Surrender in an age of power politics

 Following and Obedience Doesn’t Wait for Clarity

“The gospel of the Kingdom is not the gospel of upward mobility.

It’s not throwing your weight around nor talking loud  

It’s not a career path or a trajectory toward being the power elite  

It’s a descent.

A descent into love.

A descent into faithfulness.

A descent into the humble call of following Jesus with everything we have  

The gospel will conflict with the power boss  

It may involve criticism, persecution, gaslighting  

The gospel over rides the loneliness of protesting power  

The gospel is the way of Jesus, 

It won’t make sense to the systems of the world. Not to your boss. Not to your family. Not to your friends. Not to your peers. 

It’s not supposed to

It’s an entirely different way of being human.” - Aaron Salvato

In an age of division, anger, and uncertainty, I am confused about who to trust. As I listen to slander, manipulation of words without discernment of fact, pitting one group against another, I’m afraid of falling into an echo chamber. Some say they they want peace and harmony, yet do everything they can to incite fear and scarcity thinking. 

We say we’re praying about it. But if we’re honest, most of the time, we either hide, build walls and remain silent  

we’re simply resisting the discomfort of moving forward in the Lord without a full plan because our brains are trained to avoid uncertainty. The prefrontal cortex, which handles risk and prediction, equates “unknown” with “unsafe.” And so, what’s typically our next move? We stall. Not because we’re lacking peace, but because we’re lacking control. But this is where obedience reorients the soul.

When we choose to act on what God has said (even when the next ten steps aren’t visible), we begin to rewire our nervous systems. Eventually, our brains learn that uncertainty is not danger and that obedience is not a gamble. This is a very important step of development for the believer who is called to maturity as a son of God. In so doing, we stop waiting to feel safe before moving, and we start letting the Word define what safety means: that our words, thoughts, and actions are seated in the center of the presence of the Lord.

Obedience is the antidote to paralysis. It isn’t reckless, but rather, responsive. And the more we obey without demanding guarantees of outcomes from the Lord, the more our hearts are trained to walk by faith, and not by sight. That’s spiritual maturity. You see, the lamp doesn’t flicker because we don’t see far enough. It burns steadily, revealing the step the Lord is asking us to take today.

Now, this brings us to the counterfeit. In Isaiah 50:11, God confronts His people with a terrifying indictment. Here’s what the Scripture says: “Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches you have kindled! This you have from My hand: you shall lie down in torment.”

This is not a metaphor. It is a covenant judgment. And while the verse speaks directly to Israel’s rebellion, the principle carries forward, and it is this: when we refuse to walk by His Word, we will invent our own light. And whatever we invent will eventually consume us.

We light torches of emotional certainty. We craft lamps of cultural affirmation. We walk by the fires of self-justification and baptize them in spiritual language. We elevate preference over truth and call it discernment. We reject surrender and call it wisdom. But Isaiah’s warning is clear: the fire you make apart from Him will not guide you. It will consume you, because artificial light cannot sustain a soul. It burns bright for a moment, then turns to smoke. It offers comfort until it demands control. And by the time you realize it’s counterfeit, you’re already lost in the weeds of your own making.

Light treatment

 The BLU-U treatment (often used as part of Photodynamic Therapy or PDT) is generally considered a safe, non-invasive procedure for treating acne and precancerous skin lesions like actinic keratoses. However, it does carry specific short-term and rare long-term risks, particularly when used in combination with a photosensitizing agent like Levulan (aminolevulinic acid).  

1. Immediate & Short-Term Risks

The most common risks occur during or immediately following the procedure:

• Sensations During Treatment: Most patients experience stinging, burning, or a "prickling" sensation while under the light. This typically peaks a few minutes into the session.  

• Severe Sunburn-like Reaction: For 48 hours post-treatment, your skin is extremely photosensitive. Exposure to sunlight—or even bright indoor light—can cause severe redness, swelling, and painful burning.  

• Local Skin Reactions: It is common to experience redness (erythema), swelling (edema), scaling, and crusting that can last from one to four weeks.  

• Pigmentation Changes: Temporary darkening (hyperpigmentation) or lightening (hypopigmentation) can occur, particularly in individuals with darker skin tones.  

