A short sermon by Rob Bell (25 Feb 2013)

"how about a short sermon?

“this is the day that God has made.” [psalm 118]

really-this day? the one with wars and poverty and divorce and addiction and betrayal? this one?

yes, this one.

this one because there’s a difference between analysis and awareness.

analysis pulls things apart, looks for cracks in logic, points out the inconsistencies.

analysis needs things to make sense.

there’s nothing wrong with analysis, of course, it’s often vital to our survival and thriving. but if we stay there, in that mode and that mode only, we can easily find ourselves stepping back with arms folded, pointing out all that’s wrong with this day and all the ways it falls short and all of the evidence for why this particular day doesn’t appear to be the kind of day that God would make-all while this day passes us by.

(this is very easy to do, by the way. it’s why cynicism is so popular. it’s easy.)

but in this psalm-the one that says that this is the day that God has made- this psalm isn’t first and foremost about analysis, it’s about awareness.

and the difference is massive.

awareness doesn’t ignore or gloss over the very real questions and pains of this day, it transcends all of that analysis with the very straight forward acknowledgement that whatever this day is, it’s a gift to be embraced and engaged and maybe even enjoyed.

this day maybe be rough and bloody and heartbreaking but it is here and it is now and it is bursting with untold potential and possibility and our response to it is of utmost, urgent importance.

we may, it’s important to note, not get another one. my friend’s brother was recently killed in a car accident, another friend’s father just died, and the mother of another goes in for another round of chemo this week. you know exactly what i’m talking about-whatever this is, we’re all acutely aware that is very, very fragile.

so yes, this is the day."

- Rob Bell 

I find Rob Bell's short sermon powerful, insightful and deep. It is true that our analysis of things that go wrong and do not live up to our ideals, or things that remind us of pains, suffering, injustice, greed and struggles in the world, can overwhelm us and cause us to be jaded or cynical about humanity, about God, about life, and therefore it is hard to rejoice and be glad in the day that God has made, let alone be glad at all. I have been there before, such as when I read the newspaper yesterday about how establishments wanted to paint a one-sided view of GM (genetically modified) salmon and other GM foods to sway public opinion to accept GM food, while mainly glossing over the fact that such food can harm human health and the environment. And that is just one example of greed and injustice among many others in the world. 

But as Rob Bell pointed out, our awareness frees us from being overwhelmed by our analysis of all the pains and problems as it reminds us that in spite of and in the midst of all these negative things, we can still appreciate - embrace, engage and even enjoy - the gift of the day because not only the here and the now is bursting with potential and possibilities, the day is also fragile, so we can be glad at least for the miracle of being alive. This is a great reminder for me to focus on being in the present moment and live life with awareness and mindfulness, so as to find peace and stability even as I navigate a world that is filled with pains and sufferings but also with hope and beauty.

The gospel as a mirror (Andre Rabe @ Kainos Ministries )

Video information

Published on 29 Apr 2012

You are valuable, you are loved, and someone knows you even better than you know yourself. There is an image and likeness imprinted upon your being that is the basis of your value ... a value beyond your wildest dreams.

Coins used to have the face of the person who guaranteed their value, minted onto them. Any note or coin has a guarantor, a person or institution that guarantees its value. Even if a coin gets lost, the coin never loses it's value.

The one who invented and designed you, stamped you with His own image and likeness.

He knows you better than you know yourself ... He knew you even before you were born. You might not know Him, but He has always known you. You might not be aware of Him, but He has always had you on His mind.

You might think 'why' ... why would anyone have such an obsession with me. Well, the creator of this universe sees a value and a beauty in you beyond anything in this natural world. He even sees a possibility of romance!

I like what Andre Rabe said in his message so far, especially the part that we cannot be lost unless we belong, and as we have seen in the 3 parables, the sheep remains the sheep, the coin remains the coin, and the son remains the son. Our true value and identity has not changed, and neither has God/Creator/Divine Love changed his mind about us, regardless of whether we know him or do things that impress/disappoint him. So the idea of separation (as propagated by organised religions) is a lie, and so the truth of the gospel of inclusion sets people free from the illusion of separation and enables them to enjoy peace and wholeness in their lives.

Further thoughts

I have finished listening to Andre Rabe's message video. Overall, it is a good message about God's love that affirms our intrinisc value, which is based on the image and likeness of God in whom we are created/made. This value is unchanging and incorruptible, as he said. I agree that God loves us not in spite of us, but because of who we are - we are valuable, precious and lovable, and God's love rejoices with the truth - that there is something so lovable about us.

Yes, God created us in his innocence and likeness, and God knew us before we were formed; he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1). Jesus is the revelation of what God thinks about us, and Jesus is God's mind made up about us - he is the Alpha and the Omega - he is God's original thought and final conclusion about us (our lives). (This is similar to Francois du Toit's main message of the gospel too.)

I agree that the gospel is not a "product" to be purchased by the "currency" based on the amount of grief, faith, remorse, etc shown by the "customer". As he put it, we are not selling a product. Rather, the gospel is a mirror, and what we declare in the gospel is true, whether we believe or not - that God has declared us innocent and righteous, and has included in his love and acceptance. Yes, knowing this truth doesn't make people grovel in the dust anymore or continue to live in a pigsty like the prodigal son did, parabolically speaking. Looking into the mirror of our true identity can transform our experience of how we live our lives - knowing who we are can cause us to want to not continue in our illusion of separation (since we are already one with our highest self), just as it causes the prodigal son to forsake the pigsty that has never been his origin. (To me, it simply means a place of ignorance of God's love.)

