Isn't it strange that the passage of scripture most often read at weddings was originally written to bring people to an acknowledgment of sin, confession and repentance? The "love chapter" was not written for self improvement but self exposure! When we recognize how far we are from the ideal of true love we need to turn to God in confession and repentance. We can freely confess our sins because of our understanding of God's love for us as seen in the cross of Christ. We need have NO FEAR in freely and openly acknowledging our shortcomings. By doing so we die to ourselves so that through Christ's resurrection from the dead we might have his life in us. The cross is the greatest demonstration of God's love for us. As we come to understand God's love more and more we are changed to be like him. As John wrote, "We love because he first loved us."
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Prayer Retreat
Since David preached this past Sunday I am going to devote my blog to last week's retreat. I asked the teenagers to visit this site and they wanted me to talk about our Sunday class. So, I'll say a few words about that first. Two weeks ago I began teaching the High School class using Phillip Yancy's video series, "The Jesus I Never Knew." We are looking at Jesus afresh seeking to understand who he really is and breaking out of traditional images and childhood impressions.
Now about my retreat. This year I devoted myself to trying four different types or styles of praying:
Contemplative - This is simply sitting still and focusing on what is happening around me using all of my senses and being aware of God's creation and presence. It is prayer without words or prayer from the heart rather than the mind. Of course sometimes words do come as expressions of marvel at what one is experiencing, but mostly there is silence. This was my basic form of prayer during my time away. I would practice this prayer while sitting or walking. It was helpful to be in a secluded spot.
Jesus Prayer - I practiced this one afternoon while lying on my cot. I repeated the words, "Jesus, Son of God, Savior." As I repeated this phrase it became a part of my breathing. The words were offered to God and he opened my mind to images of others who used these words when addressing the Lord.
Praying Through My Life - I began with my grandparents who passed the Faith on to my parents and traveled with God through my life. Much of this prayer was spent in thanksgiving and reflection on the many people God has brought into my life at the very time I needed them. I also acknowledged how often God has shown me his mercy and forgiveness when I have sinned and fallen short of his righteousness.
Intercessory - This has become a foundational part of my retreats. I prayed through the church directory and lifted each individual before the Lord. I also prayed through the 110 or so requests that the church had given me.
In the future I want to help others in developing their prayer lives using the things I have especially learned during my annual prayer retreats. One specific plan for 2008 is to schedule four one-day prayer retreats for the Clear Lake Church.
Now about my retreat. This year I devoted myself to trying four different types or styles of praying:
Contemplative - This is simply sitting still and focusing on what is happening around me using all of my senses and being aware of God's creation and presence. It is prayer without words or prayer from the heart rather than the mind. Of course sometimes words do come as expressions of marvel at what one is experiencing, but mostly there is silence. This was my basic form of prayer during my time away. I would practice this prayer while sitting or walking. It was helpful to be in a secluded spot.
Jesus Prayer - I practiced this one afternoon while lying on my cot. I repeated the words, "Jesus, Son of God, Savior." As I repeated this phrase it became a part of my breathing. The words were offered to God and he opened my mind to images of others who used these words when addressing the Lord.
Praying Through My Life - I began with my grandparents who passed the Faith on to my parents and traveled with God through my life. Much of this prayer was spent in thanksgiving and reflection on the many people God has brought into my life at the very time I needed them. I also acknowledged how often God has shown me his mercy and forgiveness when I have sinned and fallen short of his righteousness.
Intercessory - This has become a foundational part of my retreats. I prayed through the church directory and lifted each individual before the Lord. I also prayed through the 110 or so requests that the church had given me.
In the future I want to help others in developing their prayer lives using the things I have especially learned during my annual prayer retreats. One specific plan for 2008 is to schedule four one-day prayer retreats for the Clear Lake Church.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
The Gifts
How easy it is to get focused on spiritual gifts and lose sight of the whole point and purpose behind the gifts! My suggestion for those who feel uncertain what their gifts might be is found in Paul's words, "Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church" (1 Cor. 14:12). Look for ways to serve others. Your areas of giftedness might be where:
1) It feels like a good fit. Even if it is hard, it brings you a sense of joy and satisfaction.
2) Others tell you it's a good fit. If you're the only one who thinks you're gifted in a certain area you're probably not.
3) It is providing a needed service.
The point, however, is not to get perfectly fitted into your perfect gift! The point is to serve in ways that build others up.
Thinking about Paul's "spiritual anatomy" class: I think this is some of the funnest stuff the Apostle ever wrote. Imagine individual body parts getting their feelings hurt, experiencing insecurities, and talking about it! I'm so thankful that my personal body parts all exist for the good of the whole. Oh, that we in the body of Christ could do the same.
1) It feels like a good fit. Even if it is hard, it brings you a sense of joy and satisfaction.
2) Others tell you it's a good fit. If you're the only one who thinks you're gifted in a certain area you're probably not.
3) It is providing a needed service.
The point, however, is not to get perfectly fitted into your perfect gift! The point is to serve in ways that build others up.
Thinking about Paul's "spiritual anatomy" class: I think this is some of the funnest stuff the Apostle ever wrote. Imagine individual body parts getting their feelings hurt, experiencing insecurities, and talking about it! I'm so thankful that my personal body parts all exist for the good of the whole. Oh, that we in the body of Christ could do the same.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
The Supper
It is much easier to discuss forms and techniques than to practice love. The essence of the Lord's Supper has little to do with many of the conversations (or arguments) that have surrounded it for centuries (frequency, form, who can serve trays, exact contents inside the trays, etc.). Rather, the essence is found in what the elements represent and what the implications are in terms of our life together as the body of Christ. Liz brought to my mind some of the "hidden meaning" of the video clip we saw from the movie "Places in the Heart." As the trays were passed everyone was represented: rich, poor, homeless, widows, different races, both genders, the disadvantaged, the privileged, the under privileged, adults, and children. All were there. All were eating the bread and drinking the cup. For one moment in time they all stood on level ground at the foot of the cross. "Peace of Christ" they whispered to themselves and each other. Oh, how much well all need the peace of Christ in our lives. Our spiritual need is the first great uniter. Our common redemption in Christ is the second and greater uniter of the church. May we live out the implications of such unity.
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