2. Specific Contraindications

The treatment is not safe for everyone. You should avoid BLU-U if you have:  

• Photosensitivity Disorders: Conditions like Lupus or Porphyria that make you sensitive to light.  

• Active Infections: Such as active cold sores in the treatment area.

• Pregnancy/Nursing: Although there is no evidence of direct harm, most providers avoid the treatment during pregnancy as a precaution.

3. Rare & Long-Term Considerations

While the BLU-U light itself does not contain UV radiation, there are minor risks to monitor:

• Eye Damage: Looking directly at the high-intensity blue light without the provided protective eyewear can damage the retina.  

• Temporary Memory Issues: Though extremely rare, some medical literature (and manufacturer brochures) notes that temporary memory problems have been reported following PDT with Levulan.  

• Skin Aging/Oxidative Stress: Some research suggests that prolonged or frequent blue light exposure can contribute to oxidative stress and premature skin aging (fine lines and wrinkles), though medical-grade treatments are usually too brief to cause significant damage compared to daily screen or sun exposure.  

Comparison of BLU-U Uses

The BLU-U treatment (often used as part of Photodynamic Therapy or PDT) is generally considered a safe, non-invasive procedure for treating acne and precancerous skin lesions like actinic keratoses. However, it does carry specific short-term and rare long-term risks, particularly when used in combination with a photosensitizing agent like Levulan (aminolevulinic acid).  

1. Immediate & Short-Term Risks

The most common risks occur during or immediately following the procedure:

• Sensations During Treatment: Most patients experience stinging, burning, or a "prickling" sensation while under the light. This typically peaks a few minutes into the session.  

• Severe Sunburn-like Reaction: For 48 hours post-treatment, your skin is extremely photosensitive. Exposure to sunlight—or even bright indoor light—can cause severe redness, swelling, and painful burning.  

• Local Skin Reactions: It is common to experience redness (erythema), swelling (edema), scaling, and crusting that can last from one to four weeks.  

• Pigmentation Changes: Temporary darkening (hyperpigmentation) or lightening (hypopigmentation) can occur, particularly in individuals with darker skin tones.  

2. Specific Contraindications

The treatment is not safe for everyone. You should avoid BLU-U if you have:  

• Photosensitivity Disorders: Conditions like Lupus or Porphyria that make you sensitive to light.  

• Active Infections: Such as active cold sores in the treatment area.

• Pregnancy/Nursing: Although there is no evidence of direct harm, most providers avoid the treatment during pregnancy as a precaution.

3. Rare & Long-Term Considerations

While the BLU-U light itself does not contain UV radiation, there are minor risks to monitor:

• Eye Damage: Looking directly at the high-intensity blue light without the provided protective eyewear can damage the retina.  

• Temporary Memory Issues: Though extremely rare, some medical literature (and manufacturer brochures) notes that temporary memory problems have been reported following PDT with Levulan.  

• Skin Aging/Oxidative Stress: Some research suggests that prolonged or frequent blue light exposure can contribute to oxidative stress and premature skin aging (fine lines and wrinkles), though medical-grade treatments are usually too brief to cause significant damage compared to daily screen or sun exposure.  

Comparison of BLU-U Uses

Levulan BLU-U treatment (Photodynamic Therapy or PDT) is highly effective for treating actinic keratoses (precancerous lesions) and severe acne, but it involves a significant period of light sensitivity.  

The risks are divided into the physical reactions during the procedure, the strict recovery period, and rare serious side effects.

1. Extreme Photosensitivity (40–48 Hour Risk)

The most critical risk is severe skin burning if you are exposed to light after the Levulan Kerastick solution is applied.

• The 48-Hour Rule: Your skin remains photosensitive for roughly 48 hours. You must avoid direct sunlight, indirect sunlight through windows, and even bright indoor lights (like desk lamps or exam lights).  

• Sunscreen Ineffectiveness: Standard sunscreens will not protect you from this specific chemical reaction. You must use physical barriers like wide-brimmed hats and stay in dimly lit rooms.  

• Reaction: Exposure can lead to a severe, painful "sunburn" with intense swelling and blistering.

