Forgiveness seems like such a cornerstone of our faith, doesn't it? To me, that's one of the most beautiful blessings of being a child of God...unconditional love from pure Love Itself.
You know what I struggle with most of all? Forgiving myself. For some reason, I can forgive and forget with the best of them. I think my husband especially likes this about me. :) But when it comes time to face the crud in my heart, the times I let God down, I have a hard time forgiving myself, all the while begging God to forgive. Why is that? Is this what Nouwen means when he says he doesn't believe he is a forgiven person (pg. 44)? I don't think so, because I fully believe that God isn't holding anything against me. At least I don't want to think so. Then why do I feel guilt long after I've confessed, repented, and changed?
I'm glad God forgives me more easily than I forgive myself.
Friday, March 6, 2009
First Thoughts
At first I thought she was saying, “I forgive you”.
Those weren’t her words. The actual words were something about my cross du jour, and then the comment, “you always look so nice on Sunday mornings”.
No one else would have heard anything about forgiveness. Just a compliment, words thrown out to pass the time while waiting together.
But it seemed like forgiveness to me.
The first time we met, a Sunday afternoon, she had laughed about appearing in slacks. It was just a committee meeting, not Sunday morning worship, but mother would be rolling in her grave had she known her daughter was wearing slacks in church. Then on to another topic, passing time together.
I looked down at my pants suit—a suit I had worn confidently in business meetings, the most expensive outfit I owned—but pants. I had noticed ladies wearing skirts and dresses, but thought that surely a nice pants suit was good enough.
Little things, seeing people, hearing people, these are acts of love. My little rebellion, saying I’ll not join in, was really a way of saying you aren’t important to me. I don’t care enough to join in with what is important to you.
A year later, looking for forgiveness, at first I thought she was saying, “I forgive you” with this casual remark about looking nice on Sunday mornings. I was grateful, and so I said thank you, you are kind.
Or perhaps, on second thought, she was asking me for forgiveness. I didn’t know you when we first met. I realize now that you do care about our church.
Or perhaps, she wasn’t saying anything at all, just a pair of unconnected throw-away comments. But I like to think there was forgiveness.
Those weren’t her words. The actual words were something about my cross du jour, and then the comment, “you always look so nice on Sunday mornings”.
No one else would have heard anything about forgiveness. Just a compliment, words thrown out to pass the time while waiting together.
But it seemed like forgiveness to me.
The first time we met, a Sunday afternoon, she had laughed about appearing in slacks. It was just a committee meeting, not Sunday morning worship, but mother would be rolling in her grave had she known her daughter was wearing slacks in church. Then on to another topic, passing time together.
I looked down at my pants suit—a suit I had worn confidently in business meetings, the most expensive outfit I owned—but pants. I had noticed ladies wearing skirts and dresses, but thought that surely a nice pants suit was good enough.
Little things, seeing people, hearing people, these are acts of love. My little rebellion, saying I’ll not join in, was really a way of saying you aren’t important to me. I don’t care enough to join in with what is important to you.
A year later, looking for forgiveness, at first I thought she was saying, “I forgive you” with this casual remark about looking nice on Sunday mornings. I was grateful, and so I said thank you, you are kind.
Or perhaps, on second thought, she was asking me for forgiveness. I didn’t know you when we first met. I realize now that you do care about our church.
Or perhaps, she wasn’t saying anything at all, just a pair of unconnected throw-away comments. But I like to think there was forgiveness.
Love and Forgiveness
Living in harmony with others is challenging at times. If people would just act the way I think they should, everything would be fine-people would treat me the way I think I should be treated; politicians would vote correctly; other drivers would be courteous; and there would be peace in the world. However, that's not how things work. I live in a world where these things happen sometimes but not all of the time. It's nice when things go my way, but if I expect that every day, I spend a lot of time living with conflict inside that doesn't feel good and can make me think and act out of accordance with how I know God wants me to think and act.
Love and forgiveness come from God. Scripture tells me that when I practice these spiritual principles I am living the way God wants people to live. I have to look honestly at my side of the street and what I need to clean up there, and not look at what the person on the other side of the street needs to clean up. This does not come easily for me. I am judgmental much more of the time than I should be, I procastinate, I'm jealous, unwilling; the list goes on and on. But God loves me and forgives me anyway. He gives me direction. He gives me love and forgiveness when I listen to him. Thank you God.
