John 20:19-23
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
These verses record what takes place on the Sunday night of the Resurrection. The disciples are confused, afraid, and, apparently, skeptical. Finally they are relieved and joyful as Jesus reveals his identity.
Here are some questions for you:
- What fears do you have?
- How can "seeing" the Lord remove them?
- Do you have the peace that Jesus offers? Why? Why not?
- What does it mean to be sent into the world?
What else is on your mind this week? Any thoughts or feelings you want to express?
41 comments:
Well, our 40 Days of Focus has come to an end. I will have more to say about that later. For now I will say that when I got up this morning I found that my loving wife had given me a nice Easter pre-sunrise surprise. Next to my coffee maker, which was pre-set to provide me hot coffee at 5.30, was a nice angel food cake. So here in a little while I will break my fast from desserts by having a piece of angel food cake for breakfast. Break-fast has a whole new meaning this morning. I love angel food cake, and I love my wife.
Aaahh that was so sweet!!!
That had to be quite a jolt for the disciples. Can you imagine their expressions as they realize whats happening? I wonder what it felt like when they received the Holy Spirit?
I don't understand exactly what this means though "If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
I guess my biggest fear is my loved ones not getting to heaven. But as for other type fears they tend to go away or lose power when I pray and realize God is in control. Then the 'fear' kind of turns into God giving you the strenght to get through whatever it is you have to face and knowing that no matter what happens God is in control. And I think praying for Gods will in any situation takes the sting or dread out of it and turns it into almost an adventure wondering where He is leading you.
Annette
How was your Easter weekend? I thoroughly enjoyed mine. We had a few people over on Friday evening for dinner. Following a good meal and conversation all 8 of us made our way to the church building to participate in the worship activities available. It was really neat. We spent some time in the art room, listening to music and watching Jean paint. The atmosphere in the room, which was candle lit, was very warm and inviting. Following some time in there we made our way to the prayer room where we had a very nice group prayer. This was followed by some time around the communion table, which was located at the front of the building, near the baptistry. It was very moving as we expressed thoughts and feelings about each other, based on our common faith.
I enjoyed this morning’s worship. Our numbers were down from most years, but it felt good to me. Gary did a great job of leading worship (as usual); I really liked the “Amen” song. Wayne did a nice job leading our thoughts at the Table. I hope people understood the sermon. The more I think about it, the more I think that people, simple people, simply people, are the best evidence of the Risen Savior. How else do you explain transformation, peace, and joy? Jesus promised the Spirit, as he was ready to depart this world. The Spirit of the Risen Jesus produces fruit in people. I think the passage in Matthew 16 is very instructive. The people were looking for some kind of miraculous sign, missing the day to day life that Jesus was living. His miracles were selfless acts of service; they were not self-serving, it seems. The main point was not the miracles, the main point was that he was fulfilling the Law and Prophets by the way he was living. Very interesting thought.
This evening we did a modified Tenebrae Service. I thought it was really neat. We met in the classrooms in the old building; there were around 70 in attendance. There were candles, and there was silence. And, of course, during the silence there were various distractions and noises. As a cell phone went off during one of our silent periods, I had a thought. I thought that it served as an example of the way life is here in a fallen world. We try to worship God, but there are constant interruptions and distractions. We just have to persevere and try refocus, looking forward to The Day when all distractions are no longer, things like death, mourning, and pain.
It’s been a good day. Jesus is alive and well, living in heaven, amongst us, and in us.
I’ll have some more things to say later about my weekend, so come back later.
Oh, I need to correct something I said this morning. Rebecca secretly made the angel food cake yesterday. Kedra helped her. Either way it was a very nice, sweet, angelic move. I am a blessed man to have a loving wife and a loving daughter. They are my two favorite females in this world.
I appreciate Annette’s thoughts and questions. Wouldn’t it have been awesome to have been there that evening?
What do you guys think about the “forgiving sins” part? Are there are passages that are similar? Do you think this emphasizes the importance God places on his people and how they communicate his plan for this world? There are some very important things to consider here.
I think concern (fear?) about loved ones being “lost” is very important. This passage is going to be the first of many that we will examine that are going to challenge us to be more active in trying to share Jesus with others.
