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A Few More Questions

May 26, 2010 | By: Anonymous


Our question for this last Sunday was “Did Jesus really do what He said He did?” I suggested that the question is not as much about our ability to trust in the reliability or historicity of Jesus and the gospels. It is more about our cynicism that sees Jesus through the lens of what others have said He said or how often we attach something to the way of Jesus or even what the church has done historically that does not seem to line up with the way of Jesus.

At the end of our time on Sunday we took some questions, which is always a lot of fun for me and I hope you all are enjoying it as well. There were a few questions left over and I wanted to reply to two of them.

First of all, someone asked where my red shoe laces are that I used to wear with my retro Converse. This is a very deep question with some serious ramifications. Two reasons . . . 1) I did receive a fair amount of razzing for my shoe laces and I won’t name names (Stacy, Lauren, Cory, etc.) and 2) It is summer and I will wear my $3 Old Navy sandals until sometime in October/November.

The second question is this, “How do we live as followers of Jesus in a world that follows materialism, money, things . . . ?” This is simply a fabulous question. There are a couple of thoughts I would throw out for us to think about. One is that the gospel is about the redemption of all things (Col. 1). When we come to follow Jesus and experience the forgiveness of God and when we submit to the leadership of Jesus in our lives, we begin to reorient our lives around the values of the kingdom of God – grace, forgiveness, justice, mercy, hope, generosity, etc. In other words, money and things are not the issue as much as what we worship.
 
My second thought is much more practical and is from the Acts 2.42 idea from Sunday night. You/I/we need people in our lives who will help us study the teachings of Jesus and who will pray with us and eat with us and do life with us so that we can talk about who really is the king of our lives – Jesus or ______???

Keep the conversation going!

Brad Jackson serves as the Pastor of The Table

Second-Hand Faith

May 20, 2010 | By: jennifer


I LOVE to read how God is at work in the lives of others! I love to ask people where they’re noticing the work of God. And who doesn’t like an inspiring illustration? But if that’s all I’ve got, that’s not enough. You can’t live off of someone else’s story. We each need a first-hand experience of God. I love the way Mark Batterson says this: “God’s dream for you is bigger than a second-hand faith.” The question posed to me by another leader has haunted me for years. Daily I need to ask: “Is the life I’m calling others to live the life I’m leading myself?”

Although God appeared to Moses (Exodus 3:5), He also showed up and spoke to Joshua (Joshua 5:14-15). Similar situation, different God-story. He walked with Abraham, wrestled with Jacob, whispered to Elijah, argued with Job, and struck Paul blind to get his attention. Do you have a first-hand experience with God? How is He speaking to you today? Where are you noticing God at work?

Laura Crosby serves as the Director of Spiritual Formation at The Table

"Yes" in Christ

May 17, 2010 | By: The Table

In an increasingly diverse world, I have diverse friends. I recently went to the wedding of my college roommate who calls herself a “devout atheist” and my childhood friend just declared herself a Buddhist. We all know people who are lapsed Catholics, dabbling New Agers, or generally disinterested in anything “religious.”

I, too, used to have an amalgam of beliefs, taken from this faith and that. But when I became a Christian at age 23, my whole worldview began to change. After months of study and many conversations, I had come to believe that there is one true God and that His Son is Jesus Christ.

At the time, none of this would have been a problem except for the fact that there were a lot of people in my life who didn’t believe in Jesus. As a new Christian living in Japan — a country where less than 1% of the population believes in Christ — I struggled with the fact that none of my students or co-workers had faith in Jesus.

I still struggle. But instead of chronically worrying, I try to cling to Jesus: “As surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not ‘Yes’ and ‘No.’ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you  . . .  was not ‘Yes’ and ‘No,’ but in Him it has always been ‘Yes.’ For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:18-20).

This verse is reassuring for its reminder that it is not about me, but it is about God. It is about His Word and His life on earth. All I can do is believe what has been revealed to me and continue to love others who both do and do not believe in Jesus. What about you? When you think about people of other religions (undoubtedly in your own family and among your friends), do you struggle with your own faith? What do you do to “cling to Christ” in times of questioning or doubt?

Jennifer Johnson serves as Publications Coordinator at CPC and is part of the Table Team

 

Bringing New Life in Relationships

May 10, 2010 | By: jennifer

Last week the wind split one of my favorite trees in half. It was a beautiful, ginormous, 100-year-old oak tree that was green and leafy and shady. Now the good news is that the owner of the property it was on is planting a new tree. He said it will take time and nurture, but eventually there will be another beautiful tree in its place. 

Last night Brad talked about relationships in our lives that are damaged by the inevitable conflict that comes from doing life together. Sometimes well-meaning people have differing perspectives and even with our best efforts at understanding each other and trying to respond as Jesus would, wounds occur. The relationship as it once was may be gone, but there is always the potential for redeeming the pain and nurturing new life. 

I have several relationships in my life that are like this. Last week I got a note that meant a lot to me from one of them. She referred to a special memory we shared and said she missed me. Her note was like water on the thirsty ground around a new seedling. Our friendship has been through some rough times and we’ve worked hard to listen and understand each other’s perspective. We’re both trying hard to gently care for the fragile renewed life that’s there. Have you experienced new life in a damaged relationship? Is there a damaged relationship that comes to mind that could use an apology or some life-nurturing words from you?

Laura Crosby serves as the Director of Spiritual Formation at The Table

Where Do You Meet God?

May 4, 2010 | By: jennifer

The other day I had lunch with a friend. Later in the day she emailed me to follow up on something we had talked about. I responded with further thoughts. When she called later in the week, I recognized her voice. I don’t have proof of this but it struck me how similar it is with God. When I meet with God I think His presence lingers. I think more about Him after my time with Him. 

Many of us can recite Jesus’ words, “I will never leave you or forsake you” or “Lo, I am with you always,” but how many of us really experience God’s presence in the ordinary moments of life?

Ideally we’d like to be aware of Jesus sitting beside us at our desk at work, walking beside us on the treadmill, grieving with us in our lonely moments, whispering guidance in difficult conversations. A noble (and realistic) goal (see Psalm 139:7-10), but . . . maybe a first step is just putting in place the practice of meeting with Him in a way that’s enjoyable and repeatable so we want to do it each day. A few minutes reading the Bible, reflecting (journal if it helps), praying, at our best time of the day, in a place we love . . . I won’t recognize God’s presence and voice in the ordinary moments of my lives if I don’t familiarize myself with His character and words in the Bible. 

But it’s not about legalistically checking another thing off our to-do list. The goal is to have a sacred meeting with God. I like what John Ortberg says: We don’t need to get through the Bible, but to get the Bible through us. 

I like to meet with God at Starbucks or at my favorite lake. So, where do you meet God? Do you have a rhythm that’s enjoyable and repeatable?

Laura Crosby serves as the Director of Spiritual Formation at The Table