Love and forgiveness come from God. Scripture tells me that when I practice these spiritual principles I am living the way God wants people to live. I have to look honestly at my side of the street and what I need to clean up there, and not look at what the person on the other side of the street needs to clean up. This does not come easily for me. I am judgmental much more of the time than I should be, I procastinate, I'm jealous, unwilling; the list goes on and on. But God loves me and forgives me anyway. He gives me direction. He gives me love and forgiveness when I listen to him. Thank you God.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Forgiven Forgive
Forgive
So God forgives me. Even though I am Gomer?
And I, Hosea, am to forgive the one ripping my heart out?
fORgive
I love forgiveness when I am forgiven.
I hate forgiveness when I must forgive.
FORgive
As hard as it can be to forgive others...
...I find it much harder to forgive myself.
forGIVE
Forgiveness is a gift.
Pass it on.
Jesus the Person
When I read Tavio’s posting (below), his description of our church as a place where “people believe in you” opened up today’s reading in a new way.
How do we answer the question, “do you believe in Jesus”? Often the answers are about whether Jesus really lived, or whether Jesus was God, or whether Jesus rose from the dead. But what if we ask the question, “do you believe in Jesus in the same way that you believe in a person that you know and interact with daily”?
To believe in a person is to have trust in, have confidence in, have faith in that person. When I believe in a person, I take risks—I give my time and attention, and follow their advice.
I question now my own belief in Jesus. Do I believe in Jesus or do have beliefs about Jesus? What risks do I take out of my confidence in him?
Henri Nouwen writes that we tend to emphasize the distance between Jesus and ourselves (41). I think he wants us to see Jesus as a person.
If we think of Jesus as too big, all-knowing and all-powerful, we don’t expect that all Jesus does, we too may do. We don’t expect to enter his intimate relationship with the Father.
If we think of Jesus as too small, an object, a lamb that is nothing more than a sacrifice, then we won’t recognize him as a person, someone who was obedient. We won’t recognize that following Jesus is also, for us, a life of obedience. We would miss out on so much—to view Jesus in such a small way would fail to recognize the beauty of all that was given to Jesus in this life of obedience.
In thinking of Jesus as too big or too small, we would lose. We would fail to stretch out our arms to God, fail to open our lives, not knowing that all that Jesus does, all that was given to Jesus, is also available for us to receive.
How do we answer the question, “do you believe in Jesus”? Often the answers are about whether Jesus really lived, or whether Jesus was God, or whether Jesus rose from the dead. But what if we ask the question, “do you believe in Jesus in the same way that you believe in a person that you know and interact with daily”?
To believe in a person is to have trust in, have confidence in, have faith in that person. When I believe in a person, I take risks—I give my time and attention, and follow their advice.
I question now my own belief in Jesus. Do I believe in Jesus or do have beliefs about Jesus? What risks do I take out of my confidence in him?
Henri Nouwen writes that we tend to emphasize the distance between Jesus and ourselves (41). I think he wants us to see Jesus as a person.
If we think of Jesus as too big, all-knowing and all-powerful, we don’t expect that all Jesus does, we too may do. We don’t expect to enter his intimate relationship with the Father.
If we think of Jesus as too small, an object, a lamb that is nothing more than a sacrifice, then we won’t recognize him as a person, someone who was obedient. We won’t recognize that following Jesus is also, for us, a life of obedience. We would miss out on so much—to view Jesus in such a small way would fail to recognize the beauty of all that was given to Jesus in this life of obedience.
In thinking of Jesus as too big or too small, we would lose. We would fail to stretch out our arms to God, fail to open our lives, not knowing that all that Jesus does, all that was given to Jesus, is also available for us to receive.
Existence of God
Henri Nouwen's meditations for Tuesday and Wednesday, pose several interesting thoughts relative to the existence of God.
For instance, as we pray are we really speaking to empty space, to our self, or to a loving God? Does God really exist?
In my last semester at college, I had to take a required philosophy course. As an engineer, I saw little use in taking this course and accordingly did not pay much attention to the professor. However, I did perk up when the professor began to talk to us about the ways to deduce that God exists. The only one I remember is "I think; therefore I am." None of these convinced me that God existed.
Today, as I ponder the existence of God, I consider the wonders that God has made, the infinite universe, the structure of an atom, the intricacies of the human mind and body, the beauty of nature, and the miraculous birth of a baby. All of these so overwhelm me in complexity that these alone confirm to my intellect and heart that God exists.
