Sometimes I think a new person arrives at church having read the Bible a little and thinking he or she might find Jesus there. By that, I mean that he or she will expereince the stuff that Jesus did--there will be evidence of healing , hope, transformation. I have to ask if that's really an unrealistic expectation. I don't think it is. Christian community should expose the reality of the Jesus life. In fact maybe that's what the Bible means when it says "where two or three are gathered in my name, there I will be also."
The historic church spoke of the ministry of presence or incarnational ministry. The heart of Jesus is ours to unveil. No one of us holds it all, but together the goodness of Jesus can be experienced and in a unique way.
That's why wherever Godspotters meet, Jesus is there!
Lou
Saturday, October 02, 2004
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
powers
We like to accuse people of being evil, when evil is more often found in the complicated interactions of the people and the systems in which we live. That is not to say that people are not responsible for participating in evil, but that some evil that flows out of our actions is unknown to us or not intended.
In science it is said that "for every action there is an equal an opposite reaction." In human interaction it seems that for every word or action there are a complicated set of reactions--rational, emotional, physical--that are often decidedly greater in power and intensity than the original action. In fact, these same responses sometimes come when there is too much inaction.
I wonder if the opposite is also true. What implication does one word of truth have, one humble confession, one merciful act? Could it be that within the complicated system of human relationships that these could actually matter to a degree much greater than what may seem reasonable?
Could it be that a cup of cold water offered in Jesus name could make a world of difference and challenge the powers of the systems bind us?
Lou
In science it is said that "for every action there is an equal an opposite reaction." In human interaction it seems that for every word or action there are a complicated set of reactions--rational, emotional, physical--that are often decidedly greater in power and intensity than the original action. In fact, these same responses sometimes come when there is too much inaction.
I wonder if the opposite is also true. What implication does one word of truth have, one humble confession, one merciful act? Could it be that within the complicated system of human relationships that these could actually matter to a degree much greater than what may seem reasonable?
Could it be that a cup of cold water offered in Jesus name could make a world of difference and challenge the powers of the systems bind us?
Lou
Saturday, July 03, 2004
transitions
Have you ever been through a major transition?
It seems to me that transition can be a time of great chaos in our life. One thing changes, and it makes us feel like everything is up for grabs. What are the words of that old song--"In a world that is constantly changing, how can I be sure?"
Why is it so important to be sure? Being sure can be a sign of confidence or arrogance--niether of which is a very appreciated attitude in the kingdom of God. A contrite (humble) heart is one that comes before God not with sureness, but seeking assurance. We are like children who cannot see the whole picture, nor do we need to. We just reach up for Daddy's (or Mama's) hand and hold tightly, knowing that in the hand of one stronger than us we will be OK.
So when transitions come and chaos is strong. Don't talk down, reach up?
Lou
P.S. Please post comments. We want to hear from you!
It seems to me that transition can be a time of great chaos in our life. One thing changes, and it makes us feel like everything is up for grabs. What are the words of that old song--"In a world that is constantly changing, how can I be sure?"
Why is it so important to be sure? Being sure can be a sign of confidence or arrogance--niether of which is a very appreciated attitude in the kingdom of God. A contrite (humble) heart is one that comes before God not with sureness, but seeking assurance. We are like children who cannot see the whole picture, nor do we need to. We just reach up for Daddy's (or Mama's) hand and hold tightly, knowing that in the hand of one stronger than us we will be OK.
So when transitions come and chaos is strong. Don't talk down, reach up?
Lou
P.S. Please post comments. We want to hear from you!
God Spotted in Traverse City
Hey God-spotters,
How did the rest of you experience our first God-spotting event? Weigh in? We need to know. I have pictures. Check'em out!
I learned one thing for sure at our first God-spot, and that is that a picture is worth a thousand words, but a picture you can touch, hear, smell, taste and feel is worth infinitely more. Isn't that true of our God, too? After all the years of God being carried around in a box by the Israelites he exploded into the planet in the body of a little baby we could touch, hear, smell, taste and feel. The story was written in a book (Bible) so that we could figure out ways that other people could touch, hear, smell, taste, and feel our God too.
So that's exactly what we intend to do.
Lou
How did the rest of you experience our first God-spotting event? Weigh in? We need to know. I have pictures. Check'em out!
