1Corinthians 9:24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. NLT
I really like what Paul has to say here. Especially the shadowboxing reference. This life of following Christ is real—it is not virtual, not some undoable ideal, not some fantasy island. It is real and it is serious—a Jamaican Rasta once said to me ‘Rastafari is a serious ting, man’—Discipleship with Jesus is a ‘serious ting’.
I run with purpose, I train with purpose, for that high calling.
I want to avoid disqualification from obtaining the prize.
Could it be possible that somehow I (or anyone of us) should become disqualified?
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
JFK
So today it's 45 years since JFK was killed.
I guess I was in 8th grade. Walter Harms and I were the flag guys. We put the stars and stripes up in the morning and took'em down and folded it each afternoon around 2:55.
I was in class when the announcement came that day. Walter and I were told to lower the flag to half-staff (I used to call it half-mast and then was told that only applied to ships and boats) and to leave it that way until we were told differently.
We left school early that day.
The whole thing really made an impact on me as I'm sure it did on all who went through that time.
I guess I was in 8th grade. Walter Harms and I were the flag guys. We put the stars and stripes up in the morning and took'em down and folded it each afternoon around 2:55.
I was in class when the announcement came that day. Walter and I were told to lower the flag to half-staff (I used to call it half-mast and then was told that only applied to ships and boats) and to leave it that way until we were told differently.
We left school early that day.
The whole thing really made an impact on me as I'm sure it did on all who went through that time.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Record Dow drop
For those who are anxious or worried about Wall Street--
This Psalm speaks when the economy dives.
Psalm 121 (New Living Translation) A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
1 I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
5 The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.
7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The thought presented was--
"Well, the original point seems to be that he wants to believe but cannot bring himself to do it. That requires more response from him. I have been meeting a lot of poeple like this and I have read many a quote from men like Ghandi. There is something about Jesus and His teachings that you cannot ignore and pull at you...but there is something about the church and the people within that tends to make it hard to reconcile this amazing figure in the Bible and or less than amazing subculture."
I’m going to try to keep what I am thinking as simple as possible.
I believe that the problem you are talking about here is that the Church tries to do the calling of people into discipleship and it cannot do so. Only Jesus can call people into discipleship “Come and follow me” He said. The Church has the duty of proclaiming the Word and the call of Jesus clearly—which often she fails to do (clearly, that is). The dispensation of grace without any corresponding action of faith in obedience to the call. Bonhoeffer called it ‘cheap grace’—grace without a price, without costs. The Church says—“say this prayer and all will be well”. Jesus says “follow me and learn to die, follow me and I will make you…”.
What was the effect of Jesus call on the early disciples? They got up, left all behind and followed—‘we have left everything” they said to Jesus. The call of Christ demands a response—either yes as in Matthew’s case-he got up and left his table or no as in the case of the one who said ‘first let me go and…’.
"You say you cannot believe? You can't believe as long as you disregard or flee some part of Jesus command to come. First obey the call to come and you will find that faith comes with that first step.
Remember that only the obedient have faith and only those who believe obey. You cannot have faith as long as you will not take that first step. This is NOT a work which creates faith but one is given a situation where one can have faith. The point is to get into such a situation so that faith is true faith which reveals itself as obedience to the call." Bonhoeffer
Hear Jesus’ call—clearly (the responsibility of us preachers) and respond and the way of discipleship begins.
Peace, Jim
"Well, the original point seems to be that he wants to believe but cannot bring himself to do it. That requires more response from him. I have been meeting a lot of poeple like this and I have read many a quote from men like Ghandi. There is something about Jesus and His teachings that you cannot ignore and pull at you...but there is something about the church and the people within that tends to make it hard to reconcile this amazing figure in the Bible and or less than amazing subculture."
I’m going to try to keep what I am thinking as simple as possible.
I believe that the problem you are talking about here is that the Church tries to do the calling of people into discipleship and it cannot do so. Only Jesus can call people into discipleship “Come and follow me” He said. The Church has the duty of proclaiming the Word and the call of Jesus clearly—which often she fails to do (clearly, that is). The dispensation of grace without any corresponding action of faith in obedience to the call. Bonhoeffer called it ‘cheap grace’—grace without a price, without costs. The Church says—“say this prayer and all will be well”. Jesus says “follow me and learn to die, follow me and I will make you…”.
What was the effect of Jesus call on the early disciples? They got up, left all behind and followed—‘we have left everything” they said to Jesus. The call of Christ demands a response—either yes as in Matthew’s case-he got up and left his table or no as in the case of the one who said ‘first let me go and…’.
"You say you cannot believe? You can't believe as long as you disregard or flee some part of Jesus command to come. First obey the call to come and you will find that faith comes with that first step.
Remember that only the obedient have faith and only those who believe obey. You cannot have faith as long as you will not take that first step. This is NOT a work which creates faith but one is given a situation where one can have faith. The point is to get into such a situation so that faith is true faith which reveals itself as obedience to the call." Bonhoeffer
Hear Jesus’ call—clearly (the responsibility of us preachers) and respond and the way of discipleship begins.
