"The people of God is called to be today what the world is called to be ultimately."  (John Howard Yoder)  This is a bittersweet reflection of the church to me.  Sweet because I love the sentiment expressed by Yoder and agree with it.  The people of God should be a reflection or a foretaste of what resurrection life will look like. 

The statement is bitter because, so often, in the churches I've been a part of , this is far from reality.  To the point that, if the relational and political realities of heaven looked like some of the churches I've been a part of, then I'm not sure anybody would want to go there.  I'm on the hook for this too - I will not pass blame without accepting some of it on my shoulders.

Life in Christ should be so compelling and exciting.  We have the absolute best news to share.  But the past decade of ministry has left the opposite impression on me.  The question becomes, as a pastor, how do I help create a resurrection life atmosphere?  An atmosphere where life swallows up death?  Where the fruit of the Spirit swallow up evil?

Ash Wednesday

"Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen."  (Ash Wednesday, Anglican Prayer)