Bonhoeffer Thoughts

I am currently reading "Bonhoeffer - Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" almost daily. Bonhoeffer as a person and theologian has held my interest since Seminary after hearing of his classic book "The Cost of Discipleship".

As I started reading I wanted to write "No Hunting" on the cover. Ministers will be familiar with this term that means, no hunting in this book for sermon related stuff. I tried to do that, to read for just the sheer pleasure. I have failed! It now has the glowing yellow lines that have made their way into so many of my books, courtesy of the Accent Highlighter.

So I have decided to periodically share some of this book with you.

Today I have highlighted - "Bonhoeffer began proactively, putting forth the notion that Christ had been exiled from the lives of most Christians. "of course," he said, "we build him a temple, but we live in our own houses." Religion had been exiled to Sunday morning, to a place "into which one gladly withdraws for a couple of hours, but only to get back to one's place of work immediately afterward." He said that one cannot give him only a "small compartment in our spiritual life,' But must give him everything or nothing...."People should at least understand and concede this if they call themselves Christian."

Something to think about.

Just my thoughts,

Tony

Placing a Premium on Worship...

Today we finished part 3 of a 3 part series on Worship at both of my churches. Part one focused on participating in Worship, Part 2, focused on the fact that Worship is not about us - it's about God. Part 3 focused on why we worship, as we looked at the 10 Commandments.

We've all heard people say, "they don't go to church but they're a good person" or something similar. Francis Chan, through a video, reminded us that we don't get to decide if we are a "good person" or not - God does. He noted that the question shouldn't be, "Am I a good person", but we should be asking, "Am I good enough to get to heaven?"

We then noted how good a person we are when our lives are held up against the 10 Commandments. No one came out unscathed in that comparison! :-) We concluded that we are all in need of God's Grace.

By the time all was said and done, we were challenged to place a premium on Worship each and every Sunday to show our appreciation for God's GRACE.

On Sundays our lives tend to reflect how much we really value God's Grace by how often we attend Worship each month.

I hope that this series challenged everyone to re-consider what Worship is and what its about. Ultimately, I hope that each person will reflect on their Worship attendance and begin, if they don't already, to place a premium on Worship every week.

I must admit that this series was "preached to the choir" as we're having two great months in Worship attendance - in the middle of Summer!

Worship

In my two churches, The Harbour and Genesis United Methodist Church, we are in the middle of a three part series focusing on Worship.

In doing research for this series it has become evident that we sometimes forget that Worship is something we do for God and not something God does for us. I mean it's Worship after all.

I have personally been reminded that we get out of Worship what we've put into it.

It has been a time of reflection as well. I have thought about the times that I have attended Worship at various churches wondering what the church was going to do for me. There were times where I'm sure I was even somewhat critical of what was taking place.

I am being reminded of the importance of preparation and participation when it comes to Worship. Praying each day that something awesome will happen the following Sunday in corporate Worship. Praying in the Sanctuary during the week that someones life might be transformed. Praying that we might present something pleasing to God as we are in His presence - it is Worship after all.

I find that when I prepare in advance and wholeheartedly participate, Worship takes on a whole new meaning and renews me until out next time together in corporate Worship.

Anyway, that's how I see it...

Cancer update - been a while

For whatever reason I have not had a desire to write on this blog since my last Cancer post. But I feel like I'm ready to go again!

So, Cancer Update...

I am doing MUCH better now.

With my Radiology Oncologist I am on the low maintenance list only reporting for duty once a year now! With my Oncologist I only go about every 6 months! This is an improvement over visiting one doctor or another every 3 months. Best part is they have stopped sticking things down my nose! Man that can make your eyes water!

I have been told that if the cancer stays away for 10 years I will be declared healed (said in my best TV evangelist voice - Heeaaleeed with a slap on the forehead for good measure). Was not crazy about that number but whatcha ya gonna do?

Taste is at about 98% and only some chocolate stuff doesn't taste right.

Things are pretty much back to normal

Life is good!