You know, that’s interesting…

I have always thought it weird that people throw around the term “personal savior” as if Jesus were some sort of personalized locket you buy at Things Remembered…

We can “personalize” everything from t-shirts to iPods. It is as if the uniqueness of having our own personalized phrase or name on an item somehow makes it more valuable to us… the item itself just isn’t cool enough! (BTW… I’m all for personalized stuff!! I buy my wife personalized things all the time!)

Anyways… I guess I understand the idea… that Jesus loves us in a personal way… But its not in our personal way… It is his personal way. He doesn’t become everything we want; rather, He is everything we need!

Also..
I’ll be accepting a personalized MacBook Pro from whoever wants to offer…
:)
jk

I didn’t agree with the writer regarding quiet time. I “personally” :) think quiet time is a good thing. It isn’t the only time I get to spend with Him, but it helps me remember to try and keep Him at the center of everything. I don’t only have a quiet time when I need to deal with problems but it is more of a chance to spend one on one time with Him and in His word. Why can’t Jesus be both my personal savior and in everything in my community and relationships? It is very personal to me that He loves me. Not just my community, but me specifically as well as everyone else. I just don’t think it is one or the other, but both at all times.

Back in the day, they didn’t have copies for everyone to read at home and shared everything, but I would bet a lot of people took time out of their day to sit quietly and talk to Him. Again, I don’t think it is just one way or the other. Learning together as a community is so important and that is why we have journey groups and such. But I believe that one on one “personal” time is equally important. It is in my life anyway.

Holli

The most interesting part of the article for me was the realization that we spend like 90% of our Bible reading time in private, thanks to the advent of the printing press and literature, and 10% read out-loud with other believers, as opposed to the early church who was the opporsite of that. It makes me wonder how that fact affects how what we read, how we perceive it, and if there is any difference. There may not be, but I thought it was fascinating to think about…

For me I think I would have a tough time comprehending as much if all the time was spent with other people - no offense, but if I even hear the TV in the next room while I’m trying to concentrate on something, it throws me off. So, I can’t imagine not even having the opportunity to read the Bible in private.

But, maybe you’re right Holli - that time could easily be spent in prayer, which may bring you to the same place as reading the Scriptures would…

Lesley Carter states ”But when you limit contemplation to those times when you’re completely alone, you turn your faith into something that is completely vertical — just a single beam between you and Heaven”. You bet!! I imperfectly strive for my faith (i.e. reliance, loyalty, complete trust) to be all about being vertical and focused on God. We are all pegged somewhere below perfection on the sinometer so I’m going vertical with my faith.

But then Lesley Carter says about the early church that they were ”engaging each other and arguing with each other and throwing themselves fully into the process of comprehending this taboo Gospel.” You bet on that too!! I learn so much at Journey Group, at work, at play, and from the diversity within unity. I wouldn’t give that up either.

So how about an answer of both…. and…. BOTH personal AND engaging. Why does it have to be one or the other?

Rich Sturmfels
Diesel Does It