Baptism

I have been thinking about baptism lately. The result is many questions.

What does it mean that there are people who have been in the church for years, people who read scripture, pray, who serve but do not feel a need for baptism? What does it mean that some people do not feel called to baptism? Is this attitude to baptism simply a result of poor understanding and communication of what baptism really is, what role it plays in the life of a believer?

What are you saying to Christ if you turn down an invitation to baptism?

Is the church called to continue walking with these people? To continue in proclaiming God's truths found in scripture? To continue offering opportunities as we walk with people?

In ways I feel offended by peoples rejection of baptism. I find I must remind myself that I cannot be offended by this, it is not an attack on me, and is it even an attack on Christ? Love and patience seems to be critical when dealing with people. Baptism is good and we need to walk with each other.

Discipleship

I am currently reading through "Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, formerly known as "The Cost of Discipleship."

I love Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He currently just kicked my ass in regards to baptism and how I think of it. It was good but very heavy.

So insightful Mr. Bonhoeffer.

A Power Bomb

"How will our preaching of the passion of Jesus Christ become visible and credible to the world if the disciples avoid this passion for themselves, if they despise it in their own bodies?"
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Some more NT Wright

I finished reading NT Wright's book "Simply Christian" today. I really enjoyed it reading it. My enjoyment came from the fact that not only was it written well but I think it has some very good things to say about/to Christianity.

Part of what I really found to be good was his reminder that Christianity is not simply about getting into heaven, in fact that is a false understanding. He speaks of the idea that Christianity is about the 'interlocking' of heaven and earth. Looking at the promises of God to bring about a new earth.

I was lead to think about this attitude that Christianity, faith in Christ, and church are all simply to avoid hell. To get into heaven. It seems like such a self-centered view of religion; making the death of Christ to be something to serve you. There seems to be such a removal from being involved in the body Christ.

One of the big problems in the church, in Christianity, these currently is a lack of commitment to the church. It seems to be something where too many people come and go as they please, as it is convenient for them. Maybe this has always been a problem. This isn't to say that you have to attend church every week and attend all church events. What I am saying is that we are called to be a part of this body even when it is inconvenient for us, even when we are not 'benefiting.' It is costly to follow God. Sometimes we appear foolish in the eyes of people. Sometimes are forced to sacrifice time and money. Sometimes it means letting someone sleep on your couch and raid your fridge.

Church is not about the individual, about the individual avoiding hell. It is about people being in relationship with and those people working together to do kingdom work.

Simply Christian

I am currently reading a book by N.T. Wright called "Simply Christian" and in this book Wright talks about the desire of justice that exists in humans. He suggests that this desire for justice exists because we are created by God and that justice is really only achieved through God.

Justice. Do I ever long for her. Justice is so desirable. It is so easy for me to think, to fall into memories of people I have met, people I know, and hope for that justice. I think of a women I met in the Congo who's husband abandoned her and their children because she was found to be infected by a disease. I think of a guy I work with who feels like white people look down on him because he is native. I think of kids from camp who have seen far too much violence for having grown up in 'peaceful' North America. So many faces.


I think of these people and I realize that we as humans have something wrong with us. We long for this thing called justice but we are never able to grasp it. I believe that God is the one who will bring justice to earth, justice that is full of love. I hope the Church is listening to what God is calling it to. There are far too many broken lives for the church to be worried about things like carpet color.

Dancing

I just got back from watching my niece dance with her little dance class. When I say little I mean they are all little people, all children. There is something funny about little children attempting maneuvers that required coordination.

It was kind of like watching David Rae trying to dance.

work

My work forces me to step into the role of a 'ball-buster.' For those of you who do not know what a ball-buster allow me to define: one who calls people on their crap. A total straight shooter.

I had to call my clients on some stuff this morning. It was slightly awkward but a good exercise in maturity.