Day 1 - Where is your Antioch?
Where is your Antioch, your community of faith and learning? Is it dead or dying? Is it alive and growing? Before you can figure out where your Antioch is, you need to know what an Antioch is. Read Acts 11:20-30. What are some of the characteristics of the community in Antioch? Do you find these characteristics in your current community of faith?
Day 2 - Beloved Community
We all want to be part of a healthy, reconciled, authentic community. This is something Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. named the beloved community, one with the type of spirit and type of love "that can transform opposers into friends". Depending on your experience of church, you may be thinking that either being beloved community in a congregation is a no-brainer or a pipe dream. Read Colossians 3:12-17. How do these words provide a model for beloved community?
Day 3 - Authentic Community
Achieving true community is rare. According to M. Scott Peck, author of The Road Less Traveled and Beyond, most groups of people only achieve psuedo-community, where the assumption is that everyone is the same, with the same goals in mind, and that everybody will play nice. True community requires experiencing the chaos of our differences and the emptying of barriers to communication such as “expectations, preconceptions, and prejudices and emptying ourselves of the need to heal, convert, fix or solve."
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. What do you think it takes to move beyond psuedo-community to authentic community?
Day 4 - Changing Community
The church is people in community, so the church represents a lot of different experiences, passions, disappointments, gifts, attitudes, disagreements, challenges, and beliefs just like the real world. How do we do church with all these unique perspectives messing about? Read Matthew 18:1-5 and Romans 12 then ponder this quote from take this bread by Sara Miles:
"You can't be a Christian by yourself. You can't be more special or holy. I was going to be changed, too, and lose my private church for a new one I couldn't control. I was going to have to work with the people I liked at St. Gregory's, and the ones who irritated the hell out of me, and Veronica, and a bunch of strangers I hadn't even met yet."
Can we be part of a community without expecting change, in
ourselves and in others?
Day 5 - Reconciling Community
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-20. Consider the following words from
Becoming the Authentic Church by Gordon Cosby & Kayla McClurg:
"We are the recipients of God's atonement through Christ's life, death and resurrection, but how can we claim to have atonement, literally at-one-ment, with God if we are not reconciled to the
diverse family of God?"
How can we seek to know and be known by people whom society might call our "opposites", in order to overcome the barriers that we have been led to believe were inevitable? How does your faith community practice the ministry of reconciliation?
Walking Wet: Relationship, not Religion
Day 1
Most people appreciate being called by name. Some are offended if their names are forgotten or mispronounced. God knows our names. God knows all about us, and yet God loves us. Read the following verses, basking in God's intimate love for you: Psalm 139:13-18, 23-24; Isaiah 43:1, 46:3-4; 49:15-16a; Jeremiah 1:4-8; and John 10:3-4. Some of these words are spoken to individuals or to Israel, but the heart of these messages is for each of us: God know us by name; God loves us and calls to us. Thank God for calling you by name. Embrace God's love.
Day 2
Love and belonging is a basic human need. Too often we humans search for love in all the wrong places. Our past human experiences cloud our understanding of God's unconditional love for us. Today is a new beginning. If you are suffering ask the great healer to live in your heart and accept the love He freely has already given you. "So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." 1 John 4: 16.
Day 3
Do you see your Christianity as a "religion" or as a relationship, a journey with God? Read John 1:35-51. Notice the eagerness with which these early followers of Jesus leave what is behind and put their trust in Jesus, and commit their lives to him. Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime with God and his son Jesus? Are you ready to re-commit your life to Jesus?
Day 4
Find a quiet spot away from all distractions. Turn off electronic devices, breathe deeply and talk openly and authentically with God. Whisper, shout, cry, smile. Don’t hold anything back. End by thanking Him for His love, be specific.
Day 5
Begin by reading Luke 6: 27-38. We demonstrate unconditional acceptance and love, based in the unconditional love and acceptance offered to us by Jesus. We serve others, regardless of what we think of their worthiness or circumstances, with no strings attached. Love will push us out of our comfort zone as we choose to do what is right, even to our enemies and no matter the personal cost. Commit to leave your comfort zone and serve others today. Service opportunities are posted in the Spirit of Peace (the weekend handout), the Peace E-zine, and on the ministry wall as you enter the church building.
