I watched the game between France and Brazil, and I could "feel" the difference not just in the way they played, but even in their facial expressions. And that was after watching England bow out of the World Cup kicked out by Portugal. Both games are helpful in providing "analogies" for a whole lot of things from working as a team to moving as a local church, from exisiting in a denomination to the struggles in a small group, etc. Fill in the blanks ________ and explore. The whole piece is interesting, here's a teaser paragraph:I watched a reply of the game and I have to agree - Brazil had the talent to go all the way - but they didn't play as a team, and they didn't play with a lot of spirit."Brazil arrived at this World Cup not as a great team, but as a group of spectacular individuals. They stayed that way. No one would have wanted them to lose their Brazilian DNA in becoming a team. We wanted them to play for fun and with a smile, and take risks. But you have to do all that as part of a calculated strategy. The Brazilian players did not grasp that point."
If I was a betting person - I would put my money on Germany, they are playing well and they have the home team advantage - if they can get past Italy: in fact, the Germany - Italy game may be the best game of the one remaining. Final: Germany 2 France 1.
Back to Kit's analogies - there is a lot here that is so applicable to our being the community of God, the people of God, the family of God, the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, the army of God. There are so many images in the Bible that describe who we are in Christ, in corporate - inter-connecting terms. No, we don't want to loose a person's personal response to God - but we need to stop equating "personal" with "private"; and understand that when we come into the family of God - we've got brothers and sisters in Christ.
3 comments:
After France's display, and Germany's emergence in this World Cup. My money is on them. But, football (or soccor) is full of suprises like life itself.
Your last paragraph basically put into words stuff I was feeling when I put up the link. Especially ... "here is a lot here that is so applicable to our being the community of God, the people of God, the family of God, the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, the army of God. There are so many images in the Bible that describe who we are in Christ, in corporate - inter-connecting terms. No, we don't want to loose a person's personal response to God - but we need to stop equating "personal" with "private"; and understand that when we come into the family of God - we've got brothers and sisters in Christ."
Thanks.
I wanna share something we (walkingchurch) did yesterday - we had communion on the beach in Port Bruce.
As I was driving down, God put in my heart about the significance of the loaf of bread. The one-ness...the body of Christ...the importance of my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Prior to the bread feast of communion I asked each person to pick on two people they 'know' in walkingchurch. I asked them to state very briefly a quality, something they admired about that person. It was well received. It was a very affirming exercise. Some even teared up...with the honesty of the dialogue being expressed. So often, during our work week we get shredded by co-workers or by others(even family)...and yet we rarely hear positive things spoken of us. We know we have value, especially in God's eyes...but it was neat to hear it spoken by Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Often we never hear of our value being valued.
I find even in Christian circles we can be brutal (I plead guilty and ask for mercy) with our brothers and sisters. As with any family, we will get '*issed off' with someone at somepoint as well in the family of God. We need to be experts at asking and extending mercy. 'I screwed up, and I am very sorry, would you free me by forgiving me and extending your mercy to me' should be dialogue we hear freely when warranted.
When we love one another, as this simple communion exercise demonstrates, it is most pleasing to God and builds community, genuine community. It takes the 'private' aspect of that P* Mike speaks about and makes our relationships personal and communial.
Walking Church... great "real life" illustration of the connection between personal & community
thanks
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