On Remaining a Barbarian

Thought it was worth a re-post - Even if it's just for my own reminder...

I've been re-reading Erwin McManus' The Barbarian Way recently.  He speaks of how real Christianity is not about religion, but an encounter with the Crucified & Resurrected Christ...  He talks about how western Christianity seems to domesticate us and hinder us from living more like Christ in our everyday lives.

This jives with my own understanding of the Christian life not being one of religious compartmentalization, but, of a relationship with Christ that totally, unabashedly, uncontrollably encompasses every aspect of our lives - At home, in our schools, workplaces, places of recreation, our church, and our world!

I was thinking about how unleashed and untamed I was after my conversion as a 25-year-old man on that mountain top in Pagosa Springs, Colorado over a quarter of a century ago.  I didn't reason everything to fit nicely into a tidy packaged religious box, but simply TRUSTED the intuition as one who had been mysteriously, yet miraculously changed!  The old instantly disappeared and everything was truly becoming new -- A new attitude - new behavior - new understanding - new passion - new motive - new relating to others - New - everything new!

I didn't know much of the Bible, nor many Christian words and phrases - I hadn't a clue about church polity, denominational stances, nor religious protocols.  I just had this inner assurance that somehow, because of Jesus, I was radically different from the man I had been before that amazing God-encounter on that mountain.

And now, in my third decade of pastoral ministry, pastoring one of the top 50 United Methodist Churches in our nation, I plead with the God on that mountain to never let me lose that assurance, peace and passion - To continually rejuvenate my weary soul and let that innocent, wandering seeker deep inside my spirit continue to be free to pursue - Simply pursue my God, my Maker, my King and my Savior!

Lord, please don't allow me to ever become so civilized and domesticated - That I leave behind that barbarian you birthed on that mountain top!

Comments

[Lemmings]

Tommy,

I have meant to talk to you these last 3-4 Sundays, but have been distracted. I wanted to see if you had read "Jesus in the Margins" by Rick McKinley.

The book is awesome! Give it a read sometime.

[Jeff Swartz]

Tommy, there is so much about you I do not know. You are an inspiration to my growth. You sharing your faith had me thinking about mine.
I believe my thrive for life and l my love for the Lord comes from my Jewishness, persecution because I accepted Christ, and G-d's grace which saved a sinful man like me.
Blessings to you.