created by Rev. Roger Wolsey:
Who is God?
God is Love
unconditional, compassionate, perfect love
God is the One Who is Present
God's always there with us and for us
God is the Creator of the Universe
& the Giver of Life
God is the Sustainer and Provider
God is the Redeemer
- When we've made a mess out of our lives (or others have done it to us) God is the One Who transform things for the better. When life hands us lemons,
God's the One Who makes lemonade!
God is the One Who calls us to "Abundant Life"
- We aren't to survive, but to thrive!
God is the One Who has a special place in God's heart
for those who are hurting and suffering the most in this world
God is the One Who Is
- God is the "ground of all being", the One in Whom
"we live, move and have our being!"
God is the One Who Understands,
knows, judges, forgives, and heals us and makes us whole.
God is the One Who calls us to Love
each other, our enemies & ourselves as God loves us.
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How do I know God?
When I find hope alive
in seemingly hopeless situations..
When I experience love that transcends
friendship & family bonds, or physical attraction..
When I witness love for "the unloveable"
or reconciliation between enemies
When I experience sincere effort
for the cause of real restorative justice and peace..
When I'm in community with people who check their egos, honor each other's souls, and seek Divine truth through loving action..
When in prayer and meditation,
I stop identifying myself with my own personality, and begin to feel compassion toward all people and things..
When I read about Jesus
His values, motivations, priorities, love,
compassion, actions, teachings, sacrifice, and resurrection..
When I am still (just "being")
..I know God!
"Be still and know that I am God."
(from Psalm 46)
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Who Am I?
I'm a loved, forgiven and accepted Child of God who is fearfully and wonderfully made!
I'm a member of a particular community of faith (Christian) who is called to live in a radical & distinctive way (the Way of the Cross) based upon our shared sense of who we are!
What does this mean?
In order to be who I really am,
I need to be actively engaged by, immersed in, and transformed by the stories, teachings and traditions of my faith tradition (the Gospel -"good news"- of how God loves us through Jesus the Christ)!
What does that mean?
That my character and virtues are to be such that the rest of the world will see me as peculiar and counter-cultural and that I need to be strong and courageous not to fall to the temptation of letting the rest of the world define who I am and how I should perceive, think, feel, and act!
Why would I want to do this?
Because we are people who are responding to what God has done for us through Jesus Christ and we are called to live in Godly ways and invite others to do the same!
How do I do this?
Study the Bible and take part in worship and Christian education opportunities as often as I can. Then, take part in the service, mission, and outreach ministries of a local congregation, community of faith (or campus ministry!), engage in spiritual disiplines and practices
and try to live as faithful a life as I can!
created by Rev. Roger Wolsey