I accidently started a fight on Facebook today. You can only imagine what it was about (unless you are my friend on Facebook, then you can stalk me and find out what it was all about). I can truly see that I meant no harm, and I am sure that the person that I was talking to meant no harm. We were, however, on the verge of escalating into a fight.
And we are friends
And we are Christians
And for all I know we even agree on more than we disagree (I didn't even take the time to find out!)
Perhaps you will relate, but I find myself trying to say things that are uplifting and helpful only to find them tear down and hurt. I have good intentions, the intentions of a minister of the gospel--the good news! I intend to bring healing and hope and help but so often I speak in such a way that I either leave out the truth or the love. I just haven't figured out how to do that like Peter or Paul and no where near like Jesus.
So what am I to do?
Perhaps the best answer is to shut up? I think that I try to use words too often when action is necessary. Love and truth are more genuine incarnated; they are more real with roots and leaves and fruit.
And perhaps Facebook just isn't formatted for incarnational truth and love. Perhaps I should get offline and live it around my neighbors.
Showing posts with label gospel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gospel. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Feeding More Than Fish
Vacation for the popular preacher just wasn't going to happen. Here he was, escaping the crowds, only to have the crowds find him at his destination. The people were worn and disheveled.
They had quite literally run from their towns to the little beachfront, hoping for a chance to see him, hear him.
He was exhausted. He hadn't rested, not before the boat ride, and not during the boat ride.
Jesus wasn't afforded many breaks.
The crowds were there, looking at their Messiah, though nobody was really sure what that meant. They knew though, there was something different about him.
So they ran, straight to him, no thought of themselves. They packed no spare clothing, no food, no necessities of any kind. He was their necessity.
"He felt compassion for them." This little phrase does not lead us into the feeding of the 5000, at least not immediately. Jesus, it seems, had compassion that went a little beyond ours. Yes, he cared for the physical needs, and he would certainly meet them soon.
A more important matter was at hand..."he felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd."
They had nobody to show them the better way of life. All their life they walked without the necessities, the love, faith, and knowledge of God. All their life they wondered aimlessly because they had no hope, no foundation for why they were alive.
And so he taught them, and fed them, but taught them all the more. He taught them the truth, His truth, God's plan for the world, God's true plan of redemption, and how they were to live as part of it. He taught them to rely on God, and then showed them their reliance as he fed them the miracle bread.
Let us have compassion that meets reaches all the persons needs, not only the most obvious.
This is my first look at a passage in Mark. I will continue to share thoughts on Mark as I study and see the odd and beautiful ways in which Jesus acts. Perhaps we can learn together how we might work and live and be in his kingdom.
They had quite literally run from their towns to the little beachfront, hoping for a chance to see him, hear him.
He was exhausted. He hadn't rested, not before the boat ride, and not during the boat ride.
Jesus wasn't afforded many breaks.
The crowds were there, looking at their Messiah, though nobody was really sure what that meant. They knew though, there was something different about him.
So they ran, straight to him, no thought of themselves. They packed no spare clothing, no food, no necessities of any kind. He was their necessity.
"He felt compassion for them." This little phrase does not lead us into the feeding of the 5000, at least not immediately. Jesus, it seems, had compassion that went a little beyond ours. Yes, he cared for the physical needs, and he would certainly meet them soon.
A more important matter was at hand..."he felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd."
They had nobody to show them the better way of life. All their life they walked without the necessities, the love, faith, and knowledge of God. All their life they wondered aimlessly because they had no hope, no foundation for why they were alive.
And so he taught them, and fed them, but taught them all the more. He taught them the truth, His truth, God's plan for the world, God's true plan of redemption, and how they were to live as part of it. He taught them to rely on God, and then showed them their reliance as he fed them the miracle bread.
Let us have compassion that meets reaches all the persons needs, not only the most obvious.
This is my first look at a passage in Mark. I will continue to share thoughts on Mark as I study and see the odd and beautiful ways in which Jesus acts. Perhaps we can learn together how we might work and live and be in his kingdom.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)