Peace, Jim
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Overcoming temptation
John 13 :1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. NLT
As I was reading this some weeks ago I noticed this--
"Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God"
The temptation to think of oneself too highly--the Soul (psuche) exalting itself over the Spirit (pneuma)--is common to man and therefore it would be a temptation the Son of Man would also experience.
What better way to escape temptation than to humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and to take on the role of a slave. Jesus humbled Himself and once again overcame the temptation.
Philippians2:3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. NLT
As I was reading this some weeks ago I noticed this--
"Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God"
The temptation to think of oneself too highly--the Soul (psuche) exalting itself over the Spirit (pneuma)--is common to man and therefore it would be a temptation the Son of Man would also experience.
What better way to escape temptation than to humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and to take on the role of a slave. Jesus humbled Himself and once again overcame the temptation.
Philippians2:3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. NLT
Friday, July 11, 2008
It's called SideB--click for link
A little about myself, what I believe and my choice to follow Christ as a celibate Christian. I purposely do not call myself a gay Christian even tho’ I am same sex attracted. Paul says that ‘if I am in Christ that the old me has passed away and that I have become a new creation in Christ’. I am definitely not ex-gay, just new and different.
Well, in the past I have found myself examining, reexamining and evaluating things in the light of scripture. I see the Leviticus/Deuteronomy verses which are often used to label homosexuality as an abomination, and to bash GLBT people over the head with, as part of the ritual laws which are not in effect today. As a matter of fact I see Jesus doing away with those ritual laws in His dealings with 'sinners’ in the Gospel accounts of His life. The touching of lepers, His defense of His disciples eating ‘corn’ on the Sabbath, healing on the Sabbath, also Peter’s vision of clean and unclean foods and Paul’s rebuke of Peter for trying to revert to Old Covenant legalism in Galatians 2. I find Jesus more concerned with religious people judging others and the attitudes of the disciple's hearts, and divorce than He was with the sins of Sodom which He certainly was aware of. Frankly His silence on that subject seems to be quite important to me in light of the amount of ranting much of the church does on the subject of homosexuality.
My reading, and I emphasize my reading of the New Testament, however, shows me that Christ followers are to abstain from all forms of sex-straight and gay alike-outside of the man/woman marriage (from the beginning) ideal, and that chastity/celibacy is the rule for non-married believers.
Since this is my understanding of the scriptures I live it for myself, only you can decide how to live out what you believe. I guess I have taken the Henri Nouwen approach to my sexuality and have chosen celibacy. Let me add that I have not regretted that decision--I have found great fulfillment and love in my chosen life of celibacy. I do not think that a person's sexual orientation is chosen nor do I believe that it is something which is changeable.
I have read some of the modern theology concerning re-interpretations of the texts in question including:
Well, in the past I have found myself examining, reexamining and evaluating things in the light of scripture. I see the Leviticus/Deuteronomy verses which are often used to label homosexuality as an abomination, and to bash GLBT people over the head with, as part of the ritual laws which are not in effect today. As a matter of fact I see Jesus doing away with those ritual laws in His dealings with 'sinners’ in the Gospel accounts of His life. The touching of lepers, His defense of His disciples eating ‘corn’ on the Sabbath, healing on the Sabbath, also Peter’s vision of clean and unclean foods and Paul’s rebuke of Peter for trying to revert to Old Covenant legalism in Galatians 2. I find Jesus more concerned with religious people judging others and the attitudes of the disciple's hearts, and divorce than He was with the sins of Sodom which He certainly was aware of. Frankly His silence on that subject seems to be quite important to me in light of the amount of ranting much of the church does on the subject of homosexuality.
My reading, and I emphasize my reading of the New Testament, however, shows me that Christ followers are to abstain from all forms of sex-straight and gay alike-outside of the man/woman marriage (from the beginning) ideal, and that chastity/celibacy is the rule for non-married believers.
Since this is my understanding of the scriptures I live it for myself, only you can decide how to live out what you believe. I guess I have taken the Henri Nouwen approach to my sexuality and have chosen celibacy. Let me add that I have not regretted that decision--I have found great fulfillment and love in my chosen life of celibacy. I do not think that a person's sexual orientation is chosen nor do I believe that it is something which is changeable.
I have read some of the modern theology concerning re-interpretations of the texts in question including:
- Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay And Christian In America by Mel White
- Our Tribe: Queer Folks, God, Jesus & the Bible by Nancy Wilson
- New Testament and Homosexuality by Robin Scroggs
- Freedom, Glorious Freedom by John J. McNeill
- Christianity, Social Tolerance and Homosexuality by John Boswell
- What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality by Daniel A. Helminiak
These texts leave me with more questions than they answer and frankly I am not totally convinced that their results conform to long held and accepted biblical hermanuetics. I will not use eisegesical methods to prove my point.
That being said I find that the Church today has been very hateful and untruthful in its approach to my fellow GLBT brothers and sisters. FUD (fear, untruthfulness and deceit) have no place in the church and its approach to the GLBT community. I also know that FUD helps fill the coffers and helps others feel self-righteous and holier than thou which makes for filled pews and big church membership lists. The Christian church needs to be open and welcoming, to all who would come. Jesus said 'whosoever will may come' and who are we to say everyone but you or them or even me. Welcoming does not mean affirming.
