Status Updates From The Sense of the Call: A Sa...

In the first chapter of the final section of Embracjng, the focus is on equipping the saints in seven ways. Lots of gem in here, kingdom-first, purpose, gifts of the community manifested, creative deployment of Sunday school, pastors as spiritual guides for each laity, and mission not overseas but local, and theologians who can handle scriptures faithfully, contextually, and hear God speak. Lots of saintly wisdom.

Feasting and exhilaration of community reminds me I am on the right track to recover saints, sign of the cross, taking my sabbath seriously. The larger challenge is highlight baptism by putting up the baptized, celebrate these new births, and aligning sabbath keeping for the congregation to stop meetings, programs, and just enjoy community together, be it play, feast on a meal, or rest and guard their pastor’s too.

On sabbath for our embodied self, Dawn is practical in all its application from fast and feasting, simplifying meals and savor on sabbath, exercising and the embodied reading and living of scripture according to Luther, to sexuality and relationships, guarding time to strengthen marriages, fight against a world void of vows, commitment and promise to recover ancient vows on the wedding date anchored in past saints.

Principality and Powers, mammon, narcissism, its Alive and well in the institution and the church is not exempt from it but must confront it, confess it, so as to break free of its power over every aspect of church, starting with each individual given the godly power and responsibilities as image bearers.

Lots on Saying NO, but I am not absorbing as much today. That’s where those underlines will come useful.

In testing, Dawn’s simple admonition to imagine being seen instead of seeing Jesus is worth the whole chapter or book. This is also the chapter about Bernard’s illustration of the overflowing vessel. Each page can be a point of reflection. Eugene Peterson’s reminder the world needs more of God, the four different prayer postures, storytellers and poets speak the same language, so many nuggets of gems!