Sacramental Living

A brief story …

I was suffering from a migraine headache last night … nothing seemed to be working to rid me of it. I put a pot of water on to boil so I could drink some tea. As some of you know, I’m partial to Traditional Medicinals teas. They are organic, fair trade, delicious teas.

While waiting for the water to boil, I read the inside of the box which stated the principles of this company:

KNOWLEDGE, EFFICACY, SUSTAINABILITY, PARTNERSHIP.

KNOWLEDGE – Growing from the lessons of yesterday and the experiences of the world.
EFFICACY – Investing in something that works well.
SUSTAINABILITY – Living as if there is a tomorrow.
PARTNERSHIP – Building on equitable relationships.

Wow! It occurred to me: here as a tea company whose leaders are conducting themselves like Christians. This are principles that should result in us from the life and love of Christ.

We should use head knowledge and knowledge learned from experience in shaping the present (and future).

We should strive for excellence in all we do, ensuring that the work of the kingdom is something that works well.

We should live like there is a tomorrow … not just for believers in eternity, but for all of creation (scripture is clear the God is reconciling THE WORLD to himself).

We should give ourselves to relationships that build on love (not just with those “in� the kingdom) … after all, the gospel is good for everybody isn’t it?

It’s amazing where we can see Jesus if we just keep our eyes open.

SO TELL ME:
In what surprising ways and places have you seen Jesus?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com

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“We fear so deeply what we think other people see in us, so we talk in order to straighten out their understanding … One of the fruits of silence is the freedom to let our justification rest entirely with God.” — Richard Foster

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Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com

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Tags: fear, silence, freedom, God, Richard Foster

I’ve been having a great “chat” with my brother-in-law concerning the reality of ministry. He’s just graduated from seminary and has a head and a heart full of great learning. He’s eager to see what he can and can’t put into practice.

I feel it’s my responsibility to be as honest with such a dialogue as possible. The great ideas we read in books regarding the paradigm shift of the Church from a Christendom mentality to a practiced communal faith and life are just that — things we read in books.

Oh, they are happening somewhere. Someone has witnessed them. But not usually the ones who read the books.

I’m discovering that Christian life — being a follower of Jesus in relationship with other followers — is far more improvised than I read it described it books.

To truly be a follower of Jesus places us at odds with lots of folks. As a pastor who is a follower of Jesus, that sometimes means I’m even at odds with those who have been Christians longer than I’ve been alive.

It’s not easy. But it’s rewarding to know that we’re being obedient. It’s rejuvenating to see God actually working. It’s the stuff that someday could be the makings of a book.

But I’d rather live it than read it.

SO TELL ME:
Are you “in vocational ministry” and trying to “live it?”

SO TELL ME SOMETHING ELSE:
What’s it like for you?
——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com

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Tags: chat, ministry, seminary, dialogue, Church, Christendom, faith, Christian, follower, Jesus, relationship