Tag Archives: Discipleship

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on June 26, 2015
Tags: Discipleship,   

“Judgment-Free” Zone — Rev. David J. Schreffler

June 26, 2015

“Look at what is before your eyes. If any one is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that as he is Christ’s, so are we. For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I shall not be put to shame. I would not seem to be frightening you with letters. For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” Let such people understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. Not that we venture to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” 2 Corinthians 10:7-12

“The self will acquire a new quality or qualification in the fact that it is the self directly in the sight of G*d. This self is no longer the merely human self but is what I would call, hoping not to be misunderstood, the theological self, the self directly in the sight of G*d. And what an infinite reality this self acquires by being before G*d.” Soren Kierkegaard (1813 – 1855) “For All The Saints”, volume II (p. 143)

By Paul’s own account, he was not a good speaker, nor was he an imposing figure. But, his writing skills were pure genius. He had such a wonderful ability to put words on the paper that spoke eloquently of his relationship with G*d, his encounters with G*d, and his instructions from G*d. His letters were so well written, and so welcomed by the faithful, that when they met him in person, his presence was so unimpressive that there was a disconnect for the people. There was a tendency to judge him negatively on his;  presence, his person — which is hard for all of us to avoid.

I listen to a lot of radio. When I listen to a particular person, I try to get an image in my head of what this person may look like. (Possibly you do the same.) I remember listening to one local AM radio personality, and from his voice I pictured a tall person with broad shoulders and great hair — sort of like President Ronald Regan. When I finally saw a picture of the personality, I was really shocked — he looked nothing like President Regan. And I had to be careful not to make a judgment on his underwhelming appearance. But, it is difficult for all humans not to judge each other on appearances. This was Paul’s point. He was fighting the problem of people judging him on his appearance — rather than judging him on his teachings about Jesus. We too are called not to judge one another — but to love one another and listen to one another.

Here is your challenge for today — try to live today in a “judgment free” zone — not judging anyone on anything except on the realization that everyone you meet today is a child of G*d.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on June 21, 2015
Tags: Discipleship, , ,   

“Third Wheel Keep On Turning” — Rev. David J. Schreffler

June 21, 2015
Sunday

“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him.” Mark 4:35-36

Did you ever feel like “the third wheel?” Did you ever hear the phrase “Two is company, three is a crowd?” I have often felt like the “odd man out” in many experiences in my life. I have lived for many years feeling like I just do not fit in, like I am tolerated but not really welcome, like I exist but I am really invisible. Why I have these feelings I cannot put clearly into words. But I cannot negate my feelings. It most likely hearkens back to the time in my life where I knew I existed, but I did not know how to get along with the rest of the world. Just ask my siblings about my childhood, and they will roll their eyes and say something like “he really was a handful”. And I would respond “they are being kind” although sometimes I might say they are invoking revisionist history. I was more than a handful because I didn’t know how to “get along”. I was in the “other boat” — witnessing all of the things that were going on, wanting desperately to be a part, but knowing I couldn’t truly understand — because I was one of the “others”.

Who were those people in the other boat or boats who were with Jesus when the disciples set sail that day? We have no idea, but we do know they benefited from being with Jesus — they also experienced the miracle — even though they had no idea who calmed the storm. So by being in proximity to Jesus, their lives were impacted — their lives were better. We have a lot of churches today — too many to count. All of these churches are filled with people who call themselves “witnesses” for Jesus. We have the words, the writings, the oral and written traditions that come from the Apostolic period of the church — those who had witnessed all that Jesus had said and done, and then passed it along to “others”. For that to be most effective, there had to have been more than just the twelve — and we know that along with the women, and the others, there were more than we can imagine.

Today we have people in the church who are the captains, we have the workers, and then we have the “others” — those who are in the boat but who don’t necessarily feel as if they belong. But we all belong. It doesn’t matter when we have come into the vineyard to work, we all receive the same reward — eternal life with G*d. It doesn’t matter which boat we are in — all of the boats are landing on the same heavenly beach — and all of the passengers along this ride with Christ will benefit from his love, mercy and grace.

Take time today to assess if there is someone in your church who may be feeling like the “odd person out” — and then do what you can to make them feel welcome, loved, and a part of the “boat” that is the church of Jesus.

Pastor Dave