May 2010 "Sketchings"

SETTING INTENTIONS FOR OUR ‘JOURNEY 2 RENEWAL’

Recently there have been more and more conversations regarding our intentions for our “Journey2Renewal”. More and more people are sensing the opportunity that these upcoming two months give us to be renewed, revived, transformed and deepened. Frankly, we’re on the right track in this regard.

From the beginning my intention has been pretty clear: “…to enhance and deepen my understanding and appreciation of the culture, territory and environment from which the Apostle Paul lived, preached and wrote.” My intention has been to be open to what God might reveal. My intention has been for these deeper understandings and appreciations to inform my faith and the preaching and teaching ministries for which I am responsible.

Now others are beginning to put their intentions into words. One person said something like, “I think these weeks, especially hearing new voices, give me an opportunity to listen more closely to what God might be saying.” Another has stated an intention of dusting off some old attitudes and to take some time to get to know the Apostle Paul again, in a new way. Still another has set some intentions about reading the Bible and Paul’s letters. Still another has chosen to set aside a feeling of intimidation when picking up the Bible and just read for what can be understood by reading – that is not having a feeling that she needs to “understand” it all. Still another is digging deeper from a more intellectual point of view. And others are pondering ways to enter into some group studies.

Each of these intentions is well and good –- not for the fact that they all support my intention for this time, but for the fact that people are setting out some desires for renewal. You see, when we set out and state our intentions and our desires for a particular activity or process, it opens the doors for God to work and it opens us to being fertile soil in which God can the renewal and transformation that God might want to work during our “Journey2Renewal.”

If you’re wondering how to make the most out of getting reacquainted with the Apostle Paul, let me make these suggestions:
1) Find the map in the back of your Bible depicting the four journeys of Paul. Then read the Book of Acts and trace Paul’s travels.
2) Read some of Paul’s Letters. Don’t start with Romans. While Romans is probably the most important book in the New Testament (Martin Luther thought so), it is also the hardest to follow and grasp. Start with maybe 1 and II Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Philemon, I and II Timothy, Titus, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, Ephesians and finally, Romans. Or you might want to read the letters more in the order in which they were written: I and II Thessalonians and I Corinthians during his second Mission Trip; Galatians, II Corinthians and Romans during his third mission trip, and then Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, 1 Timothy, Titus, and II Timothy written from Rome, some while he was in prison, before his death. And when you read, don’t feel like you have to understand it all, or make sense of it all. Read for the spectrum of themes, ideas and feelings that Paul presents.
3) Read a book like “Paul: A Novel” by Walter Wangerin, Jr. or any other book on the Life of Paul. Or maybe you’d want to tackle a book like, “Paul Among the People: The Apostle Reinterpreted and Reimagined in His Own Time” by Sarah Ruden. (This book tries to put Paul’s work into his social context for a better understanding of his worldview.)
4) Journal your thoughts and feelings, your questions and insights. We will likely have opportunities to share these later on.

Of course, you might choose many other intentions for this Renewal time. Nothing says that your intention has to focus on the Apostle Paul. To be sure, any thoughtful intention for renewal and transformation will lay a foundation for God to be able to work in your faith process during this time.

“Journey 2 Renewal: Eight weeks, two walks of faith renewal, half a world apart, reuniting as one strong church” frames the next two months of our lives together even as we are in different places.

I know God will be good. I know God will take care of us all. I know these days of renewal will be a deep blessing for each of us. And I’m looking forward to being the stronger community of faith we vision for the years to follow.

With my prayers for blessings and peace, joy and hope to us all!

T. O. M.