fruit::Matthew 7
Date: Jan 24th, 2007 10:15:17 am - Subscribe
current reading:: Generous Orthodoxy::Brian McLaren
i often wonder about the job i'm doing as a youth minister and a follower of Xp. am i doing a good job and producing the fruit that i should?
Xp says in this chapter that we can recognize whether someone is good or bad based on the fruit they produce. it sometimes feels like i'm producing good fruit in my life and in my ministry, yet other times it feels like i'm not. perhaps it is something that i need to be mindful of always. because what He says in verse 19 is a bit scary. "every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." so i'm praying that the fruit i produce will always be good.
(Xp=Christ in greek)
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reliance::Matthew 6
Date: Jan 22nd, 2007 9:27:51 am - Subscribe
current reading:: Generous Orthodoxy::Brian McLaren
chapter 6 gives us some great insight into the actions we are supposed to do as followers of Xp. Xp talks about giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, about storing our treasures in heaven and not worrying. though all those things are quite important, there's an underlying theme in this chapter...
RELIANCE ON GOD
when Xp speaks of giving to the needy, fasting and prayer, He talks about doing them in secret. not letting those around us know what we're doing. i think this is because we, as followers of Xp, get into these routines where we want to put these "acts of worship" on display so that people will pat us on the back. but God wants us to do these things as a way to rely on Him, not a way to build ourselves up in the eyes of others.
this point is brought home when we look at what Xp says about treasures in heaven and worrying. in both those topics, He points out that we have to keep our attention on heaven not on this earth. which will keep us from relying on the temporary things of life and focusing on that which is eternal.
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murder::Matthew 5(2)
Date: Jan 18th, 2007 9:11:47 am - Subscribe
current reading:: Generous Orthodoxy::Brian McLaren
Xp continues is revolutionary approach to living life by talking about anger. most of us don't think of anger as being murder. but that's exactly what Xp compares it to. but the question is why?
and answering the why is difficult. because we look at murder as being and action. but Xp is more focused on our motives for the actions. the mental side of things if you will.
now there's nothing wrong with getting angry about something. however it is how we handle that anger. Xp says if we have that anger, especially toward someone, we need to work it out with them. because the more we hold that anger in, the more it begins to affect us. it begins to eat away at our lives and our souls. which leads to nothing good.
Xp is calling for a radically new look at how we handle anger and the people around us.
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blessed::Matthew 5
Date: Jan 17th, 2007 8:41:52 am - Subscribe
current reading:: Generous Orthodoxy::Brian McLaren
blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.
blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
blessed are those who hunger and thrist for righteousness, for they will be filled.
blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
what a counter cultural view of life. the meek will inherit the earth? peacemakers being called sons of God? hardly any one talks like that. i know it sounds idealistic but it isn't impossible. Xp is setting the stage for this radically different life He calls all of us to in these next few chapters.
i dont know about you, but i know that for me, what Xp describes in these verses is the kind of world i want to be a part of.
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all or nothing::Matthew 4 (2)
Date: Jan 12th, 2007 10:45:52 am - Subscribe
current reading:: Generous Orthodoxy::Brian McLaren
towards the end of this chapter we see Xp start to call His disciples. He calls peter and andrew. and they continue by the lake and find james and john fishing with their father zebedee (now that's a name:). when james and john here the invitation they immediately respond, jump out of the boat and leave their father.
these guys had the right idea. it was leaving their old lives behind to follow Xp. and leaving their old lives included leaving their father sitting there in the boat. what an image. the sons who want to follow Xp and be His disciple and dad who's just sitting there.
now we're all not called to leave our families, but our old lives are meant to be left when we encounter Xp. it's so hard, i know! i've been there and still am, but it's what's expected us. total service total dedication.
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