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"...........When it becomes easier to be a Christian the Jesus movement kinda loses its steam. I actually get really concerned about the future, about areas where it becomes easier and easier and more comfortable. The worst thing is when Christians get comfortable, when there is no suffering. That is when the Jesus movement isn't at its best. We do best underneath the empire, we do best on the margins, we do best when your boot is on our neck. Cause then we're totally dependent on the grace of God. It's suffering where our God shines. When every thing's fine we don't really need God. Actually, what terrifies me is if the Christian movement ever became in meshed with power structures. Like I'll tell you what would be terrifying, is a Christian nation. A Christian nation that would use the sword in the name of Jesus. That would be anti-christ in it's origin, because what Jesus said was to put away your sword. What terrifies me is that you could have a Christian nation that forced and compelled people, this movement doesn't work because if we were to force and compel people then we would be just like you (Roman Empire). The only way our movement works is with desire, it only works with love, it only works cause you glimpse something you want more than anything. If it ever became compulsory, if it ever became like be a Christian or else. If being a Christian ever became synonymous with being part of the empire or the nation, that would be the worst thing ever. If there were a group of Christians who thought they were right, who tried to vote and use their influence to simply dominate over everybody else that wouldn't be what Jesus had in mind. You have got to understand that this movement thrives when it is on the underside of power. This movement, we thrive when we are weak. Because then God can be strong.........."


Rob Bell- What Has Happened To Me, Mars Hill 2-9-2008


Rob Bell is talking from the perspective of Paul in this sermon. I thought that it was an interesting way of doing it. He doesn't tell you that is what he is doing, but just listening you just get it. This sermon just stuck with me, mainly because it was different but also because of the last five minutes or so. The whole thing is worth a listen to. I just transcribed a portion of the last five minutes. It is the part that really stuck out to me in my listening.

Luggage...............

Part 1



Part 2





At one point he says that to forgive someone you have to actually wish them well. You have to hope for good things to happen to them. I heard that and thought, wow. That is really hard to do. Hearing that really stuck out and now that I have heard it, it is like duh that makes perfect sense.

Another Rob Bell post.........

If you have been to anybodies blog who went to see Rob Bell last night you have read a post about his talk. Well I am not going to get into specifics about it, because I cannot do it justice. He is an amazing teacher. He talked for about an hour and a half but it felt like it was only a few minutes. He gave so much to think about my brain was about to explode. All last night and today I have been thinking that I want to sit and listen to the talk again. I hope that they have a dvd of the tour released like they did with "Everything is Spiritual".