Most people appreciate being called by name. Some are offended if their names are forgotten or mispronounced. God knows our names. God knows all about us, and yet God loves us. Read the following verses, basking in God's intimate love for you: Psalm 139:13-18, 23-24; Isaiah 43:1, 46:3-4; 49:15-16a; Jeremiah 1:4-8; and John 10:3-4. Some of these words are spoken to individuals or to Israel, but the heart of these messages is for each of us: God know us by name; God loves us and calls to us. Thank God for calling you by name. Embrace God's love.
Day 2
Love and belonging is a basic human need. Too often we humans search for love in all the wrong places. Our past human experiences cloud our understanding of God's unconditional love for us. Today is a new beginning. If you are suffering ask the great healer to live in your heart and accept the love He freely has already given you. "So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." 1 John 4: 16.
Day 3
Do you see your Christianity as a "religion" or as a relationship, a journey with God? Read John 1:35-51. Notice the eagerness with which these early followers of Jesus leave what is behind and put their trust in Jesus, and commit their lives to him. Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime with God and his son Jesus? Are you ready to re-commit your life to Jesus?
Day 4
Find a quiet spot away from all distractions. Turn off electronic devices, breathe deeply and talk openly and authentically with God. Whisper, shout, cry, smile. Don’t hold anything back. End by thanking Him for His love, be specific.
Day 5
Begin by reading Luke 6: 27-38. We demonstrate unconditional acceptance and love, based in the unconditional love and acceptance offered to us by Jesus. We serve others, regardless of what we think of their worthiness or circumstances, with no strings attached. Love will push us out of our comfort zone as we choose to do what is right, even to our enemies and no matter the personal cost. Commit to leave your comfort zone and serve others today. Service opportunities are posted in the Spirit of Peace (the weekend handout), the Peace E-zine, and on the ministry wall as you enter the church building.
Walking Wet: The call of baptism
Day 1: You Are Invited!
Read John 1:35-43. In verse 39, Jesus invites us to "come and see." We have an "open" invitation…to participate in a relationship with him…any time, anywhere. And, the good news is that we can share this invitation with others. The invitation is a call to discipleship, fellowship, blessing, comfort, service, sacrifice, and life eternal. The following passages will give you more specifics: Matthew 11:28-30, 25:34; Mark 10:21; John 4:29, 21:12; and Revelation 3:20. Have you responded to the invitation? Come and see!
Day 2: He Knows Your Name
Have you ever walked into a crowd at a party and looked around for someone you knew who could call you by name? What a relief when you hear a familiar voice calling your name. God knows your name—He knows all about you and loves you unconditionally. Read the following verses which tell of the depths of His love for you: Psalm 139:13-18; Isaiah 43:1; 46:3-4; 49:15-16a; Jeremiah 1:4-8; and John 10:3-4. Thank God for knowing you and calling you by name.
Day 3: Is God Using Your Voice?
Read John 1:43-51. Take note of all the invitations that are given. Did these early followers of Jesus wait until their faiths were mature and they knew Jesus well before inviting others to "come and see"? They had been waiting for the Messiah and, upon meeting him, they were incredibly eager to invite others into relationship with Jesus. Have you ever talked with anyone about what Jesus means to you? Have you invited someone to church so that he/she might hear the good news? Read Acts 1:8 and Romans 10:8-15. The disciples began by sharing Jesus with those closest to them. Ask the Spirit to give you opportunities this week to share the love of Jesus with family and friends.
Day 4: Have You Shared the Invitation?
Yesterday, we noted all the invitations in John 1:43-51. Read the text again and notice that Andrew and Philip immediately invite others to come and meet Jesus. And those whom they invite, Simon and Nathanael, find that Jesus already knows them. Read John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:4-6; and 2 Peter 3:9. God’s love knows no limits. We, too, are called to love without limit. Yesterday we prayed about sharing with those people closest to us. Is God calling you to deliver the invitation to those outside your circle of friends and family? The neighbor two doors down, the student sitting across from you, the mailman who stops to chat while working his route? Ask God for guidance and direction.