2. Common Local Skin Reactions

Most patients experience a "downtime" period characterized by:

• Stinging & Burning: Intense prickling or burning occurs during the 16-minute blue light exposure. This usually plateaus after 6 minutes but can persist for 24 hours.  

• Erythema (Redness) & Edema (Swelling): Redness is universal and can last up to 2 weeks. Swelling is most common around the eyes if the face was treated.  

• Scaling & Crusting: The treated lesions will often crust over or peel. This is a sign the damaged cells are being shed and can last up to 4 weeks.  

3. Serious & Rare Risks

• Transient Amnestic Episodes: A rare but serious side effect reported by the manufacturer is temporary memory loss, confusion, or disorientation occurring during or shortly after treatment.  

• Pigmentation Changes: About 1% of patients experience temporary darkening (hyperpigmentation) or lightening (hypopigmentation) of the skin. Permanent changes are extremely rare.  

• Eye Damage: High-intensity blue light can damage the retina if protective goggles are not worn correctly during the session.  

• Infection: Though uncommon, the peeling skin can become infected or trigger a flare-up of the herpes simplex virus (cold sores).

Contraindications

You should not undergo this treatment if you have:

• Porphyria or known allergies to porphyrins.  

• Lupus or other photosensitivity disorders.  

• Skin sensitivity to blue light (400–450 nm wavelength).  

• Coagulation defects (this treatment has not been tested in patients with blood clotting issues).  

Comparison of Side Effects

When discussing "allergies to porphyrins" in the context of Levulan BLU-U treatment, it is important to distinguish between a true medical allergy (an immune response) and porphyria (a metabolic disorder). Both are strict contraindications for this treatment.

1. What is a Porphyrin Allergy?

A true allergy to porphyrins is an adverse immune reaction to the porphyrin molecules themselves or the ingredients in the Levulan Kerastick (which contains aminolevulinic acid, a precursor that your body turns into porphyrins).

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

• Hives or Urticaria: Itchy, raised red welts on the skin.

• Angioedema: Deep swelling, often around the face, lips, or tongue.  

• Severe Itching: Intense pruritus that occurs shortly after the solution is applied.

• Anaphylaxis (Rare): Difficulty breathing, rapid pulse, or a drop in blood pressure.

2. Porphyria (The More Common Risk)

Most people asking about "porphyrin allergies" are actually referring to Porphyria. This is a group of rare genetic disorders where your body cannot properly produce heme (a component of blood). This causes a toxic buildup of porphyrins in your system.  

If you have Porphyria, the Levulan BLU-U treatment is dangerous because:

• Extreme Photosensitivity: Porphyrins are naturally "light-activated." In people with porphyria, even normal sunlight causes the skin to blister, swell, and peel.  

• Systemic "Attacks": Adding more porphyrins to the body (via Levulan) could theoretically trigger a porphyria "attack," which includes severe abdominal pain, chest pain, and neurological issues like confusion or muscle weakness.  

3. Why the Doctor Asks

The Levulan solution works by intentionally creating a temporary, localized "porphyrin buildup" in your skin cells to make them sensitive to the blue light.

• If you are allergic: Your immune system will attack the solution immediately.

• If you have porphyria: Your body already has too many porphyrins, and the treatment could cause a severe, body-wide reaction rather than just treating the specific skin spots.

Summary Checklist

Having a history of food-induced anaphylaxis is something you must disclose to your healthcare provider, but it is not an automatic disqualification for Levulan BLU-U treatment.

The primary concern is not the food itself, but whether you are allergic to any of the specific chemical components in the medication.

1. Ingredient Check

While food and medication allergies are often unrelated, the Levulan Kerastick contains specific inactive ingredients that you should review with your allergist or dermatologist:

• Aminolevulinic acid HCl (Active)

• Alcohol USP (Ethanol content 48% v/v)  

• Isopropyl alcohol

• Laureth-4

• Polyethylene glycol (Note: This is a common ingredient in some medications and vaccines that can rarely trigger reactions in sensitized individuals).

