Sunday, January 18, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Lunchtime Thoughts
I was home for lunch today, and I logged on to my facebook page. I decided to join the group called "One body of Christ experiment (all Christians on Facebook)" to see what it was all about. I was attracted by a discussion thread entitled "Validity of so-called Bible". Somone had started the discussion by saying he would believe in Christianity today if someone could answer about 5 questions satisfactorily. It all boiled down to "proof", as usual. As I spent too much time reading the various replies and replies to the replies, etc. I got really bored with it all and at the same time amazed at how emotional people were getting about it. I wondered why this person - who later admitted to being a muslim - would even care to be on this discussion site. I mean, why does he even care what christians believe? If he is convinced that his religion is the true way what does it matter what other people believe? I continued to think about this as I went back to work, and these thoughts came to me:
Trying to "convince" someone that the Bible is truth, that there is only One true God, the Son Jesus who made us righteous, and the Holy Spirit who indwells us as Counselor, Comfort and Guide is impossible without a first hand meeting with "them". An illustration came into focus: suppose Sam and I were friends, and I wanted him to meet my husband John. And what if Sam refused to meet John because his friend Jane told him that she heard John was a real jerk and an abusive husband. I could spend hours telling Sam how much I love John, and how great a man he is, but Sam would never believe me fully unless he actually met John, spent time with him and saw for himself what our relationship is like. I would not stop hoping Sam would agree to meet John, but it would be pointless for me to argue with him.
Now, the point where this illustration breaks down is that John doesn't have a Spirit that can speak Sam's language; call him to a meeting; change his heart with an overpowering love. I felt indignant at this person on the discussion site - like if I were face to face with him I might decline to answer his questions on the grounds that my faith does not require that I prove it's Object. I hope I wouldn't be rude or angry. I hope, by God's grace, I would simply challenge him to get the answers himself (because I suspect this guy isn't really interested in listening to me anyway) and invite him to meet the One that has infected me with his extravagant love.
Oh my gosh! Am I saying that we should not evangelize the lost? No. I'm saying that respect, humility, forgiveness, kindness, and love speak a LOT louder than theological arguments. Maybe if Christians would stop trying to prove the existence of Christ and display the existence of Christ instead, the world might be inclined to meet Him. Just a thought.
Trying to "convince" someone that the Bible is truth, that there is only One true God, the Son Jesus who made us righteous, and the Holy Spirit who indwells us as Counselor, Comfort and Guide is impossible without a first hand meeting with "them". An illustration came into focus: suppose Sam and I were friends, and I wanted him to meet my husband John. And what if Sam refused to meet John because his friend Jane told him that she heard John was a real jerk and an abusive husband. I could spend hours telling Sam how much I love John, and how great a man he is, but Sam would never believe me fully unless he actually met John, spent time with him and saw for himself what our relationship is like. I would not stop hoping Sam would agree to meet John, but it would be pointless for me to argue with him.
Now, the point where this illustration breaks down is that John doesn't have a Spirit that can speak Sam's language; call him to a meeting; change his heart with an overpowering love. I felt indignant at this person on the discussion site - like if I were face to face with him I might decline to answer his questions on the grounds that my faith does not require that I prove it's Object. I hope I wouldn't be rude or angry. I hope, by God's grace, I would simply challenge him to get the answers himself (because I suspect this guy isn't really interested in listening to me anyway) and invite him to meet the One that has infected me with his extravagant love.
Oh my gosh! Am I saying that we should not evangelize the lost? No. I'm saying that respect, humility, forgiveness, kindness, and love speak a LOT louder than theological arguments. Maybe if Christians would stop trying to prove the existence of Christ and display the existence of Christ instead, the world might be inclined to meet Him. Just a thought.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Ah, Saturday...
Okay...I have a history of coming late to the party so-to-speak - mainly because I just feel rebellious about doing something that everyone else is excited about. So now I finally have a blog site AND a facebook account all in the same week and I am eating so much crow about people wasting their time on the computer (ashamed face). Hopefully it's just the honeymoon phase.
