I have the incredible honor of preaching this sunday at BCC. What? That is right. I am speaking the word of God this Sunday. You also are right, I should be working on the sermon and not posting a blog. Still, I wanted to get this written down while I am still thinking. I cannot imagine God choosing me to speak. I really cannot imagine God wanting to use someone of my character, my action, my life to speak on His behalf. As Paul says, I am the chief sinner (Joe's version). I truly do not know how God works through people in general. This person specifically.
Yet I am amazed that only through fools does God continue to work. Sure their are some great men that God has used, yet God also works through many fools. We are simply able to sit before Him and honor Him. Humbling oursevles and crying help to God. I do my best to simply let Him work through me. That is always my prayer.
I have been tasked with the idea of Jesus' humanity. No small task. I have many thoughts on this. However, you will need to come Sunday to hear them. Another thought that has come to me from my readings is our adoption by God. I am adopted into the family of God. The Spirit testifies on my behalf. I am amazed that through this adoption I am an heir. Imagine that. An heir to God. I cannot fathom.
I am struck by this thought...because I know Jesus, I know God. I know this is not a deep thought, but it is a deep statement. That is right. Have you ever thought about your knowledge of God without Jesus. What would you know? I wonder how messed up I would be without Jesus. In fact, how much would I believe in God without Jesus. Jesus is my understanding of God. Jesus is my example of God. I am without direction without Jesus' direction.
Mull that over. Run with that thought. Where are we without Jesus?
I'll have more to say on Sunday.
In Christ,
Joe
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Friday, April 8, 2005
Dealing with it
I have spent the week dealing with some things that have bothered me from my past. It really all started with the Illini loss on Monday. I really took it hard. I couldn't figure out why I was in so much pain. Being a sports fan, especially a Cubs fan, I have learned to handle disappointment in quite a few ways. Yet somehow this loss hurt me more than most. I was stunned to realize just how much.
I have also been reading The Emotionally Healthy Church. It really talks about how our health depending on dealing with issues, not pushing them aside. I really found myself looking at some other past problems. I was amazed at how much things had been suppressed. I took a really good look at things and found myself feeling the pain in different areas. It just was released through the Illini loss.
I have spent the week dealing with my shortcomings. The difficulties of not dealing with issues, and most of all I realized that I have to face some serious problems. It was great to talk to my good friend Nathan Reed about them. He really is a blessing. I hope you have someone you can share your feelings with. Someone that really listens and helps.
It is easier to think about other things. It is so much easier to think about my little girl, our child that is on the way, my loving wife. These are the things I like to deal with. They are easier. They do not cause as much pain. Yet as I work through the pain, I have had a much better week. My life is changing. I am glad, but I would still rather avoid the pain. The pain helped me grow. Deal with it.
Some thoughts.
--Why do dirty diapers happen when your wife has left for class?
--Why do kids always reach for the most dangerous thing they can find?
--It always amazes me that we spend so much time searching for relationships that are hard or difficult. We usually are surrounded by so many loving and caring people. Yet, they are not the ones we choose, we tend to seek after that which we cannot have. Maybe we are like the children reaching for the most dangerous thing we can find.
--I hate difficult conversations. Yet they tend to be the best. We often avoid the tough question, but if we actually discussed them more often, we might enjoy are converstaions more. At least they would be more real.
I hope you enjoy your week,
In Christ,
Joe
I have also been reading The Emotionally Healthy Church. It really talks about how our health depending on dealing with issues, not pushing them aside. I really found myself looking at some other past problems. I was amazed at how much things had been suppressed. I took a really good look at things and found myself feeling the pain in different areas. It just was released through the Illini loss.
I have spent the week dealing with my shortcomings. The difficulties of not dealing with issues, and most of all I realized that I have to face some serious problems. It was great to talk to my good friend Nathan Reed about them. He really is a blessing. I hope you have someone you can share your feelings with. Someone that really listens and helps.
It is easier to think about other things. It is so much easier to think about my little girl, our child that is on the way, my loving wife. These are the things I like to deal with. They are easier. They do not cause as much pain. Yet as I work through the pain, I have had a much better week. My life is changing. I am glad, but I would still rather avoid the pain. The pain helped me grow. Deal with it.
Some thoughts.
--Why do dirty diapers happen when your wife has left for class?
--Why do kids always reach for the most dangerous thing they can find?
--It always amazes me that we spend so much time searching for relationships that are hard or difficult. We usually are surrounded by so many loving and caring people. Yet, they are not the ones we choose, we tend to seek after that which we cannot have. Maybe we are like the children reaching for the most dangerous thing we can find.
--I hate difficult conversations. Yet they tend to be the best. We often avoid the tough question, but if we actually discussed them more often, we might enjoy are converstaions more. At least they would be more real.
I hope you enjoy your week,
In Christ,
Joe
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