The table story

After Galatians 2:11-14 

We come together at the table,

the common table, shared

by all, the table where

diversity becomes unity,

sharing bread and wine

together in oneness.

 

And yet, even then.

 

They arrive to join

the meal, and they see

the inherent contradiction,

the uncleanness, of their

unity, because tradition

and old religious laws

refute this sharing,

deny this togetherness,

reject this unity.

 

Those who know better,

know the old has been

set aside, separate 

themselves as of old,

fearful of the condemnation

of men, fearful of losing

their reputation and

position. Even though

they know they are free,

they shackle themselves,

once again.

 

Photograph by Mona Masoumi via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Even the best among us

After Galatians 2:11-14 

An age-old story,

this surrender to temptation,

and yet not the most obvious

sin, but the one to which 

even the best among us

are susceptible, the sin

of hypocrisy. Because

we need, and often crave,

the approval of others,

their acceptance, or

because of what we

consider to our place

or position to be, we

deny the truth. We want

that acceptance, or we

fear the consequences

of confessing and 

upholding what we know

is true, even when we

have the experience

of recognition of our sins,

we stumble into the same

again. And each of us

hears our own rooster

crow three times.

 

Photograph by Jehyun Sung via Unsplash. Used with permission.

A ministry obvious

After Galatians 2:1-10 

It was dicey, this idea

of taking the word

to the Greeks, those

gentiles uncircumcised,

the people from whom

they’d been called out

and separated from.

This idea of the word

dying and rising even

for them took getting

used to. They all knew

gentiles who’d embraced

the old faith, or lived

according to the tradition;

some even accepted

circumcision. But this

was a new step, a step

into something unknown,

outreach without requiring

strict adherence to the old,

outreach to Greeks,

foreigners, gentiles, unclean.

And yet the course was

clear, and cleared,

the former persecutor

blessed to proceed. And

everything would change.

 

Photograph by Giorgio Encinas via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Companions on the journey

After Galatians 2:1-10 

After fourteen years,

two accompany him,

him the apostle called,

two who carried

their own reputations,

their own callings,

one a Jew, one a Gentile.

To meet with elders

accompanied by a Jew

never was, would be

an issue. It was

the gentile, both

a demonstration

of the word spreading

beyond its original

confines and a symbol

of the apostle’s calling

and ministry to come.

Some grumble and mutter:

surely circumcision, even

of a Gentile, demonstrates

faithfulness to tradition

and commands, a sign

of separation and

selection, being chosen

and set apart. But 

the grumbling is stopped,

the muttering subsides,

the ministry is approved

and blessed.

 

Photograph by Luke Ellis-Craven via Unsplash. Used with permission.

The Assignment

The archbishop of York had had enough. “What the bishop is trying to say, Michael, is that it’s been decided that you will be assigned to St. Anselm’s Anglican Church in San Francisco.”

Michael sat, outwardly composed but inwardly reeling. San Francisco?

“You can take the time you need to think this over,” the bishop of Norfolk said. “We know this is a surprise and not what you expected. So feel free to consider and pray about this.”

“I accept it, Father Stanton,” Michael said.

   - From Dancing Priest 

Photograph by Ben White via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Greg Darley's "Passion Is Not Enough"

The idea of having passion for what you do or want to be has assumed the status of legend and myth, especially in but not limited to business. Insert “passion” and “business” in the search bar at Amazon.com and you’ll see more than a thousand results.

Passion is big business these days – and we’re not talking about romantic passion. The idea is take your passion – and turn into a business, a mission, a life. Do what you’re passionate about. Live your passion.

Greg Darley, director for Backstage Leadership.org has come along in Passion Is Not Enough: 4 Elements to Change the World to inject some much needed sanity into this discussion of passion, especially as it relates to ministry and mission. No matter what you set your mind to do – a new business, writing, art, music, ministry, mission – passion is not enough, he says. It’s important, but “success,” however defined, requires far more than passion.

In fact, he says, it requires four things: calling, character, doctrine and commitment.

Darley structures the book like a basic, simple road map. It’s not so much a step-by-step guide or instruction book as it is a detailed overview, utilizing stories and examples (from the life of the author as well as the lives of others).

The writing is engaging, straightforward and fast-paced, making the work both a thought-provoking and easy read. And it’s full of common sense and wisdom, wisdom based on life. Though Biblically based, the book is written to appeal to a broad audience.

So if you have something in mind that you know will change the world, remember that passion is not enough. And remember to read this book first.