• Water

2. The Risk of Anaphylaxis with Levulan

According to clinical data and the FDA label, Levulan can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, though this is rare. If you already have a history of anaphylaxis, your immune system may be more "reactive," making it crucial to have the treatment in a medical facility prepared to handle an emergency.  

Warning Signs of a Reaction to the Drug:

• Difficulty swallowing or throat tightness  

• Fast heartbeat or "racing" heart  

• Wheezing or trouble breathing  

• Sudden hives or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat  

3. Key Questions for Your Doctor

Before proceeding, you should ask your dermatologist:

1. "Does the Levulan solution contain any derivatives of the foods I am allergic to?" (For example, some medications use soy-based or nut-based oils, though Levulan's current inactive list does not explicitly show these).

2. "Since I have a history of anaphylaxis, will there be emergency equipment (EpiPen, oxygen, etc.) on-site during my application and light session?"

3. "Should I take an antihistamine before the appointment as a precaution?" (Only do this if they recommend it).

Summary Recommendation

If your anaphylaxis is strictly related to a specific food (like peanuts or shellfish) and you have no history of reacting to topical alcohols or PEG, the procedure is likely safe. However, you should only do it in a doctor's office—never a spa or non-medical setting—to ensure you have immediate access to life-saving care if a rare reaction occurs.

Would you like me to find the specific manufacturer's contact info so you can ask their medical team about cross-reactivity with your specific food allergens?

Having a history of food-induced anaphylaxis is a significant medical detail that you must share with your dermatologist before undergoing Levulan (aminolevulinic acid) treatment.

While food allergies and medication allergies are often separate, a history of anaphylaxis indicates a "highly reactive" immune system, which requires extra caution.

1. Ingredient & Cross-Reactivity Check

The Levulan Kerastick solution is topical, but it is absorbed into the skin. You should review the specific inactive ingredients with your doctor to ensure they don't trigger your specific sensitivities:

• Aminolevulinic acid HCl (Active)  

• Alcohol USP (48% ethanol)  

• Isopropyl alcohol

• Laureth-4 (A surfactant)  

• Polyethylene glycol (PEG): This is a critical one to check. PEG is a common stabilizer found in some foods and many medications/vaccines. If your past reactions were "unexplained," PEG is often a hidden culprit.  

2. Is there a specific risk for you?

There is no known direct link between common food allergens (like nuts, shellfish, or dairy) and Levulan. However, there are two specialized risks to consider:  

• The "Reactive" System: People with a history of anaphylaxis may be more prone to Contact Urticaria (hives) during the light-exposure phase. Clinical studies show that a small percentage of patients develop wheals or hives during the procedure, which is a histamine-mediated response.

• Soybean Note: Interestingly, some generic versions or similar PDT drugs (like Ameluz) have historically mentioned soybean phosphatidylcholine in their manufacturing or labeling. While the brand-name Levulan Kerastick does not list soy, it is always worth verifying if your specific food allergy involves soy.

3. Safety Precautions to Discuss

If you and your doctor decide to proceed, you should ask for the following safety measures:

• The "Wait-and-See": Ask if the doctor can apply a small amount of the solution to a "test patch" of skin before doing the full treatment to monitor for an immediate allergic reaction.

• On-Site Emergency Care: Since you have a history of anaphylaxis, confirm that the office has an Emergency Kit (Epinephrine/EpiPen and Benadryl) immediately available. Do not have this treatment in a non-medical spa or "med-spa" that lacks a physician on-site.

• Pre-medication: Some doctors suggest taking an oral antihistamine an hour before the appointment to dampen any potential mild allergic response (hives/itching).

Summary Recommendation

Your history of anaphylaxis makes you a higher-risk candidate for any medical procedure involving a drug application. However, if your food triggers are unrelated to the chemical components of Levulan, you can likely proceed safely provided it is done in a controlled medical environment.

Would you like me to find the contact information for the manufacturer (Sun Pharma) so you can ask their medical department about cross-reactivity with your specific food allergens?

Anger - Christine Cane

 “It is amazing how much anger just simmers, simmers. And then of course the algorithm, it just amplifies it. Because our algorithms, their design, man, keep people on.

