PERSONAL and SOCIAL

[Carl Thomas Gladstone]

::The Conversation::                                       May 24, 2006 PERSONAL and SOCIAL "Holy Solitaries" is a phrase no more consistent with the gospel than holy adulterers. - John Wesley On the radio we hear talk of "holy solitaries" all the time.  It is the assumption that Jesus can in some restrictive way be one's "personal Lord and Savior" - that all need happen is you becoming aware of your sin and turning from it, case closed, one way ticket to the big luxury box in the sky. Now I am not suggesting that the grace offered in Jesus doesn't transform lives - I am simply saying that to limit God's redemption to your own life is to miss the way in which God working in you can then help bring others and even the whole world closer to the Way of Christ. Ours is a faith in Jesus felt deep within our own souls and expressed radically in our communities of worship and service.  In other words, the whole of Christianity is not just hearing a good sermon and feeling good about it.  Similarly it is not just about hanging out with Christian friends or going on a mission trip with them.  Rather it is a combination of personal and social holiness that reveals the power of the Holy Spirit to the world. Carl Links Freecycle Volunteer @ The NOAH Proj. The Food Jesus Ate Foot Washing Traveling Prayer Paths of JC The Penny Project Homeless Super Bowl Party King Britt Presents: Sister Gertrude The Modern Exchange Plowcreek, living collaboration Barna READ 1 Romans 12:4-5 - This passage talks about being members of Christ's body and how that makes us members of one another.  How do you feel connected to others through Christ?

Upcoming Events Information Sundays, May 7, 14, 28 LATE NIGHT BIBLE STUDY, 10 PM @ Dick O'Dows in Bham Topic: Your Cheatin' Book - Infidelity in the Bible Thursday, May 18 Emerge Community Worship/Coffeehouse, 8 PM Friday, May 26 Carl Thomas Gladstone, 7pm Live in Concert @ Adrian College for the Young Adult Seminarians Network gathering Thursday, June 1 Emerge Community Worship/Coffeehouse, 8 PM Mondays, May 8, 15, 29 LATE NIGHT BIBLE STUDY, 8 PM @ Sweetwaters in Royal Oak Topic: When Scriptures Kill - Murder in the Holy Bible Worship * Concerts * BibleStudies/Trips *

*For those new to this email list - each Thursday I send an e-message to students and young adults connected with BHAM First UMC, and with the developing EMERGE worship community for young adults.  These emails are meant to stay in touch with you, encourage you in your Christian journey, and pose some faith-filled questions that might spark some email correspondence.  If you have any questions about this list, just drop me an email at the address above. Peace.

.::Carl Thomas Gladstone::. 
Deacon, First UMC: Birmingham
“Original acoustic music on the prophetic edge”
www.carlthomasgladstone.com
ca...@carlthomasgladstone.com
(248)646-1200