Comments on: Radical Hospitality: The Provision of God http://www.zonegathering.com/2008/02/28/radical-hospitality-the-provision-of-god/ The Online Community for the Leaders of National Community Church Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:14:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Heather Z http://www.zonegathering.com/2008/02/28/radical-hospitality-the-provision-of-god/#comment-24336 Heather Z Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:31:03 +0000 http://www.zonegathering.com/2008/02/28/radical-hospitality-the-provision-of-god/#comment-24336 "Risking themselves totally..." I love that! “Risking themselves totally…”

I love that!

]]> By: Sharon http://www.zonegathering.com/2008/02/28/radical-hospitality-the-provision-of-god/#comment-24310 Sharon Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:43:50 +0000 http://www.zonegathering.com/2008/02/28/radical-hospitality-the-provision-of-god/#comment-24310 I received an e-mail tonight that was one of those “forwards” that most people don’t enjoy. This particular e-mail was one about how much better butter is for you than margarine. It went on to explain that margarine is in scientific “assessment” only one molecule away from plastic and therefore can’t be healthy. I went on the internet to investigate this e-mail. I found out in about 15 seconds of searching, that the e-mail began circulation in 2003 and at that time, was inaccurate and misleading at best. But, the most interesting thing about the e-mail and the reason I have taken the time to bore you with this matter is that at the bottom of the e-mail was a closing statement. It reminded the readers of an old Chinese proverb which states: 'When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, You have a moral obligation to share it with others.' What a profound statement of common sense! It brought me instantly to think about Forceful Advancement of the Kingdom. Someone attached that proverb to an untrue and easily disproved e-mail and clearly 5 years later people still value the information enough to pass it on. How many thousands of people has this reached? What should this enthusiasm to both pass and receive ‘truth’ say to Christians about how we should approach sharing an infinitely and eternally better truth that we possess in relationship with Christ? Now, don’t misunderstand me, I don’t think that we should start “forwards” about the angels, Christmas, prayers that come true, or even the blessed events of Easter. But, I do believe that people crave Truth and when it is missing, will cling to un-truths just for something to hold on to…and if our hospitality, our lifestyle, our invitation, our testimony, our prayers, our Easter candy, our mission trip, our small group, our kind word, our volunteering spirit, our entrance to uncertainty ,or our LOVE will bring truth into their lives----it is our Obligation, not because of a Chinese proverb but because Christ gave us the Great Commission: Matt 28: 16-20 (The Message) 16-17 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, ABOUT RISKING THEMSELVES TOTALLY. 18-20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train EVERYONE YOU MEET, far and near, IN THIS WAY OF LIFE, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'LL BE WITH YOU AS YOU DO THIS, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." Just thought I would share some thoughts provoked by the Radical Hospitality posts. I received an e-mail tonight that was one of those “forwards” that most people don’t enjoy. This particular e-mail was one about how much better butter is for you than margarine. It went on to explain that margarine is in scientific “assessment” only one molecule away from plastic and therefore can’t be healthy.
I went on the internet to investigate this e-mail. I found out in about 15 seconds of searching, that the e-mail began circulation in 2003 and at that time, was inaccurate and misleading at best. But, the most interesting thing about the e-mail and the reason I have taken the time to bore you with this matter is that at the bottom of the e-mail was a closing statement. It reminded the readers of an old Chinese proverb which states:
‘When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it,
You have a moral obligation to share it with others.’
What a profound statement of common sense! It brought me instantly to think about Forceful Advancement of the Kingdom. Someone attached that proverb to an untrue and easily disproved e-mail and clearly 5 years later people still value the information enough to pass it on. How many thousands of people has this reached? What should this enthusiasm to both pass and receive ‘truth’ say to Christians about how we should approach sharing an infinitely and eternally better truth that we possess in relationship with Christ?
Now, don’t misunderstand me, I don’t think that we should start “forwards” about the angels, Christmas, prayers that come true, or even the blessed events of Easter. But, I do believe that people crave Truth and when it is missing, will cling to un-truths just for something to hold on to…and if our hospitality, our lifestyle, our invitation, our testimony, our prayers, our Easter candy, our mission trip, our small group, our kind word, our volunteering spirit, our entrance to uncertainty ,or our LOVE will bring truth into their lives—-it is our Obligation, not because of a Chinese proverb but because Christ gave us the Great Commission:
Matt 28: 16-20 (The Message)
16-17 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, ABOUT RISKING THEMSELVES TOTALLY.
18-20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train EVERYONE YOU MEET, far and near, IN THIS WAY OF LIFE, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’LL BE WITH YOU AS YOU DO THIS, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

Just thought I would share some thoughts provoked by the Radical Hospitality posts.

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