Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Now that we are all in the mix

I hope we can continue the conversation after listening to the second Peacemaker sermon. This should spark some conversation. I know it created some concern at Mars Hill. I am praying for each of you. Please let me know what I can do for you.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

A couple of thoughts from the discussion…

I love the passion and the compassion shown by Christ as well, but I will warn you that phrases like “Jesus died bloody, but His hands were clean” suggest to many that act and events of Christ suggest a violence of them self that they are uncomfortable supporting simply to stop the redemptive violent thinking

Be careful in discussing violence with Protestant Reformation I believe this would be a tough sell since the violence tended to a bit one sided as more reformers practice non-redemptive measures for peace.

I love the fact that we keep looking to scripture to get a better feel for God’s truth. So I commend you on that. The Matt. 10:16

"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." Is an interesting passage to quote as to images used by Jesus would drawn attention to some interesting stories for Jewish listeners. First, snakes…where is the first snake mention. What was this snakes skill? And doves… two immediate connections 1) a common sacrifice in the temple 2) illusions to the Holy Spirit. Jesus is careful in his wording. Looking at some images that would of come up for good Jews then how is Jesus expecting us to act as sheep among wolves?

As Christians we can all tell stories of getting into cycles of sin that we just get rutted into and can seem to find a way. It often takes radical measures to break these habits. Is peace the radical measure to break violence? (I think so) I would love to see some scripture supporting this argument (hint hint Jim). At the same time, to give Al some ammunition what about point us to Matt 10:34. "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword…” Is there a larger understanding to this that we need to consider?

Finally… Danny no worries “grace abounds more.” At the same time, we love you too much to not push you to join the conversation. Your thoughts would be helpful to us. Besides the prodigal son Stuart is still MIA.

My prayers for each of you are daily.

Tuesday, January 9, 2007

By Sunday

Everyone needs to listen to Peacemaker Part 1 by this Sunday and make at least one comment under this posting. Feel free to say whatever or ask whatever to the group. Danny will you get a hold of Stuart to make sure he knows about this.
Thanks

Thursday, January 4, 2007

1st one no one will read...

go to www.jpharr43.blogspot.com to read about my experience at passion07.