Some of you may have caught Nouwen’s concluding remark at the end of the Prologue in which he refers to what happened on the trip he made with Bill to Washington D.C. to speak to church leaders. That story is in the Epilogue of this book…I think you’ll be blessed by it!
One of the comments you made this week referred to the question: “Did becoming older bring me closer to Jesus?” The question itself implies that aging and getting closer to Jesus are not necessarily one and the same thing.
Henri Nouwen says of himself, “After 25 years of priesthood, I found myself praying poorly, living somewhat isolated from other people, and very much preoccupied with burning issues. Everyone was saying that I was doing really well, but something inside was telling me that my success was putting my own soul in danger…”
It was his moving into a community for mentally handicapped people that God used to restore Nouwen to a place of nearness to Jesus and authenticity as a minister of the Gospel. In that place where his giftings and accomplishments meant nothing to his companions, he made discoveries about Christian leadership that are rooted in the cross and the life and ministry of Jesus.
As you read chapter one of In the Name of Jesus, ask the Holy Spirit to make the teachings there real to your life, whether or not you are in a “formal” position as a Christian leader. The truths apply to all of us who have any influence in others’ lives.
In this book Nouwen exposes the three fundamental temptations for Christian ministers, and these are based on Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness as found in Matthew 4:1-11; then he looks at Jesus’ call to Peter to be an overseer of the flock in John 21:15-19. Finally, he suggests a particular discipline to practice that can help us overcome the temptation.
In chapter one, is there a way in which you can identify with the temptation to the relevant?
Why does Nouwen suggest contemplative prayer as the spiritual discipline that helps save us from the temptation to be relevant?
The Lord bless you this week and be near you as you draw near to Him!
Thursday, August 03, 2006
In The Name of Jesus - Week #1
Welcome to our new book, In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen.
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This week we'll cover the first two chapters of N.T. Wright's book, Simply Jesus . These chapters are part of the first section abou...
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In chapter three, N.T.Wright describes the "perfect storm" that is swirling around Jesus today; in chapters four and five he uses ...
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Chapter 6 begins the second section of the book, Simply Jesus . In the first part N.T.Wright deals with who Jesus was; the second part is ab...
When I got to the end of the Epilogue, I had goosebumps on my arms. What a powerful story!
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure if this is what is meant by being relevant, but I’ve been job searching and have been discouraged because employers advertise for certain skills and personality + in their employees. It seems intimidating. And I don’t like trying to sell myself, but in order to be “relevant” in the work force, I must demonstrate certain qualities and promote myself. Seems the “World” has it’s idea of the perfect employee. I’ve asked the Lord for the ability to rest in Him and what He has done in me…and that He’ll show me the job I’m to have. A friend told me I should dye my gray hair and get some new clothes for interviews, but there’s a part of me that says that’s so superficial…that someone should want me because of who I am, not what I look like. I’ve struggled with all this and maybe that’s not so bad because it’s made me go to Jesus more. I want to just “Be” in Him without all the peripheral. Nita, is this what Nouwen is talking about?
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure if this is what is meant by being relevant, but I’ve been job searching and have been discouraged because employers advertise that they want a certain look, certain skills and personality + in their employees. It is intimidating for an older person like me. And I don’t like trying to sell myself, but in order to be “relevant” in the work force, I must demonstrate certain qualities and promote myself and look “professional.” Seems the “World” has its idea of the perfect employee. I’ve asked the Lord for the ability to rest in Him and what He has done in me…and that He’ll show me the job I’m to have. A friend told me I should dye my gray hair and get some new clothes for interviews, but there’s a part of me that says that’s so superficial…that someone should want to employ me because of who I am, not what I look like (and I’m not saying I shouldn’t look nice, but do I have to be “polished”?). I’ve struggled with all this and maybe that’s not so bad because it’s made me go to Jesus more. I want to just “Be” in Him without all the peripheral. Nita…or anyone else, is this what Nouwen is talking about? Maybe I’m reading too much into this.
ReplyDeleteI love this book because I can understand it. By that I do not pretend to think I am getting it all, but I just love the way he writes and how it is set up.
ReplyDeleteThe question "Do you love me?" has become so much more alive to me as I read this part of the chapter. We all ask that in ourselves, don't we? We are constantly trying to sense if we are accepted/loved by those around us. Bigger yet, does God love me and how do I know for sure? BUT then to think of God asking me if I love Him is mind-boggling to say the least. Why does He care if I love Him when there are so many others that seem so much more important to Him? Wow! More and more as I grow in Him I can sense His love and longing to have me along side Him and yet it still amazes me. I want to be so in love with Jesus that there begins to be a heart like His heart---"that forgives, that cares, that reaches out and wants to heal...No suspicion, no vindictiveness, no resentment, and not a tinge of hatred". Can my heart be so simple that it can get closer? This is my prayer and petition.
