I don't know what I was expecting. Maybe that's why "What do you want?" was the perfect question. I spent this weekend at a camp with four friends. Maybe I was expecting more people to be there, but it didn't really matter. In fact, I think the fact that there were only five of us made it especially unique. We did our best to practice the Daily Offices on both days. It's all rather new to me though. Not the spirituality part but the stucture of it all. Part of the cool thing about it was that even if we didn't do it "right" it still seemed like something was right about it. All we were trying to do is listen anyway and I suppose as long as you truly listen you can't get that wrong.
I think I liked the Sacred Reading the most. We read John 1:35-39. That's when He said "What do you want?" I suppose it doesn't sound like a tough question, but for some reason I didn't know how to answer. Maybe because I realized who I was talking to and I knew that nothing was beyond the realm of possibility. At first I was frustrated because I couldn't answer, then it hit me that I was just supposed to listen. Since that conversation (if you want to call it that) I've spent some time pondering the question. I think my answer is "To know Christ". Now, that answer begs it's own question. What does it mean to know?
Next was "Look." Now if there ever was a sentance that was brief yet still ambiguous, this is the one. Look. At what? For what? I was frustrated with the statement "Look." But, it didn't take long to come to some conclusions . John's disciples were looking at him and John was there to redirect their attention to the One for which they were truly looking, who just so happend to be walking by. My son asks me to look, and really, the only time it get's annoying is when I am focused on something else, something I think is more important than what he's trying to show me. When somebody says "look" it means your not looking where they want you to look. But the good news is you're usually close enough to see what they want you to look at. So, I've been trying to look these past few days.
2 comments:
Joe, I connected to your blog from Mike King's blog. I found your comments interesting. So you went to Word of Life Bible Institute? I attended small fundamentalist Tennessee Temple University and Temple Baptist Theological Seminary in TN. We had lots of folks finish there after WOL. On one missions trip our youth group spent a week with Open Air Campaigners in NY, so I get your story about the evangelism. Like your stations of the cross story, I was out of seminary and in my 4th church before I knew what an advent wreath was. I'm in a different place now (theologically and geographically).
Could you give me a little info on The Deity Formerly Known as God (did I get that right?) and on the Running on Empty/Fil Anderson link on your blog. Have you read the book, heard Fil speak? What do you think? Thanks.
Richard,
thanks for your comments. Yes, I graduated from WOLBI in 93 and SYME in 94. I knew some who went to temple but don't remember many names. The book " Deity Formerly Know as God" is by Jarrett Stevens who is at willow. In the book he unpacks 6 destructive images we have of God and 6 constructive images we have of God. It's pretty basic stuff but somewhat helpful in the sense that I see a lot of students who have these negative images (and catch myself toting them around from time to time as well). I read the book because at westwinds we are getting ready to do a series with our students on who God is.
I've met fil and gone to his seminars (including his critical concerns at YS a few years ago). Have the book, but haven't finished it yet. I love fil. He is one of the most authentic guys I've ever been around.
Peace,
joe
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