Words from Evelyn Underhill in The Spiritual Life: "Any spiritual view which focuses attention on ourselves, and puts the human creature with its small ideas and adventures in the centre foreground, is dangerous till we recognise its absurdity...We mostly spend those lives conjugating three verbs: to Want, to Have, and to Do. Craving, clutching, and fussing, on the material, political, social, emotional, intellectual--even on the religious--plane, we are kept in perpetual unrest: forgetting that none of these verbs have any ultimate significance, except so far as they are transcended by and included in, the fundamental verb, to Be: and that Being, not wanting, having and doing, is the essence of a spiritual life."
I have encouraged the congregation to work on their spiritual journey which begins by understanding Living in the Presence of an eternal God who is, who was, who will always be. The invitation to become a disciple of Jesus Christ is only the beginning of the journey that last an eternity. Transformation is a process and every process begins with an initial step so to our journey to Christian perfection. The words of Evelyn Underhill that reflects how we are minimalized by the cares of the world help to unpack the call to go as a part of being to make disciples. One cannot be imprisoned by self and reflect the selfless life modeled by Jesus to those we are called to invite.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Am I Guilty
This week I have be wrestling with a question found in my devotional reading originating on a church sign...
"If you were put on trial for being a Christian would you be found guilty?"
I'm a facilitator at the seminary for a ministry formation group that is part of the first year programming. One of the members of my group reflected about the early church and the lived life of some of the early disciples of Jesus Christ. Beginning in the book of Acts we see Stephen martyred and can follow through Church history many more that sacrificed that what we find most treasured...life! But isn't that what Jesus did?
I don't know if I'll ever be asked to sacrifice my life but I do know that I am called to go into the world and make disciples. This command begs the question...where am I to go and when do I do it? I find myself busy with church meetings, dinners, and other related church stuff that there seems to be little time to engage through active presence those that are not in the circle of church participation. I know that the truth of the lived life in Christ can only be shared and embraced by others as we become immersed in societal community (being present outside the walls). This presence provides opportunity to share the gospel through our lived story stripped of the verbiage and church- righteousness that only resonates inside the walls but by becoming vulnerable and revealing authentic journey and the truth of struggle where one finds the assurance of the gospel as life sustaining as well as the never dimming beacon of hope. Where those who do not know Christ have an opportunity to meet me, be exposed to and examine my Christlikeness, and to ask the question that opens the door for an introduction to Jesus Christ.
I've concluded this week that other than my time spent throughout the week at the Y my response to the question is I don't know?
"If you were put on trial for being a Christian would you be found guilty?"
I'm a facilitator at the seminary for a ministry formation group that is part of the first year programming. One of the members of my group reflected about the early church and the lived life of some of the early disciples of Jesus Christ. Beginning in the book of Acts we see Stephen martyred and can follow through Church history many more that sacrificed that what we find most treasured...life! But isn't that what Jesus did?
I don't know if I'll ever be asked to sacrifice my life but I do know that I am called to go into the world and make disciples. This command begs the question...where am I to go and when do I do it? I find myself busy with church meetings, dinners, and other related church stuff that there seems to be little time to engage through active presence those that are not in the circle of church participation. I know that the truth of the lived life in Christ can only be shared and embraced by others as we become immersed in societal community (being present outside the walls). This presence provides opportunity to share the gospel through our lived story stripped of the verbiage and church- righteousness that only resonates inside the walls but by becoming vulnerable and revealing authentic journey and the truth of struggle where one finds the assurance of the gospel as life sustaining as well as the never dimming beacon of hope. Where those who do not know Christ have an opportunity to meet me, be exposed to and examine my Christlikeness, and to ask the question that opens the door for an introduction to Jesus Christ.
I've concluded this week that other than my time spent throughout the week at the Y my response to the question is I don't know?
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Discipleship Today
Teresa of Avila said "Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours and not feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ looks out with compassion on the world. Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which he is to bless people now"
As I reflect on the storm that hit Ohio two weeks ago and the subsequent power outage coupled with the current financial crisis that threatens our economy, I feel many are reeling and wondering what's next. What an opportunity for God's people as we stand in the presence of perfect love that cast out fear. The witness of the lived life in Christ provides hope that transcends the temperament of the day. Where can the voice of the Church be heard above the clamor of fear and despair? I encourage you in a time such as this to a deeper encounter with God through His written Word, prayer, and reflection that will take the pressure off worldly concerns and provide comfort through the assurance of a faithful God whose love abides with us throughout life's trials.
Philippians 4:11b-13 ...for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me...v19 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
...be the voice to share the Good News
As I reflect on the storm that hit Ohio two weeks ago and the subsequent power outage coupled with the current financial crisis that threatens our economy, I feel many are reeling and wondering what's next. What an opportunity for God's people as we stand in the presence of perfect love that cast out fear. The witness of the lived life in Christ provides hope that transcends the temperament of the day. Where can the voice of the Church be heard above the clamor of fear and despair? I encourage you in a time such as this to a deeper encounter with God through His written Word, prayer, and reflection that will take the pressure off worldly concerns and provide comfort through the assurance of a faithful God whose love abides with us throughout life's trials.
Philippians 4:11b-13 ...for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me...v19 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
...be the voice to share the Good News
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