EVENT: Full Disclosure Common Ground June 4 2008

This Week: The Secret You: Compassion (Jon Harvey): We looked at two great stories tonight:
1. The woman caught in adultery that is brought before Jesus with condemning voices all about calling for her death.
2. The classic Good Samaritan.
In both of these stories we saw the revolutionary manner in which Jesus saw the law, respected the law and exercised compassion, grace and mercy. When that stuff gets in you...you change. You cannot stay the same as you once did. Being compassionate to those around greatly helps them but it also helps the people around them and ... YOU.
Now the stretch is to try and transform the secret compassion in me (and you) and transform it into something public.
Next Week: Finale/The Year in Review (Graham Clinton)

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THOUGHT: Confession #9

Confession: A 3 Step Pilgrimage Step #1

A Desperate Longing For God.

Why else would we bother with looking at our darkest parts? We need to earnestly seek after that one thing that will fill our inner longings...union with God.

I have a huge need to be forgiven. I need relief from the burden that I pile on myself. I need to be justified, to have all of my faults not count against me.

God I need more grace...again...please.

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THOUGHT: Confession #8

I read and write and teach, philosophy peruse.
I eat and freely drink, with rhymes invoke the muse,
I call on heaven's throne both night and day,
Snoring as I sleep, and stay awake and pray.
And sin and fault inform each act I plan.
Ah! Christ...pity this miserable man.

Sedulus Scottus.

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THOUGHT: Confession #7

A prayer of confession:

Jesus, forgive my sins.
Forgive the sins that I can remember, and also the sins I have forgotten.
Forgive the wrong actions I have committed, and the right actions I have omitted.
Forgive the times I have been weak in the face of temptation, and those when I have been stubborn in the face of correction.
Forgive the times I have been proud of my own achievements, and those when I have failed to boast of your works.
Forgive the harsh judgments I have made of others, and the leniency I have shown to myself.
Forgive the lies I have told to others, and the truths I have avoided.
Forgive me of the pain I have caused others, and the indulgence I have shown to myself.
Jesus have pity on me, and make me whole.
Amen

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THOUGHT: Confession #6

I confess....more confession:

When Saint Patrick wrote out his epic-like confessions he determined within that he would not live a single day without agreeing with God about his own sin and his need for God's grace. Good focus.

You know what else? What about being naked? Think of confession as being naked before God. Keep that idea from before with Adam & Eve. They were naked before God until they sinned...then they wanted to cover up in front of God. When anything stands between lovers and their embrace, true intimacy is lost.

Union with Christ requires complete openness between the believer and Christ. Intimacy is born when all sins are confessed, and we stand "naked" in the presence of God. There, stripped of our pride and self-will, we are fully in His presence. Then we, like Adam and Eve before the Fall, walk with God. No...really walk with God. Nothing is hidden. All is openly declared. Nothing questionable casts its shadow on our relationship.


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EVENT: Full Disclosure Soulhouse June 1, 2008

This Week: Everything is Spiritual (Erin Carter/Will Sherman Sr.)
Wherever we go, whatever we do, every choice we make has a spiritual side. We are spiritual beings and that means we infuse everything with a spiritual fragrance...we also choose which spirit we will infuse it with. Whether we go to school, Africa or into just a different spot in the city they can all be significant expressions of spiritual life. Choose to turn your everyday into a spiritual significant offering to your God and to the people around you. Mezuzah it again.
Next Week: Finale/Merge/Graduation/Cafe (Graham Clinton)

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EVENT: Full Disclosure Common Ground May 28 2008

Last Week: The Secret You: Self-Sacrifice Josh Harvey & Graham Clinton)

We have been called to love others. That is no secret. When I am called to love I always know that it will end up costing me the 3 most precious things:

· My money

· My time

· My energy

I don’t part with them easily because they are scarce.

You might have to give up you plans, your independence, your privacy. Somehow, almost in exchange, you receive fulfillment & satisfaction that defies explanation.

This Week: The Secret You: Compassion (Jon Harvey)

Next Week: Finale; The Year in Review; Do You Remember This?

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