Day 5: Welcome to the Community!
Where do you feel most secure in God’s love? Is it in your family, in your church? When you're in prayer? One by one, Jesus invites the disciples into relationship with him. He calls them by name; he knows them intimately; he challenges them to "come and see" and to follow him. And he invites them into community. In John 1:41-46, notice how God uses the voices of Andrew and Philip to call others to Jesus. And just as he uses human voices to call people to Jesus, he uses human arms to embrace them and words to encourage them with Jesus' love. Read John 13:34-35; 15:9-13; 17:20-26. Thank God for your family, your friends and your faith community. Thank God for loving you unconditionally. Ask the Spirit to guide you in sharing this "welcome call" to those beyond the comfortable circle of family and faith community.
Read John 1:35-43. In verse 39, Jesus invites us to "come and see." We have an "open" invitation…to participate in a relationship with him…any time, anywhere. And, the good news is that we can share this invitation with others. The invitation is a call to discipleship, fellowship, blessing, comfort, service, sacrifice, and life eternal. The following passages will give you more specifics: Matthew 11:28-30, 25:34; Mark 10:21; John 4:29, 21:12; and Revelation 3:20. Have you responded to the invitation? Come and see!
Day 2: He Knows Your Name
Have you ever walked into a crowd at a party and looked around for someone you knew who could call you by name? What a relief when you hear a familiar voice calling your name. God knows your name—He knows all about you and loves you unconditionally. Read the following verses which tell of the depths of His love for you: Psalm 139:13-18; Isaiah 43:1; 46:3-4; 49:15-16a; Jeremiah 1:4-8; and John 10:3-4. Thank God for knowing you and calling you by name.
Day 3: Is God Using Your Voice?
Read John 1:43-51. Take note of all the invitations that are given. Did these early followers of Jesus wait until their faiths were mature and they knew Jesus well before inviting others to "come and see"? They had been waiting for the Messiah and, upon meeting him, they were incredibly eager to invite others into relationship with Jesus. Have you ever talked with anyone about what Jesus means to you? Have you invited someone to church so that he/she might hear the good news? Read Acts 1:8 and Romans 10:8-15. The disciples began by sharing Jesus with those closest to them. Ask the Spirit to give you opportunities this week to share the love of Jesus with family and friends.
Day 4: Have You Shared the Invitation?
Yesterday, we noted all the invitations in John 1:43-51. Read the text again and notice that Andrew and Philip immediately invite others to come and meet Jesus. And those whom they invite, Simon and Nathanael, find that Jesus already knows them. Read John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:4-6; and 2 Peter 3:9. God’s love knows no limits. We, too, are called to love without limit. Yesterday we prayed about sharing with those people closest to us. Is God calling you to deliver the invitation to those outside your circle of friends and family? The neighbor two doors down, the student sitting across from you, the mailman who stops to chat while working his route? Ask God for guidance and direction.
Day 5: Welcome to the Community!
Where do you feel most secure in God’s love? Is it in your family, in your church? When you're in prayer? One by one, Jesus invites the disciples into relationship with him. He calls them by name; he knows them intimately; he challenges them to "come and see" and to follow him. And he invites them into community. In John 1:41-46, notice how God uses the voices of Andrew and Philip to call others to Jesus. And just as he uses human voices to call people to Jesus, he uses human arms to embrace them and words to encourage them with Jesus' love. Read John 13:34-35; 15:9-13; 17:20-26. Thank God for your family, your friends and your faith community. Thank God for loving you unconditionally. Ask the Spirit to guide you in sharing this "welcome call" to those beyond the comfortable circle of family and faith community.
Walking Wet: Week 1
Once you give God an opening,
the door will never again be closed.