I found this (slightly excerpted by me) in my email this morning. It is Rubel Shelly’s FAX of Life. It fits very well with what I was saying yesterday.
Easter declares what happened in history; Jesus of Nazareth was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. Easter invites the rest of us into new creation; the same power that raised Jesus heals our brokenness and empowers our righteousness. Easter bears witness to the world; the Spirit's power is free to all who will receive it.
We can argue ourselves blue in the face about the historical event. There will still be people who say, "But all the tests and measures we know deny it." There is no arguing, however, with joy and gentleness, kindness and patience, concern and generosity. Hearts yield to such gentle virtues.
To say it another way, the church is God's embodied apologetic to the world. It announces and models new life.
The world needs to be made whole. By "made whole," I simply mean that all of us want a better life, a sense of genuine peace, and courage to deal with painful realities. We have lots of technology and gadgets. We live longer and are generally healthier. But our hearts yearn for something more than 80 years, the Internet, hip replacements, and TiVo.
We want to be connected with people by mutual respect and concern. We all want to love and be loved. We want an authentically spiritual life. The Bible has a couple of words to describe it. In the Hebrew Bible, it is shalom; in the language of Jesus, it is eternal life.
We celebrated the fact and faith of Easter last Sunday. We told the story of a little band of Jesus' followers who were, as one writer put it, "gathered at the place of impossibility, the tomb." But the Holy Spirit moved, and he was alive again. The world has never been the same.
Now we live the reality of resurrection. Jesus did not triumph over death so the church could have a doctrinal tenet to declare. He defeated death for the sake of the human race in its hopelessness and despair.
With Easter past, you are part of God's purpose to put hope on display. And that is a lifestyle issue, not a single day on a calendar.
The biggest fear I have is not being loved for who I am. This is something I have tried to explain to my parents; which I must say they find strange. They believe that they love and loved me as I am; I argue that they loved me as the person I thought they wanted me to be. This is still something that I work with everyday of my life.
Good morning everyone. The prior post from annonomous strikes a heartfelt chord with me. I think all of us have that fear. I have it myself. That, if I don't do or say this right or forget to do that or don't give it my best effort that I will not be loved for who I am. Esteem based on performance is empty and discouraging and has to do with how we view ourselves. I can tell you that as a parent who loves her children and their families as yours do you, that I fail sometimes to assure them of that all the time. I fall short in so many areas and from time to time let that be the focus of my existance. I get self-absorbed and allow the devil to keep the discouragement from letting my light shine as it needs to.
I think sometimes this comes from our society which rewards good performance and ignores or punnishes less than stellar efforts or ignores the best efforts of those who just didn't or couldn't make it to the top. The truth of it is that none of us are at our best all the time so when we are at a low time we feel and fear that we are unworthy.
Thankfully, we have a Mediator who died for us who fills in the gaps with His grace and mercy. He is with us every second and he knows our downfalls and he rejoices in the triumphs. I read in my devotional about a man in a wheel chair in a dim apartment with apparently thin walls could hear music from next door on a piano and upstairs on another instrument. When a visitor came in to check on him and inquire how he was he said, after striking the metal on his chair 'that is middle C'. Next door is off key and upstairs is the same but 'this is always middle C'. To find our center, our 'middle C', we look to the words of the one who made us. He puts it all into focus. If we trust the opinion of all that is around us, or what we think is the opinion of all that is around us, we would become immobilzed and do little or nothing because it would never be good enough but He is our middle C. He is always the same. He is our center and He lives in us. Take heart. Do not fear. He is with you. He loves you unconditionally as many do. And, no, we will never be good enough here on earth. Our hope is in Heaven where all imperfections will be made perfect and inadaquate here will be adequate there. Do not allow fear and discouragement to take over. We have hope.
Sherron; thank you for your words of wisdom. even when I have not posted; I always enjoy looking for what you have to say. I am not a person that normally would post as anonymous but dealing with this issue I feel it best to do it this way. It goes back to the fear. Again thanks Sherron.
