Even though there are still a few weeks left in the summer, this week is the conclusion of our Southside summer blog. I want to thank everyone for participating by reading and making comments. I also want to thank Bekah Weatherford for helping me put this all together. It has been good for us to have a place where throughout the week we could discuss 1 Peter together. Several of you have made some great comments throughout the summer and I have learned from you.
As I write this, I am quite excited. Over the past weekend, I have had several conversations with people at Southside who are doing "peculiar" things in their lives. There are great things happening among our church body. It is apparent to me that God is growing a "peculiar people" here. Also, I am excited about the future. God is drawing people to this place, particularly because of the opportunities to reach out here. I am looking forward to the upcoming “mission” activities coming up where we are going to introduce others to God’s love and mercy. God has placed us here as a church for a unique time and place – to be a church in the heart of the city of Fort Worth and to be His presence to the diverse people within this area. May God continue to bless us as we seek to be His Missionaries!
For my final thoughts on 1 Peter, I must say that this book seems more relevant than ever before. I think as our culture becomes increasing secular, we will be turning to this book more and more. By the aid of the Holy Spirit, Peter really helps us know our identity and how to live that out today in a powerful way. As we conclude, I am curious what lesson stood out to you from Peter.
For me, I know the passage in 2:4-10 has really meant a lot to me. Every human being struggles with feelings of self-worth from time to time. Often we feel like we are not matching our own standards or others’, and we can feel a sense of shame or disappointment. I think it would do me good to read those seven verses every day, just to be reminded that for “those who believe” they are of “precious value” in God’s eyes (v. 7). We are his “chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, a people belonging to Him” (v. 9). He has made us “the people of God” and chosen to give us mercy (v. 10). Those ideas are so powerful, uplifting, and identity-shaping. We all need to remember how God looks at us as His children. What about you? Was their a verse, an idea, or a theme that really seemed to connect with you in someway? If so, please share.
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I would like to think that the 2010 theme of being a peculiar people will carry through beyond 2010 as a remimder of how to live our lives. The anchors you shared Sunday, "God reigns" and "God loves me" have already gotten me through some tough moments.
ReplyDeleteThere were two themes that spoke out to me. The first being that we are becoming a church of love. We are learning to "love one another", despite our differences. I love that we are so richly blessed with diversity at Southside. May we keep growing in love as we grow in knowledge of the Word (II Peter 3:18). Secondly, I do agree that we all need to be reminded that we are a "treasure", "a precious value" (Mal 3, I Peter 2:7). Those words are encouraging and uplifting. May we as a church of love reach out to others in need and share our treasure of the written Word.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say how much I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteI just happened upon it today while looking for some pictures on Google, and I'm going to subscribe as soon as I post this comment. :) Would it be okay if I used your picture (at the top of the page) on my youth group facebook page?
Emma Lee,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment on the blog. Feel free to use our picture in any way that is helpful. Our blog was for a limited time, so there are no active posts right now. But I hope what is already here is helpful in some way.
Have a blessed day!