However, it is my spirit that really confirms to me that God is real and does truly exist. My spirit recognizes God's love. The Holy Spirit touches my spirit whenever I am loved, because God is love. I am indeed fortunate to have been loved by my wife, children, grandchildren, parents, family, neighbors, friends, and church members. There is nothing better than being loved by someone else.
Because love exists in a world that naturally wants to drift to the base things of life, it is easy for me to believe that God exists and is exactly who He says He is. Love generally goes against the flow.
At age 12, I asked Jesus to become my Lord and Savior. I knew in my spirit at that moment without any doubt that Jesus existed, loved me, and now lived within me. I have not doubted His existence since.
For instance, as we pray are we really speaking to empty space, to our self, or to a loving God? Does God really exist?
In my last semester at college, I had to take a required philosophy course. As an engineer, I saw little use in taking this course and accordingly did not pay much attention to the professor. However, I did perk up when the professor began to talk to us about the ways to deduce that God exists. The only one I remember is "I think; therefore I am." None of these convinced me that God existed.
Today, as I ponder the existence of God, I consider the wonders that God has made, the infinite universe, the structure of an atom, the intricacies of the human mind and body, the beauty of nature, and the miraculous birth of a baby. All of these so overwhelm me in complexity that these alone confirm to my intellect and heart that God exists.
However, it is my spirit that really confirms to me that God is real and does truly exist. My spirit recognizes God's love. The Holy Spirit touches my spirit whenever I am loved, because God is love. I am indeed fortunate to have been loved by my wife, children, grandchildren, parents, family, neighbors, friends, and church members. There is nothing better than being loved by someone else.
Because love exists in a world that naturally wants to drift to the base things of life, it is easy for me to believe that God exists and is exactly who He says He is. Love generally goes against the flow.
At age 12, I asked Jesus to become my Lord and Savior. I knew in my spirit at that moment without any doubt that Jesus existed, loved me, and now lived within me. I have not doubted His existence since.
Perseverance
As long as I continue to seek God's will for me, and the power to carry that out, my hope is that in the seeking I will do what is right at least some of the time. My character flaws will continue to get in the way, as will life's distractions, but at least if I'm seeking to know what the 'next right thing' is for me to do, I will do that more of the time than I would if I were not seeking that knowledge. These readings are wonderful.
Chip Abernathy
Chip Abernathy
Create and Bless
Guest post from Tavio Hutson:
What I find from today's passage lets me understand that Jesus wants to do great things as his father did.
Jesus is saying that the things that God did- in the beginning and in the Bible stories- is what Jesus is also about.
So he's saying that if he is not doing his father's work, then don't bother to believe in him.
We should be about God's work so we will believe in it and other people will believe in it.
God created life. God blessed. Blessing is about knowing what people need and the difference between what they need and what they want. Somehow you've got to get them to understand that difference. God is always able to know the difference.
God gave people the ability to see, walk, talk, and to hear.
Jesus gave people the ability to see, walk, talk, and to hear. So that's why we believe in him.
It would be cool if people read this and loved it.
I heard a lot of people talk about what Mr. Ken wrote yesterday. What he wrote made people see things and understand what God was up to. It was like a blessing. I'd like to do that like Mr. Ken did.
I like this church. It's where you can create and bless.
And people believe in you.
Tavio Hutson is a seventh grader at Marietta Middle School. He creates and blesses through playing the trumpet and piano, playing football, and through InFusion at MFUMC on Wednesday nights.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Discovering The Sweet Richness Of Life
Today's reading was so refreshing. "Converted persons are where God is, and from that place everything matters: giving water, clothing the naked, working for a new word order, saying a prayer, smiling at a child, reading a book and sleeping in peace. All has become different while all remains the same."
This Lent season has been difficult for me. I said I want to be asking the question, "Is it worth it?", but I have found myself so busy as a pastor, a student, a father, a husband, a friend and all of the other obligations I have in life that I have not taken the time to stop and ask that question. To be honest most of the time I get so wrapped up in my "real life", you know the day to day stuff, that I never get to work on my spiritual life.
Then I read Nouwen saying that to live in God allows life to take on a different dimension. To live in God is to find the true order of things. I am reminded of something I heard Rob Bell say, "Everything is spiritual." In Nouwen's words, "It all matters". I read this passage early this morning and the day already has taken on a sweet richness.
The sandwich I made for my wife this morning is no different then the one I made yesterday, but it is completely different.
