We are all in this together

Jon Spadino at Spadinofamily blog writes a lot about intimacy.  Intimacy with each other and with the Lord.  Recently he wrote about living in the “sweet spot” of the Gospel, and how that affects our attempts at intimacy.  I want to acknowledge up front that a lot of what follows is his.

Occasionally I will send out a note expressing my weariness with how life is going.  The group of men that I trust with this kind of communication is limited to five or six men.  Sometimes I do not hear anything back from them.  Other times I will get one or two comments, or maybe someone will say something the next time we see each other.  One thing I really appreciate is the occasional word of encouragement that says, “We are all in this together.”

We are all in this together, trying to live in the sweetspot of the Gospel.  We are more sinful and weak than we ever dared to admit and… We are more loved and accepted than we ever dared to hope.  It is humbling to remember, and gratifying to know that I am surrounded by a group of guys that are trying to live in the sweet spot of the Gospel.  Struggling to get to the “main thing,” as Jon Spadino would say.

All for Faith

Jesus let Lazarus die.

Transparency, Transparency, Transparency

The gift of presence is a rare and beautiful gift To come unguarded, undistracted, and be fully present and fully engaged with the one whom we are with. Have you noticed in reading the Gospels that people enjoyed being around Jesus? They wanted to be near him – to share a meal, take a walk, have a lingering conversation. It was the gift of his presence. When you were with him, you felt he was offering you his heart. When we offer our unguarded presence, we live like Jesus. And we invite others to do the same.

This quote from Captivating by John Eldridge, is aimed at women, but I could not help but apply it to our lives together as men.  I am often so distracted by my own problems that I do not make myself present to listen to the man in front of me.  It is always rewarding when I manage to  “Stop, Look, and Listen” (good sermon title).  When I find myself with a brother who is truly seeing and hearing me, I need to be prepared to offer myself unguarded, not my self, but God in me.  In the end it all comes down to three words…Transparency, Transparency, Transparency.