I've been reading NT Wright's Simply Christian. It's an amazing book, although written for those who may be new to Christianity, it contains the insight and fresh angles we expect from Wright.
As I think more about the kingdom of heaven, and what Jesus said many times, "The kingdom of God (heaven) is near (at hand)." I strongly believe that the kingdom of God is not up in the sky or some future event, but is here and now, and we can access it via the Holy Spirit.
The Bible also says our body is a temple. I always thought of that as relating to sin - to use our bodies for good and also to adhere to a healthy lifestyle. That's important, but Wright takes it further and connects it to the kingdom.
In ancient Israel, the temple was God's dwelling place. It was the place where God met with his people and lived among them. As Wright puts it, it was the place "where heaven and earth overlap." A thin place. A drawing back of the curtain.
When we accept the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, our bodies become temples. A place where God meets us and dwells in us and among us. We are God's temples.
I am a place where heaven and earth overlap. An outpost of the kingdom of God. A place where the Lord's Prayer can be fulfilled, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." May it be so.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Amazing Grace
On opening night, a few of us traveled down to Carmel to see the movie Amazing Grace. I thought that the team that led the movie did a great job in the costumes, the settings and creating the story line for the movie.
Why am I posting this ....
William Wilberforce's had this "zeal" in him. He had faith, compassion, and courage to stand up against the crowd and to make a difference. To me, even though he encompassed these three attributes, the one that stands out to me and ties all of them in is the following: PASSION
It got me thinking. What is it that I am truly passionate for and am willing to risk everything for ? What would happen if everyone who attends church caught passion to do X,Y,or Z ? What would happen if local churches grabbed ahold of a passion and would not let go ? What could we accomplish ?
For myself, it is Africa. I have had this burning in my heart for Africa since I went there on a mission trip in 2001. So, my journey over the next few months will be what am I going to do ? How am I going to fuel this passion ? What will this passion cause me to do ?
What is your passion ?
Friday, February 23, 2007
Paths
The 4 Paths I desire to walk:
Christian community:
I thank you for praying for me when I was at Mayo Clinic. I indeed felt power and love. Respond to this blog if I can pray for you.
Becoming like Jesus:
He said something about not trying to be the greatest but becoming servants. Forgive me Rabbi for wanting to be better than.....just help us all serve as you would have us. Help us be servants together!
Intellectual Freedom:
I just finished a book by Karen Armstrong about Muhammad. It was excellent. He was a good man trying to impact his people and society for good and for God. I figured I should go back to the source of their faith just as I have done with my faith by focusing on Jeshua.
Furthering God's Kingdom on earth:
Reading The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama. Perhaps I'll get involved in his run for President. That would be a first and fun.
Christian community:
I thank you for praying for me when I was at Mayo Clinic. I indeed felt power and love. Respond to this blog if I can pray for you.
Becoming like Jesus:
He said something about not trying to be the greatest but becoming servants. Forgive me Rabbi for wanting to be better than.....just help us all serve as you would have us. Help us be servants together!
Intellectual Freedom:
I just finished a book by Karen Armstrong about Muhammad. It was excellent. He was a good man trying to impact his people and society for good and for God. I figured I should go back to the source of their faith just as I have done with my faith by focusing on Jeshua.
Furthering God's Kingdom on earth:
Reading The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama. Perhaps I'll get involved in his run for President. That would be a first and fun.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Evening Thoughts
Tired tonight.
Relaxing and watching the movie Babel with Joy and David.
Work is challenging right now.
It's Ash Wednesday today, but I have no connection to it
because I'm not in a local church.
But I remember the power of the ancient truth and community.
I preach Sunday and that makes me happy.
You must love yourself....even the broken parts.
Just like you love others including their broken parts.
God loves us just as we are.
I've shaved my beard
Just down to a mustache.
It's Rachel's birthday tomorrow
and my baby doll is 19!
May God grant us Peace where we are troubled.
And may God Trouble us enough to keep striving for His will and His kingdom.
Relaxing and watching the movie Babel with Joy and David.
Work is challenging right now.
It's Ash Wednesday today, but I have no connection to it
because I'm not in a local church.
But I remember the power of the ancient truth and community.
I preach Sunday and that makes me happy.
You must love yourself....even the broken parts.
