These two topics have been apart of my pondering for a while now. Well, community longer than relationship. Can one happen without the other? It seems to me that one requires community to develop relationship and that relationships create this thing we call community. I have to add my disclaimer here that for this extreme introvert to be talking about community and relationship is one place I never thought my pondering and studies would take me.
In a sense I am wondering if community is the structure in which relationship (personal interaction between two or more people[off the top of my head definition]) gather. Community and relationship exist in a symbiotic relationship, unable to survive apart, but together they can grow strong and healthy.
OK, I admit that I don't know where this thread is headed. I have just begun to even thing about the relationship between relationship and community. It will be interesting to see where it goes. Any thoughts from you?
28 January 2009
18 January 2009
It's been awhile
As I look back, I see that even though we are 18 days into the new year this is actually the first posting I have made for 2009. Why is this, well for lack of a better reason, I have been consumed by the urgency of the world around me. Cold, work, car, computer, studies, have all conspired against me to distract me from what I am to be about.
At church last night, there was a great message about being connected to or close to or sensing the presence of God in our life. It got me reflecting back on the last year and how a simple blog posting has launched me on an incredible adventure of discovery about who God is and allowing Him to guide my steps. In this pass year I have allowed God out of this tiny box in which I had placed Him. In a story told me the other night expanded my understanding of God even farther. What type of box have you placed God in? Is it a conservative box? A liberal box? A traditional box? A ___________ box? God is not a prepackage commodity that we take off the shelf and use as we choose. How have you tried to conform God into what you believe about Him?
I think the most intriguing thing about church last night was how God spoke to me through a song that was sung by Brandon Heath called "Give me your eyes." In this song the request is made of God that we might see people as He sees them. By doing this, we can then be His arms and hands and minister to the people we interact with in a way that God himself would. What powerful words and message this portrayed. What a challenge this has left me with. The prayer that I need to carry now. The action I need to execute. I challenge you to find the song (.99 on iTunes), listen and ask God how you should respond to its message.
At church last night, there was a great message about being connected to or close to or sensing the presence of God in our life. It got me reflecting back on the last year and how a simple blog posting has launched me on an incredible adventure of discovery about who God is and allowing Him to guide my steps. In this pass year I have allowed God out of this tiny box in which I had placed Him. In a story told me the other night expanded my understanding of God even farther. What type of box have you placed God in? Is it a conservative box? A liberal box? A traditional box? A ___________ box? God is not a prepackage commodity that we take off the shelf and use as we choose. How have you tried to conform God into what you believe about Him?
I think the most intriguing thing about church last night was how God spoke to me through a song that was sung by Brandon Heath called "Give me your eyes." In this song the request is made of God that we might see people as He sees them. By doing this, we can then be His arms and hands and minister to the people we interact with in a way that God himself would. What powerful words and message this portrayed. What a challenge this has left me with. The prayer that I need to carry now. The action I need to execute. I challenge you to find the song (.99 on iTunes), listen and ask God how you should respond to its message.
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