Sunday Morning... Church at home and across the Pond

Hey Bono,
Waiting for confirmation that you arrived safe and sound back in Cambridge.

Holly just left with Eli and Davis on the way to church this morning. Clayton is fighting a fever and a cough so I am home with him. The house is quiet and I am enjoying the peace.

Last night, Holly and I went to dinner with Craig and Amy. We came back to the house after the boys were in bed and had a Ted group. It was a very typical group, except two of our favorite people weren't there. But as you suggested in your reply to the first post, you two were more than there in some very important ways. Anyway, I was grateful for it and am amazed at how salvation can come to different folks at the same time through relationship (just like what I experience in our friendship).

I hope you find yourself in a good place as you take back to the UK the things you experienced here. May you be strengthened to know we all feel we have shared in your being sent to follow the leading you have.

I read a post I liked on Experimental Theology, especially the part where he called, "Bullcrap"on the answer he'd been given that he knew was unsatisfactory. So then, after I read that this morning, I thought again about last night with Holly, Craig and Amy and also about my few days with you last week...

I believe that one of the things that happens in our friendship, and when we sit with Ted, and in a Ted group is that sins are forgiven. I am pretty sure I believe that what we are doing in some way is following the example of Jesus and forgiving the sins of others as part of the proclamation that he is Lord. If Jesus was forgiving sins and proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel before, during, and after the crucifixion, then we are proclaiming the Good News (and his Lordship) when we stand in front of (or sit across from or next to)  each other and proclaim God's love and forgiveness over the very things we are most shamed by and afraid of. It is as if because Jesus is Lord, we can now say, "We know you are loved, accepted, forgiven and empowered by the very spirit of God", and then we can back that up by sharing in carrying the burdens together.

Long Pause and deep breath...


On a much lighter note,
I also saw this video that you may have seen. It is a typical year end video (that I am a sucker for) but uses a Mat Kearney song, Sooner Or Later. It is from his newest album, Young Love.


Much Love,
The Bishop

PS Now that you are back in front of a real computer, scroll down and checkout the So Cruel solo. :-)