Just like you love others including their broken parts.
God loves us just as we are.
I've shaved my beard
Just down to a mustache.
It's Rachel's birthday tomorrow
and my baby doll is 19!
May God grant us Peace where we are troubled.
And may God Trouble us enough to keep striving for His will and His kingdom.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The Young Woman
So, I'm at Mayo Clinic. I've been coming here since I was 18 for a skin condition called eczema. I'm usually hospitalized and bandaged around the clock. During the last two years my face and arms get real red and burn every day. I came to find out about that. I often feel ashamed of the redness.
Yesterday, as I sat reading in the beautiful Gonda building of the Mayo Clinic, a woman sat down in the seat in front of me. My face was it's usual red, but her face was completely covered with large swollen and wounded patches of red skin. And she was tired from walking...she needed to rest. I don't know what her condition was, but it seemed intense. And then the most amazing thing happened. She noticed that the other woman sitting near us in the wheelchair had a bottle of diet coke laying on the floor in front of her...not able to reach it. The lady asked who the coke belonged to. The woman in the wheelchair said it was hers but that when her husband got back, he would pick it up for her. Then the sick woman with the wounded face gave me a look that said to get up off my butt and pick that coke up for her. I did as I was directed.
The woman with the red face then went to sleep for 15 minutes before her next appointment and then got up to leave. After she left, I wept. You always see someone worse than you when you are here! And in her condition she was concerned about the other person. I cried for her. I cried because God was clearly speaking to me about something.
She is a champion who is on a very long marathon road. Aren't we all.
Yesterday, as I sat reading in the beautiful Gonda building of the Mayo Clinic, a woman sat down in the seat in front of me. My face was it's usual red, but her face was completely covered with large swollen and wounded patches of red skin. And she was tired from walking...she needed to rest. I don't know what her condition was, but it seemed intense. And then the most amazing thing happened. She noticed that the other woman sitting near us in the wheelchair had a bottle of diet coke laying on the floor in front of her...not able to reach it. The lady asked who the coke belonged to. The woman in the wheelchair said it was hers but that when her husband got back, he would pick it up for her. Then the sick woman with the wounded face gave me a look that said to get up off my butt and pick that coke up for her. I did as I was directed.
The woman with the red face then went to sleep for 15 minutes before her next appointment and then got up to leave. After she left, I wept. You always see someone worse than you when you are here! And in her condition she was concerned about the other person. I cried for her. I cried because God was clearly speaking to me about something.
She is a champion who is on a very long marathon road. Aren't we all.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Shalom Church
So, I've decided to start a new church called Shalom Church. We will begin Saturday March 10th. It is taking the place of the cohort. At this point the church will gather once a month just like the cohort and have many of the same characteristics. I've moved it to Saturday nights so some of my old friends from Warren can come be a part. I have no idea what will happen with this. It will be real small. But I must do this...kind of like a mother having a baby.(sorry ladies...I know I have no idea what I'm talking about!)
More details later. Life is an adventure!
Peace to you all.
More details later. Life is an adventure!
Peace to you all.
Friday, February 09, 2007
More Thoughts About A New Church
I write continuing to consider the starting of a new church. First of all, my major work would of course continue to be the Marion DS which I cherish. Secondly, even if I don't start a new church, this experience of thinking it through with some friends is a helpful process, as I am always seeking to clarify the deepest meanings of our reason for being.
My last blog stated that one of our core values in this new church would be 'THE FREEDOM TO THINK.' This is obviously not a core value in many churches and perhaps it shouldn't have to be. But it was important in my last church to a certain extent and would have to be a clearly stated value in a new community. This would probably be one of several core values that the community could discover together.
Now on to what the mission of the church might be. I would like to give an overview now and discuss each in greater detail later.
I see only three components of our life together.
***The first is that we would go about understanding the nature of and living out together of 'CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY.' Now any of us who have been part of churches understand what this is basically about. When I think of Christian community and my churches, I think of names of people who have been my closest brothers and sisters in the faith and on the journey, groups which I've been a part of for growing spiritually,having fun and fellowship, discussing our journey together and learning more about the faith, and all the countless people who have found Hope and Power and Connection to God. I think the one piece that churches always struggle with is how to make sure no one falls through the cracks in staying connected to the community. This would need to be considered carefully up front! Plus, it would be good for those thinking through the idea of a church just what Christian community means to them at this point in their journey. It might involve considering what our 'common religious life and order' might be.