Dear Annonomous, thank you. We are all in this together with Christ. The journey is not always easy but the journey is always better with our Lord. Even the lowest time with Jesus is higher than the best times that the world can offer. God bless you. The sun is shining and the freeze will leave and the flowers will bloom again. Love, Sherron
I took the day off today. I really needed a break. This morning I watched a movie I can’t recommend, but it was a powerful experience: Babel. I’ve read a lot about this movie, and my interest in other cultures made it attractive to me. After it was over I felt like I had been hit in the stomach. God is absent in this movie and so desperately needed. The movie presents a picture of our fallen world and the pain it presents. The most poignant picture is of a young deaf-mute Japanese girl who aches for love and acceptance after her mother commits suicide. How restless our souls are until they find rest in God (Augustine).
I contrast this movie with Facing the Giants which we watched as a family on Saturday night. This movie was easy to watch, fairly entertaining, and temporarily inspirational. It presents a picture of how everything turns out great for a Christian couple: the coach keeps his job, the football team wins, and the barren wife conceives (twice). Is that the way life, even for Christians, really works? Doesn’t seem that way to me.
I think most of us find ourselves somewhere between Babel and Facing the Giants. The world is tough and cruel. Even when we have faith there are still problems. Faith in God does not necessarily mean that we keep our job, the team wins, or the barren conceive. But God works in our situations and lives to redeem and bring about good. See Roman 8:28-39. God will bring good from bad, and, all the while, we are assured that nothing can separate us from his love. What more do we need?
The third interesting element of my present thought is a book: They Like Jesus But Not the Church: Insights from Emerging Generations. I read a fair bit of it today, and I will have much more to say about it later. But for now I will say that this book is going to challenge us to leave our “Giant” (safe, protected) world and enter the “Babel” world, which is what we really need to do. [Of course, the day of Pentecost–the reception of the Spirit–reverses Babel of Genesis 11; think about it.] We don’t enter the world to conform to it, but to become God’s agents and instruments of redemption. Just like Jesus.
[It’s really hard to improve on what Sherron said.]
To anonymous: I think everyone goes through this to some degree, even older folks like me (ha ha). I think we all, at times, strive to be a person that others think we should be (this is not necessarily bad but can be). To me there is always tension between who I am and who I should be. The standard, however, is not what another person thinks but what God wants. The beauty of God’s love is that he accepts us as we are (unconditionally) but urges us to keep moving toward him, changing as we go. Our church must do the same. We must accept one another and gently urge each other to grow in God’s love. Jesus provides us the perfect example of how it works. Grace is a wonderful thing. It is liberating and allows us to grow and change without the pressure of condemnation. Amazing! And unlike the world. This is the message with which we are sent into the world. It really is Good News. [this is the focus of this week’s passage, by the way]
It was great to see several people on Sunday who came home for the weekend. One of them was Landon Y. who is finishing his first year at Purdue. I have always liked Landon, and since he is in the same class as Lester, I have known him since he was a little boy. Landon loves life, and he loves God. He came to me on Sunday with a great deal of excitement about what is going on at Purdue’s campus. He and some of his believing friends have started gathering to pray for unity of all believers (sounds like John 17 to me). Their movement is growing, and he told me of a plan where more and more people will be invited to pray for all those who don’t believe. Landon’s excitement to see the will of God done is so encouraging. I hope we can generate some of that in our congregation as we begin our new study Ancient Future Church. Landon would love you to pray for him and the revival that is going on at Purdue. While you're at it, pray that we can restore some zeal for sharing Jesus with those around us. We have been sent into the world as Jesus was sent by his Father. [Read our passage for the week.]
Greetings all:
I am finally back home for a while and I have missed this blog tremendously!!!!
When I was reading the post so far and the scripture, I thought of all the "fears" in the world and that many have. Is fear different than being afraid? It is great comfort to know that the grace of God is there and that if we can just accept that, our fears should be erased. That seems and is so difficult for many to accept. So many in the world have the fear of not belonging or not being accepted. This is such a basic instinct; all want to be accepted. Reminds me of our dog. We are having some issues with it and the groomer told us that the dogs actions were its attempt to gain acceptance from Rhonna. that it felt that it was not being accepted by her. Funny how a dog has these emotions but it is just like the lost of the world who seek ways to gain acceptance.
we have such a great message to share, we just need to do it.
sounds like landon is on his way and is so often the case, the youth show us the way.
