the deep thoughts of me

I have nothing really to write today but it's been 3 days since I posted so here I am.

My Beloved and I have been chatting - that's not really the right word - about people, relationships, spiritual maturity, perceptions, failure, success, feelings, sin, obedience and all that circles around that.

On the subject of spiritual maturity: I think that some people (me?), after serving God for a long time, say 20 years or so, seem to feel as though there is nothing left except to continue to love God. Yeah, a sin may creep at some point during the day but you just repent of it before you go to bed and you're good. You know everything there is to know about God, about how to be a good Christian and all that jazz.
My thought: Unless you are being challenged in your heart, you're not mature, you're stagnant. We should be ever challenged by our Father and having the eyes of our understanding ever enlightened.

On the subject of people: There are pros and cons to be surrounded by 'lower class' or maybe I should say 'poverty mentality' folk, disfunctional type people and those that perceive themselves as middle to upper class, functional type people. Both camps of people have things about them that make it hard to pastor or lead.

And on that note: what does make a good leader? Confidence? Obedience to God? Loving people? Vulnerability? Thinking you're a good leader? Others thinking you're a good leader?

On sin: Yes, I know you reap what you sow but when does the grace of God come in? When does He bless when I don't deserve it? Is a weakness on my part directly linked to something bad that I reap?

Is it OK to have a small group around the book 'sex god'? Do people freak out when you tell them it's a really, really good book. (and it is) It paints a picture of the Gospel and the love of Jesus that is tremendous. It talks about emotions. It talks about human value. It talks about right and wrong. Do you advertise that from the pulpit? What about the older folk - do you risk a heart attack or a accusing finger pointed at you?

And on the topic of Rob Bell, author of 'sex god' and other strangely titled books, do people honestly doubt his salvation or others in the "Emergent Church" movement? Well, I suppose there are 'goats among sheep' in any 'movement'. I don't think I'd put Rob Bell in this goat category - I'm telling ya, he preaches Jesus as clearly as I've ever heard it in this book.

These, and many more, are the deep mullings in the air at my home today. Not really looking for any pat answers, just thoughts I'm pondering. Oh, the mysterious God I serve.

Now, we head to a dream session on the future of our church. God has a destiny and a plan. Now we get to listen to people process that out loud. Sigh.