Gospel Guts

  (1 John 3:17 – pity, compassion)

One of the Greek words

for “passion” is σπλαγχνοις,

transliterated “splagnois”

refers to a rumbling or

disturbance in a person’s belly.

Compassion, then, might be described

as a shared or connected gut-feeling.

It is feeling for another at

the innermost level.

Compassion is the perspective that

effectively lowers our own self-importance

and raises the importance of others,

while accentuating the web

that connects us all.

The aphorism, “No guts, no glory.”

may be a game-changer;

but “No guts (σπλαγχνοις), no gospel.”

is a life-transformer.

© 2012 Todd Jenkins

God's Politics

When you think you’re ready to run

for political office,

keep these things in mind:

[a] by definition, constituents are

not just those who make

contributions to your campaign

(or the PAC/corporation that does so),

or vote for you, or are registered voters—

they are all human beings

that live in your jurisdiction

(from the Greek πολιτικός [politicos],

meaning "of, for, or

relating to the people");

[b] the true measure of your success

is less about how much power

and influence you wield,

and more about opportunities

you provide for all men, women,

and children in your jurisdiction

to live with dignity, purpose, and hope;

[c] the narrower your “ears”

(i.e. the less diverse a group of

people to whom you listen),

the greater the chance that your decisions

will harm more people than they help;

[d] appeasing power is much easier

than making decisions to benefit

the most people; the former

creates disintegration, the latter, integrity;

[e] unfortunately, admitting that

you consider/believe these things

will likely make it difficult for you

to be elected; acting on them

while in office will make it

nearly impossible for you to be reelected,

but do it anyway;

[f] Matthew 25:40.

© 2012 Todd Jenkins

Opening Gospel

Here’s a link to a text-word version of today’s worship from our 8:45 a.m. TouchPoint eclectic worship service. It’s a preach-it-yourself version, so you’ll have to supply some of your own thoughts and connections. I’ve included some mellow guitar instrumentals to assist you.

Opening Gospel

Enjoy!

Todd

Grace Is the Word

YOUR Way

When it absolutely, positively has to be done YOUR way, asking anyone else to help is a charade. Participation in community, whether it is as a couple or in a much larger group (like a church or civic group), requires that you allow others to interpret and apply their own particular experience. You can ASK others to help, but in community and in a volunteer organization you cannot define the parameters of their participation. You can either ask, “Will you help me?” or “Will you do this my way?” but not both. If it has to be done your way, a relationship with others will not be developed by involving them in the process.

© 2012 Todd Jenkins

Easter Vigil

Watching, waiting, hurting, praying;

no understanding, certainty; hope instead.

Wondering why we should be staying.

Will he be raised from the dead?

Time is indiscernible motion;

feet and arms heavy as lead.

Feels like we have cried an ocean.

Will he be raised from the dead?

Burying heads beneath the covers,

sheet of anguish, quilt of dread.

Hurt even more than that of lovers.

Will he be raised from the dead?

© 2012 Todd Jenkins

Hereafter

Whatever else the afterlife is (and wherever and however), I believe it is a place and state of being where all of the fear, all of the failure, all of the pettiness, all of the ignorance, all of the ways we damaged ourselves, hurt others, and hindered the coming of the kingdom are finally made aware to us in crystalline fashion. In that revelation, we are given an opportunity to see and desire God’s purpose. We are free to finally let go of the anxiety and tension of not knowing who we are and what we’re supposed to do and not do, and fully relax, immersing ourselves into God’s deep and rich love. 

© 2012 Todd Jenkins