Pre-post thought: Most of my blogs lately have stemmed from some sort of book I've been reading or skimming, so really, I've been reflecting upon ideas that other people have already published. I think this is good for now, but I've been thinking: if I'm going to work toward being published someday, whenever that is, I need a lot of my own ideas.

But when it comes down to it, they won't be my own ideas anyway.

Thanks be to God for that.

You're now thinking: Jessie! Stop being so random and get on with the post.

I'll reply: Okay. You win. :)

The Kingdom of Couches has been a good read so far. I really love creative nonfiction that challenges, fights for and digs deeper into critical faith issues. KOC succeeds in the "missional community" field, I think. (Walker serves on staff with Campus Crusade at the University of Texas and has written for Relevant; cool, huh?)

I may have to get permission from Walker at some point for this, but this passage blew me out of the water:

So where does the Bible fit into spiritual life? For most people it fits into what they have come to call "quiet times." I was taught to have quiet times, first as a child in the corner, and then as a adult at the coffee shop. Both are wonderful and should be treasured as part of the American way of life. What I don't understand, though, is how the Bible got mixed up with quiet times the way it did. Never have two simple words so shaped the way people think about what it means to study the Bible, or to be a Christian for that matter. The approach has been common, even prescriptive:

1.) Find a quiet place, maybe some music in the background, coffee/tea, comfy chair, etc.
2.) Read something in the Bible. Read for at least fifteen minutes (this seems to be the minimum requirement).
3.) If you have questions get them answered immediately by reading a commentary.
4.) Journal and/or pray.
5.) Impress someone with what you have learned (optional, and for experienced Christians only).

This would by most standards be considered a good approach to Bible study. That it may be, but it is not the best approach to learning. I am biased, of course, because I fail miserably at the whole quiet time agenda. It's been awhile since I have read the Bible this way: privately, quietly, devotionally. I have read and discussed it with people, read it to prepare for talks and small groups, written about some of its passages and ideas, and read a few complimentary books along the way. So either I am not a good Christian or it is possible to learn from the Bible and love Jesus/people apart from this approach. Perhaps both are true.

It seems to me that the Bible is meant to be read aloud, heard in community, talked about at dinner, applied to actual life, debated -- anything but confined to the comfy recesses of my "devotional life." I am not suggesting that we should not read the Bible alone. My friend Jonathon points out the dangers of throwing out personal reading:

"Personal choice and discipline are critical for cultivating intimacy with the Lord whenever one is apart from community. If this discipline is not developed, the community will become a crutch and not a catapult in the aim for holy living."

Hopefully you were able to trudge through all of that. Basically, I wanted to take Walker's sentence that I italicized above and put it into context, because I think it's big and really, really true.

Paul crossed my mind as I read that passage.

As he addressed each church, we can see a glimpse of how much passion he has for the people. Not just, "Here's the deal, guys...this is what God has called me to do and this is how you are a part of it," but something more like, "This is my life assignment! I desire for you to know this!" (Really, that doesn't even begin to convey Paul's passion for God's people!)

On the other side of the spectrum, I can imagine the people addressed in Paul's letters were pretty shaken up by some of Paul's words -- after all, he desired big faith in a big God -- and, really, in a huge program in which they were actively involved.

I often find myself in the mindset of 'minimums,' not really allowing God to shake up my world through His Word. And the thing is...He wants to; I can feel Him urging me to dig deeper. To dig deeper so that I can too be passionate about His gospel -- His message of sin-shattering, redemptive love and eternal hope -- for my life, for those I know and love, for those I work with, for those I will come to know in years ahead. He desires our willingness to first delve into the Bible and then our trust in His provision for understanding of His Word.

***

Over the past few years, I've had the chance to hear a few people who have so seamlessly integrated the gospel into messages and conversations. Through their passion, I've experienced God. (Have you experienced this? I'd love to hear your stories. E-mail me sometime: jessicam@muskingum.edu)

Chris Buda, who is our region's Young Life director (I was involved in Young Life throughout high school and was a volunteer leader my freshman year at Muskingum) spoke at a leadership retreat in January 2005.

(Chris, who is referred to as "Buda" most of the time, is one of those guys who Young Life staff, volunteer leaders and kids talk about all the time. I've never met anyone in the ministry quite like him. He's amazing.)

One talk Buda gave was on John 4 -- Jesus' meeting with the woman at the well. As he read the passage, reflected upon it and related it to our ministry with high school kids, I couldn't help but thank God for Buda's obedience. Sheer trust. His trust in an extraordinary God to work through Him in big, big ways. John 4 came alive. Buda wanted us to understand Jesus' passion for the woman -- and really, for all those who were/are marginalized. He desired for us to apply that to our own relationships with high schoolers.

***

The gospel message can bring us to our knees -- to tears -- to understanding -- to action.

Let's pray that we would too desire for others to know and love the gospel. Its message is more than enough for each of our lives. After all, He is more than enough.

Love you guys.

-Jessie