Monday, May 10, 2010
by Dave Sonnenberg
I may be the last generation that ever went to college with a typewriter (but . . . .I discarded it after the first semester when I discovered the computer lab!) With the typewriter, you always used the same font, the same size, every time. No change (at least on mine) was possible. With the computer, you can change the default settings whenever you want to offer yourself (or others) a fresh look.
One of the things we see in scripture on many occasions is people whose natural default is to moan, complain, and try and deflate the Christian movement. When that is the defaul setting, it is like water being thrown on a fire. In the very next moments, we see others who defaul is radically different-- we see others who are like kindling on the fire. They know the Christian movement is not perfect yet they urge on the followers of Jesus to do their best, to keep at it, to keep serving, to keep building community. Those with that as their defaul give courage and hope to others. They are like kindling on a fire!
Which defaul setting is more like you? Do we need to change that setting? The powerful thing about Christian community is that we exist to help each other to become more than we are right now, to make positive changes, and to grow.
Acts 13: 42- 14:7
42 As Paul and Barnabas* were going out, the people urged them to speak about these things again the next sabbath. 43When the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44 The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.* 45But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; and blaspheming, they contradicted what was spoken by Paul. 46Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. 47For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
“I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles,
so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” ’
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers. 49Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region. 50But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region. 51So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Paul and Barnabas in Iconium14The same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas* went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. 2But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them. 4But the residents of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5And when an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to maltreat them and to stone them, 6the apostles* learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; 7and there they continued proclaiming the good news.
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