Rob Bell in Seattle

A couple of weeks ago, pastor Rob Bell from the Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, MI was in Seattle for the Seeds of Compassion event.  I heard him speak on a panel that consisted of the Dalai Lama as well as Desmond Tutu, amongst others.  It was a great day in Seattle (although as typical it was raining) as some of the worlds spiritual movers and shakers converged on the city. 

After the “Seeds” event was done, my friend Jim Henderson hosted an event through his organization called Off-The-Map (PodCast), where Rob Bell, Doug Paggit, and Todd Hunter shared the bulk of the time answering questions about progressive culture and the church.  Of special interest to me was Rob’s comments that: “Eucharist is a way of life… you break yourself open and pour yourself out.  This means that you will suffer and on the otherside there is resurrection and new life.  If we were to chart the most significant points of your journey it would center around times where you have cried out.” Lately my world feels like it is spinning out of control.  There have been times where I have thought to myself, “Self, who can you talk to?  Where can you turn?” And it has been there that Jesus has reminded me that He is there.  That He is ultimately in control.  That I have no need to fear the future with its trying to finish a DMin, trying to buy a house in New Haven, trying to sell a house in the worst market in years, trying to say goodbye to people I love deeply, etc.  All God asks of me is to chill in Him.  This has certainly been a season of crying out and learning that God cares deeply about me, He cares deeply about you! 

mwg

Posted by pastor matthew on May 05, 2008 at 09:33 AM
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