The angrier they are, the better. We want the clickbait, we want the rage that sells, and you and I are being formed by this all the time. I don't know about you.

I can go online and literally I feel a visceral shift in my whole disposition as I'm going through and I'm reading comments or I'm scrolling through the things people say. Like I have banned myself from going on so that I don't react because it just fuels me and the anger fuels me. And this is what psychologists have said.

They said there's this phenomena and it's called the bitterness anger loop. And I looked at it and said this is a self-reinforcing cycle that transforms temporary hurt into permanent hostility. Welcome to 2026.

And the fact is it's affecting all of our relationships. It's affecting us psychologically, emotionally, physiologically and spiritually.

And the fact is it's become a macroeconomic force. The rage economy, this is how they're making money.

“It is their goal to make us get angry so we stay online longer and longer and longer. And the fact is they've monetised anger in the world that we're growing up in. The social media algorithms, they literally, literally promote content that triggers outrage because angry people click more, share more, and stay online more.

The data is there. And you and I are being formed in the midst of that, and we think it is normal. We are being sucked into this anger, bitterness loop, hook, line, and sinker.

It's kind of like anger, it's been said, is like dynamite. It blows up the very structures and foundations that are supposed to be holding us together. It disintegrates them, and we're watching it happen in real time in our lifetime.

It causes us to act and to say things that we later regret big time, and it wounds people, and it fractures relationships, and sometimes permanently. What happens is it causes us to go into this denial, and Naomi's poem and talk was so powerful, because our anger masks our fear and our shame. Listen, I had a PhD in this.

From Bridgetown Audio Podcast: 7 Deadly Sins: Anger, Jan 12, 2026

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bridgetown-audio-podcast/id84246334?i=1000744768076&r=918

This material may be protected by copyright.

Jesus Was My Co-Pilot

 For years, I used to keep a small picture of Jesus with the caption “Jesus is My Co-Pilot”.   With that mindset, I felt more motivated to try harder, be more, and achieve success.

(He is the greatest person who has ever lived, but this article is focusing on His growth strategies as applied in a ministry and business context.)

That statement isn’t true.

In the context of business, Jesus Christ wasn’t a marketer.

He was the greatest salesperson of all time.

We Live in a Marketing World—and It’s Confusing Us

We live in a world obsessed with marketing.

And don’t get me wrong…marketing matters.

But we’ve confused marketing with sales.

Because of bad experiences, manipulation, and religious trauma, many people recoil at the word sales. I get it. I’ve felt that resistance too.

But here’s the truth:

The Kingdom is not built on marketing.

The Kingdom is built on direct invitation, which is sales.

Jesus Didn’t Market Himself—He Sold Himself

Jesus didn’t broadcast ads.

He didn’t wait for virality.

He called people by name.

One by one.

Personally.

Directly.

He wasn’t discouraged by rejection.

He wasn’t bitter over betrayal.

He just kept inviting.

And when the crowds did grow too large, He deliberately taught in ways He knew would cause many to walk away.

He didn’t chase numbers.

He qualified disciples.

That’s sales.

The Holy Spirit still works this way today:

By invitation, intimately personal. Direct

Neuroplasticity and Scripture

 

The Christian Mind Reser substack

Scripture as Self-Talk (with a Neuroscience Lens)

The brain learns from repetition and will often treat what it hears repeatedly as believable, whether it is true or not, which is why it matters so much what we say to ourselves. Through neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change with repeated experience), our inner dialogue shapes the pathways our mind returns to.

Scripture has always modeled this.

David speaks directly to his own soul when fear and discouragement rise: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God” (Psalm 42:5). This is intentional self-talk, redirecting the mind before circumstances change.

Jeremiah does the same in the middle of grief: “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope” (Lamentations 3:21). Hope follows what the mind rehearses.

Habakkuk speaks truth ahead of relief: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord” (Habakkuk 3:18). Those words I will reflect a decision to guide the inner conversation.

Jesus models this under pressure by responding to temptation with Scripture already stored in His heart (Matthew 4:4–10), and Paul later reminds believers to take thoughts captive and focus on what is true (2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8).

