2004 Term 2 Week 8 - Strength - Part B
Words used to describe how we enter the chaos to bring order: Leader, Protector, Hunter.
We talked about how stepping into the chaos as a leader involves bringing clarity for another. For example the person may not see a way forward, you can lead them forward by saying things that bring clarity.
Protector was about stopping evil on behalf of another. For example, you are in a group of people and one person is saying hurtful things about (or to) another person. Telling them to stop is acting as a protector.
Being a hunter was about killing evil. We do this by taking evil into ourselves in order to destroy it. It si like turning the other cheek, giving your shirt as well as your coat, going the extra mile. It is what Gandi and Martin Luther King did. They did not pass on the evil. They received it and said, “Enough. The evil ends here”.
Men compensate for their insecurities. How can I arrange life to avoid doing things that terrify me? - Adam (silence), Gideon (hiding)
Men only move in areas of giftedness rather than character. I move where there is a plan (faith, dependence, and brokenness are not required). Moses (speaking in public)
Life does hurt. Fear is real.
Life is more than I can handle.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness … When I am weak then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9&10)
I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)
I can respond to life with purpose
It takes more effort to avoid being strong than it does to be strong. Our natural inclination is to step into the chaos. Its what our heart wants. And then we make up all these reasons why we shouldn’t:
I don’t know what to do
I haven’t been taught/trained how to do this
Its not my gift
I don’t have time
I would only make it worse
I’ll tell the pastor/someone else
I’m busy now
I’d look silly
I’m not up for it (too tired/worn out/drained)
But what you need to remember is that your heart suggested it. As if it actually wants to do this. Trust your heart.
Remember homework is to listen for when someone says sorry. Take note of the very next thing they say. Also any aspects of life that you want to throw at the bible.
Monday, June 28, 2004
Monday, June 21, 2004
2004 Term 2 Week 7 - Strength - Part A
Men avoid places where strength is required unless they are absolutely sure they can deliver.
Stepping into the chaos requires strength, but not the sort of strength that society tells us about.
Society’s view on strength:
Men don’t cry (don’t show weakness or vulnerability)
Men must be competent (must be able to handle everything that comes their way)
Words used to describe how we enter the chaos to bring order: Leader, Protector, Hunter.
Where we fear the chaos most is in the areas of our giftedness.
Strength is strength when it is done for others. We step into the chaos not to prove that we can, but that we have a purpose. That purpose is to act for others, to bring good, to halt evil, and to bring order to the chaos to make life a bit easier for someone else.
Decided not to post my full notes here. I'll do part B next week. I realised I hadn't answered Will's question about how its more effort to attempt to avoid the chaos than it is to step into it.
Men avoid places where strength is required unless they are absolutely sure they can deliver.
Stepping into the chaos requires strength, but not the sort of strength that society tells us about.
Society’s view on strength:
Men don’t cry (don’t show weakness or vulnerability)
Men must be competent (must be able to handle everything that comes their way)
Words used to describe how we enter the chaos to bring order: Leader, Protector, Hunter.
Where we fear the chaos most is in the areas of our giftedness.
Strength is strength when it is done for others. We step into the chaos not to prove that we can, but that we have a purpose. That purpose is to act for others, to bring good, to halt evil, and to bring order to the chaos to make life a bit easier for someone else.
Decided not to post my full notes here. I'll do part B next week. I realised I hadn't answered Will's question about how its more effort to attempt to avoid the chaos than it is to step into it.
Monday, June 14, 2004
2004 Term 2 Week 6 - Beauty
Definitions of beauty:
Looks good
Feels good
Tastes good
Smells good
Sounds good
We drew a link between beauty and God’s creation, and how beauty can draw out worship/praise.
Women exemplify beauty.
Men use and/or abuse women’s beauty.
Society’s view on beauty focuses on the physical element only, and only on a small proportion of the physical variations.
When men are threatened by women’s beauty it is men’s fault. If a woman walks naked down the street calling “take me. Do what you want. I don’t mind.” She is in no way responsible for the choice that men make. Men are solely responsible for their actions. It is Adam’s voice that says, “this woman that you put here caused me to sin”. It doesn’t matter what others do or say we are responsible for our own sin/choices. Jesus was surrounded by a culture that invited him to sin and he never did.
So then we started thinking about a better response to beauty. Words we used were:
Applause/Celebrate
Awe
What is man’s response to beauty to be? Stayed tuned for next week.
Definitions of beauty:
Looks good
Feels good
Tastes good
Smells good
Sounds good
We drew a link between beauty and God’s creation, and how beauty can draw out worship/praise.
Women exemplify beauty.
Men use and/or abuse women’s beauty.
Society’s view on beauty focuses on the physical element only, and only on a small proportion of the physical variations.
When men are threatened by women’s beauty it is men’s fault. If a woman walks naked down the street calling “take me. Do what you want. I don’t mind.” She is in no way responsible for the choice that men make. Men are solely responsible for their actions. It is Adam’s voice that says, “this woman that you put here caused me to sin”. It doesn’t matter what others do or say we are responsible for our own sin/choices. Jesus was surrounded by a culture that invited him to sin and he never did.
So then we started thinking about a better response to beauty. Words we used were:
Applause/Celebrate
Awe
What is man’s response to beauty to be? Stayed tuned for next week.
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