Are we relevant? (Salt and Light)

We are asking ourselves if and to what extend our lives are significant and relevant in our society. Jesus points out that His disciples are the ones who make a difference in the Big Picture (that is the Kingdom of God). We are the Salt and Light People. Some of these issues or tough to work through. Jesus is calling us to more than a feel-good spirituality. We have to get down to the nuts and bolts of life. We will have to wrestle with the important issues of our time and bear with each other until we achive a deeper understanding or appreciate a different persepctive. Our Spiritual Formation groups are there to support this process.

Below are a few issues that the class brought up the deserve further discussion.

• Learning to listen: We find it's sometimes not easy to deal with someone who doesn't think alike. But if I don't hear you I can't care for you. Let's figure out togehter how to become good listeners!
• What social evils do we need to address in prayer? (Abortion, ...)
• What situations require our action. Let's come together and identify specific tasks for us as disciples that HE wants us to take care of
• Places: what are the places that we have to go to and help (here in Milwaukee for example Heart Fire Ministries), where in the world is my presence needed the most?
• Understanding what church is: What do I need to know about church, how do I relate to it
• War (see the independent thread in this blog)
• How to deal with crime in our society (death penalty, prison, ...). Let's engage in some serious talk on how we see society in this regard and how we think it should be

Can the "Kingdom of God" be Promoted by War?

We are all affected by the waging of wars in our time. We are touched by sacrifices that are made by many and we are confused by the dark sides of injustice and violence. As disciples of Jesus one of our main concerns is to do what is possible to further the coming of the Kingdom of God in our times (as the Lord's prayer says: "Thy Kingdom come"). An essential step toward this goal is to come together as disciples of the One Master, reach over political and other divides and make the effort together to understand what we are to do. In the end we may (and will) draw different practical consequences, but we will know that we are standing on one firm ground and that we will express in a variety of different callings the one Spirit that is moving us and that will powerfully bring about the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Please use the opportunity given here to share your thoughts (post your comments).

The Golden Triangle of Spiritual Formation (D. Willard)

Centered in the Mind of Christ

Phil 2:12-15
12 So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 12 13 For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work.14 Do everything without grumbling or questioning,15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, 13 among whom you shine like lights in the world,

Rom 13:14
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

The Action of the Holy Spirit

John 3:5
Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.

Rom 8:10-13
10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness.11 If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you.12 Consequently, brothers, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Gal 5:22-26
22 In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.24 Now those who belong to Christ (Jesus) have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.26 Let us not be conceited, provoking one another, envious of one another.

Ordinary Events of Life

James 1:2-4
2 Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, 2 3 for you know that the testing 3 of your faith produces perseverance.4 And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Rom 5:1-5
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace 2 with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2 through whom we have gained access (by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.3 Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance,4 and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope,5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Planned Discipline to Put on a New Heart

Col 3:12-17
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.14 And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.15 And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

2 Pet 1:5-10
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge,6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion,7 devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.8 If these are yours and increase in abundance, they will keep you from being idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 Anyone who lacks them is blind and shortsighted, forgetful of the cleansing of his past sins.10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more eager to make your call and election firm, for, in doing so, you will never stumble.