I am thinking of either changing the format and content of this blog or discontinuing it.
I have been regularly updating my bible study blog but this one has really become dormant.
You can check out the other blog at: http://biblestudyinsideout.blogspot.com/
Potential new topic areas for this blog:
-Reflections on movies I have watched
-Politics and current events
-Missional musings and reflections the renewal of the church
-Sports
any thoughts? anyone out there?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
GO! See! Share!
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret…For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. (1 Corinthians 14:26-32)
Do you expect to see God at work in your daily life? Are looking for the signs that God is active? Are you sharing with others what you see?
Paul was a wonderful teacher and pastor of the early church and was extremely concerned that the budding Christian communities he helped establish would be hospitable to all people. Paul goes out his way, time and time again, to address the real and present needs of the people, and encourages them to find ways to live together in community.
In his letter to the Corinthians, and in particular in chapter 14, Paul is trying to bring order to a chaotic and unruly worship experience. It seems as though the people are so excited to share their “God stories” in worship that they are not taking turns. Everyone wants to speak at once and the unstructured nature of worship is causing problems for the church. Can you imagine what it would be like to have this problem? What would our church be like if people came together and eagerly shared their stories, so eagerly in fact that they tripped all over themselves trying to share?
It seems that Paul’s exhortation to bring order to worship has been taken extremely seriously in the history of the church. We like order and tradition and predictability—this is human nature. Chaos and disorder are disturbing and threatening. But are we missing something? Could we use a bit more disorder in our lives? Are we making room for the Spirit of God to intercede and show us something new? Are we making time to listen to God and one another?
In our life together as church, I would love to have the problem of the people of Corinth. I would love to have so many powerful stories of what God is doing in our lives that we have to be reminded to take turns.
An even bigger issue for us isn’t order or disorder in worship. I believe many haven’t yet opened their eyes to see what God is up to in the world. God is alive and moving in our lives and in the world. Are you looking? We can easily get so caught up in our own busy lives that we don’t even look for God. Or perhaps even worse, we believe that God is not present in our everyday lives. But God is present in all of life: at home, at work, at the grocery store, on the street, and even in the church. So start looking for God and you will see. "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9) Then come and share with the rest of us, I promise we will all get a turn.
Friday, March 21, 2008
The Passion of Jesus
On this Good Friday, I wanted to share some reflections on how the cross of Jesus challenges us to experience, think, and act in the world in a transformed way.
I have posted seven reflections based on the Passion as it is portrayed in the Gospel of Mark.
Read the posts individually, or as a collection, take time to think and pray about what it means that The Lord gave his life for you and me.
God Bless!
-PB
I have posted seven reflections based on the Passion as it is portrayed in the Gospel of Mark.
Read the posts individually, or as a collection, take time to think and pray about what it means that The Lord gave his life for you and me.
God Bless!
-PB
We are Judas
In some ways, Judas is a very difficult person to understand. He was one of Jesus’ disciples, one of the twelve chosen to usher in the Kingdom of God. As a disciple, Judas spent a tremendous amount of time with Jesus. Day after day Jesus taught his disciples how to understand scripture, how to live life, and how to carry out the ministry of God. Jesus was the disciples’ teacher, mentor, spiritual advisor, and friend. The goal of every disciple is to become like the teacher, to carry on their legacy, to advance their cause for the world.
This is why Judas’ actions are so shocking and appalling. Judas meets with the Jewish authorities and looks for a way to betray Jesus. For the Jewish leaders, Jesus was becoming a threat. He challenged the religious, political, social, and economic powers of the day. He ministered to the marginalized, the oppressed, and the downtrodden. His movement was exceptionally popular and with an ever-increasing group of followers. He was a threat and needed to be stopped. For whatever reason, Judas agreed to betray Jesus. Whether he did out of greed, jealousy, or some other motive he choose to betray his friend, teacher, and mentor.
Throughout history, Judas has been vilified and demonized for betraying Jesus. It is natural for us, as Christians, to want to morally distance ourselves from Judas’ action. But the question for us today is whether this is possible. In what ways have you betrayed Jesus? In what ways have you intentionally acted against your Lord and Savior?
When we see Judas’ actions as something separate from ourselves, something repugnant and reprehensible we fail to see that we are Judas. When we intentionally hurt others for personal gain, when we lie, when we gossip, when we break promises, when we commit acts of infidelity, we are Judas.
This is why Judas’ actions are so shocking and appalling. Judas meets with the Jewish authorities and looks for a way to betray Jesus. For the Jewish leaders, Jesus was becoming a threat. He challenged the religious, political, social, and economic powers of the day. He ministered to the marginalized, the oppressed, and the downtrodden. His movement was exceptionally popular and with an ever-increasing group of followers. He was a threat and needed to be stopped. For whatever reason, Judas agreed to betray Jesus. Whether he did out of greed, jealousy, or some other motive he choose to betray his friend, teacher, and mentor.
Throughout history, Judas has been vilified and demonized for betraying Jesus. It is natural for us, as Christians, to want to morally distance ourselves from Judas’ action. But the question for us today is whether this is possible. In what ways have you betrayed Jesus? In what ways have you intentionally acted against your Lord and Savior?
When we see Judas’ actions as something separate from ourselves, something repugnant and reprehensible we fail to see that we are Judas. When we intentionally hurt others for personal gain, when we lie, when we gossip, when we break promises, when we commit acts of infidelity, we are Judas.
Peter Sells Out
Of all the disciples, Peter was the closest to Jesus. He was the first disciple called, he was chosen to be the “rock” upon which the church would be built. Time and time again in the gospel accounts Peter is singled out for being a leader. Peter was always the first to volunteer and always eager to share his time, talent, and thoughts.
