The Word… And Some Words After That!
My friend Aaron recently posted an entry titled The Word… and I responded with a comment which I must admit became a little longer then I had anticipated. Anyways I thought I would share it here too.
This is a very pertinent question for today Aaron. What makes God’s Word relevant to today? Perhaps even more telling, what makes God’s Word relevant to me?
I think you are right in identifying that many people end up memorizing a few specifically selected texts which they deem as the essential plot and in the process end up applying them as the foci of THEIR gospel. Unfortunately I think that is a crippling affect to the reality of God’s and Jesus’ true gospel.
For God’s Word to be relevant we must recognize it and relate to it not as a “text” but rather as a relational identity (John 1:1-18). The moment we approach scripture as a doctrine, dogma, or creedal practice is the moment we let our own biases and prejudices misalign who Jesus really is and how we truly relate to him as our Lord and God!
It is funny to think then how the Israelites of the OT and the first century church might have approached the stories of the NT. Neither had a “Bible” to read from. They were stories which they told their children; personal and ancestral accounts which the adults and communities would sit around the fire sharing while laughing and interjecting with commentary over the evening meal. When they spoke of the time when Jesus healed the blind man or when he baffled the Pharisee’s they reveled in his life. They dreamed of the moment, yearned for more encounters with THAT Jesus and the parables which he shared! In any sense they wondered… “Where am I in this story?”
I can’t help but think of a quote by George Adams, “There is no such thing as a ‘self-made’ man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success.” How much greater can we be as followers of Christ then to truly acknowledge that HIS story is a part of our lives, a part of who we are!
I don’t think we should approach the Bible any different today. It is not something which we can theologize, executively comprehend, or apply as the step by step “guidelines to the path of life.” They are the stories and memories of those who walked beside Jesus as he came in the first century. I can only wonder about what they might have experienced, revel in the fascination of their lives, acknowledge the perplexities of its pathologies, and grapple with the question, “Where do I find myself in the midst of this today?” “What is different and what is the same in the here and now?” “What part of my life are you speaking to now God?” “What are you saying to me?”
Don’t just answer with unintentional remarks! Wait, imagine, and for God’s sake… be creative!
Tonight Bonnie and I are getting ready for our Expressions Movie Night. We are watching ‘The Second Chance’ which is about a pastor who really begins to ask the questions of what does it mean to follow Jesus and just what is the church? We hope that afterwards the movie might generate an enriching conversation around the theme of Redemption and perhaps… inspire what we might want to have a second chance at. Some how I know and always have faith that Jesus is going to show up!
Bad Journalism in CBC’s Fifth Estate with Regards to AARC
My friends Steve and Dawn have recently been affected by some of the bad journalism presented by CBC’s The Fifth Estate. It has no doubt affected them both personally and in their community supports. In those regards here is their response which I would like to share.
Dear friends,
As you are undoubtedly aware, the CBC’s Fifth Estate recently presented a very disturbing report about the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Center (AARC), entitled “Powerlessness”. I have taken great exception to what I firmly believe to be inaccurate comments and unethical journalism. Without AARC, I do not know where my family would be today.
As such I have written a letter to the CBC, a copy of which is on my face book account, if you care to read it. In addition, I have done some searching and have found the following video and news clips that I feel will shed some true light on what many trusting CBC viewers might be feeling about AARC at this time.
Included in these is a news report on Jordon Remple who was the only”grateful” AARC graduate shown on the Fifth Estate together with his parents. Unfortunately, the Remple’s were not given much air-time despite what I understand to have been quite a lengthly interview.
Many of you spent an hour watching the Fifth Estate, please do our family and many of the other 403 families who have passed through the doors of AARC a service by spending about 13 minutes watching these.
With sincere thanks,
Dawn Driediger
Just More Wondering…
Came across a quote in my latest read that I’ve been finding myself in wonder about…
“As civilization advances, the sense of wonder almost necessarily declines. Such decline is an alarming symptom of our state of mind. Mankind will not perish for want of information, but only for want of appreciation. The beginning of our happiness lies in the understanding that life without wonder is not worth living. What we lack is not a will to believe, but a will to wonder.”
What are you just wondering…
My Confession to Atheism
For some of you I know this statement probably comes as a bit of a shock but just give me a few moments. For those of you who know me however, this probably will come with easy understanding. Here is something which I have been wondering about over the past week…
Re:Genesis – Finding New Life in the Midst of the Greatest Challenges
Do you face physical challenges in your life? Emotional or psychological challenges? Or are you connected to anyone who does?
It is said that, “Adversity is the foundation of virtue” and together that virtue can lead us to new life and a community of friends which can support and lift us up. We will find friendship, inspiration, acceptance, spirituality, purpose, and transformation as we hear encouraging words and engage with one another.
Join us in gathering once a month for an Engaging Speaker, Dinner, and time to find fellowship with one another. Together we can Find New Life in the Midst of the Greatest Challenges.
Where Life Begins…
My friend Perry sends me a monthly quote which she calls Power Thoughts from Perry A. every so often. Anyways, I found myself reflecting on her latest and the connection to Liminality and so I thought I would post it here too.
“Life begins at the end of your Comfort Zone. You don’t know what you can do until you do it; what you can be until you become it; or what you can have until you have it. The Comfort Zone is always expanding and leading to new treasures of discovery.”
Expressions
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years By Donald Miller
Follow Me to Freedom By Shane Claiborne & John Perkins
Journey to Significance By Neil Cole
Organic Leadership By Niel Cole
Sacrilege By Hugh Halter
Forge Canada
Friend of Missional
Missional Apologetics
The Missional Network
Verge Network
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