It is a good thing I like to read!

I always have this great concept on Thursday morning, that I will be able to complete my "to do" list by Saturday evening and I can take Sunday afternoon and evening off and watch some football or do whatever. Maybe some week that will work; but it has not worked yet. We were killed with reading for this week in Intro to Bible and Pastoral Care. I am good in that I have all of the homework for this week done, although Greek is a daily task that needs to be taken daily. We have our first major test coming up next week before we head out for Fall Break. This is a very fact intensive class and study will have to be nonstop during any down time until the test.


I did complete one of the books for Pastoral Care over the weekend. It was Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Here are some of the points that I felt merited a highlight. The theme of the book overall is what it takes to develop a Christian community and live in a Christian Community. Here they are, my Top 13:

1. The more clearly we learn to recognize that the ground and strength and promise of all our fellowship is in Jesus Christ alone, the more serenely shall we think of our fellowship and pray and hope for it.

2. The basis for all spiritual reality is the clear, manifest, Word of God in Jesus Christ. The basis of all human reality is the dark, turbid urges and desires of the human mind.

3. I find no salvation in my life history, but only in the history of Jesus Christ. Only he who allows himself to be found in Jesus Christ, in His incarnation, His cross, and His resurrection, is with God and God with Him.

4. [Referring to Paul’s “Pray without ceasing”(1Thess. 5:17).] Thus the prayer of the Christian reaches beyond its set time and extends into the heart of his work. It includes the whole day, and in doing so, it does not hinder the work; it promotes it, affirms it, and lends it meaning and joy. Thus every word, every work, every labor of the Christian becomes a prayer; not in the unreal sense of a constant turning away from the task that must be done, but in a real breaking through the hard “it” to the gracious Thou.

5. [On forgiveness and hatred of our brothers] I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me.” [AMEN AMEN. This actually works.]

6. Who can really be faithful in great things if he has not learned to be faithful in the things of daily life?

7. Every Christian community must realize that not only do the weak need the strong, but also the strong cannot exist without the weak. The elimination of the weak is the death of fellowship.

8. He who would learn to serve must first learn to think little of himself….Is it not better to serve our neighbor than to have our own way?

9. The desire for one’s own honor hinders faith.

10. [I love this one] What does it matter if I suffer injustice? Would I not have deserved even worse punishment from God, if He has not dealt with me according to His mercy?  [There is a great theological discussion in this statement.]

11. [This is the life of a pastor] God will constantly be crossing our paths and canceling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions. [He did this to me last night and I had a great discussion with someone that is having a very difficult time handing things to God.]

12. The root of all sin is pride, superbia.

13. …and that we do not assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it to be arranged by God.

[comments added by me]

There is quite a bit there to ponder. I will leave you with this. Talk to you in a couple of days. God bless, Steve