The point of power is a human pursuit...like authenticity and truth, God and all His guys aren't in need of our validation... we are in need of validity, it is a concept like time, created for our own complicity with order and expectations... what we believe isnt' true because we believe it... it simply is or isn't true on its own merits.. what we become is a matter of responding to what talents, skills, and opportunities he's given us in our relationship with God is of necessity, one requiring inquiry, discernment and a confidence in His will in order to serve beyond a flawed humility based in weakness instead of the strength of which He made us the chance to use for good or ill. The constant movement away from the principles and active engagement with the Garden, the more we find ourselves as the determinants of our objectives and strategic living in faith and character.
And this: “the Romans dispatched him to a phony trial and a gruesome execution ...” always thought/read it was the Jewish leaders who took him to the Romans/Pilate.
Re this: “He implied that one shouldn’t pay taxes to Caesar,“ Other than Mathew 22:21 where he says otherwise, where does Jesus imply not paying taxes?
What if ... just what if ... the power Trump is describing is more the the power Jesus talked about and less the political power you seem to think he was talking about? What if ... just what if ... Christians were smart enough to use Trump and his position to further the gospel and life instead of being the lackies and blind followers that people say we are? What if ... ?
You have succinctly articulated my understanding of Jesus' message and my understanding of the challenge those of us who would be his disciples face (at least in America).
Thank you for addressing this so compassionately. My takeaway from the NYTimes piece was that no one wants to be treated the way we treat minorities in this country. Maybe the answer isn't to hold on to power, but to treat each other as God's children, the way Jesus did. Those Christians are afraid of being treated the way they treat others.
Thanks Diana. This is just what I needed today. Yesterday's article left me heartbroken for those who have such a distorted understanding of the Gospel. Praying that Christians today can unleash the power Jesus demonstrated--to bless the poor, heal the sick, and bring peace to a divided, angry world.
this was very much what I needed to hear after reading the sad story of the terrified Iowa Christians. We do not have the option of hiding away in their tightly bounded world.
Thanks, Diana. I hope for Jesus’ power of love but feel we have lost our way and the power to help ourselves is what is winning now. I won’t give up hope for Jesus but times Are discouraging!
The point of power is a human pursuit...like authenticity and truth, God and all His guys aren't in need of our validation... we are in need of validity, it is a concept like time, created for our own complicity with order and expectations... what we believe isnt' true because we believe it... it simply is or isn't true on its own merits.. what we become is a matter of responding to what talents, skills, and opportunities he's given us in our relationship with God is of necessity, one requiring inquiry, discernment and a confidence in His will in order to serve beyond a flawed humility based in weakness instead of the strength of which He made us the chance to use for good or ill. The constant movement away from the principles and active engagement with the Garden, the more we find ourselves as the determinants of our objectives and strategic living in faith and character.
And this: “the Romans dispatched him to a phony trial and a gruesome execution ...” always thought/read it was the Jewish leaders who took him to the Romans/Pilate.
Re this: “He implied that one shouldn’t pay taxes to Caesar,“ Other than Mathew 22:21 where he says otherwise, where does Jesus imply not paying taxes?
Painfully true. I recall being taught that Constantine's acceptance of Christianity was such a great event for the faith....NOT!
What if ... just what if ... the power Trump is describing is more the the power Jesus talked about and less the political power you seem to think he was talking about? What if ... just what if ... Christians were smart enough to use Trump and his position to further the gospel and life instead of being the lackies and blind followers that people say we are? What if ... ?
Succinct and on point. Exactly.
Thank you, Diana - spot on as usual.
Well said!
So true—and easy to forget. Thanks for the reminder.
Powerful : )
You have succinctly articulated my understanding of Jesus' message and my understanding of the challenge those of us who would be his disciples face (at least in America).
Thank you for addressing this so compassionately. My takeaway from the NYTimes piece was that no one wants to be treated the way we treat minorities in this country. Maybe the answer isn't to hold on to power, but to treat each other as God's children, the way Jesus did. Those Christians are afraid of being treated the way they treat others.
Thanks Diana. This is just what I needed today. Yesterday's article left me heartbroken for those who have such a distorted understanding of the Gospel. Praying that Christians today can unleash the power Jesus demonstrated--to bless the poor, heal the sick, and bring peace to a divided, angry world.
this was very much what I needed to hear after reading the sad story of the terrified Iowa Christians. We do not have the option of hiding away in their tightly bounded world.
Thanks, Diana. I hope for Jesus’ power of love but feel we have lost our way and the power to help ourselves is what is winning now. I won’t give up hope for Jesus but times Are discouraging!