The conversation with my colleges I had this morning is no different then the one I had last week but it is completely different.
The phone call I made to a friend minutes ago is like a million I have made in the past, but it is completely different.
There is a sweet richness and a depth in this day knowing that it all matters, and it is all God's. I am thankful.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tell me your prayer story
I am looking for help again!! When do you pray? Is it random or do you have a set time each day?
I confess that I do not pray every day. I want to, but I am apparently not disciplined enough. And I am not comfortable praying with other people. I grew up with prayer being a private thing, so sharing my prayer time with a partner doesn't happen either.
Here's one thing that has helped me. When I am driving by the Church, I will ask myself, "Am I willing to take 10 minutes to stop by the Prayer Room?" Some days the answer is yes, some days no. But on the days that the answer is yes, I have a better day. A happier day. A more fulfilled day. A more peaceful day.
What is your prayer story?
I confess that I do not pray every day. I want to, but I am apparently not disciplined enough. And I am not comfortable praying with other people. I grew up with prayer being a private thing, so sharing my prayer time with a partner doesn't happen either.
Here's one thing that has helped me. When I am driving by the Church, I will ask myself, "Am I willing to take 10 minutes to stop by the Prayer Room?" Some days the answer is yes, some days no. But on the days that the answer is yes, I have a better day. A happier day. A more fulfilled day. A more peaceful day.
What is your prayer story?
A Million Little Conversations
10 minutes a day listening to Jesus?
I can't do it.
I can't do it because it feels wrong.
It feels wrong because it's as if I'm playing God. And God, desperate for my attention and affection, will work with my schedule.
Instead I want to practice the presence of God among the clutter and clatter of everyday life. Not as a recurring event on my calendar. And not as a periodic retreat.
I want to be inconvenienced by God. That keeps me in my place. And let's God be God.
I want a real relationship. One that involves hanging out and talking and listening and playing and doing. One that isn't uncomfortable in silence. One that is honest. One that is a million little things throughout the day.
As I'm inconvenienced each day with my cravings and Lenten commitments, I am reminded of my Lord's eternal presence. I am reminded that my life is about Him, not me.
Prayer is a million little conversations with and without words. Not a single moment in my day.
How do I pray?
I don’t know how to pray.
Okay, that’s not exactly true. I do pray. Every day, really. But often, my prayers feel so rote, so uninspired, and so passionless that I wonder if know what I’m doing. I don’t know exactly how it’s supposed to feel, but this can’t be right.
First off, I think I talk too much. Henri Nouwen says we need to listen to God, even if only for 10 minutes a day. What if I don’t hear anything? What if I’m on the wrong frequency?
I guess effective prayer takes focus, not the easiest thing in a world that prizes multi-tasking. I mean, I text people at work on my blackberry while driving with the other hand on I-75! Maybe all this activity is my problem. Too often, I prioritize my time this way: what I must do at work and at home, what I’d like to do for myself, then a few minutes for God at the end of the day. Trouble is, it’s not working that well either for me or for God, who I imagine would like my undivided attention. So this makes a good challenge for this Lenten season. A few minutes of devotion and prayer time each morning at least until Easter. I’ll let y’all know how it goes.
Charlie
Okay, that’s not exactly true. I do pray. Every day, really. But often, my prayers feel so rote, so uninspired, and so passionless that I wonder if know what I’m doing. I don’t know exactly how it’s supposed to feel, but this can’t be right.
First off, I think I talk too much. Henri Nouwen says we need to listen to God, even if only for 10 minutes a day. What if I don’t hear anything? What if I’m on the wrong frequency?
I guess effective prayer takes focus, not the easiest thing in a world that prizes multi-tasking. I mean, I text people at work on my blackberry while driving with the other hand on I-75! Maybe all this activity is my problem. Too often, I prioritize my time this way: what I must do at work and at home, what I’d like to do for myself, then a few minutes for God at the end of the day. Trouble is, it’s not working that well either for me or for God, who I imagine would like my undivided attention. So this makes a good challenge for this Lenten season. A few minutes of devotion and prayer time each morning at least until Easter. I’ll let y’all know how it goes.
