The concept of "laying down one's life in love" was central to our thinking in community. Without a genuine love for one another, community couldn't work; we would always be at one another's throats because, as we all know, it is sometimes difficult to live with others. In this article, Ken goes two steps farther in the concept; the healing power of love and the freeing of people from the demonic. When Ken discusses healing in the concept of this article he is talking about inner healing (deep healing, healing of memories or healing of emotions). This became a central part of our ministry in community. In the beginning, this was in no way some kind of pseudo psycho therapy. It was simply praying with people to help them overcome difficult memories of times in the past. Of course we would also stay with them while they were hurting -- thus "laying down our lives for them." We believed (and many of us still do) that there was a real power in the demonic. We didn't believe in "demon possession" of Christians. We did believe that demonic beings could gain a foot hold through bad memories/experiences in life. We needed to be delivered from these forces as we were healed. Love and care for one another was the main healing agent.
Larry's article with a long quote by John Knox is inspiring to me. It continues to amaze me as I remember how much we liked to study and learn in the church. We had intellectually hungry people and talented teachers. It was a good time.
Ken discusses the scripture concerning "completing Christ's sufferings." I think he is correct that we accept God's profound and free Grace and then cheapen it by continuing in our lives of selfishness and sin. The quote from Dave and Neta Jackson's book reminds me that my son and I actually stayed with them in 1979. This was an enjoyable part of our trip. More about the trip when we get there in our progression through OLT.
Tim Pagaard provides another lesson from McFoone.
I have mentioned Nancy Mitchell before. She was a talented lady who was in our church for years. She passed away at all too young age -- late 50's -- I think. This little poem reinforces the thoughts presented in Ken's lead article.I enjoyed Ken's little discussion of a natural opportunity to witness on his flight to Detroit. It also points out how times have changed; he mentions being served a meal. This doesn't happen any more!
These questions provided by the community in Australia weren't actually asked of us in our community. If you don't know anything about what it meant to be in community, these questions are instructive, for they were certainly implied when we entered into the community life.My little testimony was a very early Richard Hensgen writing. I hadn't even started seminary yet. Of course I didn't need seminary to write this testimony -- it's just that I didn't find out that I could write until I went to seminary. I really shied away from writing.
The poem by Eliot was discussed on Facebook.
The little article on Coming Missions really says it all for this page.
This is another little piece of artwork produced by our children.
We were privileged to have the entire Bishop family with us over Christmas. One of our international times of celebration.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment