Life unexplained

Why does life sometimes seem to be soo darn frustrating and complex? I mean even internally the light and easily explainable feelings I have seem to be turning into a complex primordial soup. I feel like a woman (no dis intended for you women) I just i don’t know, I have been playing this game for literally years now and it has started to turn into a sham and hints of desperation. I don’t know if it is worth playing anymore. I mean why when you suck at it or when it seems like I am looking for a Red Sox fan at Yankee Stadium. The results aren’t there. Time to try something new. Or don’t try at all I suppose. I am tired of trying to fit in a box that refuses to contain me. Sometimes I feel this is all a test and somehow I will come out better because of it. But I have yet to feel “better” and I am tired of feeling tested. I know i am probably making to much of nothing but it has been a long time and it’s making me wonder is it really worth it?

Contagious Christianity

So I had an assignment as part of my being in the process of becoming a Bridge associate. I had to read an interview article with a guy who wrote a book about “Celtic Christianity” and respond with my thoughts. I found it very interesting. I encourage you to read it. The link to it is here: http://www.thunderstruck.org/holysmoke/Hunter-Int.htm My response and thoughts are below.

Tim,

 
 
I have to say I found this article very interesting. In some ways i have a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to traditional “church” or the way that church, rituals and routine have in some ways taken away from the joys of being a follower of Jesus Christ and reading about how Patrick’s evangelism of Ireland developed an alternative way of doing “church” and reaching people I don’t know it just got me fired up. Because when I think about church and how many people have a stigma towards organized religion (even though I believe the word religion should be stricken from christian legalese) there is so many people that are out there calling out for something or someone to save them in this fallen world and all can benefit from the love of Jesus Christ. When I read this statement: “The Romans thought that barbarians could not be Christians. ” it made my heart sink because today I still hear people say things like “she is living in too much sin to be a good Christian” or “he is Gay so he can’t be Christian” and you know what? These are the people I am talking about:
 
“I see, all around us, the rise of “new barbarian” populations. These are the people whose lives are sometimes out of control—driven by compulsion or hijacked by substance abuse. Growing numbers of people have a “rough edge.” If they came to church, they wouldn’t know when to stand up, sit down, or what to say to the pastor afterwards. They wouldn’t know how to find II Kings or II Corinthians. If they said anything, they might split an infinitive or utter an expletive! There are a growing number of people, across the whole western world, who aren’t quite refined and aren’t always nice.”
 
“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23.)” Just some peoples sin’s are more apparent than others. And I mean us as Christians are commisioned to love everyone nevermind race,religion, or preference. So why do I continually and in some ways feel the Christian community as a whole is dropping the ball when it comes to reaching those who wouldn’t neccesarily fit the “church” mold?
 
There can be a number of answers and these are the ones I hear the most.
 
“Were uncomfortable”
 
“We just need to pray for them”
 
“I don’t want to force my beliefs on them!”
 
I think George sums it up with these statements:
 
“First, the church probably needs to entertain the idea, as though for the first time, that lost people matter to God, including people who are not “like us” or recognizable “good” church people.”
“Second, within our Wesleyan tradition, people need to entertain a fresh understanding of the doctrine of prevenient grace. The Holy Spirit is working through the events and circumstances of people’s lives to awaken receptivity to the gospel. If we believe that lost and out-of-control people matter to God and that the Holy Spirit is already initiating an engagement with them, some of the other things will follow.”
I don’t know this just makes way to much sense to me. The perspective that all people matter to God and that the Holy Spirit is at work awaking reception to the gospel. What? Do you mean that we are not alone when we approach those that don’t know the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Dang that is comforting.
And the whole section he talked about the “new barbarians” gave me hope that there is churches out there that are reaching those lost and addicted people. All I know is I want to be a part of this ministry I want to reach people where they are.
 
I definatly connected to what he was talking about the shepard who seeks the lost sheep. There is a risk in this Celtic Christianity model of reaching people and I believe it is warranted and part of the adventure being  a follower of Christ should be. It is human nature to run away from compromising situations or ones where you don’t have control of but what I say to that is, isn’t that the definition of having faith? Knowing that Jesus has hold and control of your life and your afterlife is set no matter what?
 
I love the aproach he takes towards “doing church”
 
1.Solitude
 
2.Soul Friend
 
3. Small Group
 
4.Christian Community
 
 
All 4 of these things I think is important for anyone’s walk with Christ and as an aproach to Evangelism. “Contagious” is a word he uses and I think that is quite appropriate for anyone involved. Everyone deep down wants to be apart of something that is bigger than themselves. And I mean what can be bigger or more powerful than multitudes of on fire Saints (thats right it is a promise 1 Peter 2:9) And I am just on my journey currently and I hope to become fully “contagious” with the Love of Jesus and I pray that it shows more and more throughout my life and I am able to reach many people because of it.
 
 
 
Thanks,
 
 
Tim P.