Lingering Thoughts:
XGT No, its not the newest exotic import. It’s short for Christ (Grace and Truth). After preaching on this two weeks ago I’m even more amazed at how it has been so lovingly applied to me personally in the Gospel and how I fail to then apply it in my communication with others. It’s so easy to assume the person you’re communicating with understands you’re speaking truth to them in grace. But grace must never be assumed but explicitly brought up and applied before introducing truth. Or if truth be spoken grace must immediately and explicitly follow.
The Moment:
I just had my first English conversation class with about 10 grandmas and grandpas at church. When I woke up this morning I didn’t know that I would wind up doing this. What I do know is that I’m thankful for the privilege to serve, surprising as it was. I’m super-excited to see 74 year olds who live with a desire to grow in every way making the most of their opportunities. One could assume that old folks have no real incentive to improve their language skills or learn art or music. But their zeal for a full life is a model lesson to us all. Let’s not wait ’til we’re in our seventies to apply it!
Forward Thinking:
John the B. As I study his life for this coming Sunday’s message the more I’m humbled by it. He was a man whose identity was so intertwined with the Messiah whom he would introduce to the world. Whose singular life purpose was to become great in order to diminish and in the diminishing highlight for the world the Preeminent, Progenerate, Present Word Who Is GOD Among Us… My hope and prayer is that standing in the pulpit this weekend I would so diminish before the eyes and in the hearing of all such that their focus be more clearly upon my Lord.
Posted by pastoriggi on March 4, 2010