I like his sharing of Psalm 22 - God has done it, and the ends of the earth shall REMEMBER - yes, we cannot remember unless we once knew the truth of who we are and later forgot who we are.

As he pointed out, some people say "God is love but he is also just" as if God is in conflict with himself, and yet there is nothing God does not do for us in justice that is different from his love, so justice and love are one because God does not have a multiple personality disorder. I also noted that Jesus prayed to the father that we may be one - before the world began, we were all already in a relationship of love (John 17) Yes, God is not a grumpy judge in an antiquated legal court. Rather, in his fullness and completion, his love overflows to reach out and embrace us.

I also agree that loving God is shown in loving people - loving our brothers who are made in the image of God too (1 John), so for our doctrine to be worth something, we will demonstrate love to others in our own lives.

Last but not least, Andre also shared that Jesus is fully God and fully man - representing both God and humanity, and that the law came not to fix the problem but to reveal the problem - the law demands perfect obedience and declares man exceedingly sinful (in terms of measuring up to absolute standards). My take is that the law was only for those under the old covenant, who placed themselves under the law of Moses - so it is only applicable in their culture and tradition. The law is not applicable to us, so we are not "sinners" to start with. 

So, innocence is our original state, and in a sense, we did not know until the gospel came to reveal the truth. As for 2 Corinthians 5 that says God has reconciled the world to himself through Christ, I agree that is the gospel to the people living in the first century, and I would add that the world was referring to the known world back then (in the Roman empire), based on a preterist perspective. For us in our modern context, I see it as being reconciled to our true self who is never separate from us. We live in a time that is beyond the Jewish religion, beyond covenants, and beyond sacrifices. While some symbolisms in the Bible may not apply directly to us (such as the temple, covenants, etc), we can still learn and benefit from the gospel described in the bible.

All in all, I agree with the overall message that God the father (Divine Love, highest self, universal consciousness, Great Spirit) enjoys who we are, and is proud of us, and there is nothing wrong with us,  and the truth of God's love sets us free to be ourselves and trust and accept ourselves for who we are.

Finding peace in the midst of sadness

Someone said:

"Sometimes I think somehow the foundation of life is sadness. Or maybe it's a longing. I may find something that feels good and I enjoy but it seems there is always something more.
I'm finding that to live at peace with life and thus experience it as rich, I need to cultivate a certain detachment.
A letting go of need and want, a relinquishment to the moment so to speak, a "forced" or at least a chosen peace."

 Like what the post says, the foundation of life could be sadness or a longing. It reminds me of John O'Donohue's writing about the eternal longing and belonging. In real life, I think sadness often has the ability to connect people at a deeper level than happiness because we are touched forever when someone understands our griefs and sorrows when we experience pain and sadness. Jesus entered into people's sufferings many a times, such as weeping with Mary and Martha over the death of their brother Lazarus, and the cross is also his way of experiencing our shame, rejection, pain and fears, so that whenever in real life we go through a challenge, we can look at Jesus and know we are not alone in our sufferings, and we can take comfort in knowing someone understands what we go through because he has gone through the pain himself. In our world, whenever natural disasters or tragedies happen, people who go through similar sufferings often band together to support and care for one another.

At an even deeper level, I believe there is an immovable sense of inner peace and calm underneath the happiness and sadness we experience in life. Like what the post says, cultivating a certain detachment may allow us to experience this chosen peace. I think this will help us not to be crushed when feelings of sadness are overwhelming, especially if the tragedy is severe. I believe the reason Jesus prayed at the garden of Gethsemane on the night before he was crucified is because he needed to find that inner strength and peace in order to face such an emotionally and physically ordeal later on. When Jesus had been strengthened on the inside he was able to face the trials and crucifixion somewhat in a detached manner, and was able to focus on loving people even in the midst of his sufferings, such as comforting a dying thief on the cross. In the same way. I believe we all have that inner strength and fortitude that anchors our soul to peace even as we experience sufferings in life, which enables us to help ourselves and others find meaning and beauty in life.

I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows.
And I believe that somewhere in the darkest night a candle glows.
I believe for anyone who goes astray someone will come show them the way.
Yes I believe, Oh I believe!
I believe above the storm the smallest prayer will be heard.
I believe that someone in the great somewhere hears every word.
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry or touch a leaf or see the sky,
Then I know why I believe.

Shared by “Missr Holland”

Nowhere to go but the heart. - Rumi

Yes, we have nowhere to go except return to the heart. The only journey is our journey within. 

"The only journey is the journey within." ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

“Meditation increases your vitality and strengthens your intelligence; your beauty is enhanced; your mental clarity and health improve. You acquire the patience and fortitude to face any problem in life. So, meditate! Only through meditation will you find the treasure you are seeking.” — Mata Amritanandamayi ("Amma")

I agree with the quote on meditation too. Meditation is indeed beneficial for our mind, intellect and soul as it stabilises and refreshes us from within. I am learning to live and breathe mindfully whenever I remember to.

The more we meditate on our true divine identity, the more we are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, from beauty to beauty, from one level of brilliance to another level of brilliance. Our beauty is enhanced, our strength and wisdom is restored, and our youth is renewed like the eagle's, much like what the quote above says. As we wait upon the Lord and behold the beauty of our true self, we shall mount up with wings and soar like eagles, we shall run and not be weary, we shall walk and not faint, and we shall dance the divine dance to the rhythm of love.