tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5693617853908508572.post148332023228564337..comments2023-10-22T06:42:51.797-04:00Comments on Students of Jesus: Monday Meditation: Rethinking the Daily MailRay Hollenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035600094853593399noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5693617853908508572.post-42450795720385245892011-10-17T23:32:58.885-04:002011-10-17T23:32:58.885-04:00In my view your pastor (and you) have it just righ...In my view your pastor (and you) have it just right. "Repent" is actually the first word of the gospel message. John the Baptist, who was perhaps more Old Testament hard-core in his approach than makes me comfortable, went so far as to demand evidence of repentance--and I don't think he would've settled for tears!rayhollenbachnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5693617853908508572.post-73759527167339861742011-10-17T22:30:14.489-04:002011-10-17T22:30:14.489-04:00I love this: "To receive good news, to really...I love this: "To receive good news, to really receive it—to take it in and discover a new freedom—requires a new way of thinking." We like to think if there's good news right there we can simply receive it, but I think you're exactly right in suggesting that it takes more preparation and openness. <br /><br />Also, it's interesting that you're writing about repentance. A few years ago that would have been one of my least favorite words, but now it's a word I like quite a bit. My change in perspective came when my pastor explained repentance as happening in two parts—the turning away from something AND the turning toward something else (something better). Sort of fits right in with what you said here: "...the old order of things was condemned and a new order was made real."Kristin T. (@kt_writes)http://www.halfwaytonormal.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5693617853908508572.post-56435456226794178332011-10-17T21:49:36.308-04:002011-10-17T21:49:36.308-04:00Thanks, Ed. Our popular notions of repentance don&...Thanks, Ed. Our popular notions of repentance don't really seem to produce much life change, do they?rayhollenbachnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5693617853908508572.post-40497810927737409462011-10-17T21:48:33.620-04:002011-10-17T21:48:33.620-04:00You're welcome. From time to time I teach a Ch...You're welcome. From time to time I teach a Christian studies class at a nearby university. At the beginning of each semester I assign a paper, "what would my world be like if heaven broke through to the here and now?" I do so in order to help students break free of the idea that heaven is only for later, because heaven (at least parts of it) are also for now.rayhollenbachnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5693617853908508572.post-74362618661099255652011-10-17T16:16:13.408-04:002011-10-17T16:16:13.408-04:00What's going to stick with me is the idea of H...What's going to stick with me is the idea of Heaven breaking into my life, right here and right now. That image is strong and hefty, like comfort. Thank you.jenluithttp://twitter.com/jenluitnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5693617853908508572.post-39264537845580961832011-10-17T12:57:35.756-04:002011-10-17T12:57:35.756-04:00I love how you put this Ray. I think of repentance...I love how you put this Ray. I think of repentance as being sorrowful, but it really is all about taking a step in the direction. Great stuff to ponder. I really need this... more often than I care to admit!Ed_Cyzewskihttp://www.inamirrordimly.comnoreply@blogger.com