Charlie
Monday, March 2, 2009
I'd rather babble
I've heard it said that the most difficult journey is, on average, 12 inches in length. That distance between head and heart. Why? What's the story with the checks and balances of knowing and believing, or of belief and faith, or logic and trust, or independence and interdependence? The contradiction for me in Tuesday's devotion reading is that the crisis of my prayer life isn't "that our mind may be filled with ideas of God while our heart remains far from him".(p. 34)
In my experience, my mind is the limiting factor to my faith. Lots of times it isn't logical or intellectual to follow in the Way of Christ. A friend said once that first comes belief and then faith. Is that how it works for you?
I like to think that prayer is a way of traveling those desolate 12 inches. Between the heart and the head. Between belief and faith. Between that which you (obviously) are faithful to and in that which you (really, really) believe.
We fall down: we get up.
We fall down: we get up.
I believe it would be a wonderful ten minutes.
Ever Host a Party for Your Enemies?
I think in today's reflection Nouwen wants me to understand a good host receives good gains and a good guest has his/her needs meet. He called this a relationship of "unity." I can buy that. Most people I welcome in my home provide me with fellowship that is fulfilling, life giving and most of the time, fun. I think my guests receive something positive as well- full belly, interesting conversation and I hope a deeper connection to me and my family. I generally feel "unified" after such occasion.
Nouwen then goes and asked me about inviting people I don't know, strangers. I imagine not the kind that are friends of friends. Someone truly unknown. I hesitate with that a bit, but I could see myself opening up my home to someone who needs it. I think about the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Could of done that but I didn't. And certainly only temporary if did. Then he suggests that we, I, should think about inviting enemies into my home. Has anyone out there ever done that?
Has anyone really ever opened their door and said to a known enemy, come on in "mi casa, su casa." Not me, I don't even open my door for Jehovah Witnesses, well that is not true. One day I did, had a 30 minute conversation trying to find similarities in the foundations of our belief systems. Found a few, disagreed on most and then we parted ways with neither of us changing our positions. But overall, an entertaining 30 minutes.
So what does it look like to invite my enemy into my home to honor this "important virtue" of biblical hospitality. What if I find myself in the presence of my enemy? What do I do?
Really, what do I do?... Well, as I reflect for a moment, there is something that is kind of coming to me. I think I could try to have some kind of relationship, start slowly, carefully. I guess I could say "hello." Do you think a "hello" could eventually bring "new life" to me and my enemy? Maybe worth a try. Now all I have to do is find an enemy. Shouldn't be to hard. Then maybe I could throw a party for my friends and enemies. Wanna come?
Nouwen then goes and asked me about inviting people I don't know, strangers. I imagine not the kind that are friends of friends. Someone truly unknown. I hesitate with that a bit, but I could see myself opening up my home to someone who needs it. I think about the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Could of done that but I didn't. And certainly only temporary if did. Then he suggests that we, I, should think about inviting enemies into my home. Has anyone out there ever done that?
Has anyone really ever opened their door and said to a known enemy, come on in "mi casa, su casa." Not me, I don't even open my door for Jehovah Witnesses, well that is not true. One day I did, had a 30 minute conversation trying to find similarities in the foundations of our belief systems. Found a few, disagreed on most and then we parted ways with neither of us changing our positions. But overall, an entertaining 30 minutes.
So what does it look like to invite my enemy into my home to honor this "important virtue" of biblical hospitality. What if I find myself in the presence of my enemy? What do I do?
Really, what do I do?... Well, as I reflect for a moment, there is something that is kind of coming to me. I think I could try to have some kind of relationship, start slowly, carefully. I guess I could say "hello." Do you think a "hello" could eventually bring "new life" to me and my enemy? Maybe worth a try. Now all I have to do is find an enemy. Shouldn't be to hard. Then maybe I could throw a party for my friends and enemies. Wanna come?
Sunday, March 1, 2009
It's You and me, God.
It's so funny to think that committing to a 40 day spiritual/physical sacrifice is challenging. We're supposed to be growing towards the cross, towards God, and ultimately towards that better person God inspires in us.
Sometimes, being committed to a lively, growing church becomes overwhelming. Between acknowledging the Sunday School lesson, "Big Church" (as all the youth still refer to it), the choir's anthem, the hymns, the bible study for small group, the Lenten bible study, my alone time, and discussion with other youth or adults, sometimes it feels as if the rituals surrounding this one-on-One relationship distract from what the true elements of being a Christian are all about.
Today's devotion brings everything back down to the most important element: God.
