Grace Bivouaced Here

[Carl Thomas Gladstone]

November 26,  2006 As Christmas lights are hung and holiday shopping commences our yearly reminder of God's ridiculous and excessive grace comes closer and closer.  Jesus, the savior, will come (as a regular ol' baby nonetheless) into a world fraught with evil. Now I am a new godfather (props to my god-boy Casey!) and I am prepared to say that there probably isn't much more fragile a thing than a baby in the face of nuclear weapons, multinational corporate crime, and global warming - I wonder what God was thinking.  Babies are just about as in need as really old people and have about none of the life experience with which to mitigate that predicament.  But even the totality of Jesus' life only could give us a 34 year glimpse into the fullness of God's new community. But perhaps that is the message, that the Good News will be shared not by the impressive ministry of a few good men, but by the shared ministry of every human being that passes through this world. Jesus and his teachings are a redeeming alternative to the evils occurring in the world.  We would do well to share in the process of God's community building that he gave vision of.  Just remember, if we take this December 25th baby seriously, along with changing the world we should be ready to be changed ourselves as well. Yours in Christ, Carl Thomas Gladstone READ John 1:14-18 - How do you feel knowing that we follow a God who came to live with us, and continues to work through us by the power of the Holy Spirit?  Does that make you more sure of God's ultimate victory?  Does our necessary responsibility in following that God seem scary?	Emerge:Detroit Subscribe to the podcast! GATHER the EMERGE community Royal Oak Friends in Faith YAFF: Rochester Newburg YA Fellowship Wesley Foundation UofM GROW The Wesley Project Soulstretch GO The NOAH Proj. Cass Community Baldwin Center Sierra Service Project City Year: Detroit Project Transformation PT: Oklahoma PT: Virginia US-2 Program Peace Corps Jesuit Volunteer Corps Young Leaders Initiative
*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, mi | 248.646.1200 | cglad...@fumcbirmingham.org