April 22, 2008
· Filed under A Closer look..., Check this out., Random thoughts of the Day · Tagged Books, christian, quotes, Rob Bell, Sabbath, Velvet Elvis
When I stopped to spend a day to remember that I am loved just because I exist, I found out how much of my efforts were about earning something I already have.
Sabbath is taking a day a week to remind myself that I did not make the world
and it will continue to exist without my efforts.
Sabbath is a day when my work is done…even if it isn’t.
Sabbath is a day when my job is to enjoy. Period.
Sabbath is a day when I am fully available to myself and those I love most.
Sabbath is a day when I remember that when God made the world, he saw that it was good.
Sabbath is a day when I produce nothing.
Sabbath is a day when I remind myself that I am not a machine.
Sabbath is a day when at the end I say, “I didn’t do anything today,” and I don’t add, “And I feel so guilty”
Sabbath is a day when my phone is turned off, I don’t check my email, and you can’t get ahold of me.
and so…We have to stop, we have to slow down, we have to sit still and stare out the window and
let the engine come to an idle. we have to listen to what our inner voice is saying.
-Thank you Rob Bell. I so wish to take a Sabbath like this. Amen. maybe I will.
April 11, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged Books, christianity, God, Reforming, Rethinking, review, Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis
“God has spoken…the rest is commentary”
-Rob Bell
I’ve just started reading this book: Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith
My first impression was…huh? I’ve had some “hmmms” some “no way” some “heretic!” and some “ooh, i like that!” …lots of other reactions as well.
It reminds me a bit of the mini series my brother Joel is doing right now called
“I believe in Tradition, but I don’t stand on it” Rob Bell talks all about changing with the times so Jesus is relevant to today…
Some of it makes me worry, makes me afraid that all we stand on is lost, but I was challenged by his analogy of different faiths using a Brick wall, and a Trampoline..
A person set in his or her way would have a brick wall as their faith, if you move, question, jiggle, or change ONE brick in the wall, the ENTIRE wall is compromised and threatens to crumble.
There is no room for change or questions…only tradition…the Literal bible. what?
The other person’s faith is described as a trampoline..where the basis is JOY and LOVE. you don’t argue about who’s trampoline is better or more what God wants..the RIGHT theology, but you invite others to JUMP with you on the trampoline because you cannot contain the love you feel. Your faith is in constant motion, and God is with you constantly as your journey through life…
I love these analogies. One great point Mr. Bell made was…if we contain our faith in a brick wall, and allow nothing else in..we are saying that GOD is as big as our brick wall…and as Rob Bell so wonderfully states:
“…But God is bigger than any wall. God is bigger than any religion. God is bigger than any world view. God is bigger than the Christian Faith.”
Its true..Check out this book. something to chew on.
much love.
