The Journal

Socrates said, "An unexamined life is not worth living." This is my feeble attempt at examining my life.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

A long time coming...

3:41 PM Posted by Daniel Rose No comments
I have not posted in a while.  This means that I have broken the number one rule of blogging.  That rule states that you are to blog approximately thrice weekly.

But, you see real life, the place that is not connected to a computer has become full. Therefore, I haven't had time to write. Even writing this I feel like I should be doing ten other things.

So, here's the deal, I am hopeful that things are going to begin slowing. I need the space to write. It gives me a place to work out what is going on in my head.

I want to continue writing about how our theology and doctrine drives us into mission.

But, right now the mission is demanding my time and the keyboard doesn't hold a candle to the mission.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Friday, May 20, 2011

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Friday, May 13, 2011

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Monday, May 9, 2011

Friday, May 6, 2011

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Next...

5:29 PM Posted by Daniel Rose No comments
I have been thinking where to go next as I wrestle through how our beliefs drive the mission. Remember, what we believe ought to send us on an expedition with God. Since I have argued that Jesus is the center, that he is Lord,  and that this is the starting point, I will move forward with the reality that those are Christ followers are said to be "in Christ".

When it comes to unity with Christ let's start with John 15:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

(John 15:1-11 ESV)



Jesus is the central figure. He is the vine to which all is connected, I think this image is helpful:



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The "trunk" is the "vine". When one becomes a follower of Jesus she is grafted into the vine. The branches or cordons.  These are one with the vine. You see, those are Christians are not simply followers, we are one with the true vine.

This reality is significant.

Do you get that? If you claim to be a Christian you are one with Christ. This is why Paul says,
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

(2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)



It is the "in Christness" of the person that determines their new identity. This is why Jesus' righteousness can be ours, because we are in him. We cannot be justified apart from being in him.


So what?


That's next...

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Before the Beginning...a Further Reflection

8:44 PM Posted by Daniel Rose , No comments
I was thinking about this whole Jesus is the theological center thing all weekend and realized that this rabbit hole is ridiculously deep. I mean here is the God of the universe walking among us.

Here,
present,
in time and
space.

Think about this reality, just for a moment. It's pretty astounding isn't it? The burning bush, the pillar of cloud and fire, theophanies. But, here is the person of God perfectly human and perfectly divine. To explore the riches of this reality is something that we cannot possibly come to an end of.

The practical realities of this truth are limitless as well, are they not?

Where did God go when he was here?

A manger.
A wedding.
The wilderness.
Dusty roads.
A place everyone else avoided.
The tax collector's booth.
The sea.
The mountains.
The prostitute's corner.
The drunk's table.
The Temple.
The synagogue.

God entered. He engaged this lost world in a very raw and very real way. He didn't hole up in the Temple courts or in the synagogue. He didn't only hang with the religious people.

He said things like, "I came to seek and save the lost." "This sick need a physician not the healthy."

He said things like, "If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off." "The son of man has no place to lay his head."

He said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it."

He leads us out into expedition. He leads us to a dangerous place. He leads to the place of faith. This is not for the faint-hearted but the for the courageous who can follow a master that is more concerned about glory than safety.

I have come to this question, "Am I living safe?"

If I am living "safe", I am not following the one who called me. Living "safe" means that I will not be in danger of losing my life.

I love the fact that there are people in my life who are not living "safe". They inspire me. They inspire me because they are following Jesus. I want to follow Jesus too. I want to go where he goes. I really do.

But,

it is scary.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Justice? Are you sure?

5:33 PM Posted by Daniel Rose No comments
Last night was a tipping point in American history.  We heard the details of a straight out of Hollywood scene recounting the death of Osama Bin Laden.  It has been a fascinating scene to see this unfold via social media and other information outlets.  Upon hearing the news I tweeted,
Interesting how my perspective on all this is so much different than ten years ago. Desiring justice more than revenge.

Ten years ago, I would have rejoiced.

Ten years ago, I was longing for the death of this man.

Now, I am saddened that he is separated from God.

Now, I am saddened that many of my friends consider this justice.

I am more and more aware that justice is not something that I really want. If I really want justice then I would want God to cast me off.  I would want God to send me away from his presence forever.

No.

I desire grace.

I desire grace for everyone.

Yes, even for those who do evil.

I desire grace.

I am grateful that justice was served nearly 2000 years ago on a cross on a street corner that is now a parking lot for buses.

I am grateful that I won't have to face justice, because if I am honest with myself, I am more like Osama Bin Laden than I am like Jesus.  At the end of the day, that's all that matters.

Let justice be served? I suppose.

But I think I prefer to let the gracious God who gave everything to reconcile the world to himself through a cross dole it out.