The Family of Christ

As Christmas draws near, I would hope family would draw near, too. Not just Moms and Dads and sisters and brothers, but the intimate family of Christ. In America, we celebrate freedoms other countries may seldom, if at all, have the opportunity to share: speech, religious expression, property rights. But in life, we have the freedom to live in the fullness of Christ's open arms.

But am I fully open to Christ? We? The church? But of course! - for the most part.

It is the other part of Christianity - indeed, we all can be the "other part" when all feels inside out - that makes non-believers shake their heads and laugh or scoff at our convictions. Who are you to judge our values? they ask. I heard about the crusades. I heard about the Scriptural basis for slavery.

Now, this is no entry on biblical interpretion: it's an interpretation of the Christian lens, and I say it's quite dirty, or at the very least, convoluted. It's an ugly word, but those who don't know Christ are quick to point the convolusion out to us and others (Golden Compass debate, anyone?).

Check out my podcast below for some Scriptural encouragement, because we have cause to be uneasy, unsatisfied, and yet fearless all at once . . . just pause the playlist a bit to listen in. :)

finalpodcast1.mp3 [right click the link at left to open audio seperately, or click below to begin the audio right away]

TRT: 3:00 with music bookends (2:30 original audio)

Today's musical accompaniment by the Christian-esque a cappella jazz group, m-pact.

God bless, everyone. May your heart be warm, and your spirit light.

-PD