***Our second reason for being would be to assist and encourage each other to keep going on the journey of BECOMING LIKE JESUS...that is becoming more of a servant, a healer, one living out God's will, one reaching out to the outsiders, forgiving folks, etc. This involves consistently examining the life of Jesus and figuring out what that means for our lives.
*** Thirdly, our mission would be the main mission of Jesus which was to PROCLAIM THROUGH OUR LIVES THE GOOD NEWS THAT GOD'S RULE OF LOVE IS AT HAND IN THE WORLD. We do this through our work and all the places out there in which we find ourselves. We may feel called to do some of this together as a community.
................................................................
One final piece for those folks pondering this whole idea is about what the role of THE PASTOR would be. As I ponder this, I think of a book by Donovan called Rediscovering Christianity. He was a missionary priest in Africa reaching out to the Zulu Tribe and at the same time discovering himself what was truly important in the faith and church and what was not. As he left them to take on this work for themselves, he asked them the question of what would be the job description of the person who they were considering doing Donovan's job. They said that person's task would be to SHEPHERD the whole movement and mission of this particular religious people...in a sense to help hold the community and the mission together. I like that understanding.
My last blog stated that one of our core values in this new church would be 'THE FREEDOM TO THINK.' This is obviously not a core value in many churches and perhaps it shouldn't have to be. But it was important in my last church to a certain extent and would have to be a clearly stated value in a new community. This would probably be one of several core values that the community could discover together.
Now on to what the mission of the church might be. I would like to give an overview now and discuss each in greater detail later.
I see only three components of our life together.
***The first is that we would go about understanding the nature of and living out together of 'CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY.' Now any of us who have been part of churches understand what this is basically about. When I think of Christian community and my churches, I think of names of people who have been my closest brothers and sisters in the faith and on the journey, groups which I've been a part of for growing spiritually,having fun and fellowship, discussing our journey together and learning more about the faith, and all the countless people who have found Hope and Power and Connection to God. I think the one piece that churches always struggle with is how to make sure no one falls through the cracks in staying connected to the community. This would need to be considered carefully up front! Plus, it would be good for those thinking through the idea of a church just what Christian community means to them at this point in their journey. It might involve considering what our 'common religious life and order' might be.
***Our second reason for being would be to assist and encourage each other to keep going on the journey of BECOMING LIKE JESUS...that is becoming more of a servant, a healer, one living out God's will, one reaching out to the outsiders, forgiving folks, etc. This involves consistently examining the life of Jesus and figuring out what that means for our lives.
*** Thirdly, our mission would be the main mission of Jesus which was to PROCLAIM THROUGH OUR LIVES THE GOOD NEWS THAT GOD'S RULE OF LOVE IS AT HAND IN THE WORLD. We do this through our work and all the places out there in which we find ourselves. We may feel called to do some of this together as a community.
................................................................
One final piece for those folks pondering this whole idea is about what the role of THE PASTOR would be. As I ponder this, I think of a book by Donovan called Rediscovering Christianity. He was a missionary priest in Africa reaching out to the Zulu Tribe and at the same time discovering himself what was truly important in the faith and church and what was not. As he left them to take on this work for themselves, he asked them the question of what would be the job description of the person who they were considering doing Donovan's job. They said that person's task would be to SHEPHERD the whole movement and mission of this particular religious people...in a sense to help hold the community and the mission together. I like that understanding.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Freedom to Think
I have been considering beginning a new church. As I've pondered what a community might be like, there's certain core values emerging. One of them is that people will have 'the freedom to think.' So, in this community:
* We can discuss scriptures, and at times as present day theologians, challenge or even disagree with what they say.
* We will make the Jesus way the priority of our attention and yet people can share other aspects of their spiritual journey whether it's Buddhism, Native American thought and practice, or how music, literature, movies, or the time they spend on the computer impacts their adventure of becoming the people God desires for them to become.
* We will be able to discuss, struggle with, study, disagree, and pray about such issues and realities like homosexuality.
