It's easy to write your own bible and create your own spirituality.  Easier still to put some music on and burn a candle,all by yourself, and call it worship. Easier to ignore the words of Jesus except the ones you approve of.  

But, if you dare... read the bible, accept all of Jesus' words, and attempt to build community with others. Do this seriously- honestly-and you will know what crisis is.  No wonder Jesus doesn't have more friends!  

Truth brings crisis.  Deceit and duplicity bring the appearance of ease.  Wolves in sheep's clothing.  Jesus brings us to a world of thoughts and decisions that are gut wrenching.  To be with Jesus is to be at odds with the world's assumptions, methods and rewards.  Being at odds with the world at Jesus' invitation brings a certain "out-of-stepness" with the dominant music.  Light and dark have nothing in common.  

But Christian crisis does have an upside. To be in crisis is to be in need.  Need of support. Need of understanding. Need of confirmation. We can't endure it alone.  Until we come to the place of need created by Christian crisis, we'll never know the friend we have in Jesus... never know the healing of His "stripes". 

"They left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name." (Acts 5:41)

Prayer for today: 

May my crisis be because I am a Christian.

God's Peace & Blessings,

Rob+