Today, ask yourself this question:
How do I know God loves me?
Than ask, How do I convey to someone else that God loves them?
Our culture is filled with Modern and Post-Modern mindsets. Both of these are man made philosophies on living life. Moderns are prone to accept information before relationship. Whereas, Post-Moderns are likely to accept the persuasion of their relationships before, if not over, information.
Example: I know God loves me because:
Informationally- The Bible tells me so
Experientially- Someone who has loved me told me
In ministering to today's post-modern / post-Christian culture. I suggest getting people to FEEL that you care for them. I believe the modern mindset will also appreciate this approach.
At our church we try to implement POINT evangelism:
Personally touch people (Luke 10:25-37)
-Take time out of your busy schedule to look into their eyes and see the hurt of their lives, why they are the way they are; and why they do what they do.
- People are convinced that no one cares about them or what is really going on in their lives
Occasionally encourage them (Luke 5:27-32)
-People want to be touched at their point of pain, but then they want to be left alone.
-You must earn the right to be heard. In order to be heard, it takes time and a willingness to
build into the lives of people
I
N
T
Let's work on the first two this week. More to come in the weeks ahead.
May you be Christ to someone today.
Chad
Audio of REAL teaching and POINT evangelism
Showing posts with label REAL Living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label REAL Living. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Incarnation Application by Margaret Manning
Take approximately 5 minutes to read this shortened version of yesterday's 'A Slice of Infinity'. Post comments to the blog for spiritual collaboration. Please email your prayer requests too.
For most of us, the study of doctrine is best left to academics and theologians. If we’re honest, reading and studying theology is something most of us would like to avoid just as we’d like to avoid a root canal.
...The more I thought about the Incarnation, the more I realized that doctrine needs to be incarnational. Doctrine must be “enfleshed” in our very beings, just as our skin encases our bones and organs.
...Of course the preeminent example of incarnation is in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. But incarnational doctrine begins all the way back in the Old Testament. God comes to be with his people in their wilderness wanderings as a pillar of fire and a cloud. God “dwells” among the people in the Ark of the Covenant, and then in the Tabernacle. Later, the Temple became the incarnational focal point of God’s presence with God’s people. Ronald Rolheiser suggests a profound incarnational application for this image: “The idea is that they should digest the word and turn it into their own flesh so that people will be able to see the word of God in a living body rather than on a dead parchment....We have to digest something and turn it, physically, into the flesh of our own bodies so it becomes part of what we look like. If we would do this with the word of God, others would not have to [only] read the Bible to see what God is like, they would need only to look at our faces and our lives to see God.”(1)
Could it be that we could so imbibe and ingest doctrine, and the beautiful teachings that come from God’s word into our lives, that they would radiate from our faces? That the way we lived, spoke, acted--even our very countenance--would give witness to the truth of God’s word? This is incarnation application. We incarnate God’s word, God’s truth and love, as our lives bear witness to Him. Doctrine is lived out, and our beliefs are enfleshed in our deeds and our actions, and even in our words. As St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the word of God wherever you go, even use words, if necessary.”
Comments: I notice quickly what types of Doctrine-especially worldly ones-people hold. Perhaps I am quick to judge. I pray that everyone I come in contact with recognizes the doctrines I hold. By 'eating' the clean things and avoiding the unclean, I pray I am radiating God's love.
Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, 10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe. And he said to me, "Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel." So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. Then he said to me, "Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it." So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.Ezekiel 2:9-3:3 (New International Version)Slice of Infinity Snippets:
For most of us, the study of doctrine is best left to academics and theologians. If we’re honest, reading and studying theology is something most of us would like to avoid just as we’d like to avoid a root canal.
...The more I thought about the Incarnation, the more I realized that doctrine needs to be incarnational. Doctrine must be “enfleshed” in our very beings, just as our skin encases our bones and organs.