Neuroscience helps explain why this works. When stress activates the amygdala (threat detection), intentional, truth-based self-talk helps reengage the prefrontal cortex (calm, perspective), allowing the nervous system to settle. Over time, repeated truth reshapes the default mode network (self-talk, rumination), forming a healthier mental baseline.

This is why God tells us to hide His Word in our hearts (Psalm 119:11) and meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2). These were never rigid rules, but loving guidance meant to shape hearts and minds toward life.

Scripture is not just something we read. It is meant to become the voice we return to.

Observe thoughts that come into your head. Write them down, then check the facts against God’s Word. If they are not aligned, find verses that are true and write those down beside the negative thoughts and start declaring God’s Truth over the negative thoughts that come to your mind. This will help with the renewal process and begin reprogramming your brain to align with God’s Word.

We will begin our weekly series on Self-Talk to help you practice these techniques.

Try these today.

Weekly Scripture as Self-Talk Series 

Week 1: When Fear Is Loud

Example 1- Verse: “God is our refuge and strength” (Psalm 46:1) Self-Talk: God is my refuge right now. I am not unsafe. (amygdala → prefrontal cortex)

Example 2- Verse: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God” (Isaiah 41:10)

Self-Talk: God is with me right now. I am not facing this alone.

(amygdala → prefrontal cortex)

This verse gives the anxious mind a clear safety cue. Repeating it helps calm threat detection and restores a sense of presence and support.

Example 2- Verse: “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14)

Self-Talk: I am intentionally created and deeply valued by God.

(neuroplasticity through repeated truth)

This verse speaks directly to identity. Repeating it helps replace critical inner narratives with truth rooted in God’s design rather than self-judgment.

Example 3-Verse: “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14)

Self-Talk: I am intentionally created and deeply valued by God.

(neuroplasticity through repeated truth)

This verse speaks directly to identity. Repeating it helps replace critical inner narratives with truth rooted in God’s design rather than self-judgment.

If you struggle with Scripture memorization, you are not alone. Start small and stay gentle with yourself. Write the verse out, place it where you will see it, say it aloud, and return to it often. Repetition matters, and over time God’s Word begins to settle into the heart.

“We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

You don’t have to memorize everything at once. Even one verse, repeated often, can become a steady anchor for your mind and soul.

Neuroscience shows your brain does not automatically evaluate truth or lies. It responds to repetition.

When a thought is repeated, the brain strengthens the neural pathway connected to it. 

Over time that pathway becomes familiar and automatic. 

This is neuroplasticity. It explains why repeated negative thoughts can begin to feel true even when there is no evidence to support them.

Research from cognitive neuroscience shows that repeated self talk shapes emotion focus and behavior. 

The brain often prioritizes familiarity over accuracy when forming habits. 

What you rehearse becomes what your mind returns to by default.

This is why Scripture emphasizes renewing the mind. 

God designed the brain to be shaped by what it repeatedly takes in. 

When we intentionally repeat truth especially God’s Word new pathways form and lies lose their power.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

Romans 12:2

Take every thought captive to Christ. 

2 Corinthians 10:5

 References

Doidge, N. (2007). The brain that changes itself.

Hebb, D. O. (1949). The organization of behavior.

Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive behavior therapy.

——

Your mind believes what you tell it.

Your brain changes based on what you believe.

That’s neuroplasticity.

Neuroscience shows that repeated thoughts strengthen neural pathways.

What you return to again and again becomes easier for your brain to access.

That’s why beliefs matter.

But as believers, we don’t place our hope in the universe or vague positivity.

We anchor our minds in truth.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 

When you believe this truth, your brain begins organizing around it.

Hope circuits strengthens

Fear pathways weaken.

Meaning replaces chaos.

This isn’t mind-over-matter.

This is mind-under-God.

Neuroplasticity explains how the brain changes.

Scripture reveals what it should be shaped by.

Renewing your mind isn’t passive.

It’s the brain responding to truth the way God designed it to.

- the Christian mind reset

In the company of friends

Excerpts from “The Resurrection Life” by Eugene Peterson

Questions for discussion:

1.  How do we often think living the Christian life is a sole life project? 

2.  How do American men have difficulty with following Christ within the context of a tight knit community,?

3.  How is a company of friends helping you live as a follower of Christ?

4.  What stands in your way of building relationships that demonstrate the resurrection life (as Eugene Peterson describes)?

5.  How can a small group transform your life far more than living the Christian life on your own?

 “IN THE COMPANY OF FRIENDS

Spiritual formation not only should not be—but also cannot be—professionalized. It takes place essentially in the company of friends, of peers.

Jesus’ resurrection takes place in the company of friends who know each other by name, some of whom we know by name. The resurrection is not an impersonal exhibit put on display before crowds. Resurrection is experienced in a network of personal relationships. The named people remind us that the resurrection takes place among men and women like us—puzzled, bewildered, confused, questioning, and even stubbornly doubting friends. And yes, also singing and believing and praying and obeying friends.

All this derives from the Trinity: personal relations, not impersonal formation.

Matthew provides us with the first canonical account of a company of friends being spiritually formed into the resurrection life (see 28:16-20). Two women, Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary,” in Matthew’s telling of the story, are met by the risen Christ on a Sunday morning and are ordered to tell the disciples. Jesus calls them “my brothers” (verse 10, MSG). He tells them to go to Galilee where he will meet them.

They do it—eleven of them (the Twelve minus Judas). They go to the mountain they had been directed to, and Jesus meets them there. But it was an oddly equivocal meeting, for “some doubted” (verse 17).

How can that be? “They worshiped,” true, but “some doubted.” Which ones? Wouldn’t you like to know which ones? How many? Was it a few? Was it most of them? A majority? A minority? And for how long? Was it momentary? Did it continue for days afterward? Maybe through a lifetime?

Here’s the thing: Jesus doesn’t seem to require a unanimous vote before proceeding. He goes ahead and addresses all of them simply as a company of friends—worshipers and doubters alike. And his address is a command to continue the work he has begun in and with them, accompanied by his promise to be with them as they do it:

“God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (verses 18-20, MSG)

Three verbs activate their resurrection life: train, baptize, and instruct.

There are no spiritual elites

“My first observation in this regard is that recognizing and responding to Jesus’ resurrection is not a private experience. It takes place in the company of others. We know about the two closed-room meetings in Jerusalem on successive Sundays—first with thirteen and then with eleven. Paul also cites the experience of the resurrection occurring among companies of friends—the Twelve, the “more than five hundred,” and “all the apostles” (1 Corinthians 15:5-7). Earlier we noted the two at the Emmaus supper, the seven on the Galilean beach, Matthew’s two Marys, Mark’s three women bringing embalming spices to the tomb, and Luke’s four-plus women on their way to care for Jesus’ body.

The two partial exceptions are the first and the last reports that have been given to us. But they are only partial, for Mary Magdalene’s meeting with Jesus in the garden—the first report—was in the context of much coming and going and reporting as the resurrection news was flying about. She certainly didn’t hold herself aloof as a privileged “first.” And Paul’s meeting with Jesus on the Damascus road—the last report—was in the company of others who heard but didn’t see what was going on. The immediate consequence was Paul’s submission to the company and wisdom of others. Paul, in his Corinthian letter, makes a reference to this and refuses to put himself even on a par with the resurrection witnesses, describing himself as bringing up the rear and disclaiming any position. ”

“A PERSONAL AND RELATIONAL KIND OF KNOWING

A second observation reinforces this personal and relational aspect of life formed by the resurrection of Jesus: Twice in these stories of resurrection friends, there are references to the Trinity, the company of the Godhead.

When in Matthew’s account Jesus commissions his disciples from the Galilean mountain, he orders them to make disciples everywhere in the world, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (28:19).”

“THE CONGRUENCE OF ACCOUNTS

My third observation notes the congruence of the Gospel writers’ stories of resurrection with Paul’s six resurrection texts. Resurrection brings our lives into the operations of the gospel. Resurrection gives spiritual formation its energy and character. Here are the six texts:

Romans 6:4: “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Romans 8:11: “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you.”

Ephesians 2:5-6: “[God] made us alive together with Christ . . . and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

“Philippians 3:10: “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

Colossians 2:12: “You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.”