Most of the last 10 years of my ministry has been to the forgotten and to the marginalized. I have lived my life as an example of what God can do in a life offered to Him. I have and will minister to all God sends my way with no pressure to live as I do or to force people to change into my image of what is good or godly.
I put no time limit on change. I simply lift up Jesus Christ and allow Him to do the drawing, the changing. The Holy Spirit is more than able to confront and convict others of their need to change, repent, or whatever you want to call it.
As I have said often, Jesus is able to deal with each one of His own and if the servant stands or falls it is up to the Master. Paul admonishes believers in Philippans 2:12-13 "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
I work out my own salvation as God shows me how, I live my life as I see it shown to me through the scriptures. That means to take the Sermon on the Mount very seriously. That includes not judging others in their walk with our Lord, and it most importantly includes loving each and every person I meet as Jesus would love them--touching the 'unclean' (as some might call them), loving the outsider, the hurt, the castaways.
It also means to me that I am to seek justice-love put into action in the social realm-for those who have no voice. I support equal rights for everyone regardless of social status, economic state, marital status, gender identification, etc. I long to see a church which will lift its voice for justice and loving treatment of GLBT folks.
peace Jim
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Lesson From a Message Board
I asked this question recently on a message board--
"Just wondering how often you use stuff from the message board here in your sermons. Or how helpful is the day to day stuff you learn here in your preaching?"
My own answer to my question--
"I find a lot of things here. Mostly about myself which necessarily means it ends up in my preaching. Often the discussions and the points raised cause me to pause and consider and re-consider what has been said.
I have been forced to examine what I believe, I have repented more than once as a result of something I ‘saw’ from this message board.
I am driven to my Bible and I must do as the Bereans did--
Acts 17:11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
I also find that revelation will come as a result of what someone else has said. That the Lord will speak through this message board and drive me to search for the truth of what being a Christ-follower fully means.
Some things are easy to share--the fun of a photograph of four dozen pairs of shoes laid out in symmetry and color coordinated. Other things from here are hard to tell, the pain filled story of someone (Anyone) feeling abandoned and lost because the church has misplaced her Compassion and has taken it out on Anyone.
The hard stories are needful for my people to hear. Now I know that ya’ll probably don’t have any homophobic people in your congregations, but I have. I need to hear and be touched by the hard stories. Jesus demands we tell the hard stories—so the Good News will continue to be good.
Hardly “divulging confessional secrets” except that it is my own confession which I willingly divulge in my preaching. If I can admit that I have been wrong about something the folks will have courage to repent as well.
This message board abounds with wisdomfull things.
I need all the wisdom I can get and I’m gleaning the corners of this field and am being well-fed.
peace"
"Just wondering how often you use stuff from the message board here in your sermons. Or how helpful is the day to day stuff you learn here in your preaching?"
My own answer to my question--
"I find a lot of things here. Mostly about myself which necessarily means it ends up in my preaching. Often the discussions and the points raised cause me to pause and consider and re-consider what has been said.
I have been forced to examine what I believe, I have repented more than once as a result of something I ‘saw’ from this message board.
I am driven to my Bible and I must do as the Bereans did--
Acts 17:11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
I also find that revelation will come as a result of what someone else has said. That the Lord will speak through this message board and drive me to search for the truth of what being a Christ-follower fully means.
Some things are easy to share--the fun of a photograph of four dozen pairs of shoes laid out in symmetry and color coordinated. Other things from here are hard to tell, the pain filled story of someone (Anyone) feeling abandoned and lost because the church has misplaced her Compassion and has taken it out on Anyone.
The hard stories are needful for my people to hear. Now I know that ya’ll probably don’t have any homophobic people in your congregations, but I have. I need to hear and be touched by the hard stories. Jesus demands we tell the hard stories—so the Good News will continue to be good.
Hardly “divulging confessional secrets” except that it is my own confession which I willingly divulge in my preaching. If I can admit that I have been wrong about something the folks will have courage to repent as well.
This message board abounds with wisdomfull things.
I need all the wisdom I can get and I’m gleaning the corners of this field and am being well-fed.
peace"
Friday, June 6, 2008
Reflections from a fishpond
I wrote--"Another one of those spontaneous, in situ revelations.
I have a small goldfish pond in my front yard and I like to spend some time out there watching the fish and dragonflies and other critters who live around that place.
I usually feed the goldfish a few times a week—somehow they seem to know when it is time to eat, I think they feel the vibrations as I walk up to the edge of the pond.
Anyway a few years ago I was feeding the fish and one of them was blind—she/he had cataract looking eyes.
Again anyway, whenever I would sprinkle the fish food into the water the other fish would come around the food and begin eating. The blind fish would also show up but usually never got anywhere near the food even though its mouth would be making all the proper moves in order to eat but it never really connected with dinner. I would watch that fish and be completely filled with pity and compassion for it so I would purposely drop some food right in front of the fish so it would get something to eat.