I learned one thing for sure at our first God-spot, and that is that a picture is worth a thousand words, but a picture you can touch, hear, smell, taste and feel is worth infinitely more. Isn't that true of our God, too? After all the years of God being carried around in a box by the Israelites he exploded into the planet in the body of a little baby we could touch, hear, smell, taste and feel. The story was written in a book (Bible) so that we could figure out ways that other people could touch, hear, smell, taste, and feel our God too.
So that's exactly what we intend to do.
Lou
Saturday, June 26, 2004
For what will we be looking?
Tomorrow we make our first pilgrimage to see if we can spot God. The land of tradition has been a little bit over the top lately. Maybe a fresh experience of God will be just what the doctor ordered--fresh wind, mighty spirit--that's my hope, my greatest desire. I want to know You...more, God!
Lou
Lou
Friday, June 18, 2004
sleepless in Traverse City
A delightful thing happened today. I celebrated my 21st anniversary. It marks another interesting milestone. My age is exactly double the years I have been married for the only time in my life. From now on I will have been married to my wife (and she to me) longer than I was without her as my wife. It is a wonderful gift to intertwine two lives like that.
Then, I realized I have known God as long as I can remember, which is about age 4. Every year that is a longer time. But think how long God has know me. I am told that God knew me before I was born and loved me with an everlasting love. Now, I am spending a life time discovering (getting to know) a God who made me, knew me, loved me before my memory even began and promised to be my God before the world was born. It's hard to get truly depressed when you know that.
Even the darkest nights are conquered by sunrise. New every morning are God's mercies. So, I guess I will go to bed now. It won't feel like nearly as long a wait for the dawn if I'm asleep.
Lou
Then, I realized I have known God as long as I can remember, which is about age 4. Every year that is a longer time. But think how long God has know me. I am told that God knew me before I was born and loved me with an everlasting love. Now, I am spending a life time discovering (getting to know) a God who made me, knew me, loved me before my memory even began and promised to be my God before the world was born. It's hard to get truly depressed when you know that.
Even the darkest nights are conquered by sunrise. New every morning are God's mercies. So, I guess I will go to bed now. It won't feel like nearly as long a wait for the dawn if I'm asleep.
Lou
Doubt
Doubt is not something we must fear but embrace. It is not the anti-thesis of faith. In fact more faith has been deepened through doubt then lost. Doubt is a hunger that seeks satisfaction, but this appetite is fed by daily bread--not once for all time. The greatest fear that is wrapped in our doubt is that someone else might find out we don't know everything. Security in faith does not demand command of the truth, but submission to it. But as Pilate said before sending Jesus to the cross. "What is truth?"
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth." I want a faith that takes Jesus' hand daily and walks a couple more steps along the way. Doubt can best be satisfied in the majesty of a lightening storm, the creativity of an exploding bloom, or another's love loosely concealed beneath a smile.
An assent to someone else's verbal declarations of truth is really only half-truth. The daily bread of knowing is not found so much in the head as in the experiences of a life. Dirty hands, breaking hearts, rumbling stomachs, ...cry out. Serving hearts must cry with them.
Where is God in all this? Whoops! Did I just express a doubt? I guess I can live with that. I hope in things yet to come, and for now, I grasp the dirty hand, hug the broken hearted and hear God's call in the rumbling stomachs and realize tenatively that we call it faith, because we are not always sure.
Lou
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth." I want a faith that takes Jesus' hand daily and walks a couple more steps along the way. Doubt can best be satisfied in the majesty of a lightening storm, the creativity of an exploding bloom, or another's love loosely concealed beneath a smile.
An assent to someone else's verbal declarations of truth is really only half-truth. The daily bread of knowing is not found so much in the head as in the experiences of a life. Dirty hands, breaking hearts, rumbling stomachs, ...cry out. Serving hearts must cry with them.
Where is God in all this? Whoops! Did I just express a doubt? I guess I can live with that. I hope in things yet to come, and for now, I grasp the dirty hand, hug the broken hearted and hear God's call in the rumbling stomachs and realize tenatively that we call it faith, because we are not always sure.
Lou
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
conversation
Conversation is so much better than monologue. Admittedly, a blog may seem more like a monologue than a conversation until others start responding. So here's your invitation. Join me in a conversation about God, faith, doubts, art, creativity,pain,struggle, growth. We are definitely on a journey together.
Don't forget to check out God-spotters.com to find out more about this unique conversation/journey.
Don't forget to check out God-spotters.com to find out more about this unique conversation/journey.
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