Day 1: Mark begins his gospel by explaining that John the Baptist, in fulfillment of prophecy, came to herald the Messiah. After several hundred years of prophetic silence, John’s appearance must have stirred hearts and created eager anticipation for what God was doing in their midst. In these early days of 2009, is your heart stirred and do you eagerly anticipate God's presence and activity? Picture yourself with the crowd gathered at the Jordan River as you read Mark 1:1-11. Pray the Spirit will draw you into the scene and enable you to hear God’s voice.
Day 2: Carefully and thoughtfully, read Mark 1:4-8. What is the message John teaches as he prepares the people for the soon-to-be-revealed Messiah? Did few or many respond to his words? What does this say about the hunger of the people's hearts? Consider the baptism of which verses 4 and 5 speak. How might repentance, confession, and forgiveness prepare the people for meeting Jesus and receiving his baptism (vs. 8)? Do we understand our need for a Savior if we do not recognize that we are sinners? Read Matthew 9:12-13; Luke 15:10; 18:9-14; and 1 John 1:8-10. Pray a prayer from your heart or use David’s words in Psalm 51:1-12, 17 to form your prayer.
Day 3: Read Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; and John 1:24-34. Jesus steps into the waters of the Jordan; God affirms Jesus as the beloved Son, and now Jesus is ready to begin his public ministry. John had been preparing the people for this moment; now the people can experience God's presence (Immanuel) in their midst in the person of Jesus. Jesus, though without sin, in humble identification with the people he came to save, steps into the water to be baptized by John. Jesus, the perfectly obedient, eternal Son, says, "yes," over and over, to God's will and mission for his life. Thank Jesus for setting aside his eternal glory and offering himself for you.
Day 4: For another look at this passage, read Matthew 3: 13-17. At Jesus' baptism, there was a public connection between Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The form of a dove was a visible endorsement of the Holy Spirit's presence. God's voice added to the weight of the moment. Jesus was the "real deal" – God’s only beloved Son in whom God was well-pleased. In addition to being a public endorsement, this was a very intimate moment between parent and child. The key word is "Beloved." How does it feel to be called "beloved," especially by God?
Day 5: What are the first words Jesus speaks as his public ministry begins according to Matthew 4:17 and Mark 1:15? What message fol¬lows (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17)? What are the commands; the promises? Consider that Jesus’ commands are the key that opens the door to discipleship. Why is repentance important; might it signify our realization that we need a Savior and our desire to be in a right relationship with God? Jesus also says, "Come, follow me." Do you hear the invitation? In the call to repent and to follow, it's Jesus who takes the initiative and invites us into relationship. Read Luke 19:10 and thank Jesus for inviting you to follow him.
We are called to deeper discipleship in Jesus Christ. Jesus was called to us by the love of God. His entry into the Jordan River was not for the forgiveness of sin—he knew no sin. It was so that God's presence could permeate every aspect of what it is to be human. Jesus will go where we all must go. Even without sin, he will enter into the waters of forgiveness. Sin no longer separates us from God's love.
Welcome to 2009!
The start of a new year often brings to mind the chance for new beginnings, hopes and wishes. Here are a few thoughts about hopes and dreams for this new year.
What hopes and dreams do you have for 2009?
"In this New Year, we turn again to the Lord of hosts - praying urgently for the justice, righteousness and peace hailed by the birth of the newborn babe in the manger, the humble child, the Prince of Peace.
In these days of terrible violence, death and destruction in Gaza and southern Israel, the ELCA joins its voice with all in the region and around the world who call for an immediate ceasefire. The continuing loss of life, infliction of serious injury and devastation of property will only deepen hatred and divisions, and will serve no good end. Lamenting the recent escalation of violence, only negotiations, leading to a two-state solution, will bring about a durable peace with justice for both Israelis and Palestinians." - Bishop Mark S. Hanson
"that we'd be people & communities radically in touch with Christ's love for us & continue to risk our comfort, ego, time, money, and heart to offer mercy & compassion to others. that we'd be somehow known as those weird people who love other people unconditionally, tangibly, and in all kinds of crazy, unexplainable ways." - kathy escobar
What hopes and dreams do you have for 2009?
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