I've been reading some of the Jesus stories in the gospels lately (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), and I've been noticing more and more just how REAL everything is.
Jesus hung out with fishermen, tax collectors, prostitutes, lawyers, etc. And he was constantly going to parties with drunks, sailing across the sea smelling of fish, walking miles between cities and getting very dusty, sweaty and exhausted. These stories aren't just about religious ceremonies, or great epiphanies, or sacred rites, or mountaintop supernatural experiences for the spiritually elite. They tell of real, "unspiritual" people, in real life.
Jesus' parables and the entire God story relates to our everyday lives MORE than our church-on-Sunday "spiritual" lives. I like that about it.
P.S. To the "onlooker" who commented on the Braveheart post, thanks for your remarks! I agree that the church is not as effective as it could be - and in many ways is not an accurate representation of God in the world. Sadly, in some ways, we have actually lived exactly the opposite of the message of Christ (the "good news"). Speaking as one of those in the church, I am truly sorry that we have left so many people "bruised and battered" along the way. For a group of people who exist because of the love and grace of God, we have had some very sad moments in our history. I am deeply sorry.
Thursday 8 June 2006
The Non-Religious God
Thursday 1 June 2006
Braveheart
What does this world need?
When I look at the world, in general I see a people dying. Who is really alive? Are there any amongst us who are tasting life to the full, rich and bursting with beauty? I look around and instead see far too many people with depression, or just hopelessness and despair. I see people searching desperately for life, or people convincing themselves that they already have it, or people giving up and finally saying "This must be all there is...."
But this can't be true! There must be more than this! I don't want to live a mediocre, hopeless, meaningless life. Please someone show me some other way!
On behalf of my world, I'm asking for leaders with vision and courage to give us hope. There is no more important time to stand up and be bold. Watch Braveheart again and be a leader like William Wallace. Show us what truth there is, show us what beauty there is, give us something valuable to live for. We are confused - walking blindly in a haze. Leaders, please stand up and lead. Lead with courage. Lead with integrity. And don't leave our side.
I would follow you.
When I look at the world, in general I see a people dying. Who is really alive? Are there any amongst us who are tasting life to the full, rich and bursting with beauty? I look around and instead see far too many people with depression, or just hopelessness and despair. I see people searching desperately for life, or people convincing themselves that they already have it, or people giving up and finally saying "This must be all there is...."
But this can't be true! There must be more than this! I don't want to live a mediocre, hopeless, meaningless life. Please someone show me some other way!
On behalf of my world, I'm asking for leaders with vision and courage to give us hope. There is no more important time to stand up and be bold. Watch Braveheart again and be a leader like William Wallace. Show us what truth there is, show us what beauty there is, give us something valuable to live for. We are confused - walking blindly in a haze. Leaders, please stand up and lead. Lead with courage. Lead with integrity. And don't leave our side.
I would follow you.
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