Pastor Bolick-Lang
Spiritual Transformation: Loving Jesus
Dear friends,
One of the best books I have ever read is a book called Loving Jesus by Mark Powell. It's a surprisingly insightful and down to earth book about growing in faith. Mark Powell teaches at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Ohio and one interesting fact about him is that he was a freelance writer for Rolling Stone magazine at one time and has published a (huge!) encyclopedia of Christian Rock music. To give you an idea of what the book is like, here is an excerpt from the introduction of Loving Jesus:
- Many people today seem to be interested in becoming "more spiritual..." When people say they want to be "more spiritual," what exactly do they mean? They probably have some idea regarding how spiritual people talk or act or think and they want to be more like that themselves - but there's more. They want to be changed within. They don't just want to copy the way spiritual people act or talk or think; they want to be spiritual people themselves, transformed from the inside out. What they want, I think, is to love God... Becoming people who love God is the only reliable path to being more spiritual. Loving God transforms people from within and connects them to something eternal and ultimate.
- For Christians, such devotion is often directed to Jesus Christ, through whom God is made known. Christians may describe themselves as people who "follow Jesus" or who "believe in Jesus"; such expressions can be euphemisms for what they really mean but avoid saying because the language is so intimate. Christians are people who love Jesus…There is something undeniably appealing about it - the notion of being in a relationship with God or Jesus. We should at least note what the Bible says about those who love Jesus and the God whom Jesus makes known: they are loved back (John 14:21; 16:27); indeed they inevitably come to discover that God has loved them first (1 John 4:19).
I would love it if you would join me on Sunday, April 11, to see if you might enjoy reading Loving Jesus with a group of people interested in growing in faith together. We will meet from 9:30 until 10:30, you can look at the book, and order one at that time (unless you choose to order one yourself from Amazon or another bookseller, which is also fine). To order from Amazon, click here.
Christ's peace to you,
Pastor Joseph
(423)282-2313 Office
(423)768-1100 Home
(704)798-8037 Cell
Josephbolick@hotmail.com
A Look Back at 2009
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace and peace are yours in abundance! Amen
As I think back over the year that was 2009 I am solidly aware that God is at work in the life of Our Saviour. It has been an honor and joy, as a pastor and a person, for me to walk alongside you in the journey of faith in this year.
Personally, the big event for Sarah and me in 2009 was our marriage and we both have been deeply, deeply thankful for the support of OSLC and Grace - Boone.
Pastorally, it has been a deep joy to be in my third year of ministry with OSLC and I continue to be thankful for lively worship, life-giving fellowship, and faithful study of and service to Christ in the world.
Even as we reflect with thanksgiving on the year that has come and gone, 2010 is upon us and I feel that there is so much to look forward to, just a few of which begin in January!
+ Our mission trip with Appalachia Service Project
+ Continued meetings of 4x4 groups and the all possibilities of this small group ministry
+ Youth Bible Study in the season of Lent
+ Being shaped by the Gospel according to Luke this year as we gather from Sunday to Sunday in worship (this will be my first time through the Luke cycle as a pastor and it is a beautiful and compelling witness to Christ)
+ Wonderful Wednesdays which begins January 6
As we begin this new year together, we might pray this prayer together:
Direct us, Lord God, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and extend to us your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name; and finally, by your mercy, bring us to abundant life; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen
God's blessings in Christ Jesus to you in 2010!
Pastor Joseph