RR
Our subject on fear this week reminded me of the first chapter in II Timothy where Paul is ralating his sufferings for the Gospel of Christ and encouraging Timothy to take courage. An old hymn was taken from the 12th verse, 'for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have commited unto Him against that day'. In verse 13 Paul admonishes Timothy to keep the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. These words gave me great comfort as I prepared for open heart surgery eight years ago. I knew there was nothing to fear, either way I was OK.
Welcome back Ryan we missed you.
Anonymous you are probably loved and accepted more than you know. I understand how you feel for I have felt the same way off and on in various degrees through out my life. I do know that when I am busy loving others and trying to be a good friend to others and forgetting about myself and what I have or don't have (as far as relationships, friendships etc go) then I am a much happier person and I don't feel the void. You actually have a wonderful opportunity to work on becoming the person you want to be (not what others like your parents would like you to be), while not being bogged down by others needs, if that makes sense. There is a time and a season for everything. It takes time to work on yourself to become the person you would like to be and can be.
What I am going to say next will sound like the opposite of the above but really it isn't. Get involved (or more involved if its the case) with your church family. The more you do with fellow lovers of Christ you will see that they will notice the wonderful things about you that your own family doesn't even notice. And what this does is it opens a whole new world and appreciation of life. And your love for God will swell and grow under these conditions. And you will make friends for life with people who will love you for who you are and appreciate you too. I hope that didn't sound sappy, its just a little something from my heart to yours.
Annette
I'm going to chime in on this because--well because in many ways this blog is probably the most consistent christian community I have at this time.
What fears do you have? My biggest fear is that I am in the wrong place, in a place where I am not making a difference and often feel "unfulfilled/unused" or using the gifts God has made available to me to help others.
How can "seeing" the Lord remove them? The way the Lord comes to me and removes this fear is in the random (really not so random) way that people come to me--literally just show up at my office door--and ask me to help with things I've been blessed to learn how to do. Most recently (yesterday, actually) a man walked down the hall as I was trying to get my poetry month poster to stay up outside my office. He walked past and came back and said "who would I talk with around here who really likes poetry." Well, I raised my hand (it sounds frivolous, but wait). Turns out, he works with children 12-18 who are recovering from substance abuse. He provides visual art therapy for them now, but is looking for someone who can work with them through writing and poetry. He asked if I could find the time... That's why I went to school. That's why I pursue what I do--so I can serve others.
Do you have the peace that Jesus offers? This is when peace comes over me--When God shows me that He can--and wants--to use me here, where I am.If I don't have that peace, it's because I forget that He is always working to bring people (or to send me) where I need to be. This is silly, but it's like I don't have God's peace until I can forgive Him for working unseen, behind the scenes. I have to forgive Him for not being touchable and knowable in our worldly way and trust that He is controlling and making beautiful the world for me--if I just stop and let it happen. And I know that it sounds presumptuous to say I have to forgive GOD, but the truth is that I can let resentment build up against Him, if I worry too much, and letting going of that requires forgiveness and humility for my presumption.
What does it mean to be sent into the world? Sent into the World, to me, means being ready to to help with whatever God has givn me to help with--WHOEVER needs my help. It means allowing God to use me in His plan. It means accepting that the world is turning and God is working on His time, not mine, no matter how many clocks I keep at my house.
Wow, Jillena, that’s neat and it’s illustrative of what I think we are all called to do: serve where we are with what we have been given. Every person is a missionary in a sense. We ALL participate in the missio dei – the Mission of God. Using your talents, whatever they are, is a way of serving God.
I am still reading They Like Jesus But Not the Church: Insights from Emerging Generations. The book is written by Dan Kimball. I have read another of his books, The Emerging Church a few years ago. I appreciate his humble tone.
We are intentionally trying to be a “missional church” and have been for the last 2-3 years. Kimball reminds us of what that means.
To be missional is more than just to evangelize. Here are some ways of thinking of this term...
