there is some truth to that. But here’s my point: We don’t get to decide what the real world is. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” God wants to give us a new world to live in. Just like Johnson City has its own history and customs, its own struggles and personality, so does God want to show us a world with its own history and traditions; customs and practices; personality and flavor. This is the world of his Kingdom. God is about bringing his Kingdom—a new city, a new world. And if God is doing this, then I think it time we called his Kingdom the real world.
What is the real world?
Since moving to Johnson City, I have become a little more acquainted with the area: its unique customs, its interesting history—all the things that make Johnson City what it is. Every city and town has certain qualities in a certain combination that make up its personality and identity.
I recently overheard a student sharing about his inevitable return to university after Christmas holidays. He said, “Yeah, I have to go back to the real world.” In other words, “Vacation isn’t the normal world; it’s not the normal pace of life. Hard work and stress and conflict is the real world.” This got me thinking: How do we know what the ‘real world’ really is? Why is stress and conflict the real world? Could the world of stress and conflict, just as easily, be the fake world that we live in?
Some of you are thinking: “Just wait till he’s lived a little longer! He’ll know what the real world is!” And there is some truth to that. But here’s my point: We don’t get to decide what the real world is. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” God wants to give us a new world to live in. Just like Johnson City has its own history and customs, its own struggles and personality, so does God want to show us a world with its own history and traditions; customs and practices; personality and flavor. This is the world of his Kingdom. God is about bringing his Kingdom—a new city, a new world. And if God is doing this, then I think it time we called his Kingdom the real world.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Kingdom of God and repentance
Hey friends,
I am curious to hear of any thoughts and comments regarding yesterday's service. This can be a somewhat objective response--relating to style, structure, etc., or it can be more subjective--relating to God's Word confronting our church and our duty to be shaped by it. Even better, we can continue talking about repentance and Kingdom of God. Thoughts? It would be great to hear from some new people! Also, please sign a name to save me the time taken to search through the directory to decipher initials!!! :D
I am curious to hear of any thoughts and comments regarding yesterday's service. This can be a somewhat objective response--relating to style, structure, etc., or it can be more subjective--relating to God's Word confronting our church and our duty to be shaped by it. Even better, we can continue talking about repentance and Kingdom of God. Thoughts? It would be great to hear from some new people! Also, please sign a name to save me the time taken to search through the directory to decipher initials!!! :D
Monday, January 09, 2006
What about preaching?
After considering the "listening" post, I am now going to listen to your thoughts on PREACHING. Does it seem backwards that if listening is so essential and vital to being ministers that preaching is what the Reformation Church is known for? I have some thoughts, but will reserve them until I have listened for a bit. I am anxious to hear from lots of different people on this one.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Listening, Healing, and Ministry
There is no question that we all need affirmation and attention. No question, at all. A little bit of this was highlighted in the quote about welcoming a baby into the world, showing them that they are welcome. Opticalwaveguy stretched the discussion a bit by talking about adults. One of the best ways to "welcome" an adult, to express worth to them is by listening.
Keith Wales said a few weeks ago that listening to people tell their story brings healing. This has fascinated me ever since I heard him say it. Giving people the attention and opportunity needed to speak in meaningful ways, to tell their stories, brings healing. It is thereby ministry.
I have often fallen prey to the desire to "do ministry" rather than **be** a minister. Doing ministry is much easier than being a minister. Doing ministry has start and stop times, goals, dates, "jobs well done" at the end. Being a minister is ongoing and extensive; it requires creativity and availability; it may get no "jobe well done" whatsoever.
The connections between being a minister and listening, I think, cannot be exhausted. May God make us a community of listening people--a community of ministers. Amen. (And thank God for the listeners he has placed in our midst, already!)
Keith Wales said a few weeks ago that listening to people tell their story brings healing. This has fascinated me ever since I heard him say it. Giving people the attention and opportunity needed to speak in meaningful ways, to tell their stories, brings healing. It is thereby ministry.
I have often fallen prey to the desire to "do ministry" rather than **be** a minister. Doing ministry is much easier than being a minister. Doing ministry has start and stop times, goals, dates, "jobs well done" at the end. Being a minister is ongoing and extensive; it requires creativity and availability; it may get no "jobe well done" whatsoever.
The connections between being a minister and listening, I think, cannot be exhausted. May God make us a community of listening people--a community of ministers. Amen. (And thank God for the listeners he has placed in our midst, already!)
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Long time, no post
First, my apologies for being too long between posts. 'A quiet blog is not read,' is a rule of thumb, so I'll have to improve.
This week I am at Asbury Theological Seminary taking a class called, "Emotions, Feelings, and Passion." It is a philosophical and theological exploration of emotions, feelings, and passion and their role in theology. Excellent professor for the class (Larry Wood) which makes it good.
Anyway, I have a question in mind for next week, but until then just some periodic updates and some quotes that I think are worthwhile putting down in cyberspace. Here's the first, a paraphrase from psychologist Frank Lake (any counseling people heard of him?):
"The first lie told to a person about God is when, as a baby, they are not welcomed into the world." I think some simple parallels come to mind when considering welcoming strangers into our worshiping community.
This week I am at Asbury Theological Seminary taking a class called, "Emotions, Feelings, and Passion." It is a philosophical and theological exploration of emotions, feelings, and passion and their role in theology. Excellent professor for the class (Larry Wood) which makes it good.
Anyway, I have a question in mind for next week, but until then just some periodic updates and some quotes that I think are worthwhile putting down in cyberspace. Here's the first, a paraphrase from psychologist Frank Lake (any counseling people heard of him?):
"The first lie told to a person about God is when, as a baby, they are not welcomed into the world." I think some simple parallels come to mind when considering welcoming strangers into our worshiping community.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
