We aren’t obligated to a list of rules when we follow Jesus, nor are we asked to practice any of form of penitential discipline to strengthen our will against sin. The final practice Paul warns against is MYSTICISM. Mysticism is spiritual intuition outside of normal or ordinary understanding obtained through the use of intermediaries (angels, …
Out of the Chaos
Inspiration for living outside of the chaos.
Following Jesus does not mean adhering to a long list of rules and regulations (legalism) designed to control our behavior so we are right with God. Jesus makes us right with God; we don’t have to work for righteousness. Reading: Colossians 2:18, 23 The second thing Paul said to get rid of in our quest …
Read: Colossians 2:16-17 The first thing Paul warns against in following Christ is LEGALISM. Legalism is defined as strictly following the “letter of the law” rather than the spirit. It is following the rules without embracing the spirit of something. For example, church attendance is an excellent tool for growing in our faith. It is …
I have always been a very devout person. I think my personality, my experiences – and perhaps my birth order – combined in me so that I always wanted to be “good.” I followed the rules (except once in fourth grade I stretched the truth so I could go to an event my mom didn’t …
Read: Colossians 2:2-4; 6-7 I do not do well with house plants. They die. It’s just that simple. Unless it is a cactus that doesn’t require much care or attention. I don’t seem to have the touch. Orchids are especially troubling to me. I know their roots need special attention…not too much water, but enough; …
As we celebrate community today, I think on Paul’s words in Colossians 1:28-29. He says that he works so hard because he wants to present others to Christ “perfect.” That’s a confusing word. In our language, it means never doing anything wrong, always getting it right, all T’s crossed, all i’s dotted. In Greek, the …
Who doesn’t love a secret? Right now I am enjoying the secret of knowing my unborn granddaughter’s name. We talk to her, using her name when no one is around. But it’s a secret. Some people don’t like secrets. They are the type who look for their gifts before Christmas, birthdays or Valentine’s Day. Maybe …
So many situations in life require an ongoing commitment in order to be successful. Marriage requires a commitment to the vows we made. Raising children requires an ongoing commitment to their well-being and success. Successful transition in a job requires commitment to the goals of the company/ministry. The same commitment is necessary in our relationship …
Read: Colossians 1:21-22 A few words of background is in order. Paul, the apostle, wrote this letter to followers of Jesus who lived in Colosse. He had never met them, but heard about their faith from others. He wrote to encourage them that even though they were not Jewish – these were Gentile people – …
Monday I practiced JOMO. It was okay, but not great. I need to practice more. Then I read the following and decided I took the wrong approach. My focus was more on what I could do – kind of like a “do it yourself” spirituality. It was really hard work. It seems I didn’t access …
Out of the Chaos 