One day as I was feeding that fish the Lord spoke to me and said ‘Jim, you are just like that poor fish! You expend a lot of energy, go through the motions, your mouth going and going, trying to get something but left on your own you come up empty and hungry. If it weren’t for Me dropping just what you need in front of your blinded eye face you would starve to death.’
Of course He was right. I realized then and now that if the Lord had not provided for me on a daily basis I would be starving and lost and undone. What a loving Father I have, One who provides for all my needs and is the source and provider of my daily bread. Oh the riches of His mercy and His goodness toward me."
Steve said--"Jim, you're right on about us starving if it weren't for the grace of the Lord dumping stuff in our laps.It makes me wonder, though... can't we learn to sense the vibrations of the Master's footsteps and look in the right direction?"
I replied--"Of course we can learn that, actually we must learn that. That’s what discipleship is all about.
Getting to hear and know the sound of the Lord—whether it be the sound of His voice, or His certain sounding footsteps, or His scent in our noses, or even to recognize His shape or His shadow, even we aren’t seeing too clearly. I have friends (the ones I know well) that I can see 100 yards away and I know it’s him or her.
I have to learn--
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, (Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; KJV) because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. NLT
I have to observe Him--
John 15:15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
I have to imitate Him--
Matthew 10:25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master.
I have to be so infused with the learning of Him that ‘it is no longer I that lives but Christ that lives in me’--
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
This prepares me to recognize Him in whatever way He chooses to reveal Himself to me at any one particular time. Often the Lord comes to me in ways which if I did not know Him in some of His own peculiar ways I might miss Him. I might miss His approach."
I have a small goldfish pond in my front yard and I like to spend some time out there watching the fish and dragonflies and other critters who live around that place.
I usually feed the goldfish a few times a week—somehow they seem to know when it is time to eat, I think they feel the vibrations as I walk up to the edge of the pond.
Anyway a few years ago I was feeding the fish and one of them was blind—she/he had cataract looking eyes.
Again anyway, whenever I would sprinkle the fish food into the water the other fish would come around the food and begin eating. The blind fish would also show up but usually never got anywhere near the food even though its mouth would be making all the proper moves in order to eat but it never really connected with dinner. I would watch that fish and be completely filled with pity and compassion for it so I would purposely drop some food right in front of the fish so it would get something to eat.
One day as I was feeding that fish the Lord spoke to me and said ‘Jim, you are just like that poor fish! You expend a lot of energy, go through the motions, your mouth going and going, trying to get something but left on your own you come up empty and hungry. If it weren’t for Me dropping just what you need in front of your blinded eye face you would starve to death.’
Of course He was right. I realized then and now that if the Lord had not provided for me on a daily basis I would be starving and lost and undone. What a loving Father I have, One who provides for all my needs and is the source and provider of my daily bread. Oh the riches of His mercy and His goodness toward me."
Steve said--"Jim, you're right on about us starving if it weren't for the grace of the Lord dumping stuff in our laps.It makes me wonder, though... can't we learn to sense the vibrations of the Master's footsteps and look in the right direction?"
I replied--"Of course we can learn that, actually we must learn that. That’s what discipleship is all about.
Getting to hear and know the sound of the Lord—whether it be the sound of His voice, or His certain sounding footsteps, or His scent in our noses, or even to recognize His shape or His shadow, even we aren’t seeing too clearly. I have friends (the ones I know well) that I can see 100 yards away and I know it’s him or her.
I have to learn--
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, (Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; KJV) because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. NLT
I have to observe Him--
John 15:15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
I have to imitate Him--
Matthew 10:25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master.
I have to be so infused with the learning of Him that ‘it is no longer I that lives but Christ that lives in me’--
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
This prepares me to recognize Him in whatever way He chooses to reveal Himself to me at any one particular time. Often the Lord comes to me in ways which if I did not know Him in some of His own peculiar ways I might miss Him. I might miss His approach."
Remembering June 6th
Remembering June 6th 1968
A voice of faith and reason fell silent.
Bobby we hardly knew ye!
"We can do well in this country. We will have difficult times. We've had difficult times in the past. And we will have difficult times in the future. It is not the end of violence; it is not the end of lawlessness; and it's not the end of disorder. But the vast majority of white people and the vast majority of black people in this country want to live together, want to improve the quality of our life, and want justice for all human beings that abide in our land."
(Interrupted by applause)
"Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world. Let us dedicate ourselves to that, and say a prayer for our country and for our people. Thank you very much."
(Applause)
Robert F. Kennedy - April 4, 1968 on the assassination of Dr ML King
Also remembering June 6, 1944
my Uncle Joe--my Dad's brother,
killed at Normandie on D-Day while liberating Europe
from the Nazi's.
Thanks Uncle Joe
A voice of faith and reason fell silent.
Bobby we hardly knew ye!
"We can do well in this country. We will have difficult times. We've had difficult times in the past. And we will have difficult times in the future. It is not the end of violence; it is not the end of lawlessness; and it's not the end of disorder. But the vast majority of white people and the vast majority of black people in this country want to live together, want to improve the quality of our life, and want justice for all human beings that abide in our land."