So, what are appropriate expectations when it comes to blog-sites? Should I think of it as a 21st century diary; an easy way to email a whole bunch of people; or is it really something that people who know me AND random strangers are going to read? I mean, I already get sad when I don't have any comments...is this something that might be detrimental to my self-esteem? I find myself frequently saying, "I wish I just had a bullhorn to the entire country/world so that I could tell people ______" Now I feel like I kinda do have that bullhorn - I could post messages several times a day to let the world know what I'm thinking (anybody in close proximity will tell you they NEVER have to wonder what's going through my mind) - but is anybody really going to read it? I've always wanted to write a book, but I haven't yet found a subject I thought I could write about for more than maybe one chapter. Maybe this is my opportunity to just get out all those small rants and raves - as well as experiences that I think are significant - without the hassles of book-signing tours and demanding deadlines. Hmmmm. Maybe I don't really care if anyone replies. Just the feeling of expression through my fingertips is satisfying. I really prefer feedback in the traditional form of conversation anyway. But, if someone wants to comment, I certainly won't refuse to read it.
Oh, BTW - for those who are Spencer News-deficient: I am about to start my LAST semester of college! Yes, after 23 years I'm finally getting my bachelor's degree!! If you want to you can come to my graduation party - it's gonna be a doozy!
So, what are appropriate expectations when it comes to blog-sites? Should I think of it as a 21st century diary; an easy way to email a whole bunch of people; or is it really something that people who know me AND random strangers are going to read? I mean, I already get sad when I don't have any comments...is this something that might be detrimental to my self-esteem? I find myself frequently saying, "I wish I just had a bullhorn to the entire country/world so that I could tell people ______" Now I feel like I kinda do have that bullhorn - I could post messages several times a day to let the world know what I'm thinking (anybody in close proximity will tell you they NEVER have to wonder what's going through my mind) - but is anybody really going to read it? I've always wanted to write a book, but I haven't yet found a subject I thought I could write about for more than maybe one chapter. Maybe this is my opportunity to just get out all those small rants and raves - as well as experiences that I think are significant - without the hassles of book-signing tours and demanding deadlines. Hmmmm. Maybe I don't really care if anyone replies. Just the feeling of expression through my fingertips is satisfying. I really prefer feedback in the traditional form of conversation anyway. But, if someone wants to comment, I certainly won't refuse to read it.
Oh, BTW - for those who are Spencer News-deficient: I am about to start my LAST semester of college! Yes, after 23 years I'm finally getting my bachelor's degree!! If you want to you can come to my graduation party - it's gonna be a doozy!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Quick Update
Hello peoples! I'm back as promised...and I'm going to try to give you the thumbnail update (did I use that term properly? Maybe that only applies to pictures...whatever) on the fam. Let's go youngest to oldest: Jesse Daniel Spencer just turned 7! He is the greatest 7 year-old in the history of 7 year-olds (oops! don't tell the other kids) My sister summed Jesse up recently when she said, "isn't it great that he just makes his own sunshine wherever he is?" That is a great picture of our guy. He sings constantly, and when he isn't singing he is talking - to someone or to no one - it doesn't really matter. His interests are lego magazines (like Mom, he'd rather just look at stuff other people have made and dream about having it!), Nintendo games, reading, and sometimes crafts. Mainly, he just likes being with his siblings and doing whatever they are doing.
Jacob is a 6th grader, and in Burleson Texas that means Middle School. He plays the french horn in the beginning band, and has just this week noticed that we have a piano on which he has already taught himself several songs (yea, didn't see that one coming!) He is a part of the Ruben Martin varsity Judo team (has earned an orange belt), and after years and years of making swords out of everything still gets out in the backyard to play ninja/jedi/samuri warrior! The thing I love most about Jacob is that despite being the middle child he has the most compassionate heart which shows up most when he is around little kids. He is a big 11 year old, and will probably man-out pretty large eventually, but I can easily see him working with little people - maybe - trying not to plan his life...just saying...
Carrie, our lovely princess is a freshman at Burleson High, and has broken all the shock-your-parents-with -new-interests records this year. She plays tennis for her P.E., and is in choir & drama. She has just started rehearsing the Spring musical, "Meet Me in St. Louis". She is involved in a church youth group that she LOVES, and has blossomed into a young lady overnight. (yes, I did just say that - I know it was dorky) She really likes having Mom on the same campus to keep her stuff and microwave her lunch periodically.
