How Small is god?

Most of us have known some large people.  Large hearted, accepting, giving spaciously and thoughtfully, helpful.  Large, not physically, but in the ways that matter. 

So I’m asking, “How small is god – to you?  How small even compared to the large people you know?

·      Is god so small he can only be properly worshiped on a certain day of the week?

·      Is god so small he demands certain phrases, maybe in a specific language?

·      Is god so small he cannot handle human sexuality, the sexuality invented by god?

·      Is god so small he requires followers to abstain from food at certain times?

·      Is god so small only persons of a certain sex can lead people to worship, or represent god in some way?

·      Is god so small that healing is withheld when the “right” phrases in a prayer are not uttered?

·      Is god so small that the architecture or décor of a worship center has to be correct?  Pulpit in the center, or on a certain side?  Candles where they would not be scandalous?

·      Is god so small, puny really, that worshipers must have beards or head covering or not have beards or not wear neckties?

Examine the things you believe that demonstrate to the world that the god you believe in is really, really small. 

More on the So-called Lord’s Prayer

Maybe it’s not a prayer, as such.  Perhaps this thing that millions of people repeat every day, every Sunday, is mostly an affirmation.  Maybe the answers are in the phrases.

“Give us our daily bread.”

Well, what is daily bread?  It is that which nourishes our body.  Keeps us alive.  So far, so good.

“Forgive us. . . as we forgive our debtors.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

I suspect that the way to get my daily bread is to become a forgiving person.  The way to be “not led into temptation” is to stop looking for ways to “get even”.  The way to be delivered from evil is to find ways to authentically forgive the person, nation or situation that owes me one. 

Not easy.  Not comfortable.  TV shows, novels, sports,  and popular culture generally praise  the notion of revenge, of getting even, of winning next time. 

Anyone seeking revenge after saying the Lord’s Prayer hasn’t been listening to Jesus or listening to herself.

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Sucks to be Human

Here we are, humans all.  There is God, dealing with humans.  On the one hand, we are told, we can do nothing in our own strength.  On the other hand we are to bring the Kingdom on earth.  We are to emulate Jesus.

Our problems are:

·      Global

·      National

·      Regional

·      Cultural

·      Political

·      Legal

·      Economic

·      Psychogical

At the least.  How can we, forgiving one another, agape’-ing one another, relating to people who don’t value Jesus, be anything that doesn’t suck?

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Were the Events Structured to Help Us Reflect?

Pastor Ann kicked me in the rear and woke me up last Sunday when she said that the Cross event was  “Good-bye” experience, and then again –the Ascension event was another “Good-bye” experience occurrence.  That insight triggered my understanding of the common Mediterranean use of inverted parallel structures. 

Try this:

A.              The Disciples are gathered and learn to follow Jesus

  B.              The Cross – they say GOOD BYE

       C.                    The resurrection       - Hello in a new way  (point of turning)

       C’               Jesus teaches for 40 days – they learn again  (Essential new twist)

  B’.          The Ascension – they say GOOD BYE

A’            The church is gathered and learns how to follow Jesus

What do you think?  Does this help you sense something useful and, perhaps, new?  Sign up and use the comment field to let us know.