Paradigms

Okay, I only have a few minutes to do this before I have to leave for work, but I wanted to throw this out there so that my fellow bloggers could "have at". I just have a couple of thoughts from the incredible sermon Sunday night.

I was thinking about the paradigms of culture. I think a lot of times, culture creates a structured outline that Christianity then fills as it is expressed through culture. That begs the question of should culture influence the expression of Christianity, or should Christ influence the expression of culture, and what does that looks like? I tend to think of it as a "both and", but then what does that look like?

I don't know about you all, but the Western/modern expression of Christianity is what kept me from becoming a Christian for so many years! I saw it lived out both in my home and in my church, and it disgusted me. It seemed shallow to me, and empty. It wasn't until I got a glimpse of an Eastern/"minority" (my own terminology) expression of Christianity that the Lord became an option in my life. The Post-modern expression still amazes me, in one of those "can't quite wrap my brain around it" kind of ways. I guess I still embrace the Eastern expression the most in my daily living.

So, question for thought before I fly out of here. There are good things and truths in every cultural expression of Christianity. Considering the Christian Response collumn in the handout, how do we live out Christianity in the midst of a cultural collage? Referring to my above question, what does it look like to allow culture to structure the expression of Christianity, and what does it look like to do that in the midst of Christ restructuring culture? Thougths to chew on.

Blessing, Courtney

What is Church

So Hammer,since you mentioned this I will take a stab it,
What is Church, I think church could be better defined for me, has a community of believers coming together to worship God, through songs, teaching, fellowship and encouragement. All done focusing and pointing each other to Jesus for both praises and problems. It should be a place that when a believer is hurting or struggling others would come along side and support and encourage, not that in ourselves we have the answer but can point to the one that does (Jesus). Also a place to rejoice with each other over Gods faithfulness. It seems that it also requires that we are available to each other outside of the meetings. It seems to me the only requirements for a church service would be a place to meet and a group of believers, I'm not sure if a full time shepherding pastor would be a requirement, definitely a desired benefit, but I also see a need for tentmaking shepherds.
Some thoughts,
Ed

My prayer for the Edge

My prayer for the Edge is that the seeds God has planted, through Dustin, will continue to grow and bear fruit. I do not understand why there is such opposition to the message of Gods grace among the christian community especially with so many hurting believers? May be that is why God may be seperating us, so that we may go out and share Gods grace with believers who desire this relationship ? It is hard tho to sit and listen to sermons that put all the burden on the believer.

My thoughts,
Ed

Prayer for the Edge

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwing, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard them begged that no further word be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned." And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I am full of fear and trembling." But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and the church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven." This expression, "Yet once more," denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.

Let the love of the brethren continue.

(Hebrews 12:14-13:1)

Sunday Evening

A discouraging night, The Edge is a unique community of believers were Grace and relationship with Jesus are the emphasis,in Ephesians 6 we are told that our battle is not against flesh and blood. So we will look to the Lord Jesus Christ to be the initiator, in whatever He has for us and of course good things will come of this, because God loves us, I am not convinced this was Gods will, but I am confident that it has not blind sighted Him. So let us look to the one who is able to do all thing exceedingly well and desires this relationship way more then we do.

Ed