September 2nd, 2014

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Oxymoron

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2014

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I really don’t need to give you a definition of oxymoron. All I really need to do is give an example or two:

“white chocolate”

“jumbo shrimp”

“military intelligence”

“lazy work’

“Cubs baseball” (Okay so that may have crossed the line) 🙂

Someone once gave me a book called “Oxymoronica.” Some of them are quite humorous.

Another oxymoron is one that might hit a bit closer to home: Church Community. We talk a lot about a “personal relationship to Jesus Christ” and I’m not sure that is all that bad. When I do I know what I mean. More than a religion. More than a ritual.

But some have also taken it a little farther…to the point of isolation almost. It is almost taken as “I don’t need anyone else.” One of the points Matt brings out in this chapter is the importance for believers to be connected to other believers as followers of Christ. We often use the statement “No man is an island” but it is another thing to practice it.

There is a need for independence…we do need to do some thinking on our own and not be puppets. But we also cannot be isolated.

There is also a need for dependence…the right kind.

But there is also a big need for interdependence…where we don’t stand or try to stand alone. That is community. Where we are there for each other. Where we don’t expect or want someone to go it alone. Where the church becomes a “safe place” for people.

There are so many avenues this can flow. But rather than give the answers, I’d like to ask you to take part.

What are some ways the church can be or become a community?