tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3848328163429656233.post2659815798440572472..comments2023-04-26T06:39:51.182-07:00Comments on Naked Theology: ManifestationJake Kampehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386498663215004521noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3848328163429656233.post-43625891816739099752010-07-05T13:27:51.817-07:002010-07-05T13:27:51.817-07:00This is true naked theology! I love it! The beauty...This is true naked theology! I love it! The beauty of Christ is only seen when we take off all of our own perceptions of Who Christ is and how He works and allow Him to be Who He truly is and show us how He truly works. I am learning this too, it is hard, but knowing even a small part of who He truly is makes it all worth it. As Paul says, " what is more, I consider everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things"(Phil.3:8).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3848328163429656233.post-13529972568585042702010-06-21T22:46:34.538-07:002010-06-21T22:46:34.538-07:00Great post, Jake....love that gut-level honesty. I...Great post, Jake....love that gut-level honesty. I've been thinking lately about something kind of similar to what you write about here: the place I feel most loved and accepted is in the arms/hearts/presents of regular folks. When I really could have used support, love, actual physical help, etc. it was NOT from church. Overall people in my former church ignored me, didn't bother to check on me and basically took a posture of standing with their arms folded, waiting for me to "return" on THEIR terms. <br /><br />By contrast, I received love and acceptance from individuals. Just regular people. Interestingly, several of these people had undergone the same sort of judgment/abandonment by the church, as well, yet they were the ones that met me in the middle of my need. <br /><br />Here's something I've realized as I've thought about all this...<br /><br />I feel more loved when people just offer their love for no good reason than I do if a person "in the ministry" offers love to me on behalf of the church or even God. The person who is "in the ministry" is "supposed to" reach out to me, call me, offer love to me, etc. The person who is NOT in the ministry has no such formal calling/duty/responsibility. They are simply acting from the HEART. They didn't see me as a ministry opportunity or my needs as fertile ground in which they can plant seeds that will lead to me becoming involved in church or even believe something they think I "ought" to believe. They saw ME. Just me! They were moved by me. Personally. They aren't paid to minister to "people like me." <br /><br />Anyway, that's just what I've been thinking about and it's interesting how it is a bit parallel to what you wrote. Hope it makes sense...<br /><br />You are in a place of need. That need moves people. If you recieve what they are offering you, you are showing that you are human. And guess who people turn to when THEY are in pain? Humans. :) And you're a great human, Jake. :)Cheryl Ensom Dackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04345938945440377236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3848328163429656233.post-90408547150910144842010-06-21T19:59:39.412-07:002010-06-21T19:59:39.412-07:00hey jake! really appreciate your sharing of your...hey jake! really appreciate your sharing of your heart. two good friends of mine pastor an inner city church in my city. they are married. but ken has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. they have many needs, even though their type of ministry has been very significant to so many people. my friend revealed to me that it is hard for her to receive ministry/love from others. she is used to being the one 'giving'. and i have invited her to consider the gift she might others to let them minister to she and ken. this conversation with her reminded me of some of what you wrote. i think it really is meaningful to receive from others - to let others have the opportunity to love and give. and you are so right - that this is not dependent upon a degree... just on open and receptive hearts. i walk with you.vickinoreply@blogger.com