(Interrupted by applause)
"Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world. Let us dedicate ourselves to that, and say a prayer for our country and for our people. Thank you very much."
(Applause)
Robert F. Kennedy - April 4, 1968 on the assassination of Dr ML King
Also remembering June 6, 1944
my Uncle Joe--my Dad's brother,
killed at Normandie on D-Day while liberating Europe
from the Nazi's.
Thanks Uncle Joe
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
My rights!!
Some random thoughts--
As Christ-followers what rights are we allowed to keep? I hear a lot of talk about the rights we have—happiness, peace, boundaries, love, self-esteem, and others.
Doesn’t the Gospel teach that when we are in Christ we forfeit our own rights and our own lives as well?
Luke 14:25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. 28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost.
“No one should be surprised that they cannot come to believe so long as, in deliberate disobedience, they flee or reject some aspect of Jesus' commandment (to come). You do not want to subject some sinful passion, an enmity, a hope, your life plans, or your reason to Jesus' commandment? Do not be surprised that you do not receive the Holy Spirit, that you cannot pray, that your prayer for faith remains empty! Instead, go and be reconciled with your sister or brother; let go of the sin which keeps you captive; and you will be able to believe again! If you reject God's commanding word, you will not receive God's gracious word. How would you expect to find community while you intentionally withdraw from it at some point? The disobedient cannot believe; only the obedient believe.”- Dietrich Bonhoeffer - from Discipleship p65-66 Fortress Press
"...it could well prove to be a major turning point in our life if we would ask ourselves if we really do intend to be life students of Jesus. Do we really intend to do and be all of the high things we profess to believe in?” Dallas Willard. Adapted from The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering our Hidden Life in God. Reprinted in The Christian Century, 1998.
Too often we want to get out of this cross carrying business. We protest-
'I have rights! I have the right to stop turning the other cheek, I have the right to be angry, I have the right to go my own way and live my own life.'
We look to be rid of what God has given us to endure—
“Perseverance, translated literally, means: remaining underneath, not throwing off the load, but bearing it. We know much too little in the church today about the peculiar blessing of bearing. Bearing, not shaking off; bearing, but not collapsing either; bearing as Christ bore the cross, remaining underneath, and there beneath it - to find Christ. If God imposes a load; then those who persevere bow their heads and believe that it is good for them to be humbled - remain underneath! For remaining steadfast, remaining strong is meant here too; not weak acquiescence or surrender, not masochism, but growing stronger under the load, as under God's grace, imperturbably preserving the peace of God. God's peace is found with those who persevere.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer - from A Testament to Freedom 291 from A Year with Dietrich Bonhoeffer Carla Barnhill, Ed., HarperSan Francisco, 2005
2 Corinthians 1:5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ… 8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. NLT
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Spring Is In The Air
So spring is here in Tennessee.
The dogwoods are flowering and the redbuds have peaked. I've got some irises ready to open and this is the first year I've had 5 tulips.
Passover and Orthodox Easter are almost here as well.
Once again I'm reminded of deliverance and resurrection.
I thank God and our Father for sending His only Son for us.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
He Is Risen, Indeed
So Christ emerges victoriously from the tomb. He has conquered sin and death and hell!
He is our Champion!
Revelation 1:18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. NLT
Thursday, March 20, 2008
A great day!
It was a beautiful day today here in Tennessee.
I called pastor friend-who is also a best friend-David, and asked him if he wanted to go with me and cut thorns.
I'm fashioning a crown of thorns for the cross on the altar for tomorrow night's service.
We ended up in a hollow with no cars, people, noise.
Just some crows and turkey buzzards flying above us.
Talking about Jesus, a clear blue sky, feeling surrounded by
a 'great cloud of witnesses'.
Sensing the Spirit at work in our lives.
It was a great day!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
A Good Friday Service
Here is a Good Friday service I put together for this year.
It is based on the Stations of the Cross.
Station numbers 1, 6 and 8 will be preached as short 5 minute meditations by myself and 2 other pastor friends of mine.
It will be the first time other pastors have agreed to participate.
Actually it is the first time I've asked.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good Friday Service—2008
Hymn #193 Red Hymnal (Go to Dark Gethsemane)
I. Jesus Condemned To Death
People: Pilate brought Jesus outside and said to the people, "Look at your King!" At this they shouted, "Away with him! Crucify him!" Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified.
John 19:14,15
II. Jesus Is Made To Bear His Cross
People: Jesus was led away, and carrying the Cross by himself, went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, Golgotha.
Reader: With Jesus the soldiers did their jobs well. Weak from the beating He was made to enter the jeering crowd, stumbling along with the heavy timber. As Isaac carried the wood laid on his back so Jesus also carried the method of His sacrifice on his back. His state was divine, yet He did not cling to equality with God but emptied Himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as men are; humbling Himself to accept death, death on a cross.
