The Barbarian Way

This is a book I have been rereading by Erwin McManus. In this book he talks about the Christianity of the early church as being raw, untamed, willing to follow Christ where ever he leads. Today, we have been tamed, civilized in our faith. We aren't willing to step out and take the risks we need to for our beliefs. I know I fall into the category.

I'm spending my Wednesday evenings with a group of men who seem to really resonate with what Erwin is sharing. Men who are willing to take risks, they are innovators, they are mushroom eaters (see chapter 2 of the book).

Our call is to step out, to live out our faith with passion, with vigor, with love to restore the relationship between humanity and God.

1 Peter 4 - Serving Others

I am currently reading through 1 and 2 Peter as I prepare to lead a discussion with a group of men who are looking at theses to books with a couple of questions in mind. What does it mean to be a man after God's own heart and How are we to live in the world? Thus far they have come up with some great insight and I look forward to the continued discussions.

I was struck by a part of the text as I was rereading 1 Peter yesterday. It is 1 Peter 4 beginning with verse 10. Peter is encouraging the Christ-followers scattered around "the world" to use what ever gift they have been given to serve others. You see the gifts and talents God has given us and not to make us great, but rather so that we can serve others and thus them up and glorify God in the process. In another blog I was recently reading the author asked the question what gives us joy. My response was serving other, what a joy this is.

My challenge this week is to use the gifts that God has given me to serve others.