Puzzles

I lead a retreat last week which began by our staff putting together a 100 piece puzzle. We had each been given about 15 pieces in separate envelopes. I asked to have people talk about what it would take to put this puzzle together, "find the corner pieces and the edges", was our first intention. But I found out that even with the edges - the way to put the puzzle together to look at the picture and focus on one major image at a time. The corners were easy enough, but they simply didn't connect with anything.

Ministry is like that. The simple things tend to be what we think should be our focus...but they don't get us anywhere. When we talk about a specific missing piece to a specific image...than progress is made.

I wonder if you any idea what the churches ministry ought to be like? I wonder how well I am showing you the picture and how well you are searching for the part?

A new challenge for me...show the picture and let people search with you for they piece they might possess to make the picture come together. (no one can do it alone)

Ministry means "helping our community experience the blessing of God..." - do you have a piece that fits?

the core of Christianity

God is RELATIONAL – not just someone who likes relationships. That in part is why “God is love” is such a wonderful reality for those who know Him as Triune (1 John 4:8)

At the very core of who God is – is a pleasing and joyous relationship. It is not something that God simply likes – it is at the core of who God is. If the most powerful quality of God is relationship…than His seeking to draw us into an eternal relationship with Him (He knows how much pleasure relationships are) makes sense. And of all the forces which draw us to Him…love (unselfish concern) is the most potent.

God has always been actively loving. Each of us created in His image were created to be loved. A relational God who's very being is genuine love - naturally requires that there be someone who can be loved. Guess what. He loves You!

is the trinity biblical? - the creation

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Father created the universe:
Malachi 2:10 Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us?
Matthew 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."

Son created the universe:
Colossians 1:15-16 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

Hebrews 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

Matthew 13:35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world."

Spirit created the universe:
Psalm 104:30 When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

tri GOD

To those outside the Christian faith, the doctrine of the Trinity seems a very strange teaching indeed. How can this be? And why would the church propound such a doctrine? For some, the doctrine of the Trinity is a stumbling block to belief. Could it be omitted from Christian faith and theology, without any loss and even with considerable gain?

This doctrine historically was the first that the church felt it necessary to elaborate in a definitive fashion.

The doctrine of the Trinity is a major distinguishing feature of Christianity, which sets it apart from other religions. On the one hand, it clearly distinguishes Christianity from the strongly monotheistic religions such as Judaism and Islam.

The doctrine of the Trinity is also of great importance because it is intimately connected with the Christian’s salvation. If the doctrine of the Trinity is not true, then the understanding of salvation must be modified. Instead of a voluntary self-sacrifice by a member of the Godhead, it is something imposed on a human by God, and thus contains an element of injustice.

THREE QUESTIONS WE WILL CONSIDER:

Is it Biblical? Can we see the facts needed for believing this doctrine implicitly or explictly taught there?

Does it make any sense? The second question pertains to the logical status of this doctrine. If God is three and yet is one, are we facing an apparent logical contradiction? If the Bible requires us to hold this view, is there some way to understand it that will remove this puzzle, or at least soften it enough so that we are not forced to abandon our rationality in order to be Trinitarians? A number of explanations have been attempted, and we will examine them and seek to find the most satisfying.

Does it really matter?