We are who God says we are [cross-post]

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We are who God says we are

The gospel in seven words

Mar 02, 2012 by Nadia Bolz-Weber

What's the gospel in seven words? We asked theologians, pastors and others both to answer this question and to expand on this in a few sentences. To see all the responses together as they're posted, bookmark this page. Add your own version here. --Ed.

We are who God says we are.

In the incarnation, life, death and resurrection of Christ we see that God is so for us and with us that we can no longer be defined according to death, a religion-based worthiness system or even the categories of late-stage capitalism. We are who God says we are: the forgiven, broken and blessed children of God; the ones to whom God draws near. Nothing else gets to tell us who we are.

From the UCC Network: 03/04/2012 "Again and Again and Again"

Again and Again and Again
Excerpt from Mark 10:1-12

"Crowds again gathered around him; and, as was his custom, he again taught them."

Reflection by Quinn G. Caldwell

A faithful churchgoer was talking with a skeptical friend about why he bothered going to church.  The friend asked him what his favorite part of the service was.  "Oh, I love most of it: the songs, the Doxology, Communion.  The pastoral prayer can be pretty boring sometimes, but I even get something out of that.  Overall, though, I guess I would say I get the most out of the sermon."

"How many sermons do you think you've sat through in your life?" the friend asked.

The man said, "Oh, I don't know.  Couple thousand?"

"And do you remember them all?"

"Of course not!"

"Then why bother?  What's the point?"

The man thought about it for a moment, then asked, "Do you remember every meal you've ever eaten?"

"No."

"Neither do I," replied the man.  "But I sure am glad I ate them."

Prayer

God, I wish I didn't have to feed my spirit so much.  I wish I could hear about you just once and then be yours forever.  But it looks like I'm going to need to hear it again and again.  So send me the discipline to come often to the table of your Word, and send me preachers good enough to keep me fed.  Amen.

About the Author Quinn G. Caldwell is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ, and co-editor, with Curtis J. Preston, of the Unofficial Handbook of the United Church of Christ.