The Beard

So I have this unwarranted fear of spiders.

I've never been physically harmed by one (emotionally however is another story). I don't recall ever helplessly being caressed by a tarantula in my crib as an infant. The only explanation I have for this paralyzing fear is that spiders actually are incredibly innately terrifying.

I have this view of the Church as I read Pauls writings where every saint, every disciple of Christ responds to the Message uniquely unified. Idealistic I suppose, but hey, it's my vision right? Our responses reflect our:
divine personality,
our transforming character,
our foundational gift mix,
our contextual knowledge,
training and
skill set.
His call,
in His truth,
in His time,
in His context,
in His character,
in His kingdom,
through the life of Christ.

I am more confident than ever that in all spaces of the Body of Christ:
the oversight, the member, the accountability, the disciplmaking, the community, the homes and the greater gatherings for song, prayer and teaching...

That these are on all levels created to reflect the unity of the tri-
Unity (1 Cor 12-14). That our spaces each reflect Gods space. Our interactions reflect His interaction. Our words with one another, reflect His words within Himself and so overflowing onto us.

With each individual expressive response to the Gospel is a tangible correlating communal response. While some respond and so comprehend the Grace of God through the Scriptures in technical terms others respond to the same Grace on creative grounds and so each find expression in different ways in different local contexts and expressions yet with the same gifts founded on the same Truth (Rom 12, 1 Cor 12, Eph 4, 1 Peter 4).

Two things I am sure of (because Jesus proclaimed them, read Matt 22):
1. The saints are called to glorify God first and foremost.
2. This glory then overflows from the depths of our hearts and so spills onto those around us.

And so we Worship Him above. We encourage our brothers and sisters. We engage our community.

So while I may be unnecessarily terrified of spiders; I am necessarily honored to glory in God and so unite with the unique Body of Christ whatever the local expression may be...so long as it doesn't involve spider wrangling.

A few thoughts on Rich Dyson by Rich Dyson

Connect at r.dyson@live.com