Challenge to what it is to have faith, part 6

Well here's to chapter five of Jesus>Religion titled With Religion, There Are Good And Bad People/With Jesus, There Are Only Bad People In Need Of Grace. 

Being able to find some way to express how to be a Jesus follower and not and religious person.  This has not been easy.  There's been so much that Jefferson has said in this chapter that has such resonated so deeply.  The discussion question of what is your relationship the Bible and why.  Is one that I don't know that I can fully answer.  And I don't know that it will ever be one that will ever have a final answer.  I have grown more in love with the living word.  

Challenge in what it is to have faith, part 5

Is it religion that I have been living by or is it friendship with Jesus?  Chapter four of Jesus>Religon titled Religion Makes/Jesus Makes Friends.  There has been such a battle that has been on going for some time.  How often have I been doing the religious life over that of a friendship with Jesus?  I am in such need of the love that friendship that can only be found with Jesus.  This has been what has been missing forma long time.  

So, it is a time for me to lay down what I've been hold to. Letting in the light and life giving love of Jesus Chirst.  Who has died in my place.  This is in letting go what the rule and walls that I've built in and around my heart.

Challenge in what it is to have faith, Part 4

Jesus>Religion I have found that the what chapter four was a large challenge.  It's been one that was needed and came at the right time.  Mr. Bethke talked about how there are different ways Christians aren't truly a follow of Jesus.  The last part of the chapter talked about the prodigal son. Which is found in Luke 5:11 to 32.  One of the discussion questions asked what son is the one I'm most like and why.  Lately, I have been much more like the older son.  Who doesn't want to celebrate to celebrate the return of his younger brother.  There's been a time when I was the younger son as while.  This has been more with myself and being willing to let God's grace to come into the darkest parts of my heart and soul.

Challange in what it is to have faith part 3

  This video is what Jefferson Bathke is the bases for the book of the same title. 

Jesus>Religion had been such a great challenge in what it is to have a true authentic faith.  Once, in causes people to ask what is it that brings peace and joy.  This has not been easy to work through while I was in the hospital. The post titled Tough few weeks talks about this in more detail.  The question that has been one I have been about Jesus' relationship with the law made new.  How this influences  my understanding of the expectations for the Christian faith communities and how my understating of the outward codes of these communities.  This is from the discussion questions at the end of chapter that is titled, Why I Still Think Jesus Hates Religion (and You Should Too).  I don't know that there's a concrete answer to this.  This has lead to questions about what it is to belong to a community of faith.  What it is to have a personal living faith and what it is my part within this local community.  That is part of the larger Christian community.  I am not sure really how this looks or that words can be used.  In a way that makes it seem small or cheapen it.