Adirondack with magine!
02.01.2010
  
Adirondack Header with magine
Michael Fox CPCC,
founder of magine!,
is a professional
coach and trainer,
author and creative artist, whose work has been featured throughout
the world.

Michael is a
Certified Practitioner
of the
Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator.

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"I've looked at life
"from both sides now..."
Jesus visited his hometown synagogue in Nazareth on a Sabbath at the outset of his ministry. An honored guest, he was invited by the elders to read scripture to the congregation. Scholars believe scripture was read according to a schedule in the synagogue, much like some churches today read from a lectionary. If that's the case, the "Ancient of Days" had prepared for Jesus' visit from the time the foundations of this synagogue had been laid. The scroll of Isaiah was handed to Jesus, and he read:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19).

Jesus returned the book to the attendant and sat down before the assembled. The expectant eyes of the congregants were fixed upon the son of Joseph and Mary. Finally, Jesus broke the silence and quietly, authoritatively, declared, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Isaiah's words, anticipating Messiah and the Kingdom of God (vv. 43-44), would become Jesus' personal mission statement, defining and directing his words and works. And, as heirs of the Kingdom of God, Isaiah's words are intended to define and direct our words and works as well.

What then does "kingdom work" look like? Preach the gospel to the poor. Proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. Set free those who are oppressed. Proclaim the favorable year of the Lord. Yes, but...did Jesus speak literally or metaphorically? Did he speak of those who are physically broke, bound, blind, and abused, or those who are spiritually broke, bound, blind, and abused?

Well, as Bud Abbott--the dour half of vaudeville's famed Abbott and Costello--would answer, "Exactly."

For it's unlikely that Jesus drew a distinction between our perceived "spiritual" and "physical" realms. From Jesus' vantage point, the philosophical debate between monism and dualism is likely a frivolous exercise in rhetoric. There's just reality. What is, is. And, consequently, he might be amused--nay, perhaps, a tad irritated--by our distinctions. Kingdom work reaches to all who are broke, bound, blind, and abused. Period.


Mightn't it be true that apprentices of the kingdom--across the ideological spectrum--make distinction where there is no distinction? I'm just askin'.

How does "dualism"--the sense of distinction between physical and spiritual; seen and unseen--show up among apprentices of Jesus, again, across the ideological spectrum? How might it prejudice our efforts toward those who are broke, bound, blind, and abused?

How might a new perspective of reality transform our own words and works in the kingdom?

With apologies to Joni Mitchell, mightn't be true that, without careful reflection, we "really don't know life, at all"?



"Both Sides, Now," written by Joni Mitchell
� Joni Mitchell/Crazy Crow Music/Siquomb Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Michael Fox
m�agine!

530/613.2774
407 Myrtle Drive
Farmerville, LA, USA 71241  
In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m�agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models
--Values, Vision, Voice
and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength--

as well as
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator� curriculum
published by CPP, the People Development People.

Michael's books include
 
Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook,
and Biblio�files.

Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
For additional information, visit our website at maginethepossibilities.net.

Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.

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