The natural state of God
is Unison
The natural state of humans
is Division
We are divided from God
Each other and ourselves
And…
That is as it should be
Tag Archives: grace
Three Dimensions of Christian Identity
Standard- Position: We are already completely accepted as the Father’s beloved children
- Process: We are still becoming redemptive co-heirs with Jesus
- Perception: We develop this identity in (not from) community as we practice reconciliation by hearing and obeying the Spirt
Grace Conductor
StandardLord, make me the Third Rail of grace
Continue readingThe Quantum of Solace
StandardLord help me to see
Problems as
Possibility
Regenerative Grace
StandardThe Law is great for scaling
A fundamental insight
But is inherently static and preserving
Not generative.
To avoid breakdown
Is also to resist breakthrough
Fruit of the Spirit vs Veggies of the Law/Jellies of the Flesh
StandardMy mind was blown a couple months ago when our preacher that week pointed out, almost as an aside, that the Fruit of the Spirit was primarily something we gave other people.
Perhaps like you, I had subconsciously assumed that Fruit meant I was feeling more love, joy, peace, etc. But once I reimagined Fruit as “experiences we give others that contain the seed of Christ,” I started to get really excited.
For three reasons: Revival, Metrics, and CounterFruit.
Continue readingThe Amygdala Gospel: Rewiring How We Grow Closer to Jesus
StandardWhen Jesus said we must deny ourselves, I think He meant the amygdala.
Continue readingCore Grace Training
StandardCore Grace
is the ability
to hold the tension
between affirming
my own individuality
and acknowledging the legitimacy
of other’s needs
long enough
for Jesus to crucify
my self-centered false identity
and reveal
His greater redemption
for all of us.
In other words,
(by analogy with core strength training)
it is what enable us
to substitute Christ-like Responses
for selfish Reactions
Backstory
Continue readingDream: Yellow Candy Grace
StandardMy friend and I are hard-luck kids
In Sunday School
He’s dying of cancer.
The teachers try to take an offering
Of the bright yellow candy we both like
But rarely get
Exercising Good Judgement
StandardIt is dangerous to judge others.
It is irresponsible not to.
DBJ Family Edition (John 13)
StandardA simplified version of DBJ-LOVE-5 we used with our parents and kids.
Continue readingCorrecting Jesus
StandardThis is quite likely the most foolish and arrogant story I have ever attempted: trying to improve upon how Jesus responded to Peter’s rebuke.
Nevertheless, if I am to take Him at His word that we will do greater things than He did, I have to start somewhere…
Discipling by Jesus to Align with Love
StandardThe premise of Discipling by Jesus is that uniting with Christ is what enables us to become fully human, as we learn to love our Selves and Others as Jesus does.
Continue readingDream: Prison Break
StandardA story of Law and Grace
Two men.
Old.
Ghosts.
With a mule.
1897.
Treasure Hunters.
They capture me.
Take me into a dungeon.
Make me dig.
I break free.
Shove them into an abyss
Including their little black dog.
Ignoring their screams for help.
I open the steel door and lock it behind me.
Then turn a corner in the corridor.
There is another door up ahead.
Repeat.
I am always escaping, but never free.
I wake.
Then I meet Jesus.
He sends me back down.
I don’t want to go.
But I obey.
It seems to take forever.
I finally get to the last door.
I look inside.
I see the tormented soul in the ditch.
It is me.
TGR-S6E6: How to Cure Train Wrecks
StandardJoin us on The Great Reset (via Zoom or YouTube Live at Tue Jan 5, 2020 at 1PM PST) as Ernie pitches a framework for tying together our recent themes of discipleship, reconciliation, and loving more like Jesus.
Question: Is there a single thing that both causes and sustains “train wrecks” (i.e., cascades of broken relationships)? If so, can it be inverted to provide a cure?
Perspective: Yes, abjection (i.e. dissociating self from what is toxic or outside our control). The tragedy is that abjection is essential for identity in both groups and individuals, yet ultimately destructive of the larger context. The cure is to follow Christ by incarnating into what was abjected, and overcome it by the power of the cross.
Continue readingTGR-S6E5: Wounded Feelings
StandardJoin us on The Great Reset (via Zoom or YouTube Live at Tue Dec 29 1PM PST) as we work through the revelations from last week’s episode.
Question: How should we respond when we are hurt by the actions of other believers — who themselves are hurting?
Perspective: Seek the cross and grace of Christ, as the only true cure for our pain — and theirs.
Continue readingTGR Code of Conduct
StandardDraft 1, 29 Oct 2020, The Great Reset
- John 13:34 A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another.
- Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
- Whenever you need help with (1) or (2), just ask.
- If you see someone struggling with (1) or (2), offer to help.
RohAnjali 2018 New Year’s Prayer
StandardDear God,
Thank you that our family belongs to you.
We confess we need you to free us from our sin and shame so we can love like Jesus.
Give us the grace to:
- Trust you with our desires
- Face our fears
- Reflect on our anger
- Speak the truth in love, and
- Ask for help along the way
We ask this by the blood of Jesus, Amen.
A Sinner’s Prayer for Peace
StandardEvangel, Part V: Living The Gospel
Standard“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” — Galatians 2:19-21
Radically Happy 
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