He is risen! He is not here. He is alive.
Not much to add when you stop and think about it. Ours is a God who is greater....
than death
than sorrow
than pain
than defeat
than distrust
than hopelessness
than sin
than evil
than hunger
than thirst
than homelessness
Ours is a God who
cares
acts
moves
loves
heals
encourages
forgives
empowers
calls
blesses
Ours is a God who comes to us in Jesus Christ
Ours is a God who calls us by name
Ours is a God who lives
Have a blessed Easter
It's been an absolutely wonderful, amazing, fruitful day. I hope you've had a good day to.
steve
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Reflections From Sunday Evening
We are a couple of weeks into the baseball season. It has me thinking about days with kids playing baseball - Little League baseball. One of the unique parts of Little League baseball was the "Little League chant." "Hey batter, hey batter, hey batter. " At advanced stages it turned to "hey batta, hey batta, hey batta, sawiiiiing batta!" Chatter. Catchers talking to the pitcher and trying to distract the batter. Chatter. Infielders keeping a constant barrage of chatter. Those were the days.
Now I am one who tends to believe these experiences of other days have greater significance than it would appear on the surface. So I have been thinking about a new slant on "chatter." How about "chatter evangelism?" When we read the book of Acts we learn that the early believers had a tremendous impact on the world. Some interpret their actions as "chattering the good news." Here is what I've been thinking. Since the word "evangelism" tends to make us pause and have to think if this is a practice we really could engage in, how about another slant on sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with people. Chatter. Here are some examples. "We must have had 300 children walk through our church yesterday, waving palm branches." A person who does not attend church might wonder why they did that. The next thing you know you have the opportunity to talk about the meaning of Palm Sunday and what is going on in the church.
Another example: "During his sermon the pastor stopped and had a little conversation with one of the youth sitting on the front row. It was pretty funny." (Thanks Cort for a real illustration!) That could stir the attention of one who does not regularly attend church. Other examples: We certainly had fun at our church yesterday - Our church is planning to do a series of service projects in a couple of weeks - I heard the neatest song in our church this week - Do you get the idea?
Evangelism need not be a "confrontation." Evangelism need not be trying to convince someone to believe something they don't believe. Evangelism need not be arguing about Christianity with another person. Chatter evangelism - simply tell what is happening - simply tell what has touched your heart - Hey batta, hey batta, hey batta -
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Now I am one who tends to believe these experiences of other days have greater significance than it would appear on the surface. So I have been thinking about a new slant on "chatter." How about "chatter evangelism?" When we read the book of Acts we learn that the early believers had a tremendous impact on the world. Some interpret their actions as "chattering the good news." Here is what I've been thinking. Since the word "evangelism" tends to make us pause and have to think if this is a practice we really could engage in, how about another slant on sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with people. Chatter. Here are some examples. "We must have had 300 children walk through our church yesterday, waving palm branches." A person who does not attend church might wonder why they did that. The next thing you know you have the opportunity to talk about the meaning of Palm Sunday and what is going on in the church.
Another example: "During his sermon the pastor stopped and had a little conversation with one of the youth sitting on the front row. It was pretty funny." (Thanks Cort for a real illustration!) That could stir the attention of one who does not regularly attend church. Other examples: We certainly had fun at our church yesterday - Our church is planning to do a series of service projects in a couple of weeks - I heard the neatest song in our church this week - Do you get the idea?
Evangelism need not be a "confrontation." Evangelism need not be trying to convince someone to believe something they don't believe. Evangelism need not be arguing about Christianity with another person. Chatter evangelism - simply tell what is happening - simply tell what has touched your heart - Hey batta, hey batta, hey batta -
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Why did that guy decide to burn a Quran? I know we have serious differences. I get the idea of not compromising the faith. I know we want to honor God. But really. I am the first to admit a serious lack of understanding of Islamic culture and how deeply offensive it is to them when there is a public criticism of their faith. Maybe we Christians in the West have gotten dulled to the constant derision some in our culture toss our way. But kill people? But intentionally offend others?
In this season of Lent we are reminded of the many offenses Jesus experienced. But he gave us an example by not lashing out at those who hurt him. He forgave. He extended grace. Please remember Jesus is our Master - our Lord - our example. When the world catches on to following Jesus there will be no more intentional aggravation of those who see things vastly different from us. When the world catches on to following Jesus there will be no more killing people to defend the honor of our faith. When the world catches on to following Jesus we will see grace and truth combined.
I wonder what we might do in order to help our corner of the world catch on to following Jesus?
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
In this season of Lent we are reminded of the many offenses Jesus experienced. But he gave us an example by not lashing out at those who hurt him. He forgave. He extended grace. Please remember Jesus is our Master - our Lord - our example. When the world catches on to following Jesus there will be no more intentional aggravation of those who see things vastly different from us. When the world catches on to following Jesus there will be no more killing people to defend the honor of our faith. When the world catches on to following Jesus we will see grace and truth combined.
I wonder what we might do in order to help our corner of the world catch on to following Jesus?
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)