Luke 5-8

What does Jesus call us to exactly?  Its what I am working at for this coming Sunday.  The chapters in Luke for this Sunday have parables and call stories, all of which give us a bit each of what we are called to, but taken individually, not the whole picture.  Take a look at these chapters and let me know what you think we are called to. 

Gospel of Luke 3-4

This past Sunday I said something wrong.  In my hurry to get to the text I said there was nothing of Jesus' childhood in Luke. There is a short story of when Jesus was 11 and he was in the temple.    The point I was getting at was there is very little about his life from birth to the age of 30, which remains a valid point I think.  

DEMANDING OF GOD:  I am really uncomfortable with prayer that demands things of God.  To share with God what I am feeling, to let him know my anger, joy, pain, happiness, etc. that's fine - more than fine - the Psalms do that alot.  To think that if we pray harder and harder we will get what we want is a different thing.  The ultimate in prayer is saying to God your will be done, and not using that as a way of disguising our lack of faith.  The Lord's Prayer starts with your will be done, and for me that is a challenge to say, I know you can do anything, your are all powerful, perfect, God, and whatever you do is what should be, never mind what I think you should do.  Ever been in a situation where people demand of God?  I have, and I didn't like it, didn't feel comfortable.  Thoughts?  

SATAN COMING AFTER YOU:  I am told by many that hell, Satan, judgement - these are things we should be careful of saying because in our society people don't want to hear things like that.  Speak of God's love, and let that work.  God is love, huge and magnificent and beyond my imagination.  I believe that and I know that from personal experience.  I also know from personal experience Satan is real.  If Satan is real than hell is too and so is judgement. Whenever I have felt good about my life with Jesus, when its in a really good space, I have always, without exception, been hit stronger by temptation.  I believe that is Satan getting at me.  I read a quote this morning that said when you are precious to Jesus Satan gets really interested in you.  Thing is, our security, our peace comes from knowing Jesus is stronger, and we don't need to fear.  Don't take Satan lightly, but know Jesus can handle it.  Thoughts?

Intro

Figuring out what God is saying to us is both a personal and a community effort.   There are dangers and strengths in how we work at each.  We need to be open to God's direction to us personally, but careful it is not our own hopes and biases that take the lead.  We need to be open to community discernment, but careful we don't seek compromise to the point it is the lowest common denominator.  This blog is one way of working at both.  It's a space where we can share with each other, respond to each other, and talk about things

 

Sounds like fun, but to prevent it from going 'sideways', some basic rules for entries.  Keep them respectful.  Agreeing or disagreeing is fine.  Dis-respecting others is not.  Some of the entries will come from Jesus followers.  If you are pray about what you write.  Some of the entries will come from those who have questions about Jesus.  Ask your questions.  Some of the entries will come from those who have made the choice to follow something else that Jesus.  We want to hear from you.  Right up front, know I will disagree with you and will do my best to point you to Jesus, so you know where I am coming from already. 

 

Confidentiality will be respected, and we will monitor to make sure entries don't cross the line.  Looking forward to hearing from you.