Compassion and Community

Henri Nouwen gives some fantastic insight about living in community in his book, Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life. Our discussion this week will be on Chapter 4: "Community: No individual Stardom".
Your comments are welcome, even invited!

"Compassion always reveals itself in community, in a new way of being together. Fellowship with Christ is fellowship with our brothers and sisters."

"Precisely because we are so inclined to think in terms of individual greatness and personal heroism, it is important for us to reflect carefully on the fact that the compassionate life is the community life. We witness to God's compassionate presence in the world by the way we live and work together. . .no individual stardom."

"People who say, 'I wonder if anyone cares what I am doing. I wonder if my superior, my friends at home, or the people who sent me ever think about me, ever pray for me, even consider me part of their lives', are in real danger. We are able to do many hard things, tolerate many conflicts, overcome many obstacles and persevere under many pressures, but when we no longer experience ourselves as part of a caring, supporting, praying community, we quickly lose faith. This is because faith in God's compassionate presence can never be separated from experiencing God's presence in the community to which we belong."

In Christ Alone

Be encouraged today by the words of one of my favorite songs, "In Christ Alone".

I especially like the third verse. ."and as He stands in victory, sin's curse has lost it's grip on me. For I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ" . .that's some good holiness language right there.

Click on the link below to listen. I welcome your comments on this blog. What encouragement has the Lord given you today?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMtz1fJv340

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

What is mission? Let's talk.

Hey Team,
So we say we're going on a "mission trip" to Australia, huh? What does that really mean? Whose mission is it anyway? Is it something we do as part of a church or an organization. . .or is mission the essence of who we ARE as Christ-followers? Let's dialogue a little bit on what it means for us to participate in GOD'S mission. Did you know that our God is actually the first missionary?

The word "mission" means "sending", and up until the 16th century it was always used in reference to the Trinity (God the Father sending the Son, and then the Father and Son sending the Holy Spirit. . .). God has sent himself to us! Mission is not just something people do as a program of their church or some special ministry that is only done 'overseas' or 'over there' somewhere.

Missiologist Lesslie Newbigin defines mission as “Communication of the gospel in life, word, and deed in every part of the world.” God has commanded us to be witnesses of His love and good news everywhere. . .Olathe. . or Australia! After all, He is already there!

So, what do you all think? Please leave a comment below.