Colossians 3:1: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”

Here are the elements to notice:

“As Christ was raised . . . we too”

“He who raised Christ . . . will give life to your mortal bodies”

“Raised us up with him”

“That I may know . . . the power of his resurrection”

“You were also raised with him”

“If then you have been raised with Christ”

All of Paul’s pronouns are in the plural—we, us, you, your. The one exception—Paul’s “I” in Philippians—is hardly an exception, for he is giving witness to what he is intending for them to experience. He’s not setting himself apart as an expert or as a privileged example of resurrection living.

THE HOLY BREATHING

A fourth observation: Paul’s insistence that we participate in the same resurrection as Jesus is congruent with Jesus’ actions and words to his assembled disciples on the evening of his resurrection when he “breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:22). “The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead”—that’s Paul’s phrase in Romans 8:11—is the same Spirit that Jesus breathed on them. Jesus’ followers live resurrection-formed lives, not by watching him or imitating him or being influenced by him, but by being raised with him. It’s formation-by-resurrection.

There’s an interesting echo of the Creation story in this. The word John uses for Jesus’ action in breathing the Holy Spirit on them—emphusaõ—is the same verb used in Genesis 2 for God’s breathing the “breath of life” into the human form he had just made, resulting in a “living being” (verse 7).”

“A culture of autonomy sets a high value on independence and self-sufficiency. It’s supposed to be a good thing not to have to ask anyone for help. It’s held up as an achievement to get where we want on our own. Every automobile, every computer puts us a little more “in charge” of our lives. But at the same time, it isolates us from others. We don’t need others.

But what if there are things, experiences, values, and pleasures that we can have only in the company of others—like resurrection? A studied and cultivated independence diminishes the capacity for resurrection and dulls our awareness of resurrection.

At the same time that autonomy physically separates us from personal relationships with others, a culture of professionalism separates our sense of common life with others. If we have learned to rely and depend on a professional class for our health, our automobile repairs, our legal affairs, and our religious well-being, the ordinary people with whom we live—the ones we have the most to do with (our acquaintances, our neighbors, and frequently the members of our own family)—diminish in dignity. And when we ourselves are constantly treated by the experts as either consumers or victims, we too are left without much sense of dignity.

THE PRACTICE OF RESURRECTION

The resurrection life is a practice. It’s not something we practice like practicing musical scales or practicing our golf swing. It is practice in the more inclusive sense in which we say a physician has a practice—work that defines both his or her character and workday. Physicians don’t practice on sick people. They enter the practice of healing. We use the word practice similarly in phrases such as the practice of law, the practice of diplomacy, the practice of prayer. This is the sense in which we practice resurrection—we engage in a life that is permeated by the presence and companionship of the resurrected Jesus in the company of friends.

I’m interested in recovering this comprehensive sense of the Christian life under the conditions of our dailyness and ordinariness—our practice. It’s not something that we go to retreat centers and conferences and special gatherings to practice but rather the life of resurrection that is practiced in the dailyness of home and workplace.”

“Lord Jesus Christ, we come to you with a deep sense of gratitude, care, concern, devotion, love for you, and desire to live responsively to you. We sense that we’re with friends in your company of followers—friends who share the life of resurrection and want others to get in on it, notice it, and begin participating at the center of what you’re doing rather than on the periphery. We pray for strength and discernment to understand the culture we are in—the deadening effects, the seductive lures. We pray that whatever has been said in these pages can be used—some of it, at least—to sharpen what we’re doing. We ask your blessing on your church—scattered and dispersed and so much of it in despair. We pray that wherever we are and whatever places we go back into—whether it’s pew or pulpit—we may be part of this resurrection life, knowing that you are present and doing your work. You’re not anxious about what is going to happen or whether this is going to work or not. It’s worked a long, long time and will continue working. Mostly, keep us faithful, attentive, adorational, sacrificial, and personal. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

- Excerpt From Living the Resurrection by Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

That’s the end of the story as Matthew tells it. Matthew isn’t”

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.

Excerpt From

Living the Resurrection

Eugene H. Peterson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/living-the-resurrection/id833639626

This material may be protected by copyright.