...Of course the preeminent example of incarnation is in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. But incarnational doctrine begins all the way back in the Old Testament. God comes to be with his people in their wilderness wanderings as a pillar of fire and a cloud. God “dwells” among the people in the Ark of the Covenant, and then in the Tabernacle. Later, the Temple became the incarnational focal point of God’s presence with God’s people. Ronald Rolheiser suggests a profound incarnational application for this image: “The idea is that they should digest the word and turn it into their own flesh so that people will be able to see the word of God in a living body rather than on a dead parchment....We have to digest something and turn it, physically, into the flesh of our own bodies so it becomes part of what we look like. If we would do this with the word of God, others would not have to [only] read the Bible to see what God is like, they would need only to look at our faces and our lives to see God.”(1)
Could it be that we could so imbibe and ingest doctrine, and the beautiful teachings that come from God’s word into our lives, that they would radiate from our faces? That the way we lived, spoke, acted--even our very countenance--would give witness to the truth of God’s word? This is incarnation application. We incarnate God’s word, God’s truth and love, as our lives bear witness to Him. Doctrine is lived out, and our beliefs are enfleshed in our deeds and our actions, and even in our words. As St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the word of God wherever you go, even use words, if necessary.”
Comments: I notice quickly what types of Doctrine-especially worldly ones-people hold. Perhaps I am quick to judge. I pray that everyone I come in contact with recognizes the doctrines I hold. By 'eating' the clean things and avoiding the unclean, I pray I am radiating God's love.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Amos, Acedia, and Ease by Jill Carattini
Take about 5 minutes to read this snippets version of The previous day's 'A Slice of Infinity'. Follow up by reading TODAY'S SLICE and forward any comments on your faith journey.
What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem,
and you who feel secure in Samaria!
You are famous and popular in Israel,
and people go to you for help. (Amos 6:1)
A Slice of Infinity Snippets:
“Acedia” ... is a word that has fallen out of use in the last thousand years, written out of our minds and vocabularies, but not out of our lives. The Latin word refers to spiritual torpor or apathy. It is the spiritual equivalent of sloth--inactivity or unconcern in the practice of virtue. The term was most often used in monastic circles, considered an adversary that materialized in the drastic lives of the monks. But the question at the heart of acedia--“Why bother?”--moves far beyond the walls of the monastery, and perhaps particularly in the hearts of those who find themselves weary of feeling, those who would sooner choose the ease of apathy than the work of relationship, the simplicity of self over the sacrifice of community.
Like weariness or despair, acedia creeps into our lives and moves us to spiritual indifference. It comes when we are tired of feeling, weary of living with care and attention, lulled to sleep by comfort or disinterest. At this description, Amos’s portrayal of Zion may not feel so far off after all. In fact, at the time of Amos, the people of Israel were perhaps struggling with something quite like acedia. Reeling in false security and erroneous confidence from their own economic affluence, the Israelites were living in a deplorable state of existence, warned Amos, blind and isolated by their focus on self, impervious to their own indifference at the situation around them. It was in the midst of this, their most opulent and apathetic juncture, when the shepherd proclaimed: “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria” (Amos 6:1).
Comments:
Relationships can be difficult - outright hard. At some stages we can be hit with 'acedia' and decide not to press in because 'it's just not worth it.' May I encourage you to keep on in your relationships? Develop strong bonds with those whom you know are listening to God. Then, when you feel God has told you it is time to move on, you have someone with whom you can talk; someone to help you hear and understand the true voice of the most high God. At some points we may be told to wipe the dirt off our sandals and move on, but when I feel 'indifference' to other peoples sin setting in on me, I hope to be able to 'see' that indifference and pray that God would once again break my heart for the sins of my neighbor.
The kingdom of God is at hand!
What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem,
and you who feel secure in Samaria!
You are famous and popular in Israel,
and people go to you for help. (Amos 6:1)
A Slice of Infinity Snippets:
“Acedia” ... is a word that has fallen out of use in the last thousand years, written out of our minds and vocabularies, but not out of our lives. The Latin word refers to spiritual torpor or apathy. It is the spiritual equivalent of sloth--inactivity or unconcern in the practice of virtue. The term was most often used in monastic circles, considered an adversary that materialized in the drastic lives of the monks. But the question at the heart of acedia--“Why bother?”--moves far beyond the walls of the monastery, and perhaps particularly in the hearts of those who find themselves weary of feeling, those who would sooner choose the ease of apathy than the work of relationship, the simplicity of self over the sacrifice of community.