We often discuss the busyness of our daily schedules and routines. We talk about trying to commit to a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior. Nouwen's devotion today reminds us that if that one-on-One relationship we have with God isn't the center of all the other activities, then we really aren't doing anything but making noise. We can discuss the Bible's quotes on homosexuality, managing money, or divorce; but if that "You and me, God" relationship isn't being built and worked and discussed, then those words are empty shells with good intentions.
So, I think we should set aside the books, CDs, choir practices, sermons, and discussions (for a moment) to evaluate the relationship we have with God. If that relationship hasn't been discussed and worked on recently, then take the time to pray, asking for enlightenment about how you and God relate and how you can make your life about the One and Only God.
Sometimes, being committed to a lively, growing church becomes overwhelming. Between acknowledging the Sunday School lesson, "Big Church" (as all the youth still refer to it), the choir's anthem, the hymns, the bible study for small group, the Lenten bible study, my alone time, and discussion with other youth or adults, sometimes it feels as if the rituals surrounding this one-on-One relationship distract from what the true elements of being a Christian are all about.
Today's devotion brings everything back down to the most important element: God.
We often discuss the busyness of our daily schedules and routines. We talk about trying to commit to a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior. Nouwen's devotion today reminds us that if that one-on-One relationship we have with God isn't the center of all the other activities, then we really aren't doing anything but making noise. We can discuss the Bible's quotes on homosexuality, managing money, or divorce; but if that "You and me, God" relationship isn't being built and worked and discussed, then those words are empty shells with good intentions.
So, I think we should set aside the books, CDs, choir practices, sermons, and discussions (for a moment) to evaluate the relationship we have with God. If that relationship hasn't been discussed and worked on recently, then take the time to pray, asking for enlightenment about how you and God relate and how you can make your life about the One and Only God.
I enjoyed today's reading in Show Me the Way very much. It reminds me that God's will for me is sometimes what I want and sometimes not what I want, but is always what I need. Real growth often seems to come out of the painful times in my life. It comes during happy times too. It's nice when I can step back during those painful times and know that there will be something revealed later that God needed me to learn from the painful experience. Too often, I just bemoan the dificulty and fail to realize that God is there with me, loving me, guiding me and showing me the way. When I pray for knowledge of His will for me, and notice the answers He is giving me, I see how much God loves me and loves the world.
I don't know what God is showing us with the struggling economy and all the pain it is causing so many people. I believe it will drive many people to try harder and harder to rely on themselves, and some will have a measure of success with that; others won't. The fortunate ones will be those who learn to rely more and more heavily on God, through reading the Bible and other spiritual literature, prayer and meditation, and seeking knoweldge of His will and the power to follow that path.
I don't know what God is showing us with the struggling economy and all the pain it is causing so many people. I believe it will drive many people to try harder and harder to rely on themselves, and some will have a measure of success with that; others won't. The fortunate ones will be those who learn to rely more and more heavily on God, through reading the Bible and other spiritual literature, prayer and meditation, and seeking knoweldge of His will and the power to follow that path.
And the second is like it
Henri,
I want to thank you for today’s lesson about the great commandment, the call to love God with all of our heart, strength, soul, and mind.
You warn against dividing attention between God and neighbor, suggesting that there is a tendency to focus on the neighbor, while “trying hard not to forget God” (26). Instead, love of neighbor should flow out of love of God. You suggest that only with a single-minded commitment to God and God alone can we identify our neighbor, serve the neighbor (27).
I like this. Really. This seems much more reasonable than that earlier business suggesting that we need to follow the descending way of Jesus, to become poor with the poor. No need follow the second command, to love the neighbor, until I’ve got down the first command, to love God.
I enjoy my quiet times, just me and God, and I can wait until that love of neighbor flows naturally out of love of God. I don’t mind waiting at all. I’ll enjoy spending more time in scripture, more time in prayer, and more time journaling. I won't mind the extra time reading some devotional classics.
I’m so glad you decided to leave behind that earlier material you wrote suggesting that becoming poor with the poor is the way for us to seek and find God (20).
I never really understood why Jesus said that the second commandment, to love the neighbor, is like the first, to love God (Matthew 22:39). They aren’t at all the same, are they?
Thanks again,
Cyndi
I want to thank you for today’s lesson about the great commandment, the call to love God with all of our heart, strength, soul, and mind.
You warn against dividing attention between God and neighbor, suggesting that there is a tendency to focus on the neighbor, while “trying hard not to forget God” (26). Instead, love of neighbor should flow out of love of God. You suggest that only with a single-minded commitment to God and God alone can we identify our neighbor, serve the neighbor (27).