Being missional means that the church sees itself as being missionaries, rather than having a missions department, and that we see ourselves as missionaries right where we are.
Being missional means that we see ourselves as representatives of Jesus “sent” into our communities, and that the church aligns everything it does with missio dei (mission of God).
Being missional means that we see the church not as a place we go only on Sunday, but as something we are throughout the week.
Being missional means that we understand we don’t “bring Jesus” to people but that we realize Jesus is active in culture and we join him in what he is doing.
Being missional means we are very much in the world and engaged in culture but are not conforming to the world.
Being missional means we serve our communities, and that we build relationships with people in them, rather than seeing them as evangelistic targets.
Being missional means being all the more dependent upon Jesus and the Spirit through prayer, the Scriptures, and each other in community.
As if to test my definition of what frightens me....I've found out this afternoon that my job, which is fully funded by a state grant, is in serious jeopardy because of state budget issues. I'd appreciate the prayers of this group--mainly for my own peace, no matter what. Thanks
Let’s all pray for Jillena. Some of you are wondering who she is, no doubt. Jillena and Steve used to live in Mitchell and were very active members/leaders in the Mitchell church. Steve worked at Crane and Jillena, along with Kedra, started our pre-school. Jillena is one of Kedra’s best friends. If you click on her name you can read her profile and go to her blog.
I wonder what this day holds? Yesterday was interesting and busy. I had an unexpected visit from a friend who doesn’t attend our church. We had a good talk about life and ministry for more than an hour. Then I took Gino to the BMV. Here’s something I learned: don’t go to the BMV on a Tuesday after they have been closed for Good Friday, open only a little bit on Saturday, closed on Sunday and Monday. The line stayed out the door the entire time we were there. I asked the women taking care of us when the best time to come is, and she said, “Usually Wednesdays and Thursdays, except when it is the 15th or 30th or 31st of the month.”
A little bad news about the Bronco. Both heads are cracked. The guy who cleaned and inspected them had one there that he will sell to Luke for $5, and now Luke is going to pull one off the donor vehicle (DV). See, it’s come in handy already! Luke had a golf match yesterday, and didn’t get home until almost 8. He immediately went out to the DV and started working. In (related) golf news, Luke had 36 going into the 9th hole at Stone Crest yesterday but ended up with a 10 stroke 9th! Ouch. Trees are bad; very bad.
How ‘bout a little running news? I have been running pretty well. I ran a 15K (9.3 miles) Saturday in ridiculously cold and windy conditions and was pretty happy with my Result, but now I am in a battle with Planter Fasciatus. This is what happens when I run too much on the road, so I think I will get back on the trails for a week or two. I am running the mini-marathon in Louisville, along with Tony, on April 28th.
Still puzzling over verse 23 so I did a little searching...
1) Only God can forgive sins..Mark 2:7
2) Heaven, not the apostles, initiates all binding and loosing, whereas the apostles announce these things Matt 16:19
3)James says (as president of the council) to write to the Gentiles telling them to abstain from ....(James also said that Gentiles need not be circumcised)Acts 15:19-21
After reading all this it seems to me that Jesus is telling them that they have to power to give (with authority) direction to others so that all will get along (Jews and Gentiles) so that they can collectively believe in Jesus.
Am I coming to the wrong conclusion Allen? Your words are better than mine, can you explain it better for me?
Annette
for anonymous-one of my greatest fears is that my children will not understand that I love them unconditionally. I spent so much of their lives correcting them and ,yes, disciplining them that they probably think I don't love them when they are wrong. I can almost guarantee that your parents love you in the same way. I do wish I had spent more time discerning their indivudual talents and personalities and guiding them on their peculiar paths of service. The class on "spiritual gifts" would be great for young parents and their children for this reason. I can understand the idea that grace abounds all the more when God's children sometimes fail, because that's the way I feel about my children when they are on the wrong path. The child that is having spiritual problems is the one that gets most of my attention.
When Billy Graham was asked what he would do if one of his children was homosexual he said "Why I would love that child more ." or something like that. But that's getting off the subject. I was thinking during the Tenebrae service Sunday night when the scripure was read about Jesus' arrest how He stepped forward and met them immediately. Can you imagine what would have happened if He hadn't done that? Obviously , Peter was ready to fight and there would probably have been a great brawl.That's a peacemaker for you.Then the very first thing he said when He appeared to the disciples after His resurrection was "Peace be with you." Just the thought of His control and power over all things gives me great peace.
