The Radicals
(06/25/04)
Greetings to the Group That Began at Betsy's House,
We've had some great Friday night meetings lately and if you haven't attended any you are missing out on some great opportunities to fellowship around the Word of God.
I would like to share with you, as I did last Friday night, a recent entry I made in my daily journal:
"Whenever we elect to speak out the Truth in this day and time, especially if we 'dare' disagree with the 'party line' of some denominational dogma, we will become 'radicals'. We are quickly labeled 'ultradispensaional, Paul worshippers' or many other 'tags' designed to warn the uninitiated to stay clear.
"It is interesting to note the idea of body piercing, colored hair and certain kinds of clothing etc. are the mark of 'radicals' today. Even those who have lifestyles that are not traditional or political views that are not mainstream are seen as 'radicals'."
"The truth of the matter is that those types of things are not very far from the norm in our society. Within a few scant years those 'radicals' will be just as middle-class as their parents are today."
"We, however, who hold to a strict understanding of God's Word from a Pauline perspective are truly 'radical'. We are a select few who, in most other ways, appear very 'normal'. In some cases we may even appear downright boring. We bear none of those externals or mannerisms often associated with being radical. We are, though, radical just the same."
"The very thought of that idea, let alone the realizing it in my life, sets my heart to racing. I have always known that but looked for it in other places. From birth I have been set apart to be the herald I am now. It is my purpose, God's purpose for me!!!"
"Like many I have resisted the urgings of the Holy Spirit and sought to find other ways to live out this awareness of how radical I am---how different. I never would have guessed in a million years that I would find full expression of that radical nature in being a herald for God proclaiming Pauline truth for today."
"I'm amazed and thrilled and completely happy at the very thought of it. It is my reason, my purpose and it fits perfectly with what God has allowed to happen to me during my time here on planet earth."
Now I'm sharing that with you because what I find to be more and more the case is that our Friday night group is just like that---they are a radical bunch. Unruly, loving, challenging, unpredictable and willing to step outside the "norm" of contemporary Christianity. They dare to ask questions and not take pat answers. They are not willing to settle for church "dogma". They have the audacity to think that "eternal life", the life we now live in Christ, hasn't been what they have been experiencing.
This coming Friday I'm inviting you to come and join us if you haven't done so yet.
I can't begin to express to you how much I am looking forward to doing a series entitled "Getting to Know the Scriptures". This series has come about due to the urging of the Holy Spirit both in my life and the lives of several others in our group.
All my life I have searched for some of the answers that I can't hardly wait to share. They are answers to questions, and one in particular, that has dogged me since my college days. I was so excited about what I was shown this week I called my old college theology professor to tell him the good news----all his work with me was not in vain.
The title to the series doesn't sound radical but I can assure you it will set your hair on fire!!!!
In His Love,
Tomme
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