{"id":43,"date":"2011-02-17T17:19:00","date_gmt":"2011-02-17T23:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/2011\/02\/17\/approach-to-think-about-understanding-the-christian-message\/"},"modified":"2011-02-17T17:19:00","modified_gmt":"2011-02-17T23:19:00","slug":"approach-to-think-about-understanding-the-christian-message","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/2011\/02\/17\/approach-to-think-about-understanding-the-christian-message\/","title":{"rendered":"Approach to Think About Understanding the Christian Message"},"content":{"rendered":"
There are several things I do to come to a deeper understanding of the Christian message. Some of the resources I use the most consist of: the reading of scripture, devotionals and prayer. I have also enjoyed conversation generated from readings assigned in the classes I have taken, as well as conversation over scripture. Anytime you have conversation or read devotionals, there is an element of discernment to determine if the message being presented is correct.<\/p>\n

For myself, I rely on first and foremost a litmus test of, \u201cDoes what is being communicated to me, reflect the love of God, for the world, through the Holy Spirit and as presented by Jesus Christ?\u201d This is at the center of what I believe the Christian message should reflect. My pastor continually reminds me about two things. One, it is all about the love that God has for the whole world. Number two is, if the message detracts from the focus as explained above, it is most likely not correct. He says this in other words, \u201cDoes it really matter what Moses sandal size was?\u201d There are other factors I used to also evaluate the message as well, but still with the lens as described above. I have pastors and instructors I rely upon for guidance. Sometimes for me it is a matter embracing faith and letting go for now what I don\u2019t understand. <\/p>\n

The focus of my litmus test, matters a great deal to me. The love of the world by God, includes humans, and in such, includes myself. More importantly I think, is the love of God through the Holy Spirit and manifested in Jesus Christ for the world. Knowing God understands the human condition and is willing to take it to the cross for humankind gives a real sense that God does understand humans and their brokenness.<\/p>\n

Knowing God\u2019s love in the context laid out above not only matters to me, but should matter to all humans. Eternal life is at stake in believing the message or not. Even life here on earth is affected today and tomorrow by God\u2019s love and how others understand this love.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are several things I do to come to a deeper understanding of the Christian message. Some of the resources I use the most consist of: the reading of scripture, devotionals and prayer. I have also enjoyed conversation generated from readings assigned in the classes I have taken, as well as conversation over scripture. Anytime … [Read more…]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"entry","1":"post","2":"publish","3":"author-admin","4":"post-43","6":"format-standard","7":"category-uncategorized"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2m6h5-H","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":53,"url":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/2011\/10\/10\/grace-vs-law-wedding-feast\/","url_meta":{"origin":43,"position":0},"title":"Grace vs. Law, Wedding Feast","author":"Douglas Dill","date":"October 10, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"When I began to study the Gospel reading for today, I first said to myself,\"hey, this is an easy lesson. Everyone will get this. It's obvious that heaven is where the banquet is and we have been invited, yet some will refuse.\" End of sermon, right? I always have to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Grace"","block_context":{"text":"Grace","link":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/category\/grace\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-r8C8N7yLZUE\/TpMXjBqHDYI\/AAAAAAAAAJU\/eBL6oQa9_CI\/s320\/WeddingFeast.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":424,"url":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/2013\/01\/15\/reflections-off-the-rez\/","url_meta":{"origin":43,"position":1},"title":"Reflections off the Rez","author":"Douglas Dill","date":"January 15, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"It has now been three days since leaving the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation of the Lakota Indians. \u00a0The last evening I would have to say held the most meaning to me. \u00a0We were given the opportunity for reflection by Howard. \u00a0I really enjoyed listening to him speak about his experiences\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Spirit"","block_context":{"text":"Spirit","link":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/category\/spirit\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Howard Blue Bird0001","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Howard-Blue-Bird0001-213x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3051,"url":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/2023\/03\/06\/clergy-who-leave-christian-ministry-are-sending-a-message\/","url_meta":{"origin":43,"position":2},"title":"Clergy Who Leave Christian Ministry Are Sending a Message","author":"Douglas Dill","date":"March 6, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"I unfortunately know too many good pastors who have decided to leave ministry.\u00a0 Some this was their first call, others after a second call, others this was their first job after college and seminary.\u00a0 Most seminary students come out of seminary with a substantial debt load.\u00a0 I know of some\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Attitude"","block_context":{"text":"Attitude","link":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/category\/attitude\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":875,"url":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/2014\/04\/02\/spiritual-friendship\/","url_meta":{"origin":43,"position":3},"title":"Spiritual Friendship, A Mark of Discipleship","author":"Douglas Dill","date":"April 2, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Audio Version Acts 2:42-47 \u00a0 42The community continually committed themselves to learning what the apostles taught them, gathering for fellowship, breaking bread, and praying.\u00a043Everyone felt a sense of awe because the apostles were doing many signs and wonders among them.44There was an intense sense of togetherness among all who believed;\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Community"","block_context":{"text":"Community","link":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/category\/community\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.goodcompany.ro\/ckfinder\/userfiles\/images\/friendship.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1508,"url":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/2016\/03\/27\/easter-message\/","url_meta":{"origin":43,"position":4},"title":"Easter Message","author":"Douglas Dill","date":"March 27, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Easter is a special time of the year.\u00a0 I use to put the emphasis on Christmas, and yes I realize that there is no Easter without Christmas, however Easter is the ALL of the Christian message. Easter is what God does for us out of God\u2019s love for us.\u00a0 Easter\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Easter"","block_context":{"text":"Easter","link":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/category\/easter\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":492,"url":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/2013\/06\/15\/gospel-centered-change\/","url_meta":{"origin":43,"position":5},"title":"Gospel Centered Change?","author":"Douglas Dill","date":"June 15, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Audio Version Galatians 1:11-17 11\u00a0For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man\u2019s gospel. 12\u00a0For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13\u00a0For you have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Grace"","block_context":{"text":"Grace","link":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/category\/grace\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}