I like this. Really. This seems much more reasonable than that earlier business suggesting that we need to follow the descending way of Jesus, to become poor with the poor. No need follow the second command, to love the neighbor, until I’ve got down the first command, to love God.
I enjoy my quiet times, just me and God, and I can wait until that love of neighbor flows naturally out of love of God. I don’t mind waiting at all. I’ll enjoy spending more time in scripture, more time in prayer, and more time journaling. I won't mind the extra time reading some devotional classics.
I’m so glad you decided to leave behind that earlier material you wrote suggesting that becoming poor with the poor is the way for us to seek and find God (20).
I never really understood why Jesus said that the second commandment, to love the neighbor, is like the first, to love God (Matthew 22:39). They aren’t at all the same, are they?
Thanks again,
Cyndi
God's will
I have always had a problem with understanding the will of God. I have been in some fellowships who activley seek to know it in full with full direction, and in some fellowships where they don't believe they can know it at all. I believe I'm somewhere in the middle of road in my view. I believe we can know some of God's will in full, while have to simply trust in his soveriegn will in most instances. The repeating theme of God's will , as i have come to understand it, is surrender. And it is with this surrender that I struggle with the most. I believe we are fearful of surrender because we believe that God is going to " get us" for whatever unspoken iniquities lie within, by making us "pay pennance" with some arduous task we are not equipped for.At least that what I struggle with.:) We really have to trust God. We really have to believe that Jesus was sent into the world so that God through him could begin reconciliation with us. Letting go is the hard part, and I'm grateful we serve a Lord who is patient with us.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Caught Between Abundance and Poverty
In today's devotion, Nouwen writes, "To live a spiritual life does not mean that we must leave our families, give up our jobs, or change our ways of working..." (pg. 24)
But in yesterday's devotion Nouwen writes, "We don't mind paying attention to poor people from time to time; but descending to a state of poverty and becoming poor with the poor, that we don't want to do. And that is the way Jesus chose as a way to know God..." (pg. 19-20)
On the one hand, we don't have to give up everything to live spiritually. On the other, becoming poor with the poor is to know God.
Huh?
Levi left everything.
What about his commitments? What about his family? Did he become poor with the poor? Did he have to leave everything to live spiritually? Or was his a unique, individual calling...like a burning bush?
So I'm caught between the abundance I have in Christ and the sacrifice that is the cross.
Should I become poor with the poor? Or should I try to live spiritually without giving up everything?
Nothing we have is ours any way. Right?
Which path do you recommend? Why?
Friday, February 27, 2009
If A=B
Do you remember the transitive property of math? If A=B and B=C, then A=C.
I was pretty stoked about Saturday's Show Me the Way devotion, because it clearly proved a point about ministry that I was trying to make with a couple friends a few weeks ago. The question was, "What is the purpose of ministry?" To me, it was to involve people in the life of the church: others offered it was to bring people to Christ. Let's go to Nouwen (p. 23):
A "The whole purpose of Jesus' ministry is to bring us to the house of the father." (The house of the father is the church, right?)
B "Our lives are destined to become like the life of Jesus."
C Therefore, the whole purpose of our ministry is to bring us to the house of the father.
Life of the Church. Christ. Semantics? No? I came to understand that for some people, church doesn't always mean the same thing as it does to me. Don't get me wrong: I've been disappointed in the church before. As the bride of Christ, I have questioned her vows. As an organization, I have personally contributed to its inefficiency and ineffectiveness. As a clearing house of charity, I have questioned its motives. But I have always embraced the church as our best hope for "living in loving community with God."
One has to be cautious, however, when attempting to develop arguments using the transitive property in such settings. Things are rarely quite as clear cut in matters of faith as they are in math.
The second half of today's devotion offers more insight. "Being in the world without being of the world"( p.24). Right. I get it: don't withdraw from things, people and events around you--be with them--but try to always let your good influence their bad. Watch out or else their bad might to start looking kind of good...yeah, that's not really it, is it?
For the short time I have been in professional ministry, I have come to understand that to be in the ministry, you have to be of the ministry. I thought for a while that being in the ministry was about directing, and managing, and coordinating, and controlling, and supporting, and even sometimes leading the ministry. Be careful: you might get some on you.
I realize now that being in the ministry is about listening to and experiencing things, people, and events "as the rich variety of ways in which God makes his presence known to us":
The life of the church.
Christ.
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