DISQUS

Agreed.

jhimm, trust us when we say that this form of oppression is VERY much alive and well. I knew of it, but until the wounding of women started to be expressed by those around me, I never knew (emotionally and relationally) how deep and present it was.

But I get what you're saying...when it isn't part of our experience or tradition, it kinda just disappears — from US that is. But just 'cause it is hidden from our sight, does not mean it is gone. It simply means it is not part of OUR world. But listen long and gently enough and you'll begin hearing the whispers of the wounded.

Chad -- In comment #6 you mentioned you were going to discuss this with your wife. How did that go?

Thanks for the LifeStraw link. Yea, I saw that photo, and though it indeed is a helpful solution, it still was hard seeing someone having to drink and filter muddy water through a straw. It is good to see a number of solutions—some more permanent and others temporary.

I find it sad when we act like and claim that we have nailed God and God’s ways down…as if we could know. Worse is when we judge people based on our “God” knowledge…as if we should judge. Even worse is when we tell people what God is going to do to/with them when they die…as if that’s our place.

I love it when we love.

BTW Derek, did you get my email about next Thursday?

I'm glad this post was timely for you, Rahreh. If you'd like to read more about our dream you can go to http://www.mendingshift.com/2007/12/21/a-new-ki... and http://jonathanbrink.com/2007/11/07/wwjdwtc-the...

Derek, I like it. Perhaps Ask a Ninja could be our pastor?

Greg, thanks for swinging by.

A people (church) like this would indeed be visible (as mentioned in the last line), but they wouldn't be visible because of the in-your-face kinda ways we've been known for for the last 100-1,500 years, but because of the love we show and live, thus helping make disciples of Jesus (the great commission). I agree. The church should be visible, but for the right reasons. And perhaps by being "invisible" (see post) it would help us to be visible in a better, undercurrent kinda way.

Hey Steve. I love the value North Point places on small groups...I had the opportunity to learn more about North Point's SG mindset at a recent Pastor's Conference at Willow Creek. I was blessed. As you said, that is where the real life/life change happens. One of our goals is to help build a church that begins with discipleship in smaller groups and uses a few larger monthly gatherings to support what is taking place in the Tribes.

Thanks Heather. Glad you swung by and were encouraged. I'm not sure if I should say goodnight (my time) or goodmorning (your time). Never-the-less, I look forward to the continuing conversation and mutual encouragement...

Derek, I spilled a bottle of Newcastle onto my Macbook and it died a month later. Though I love me a bottle of NC the mentioning of the name still bring back painful memories and freaks me out.

Matt, thanks for [not] commenting. Conformist!

Julie ~ Very true, though I have also seen some powerful musical/worship times with smaller numbers, though much more toned down.

Mike ~ Well, there you have it...I guess seven is the magic number. Perhaps we need to start a Church-of-Seven movement! ;-)

John, I too agree that in my heart I do not feel I deserve anything, but God felt I deserved a whole lot of grace and love, hence God's work of restoration and reconciliation. (I still feel so undeserving, but I believe by faith that, somehow, someway, I am because God thought I was).

It is funny you mention Romans 5. I think this is a perfect example of how multiple people can view and interpret the same verse very differently. Again, not to rehash theology here, but you and some others see it as God "making a way" for reconciliation, I and some others see it as God reconciling. "while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son"..."we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." But again, my point is not to discuss the many different views of atonement or limited vs. universal reconciliation, but to point out how one person sees one thing in a verse and another person see another thing -- same words, same spirit in us, different interpretation. The cool thing is that we can walk as brothers in Christ and seek to love and share the Good news of God's grace.

Kathy ~ thanks, I too love hearing what God is doing in the midst of your gatherings.

Alan ~ Hmmm, very nice. Yea, lastnight for us was a very informal gathering around a meal and it turned into something of the divine. I love it when God shows up when least expected. Glad to hear you experienced something of the same last weekend.

Tracy, 90 inches in one year? I am not man enough for that. I grew up living in the snow. Now I know where it is when I want to visit it ;-)

I feel like I should order up a round of brewskies for you two...mind if I join you? Chad, I suppose this can count as 1/5 of your comments today.

John (pastorboy), you mentioned above (#22) that we, as humans, only deserve death and hell. Fortunately God thought and thinks otherwise--thus his son and his grace. God felt we deserved himself and his love. Therefore I too will think otherwise. I too once held a rather negative view of all-things-human, but no longer. This is partly why our family is making the Christmas decision we have made.

Matt, thanks for commenting with your comment about Blog Comment Day. I look forward to reading tomorrow's anti-comment from you... ;-)

Hahaha...they just might do that.

Thanks Tracy...it is indeed; so much so it might make us consider moving out to Vermont.

It does. Jesus' example and call to love forces us to go beyond all labels and borders. I wrote a post that really expresses how I feel: …And So Many More Labels!

Derek, I agree wholeheartedly. People deserve love, care and compassion simply because they are human, having dignity, worth, are God's creation and created in God's image. If we see a neighbor in need and do not care for him, we are not following Jesus nor his ways.

Do you know where I can find a copy of his essay?