Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Labels

My reading today challenged my thinking on what I label "Christian".

Christian=> noun=> a person devoted to living the way of the Messiah (Jesus).

Does the definition describe me? Does that describe my actions and the things I do?

Here are some quotes from my reading:

-Christian is a great noun and a poor adjective.
-To be a Christian is to do whatever it is that you do with great passion and devotion
-This is why it is impossible for a Christian to have a secular job. If you follow Jesus and you are doing what you do in Jesus name, then it is no longer secular work; it is sacred. You are there, God is there.

This is my favorite quote:
-A church is a community of people who are learning how to be certain kinds of people wherever they find themselves, so they can do whatever it is they do "in the name of the Lord Jesus." The goal is for the church to be these unique kinds of people who are transforming the places they live, work, and play because they understand the whole earth is filled with the presence of God. God is not in one building only. Doing things for God happens all the time, everywhere!


Honestly, I love the images Rob Bell presents of the church and the Christian and how they should relate to each other. Looking objectively, I wonder if our churches...my church...is anything like that. As Christians, do we live unique lives and transform the places we exist on the name of Jesus? As a church, do we invite people around us to be present with God along with us? I pray all these are yes or become yes!!!

Chew on that...let me know what ya think....

The Explanation...

I feel the need to do this for some reason. I think it is because my memory is horrible and because my ADD is in 8th gear and i can never remember any of the good ideas that pop up in my head! And i dont like post it notes.

I also feel this is a good tool to further connect to my friends and church peeps and anyone else around the world. Hopefully it will start debates that can further God's glory in this world!

On that note: i respect all opinions on my ramblings, however....if you start to bash me and my thinking...i will no longer read your comments nor respond to them :)

I have started reading Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell again recently. I do this in parallel to my own scripture readings! Velvet Elvis has been such a great book! Rob writes this book in a "conversation at a coffee table" style, which helps me because i normally dont like to read at all!

However this book gets a bad rep because people a) cannot be open minded and b) take quotes from the book out of context.

You will see quotes from the book, my response and thoughts, and also some stories from my own personal walk with Jesus!

I hope this be a blessing to some, thought provoking to others, and even difficult to handle for others. I've learned that out of difficulty and confusion comes wisdom and sometimes a new way of seeing!

Love me or hate me...this is Gaddy :)