The Bible

"I have my own canon, in which I hear God speaking most directly to me, but I also like the parts in which God sounds like an alien, since those parts remind me that God does not belong to me."

from Leaving Church by Barbara Brown Taylor

Thoughts on Church

That’s where we miss the boat. We think it’s about us. It’s not. It’s about the Father. Likewise, we wrongly come to the conclusion that it’s “our” church...The church is not ours; it never was. We’re not owners; we’re only stewards. We will never value the things God values until we give back what is already his.

What would happen if a group of people collectively gathered around the mission of being good news as a way of life. What would be the impact on our community?

The Syrian Refuge Crisis

The proper response to this current global crisis has been on my mind.  My thoughts really came to a head last night during a discussion with Angela.  For every legitimate article I can find talking about the vetting of potential refugees being brought into the United States (Wall Street Journal) (Time), I can find other articles quoting officials from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI saying our vetting procedures are inadequate or unrealistic (NY Post)(Washington Post).  This aside though, personally this really comes down to a Gospel Issue (Gospel Responsibility).  So it therefore is no longer a civil or government responsibility, but  the responsibility of the church to do something about this.  The debate in the secular sphere is irrelevant, aside for the legality and mechanism of getting these people here.  So, now what do we as the church do about it besides post on FaceBook and complain.

Whom Shall I Fear

Read this passage earlier this week.  Seemed appropriate for these times and the commentary on the current state of affairs in America.

12 Do not call conspiracy
    everything this people calls a conspiracy;
do not fear what they fear,
    and do not dread it.
13 13 The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,
    he is the one you are to fear,
    he is the one you are to dread.

(Isaiah 8)

Discipleship

A couple thoughts that have been on my mind and I have been meaning to write down.

• The first is our faith in Christ and our walk with God should cost us something.  This has many ramifications in the life we choose to live and the daily choices we make.  Too often our "American Christianity" is too cheap.  Especially in the south where everyone is a "Christian".  An individual spoke to this in a conversation I overheard the other day about visiting the Pacific Northwest.  He was talking about how it means something up there when you say you are a "Christian", because of the majority of the people are not.  This is unlike the south where everyone "goes to church".  He labeled this being a "legitimate Christian".  I would say we need to legitimize our faith.
• The second is related discipleship and making disciples.  This has been on the forefront of my mind and something I have been looking for as we search for a new church home here in Alabama.  Something I just read in Bandon Hatmaker's book "Barefoot Church" spoke to this.  Actually it speaks to both points.

Following Christ should change our lives.  We should not be the same.  Discipleship is transforming. Yet when we think about our spiritual development, it's easier to see a change in our practices than in our passions.  We continue to add rings to replace things, yet our hearts remain the same.  We seem to think discipleship is an agreement to knowledge instead of a commitment to a gospel that makes all things new.

A Prayer for Humility

A Private Litany of Humility

From the desire of being praised, deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being honored, deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being preferred, deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being approved, deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of comfort and ease, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being criticized, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being passed over, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being lonely, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being hurt, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of suffering, deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, strengthen me with your Spirit.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, teach me your ways.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, help me put my self-importance aside to learn the kind of cooperation with others that makes possible the presence of your Abba’s household.

Amen.

Adapted from a prayer by Rafael,
Cardinal Merry Del Val, 1865–1930

A Key To Happiness

Have heard this before, but good to remember and actually practice.  Maybe I will start this today.

Be Happier at Work and In Life