I love how the Message words Luke 6:32-38: "Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you'd want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that. I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never--I promise--regret it. Live out this God created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind." I have read and re-read this many times in the past few weeks. It helps me remember how I want to live by the grace of God. Thanks for this meandering. As to the election officials, I make it a point to thank them. They are donating their time and I esteem them for it.
re Meeting With God> I've been dabbling with spiritual formation ideas and "disciplines" for the past 20 years. I've been attending a quiet liturgy style service, I'm finally able to walk out when even that is too much. The Love Your Enemies message was followed by a very challenging music piece and I'm feeling so grateful to have shed all the garbage that would have kept me in the chair. Spiritual Formation is worth the effort.
The gospel I hear being taught during this election IS actually Jesus Gospel but without the Jesus. Making disciples requires talking to people. Whether we like them or not. We are made in His image, "hardwired for relationship" as Brene Brown says. The failure of the church is clique making. The success of the Mormon Church is that two year knocking on doors discipline. It's not that we don't love our enemies. We don't like people at all. God loves people. Even the Hitlers. And THAT'S hard to comprehend.
I look forward to reading your Saturday morning meanderings. Each time I
Learn something new.
I love how the Message words Luke 6:32-38: "Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you'd want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that. I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never--I promise--regret it. Live out this God created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind." I have read and re-read this many times in the past few weeks. It helps me remember how I want to live by the grace of God. Thanks for this meandering. As to the election officials, I make it a point to thank them. They are donating their time and I esteem them for it.
re Meeting With God> I've been dabbling with spiritual formation ideas and "disciplines" for the past 20 years. I've been attending a quiet liturgy style service, I'm finally able to walk out when even that is too much. The Love Your Enemies message was followed by a very challenging music piece and I'm feeling so grateful to have shed all the garbage that would have kept me in the chair. Spiritual Formation is worth the effort.
The gospel I hear being taught during this election IS actually Jesus Gospel but without the Jesus. Making disciples requires talking to people. Whether we like them or not. We are made in His image, "hardwired for relationship" as Brene Brown says. The failure of the church is clique making. The success of the Mormon Church is that two year knocking on doors discipline. It's not that we don't love our enemies. We don't like people at all. God loves people. Even the Hitlers. And THAT'S hard to comprehend.