Insignificant Greatness
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ozzie smith
Sep 16, 2009, 11:02:04 AM9/16/09
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Amen, Amen, Amen! I am touched and moved by this message today! I
hungered to hear more about the 92 year old founder but realize the
message and text had to be dealt with. Rev Lewis truly takes us to
that place of insignificance with precision and grace.
Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. recently preached at an installation of
one of his sons in ministry. Using Jeremiah 3:15, "I will give you
shepherds after my own heart," he mentioned 5 qualities of a pastor:
Authenticity, Integrity, Humility, Anonymity, and Fidelity. Of the 5
qualities, Anonymity seems to resonate with this message--there is no
desire to be known, but that God be known. Not unlike Paul decided to
know nothing but Jesus crucified or John the Baptist saying I must
decrease in order that Christ may increase. This is a rare ambition
in our times of the oft-asked question, "How am I doing in my 5-
minutes of fame."
Rev Lewis is right in saying that this call is not for the faint of
heart or ambitious. Insignificant Greatness is somewhat of a
contradiction in terms, somewhat akin to Ed Freidman's notion of non-
anxious presence. There is always the challenge that human insecurity
under the guise of greed and ambition will rear its ugly head. I
recall Al Pacino's line in the movie, "Devil's Advocate" "Aha! Vanity,
my favorite sin!" Thanks Rev. Lewis for a powerful sermonic smelling-
salt back to the essence of call--to be heard without trying to be
seen. Thanks Day1 for the lift!
Ozzie Smith
hungered to hear more about the 92 year old founder but realize the
message and text had to be dealt with. Rev Lewis truly takes us to
that place of insignificance with precision and grace.
Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. recently preached at an installation of
one of his sons in ministry. Using Jeremiah 3:15, "I will give you
shepherds after my own heart," he mentioned 5 qualities of a pastor:
Authenticity, Integrity, Humility, Anonymity, and Fidelity. Of the 5
qualities, Anonymity seems to resonate with this message--there is no
desire to be known, but that God be known. Not unlike Paul decided to
know nothing but Jesus crucified or John the Baptist saying I must
decrease in order that Christ may increase. This is a rare ambition
in our times of the oft-asked question, "How am I doing in my 5-
minutes of fame."
Rev Lewis is right in saying that this call is not for the faint of
heart or ambitious. Insignificant Greatness is somewhat of a
contradiction in terms, somewhat akin to Ed Freidman's notion of non-
anxious presence. There is always the challenge that human insecurity
under the guise of greed and ambition will rear its ugly head. I
recall Al Pacino's line in the movie, "Devil's Advocate" "Aha! Vanity,
my favorite sin!" Thanks Rev. Lewis for a powerful sermonic smelling-
salt back to the essence of call--to be heard without trying to be
seen. Thanks Day1 for the lift!
Ozzie Smith
Billy Cox
Sep 16, 2009, 1:41:15 PM9/16/09
to da...@googlegroups.com
Thanks Ozzie for your wise comments. I especially appreciate what you had to say about Dr. Wright and the installation of one of his sons in ministry. That must have been an inspiring and emotional moment in church that Sunday. As for that 92 year founder of Church of the Savior in Washington, DC, that founder is Gordon Cosby. In my young days, I read all about his unique ministry in that church. Their Coffee House approach to ministry was very popular. Cosby was quite a writer and I read many of his books. I believe he was a Military Chaplain during the Second World War. Thanks again for your warm and caring comments. Have a great Lord's Day.
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Ozzie Smith Jr
Sep 16, 2009, 4:58:21 PM9/16/09
to da...@googlegroups.com
Hi Billy
God bless you! thanks so much for the word on Rev Cosby--never heard of him prior to now. It seems that he definitely brings a different set of timber to the fire of the gospel and it's all good!
Peace,
Ozzie
From: Billy Cox <cox_...@bellsouth.net>
To: da...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 12:41:15 PM
Subject: [Day1:1144] Re: Insignificant Greatness
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