I got a call from the newspaper today regarding an article that will appear Friday in regard to some letters to the editor about the existence of God. Here are the questions the reporter asked and my answers. I had to do it so quickly; I hope they make sense.
If God created everything, then who created God?
By faith we believe that God exists and has always existed and always will; thus, he was not created. I think it is impossible for finite minds to fully grasp infinity or eternity, so I think it impossible for us to fully comprehend this. God exists outside of time and space, so we cannot think of him as we do ourselves. He created time and space and then chose to enter it, as an act of love, I believe. We can come to know him, but we are limited in our knowledge.
Related to this is the debate about the origin of life. If we take a Darwinian view, then we believe in a “big bang” moment or something similar. This raises the question about the who caused the bang and what went bang and where did it come from? For me it takes less faith to believe in God than in evolution.
Is it OK for Christians or non-believers to question the existence or formation of God?
I think it is fine to question; I encourage it. How else can we learn? The Old Testament character Job fired question after question toward God about many of the issues we struggle with, but ultimately, after God asked Job a few questions of his own, Job took a position humility and trust, which is the essence of faith. Job came to realize that God is far beyond our comprehension but also that God is worthy of complete trust.
Is there any other place, other than the Bible, to find answers to these questions?
I think God reveals himself in two ways: through creation and revelation. It’s hard to view the beauty of nature and the beauty of life in its various forms and not see that there has to be something, someone, beyond us who is responsible. In my view that someone is the God who reveals himself in Scripture. Ultimately he embodies his will for humanity by taking on flesh, showing us, in part, how to live, die, and live again. Fascinating!
Great to see you on here, Jillena!:)
One of my fears is that I won't make a difference, that people closest to me won't see God in my life. I want to live my life for God so that others will glorify Him. I just wonder if I actually do that. I guess, like most fears, it needs to be turned over to God. Then I trust Him to use me the way He sees best.
Kedra
Hi everybody! It was great to come home and see you all! I would like to update you on the movement we are starting at Purdue. To begin with, there are over 30 Christian organizations on Purdue's campus, not including the various denominations that meet every Sunday. There are too many lost limbs wandering around campus. There are eyes, ears, arms, and feet all serving their specific purposes, but there is little interaction among the groups. I, along with other students have felt a need to unite the Body of Christ as one.We have had visions and God has spoken directly to our hearts. So we have thought and prayed for several weeks trying to figure out what God wants, until last Saturday. On Saturday God fulifilled a specific vision by bringing Lawrence County's Campus Life Director,Nick Mullis, up to talk to our small group of guys. Through that meeting, the idea of uniting the Christian Body at Purdue through prayer became our goal. There is a spiritual strength when large groups of Christians are in action with a common purpose: spreading the Good News. Our plan is simple: every night at 9PM Christians pray for two people by name that do not know Christ as Savior and Lord. Then, they each invite one more Christian to pray the next night, and they all continue to invite just one more Christian every night, and they all pray for two people by name every night at 9PM.
On Saturday 6 guys met to pray. Last night was day 4 and over 50 young men and women prayed across campus. That means over 100 students that do not know Christ were prayed for by name. Also there are several people in Lawrence County praying every night at 9PM as well. This is the fifth night. Please pray for us, and if you feel called, pray at 9PM.
Your brother in Christ,
Landon
Wow, Landon, that’s awesome! Sounds like you are working out the prayer of John 17.
I really enjoyed our class tonight. It’s like the Gumpian box of chocolates: different every week; never know what you are going to get.
I saw Oma Mae H. today. She is Carl P.’s sister and was unable to come to the funeral last week. I took her a copy of my notes from the funeral. Oma Mae’s daughter asked me if I could do this, and I was glad to. Oma Mae is nearly 88 and has the most wonderful attitude. I don’t know how many times she said, “I’m so blessed.”
How was the 40 Days of Focus for you? I really enjoyed it. I was absolutely faithful in not eating desserts, but I didn’t quite get everything else done to the same degree. Nevertheless it was a wonderful experience. I was convicted of some things during the time. I realized, specifically, some mistakes I have made in dealing with people, where I have been too direct and was perceived as harsh and uncaring. I am really trying to learn to better communicate what is in my heart in a kinder gentler way. I think my intentions are usually good, but I sometimes fail in communicating that.
What about you?
First on the scripture and maybe I am making this too simple, but when I read that this week and thought about it while running, it seems to me that Jesus is saying to those with him; as God breathed life into him to come to earth, he is breathing life into them to go into the world and to forgive those that crucified him ( you know they had to harbor hatred at this time becuase they wanted an earthly reign and their entire world was shattered at this point)because if they did not forgive them, it would not be possible for them to go into the world and to spread God's word. Maybe I am really off on this but that is what I have gotten from the verses.
Jillena; are you Abby's mom? I will add you to my prayer list. The example you gave of what happened in the hallway I think is a great example of how God open's doors for us and provides us with opportunities. Michelle, I believe a few weeks ago mentioned that at the end of the day she thought of all the opportunities God had laid out for her that day. Allen, just an idea but I think a class or lesson sometime on recognizing God's calling would be great. Personally, I know that I often miss his initial nudging and I am more the 2x4 across the face type of guy.
Landon, great to hear your story and to see God using you up North. You are such a great example to our youth of a Godly young man and an example to all of us as well. ( on a seperate note, tell your dad I may have truck you might be interested in)
Totally off the subject, but since Allen mentioned the Times Mail, I had two comments. First, have any of you noticed how many of the young people featured on Weds night have listed the Bible as their favorite book or that their role model was their minister or youth minister or God/Jesus for that matter. Pretty great. Second, Allen was mentioning the existence of God and the editorials. My comment was a little different in there has been a lot of press there recently about gay marriages and the alternative lifestyle. I know the individual who wrote the letters that Christians seem to use the Bible when they want to and have forgotten tolerance and understanding etc. It has bothered me a lot because it seems he has been attacked by several in their responses. He is actually a very nice guy and good soul although as you can probably detect from his writings, a soul that is wandering at this time. Keep him in your prayers as well.
(Charlie was this long enough for you?)
RR
Good post, Ryan.
A little bit more on the editorial stuff: I cringe when I read some of those letters. Christians and churches really take a hit when some folks write some of that stuff. I just don’t think it is the approach of Jesus. It’s hard to reach people in the world with a finger of condemnation pointing at them. I see quite a different approach from Jesus. He enters into the world, walks with sinners (without sinning) to carefully and lovingly extract them from destructive lifestyles. He was sent into the world for this purpose, and as he was sent so we are sent (see our passage for this week). I don’t think hateful letters and protests at movie theaters is going to do the job. It does something, however; it repulses those who most need the good news. Sad.
As for Allen's question about how did the "40 Days" go. I must say it could have not come at a better time for myself. At the present I going through a very deep valley; that only a little sun light hits at time. Yet during those 40 days it made me focus on pray and service. So far I have continued in both aspects. As I go a little more sun light shines. At the start of the 40 days my prays were mainly for myself; for guidance and strenght to face what was before me; as it went along it grew to include others that were involved to now including others that just need help or just thankfulness for them crossing my path in someway.
I hope I have not bored anyone with this; I am still new and not ready to move on from being just anonymous.
Dear anonymous/RR
Yes, I am Abby's Mom (she said with pride), and Matt's and Rachel's (her smile got bigger).
Thank you for your prayers--and all of you--your comments and prayers kept me from falling into worry, AND the care of my employers over this has been a phenomenal experience of how God works through others to care for us. I found out today that my salary will be covered EVEN if they have to take money out of the food fund! Now, I feel loved :)
Wow Jillena! Congratulations!
Its so exciting to see God working. Your sharing this with us will help many people I believe. Please keep us posted.
Annette
How was your day? I ended up going to Bloomington today to see Leslie B’s mother in Bloomington Hospital. She is at the very end of her life, and I just felt the need to go back today; I went yesterday as well. There is something sacred about family gathered around one is who about to pass from this life. I feel like I am standing on holy ground, surrounded by angels ready to carry the loved one to Abraham's bosom.
