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3/10/2014

Many thanks to Paula Schupp for her willingness to join with me in our first DiaLogos message. We explored the following passages: Genesis 2:15–17, 3:1–7; Matthew 4:1-11; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12–19. Normally we don't look at so many passages, but these fit so well together and they carry the fullness of the Biblical message: from sinful brokenness to redemption through Christ. Psalm 32, in particular, speaks of how God lifts from us the weight of sin (as the weight of a hot, humid summer is lifted).

We would love to hear your reflections on Sunday's message, on any or all of the four passages, or on the issue of sin and redemption in general. What do these passages say to you? Rob

8 Comments

Carrie

3/11/2014 02:27:47 am

What a line in Romans: "God's abundant provision of grace"! Such abundance comes about not because of any merit on my part. Our sinful selves are made clear in Genesis and Psalm 32. THAT would be a pretty dour and sour story. But the story doesn't end there. As a result of God's nature, GRACE ABOUNDS. My conversation with God thus always starts with THANK YOU. From there, everything else branches.

Jake

3/11/2014 04:02:49 am

OK, now THAT gets me up every Sunday to go to worship - to thank God for this "abundant provision of grace" that extends to me eternal life, but also a better way of living in the here and now.

Rev. Rob

3/11/2014 04:53:37 am

John Calvin spoke often of the fullness of the story – from human depravity to righteousness and true life:

“Now, the knowledge of our salvation presents three different stages.
First, we must begin with a sense of individual wretchedness, filling us with despondency as if we were spiritually dead. This effect is produced when the original and hereditary depravity of our nature is set before us as the source of all evil…a depravity which begets in us distrust, rebellion against God, pride, avarice, lust, and all kinds of evil…

From this we should rise to the second stage. This we do when, animated by the knowledge of Christ, we again begin to breathe…no other course remains but to turn to Christ…

From this stage also we must rise to the third, when instructed in the grace of Christ, and in the fruits of His death and resurrection, we rest in Him with firm and solid confidence, feeling assured that Christ is so completely our own, that we possess in him righteousness and life.”

And Anne Lamott adds to Calvin's 500+ year-old words with this:

"I do not at all understand the mystery of grace - only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us."

That "it" is God's personal Spirit who knows us personally. Rejoice.

Jan

3/12/2014 05:35:49 am

This is very deep. I had to read it over three Times. Each time I get some more meaning. In my older years I am amazed by he blessings I have. I think of lent as a period of reflection and thank God for the grace in my life.

Rev. Rob

3/12/2014 06:57:47 am

There is a devotional technique called Lectio Divina that involves reading the same verse or passage (often a Psalm) over and over and over throughout the course of a set period of time, typically a week or even a month. The goal is to keep going deeper and to get more and more out of the same set of words. Can be very enlightening and meaningful. I was reminded of this when you mentioned re-reading three times and getting more meaning out of it.

Jan

3/12/2014 07:41:07 am

I have never heard of Lectio Divinia. There seems to be several web sites devoted to this technique. It certainly is a unique. I will try it.

Rev. Rob

3/18/2014 05:35:29 am

Here's a link to a description of Lectio Divina from a California Abby.
http://www.valyermo.com/ld-art.html

Jan

3/18/2014 05:47:20 am

I looked at several Lectio Divina web sites. One suggested starting with "The Lord's Prayer". I did and have been saying the prayer over and over and getting a deeper meaning. It's also very relaxing.

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