Yesterday's sermon was a powerful one. Sometimes we need to be reminded of the simple, powerful, transforming, counter-intuitive love of God. The line that stood out the most to me was (paraphrasing), "I have a Father who can help me with any pain and make me whole through it." Powerful. What a perfect and tremendous follow-up to what Melissa shared last week! Didn't Melissa just give us a hands-on example of God's transforming love?
Being somewhat analytical and critical (in a good way, I hope!), I often have a hard time simply accepting something I cannot fully analyze. I sometimes find it hard to experience God's love for me and my love for God because of being analytical. What exactly does it mean for God to love me? What does it mean for me to love God? Of course we all have different experiences of God's love. Some more obvious and tangible than others. For me, yesterday's experience of God's love was to rest--to rest my analysis and critique and exercise some loyalty (or, faith) to the God who has revealed himself as love.
Any other experiences of God's love that come to mind for you?
Monday, January 22, 2007
Monday, January 15, 2007
Melissa's Story
Yesterday, Melissa Coffey shared her story with us. It was a great witness to God and his love for people. If you heard it, did you have any reflections you'd like to share?
Monday, January 08, 2007
Shutting Up for Jesus
To many who suffer in silence, the greatest need is not answers, but the presence of another. They need someone who notices their suffering. I believe that on the cross Jesus exhibited God's willingness to listen to everything we can suffer--isolation, rejection, loss, death, shame, weakness, judgment--the list could go on. By listening (deeply, attentively) to those we live, work, play, study with we are, in a real way, carrying our own cross and showing the work of God.
This morning I came across the phrase in the subject line: Shutting Up for Jesus. I grew up singing "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus!"--something that's good to do! But I have only recently started thinking that if I stand up for God as Jesus did, that perhaps standing up means offering attention; offering a listening ear. This is risky, of course. Sometimes listening to others means hearing things they believe that we don't. Maybe it means hearing false beliefs about God that they hold deeply. The desire in these times is usually to speak--right when the other person is sharing something they deeplybelieve. When I consider the accusations that I have brought to God, he has corrected *some* of them. But even with those, he always listened intently first.
I do notice the irony of *telling* other people about *listening,* just so you know!
This morning I came across the phrase in the subject line: Shutting Up for Jesus. I grew up singing "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus!"--something that's good to do! But I have only recently started thinking that if I stand up for God as Jesus did, that perhaps standing up means offering attention; offering a listening ear. This is risky, of course. Sometimes listening to others means hearing things they believe that we don't. Maybe it means hearing false beliefs about God that they hold deeply. The desire in these times is usually to speak--right when the other person is sharing something they deeplybelieve. When I consider the accusations that I have brought to God, he has corrected *some* of them. But even with those, he always listened intently first.
I do notice the irony of *telling* other people about *listening,* just so you know!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Remix: Story Evangelism
Yesterday I saw "The Pursuit of Happyness." It's a movie about Chris Gardner (played by Will Smith) and his son (played by Smith's real-life son) as they try to endure reality while pursuing a better life. In the movie, Gardner is accepted, against all odds, to a non-paying six month internship at a prestigious brokerage firm. Because of the turmoil of having no steady income, Gardner and his son face eviction, lack of food, etc. I won't say more and spoil the story for you, but it's a very good movie, inspired by the true story of Chris Gardner.
I wonder what inspired the producers to make this movie. I am sure that the ability to make money helped influence their decision, but I also think that it is because they wanted a lot of people to hear Gardner's story of hope. Without making a movie, it's likely that most would never hear Gardner's story. (I doubt I would have). Because Gardner's story can be **good news** for those who need to hear it, making this movie is a form of *evangelism*--it spreads good news. If you are a Christian, your life story is a story of good news. It may not be as flashy as Chris Gardner's story, the ending is still being written, and plot developments are sure to spring up, but maybe those whom God has put in your life don't good news from movies, but your good news. After all, it's almost always the characters that make for a great story...especially if you know them.
I wonder what inspired the producers to make this movie. I am sure that the ability to make money helped influence their decision, but I also think that it is because they wanted a lot of people to hear Gardner's story of hope. Without making a movie, it's likely that most would never hear Gardner's story. (I doubt I would have). Because Gardner's story can be **good news** for those who need to hear it, making this movie is a form of *evangelism*--it spreads good news. If you are a Christian, your life story is a story of good news. It may not be as flashy as Chris Gardner's story, the ending is still being written, and plot developments are sure to spring up, but maybe those whom God has put in your life don't good news from movies, but your good news. After all, it's almost always the characters that make for a great story...especially if you know them.
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