God will not lead you where He will not provide for you.
David Sills, “The Missionary Call”
Shalom as Freedom & Unity
“I’ve just begun to more fully understand what it means to be a peacemaker. There is a big difference between being a peacekeeper (an appeaser) and a peacemaker. I’ve come to the realization that for much of my life I’ve been a peacekeeper but not a peacemaker. Here is a thought for you; sometimes in order to be a peacemaker you have to be a troublemaker. Ponder that one for a while.”
Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church is who you are. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church.
Bridget Willard
Can’t you see that the dream that sprouts in your heart is your mission on Earth? Live. Evolve. Don’t be afraid of learning.
Alfredo Karras
Somehow we’ve gotten the idea that the essence of faith is entirely a mental and inward thing.
Dallas Willard
May your life preach more loudly than your lips.
William Ellery Channing (Unitarian, minister, reformer)
Sacrifice?
I remember a several years ago, when everyone at a UU conference was talking about “Radical Hospitality.” There was some book out concerning the topic, so when I got home, I went on a used-book site and ordered a copy.
I don’t think I got the one they were talking about.
The book I wound up with was written by fundamentalist Christians. They would meet homeless people, and let them come home and live with them til they got on their feet.
That’s some pretty radical hospitality.
Shane Claiborne is one of the “new Monastics” who is living with, and ministering among the poor and homeless of Philadelphia.
Radical.
Do you know someone really exemplifying radical hospitality?
Say not, “I have found the truth,” but rather, ”I have found a truth.”
Say not, “I have found the path of the soul.” Say rather, “I have met the soul walking upon my path.”
For the soul walks upon all paths…
The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals.
Kahlil Gibran (1883 – 1931)
Could your church be modern missionaries?
“Tomorrow we are moving the entire Courageous Church operation to Tuscaloosa, Alabama – ground zero of the worst tornadoes in decades.
I want you to come with me. We will not be having our Sunday services, but instead will be joining churches and thousands of people in Tuscaloosa that lost everything they own and many people they love.
The buildings of Bethel Church of Pratt City were completely destroyed. I just spoke with the pastor there, TL Lewis, and he said that CBS asked him what he was going to do since his church was destroyed. He replied to the reporter, “Our church BUILDINGS were destroyed, but the people are stronger than ever. Our church remains.” Wow I was encouraged by that.
Tomorrow we will worship with Rev. Platt and the people of Bethel Church and then serve them lunch after the service and host games and fun activities with the kids there….”
Whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.
And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
Paulo Coelho
Red Pill Brethren 