Dr. William Mayo of the Mayo Clinic once said, "Instruction from teachers and books teaches a man what to think, but the great need is that he should learn how to think." My experience with a number of wonderful young adults is that they are indeed learning how to think, but that they have found out that this is not suppose to happen in the church. So they leave, because in the church, they are told what they must and must not think.
The writings of Brian McLaren gave my wife Joy and I the freedom to think within Christianity...to wrestle with what we believe, what we don't believe, what are the fresh new ways to embrace scripture, the ways we figured out to be most faithfully following the radical rabbi from Nazareth. This permission to think has kept our journey with God alive. I desire to create a community of people who are given that same permission and opportunity.
* We can discuss scriptures, and at times as present day theologians, challenge or even disagree with what they say.
* We will make the Jesus way the priority of our attention and yet people can share other aspects of their spiritual journey whether it's Buddhism, Native American thought and practice, or how music, literature, movies, or the time they spend on the computer impacts their adventure of becoming the people God desires for them to become.
* We will be able to discuss, struggle with, study, disagree, and pray about such issues and realities like homosexuality.
Dr. William Mayo of the Mayo Clinic once said, "Instruction from teachers and books teaches a man what to think, but the great need is that he should learn how to think." My experience with a number of wonderful young adults is that they are indeed learning how to think, but that they have found out that this is not suppose to happen in the church. So they leave, because in the church, they are told what they must and must not think.
The writings of Brian McLaren gave my wife Joy and I the freedom to think within Christianity...to wrestle with what we believe, what we don't believe, what are the fresh new ways to embrace scripture, the ways we figured out to be most faithfully following the radical rabbi from Nazareth. This permission to think has kept our journey with God alive. I desire to create a community of people who are given that same permission and opportunity.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Cohort This Week At LaSuer's
Oubache Cohort meeting this Friday at the LaSuer home
711 W. Buckingham Dr. Marion 46952
6:00pm
Soup with friends.
A safe place to explore beliefs.
An opportunity to share about your journey.
New learning.
A moment to connect with God.
This week we are exploring the idea of starting or not starting a new church.
Need your thoughts!
(Craig is in Rochester. Joy and David will be hosting/leading the time together.)
Shalom!
711 W. Buckingham Dr. Marion 46952
6:00pm
Soup with friends.
A safe place to explore beliefs.
An opportunity to share about your journey.
New learning.
A moment to connect with God.
This week we are exploring the idea of starting or not starting a new church.
Need your thoughts!
(Craig is in Rochester. Joy and David will be hosting/leading the time together.)
Shalom!
Friday, February 02, 2007
I am sitting in a recliner.
I am wearing a wet cotton face mask over my medicated wounded skin to create more wholeness and healing.
I am at peace. My heart and mind and soul are not wounded.
The family was briefly together today. We ate lunch at Applebees. The waiter poured water into our glasses by holding the water container about two feet above the glass while pouring. He said his daughter, named Autumn Day, imitated this action by using a gallon of milk and a glass. Her dad had to clean it up.
Walter Mayer died this week. He could preach like no other and was a true human being.
Josh is coming to Marion to watch the Colts beat the Bears!
I am taking a beloved pastor out of his church Monday night because he is ready to move on. I'm a little scared. But Joy reminds me that it is about the church bringing in and bringing on the kingdom. I think they'll be able to do that with the new pastor.
Know that God loves you. That life is good. That you are making a difference. And that God will make clear to us the paths we are to walk while on Grandmother earth.
I am wearing a wet cotton face mask over my medicated wounded skin to create more wholeness and healing.
I am at peace. My heart and mind and soul are not wounded.
The family was briefly together today. We ate lunch at Applebees. The waiter poured water into our glasses by holding the water container about two feet above the glass while pouring. He said his daughter, named Autumn Day, imitated this action by using a gallon of milk and a glass. Her dad had to clean it up.
Walter Mayer died this week. He could preach like no other and was a true human being.
Josh is coming to Marion to watch the Colts beat the Bears!
I am taking a beloved pastor out of his church Monday night because he is ready to move on. I'm a little scared. But Joy reminds me that it is about the church bringing in and bringing on the kingdom. I think they'll be able to do that with the new pastor.
Know that God loves you. That life is good. That you are making a difference. And that God will make clear to us the paths we are to walk while on Grandmother earth.
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