12th February, 2010 by Rich Dixon No Comments
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. [Romans 8:26-27]
If I asked you to point to the place your spirit resides, how would you respond?
My guess is that most people would place a hand on their chest. Most of us perceive that our spirit resides in the heart.
A few weeks ago my friend Jan Coates wrote (Attitude Adjustment) about the Greek word kardia, the word translated as “heart” in the bible. (more…)
15th January, 2010 by Rich Dixon 3 Comments
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. [1 John 4:7-10]
Where is Jesus?
An earthquake devastates an already impoverished nation. Horrific images flash across the television screen. Haiti scrambles to rescue and survive.
I recall similar pictures—terrorist attack, tsunami, hurricane, tornado—and the question always arises.
Where is Jesus? (more…)
8th January, 2010 by Rich Dixon 3 Comments
Am I a Christian?
Yesterday I wrote about labels (What’s Your Label?) from my perspective as a wheelchair user. One commenter observed that labels make it easier to navigate our relationships. Once I know you’re one of “those” I automatically respond in a certain manner. While that may not be right, it’s probably realistic. (more…)
2nd January, 2010 by Rich Dixon 3 Comments
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. [John 1:14]
Grace and truth?
I think a lot about John’s opening verses describing Jesus simply as The Word. I love the poetry, the imagery, and the intimate spiritual experience John portrays.
In his first letter (1 John 1) he expands the picture of a sensory, experiential encounter with Jesus: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
Can you feel his passion? John isn’t just relating words. He’s proclaiming a deep connection involving his senses—he touched The Word, saw and heard The Word, felt and experienced The Word of God. I sense that John invites me to allow The Word to wrap itself around me and soak into me until I’m literally infused with its presence and power.
But I’ve always sort of wondered about the linkage of grace and truth, which he repeats in verse 17: For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (more…)
28th December, 2009 by Rich Dixon 2 Comments
Yesterday our pastor, Dick Foth, asked a surprising question. In a post-Christmas reflection looking back at Bethlehem, he asked, “So what?”
Pastors usually don’t ask questions like that without offering some direction. Dick provided his own insightful answer to “So what?” and also provoked me to seek my own response. I thought it was a pretty worthwhile question.
So here’s my challenge to you. Now that the shopping and parties and feasts are winding down, stop and take a look back at Bethlehem. Beyond the tinsel and toys what does it all mean?
Take a look back at Bethlehem. So what?
I invite you to leave a comment below. If you’re reading this in an email, please take a moment to visit the site and share your thoughts. Let’s see if we can come up with a collective vision of why the events of Bethlehem matter.
Did you enjoy this article? Please leave a comment, visit my website, and/or send me an email at rich@richdixon.net.
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Related articles:
Jesus Writes About Christmas
Will You Accept The Gift Of Christmas?
25th December, 2009 by Rich Dixon No Comments
What happens when there’s no light?
Last evening I sat in the dark with nearly two thousand people. As we passed the flame from candle to candle, the room took on a warm glow. Then, in unison, we raised the candles and proclaimed:
YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
That’s exactly what happened in that obscure stable more than two thousand years ago. A world of darkness suddenly experienced true light. Shepherds cowered before the dazzling glory of the angel. Magi journeyed to an unknown destination, guided only by their faith in a single light.
Darkness dispelled—that’s the Christmas Gospel, the good news behind the wrapping paper, football games, and family gatherings. Even in lives burdened by sadness, illness, financial struggles, and loss, the darkness can only be temporary.
A room, a life, a world, languished in darkness. And then, in an instant, that darkness retreated before the Light.
That Light brought hope, love, and the promise of a new beginning.
And a room, a world, and your life and mine, emerged from darkness and into the marvelous light of God’s grace.
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22nd December, 2009 by Rich Dixon 1 Comment
Two shopping days until Christmas!
That announcement greeted me first thing this morning, and I was struck by the amazing paradox embedded in a common seasonal countdown. Hurry up and shop for the birth of God’s Son!—sounds a bit silly if you think about it. (more…)
18th December, 2009 by Rich Dixon No Comments
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” [John 14:1-4]
What’s the ultimate adversity?
One week before Christmas, adversity may boil down to long lines at the mall or difficult weather conditions for holiday travel. My wife’s scrambling to prepare for a party and receiving little help from a spouse who’s glued to the keyboard—that’s adversity. But I’m thinking along the lines of something a bit more elemental. (more…)
17th December, 2009 by Rich Dixon No Comments
What would Jesus think?
Last time I wrote about A Wheelchair And A Manger and wondered how Jesus would respond to the presence of a disabled person in the nativity circle.
As I considered comments and reactions, I realized that I avoided my own question. I began by asking “What would Jesus think?” but I wrote about my own self-consciousness and discomfort.
My real internal question was more like “What will they think?” as I focused on others’ reactions and expectations. I had to remind myself of a consistently-recurring theme in my life:
IT’S NOT ABOUT ME!
It’s shocking to my inflated self-image, but the path of service doesn’t begin and end at my feet. The characters surrounding the manger aren’t there to meet my needs. I’m not the center of the circle.
This really has nothing to do with a wheelchair or any other physical infirmity. It’s not a “disability” issue—it’s a human issue.
On our own, none of us holds claim to a place in that circle. My wheelchair simply provides a convenient excuse for self-centered myopia, a diversion from the realization that we’re all unworthy to enter that stable.
But we’re all invited; the star leads each of us, even those who roll or limp. That’s the hope of Christmas. That’s His message of love.
That’s grace.
That’s what Jesus would think.
What do you think?
Did you enjoy this article? Please leave a comment, visit my website, and/or send me an email at rich@richdixon.net.
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A Wheelchair And A Manger
Will You Accept The Gift Of Christmas?
What Are You Giving Jesus For Christmas?
15th December, 2009 by Rich Dixon 3 Comments
What would Jesus think?
I’ve been doing a little exercise based on 10 Ways You Can Enjoy An Intentional Christmas. I’m trying to spend some time each day at the nativity scene, wondering about the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of each character. And I found myself wondering how Jesus would respond to the presence of a disabled person in that holy circle. (more…)
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