Like weariness or despair, acedia creeps into our lives and moves us to spiritual indifference. It comes when we are tired of feeling, weary of living with care and attention, lulled to sleep by comfort or disinterest. At this description, Amos’s portrayal of Zion may not feel so far off after all. In fact, at the time of Amos, the people of Israel were perhaps struggling with something quite like acedia. Reeling in false security and erroneous confidence from their own economic affluence, the Israelites were living in a deplorable state of existence, warned Amos, blind and isolated by their focus on self, impervious to their own indifference at the situation around them. It was in the midst of this, their most opulent and apathetic juncture, when the shepherd proclaimed: “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria” (Amos 6:1).
Comments:
Relationships can be difficult - outright hard. At some stages we can be hit with 'acedia' and decide not to press in because 'it's just not worth it.' May I encourage you to keep on in your relationships? Develop strong bonds with those whom you know are listening to God. Then, when you feel God has told you it is time to move on, you have someone with whom you can talk; someone to help you hear and understand the true voice of the most high God. At some points we may be told to wipe the dirt off our sandals and move on, but when I feel 'indifference' to other peoples sin setting in on me, I hope to be able to 'see' that indifference and pray that God would once again break my heart for the sins of my neighbor.
The kingdom of God is at hand!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
In the Belly of Darkness by Jill Carattini
Take about 5 minutes to read this snippets version of The previous day's 'A Slice of Infinity'. Follow up by reading TODAY'S SLICE and forward any comments on your faith journey.
He said,
A Slice of Infinity Snippets:
Sadly, Jonah's idols of self and comfort returned not long after the prayer was finished and his life was spewed back into normalcy. As he rages over the death of a plant and the saving of Nineveh, Jonah doesn’t want to see the God who saved him. The scene brings to mind Isaiah's description: "Surely the hand of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear, but...your sins have hidden his face from you" (59:1-2). Even so, the book ends on a note bidding us to see that God is always about the work of salvation. Whether in the lives of nations "who know not their right from their left" or in the lives of men and women blind with self and sin, God moves faithfully among us. Might we remember in distress and in safety, salvation comes from the LORD.
Comments:
How often it seems we push against God to enact our plan upon the world. May we continually be mindful of Jesus' prayer to Our Father: Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done! In what ways might we bring about the kingdom of God today? Jesus went about declaring that the kingdom of heaven is at hand while teaching, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, etc. In what way can I bring teaching, dignity and healing into the lives of those I come in contact with. Perhaps it is buying a homeless man a cup of coffee. Perhaps it is simply listening to the cashier at the store when I'm in a rush. Perhaps it is moving forward in real relationship with a close friend. Perhaps it is healing the sick. God, please grant us each the courage to let your life live through us.
*The Street Church is in need of donations for the homeless - clothing such as new underwear in the package, shorts and t-shirts; hygiene items as well as back packs/camping gear are all greatly appreciated.
*To comment on this thread, visit the blog.
*Read today's slice and email me with your comments/questions/prayers for
our next posting.
*Check out Life Devotions and see if you would like to receive their daily snippets.
*Invite friends and family to join us on this faith journey.
He said,
“I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble,
and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead,
and Lord, you heard me! You threw me into the ocean depths,
and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me;
I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves.
Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence.
Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’
“I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me.
Seaweed wrapped itself around my head.
I sank down to the very roots of the mountains.
I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever.
But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death!
As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord.
And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. (Jonah 2:2-7)
A Slice of Infinity Snippets:
Sadly, Jonah's idols of self and comfort returned not long after the prayer was finished and his life was spewed back into normalcy. As he rages over the death of a plant and the saving of Nineveh, Jonah doesn’t want to see the God who saved him. The scene brings to mind Isaiah's description: "Surely the hand of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear, but...your sins have hidden his face from you" (59:1-2). Even so, the book ends on a note bidding us to see that God is always about the work of salvation. Whether in the lives of nations "who know not their right from their left" or in the lives of men and women blind with self and sin, God moves faithfully among us. Might we remember in distress and in safety, salvation comes from the LORD.
