Maybe one year I’ll do something to observe the season of repentance and reflection.

9 a Remember the b former things of old: for c I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is d none like me,
10 a Declaring the b end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My c counsel shall stand, and I will do all my d pleasure:

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God [John 3: 3].

About 3 years ago I dropped into a black hole – four months of absolute terror. I wanted to end my life, but somehow [Holy Spirit], I reached out to a friend who took me to hospital. I had three visits [hospital] in four months – I actually thought I was in hell. I imagine I was going through some sort of metamorphosis [mental, physical & spiritual]. I had been seeing a therapist [1994] on a regular basis, up until this point in time. I actually thought I would be locked away – but the hospital staffs were very supportive [I had no control over my process]. I was released from hospital 16th September 1994, but my fear, pain & shame had only subsided a little. I remember this particular morning waking up [home] & my process would start up again [fear, pain, & shame]. No one could help me, not even my therapist [I was terrified]. I asked Jesus Christ to have mercy on me & forgive me my sins. Slowly, all my fear has dissipated & I believe Jesus delivered me from my “psychological prison.” I am a practicing Catholic & the Holy Spirit is my friend & strength; every day since then has been a joy & blessing. I deserve to go to hell for the life I have led, but Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross, delivered me from my inequities. John 3: 8, John 15: 26, are verses I can relate to, organically. He’s a real person who is with me all the time. I have so much joy & peace in my life, today, after a childhood spent in orphanages [England & Australia]. God LOVES me so much. Fear, pain, & shame, are no longer my constant companions. I just wanted to share my experience with you [Luke 8: 16 – 17].

Peace Be With You
Micky

Gives you a different perspective on what it means to be a “small church.”

I’ve often thought about the ways we filter God through our own views, but I guess I’ve never taken the next step and recognized it as the idolatry it is.

It is a very interesting thing how culture impacts the way we read scripture. It reminds me of readings about Liberation Theology and how our social standing can cause us to receive dramatically different messages on a first read through scripture. I think it is important to have these things pointed out to us from time to time so we can be sure we are reading scripture, and not culture.

Sadly, though, often our culturally-inspired readings are made quite consciously.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Gaines_%28pastor%29

http://savingbellevue.com/

I think the closer we get, the more we realize how far away we are. It is like that with knowledge. The more I know, the more I am aware of how much I DON’T know. We are at best sojourners – visitors in a place where we do not belong. Sometimes we give in to the place, sometimes we strive for the better we know is out there “further up and further in.” Sometimes we are just tired and have to sit (and many of us never stand up again). Sometimes we have to back track. The road is narrow and dark, and maybe, just maybe, it feels like a desert because it is a desert.

Here’s to hiking further up and further in.

I may “fear” spiders – may even have arachnophobia (I don’t really, just an example). And that is s fear that makes me run. I also “fear” the great mountains like the Alps and the Rockies. I grew up in a place where “mountain” means “big hill,” so to see mountains so tall that trees stop growing near the top, is quite a humbling and “fearful” experience for me.

Now, I don’t turn tail and run when I see the mountains at a distance. I drive closer. Neither do I drive to the top and run out over the steep cliffs. I have a healthy respect of the mountain – I’ve been caught in a storm up on one, and don’t want to live through that again.

My fear of the mountains is the kind of fear that draws me closer – wonder, awe, aodration. It’s the kind of fear that makes me be careaful – those mountains are dangerous, and they’re a LOT bigger than me. Do we have that kind of God? Or is he just our good buddy?

My fear of spiders is the kind of fear we’re admonished not to have. After all, if the shepherds had such a fright from seeing the angels that they took off across the countryside, they would not have been the first to hear the Gospel. “Fear not – don’t run away, don’t be so sccared that you miss what is here.”

Are we so afraid of God that we miss what’s in store for us? Are we so busy trying to walk on eggshells around the “holy and righteous judge” who’s just waiting to zap us if we mess up, that we miss out on a real relationship with us?

We can live in respectful fear, without cowering from every threat.

I was on the way to visit a church member today, and had almost decided just to turn around and go home. I was tired and discouraged, and didn’t think I’d be worth much. But on an impulse, I pulled in the driveway anyway. And when I walked in the door, she said, “Do you know, I was just praying that you’d come by.” She really needed a familiar face and some encouragement.

I might not be on the theological cutting edge, but I’m still in a place that God’s seeing fit to use.

It’s interesting to me that in the area I live now (rural, farming Virginia), the argument “they’re taking our jobs” doesn’t surface very often. People who’ve worked on a farm (or have seen Hispanics working there) understand the simple truth – most Americans simply refuse to do the jobs that Hispanics are doing.

This stems, I think, from a sense of entitlement – “Even though I decided to quit high school, I still deserve something better than flipping burgers.” Until we’re all willing to do the kinds of jobs they often take, I think this kind of rhetoric should stay out of the argument as well!

Thanks for being brave/willing enough to put thoughts like this out there!

Emily White

Thank you for this interesting point of view and for getting one reader to think outside her comfort zone.

Heather McWhorter
Crosscreek Baptist Church

Not so different today. I work in the public school system and see evidence of this exact phenomenon before my very eyes. Christians have become complacent while the world around us continues to diversify. It is during times of trials that we grow the most and I, for one, welcome the challenge. I know my son will understand what it means to stand for our beliefs, because they are challenged every day.

Congrats on your new baby girl! She’s beautiful (but so is the old one)!

I myself went to public schools until I went to college, and I would not have had it any other way. My high school provided me an enormous opportunity. A suburban Houston high school, I had friends from all parts of the world and all faiths, and it has made me a better person. I listen more intently. I hear people better than I would have if I had been surrounded by those like me.

We should not fear being changed by the other to become like the other. Rather we should embrace the other, and in so doing surround them with the love and righteousness if Christ. For only then can they come to know Him. Leaving the world is the only sure way of condemning it to its fate.

Thanks for the reminder (or is it the first we’ve really heard it?) – and the encouragement for those of us who have seen a share of our own dark times.