One-to-One Ministry

In today's A La Carte posted by Challies is a link to the article One-to-one ministry, by Tony Payne.

Here is a blurb from that article:

However, one-to-one ministry usually means going further than this—to the point of suggesting meeting together for a particular purpose: to read the Bible, to pray, to use a particular set of studies together, or whatever it might be. As we do so, our purpose is not just growth, but mutual growth. No one person has a monopoly on godliness or spiritual truth. Out of the mouths of babes and infants God brings forth praise (Matt 21:16). Our relationships should be mutually helpful, even if one of us is more mature as a Christian. It is not a professional relationship of expert to client; it is iron sharpening iron. It is confessing our sins to one another.

The icing on the cake...

Philippians 4:10-20 (ESV):

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Somehow the context surrounding the well-known verse 13 (last sentence of the first paragraph) strikes me.

Paul rejoices in the Philippians' concern, even though He's learned the secret to contentment. Seems possible to be blessed with community without viewing it as an essential ingredient for ultimate contentment. Look at the word following verse 13: yet. Paul's knowledge of the secret didn't rob him of his appreciation of their kindness in bearing his burden. And isn't it interesting that the great Paul, when leaving Macedonia, only had partnership ("in giving and receiving" [15]) with just the Philippians and no other church. Perhaps he felt isolated from the other churches; perhaps not. In any case, it's just neat how Paul highly regarded the community of believers at Philippi, even though He knew the secret to contentment. Why not enjoy the icing (community) on the cake (contentment in Christ)? Just hopefully God will cause us to not look to the icing alone to fill the stomach, and, when we do, cause a sweets sickness or longing for the real thing rather than for the filling that provides temporary pseudo-contentment...

Waiting Together

Here's a blurb from Precious Dying, by Joe Carter:

Until the cancer made her unable to work, my mother had been a hospice nurse. She had provided care to dozens of people as they entered the dying process, staying with them to the end. I asked her once what the morbid job entailed. "Mostly waiting," she said. "You just stay with them and make them comfortable. Let them know they are not alone."

Her words remind me of Jesus and his followers in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus tells three of his disciples: "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.... Stay here and watch" (14:34). Then, going a little further into the garden,

[Jesus] fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. Abba, Father, he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me, yet not what I will, but what you will." Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptations. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come, Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" (Mark 14:35-42)

Daily Community

Last night at AWANA, when looking over a girl's answers to the questions in her book, I noticed that she wrote "every day" in answer to a question that asked something about how often the believers met, according to Acts 2. I had to look that one up and check...did they really meet every day? Sure enough, I found she was right! According to Acts 2:46-47 (NIV), "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

In the ESV, the phrase "day by day" is used instead of "every day". I'm not sure if the original Greek exactly meant "every day", but in any case it seems the believers at least met quite frequently!

And notice the attitudes present..."glad and generous hearts"..."praising God"..."having favor with all the people"....

Beautiful.

Clicking out of Cliques

Cliques aren't limited to the youth. But what comprises a clique anyway? Just people who connect tending to talk to one another more often than others? Isn't it natural to be drawn and feel closer to those with whom you connect and feel comfortable? Still, it would be good if we could find enjoyment in hanging out with acquaintances with whom we might not feel as close a connection. How can we enjoy this more and feel more comfortable partially or fully outside our closer circles? Maybe by taking the feelings of others into consideration, realizing the value of 'practicing' the life skill of graciously discovering and interacting with people of varying personalities, and realizing that God may be working through those interactions...

Inspirational Impact

I went on a retreat last month, and got a ticket on the way home - for speeding and following too closely. I don't think I was incredibly close, but it's possible I could have been less than 3 seconds behind the car in front of me. Anyway, at first when the officer talked to me, I was fine, then, he went back to his car...and came back, and showed me a ticket - for one handsome sum. It was a sad shock at first, yes...but later in my car we had some fun with it -- like to pretend it was to count for all the times I sped in the past, a donation to the city, or whatever... it was really nice that they were able to help lighten the situation.

And then...in the mail I got a card along with an incredibly generous check -- to help cover the bulk of the cost of the ticket! Wow. That was quite amazing. And then later on I was given yet another check to cover the remainder of the cost of the ticket. I didn't end up having to pay any of it! *WOW* Even though I was the one to blame, other people (who went on the retreat) pitched in to help me. Their generosity is certainly an undeserved inspiration!! I will not forget this ...It's quite amazing.

The groups' Bible studies were studying Galatians this quarter. I don't think my Bible study has gotten to the following verse yet, but I think it is one that this generous gesture of kindness illustrates:

Gal. 6:10b - "...let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Also, it reminds me of how as believers don't get what we deserve (salvation), and with this situation too, I got something I didn't deserve....