What does it mean to be a Christ-follower? This past weekend a tornado ripped through the city of Hugo. One person was killed, a number injured, and 100’s left homeless. What should my response be, pray, donate money, donate time to help clean up? Yes, yes, and yes. But what about my plans, my own projects, my own life? Where is the balance? Should there be balance? Will I respond to the call of my church and my community to come along side those who are hurting?
Community
Hey, no I have not fallen off the face of the earth, but rather I am reworking my daily routine. In the past, my mornings were reading the Bible, pondering on the readings and then posting some thoughts. Now it is reading the Bible (still working slowly through Genesis), pondering a bit, and then reading books for my DMin courses.
The readings have been very good. Thus far I have been doing readings for my spiritual formation class. The emphasis has been on the importance of community in the spiritual formation process. I will be posting my thoughts on each book as I complete the writings.
I have been thinking a lot about community and its role in our life. I have never been one to place great emphasis on community, I don’t/didn’t see the value of it. However, in review some hermeneutic material I am reminded of the importance of story in our life. Not just our story, but the story of others. Together we shape and are shaped by these stories.
What catches your eye?
I have been rereading the first three chapters of Genesis looking at the creation narrative and the events that occurred in the garden of Eden. When Eve ate the fruit she didn’t just grab it and eat, no the story tells us of how it was good, pleasant and desirable.
That’s the way sin is. We seldom imply jump in, but rather we are enticed, prodded (remember the serpent) and then we give in (see James 1). Remember to be careful as to what catches your eye and to not let temptation develop into sin.