Belong to Become
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. — 1 John 1:3
We try to be independent, logical, and objective. Realistically, we are social, relational, and interdependent, formed in groups and families. Seth Godin says, "When you pick your tribe, you pick your future." As a pastor, I hope people identify with fellowships that are wholly devoted to Jesus and formed by Jesus in the ways of Jesus. That's choosing a right good future!
Legacy
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. — Matt. 5:9
The word for children, huios, suggests bearing someone's name authentically. It's participating with a forerunner. It's being of the same character as a parent, literal or figurative. Those who are called God's children will be peacemakers because their claimed Father is a peacemaker. By my attitudes and actions, who will I be called the child of?
Prepare to Repair
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. — Matt. 6:19
Sowing chaos in creation's soil yields a harvest of rot, strife, burdensome labor, and regret. Investing in people's flourishing builds toward something beautiful, hopeful, and pleasant. What do I treasure? Where is my heart?
- love
- Holy Spirit
- humility
- church
- politics & society
- mission & witness
- holiness
- parable & metaphor
- identity
- eternal life
- doubt & deconstruction
- leadership
- grace
- justice
- scripture
- spiritual life
- advent & christmas
- poverty & compassion
- imagination & creativity
- technology & ai
- knowing God
- human dignity
- faith & trust
- incarnation & cross
- kingdom of God
- community
- reconciliation
- spiritual formation
- epistemology
- prayer
- gratitude
- culture
- creation & nature
- discipleship