MEMORY RESIDUE

Good Friday

Jesus didn’t go to the cross so we wouldn’t have to. He went to the cross so we could join him there. - Dallas WillardLast night we had some friends over to sit, have wine, have bread and talk about Jesus. Very informal. We had the movie The Gospel of John playing in the background, and during that time we talked about our favorite Jesus account. One thing turned to another in the conversation and somehow we ended up talking about suffering. It got me thinking, because as we talked I found that a distinction needs to be made in the way we think about suffering.On one hand there is the distortion of sanctification through suffering, that it [...]

By Joel|2014-08-18T22:34:43+00:00April 7th, 2012|Abandonment, Christianity, Jesus Christ, The Dangerous Kind|

A Place to Be Human: Meditations on community part five

As a worship leader, I want to lead others in being authentic; because I believe that when we are authentic and real (with God and each other), our worship is authentic. I fully believe that our identity as Believers is tied up in and defined by Who God is and what He's done. At the same time, I believe that only when we are willing to come to God as humans in our sin and humanity, broken, needy, and honest, is there 'worship in spirit and truth' (John 4:23). There is the 'real truth' of God that needs to break through the false truths of how we define ourselves based on our shame and brokenness, or [...]

By Joel|2014-08-18T22:34:43+00:00February 10th, 2012|Abandonment, Bonhoeffer, Christian Music, discipleship, Jesus Shaped Community, Manning, prayer, Safe Place, trust|

Speaking the Same Language: Meditations on community part four

I like structure. That is, I like it as long as everything is in place. I've operated in jobs and ministries that have been bad 'fits.' Leaving me feeling like a square peg in a round hole, those experiences left me with an orphan mentality of 'no one understands me.' Throughout the years I found out that the problem wasn't necessarily in the structure, but in my identity (though, I've worked in a lot of poor structures!). I was letting the structure define me and not Christ. Spending time at the International House of Prayer (Atlanta) helped me in my journey, but even there, the more I spent time in that structure, I didn't feel like [...]

By Joel|2014-08-18T22:34:43+00:00February 6th, 2012|Christianity, discipleship, Jesus Shaped Community|

Authentically living: Meditations on community part three

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - Jesus the Christ (John 13:34-35)It's no wonder, and is a beautiful fact, that Christianity is done in community. True, there are hermits, and those on the fringe who feel called to abandon themselves in the place of solitude and singularity of one-on-one communion with the Lord. However, I believe that is more the exception than the rule. Christianity, I believe, is meant to be lived out in community with one another because humanity is meant to be lived out with [...]

By Joel|2014-08-18T22:34:43+00:00February 2nd, 2012|Abandonment, discipleship, Jesus Shaped Community|

Memoirs of a Visitor

Good Friday

A Place to Be Human: Meditations on community part five

Speaking the Same Language: Meditations on community part four

Authentically living: Meditations on community part three