All: You were led to Calvary, Lord. Carrying the cross by yourself. Yet was the cross only yours, or was it also mine you bore? By your cross, O Jesus, make me strong and able to take up the cross I must bear.
III. Jesus Meets His Mother
People: O mother of my Savior, you stand beside your Son. With love beyond all telling, you share his grief as one. How shall I know your sorrow, your tears beyond compare?
Song: Mary Did You Know?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new;
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know that your Baby Boy Has walked where Angels trod?
When you kiss your Little Baby, you kiss the Face of God!
Oh, Mary, did you know?
Oh, Mary, did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb!
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your Baby Boy Is Heaven's Perfect Lamb?
This sleeping Child you're holding is the Great I Am!
IV. The Cyrenian Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
People: A man named Simon of Cyrene, was coming in from the fields, and they forced him into service to carry the cross.
Reader: Simon, coming into Jerusalem for the Feast was pressed to carry your cross. Did he come to know you, Lord, walking by your side? By your meeting with this Cyrenian, Lord, may we find you in the stranger and in the needy we meet and help along the way. May I be willing, Lord, to bear daily my cross for thee; even Thy cup of grief to share, thou hast borne all for me.
V. A Woman Wipes The Face Of Jesus
People: He who welcomes you welcomes me; and he who welcomes me, welcomes him who sent me.
Reader: As Jesus, bleeding from the wounds from the Thorns on his brow, stumbles as He tries to wipe the blood and filth from His face , a woman steps out from the crowd. Tradition tells us a woman named Veronica kindly washed your face with a towel. She pressed it to your brow, wiping away some of the blood. The parade has never stopped and she is engulfed by the crowd. Such a simple thing! A towel, a cup of water, a loving word, help us value such small things, so great when given in your name. Lord, when those around us suffer and their eyes fill with tears, give us power to listen, comfort and wipe away those tears, so that we too can see the face of Christ in all we do because we do it out of love for you.
VI. Jesus Falls Under The Weight Of His Cross
People: Like water poured out, your strength is gone. Can God fall, a mighty God whose hands uphold all this?
Philippians 2:6-8
Unison reading—Dietrich Bonhoeffer said “When we think we can no longer walk the path with God because it is too difficult. There God’s closeness, God’s faithfulness, God’s strength becomes consolation and help, there only do we really recognize God and the meaning of our Christian life.”
VII. Jesus Speaks To The Women Of Jerusalem
People: A great crowd of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.
Reader: Luke 23:27-31
Reader: Jesus was a good friend to women. It was a characteristic of His ministry that women were treated more fairly than in the surrounding culture. Once again Jesus spoke as an equal to women. He refused to be an object of pity for He was the subject of salvation. He told them “weep not for me but for your children”. The tears of the women were nothing compared with what was yet to come. Yet here on the way to Golgotha they are a symbol of suffering. Lord, keep the grace of this moment, this meeting, alive in our hearts. Keep us concerned for humanity’s children. Amen
VIII. Jesus Is Stripped Of His Garments And Mocked
People: They stripped off his clothes and began to mock him saying: “All hail, king of the Jews!”
Matthew 27:27-31
IX .Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross
People: After carrying his Cross, Jesus came to the Place of the Skull. There they crucified him along with two criminals, one on his right and the other on his left.
Song: When He Was On The Cross…
I'm not on an ego trip, I'm nothing on my own
I make mistakes I often slip, just common flesh and bone
But I'll prove someday, just why I say, I'm of a special kind
For when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.
Chorus: For He knew me yet He loved me
He whose glory makes the heavens shine.
So unworthy of such mercy.
Yet when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.
The look of love was on His face and thorns were on His head
The blood was on His scarlet robe and stained a crimson red
Though His eyes were on the crowd that day, He looked ahead in time
For when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.
Chorus: For He knew me yet He loved me
He whose glory makes the heavens shine.
So unworthy of such mercy.
Yet when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.
X. Jesus Dies On The Cross
Reader: Mark 15:33-41
People: Jesus said, “I thirst!” and they gave him wine. “It is finished !” he cried, and gave up his spirit. Out of this hour will come a new hope for the creation. The cross, the symbol of shame, will become a sign of glory. From these few friends watching this event will grow a great fellowship which will last through the centuries. For our brother Jesus the lonely agony ended on that hill. Let us join with those who watched and prayed. Shall we not stand watching Lord, mourning the sins you bore, rejoicing in the pardon you bestow?
XI. Jesus Is Taken Down From The Cross
Reader: When the soldiers came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers thrust a lance into his side, and blood and water flowed out. The crowd that watched Jesus suffer has dispersed, mostly for fear of the forces of nature that the death of this man has released. Our Lord’s body is hastily taken down from the cross in time for the Sabbath. Resting in the arms of those whom you loved when taken from the cross, you died trusting in your Father’s care. Faithful unto death, O Lord, give us an unfailing trust in God, commend us to your Father’s hands and care.
XII. Jesus Is Placed In The Tomb
People: Joseph of Arimethea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus, and wrapped it in perfumed oils. Then he buried Jesus in a tomb close at hand.
