Covenant

Yesterday I posted about how I'm learning more about the importance of commitment for the sake of refinement.

Call me a dork...but I get excited because I feel there's a strong supporting Biblical theme of covenant. Throughout scripture, God enters several covenants with His people. A commitment to their relationship for the purpose of refinement. If you think of more let me know--I'm hoping to blog more about them individually in the future. But, here's the list I've come up with:

1. Noahic Covenant (Genesis 8-9)
2. Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12-17)
3. Covenant with Jacob (Genesis 28:12-15)
4. Covenant with Joseph (Genesis 49?)
5. Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19-24)
6. The Israel Covenant (Deut. 29-30)
7. Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7)
8. Promise of a New Covenant (Jeremiah 31)
9. The New Covenant (Hebrews 8)

Commitment

Last night a friend admited that she stopped approaching someone in her dorm because their talking would keep her from doing something she really wanted to do...like sleep. Ha! Love the honesty! But seriously, the single life can plant us all on a sure fire path to self-centeredness.

And self-destruction.

I've been thinking a lot about the importance of commitment and covenant in communities. Anyone who has known me long, knows I'm a mover. I like to have A LOT of friends but not necessarily to have those friendships last long term. Let's be honest that takes effort.

And it can hurt.

Married friends have often compared their first three months of life with their partner to walking around with a mirror in front of them. My sister recounted a time having a fight with my brother-in-law, where he ended up curled up in the fetal position saying, "Why am I such a bad person?" (Truth be told she was feeling the same way.) Relationships will inevitably bring out the worse in us and show us just how awful we can be.

However, only when we commit in those relationships do we truly understand the power of grace and forgiveness in our lives. And the beauty of reconciliation.

So I'm challenging myself to revisit my commitments. Even though I don't "have" to...I really kind of do.

Resurrected Crazy

K. So I finally picked up Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright the last few days during my quiet time. It's not accessible with google books, but I highly recommend that any of you egg heads out there check it out from the library. Though way out of my league with theological and Christian history references, I did gather one thing from the first three chapters.

Wright builds an argument that the resurrection is the central doctrine of the Christian faith. Common sense, you say?

Do you really think so?

When I went to Bethel for a visit during my senior year of college, I asked my grandpa the 'last lecture' question. "If you could preach on one subject. What would you preach on?"

My grandpa retired last May after 60+ years of preaching. Without hesitation he responded, "The resurrection."

He continued that about 10 years prior The Resurrection revolutionized his walk with Christ. After 50 years of ministry! The resurrection. He challenged me to consider the implications of the crucifixion. Most Christians live their lives in the theology of crucifixion.

I have a sinful nature...THAT MUST DIE.

Ok. True. But then what? How many of us stop at the death? And we're left with what? Death? Void?

I mean death to self is not revolutionary. Self-discipline, though important, is central in many spiritual practices. Heck, it even seems to be a common coping mechanism to avoid pain?

So, if Christianity really just means self-discipline or a common coping mechanism, why were people dying in the first century for their belief?

Because the resurrection makes us crazy!

It's not natural.

Life after death.

Imagine the possibilities.

HOPE!

Tiff! Take a risk!

Hey friends! Been a while, and this post feels kind of like a cop-out. Life's crazy, and hopefully next week will slow down. Til then, this is what I'm learning:

Food for Thought

I'm starting a book, for research purposes of this blog:

"Surprised By Hope: Rethinking Heaven, The Resurrection, and The Mission of the Church" by NT Wright.

Thanks for the referral, Ruth!