This is in response to Anonymous. I know this format is for the purpose of the book but truthfully, I haven't started it yet. I hope the rest of you will bear with me as I reply to Anonymous. I am a manager and was a supervisor for 15+ years. I have hired a lot of people and I wanted the opportunity to respond. Realistically, you don't need to dye your hair or buy new clothes but you do need to sell yourself. The person interviewing you has about an hour to learn everything they can to make an effective hiring decision on behalf of the company they work for. Hiring is an investment by a company and they want the best people they can get working for them. That means the person needs hard skills and soft skills. If you go to an interview well-groomed and appropriately dressed, that's the first impression. A firm handshake, eye contact, a confident voice, the ability to answer questions thoughtfully and thoroughly, a demonstration that you plan on being dependable, getting along with others, a willingness to learn and work hard....that will get you a job! God will open the doors for the "right job", your part will already have been done.
ReplyDeleteI like Nouwen's definition of a mystic: "a person whose identity is deeply rooted in God's first love." So often our notions of a "mystic" are of a weird and strange person who isn't in touch at all with life here on earth, but I believe that's a mistaken idea of mystic.
ReplyDeleteI know that as I have learned to wait in contemplation of the Lord (whether that be in conscious prayer time or just pausing during a busy day to look at Him), my sense of identity as His beloved has grown enormously! That's why I appreciate Nouwen's proposing that the discipline of contemplation is required of us if we hope to have and/or keep an eternal perspective on our own lives and what's happening in the world around us.
I was really blessed by what Nonie wrote about God wanting and seeking for our love...I had some similar thoughts and feelings about Jesus' words to Peter when I was reading this section of Nouwen's book. Thanks, Nonie!
ReplyDeleteIn response to the question by "Anonymous" related to being relevant, I appreciate what M.W. shared; it reminded me of what Andrew Murray says about humility, which is that humility is simply acknowledging the truth about ourselves and about others. So when in a situation that requires that you let a person know what you are capable of, humility states the facts, knowing that these gifts and abilities are from the Creator God and that it is not wrongful pride to acknowledge that.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Nouwen's word about relevance is so much about conforming or not conforming to the externals of the culture as it is about conforming to the mindset of the world system, which is that for me to get my sense of significance (which we all need), I must get it in the approval and affirmation of those around me. If I am secure in the Father's affection for me, then I can live in peace without the approval of others when that's not there.
Your confidence in God's love for you and for others will go a long way in causing others to see you in a light that they cannot deny (even if they don't hire you!).
The Lord bless you and open up the place He has appointed for you!
I appreciate what M.W. said. Thank you. What are hard skills and soft skills? I know this doesn't relate to the book. Please excuse us for taking a bunny trail...
ReplyDeleteOh...I really like what Nita said, too. Thank you, Nita.
ReplyDeleteHard Skills are what the job requirements are. You don't want to apply for a job that requires computer skills like DB2 or JAVA, if you don't have them or if it is a Customer Service job, do you meet the requirements for the amount of experience they are looking for? Soft skills are the competencies such as communication, professionalism, performance management and interpersonal skills. Look at the job posting and identify on your resume that you meet each of the requirements they are looking for. Have a clear resume and then think about and prepare for the questions they will ask...Why do you want this job?, Tell me about a time that you didn't get along with an employee, how did you handle it? What are your strengths and what are your areas of development? Prepare for how to answer. There's an amazing job out there for you, or at least a job that God has for you to meet your financial needs and probably to positively affect someone's life. Sometimes it's very unique how God can use you in a secular setting to affect change in another person, not through preaching or teaching, just through being and caring. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteI love this book! Nouwen has a way of communicating profound truths & realities in a simple/undestandable way.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite portions out of the 1st chapter is when he's talking about the people he's working with in Toronto saying, "These broken, wounded, and completely unpretentious people forced me to let go of my relevant self-the self that can do things, show things, prove things, build things-and forced me to reclaim that unadorned self in which I am completely vulnerable, open to receive and give love regardless of any accomplishments.I am telling you all his b/c I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self."
Those are powerful words. It reminds me of my times working with Josiah, a young teenager w/autism and it's so true. Josiah doesn't care what accomplishments, school degrees, or "important info." I have stored up in my brain to tell him. He just wants to be with people & live in the present moment. He wants my full attention when we're together & he wants to play!
There's something incredibly powerful and awesome when a person stands & lives out in the present as who they are, not pretending to be another or bending to others expectatations but living real, authentic, true lives before others and before God. I'm just at the beginning of walking this one out...
I loved what Lynn had to say and her relating it to the autistic child she works with is very profound.
ReplyDeleteI did however, take a little exception in that while we need to let go of ourselves and be vulnerable to giving and receiving love, I don't want to deny my accomplishments because they are a gift from God and to deny them is to deny the work He has done in me. I like who I am and who I am becoming because He has done great things. A look back sends chills through me as I look at where I saw the light, the road I've traveled with all of its twists and turns. He has done great things and built within me not just accomplishments but the essence of who I am to others. I think I'm a good listener but I haven't always been, He did that in me. I think that I offer kindness and love to others but He did that in me. I think I'm a good employee and I enjoy that success but He did that in me and if anyone had seen me when I started on the cleaning crew at Bethany (Annie Flack), they would know that God has done great things and I have no doubt that those workings will continue until I go to be with Him. I want to be vulnerable to Him but demonstrate the power of His work to others in whatever setting I'm in, whether work or home. Sometimes I fail, proves He's going to work in me until that day...but I don't want to deny or cover the amazing work He's done. Don't know if that makes sense but...