Meditation from Henri Nouwen for August 10, 2011

Wednesday August 10, 2011    Burning With Love  Often we are preoccupied with the question "How can we be witnesses in the Name of Jesus?  What are we supposed to say or do to make people accept the love that God offers them?"  These questions are expressions more of our fear than of our love.   Jesus shows us the way of being witnesses.  He was so full of God's love, so connected with God's will, so burning with zeal for God's Kingdom, that he couldn't do other than witness.  Wherever he went and whomever he met, a power went out from him that healed everyone who touched him.  (See Luke 6:19.) If we want to be witnesses like Jesus, our only concern should be to be as alive with the love of God as Jesus was. Comment on this Daily Meditation.  Visit our website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community. Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Psalms from The Psalms, A New Translation ©1963 The Grail (England) published by Collins. Photo by K. Smith.

for an excellent post on Forgiveness
visit Ann Voskamp as we walk with Him today....

talk vs walk ...

today offers a new challenge from our study of Len Sweet's *So Beautiful Study Guide*. thx for sharing your experiences with me and when you're ready, with other readers. it's an open door to inspirit one another and share the journey of faith... thx for stepping through that door! God bless you in it ...
Questions from *So Beautiful Study Guide*:

Scripture: James 1:22-25

1. "Doing the gospel is primary speech,
     talking about the gospel is secondary speech."
     Why is it easier for most of us to "talk" than to "do"?

may we walk this day in the enablement God provides through the power and presence of Holy Spirit..

today's challenge ...

getting back to our missional track, here's another challenge from Len Sweet's 'So Beautiful Study Guide'. 
*Using a concordance, search for passages containing the word "go".  Record your impressions of the importance of being missional. What do you believe you could do personally that would stretch you in this area?
let's grow as Christ's disciples in the world.  In Dr. Sweet's words, "Scram.  Get out of here.
Go BE Jesus."*

marking our life journey ...

here's today's exercise from Len Sweet's study guide to 'Go Be Jesus'.  this one will encourage written reflection ~ perhaps grab your journal and a good hot drink ~ unless you're baking in some tropical heat! then grab whatever suits your fancy :)  i've added Steve Bell's song clip 'Here By the Water' offering a great suggestion for the spiritual markers we've collected.  EnJoy! this day and the start of this new week.  Peace be with you ...


1. Have you ever thought of your life-story as a pilgrimage?
2. Are there spiritual markers you have collected?
Luke 9:28-36 is an example.


Questions:

go be Jesus challenge #2 ...

so how did you do with last monday's 'Go Be Jesus' challenge from Len Sweet?
what were your opportunities to show mercy?  were you questioned as to your 'why'?  and how did you respond?  did having the question in advance help you think through your answer?
are you up for this week's challenge?  here's our next opportunity to 'Go Be Jesus' ...

Go be Jesus challenge:  This week, show someone a better way of doing something. The trick is not to be critical in the process.