People of the Book

The Advent Lesson today reminds me that we are “people of the book.” We are people who form our collective identity around the greatest story ever told. Becoming a Christian means that our lineage becomes part of the cloud of witnesses who confess Jesus as Lord. I know sometimes that reading the bible can be difficult and intimidating but that is not what it was designed to do. As John reminds us “these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ”! That’s the ultimate purpose of the bible—faith in Jesus Christ.

So let’s just talk:

• Do you find reading the bible a challenge?
• What can the church do to help people better understand the bible?

Reading the bible became part of my life several years ago. I will never forget my sister in law gave me a bible for Christmas and my initial reaction was oh great—she’s trying to push this God thing on me again. It took 10 months for me to open it but when I did I was again reminded who Jesus is ant the love that God has for all of us. It was my best Christmas present ever! Today I am a part of the people of the book.

John went on to write “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” Oh but what a story there is to tell!

The Day of the Lord

This week in our congregation each person was given an Advent devotional. The material in it is from one of my favorite authors/ theologians—C.S. Lewis. The theme is A Grand Miracle—Christ’s coming into the world—truly God is with us in the flesh. Today’s devotion is about The Day of the Lord. There is a lot in the Bible about the day of the Lord. It is a Day of Judgment and Promise.

Our devotional reminds us that Judgment and Promise are the central themes of Advent and the Day of the Lord is any day that salvation takes a significant step forward.



So let’s just talk:

• What does the word judgment mean to you? Is this really something to be concerned about?
• In a world where the common vernacular is “I’m ok—you’re ok” does the day of the Lord hold any weight?
• If there is no judgment—why do we need a promise, let alone a savior?

Some pretty heavy themes in this Advent devotional—but good ones. I don’t know about you but when I stop and really think about it—God becoming human is amazing—God entering into the human race completely and totally is truly amazing grace.

Paying Attention to My Own Knitting

I don’t know why—but this phrase from Eugene Peterson’s The Message has stuck with me this past week. This section of Roman’s is about judgment and Paul reminds us to do just that—pay attention to our own knitting.

For a type a+ personality like me that’s hard. I have high expectations and as my children remind me—sometimes I push too hard and expect too much. The truth is the one I expect the most out of is me and when life doesn’t go my way I can discouraged and disappointed. Know wonder I always loved Frank Sinatra’s “I Did it My Way.” But honestly, I don’t want to do it my way, I want to do it Jesus way, full of love and compassion. So I think I am going to have to learn to knit.

To knit I am going to need several items:

• A good pair of knitting needles and yarn --the right tools and texture will make all the difference
• The use of my hands --items I regularly take for granted until I see someone with no hands
• A pattern, instructions or at least a model --something that helps me learn
• Time—knitting is not an instant gratification pursuit
• And an abundant amount of grace--because I know that there will be times when I will have to almost start all over because of one mistake

These are the resources needed to create works of art that are functional, beautiful and long lasting. The same thing holds true for a life well lived.

So let’s just talk:

• Isn’t that what we all seek really—a well lived life?
• And what does that llok like for you?

                  

Knit one, pearl two, knot one, pearl two oh well I guess I have to start again—knit one, pearl two. Happy Thanksgiving!

A win is a win, right?

A win is a win is a win….right? Or so the Minnesota Vikings say about their nail biting game on Sunday. One missed 44 yard field goal in the last seconds of the game and a Brett Farve who couldn’t even watch ended up gleeful as the Viking won 33-31.

A win is a win—right? I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to live in a society rooted at what it means to “win”-- you know a society based upon competition. You know the phrases:

• “I won—you lost!”
• “We’re winners—you’re losers!”
• “I’m right—you’re wrong!”
• “We’re stronger—you’re weaker!”
• “The bible says this—the bible says that!”
• “I’m really saved—you’re not!”

A win is a win—right? But at whose cost?

All of a sudden a sense of superiority takes hold and good fun turns ugly and someone ends up getting hurt. Ok—I am not bashing sports or good healthy competition but I do wonder how this pervasive message is playing out in life around us.

So let’s just talk:

•  How is this culture of winning influencing our lives?
• What does this say about our culture?
• What does this say about our churches?
• And does God have anything to do with this anyways?

As always I look forward to hearing what you have to say. The older I get the less interested in winning I become and am more interested in playing the game. So let’s just talk!

Are we Spiritual Yet?

The Parade section in the Sunday, October’s 4th paper yesterday posed the question “How Spiritual Are We?” I found the results very interesting.

     • 69% of people believe in God,

     • 77% pray outside of religious services

     • 75% believe that it is a parent’s responsibility to give children a religious upbringing.

Yet, 24% of people say they are “religious, not spiritual” and 45% of people who consider themselves religious do not participate in organized religion. Wow, how the landscape of religious life has changed. There is not an expectation of being a part of a church, there is no longer the fear of God that once dominated religious belief—So what does this mean as we “rethink church”?

Let’s just talk:

     • Are these statistics surprising to you?

     • Does your local community of friends and relatives reflect this information?

     • What does this mean for the local church?

There are people in my own family who say the same things—church just isn’t relevant anymore. They believe in God and are comfortable practicing their faith in their own way. I am really interested in what you think—so let’s just talk!

Reshaping the landscape

Welcome to the Homefront….

I am excited about entering into the world of blogging and discussing real issues! We have a great opportunity to demonstrate what it means to “reason together” in civil discussion. In the last week we have seen a Congress member, a tennis superstar and a music pop icon all be disrespectful—the Good News is that there is a different way. Let’s begin!

One year ago today a shockwave was sent across the globe with the bankruptcy and collapse of Lehman Brothers, a financial giant (or so it seemed) and the greatest financial crisis of our time began. Do you remember the New York Times headlines?

Lehman Files for Bankruptcy; Merrill Is Sold

The article stated that this event would “reshape the landscape of American finance” and it did. Many companies have gone out of business, and millions are unemployed. All you have to do is turn on the television, radio or pick up a newspaper and know that the life is very different for many people.

Let’s ask questions, let’s just talk:

• How did it affect you?

• How has the last year of your life been affected by Wall Street some 12 months later?

• Reshaping of the landscape---what an interesting term, what does your landscape look like now?

• Less cluttered, more cluttered, less hopeful, more hopeful?

We started reading the book of Acts together yesterday at worship….what a story of reshaping the landscape! The world would never be the same…..imagine the headlines on that day when the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples into the streets. What would the headline have read?

What can we learn from these seemingly unconnected events?

So let’s just talk……