A New Twist on an Old Song
I’ve been reading an interesting blog recently. It is called “Real Meal Ministries” and is written by Dr. Brian Russell. He is an Associate Professor of Biblical Studies on the Orlando campus of Asbury Theological Seminary. He teaches courses on Old Testament Introduction and biblical interpretation. http://realmealministries.org/WordPress/
On this blog Dr. Russell often writes using the term “Missional” such as “Missional lifestyles” and studying the Bible with a “Missional” attitude.
He is currently writing a series titled, “Learning to Speak Human.” The following is one quote from the latest post:
“Engage the world. Mission is a lifestyle. If we only study and talk about mission among followers of Christ, we are not on mission. Mission is action in the world. It is our participation in God’s intentions for His Creation. We need to enlarge our own visions of God’s intentions for the neighborhoods, cities, and regions in which we live. We need to avoid compartmentalizing mission and rather think critically about how mission needs to be the foundation, the means, and the end for all that we do as followers of Jesus Christ. This means that we need to engage the world!”
On this Prayerlogue, I most often share prayers and meditations, and many times, I get replies saying how much something helped or touched the individual. However, this week, instead of encouraging you or uplifting you, I want to challenge you.
It’s not just about us, folks. Yes, we each have struggles, and we have issues, but we also have a mandate - and that is “to go into all the world, preaching and teaching, and making disciples, in Jesus’ name.”
I’m sure you’ve heard the song “Sanctuary”. The words go: “Lord prepare me, to be a Sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. And with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living, Sanctuary to You…”
Maybe we need to change the words to:
“Lord prepare me, to be a missionary
filled with service, through and through.
Make me a giving, self-less living
missionary for You.
At this time of celebrating “Independence”, let us take our freedom and the responsibilities that go with that freedom, very seriously.
Betty
On this blog Dr. Russell often writes using the term “Missional” such as “Missional lifestyles” and studying the Bible with a “Missional” attitude.
He is currently writing a series titled, “Learning to Speak Human.” The following is one quote from the latest post:
“Engage the world. Mission is a lifestyle. If we only study and talk about mission among followers of Christ, we are not on mission. Mission is action in the world. It is our participation in God’s intentions for His Creation. We need to enlarge our own visions of God’s intentions for the neighborhoods, cities, and regions in which we live. We need to avoid compartmentalizing mission and rather think critically about how mission needs to be the foundation, the means, and the end for all that we do as followers of Jesus Christ. This means that we need to engage the world!”
On this Prayerlogue, I most often share prayers and meditations, and many times, I get replies saying how much something helped or touched the individual. However, this week, instead of encouraging you or uplifting you, I want to challenge you.
It’s not just about us, folks. Yes, we each have struggles, and we have issues, but we also have a mandate - and that is “to go into all the world, preaching and teaching, and making disciples, in Jesus’ name.”
I’m sure you’ve heard the song “Sanctuary”. The words go: “Lord prepare me, to be a Sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. And with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living, Sanctuary to You…”
Maybe we need to change the words to:
“Lord prepare me, to be a missionary
filled with service, through and through.
Make me a giving, self-less living
missionary for You.
At this time of celebrating “Independence”, let us take our freedom and the responsibilities that go with that freedom, very seriously.
Betty
posted by Betty Newman at 5:29 PM
2 Comments:
I'm blessed to have been taught by Brian. He's had a tremendous impact on my ecclesiology. He's the real deal.
Brian just took a job at a Wesleyan Church about 200 yards away from me. Oh, the stories that I have already heard!
Yeah, he seems like a neat guy. I wish I had someone close like that to go and learn from. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading his blog.
Betty
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