The Peril and Promise

[Ozzie Smith Jr]

Amen Bishop Willimon!  That truly is another way of looking at what we once thought to be BAD news!  Jesus tells this man he only has one thing wrong on the test--erase it and come on!  What an invitation! 

 

Jesus looked at this man and loved him in spite of the fact that he thought he had "following" all figured out--he had given himself an "A" but couldn't give up the grade for grace.  Howard Thurman suggested that we sometimes we think we have all things are covered, but there is always an exposed flank somewhere.  That exposed flank is where our behavior betrays our belief and we walk away.  Perhaps that is why we miss it because we believe we've already got it.  To this day I believe that such certainty can lead to our own undoing and uncertainty.  Jesus is still the answer!!!!

 

The illustrations were humorous but profound and reminded me of a church featured in USA Today a while back.   The pastor of that church paid people of differing races to come to church and Bible study--just to see what the beloved community would look like--they came because they were paid, not called!    Nevertheless, the promise outweighs the peril.   Cross-bearing is indeed a preview to crown-wearing!!!  Thanks Bishop Willimon for a fresh and creative WORD!  Thanks Day1 for the lift!

Ozzie Smith

[Billy Cox]

Right on Ozzie. You hit the nail on the head again. Your statement, "cross-bearing is indeed a preview to crown-wearing", is profound. Thanks for your steady and persistent insight.   Billy --- On Tue, 10/6/09, Ozzie Smith Jr <jr4111@sbcglobal..net> wrote: