Monthly Archives: Apr 2024

A final word, BRF notes 20/4/24

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These are not just words – they are a blessing and not to be given glibly, far less carelessly. Without love we are nothing,…The gift becomes a curse if there is no love- either for the Lord or each other.

‭1 Corinthians 16:21-22 NRSV‬
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Let anyone be accursed who has no love for the Lord. Our Lord, come!

https://bible.com/bible/2016/1co.16.21-22.NRSV

This is written to the gathering at Corinth and to us. Church might be difficult, but its nucleus is a loving community.

Where church is seen to be the gathering, but its heartbeat is not love, its faith not alive with hope for each and everyone, its purpose to be a gatekeeper to the sacred, Jesus is not there. But in the gathering where two or three gather in love, in the name of Jesus, he is there, and love is lived out.

Then some harsh words from Paul.

Luther

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I have been listening to The Rest Is History

| 433. Luther: The Man Who Changed the World (Part 1) on

Podbean,

https://www.podbean.com/ea/dir-5kfqx-1de25232

Spotify,

https://open.spotify.com/episode/10iZL7NCRAC4rB1EwSYsGE?si=qTv3u2ZDRtqqzqurafoxuw

To say that culture forgives a lot would be to concede too much. Scripture tells us that a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. Jesus was meek and also said it as he saw it, not sparing the blushes of the rulers of his age.

This bears contemplation as we listen. Beautiful hymnody, liberating theology; is it nothing in view of the man and his gutter language and hateful ideas that fuelled genocide. And yet from this root came Bonhoeffer.

How much are you prepared to forgive?

Power from on high BRF notes 6/4/24

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‭Luke 24:36-39, 44-45, 48-49 NRSV‬
[36] While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” [37] They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. [38] He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? [39] Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
[44] Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” [45] Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures,
[48] You are witnesses of these things. [49] And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

https://bible.com/bible/2016/luk.24.36-49.NRSV