While in Bloomington I was able to have lunch with Pat A. We always have good talks about life and ministry. He is doing such a good job at the Indiana Avenue church or “The Avenue,” as they like to call it. That always makes me chuckle for some reason.
I think I just finished Sunday’s sermon. I am going to put it down and not look at it until Saturday. I usually make a few modifications, but usually it is nothing too serious. I think I like this sermon, which usually means others don’t! Seriously. The ones I think aren’t that good are the ones people seem to like the most. Go figure.
I keep thinking about Landon and his zeal for doing God’s work. This is from my sermon for Sunday.
There is an interesting prayer that Jesus prays in the shadow the cross. The prayer is about the first ones that will be sent out. But it’s also about you and me and our role as “sent ones.”
John 17:13-23
"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
The sun has yet to show its face to our part of the world yet; but it is shining in my heart. Even though I am still in a deep valley; I am starting to feel the warmth of God's and his peoples love toward me. I have made an extra effort each day this week to check the blog at least once. Each time I have rejoiced in what I have found. Blessed be God.
Anonymous:
Great to hear this blog gives you support, encouragement and such. I too find it very rewarding to check in through out the day. Each day I check it first thing and then again during lunch. The sense of community I see developed(ing) here is a great form of the "family" that God had planned for us. Thanks again to Allen for being the facilitator in this effort and having the vision to do this. Another example of God's plan as it seems this has filled a void or a need in many people's life.
RR
Very glad to help. I enjoy it also. I enjoy reading everyone’s thoughts, even though I don’t always comment on them. Also, this space allows me to say and teach things that I can’t in other places. It’s a beautiful thing.
What do you think of Friday the 13th???
Isn't it neat Anonymous how God rewards you with peace when you just hang in there. And it will get better and better. Now you can be a witness and share with someone who needs it sometime. Walking with God is one of the most exciting and thrilling experiences of my life. Its never boring, and when I have hung in there like you are doing now, it seems that God grants me my hearts desire. And when that happens its so humbling and the joy your heart feels is so great you can't put it into words. I am so happy for you.
Annette
Funny, I didn't realize it was friday the 13th.
I have never been superstitious myself and I find it hard to believe anyone would be ( and its true some people are). It was fun though when I was a kid to do the bread and butter thing and stuff like that.
Remember the old cartoons that used to have superstitions in them? Thats where I learned most of them, thank goodness my parents weren't superstitious, but my grandmother could come up with a bunch of them. I remember my grandma blaming me and my cousin because the sourkraut (sp) didn't come out right. If you don't know why I'm not going to tell you..ha ha
Annette
I think Friday the 13th has as much poetential for joy or sorrow or disaster as any other day--It is what we make of it. "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them." Because I am focused on words and on those who hear them and after watching the IMUS catastrophe this week on TV and remembering the power of words...Is Jesus saying that he wants the discples to have the full measure of His joy, that His words will contain the full measure of His joy, or that His joy will be accessible to the discples and those who come after through His words?
To answer Jillena, could it be both? God places a great deal of emphasis on remembrance. Remembering words can cause joy and peace and a host of other feelings. I love language also and am intrigued by the power of speech. In the broader context, especially in John 14-16, Jesus encourages the disciples regarding his imminent departure by promising the coming of the “comforter” or “counselor” (paraclete – one who comes along side), which is the Holy Spirit. Part of the role of the comforter is to bring to remembrance the words of Jesus.
John 14:25-27
"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
I am fascinated by the idea of “performative language,” words that cause things to happen. Remembering the words of Jesus causes us to have peace. As the church sent into the world, we have a message which is Good News because of what it does.
Tony and I ran 3 hours today, down in the Martin State Forest. It was a beautiful morning.
Monday is the Boston Marathon. I hope to run it in two years from now. I am actually beginning to see some progress toward qualifying. I still have some work to do, but I am gaining confidence. One of the astronauts in the Space Station is going to run a marathon on a treadmill while orbiting the earth at 5 miles per second. You can about it Here.
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