When Jesus predicted that all of the disciples would abandon him, Peter immediately claimed he would remain faithful even if others failed. After Jesus’ arrest, Peter followed closely monitoring all that was taking place. Because Peter was such a prominent follower of Jesus he was easily spotted and identified by the crowd. Fearing for his own life, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, even taking an oath. Peter denial was complete and final. Peter had acted against everything he stood for and abandoned Jesus in his hour of greatest need.
It is certainly difficult to imagine being in Peter’s position. In many ways he made a wise and prudent choice. If he had acknowledged his true identity he would have certainly suffered the same fate as Jesus. If he had told the truth he would have been unable to help build the Christian Church.
The question for us is what price do we pay when we deny our true identity? The scriptures say that Peter wept bitterly when he realized he had not only denied Jesus he had also denied and betrayed himself. Have you ever committed acts of self-sabotage? When we deny our true selves we deny God’s purpose for our life. When the chips are down in life will you choose the wise and prudent choice or will stand up for what you believe? Will you sell out a friend to save your own skin?
When Jesus predicted that all of the disciples would abandon him, Peter immediately claimed he would remain faithful even if others failed. After Jesus’ arrest, Peter followed closely monitoring all that was taking place. Because Peter was such a prominent follower of Jesus he was easily spotted and identified by the crowd. Fearing for his own life, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, even taking an oath. Peter denial was complete and final. Peter had acted against everything he stood for and abandoned Jesus in his hour of greatest need.
It is certainly difficult to imagine being in Peter’s position. In many ways he made a wise and prudent choice. If he had acknowledged his true identity he would have certainly suffered the same fate as Jesus. If he had told the truth he would have been unable to help build the Christian Church.
The question for us is what price do we pay when we deny our true identity? The scriptures say that Peter wept bitterly when he realized he had not only denied Jesus he had also denied and betrayed himself. Have you ever committed acts of self-sabotage? When we deny our true selves we deny God’s purpose for our life. When the chips are down in life will you choose the wise and prudent choice or will stand up for what you believe? Will you sell out a friend to save your own skin?
Jesus in the Garden
When Jesus prays in the Garden we have our most vivid picture of how our Lord understood the difficult mission God had given him. Jesus understood the pain and agony that his betrayal, arrest, suffering, and death would entail. He understood his pain and suffering would be physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. It would take every ounce of strength and courage for Jesus to endure the cross.
The scriptures tell us that Jesus was “deeply grieved” and that he asked God to “remove this cup from me.” At the darkest hour of his life, Jesus was afraid and prayed that if it were possible that he be spared the agony of the cross. Yet in the midst of great fear and anxiety, Jesus submitted to God’s will. When confronted with the full weight of the cross, Jesus turned to God in prayer and submitted himself to God’s will and God’s purpose. In the despair of Gethsemane, Jesus models for us how live with faithful courage and to submit to God’s will.
Submitting to God’s will and purpose in our life is often difficult. More frequently we assume that God wants us to be happy and we should therefore avoid pain and suffering in life. The scriptures tell us that we must put God first in our life, that we must submit ourselves to God’s authority. When we follow the Lord life may not always be easy but we will be moving closer to what God has created us to be.
The scriptures tell us that Jesus was “deeply grieved” and that he asked God to “remove this cup from me.” At the darkest hour of his life, Jesus was afraid and prayed that if it were possible that he be spared the agony of the cross. Yet in the midst of great fear and anxiety, Jesus submitted to God’s will. When confronted with the full weight of the cross, Jesus turned to God in prayer and submitted himself to God’s will and God’s purpose. In the despair of Gethsemane, Jesus models for us how live with faithful courage and to submit to God’s will.
Submitting to God’s will and purpose in our life is often difficult. More frequently we assume that God wants us to be happy and we should therefore avoid pain and suffering in life. The scriptures tell us that we must put God first in our life, that we must submit ourselves to God’s authority. When we follow the Lord life may not always be easy but we will be moving closer to what God has created us to be.
Resistance to Change
When Jesus came to Jerusalem he was welcomed as the Messiah by some, a prophet by many, and great teacher by all. In a matter of days, the same people who welcomed Jesus were plotting his death. Jesus was the ultimate threat to the Jewish religious leaders. He challenged conventional thinking and teaching and had a committed and large following. The more popular Jesus became, the less powerful the High Priest, the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were. Jesus was the new guy, the hot shot and everyone else was yesterday’s news. If the leaders didn’t act soon they would be out of a job.
Have you ever felt threatened by change? Have ever resisted new ideas because they were a threat to you personally? Have you ever maintained the status quo when you knew it was ineffective because change would be too difficult or painful?
The gospel of Christ and the Kingdom of God challenge our worldview and call us to change. God’s mission in the world is to redeem creation, to purify it, to restore each of us to what God intended. This requires change. This requires openness and humility. It requires us to acknowledge that it is not about us, it is about God. Are you moving toward or away the person God created you to be? Are you working for or against God’s mission in the world? Are you helping build or destroy the Kingdom of God?
Have you ever felt threatened by change? Have ever resisted new ideas because they were a threat to you personally? Have you ever maintained the status quo when you knew it was ineffective because change would be too difficult or painful?
The gospel of Christ and the Kingdom of God challenge our worldview and call us to change. God’s mission in the world is to redeem creation, to purify it, to restore each of us to what God intended. This requires change. This requires openness and humility. It requires us to acknowledge that it is not about us, it is about God. Are you moving toward or away the person God created you to be? Are you working for or against God’s mission in the world? Are you helping build or destroy the Kingdom of God?
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