After reading John chapter 4 and the the 4th chapter of The Jesus I Never Knew, share your thoughts on the needs of mankind and the interesting way God has addressed or not addressed those needs by allowing us so much freedom.
Why would God allow His creation so much freedom that we could choose to deny relationship with Him and even to deny the possibility of relationship with Him, or even His very existence.
What does it say about the character of a God who though omnipotent does not require or force worship and adoration?
Why does the Creator of the universe choose to communicate in such subtle ways? Why not impose His will as earthly leaders and governments seek to do?
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Chapter 2 Birth: The Visited Planet
In Chapter 2 Yancey looks at the birth of Jesus, trying to imagine it from various viewpoints. But what stands out the most to me is the contrast he draws between what we put on our Christmas cards today and what that first Christmas was really like. The gritty, dangerous, uncertain, and very messy way God entered creation was no accident. It was chosen. And it was chosen for very specific reasons, because God does not do happenstance or accidental. But we are pretty much left to wonder about these reasons. What does it mean that God would enter His own creation in such a way?
Humble, Approachable, Underdog, Courageous are the words Yancey chooses to describe how God entered the world He created.
Have you ever wondered what it says about the character of God that He chose such a messy way to enter the world? That He chose for His entrance to be so humiliating for two teenagers? That He chose a stable? That He chose the cold? That He chose a time period that was so primitive? A family that was so poor? That He chose to bypass literally all the advantages of history, power, privilege, geography, technology, wealth, and prestige to enter the world the way He did?
I can only assume that He was making a huge point about the desire of His heart to communicate to me and to you how much we are worth to Him. How far he is willing to go. How much He is willing to endure. That no cost is too high for Him to pay to have relationship with me and with you.
I also think He wants us to realize that all these things we hold so dear are really so unimportant. Wealth, and reputation, and power, and comfort are all overrated and probably unhealthy as well.
But mostly, I think He wanted a story that would be like no other. One that simply had to be told. One almost impossible to believe.
Why do you think God chose such a way to enter His creation? And what should that mean to you personally? And what does that mean to you personally?
God bless
coach
Humble, Approachable, Underdog, Courageous are the words Yancey chooses to describe how God entered the world He created.
Have you ever wondered what it says about the character of God that He chose such a messy way to enter the world? That He chose for His entrance to be so humiliating for two teenagers? That He chose a stable? That He chose the cold? That He chose a time period that was so primitive? A family that was so poor? That He chose to bypass literally all the advantages of history, power, privilege, geography, technology, wealth, and prestige to enter the world the way He did?
I can only assume that He was making a huge point about the desire of His heart to communicate to me and to you how much we are worth to Him. How far he is willing to go. How much He is willing to endure. That no cost is too high for Him to pay to have relationship with me and with you.
I also think He wants us to realize that all these things we hold so dear are really so unimportant. Wealth, and reputation, and power, and comfort are all overrated and probably unhealthy as well.
But mostly, I think He wanted a story that would be like no other. One that simply had to be told. One almost impossible to believe.
Why do you think God chose such a way to enter His creation? And what should that mean to you personally? And what does that mean to you personally?
God bless
coach
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Welcome to DCA Jesusness!!
This year we will be blogging on topics and reading assignments as an entire class.
I am excited to announce that Ron Barnard will be blogging on the book "The Jesus I Never Knew" weekly. He will blog on the book chapter by chapter throughout the semester and it will be part of your class assignments to comment and ask questions by blog weekly.
Other pastors and writers will be blogging on other topics as well and I will announce those writers as the semester moves on.
For now sign in and sign up and get ready to blog about the kingdom and your relationship with Jesus!
Thanks and God bless
coach
I am excited to announce that Ron Barnard will be blogging on the book "The Jesus I Never Knew" weekly. He will blog on the book chapter by chapter throughout the semester and it will be part of your class assignments to comment and ask questions by blog weekly.
Other pastors and writers will be blogging on other topics as well and I will announce those writers as the semester moves on.
For now sign in and sign up and get ready to blog about the kingdom and your relationship with Jesus!
Thanks and God bless
coach
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