Comments:
How often it seems we push against God to enact our plan upon the world. May we continually be mindful of Jesus' prayer to Our Father: Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done! In what ways might we bring about the kingdom of God today? Jesus went about declaring that the kingdom of heaven is at hand while teaching, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, etc. In what way can I bring teaching, dignity and healing into the lives of those I come in contact with. Perhaps it is buying a homeless man a cup of coffee. Perhaps it is simply listening to the cashier at the store when I'm in a rush. Perhaps it is moving forward in real relationship with a close friend. Perhaps it is healing the sick. God, please grant us each the courage to let your life live through us.
*The Street Church is in need of donations for the homeless - clothing such as new underwear in the package, shorts and t-shirts; hygiene items as well as back packs/camping gear are all greatly appreciated.
*To comment on this thread, visit the blog.
*Read today's slice and email me with your comments/questions/prayers for
our next posting.
*Check out Life Devotions and see if you would like to receive their daily snippets.
*Invite friends and family to join us on this faith journey.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Collapsible Walls by I'Ching Thomas
Take about 5 minutes to read this snippets version of The previous day's 'A Slice of Infinity'. Follow up by reading TODAY'S SLICE and forward any comments on your faith journey.
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matthew 7:24-27)
" 'Because they lead my people astray, saying, "Peace," when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth. When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, "Where is the whitewash you covered it with?"
A Slice of Infinity Snippets:
Clearly we live at a time in history when the storm is beating endlessly against the foundation of our walls from all directions. Our belief in an absolute standard of morality is confronted by relativism; our conviction in the authority of scripture is challenged; our reverence in the person of Christ is mocked, and our attempt to live a simple lifestyle is constantly distracted by the lure of consumer advertising and its promise of a better life.
Yet, there are no two ways about it: if we are to be like the wise builder, then we must construct our foundation on the rock by practicing the righteousness we have learned.
As Thomas a Kempis writes in The Imitation of Christ, "To many the saying, 'Deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow Me,' seems hard, but it will be much harder to hear that final word: 'Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.'" We will find that the cost demanded of us is no less than a radical submission to the exclusive lordship of Jesus. However, the reward comes when we find our house still standing after the final storm leaves and when the sun breaks through again.
*The Street Church is in need of donations for the homeless - clothing such as new underwear in the package, shorts and t-shirts; hygiene items as well as back packs/camping gear are all greatly appreciated.
*To comment on this thread, visit the blog.
*Read today's slice and email me with your comments/questions/prayers for
our next posting.
*Check out Life Devotions and see if you would like to receive their daily snippets.
*Invite friends and family to join us on this faith journey.
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matthew 7:24-27)
" 'Because they lead my people astray, saying, "Peace," when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth. When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, "Where is the whitewash you covered it with?"
" 'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury. (Ezekiel 13:10–13)
A Slice of Infinity Snippets:
Clearly we live at a time in history when the storm is beating endlessly against the foundation of our walls from all directions. Our belief in an absolute standard of morality is confronted by relativism; our conviction in the authority of scripture is challenged; our reverence in the person of Christ is mocked, and our attempt to live a simple lifestyle is constantly distracted by the lure of consumer advertising and its promise of a better life.
Yet, there are no two ways about it: if we are to be like the wise builder, then we must construct our foundation on the rock by practicing the righteousness we have learned.
As Thomas a Kempis writes in The Imitation of Christ, "To many the saying, 'Deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow Me,' seems hard, but it will be much harder to hear that final word: 'Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.'" We will find that the cost demanded of us is no less than a radical submission to the exclusive lordship of Jesus. However, the reward comes when we find our house still standing after the final storm leaves and when the sun breaks through again.
*The Street Church is in need of donations for the homeless - clothing such as new underwear in the package, shorts and t-shirts; hygiene items as well as back packs/camping gear are all greatly appreciated.
*To comment on this thread, visit the blog.
*Read today's slice and email me with your comments/questions/prayers for
our next posting.
*Check out Life Devotions and see if you would like to receive their daily snippets.
*Invite friends and family to join us on this faith journey.
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