Hymn #194 Red Hymnal (O Sacred Head Now Wounded)
Unison Reading-Luke 1:68-79 excerpts:
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.
He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.
Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us.
He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant—the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham.
We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.
Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide us to the path of peace.
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.
It is based on the Stations of the Cross.
Station numbers 1, 6 and 8 will be preached as short 5 minute meditations by myself and 2 other pastor friends of mine.
It will be the first time other pastors have agreed to participate.
Actually it is the first time I've asked.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good Friday Service—2008
Hymn #193 Red Hymnal (Go to Dark Gethsemane)
I. Jesus Condemned To Death
People: Pilate brought Jesus outside and said to the people, "Look at your King!" At this they shouted, "Away with him! Crucify him!" Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified.
John 19:14,15
II. Jesus Is Made To Bear His Cross
People: Jesus was led away, and carrying the Cross by himself, went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, Golgotha.
Reader: With Jesus the soldiers did their jobs well. Weak from the beating He was made to enter the jeering crowd, stumbling along with the heavy timber. As Isaac carried the wood laid on his back so Jesus also carried the method of His sacrifice on his back. His state was divine, yet He did not cling to equality with God but emptied Himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as men are; humbling Himself to accept death, death on a cross.
All: You were led to Calvary, Lord. Carrying the cross by yourself. Yet was the cross only yours, or was it also mine you bore? By your cross, O Jesus, make me strong and able to take up the cross I must bear.
III. Jesus Meets His Mother
People: O mother of my Savior, you stand beside your Son. With love beyond all telling, you share his grief as one. How shall I know your sorrow, your tears beyond compare?
Song: Mary Did You Know?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new;
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know that your Baby Boy Has walked where Angels trod?
When you kiss your Little Baby, you kiss the Face of God!
Oh, Mary, did you know?
Oh, Mary, did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb!
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your Baby Boy Is Heaven's Perfect Lamb?
This sleeping Child you're holding is the Great I Am!
IV. The Cyrenian Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
People: A man named Simon of Cyrene, was coming in from the fields, and they forced him into service to carry the cross.
Reader: Simon, coming into Jerusalem for the Feast was pressed to carry your cross. Did he come to know you, Lord, walking by your side? By your meeting with this Cyrenian, Lord, may we find you in the stranger and in the needy we meet and help along the way. May I be willing, Lord, to bear daily my cross for thee; even Thy cup of grief to share, thou hast borne all for me.
V. A Woman Wipes The Face Of Jesus
People: He who welcomes you welcomes me; and he who welcomes me, welcomes him who sent me.
Reader: As Jesus, bleeding from the wounds from the Thorns on his brow, stumbles as He tries to wipe the blood and filth from His face , a woman steps out from the crowd. Tradition tells us a woman named Veronica kindly washed your face with a towel. She pressed it to your brow, wiping away some of the blood. The parade has never stopped and she is engulfed by the crowd. Such a simple thing! A towel, a cup of water, a loving word, help us value such small things, so great when given in your name. Lord, when those around us suffer and their eyes fill with tears, give us power to listen, comfort and wipe away those tears, so that we too can see the face of Christ in all we do because we do it out of love for you.
VI. Jesus Falls Under The Weight Of His Cross
People: Like water poured out, your strength is gone. Can God fall, a mighty God whose hands uphold all this?
Philippians 2:6-8
Unison reading—Dietrich Bonhoeffer said “When we think we can no longer walk the path with God because it is too difficult. There God’s closeness, God’s faithfulness, God’s strength becomes consolation and help, there only do we really recognize God and the meaning of our Christian life.”
VII. Jesus Speaks To The Women Of Jerusalem
People: A great crowd of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.
Reader: Luke 23:27-31
Reader: Jesus was a good friend to women. It was a characteristic of His ministry that women were treated more fairly than in the surrounding culture. Once again Jesus spoke as an equal to women. He refused to be an object of pity for He was the subject of salvation. He told them “weep not for me but for your children”. The tears of the women were nothing compared with what was yet to come. Yet here on the way to Golgotha they are a symbol of suffering. Lord, keep the grace of this moment, this meeting, alive in our hearts. Keep us concerned for humanity’s children. Amen
VIII. Jesus Is Stripped Of His Garments And Mocked
People: They stripped off his clothes and began to mock him saying: “All hail, king of the Jews!”
Matthew 27:27-31
IX .Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross
People: After carrying his Cross, Jesus came to the Place of the Skull. There they crucified him along with two criminals, one on his right and the other on his left.
Song: When He Was On The Cross…
I'm not on an ego trip, I'm nothing on my own
I make mistakes I often slip, just common flesh and bone
But I'll prove someday, just why I say, I'm of a special kind
For when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.
Chorus: For He knew me yet He loved me
He whose glory makes the heavens shine.
So unworthy of such mercy.
Yet when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.
The look of love was on His face and thorns were on His head
The blood was on His scarlet robe and stained a crimson red
Though His eyes were on the crowd that day, He looked ahead in time
For when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.
Chorus: For He knew me yet He loved me
He whose glory makes the heavens shine.
So unworthy of such mercy.
Yet when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.
