We've been reading this book called Compassion by Nouwen, McNeill, and Morrison, which is a great read for anyone thinking about mercy ministry, or the church's responsibility to the poor, etc.
In one of the last chapters, after quoting Matthew 25:31-46 (the sheep and the goats), the authors have this to say:
"Action with and for those who suffer is the concrete expression of the compassionate life and the final criterion of being a Christian. Such acts do not stand beside the moments of prayer and worship but are themselves such moments. Why? Because Jesus Christ, who did not cling to his divinity, but became as we are, can be found where there are hungry, thirst, alienated,
naked, sick, and imprisoned people. Precisely when we live in an ongoing conversation with Christ and allow his Spirit to guide our lives, we will recognize him in the poor, the oppressed, and the downtrodden, and will hear his cry and respond to it wherever he reveals himself. Thus, action and prayer are two aspects of the same discipline of patience..."
... Which ties right in with a lot of what Kelly and I seem to be learning and talking about these days. I have taught myself to calculate my way to heaven -- constantly analyzing what must be the best way to live. Is it ok to live in the suburbs? to shop at Wal-mart? to work for a profitable business? Isn't it better to hang clothes on the line? eat stone-ground organically-grown whole wheat bread? evangelize on street corners? Would I be more acceptable if I talked to more homeless people? went to another country?
These sorts of analyses leave me either a) proud or b) despairing.
But the truth is that the life I want is a product of the Spirit, something he gives. And I don't think I've learned how to listen to him. How come we don't talk about this more? I think we are afraid of being "pious" or "mystical" or even "gnostic."
Anyhow, one of our prayers over the next few days/weeks/months will be that the Lord will teach us to be sensitive to the Spirit, a la Galatians 5:25: "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
I find that my Christian worship--they way that I set down my life and priorities for God's way of doing things--is by doing the very thing I want to: teaching. To think that I have influence over these kids' minds and hearts and ears and souls! It's a scary thought, and the scariest part is not that I have to have all my professional duckies lined up (plan that lesson! think through this assignment! be sure you have your worksheets copied off and ready to go!)--the scary part is that their young eyes watch my every move, even my unguarded ones. So I'd better be soaking in the Holy Spirit and his guidance, so when I have a moment of panic, the kids see me reacting God's way, and not my own way.
Re bridging a Charismatic upbringing to Presbyterian training. When you cross a bridge, you leave one side behind. I wonder what you find good to leave behind? I know there are strengths in both camps, and likewise there are weaknesses. I don't think of your upbringing as being particularly Charismatic. True, we attended a church that was mildly that way, though, not too often manifestly so. ( We didn't pole vault at church, or use the chandeliers for trapezes. We didn't have any chandeliers.) Your father certainly was not charismatic. I had discarded much of my charismatic trappings, having seen much abuse of things like gifts, dreams, leadings, and some false teaching. Youth Advance, would be classified as Charismatic, but that seemed to affect you positively, though I was less enamored of it in later years.
I wasn't offended by what you said about the bridge. I guess I am asking what you would define as Charismatic Christianity. What I have liked about that branch of the Church, is the invitation to participate in worship. Services in mainline or liturgical church often seemed to be a performance to watch.
My experience in the early Charismatic groups was one of dealing with the deep issues of the soul. It was good to find out that God was real, and He intervened in people's lives today much as He did in the New Testament.
I came from a very intellectual tradition. It felt good to be released from that. As you know, I have been struggling with church issue for the
past several years. As Bill would say "I can't figure out how we are supposed to have 'church'". I became aware of over emphasis on emotion, and too much focus on self. Then I listened to the tape titled "The Error of Charismatic Deception" by brother Mose, for which I had my defenses up, but was convinced nevertheless, that most of what he said was true.
The issue that disillusions me now is the failure of the church to practice scriptural separation from the world. I don't see the world as
music, movies and clothes. John defined it as that which, encompasses the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of
life", or as one of my long ago teachers araphrased, "passions, possessions, position". It seems that the American church is pretty wrapped up in all three of these. As I told you some time ago, when I asked myself, "what does a Christian look like any way?" The picture of Mother Teresa, ministering to the desperately poor, came into my mind. As we are not to be of the world, that is, not similar to the world, but we are to be in the world, that is coming into contact with those who are suffering because of "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life," and seeking to set them free from these through the power of the cross, that infamous instrument of humiliation, suffering, and death, and the symbol of sacrificial love. 'To live is Christ and to die is gain," For this reason, we should be the ones who are
not afraid to die, not the Moslems. But "to live is Christ", so while we are here, we should go about doing good, be in the business of healing,
restoring, reconciling, setting free, giving life, being "broken bread and poured out wine for a lost and dying world," as someone said. (I wish I could give proper credit for all the quotes that crowd my mind.)
I like what you said about worship being the very acts of giving self to meet the needs of others. Andy said that in his book, and taught that in his Bible curriculum for teens participating in Chattanooga challenge. I know, subjectively, that I never feel closer to God as when I am ministering to the needy. That is a part of my childhood tradition too.
I think you are farther along that thought than perhaps I would admit of myself. I wish I could remember what Dr. D said, too. I'm still flabbergasted by union with Christ...it changed my life. But shouldn't the details matter, as you sort of say? My pastor just preached some sermons on the Spirit a few months ago that I remember being quite good and thought-provoking. I should go back through my notes and jog my failing memory. (I never remember anything, thus, takes notes for everything.) Posturing thoughts from the perspective of the Spirit's work in our life is something I hadn't thought of. I guess I've been thinking in terms of how do I be most obedient? but they are pretty much the same question.
I agree Jeannette, that our union with Christ is a great comfort. That is what the Spirit comes to bear witness to us about, a la Romans 8.
But I keep thinking that there is something more than just knowing, or telling myself that I am united with Christ. I mean, Christ intercedes for us at the right hand of God, but the Spirit intercedes with groanings that cannot be uttered...
What was it Dr. Dennison used to say about how our union with Christ becomes "existential"? I wish I could remember now, because I think the existential part is really important too.
I'm trying to bridge my charismatic upbringing with my PResbyterian training. It can be done!
I find that being reminded that I am united with Christ is the biggest source of comfort in my "calculations." It's a little bit vague when it comes down to daily decisions, and we don't want to think that they don't matter. But that fact that Christ already has dominion, therefore, don't fear. And that because He is constantly making intercession with the Father for us. Becoming conformed to Christ and living as our new natures in Him demand seems to be key. We'll never be acceptable without this.
In my own life, sometimes I wonder, would I be more acceptable if I was sinking my life into homemaking and having kids instead of pursuing scholarship at the moment? But then I have to thing, more acceptable to whom? to me? to other people in my church? or to God? if I believe that I'm being obedient to Christ, then there's no reason for me to apologetic to other people about what I want to do. And if we concentrate primarily on obedience, I think he will send the Spirit to keep us from sin.