Intriguing post by Firetag at Wheat&Tares

a couple of quotes:

But Crossan is making the argument that “restoring things” (in our terminology) would mean getting back to the Jesus who, for a brief moment, stood against the encrusted religious shell of the established Temple order just as He stood against the encrusted empirical shell of the established political order. The apostasy (again in our terminology) would then have to consist of the very reestablishment of church institutions to broker access to salvation. The problem was the existence of brokers, not the correctness of the institutions or rituals they created to facilitate the brokering.

The Spirit of God is an inexhaustible resource. And when a resource is truly inexhaustible, and easily obtainable by anyone, it can not be overused, and there is no need for a continuing price mechanism. It can be shared for whatever little is given in return. It does not need to be hoarded for fear our physical needs will go unmet. That applies to all of us, but the example of those who lead may be especially important in convincing the rest of us…….. If Crossan’s view is correct on the “brokerless Kingdom”, apostasy is exactly the process of artificially restricting the flow of the Spirit for the benefit of the established religious order — regardless of the correctness of the views of the religious order.

Featured Post/ Learning: A Prelude to Teaching

This is by Barbara Howard and was posted on the Community of Christ Evangelists blog

a quote:

One of the most difficult learning experiences for me has been to listen to people whose ideas seem completely different from my own about some subject. But, when I’ve truly listened I realize their commitment and enthusiasm for their point of view is very much like my own for my understanding. So, rather than argue or turn off my listening I am trying to learn how to listen with my heart. If I do this, even though we still see the world differently I am able to love and accept them in ways that were not possible before. Learning about them changes the way I look at them.

Learning can precede our teaching. Spending time with others different from ourselves in other settings than church can open doors for ministry. Spending time with those in other age groups can give us new insights about community. Learning and practicing the spiritual disciplines can teach us to recognize the leading of God’s spirit more readily.

Featured Post: Christ-like Love

This is an article by Linda Booth, found in the Herald Magazine and also on the Herald Blog. Here is a passage that I like:

We forget the radical nature of Jesus’ encounter with the unnamed woman. In the Hebrew culture, women were dismissed; their social status equal to slaves and children. In public places, women covered themselves with two veils to remain unseen. Men were prohibited from looking at or talking to women in public. A woman could be divorced for simply speaking to a man outside her home.

This woman’s situation was complicated further because she was unclean according to the purity laws. Her bleeding for 12 years would have excluded her from Jewish life and from relationships with others. She could not eat with people, worship in the temple, or have any contact with another practicing Jew.

As a result, she would have been estranged, lonely, and rejected.

Jesus’ speaking to and healing this woman would have shocked his disciples. His actions were a rejection of the cultural restrictions of gender and the religious-purity code. Jesus chose to relate to this woman, valuing her as a person of worth, healing her so she could resume relationships with others.

What does this story tell us about Christ-like love? As individuals and as members of Christ’s body we are called to see others through spiritual eyes that recognize another’s pain, separation, and need. We are called to take the time to love, even when the action does not fit our schedule. We are called to love those considered unclean in our society, to stop, touch, and heal the estranged, lonely, and rejected because they are God’s children of inestimable and equal worth.

Sometimes during the night the 100th distinct visitor arrived. Welcome everyone!

Featured Post: Neighbours

a quote:

I have a friend I have often heard say, “The gospel is not just about us.” Clearly this is true, since the message of Jesus is for everyone, and that includes the neighbours where the church is.

So let me ask you, have you ever invited the neighbours who live on the street where your congregation’s building is to come to some event? Have you ever thought of it? Has anyone thought of it? Has anyone even talked to the neighbours…at least in the five years…or 10?

If not, do you think it might be time we did?

Posted by Carman