X. Jesus Dies On The Cross
Reader: Mark 15:33-41
People: Jesus said, “I thirst!” and they gave him wine. “It is finished !” he cried, and gave up his spirit. Out of this hour will come a new hope for the creation. The cross, the symbol of shame, will become a sign of glory. From these few friends watching this event will grow a great fellowship which will last through the centuries. For our brother Jesus the lonely agony ended on that hill. Let us join with those who watched and prayed. Shall we not stand watching Lord, mourning the sins you bore, rejoicing in the pardon you bestow?
XI. Jesus Is Taken Down From The Cross
Reader: When the soldiers came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers thrust a lance into his side, and blood and water flowed out. The crowd that watched Jesus suffer has dispersed, mostly for fear of the forces of nature that the death of this man has released. Our Lord’s body is hastily taken down from the cross in time for the Sabbath. Resting in the arms of those whom you loved when taken from the cross, you died trusting in your Father’s care. Faithful unto death, O Lord, give us an unfailing trust in God, commend us to your Father’s hands and care.
XII. Jesus Is Placed In The Tomb
People: Joseph of Arimethea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus, and wrapped it in perfumed oils. Then he buried Jesus in a tomb close at hand.
Hymn #194 Red Hymnal (O Sacred Head Now Wounded)
Unison Reading-Luke 1:68-79 excerpts:
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.
He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.
Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us.
He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant—the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham.
We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.
Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide us to the path of peace.
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
NO SOUP FOR YOU!!
******************************************
Parable of the Great Feast
Luke 14:16 Jesus replied with this story: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ 18 But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 Another said, ‘I now have a wife, so I can’t come.’
21 "The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. 24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’" New Living Translation
It is found in the context of becoming a Christ-follower, in the context of the call to discipleship.
What I find especially interesting albeit disturbing is verse 24--"For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet."
Frankly the excuses given by those who were invited are pretty lame--who buys something without first inspecting it? or who will allow family and/or friends from keeping them from the Kingdom? They basically say to the Lord 'thanks but no thanks'.
I wonder how many people who fill the pews in our churches each time we gather and hear the Word proclaimed and the invitation given to come and follow Christ really have taken this verse into account.
How many invitations by the Spirit of God have been shunned by the hearer. How many times have we told God--'not right now, maybe at a more opportune time'?
Are we guilty of putting Jesus off?
peace
Saturday, February 9, 2008
The Sin of Sodom
Ezekiel 16:48 “As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “neither your sister Sodom nor her daughters have done as you and your daughters have done. 49 Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 50 And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit. NKJV
Isn't it interesting that the LORD defines the sin of Sodom much differently than most churches do today.
Just an observation.
peace
Isn't it interesting that the LORD defines the sin of Sodom much differently than most churches do today.
Just an observation.
peace
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Malachi 3:3
Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered,' Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered,' Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
First Works
"No one who knows today’s church will want to complain that the church doesn’t do anything. No, the church does immeasurably much, and also with much sacrifice and seriousness; but we all do precisely too many second, third, and fourth works, and not the first works. "And exactly because of this, the church is not doing what is crucial.
We celebrate, we represent, we strive for influence, we start a Protestant movement, we do Protestant youth work, we perform charitable service and care, we make propaganda against godlessness -– but do we do the first works which are the basis of absolutely everything?
"Do we love God and our brother with that first, passionate, burning love that risks everything -– except God? "Do we really allow God to be God? Do we leave ourselves and our church to Him completely?
If that were the case, things would have to look different, there would surely be a breakthrough."
[Bonhoeffer’s sermon preached on Reformation Day, November 6, 1932 as quoted in Georg Huntemann’s Dietrich Bonhoeffer: An Evangelical Reassessment (Baker), p. 285].
I'm going to be preaching this idea on Sunday a week at Gum Springs Baptist Church. My text will be from Revelation 2:2-7 and John 6:26-29.
I meet with a group of Baptist preachers/pastors every Monday morning at 9am. They have received me quite warmly and my message of grace/righteousness. At least Brother Winfred has as he asked me to preach a Sunday nite at his church.
We celebrate, we represent, we strive for influence, we start a Protestant movement, we do Protestant youth work, we perform charitable service and care, we make propaganda against godlessness -– but do we do the first works which are the basis of absolutely everything?
"Do we love God and our brother with that first, passionate, burning love that risks everything -– except God? "Do we really allow God to be God? Do we leave ourselves and our church to Him completely?
If that were the case, things would have to look different, there would surely be a breakthrough."
[Bonhoeffer’s sermon preached on Reformation Day, November 6, 1932 as quoted in Georg Huntemann’s Dietrich Bonhoeffer: An Evangelical Reassessment (Baker), p. 285].
I'm going to be preaching this idea on Sunday a week at Gum Springs Baptist Church. My text will be from Revelation 2:2-7 and John 6:26-29.
I meet with a group of Baptist preachers/pastors every Monday morning at 9am. They have received me quite warmly and my message of grace/righteousness. At least Brother Winfred has as he asked me to preach a Sunday nite at his church.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)