Joe - the firstborn man-child. What can I say about Joe??? Joe has made us better parents - that's all there is to it. The moment he got his first drumset at 13 he became himself. At first it was "cute" how he tried to play Fall Out Boy and other Pop-style teen music. Then, he wanted to grow his hair out. Then he liked harder music. Then he grew his hair longer. Then the music got more metal. Then he got in a band. Now, three years later his band is doing really well (just about to release an "EP" (???), and has taught us all we needed to know about letting go of stereotypes and subconscious expectations. For that I will always be grateful.
I've run out of time. The next blog will be all about ME!!
Jacob is a 6th grader, and in Burleson Texas that means Middle School. He plays the french horn in the beginning band, and has just this week noticed that we have a piano on which he has already taught himself several songs (yea, didn't see that one coming!) He is a part of the Ruben Martin varsity Judo team (has earned an orange belt), and after years and years of making swords out of everything still gets out in the backyard to play ninja/jedi/samuri warrior! The thing I love most about Jacob is that despite being the middle child he has the most compassionate heart which shows up most when he is around little kids. He is a big 11 year old, and will probably man-out pretty large eventually, but I can easily see him working with little people - maybe - trying not to plan his life...just saying...
Carrie, our lovely princess is a freshman at Burleson High, and has broken all the shock-your-parents-with -new-interests records this year. She plays tennis for her P.E., and is in choir & drama. She has just started rehearsing the Spring musical, "Meet Me in St. Louis". She is involved in a church youth group that she LOVES, and has blossomed into a young lady overnight. (yes, I did just say that - I know it was dorky) She really likes having Mom on the same campus to keep her stuff and microwave her lunch periodically.
Joe - the firstborn man-child. What can I say about Joe??? Joe has made us better parents - that's all there is to it. The moment he got his first drumset at 13 he became himself. At first it was "cute" how he tried to play Fall Out Boy and other Pop-style teen music. Then, he wanted to grow his hair out. Then he liked harder music. Then he grew his hair longer. Then the music got more metal. Then he got in a band. Now, three years later his band is doing really well (just about to release an "EP" (???), and has taught us all we needed to know about letting go of stereotypes and subconscious expectations. For that I will always be grateful.
I've run out of time. The next blog will be all about ME!!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
N.Y.R. #1: Reconnect
Happy New Year Friends! As the title indicates, I have determined 2009 to be the year of reconnections. It occurred to me recently, as I was lamenting my failure to send out Christmas cards...again, how ridiculous it is that I haven't just started a blogsite for news - duh! So here I am approaching the on-ramp to the blogosphere! I will return later to give a lengthy update on all of us Spencers, but for now I just want to say hello to all of our friends far and wide - we look forward to catching up!
John's thoughts
Jesus came to raise the dead. He did not come to teach the teachable; He did not come to improve the improvable; He did not come to reform the reformable. None of those things works. –Robert Farrar Capon
I have had the incredible privilege to walk along side so many amazing people and see many aspects of the Kingdom – it is an ongoing task to separate my home culture from the Gospel of Jesus. Coming back to America and the faith expression I grew up in has too often felt like putting a shoe that a size too small, I can get my foot in but there not enough room. I am deconstructing a lot of assumptions I grew up with and trying move beyond “Americanized evangelicalism”. I am desperately following after Jesus in an attempt to discover what it means to be vitally connected to Jesus. There is a spirituality that we [I] have missed along the way, a spirituality that has Jesus expressing himself through us in an authentic love centered form. To me that is the practical expression of Galatians 2:20.
Love Wins!
I have had the incredible privilege to walk along side so many amazing people and see many aspects of the Kingdom – it is an ongoing task to separate my home culture from the Gospel of Jesus. Coming back to America and the faith expression I grew up in has too often felt like putting a shoe that a size too small, I can get my foot in but there not enough room. I am deconstructing a lot of assumptions I grew up with and trying move beyond “Americanized evangelicalism”. I am desperately following after Jesus in an attempt to discover what it means to be vitally connected to Jesus. There is a spirituality that we [I] have missed along the way, a spirituality that has Jesus expressing himself through us in an authentic love centered form. To me that is the practical expression of Galatians 2:20.
Love Wins!
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