February 28, 05 by ed
<%image(20050228-bible open.jpg|132|112|Bible)%> Following up on yesterday’s post regarding the incarnational character of the church that causes it to go out into the world and make disciples, I had an epiphany of sorts that kept me up until 2 am. In reflecting on what must occur while we bring the kingdom of God to our world, it hit me that reading the Bible, prayer, and theological reflection must occur while we are incarnating the love of Christ to the world.
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February 26, 05 by ed
The smoke has just barely cleared after a church leadership retreat in which we discussed the necessity of being “missionaries” to our culture and the need to make a big push into our local community. While we are in agreement to a point, I find myself asking, “Do we really know what it means to be ‘missional’ or perhaps a better word would be ‘incarnational’ in our approach to ministry?” and “What needs to change about how we do church in order to be incarnational?”
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February 23, 05 by ed
An older gentleman stopped by the office today and shortly thereafter I heard the hauntingly familiar lyrics, in all their morbid perkiness, shuffling out of a back office: “Majesty, worship his majesty!” The hair raised on my neck. My mind raced and stomach churned as I lunged for my mouse. Must . . . get . . . to . . . media . . . player . . .
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February 22, 05 by ed
On the recommendation of a friend I read the first few chapters of Warren Wiersbe’s book, On Being a Servant of God. He has some very handy and practical insights about God and ministry. He really took me back with this quote about ministry,
“If you can explain how it happened, then God probably didn’t do it.”
Now THAT is humbling.
February 21, 05 by ed
One of my favorite series of books is by Jasper Fforde. The first book, the Eyre Affair, introduces his alternate reality in which a detective by the name Thursday Next is able to jump into works of literature, rescuing the characters from kidnappers and the like. For example, in one scene Thursday jumps into Great Expectations and joins Miss Havisham as she enters Wuthering Heights to provide “rage counseling” to the characters. As Thursday goes into these great works of literature, their stories and characters suddenly become more overwhelmingly relevant and engaging than could possibly be imagined. She finds her herself simultaneously attracted to and repulsed by Heathcliffe, while feeling a mix of pity and contempt for Catherine’s husband Linton. OK, perhaps I am stretching this a bit here, but bear with me . . . What if we could attempt a similar feat in reading scripture?
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February 20, 05 by ed
Let’s face it, we all think we’re pretty smart. We would not believe what we do unless we were convinced that it’s right. We would not go to church, read the Bible, hold certain dogmas and doctrines, etc. unless we were sure about their veracity. I like to think, read, and talk about theology, ecclesiology, Christian practice, and other topics connected with God. My views matter to me and I have invested a lot of time into them. And yet a bomb dropped on me this morning when I read Isaiah 29:13-14.
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February 19, 05 by ed
<%image(20050228-santa biblia.jpg|40|60|null)%>One of the books I have been reading lately is Santa Biblia: The Bible Through Hispanic Eyes by Justo Gonzalez. Though it is impossible for one author to capture the perspective of an entire culture, Gonzalez has truly opened my mind to the variety of ways possible to read the Bible based on our setting. My own reading of the Bible based in suburban, middle class America will differ significantly from an ethnic minority in America that is economically disadvantaged. While some interpretations offered by Gonzalez are hard to relate to, he has also added tremendous richness and perspective to a number of Bible stories that I have never truly understood.
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February 17, 05 by ed
No one was more surprised than Paul McCartney when he was chosen to perform during the Super Bowl half time show based on the criteria of “family-safe” entertainment. During his stint with the Beatles, McCartney had been the rebel who questioned the establishment and could never be considered safe entertainment due to his connection with the drug culture of his generation. So what has changed since the time of the Beatles (60’s and 70’s)? Are we just more depraved?
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February 16, 05 by ed
Almost against my will I was driving down the road today toward a motel along the outskirts of Doylestown, Pa. I had a bag of groceries in my back seat that I intended to drop off to a guy who called the church office in need of food and shelter. It’s always a sticky situation when I get these calls, but I find them to be far worse when I get myself into the middle of them. I typically would say that I care about reaching people for Christ, but for some reason when I reach out to the margins of society, my passion and effectiveness seem to be squelched. What’s my problem?
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February 15, 05 by ed
<%image(20050302-microscope 2.jpg|78|141|microscope)%> “Theology” sounds like such a professional term. It smacks of the academy and makes me squirm a bit when I think that we are “studying God.” I think of myself in a white lab coat with a scrap of the Bible under a microscope, a chart at my side, and a sharp pen which will record all of my “data”.
Is it irreverant to say that we can “study God”? It sounds so cold and impersonal. I tremble at the thought of becoming so detached from God that I can study him. Would I ever think of “studying” my wife. Fine specimen that she may be, to say I am “studying” her misses the point. We are in a relationship that transcends the subject/observer relationship of a specimen and scientist.
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February 15, 05 by Josh
I have been pondering the following verse: “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23) In my ponderings, this one thought has emerged. Perhaps the reason Evangelicals are so divided is because our focus has been off-center from the Reformation on.
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February 12, 05 by Josh
<%image(20050213-Objects_in_Mirror_by_The_Definition.jpg|60|78|)%>“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12
Ed and I want to use this space to record our reflections on life, Christianity, and Spirituality. We named this site “inamirrordimly.com” because of the picture it draws for us. Reflections, but of something not completely graspable. Knowledge, but limited in scope.
We hope that this can be a place that houses thoughts that resonate with you and your journey. Please visit often and comment freely!
