Comments on: March 9: It’s foolish to believe

By: Diana

Diana — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:11:37 +0000

Dear Ross, I was away for the weekend and just now read your devo from Fri. I tell you this because it is just another beautiful gift of God’s timing for all things. Also as I read your ministry/job title I had to smile.. I am at the grass roots stage of work on a wonderful God idea that sprang from a recent visit to Haiti… at this point many could say it is “foolish” but I loved all you had to say.. I know you were Jesus continued encouraging words to me about “his foolishness” woohoo! He is so wonderful! thanks. I’ll be looking up the writings from which you quoted! God Bless!

By: Susan Adams

Susan Adams — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 16:41:44 +0000

Ross, the quote from Bernice Johnson Reagon is my favorite part of Margaret Wheatley’s essay, too, but I had to laugh out loud with my own delight at the image of you lauging unaware on the airplane. Ah, my friend, it has been too long since I got to work and laugh with you!
Thank you for reminding us of the joyful, foolish, and liberating realities of being crucified with Christ.

Susan

By: Warren

Warren — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 13:37:11 +0000

Thank you for emphasizing this powerful message of courage and foolishness. See also Dan Clendenin’s essay this week at http://www.journeywithjesus.net. Peace.

By: Joan

Joan — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 11:26:27 +0000

The sentences from Wheatley grab me by the guts as they do you. Equally grabbing to my guts is your way of framing this into the 1 Corinthians text.

By: Mervyn Carapiet

Mervyn Carapiet — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 04:43:33 +0000

Quite right, Ross, the very word “faith” has undergone devaluation. It has lost its fire, its verve and voltage. Above all, it has lost its “folly” and has become too rational, too cold, a bland assent to theorems allied to formal, religious behaviour and narrow views. It has lost that vitality which encouraged Jesus by its simple extravagance. Real faith has a kind of wildness, an eccentric beat, which frightens cautious and concentric men. The God of the Christian of “little faith” is not the God of salvation but a donor of privileges. The man of little faith is thus motivated by a short-sighted security that easily turns to images and divination.
Wishing you the austere joy of Lent.
Mervyn Carapiet

By: Elaine Kauffman

Elaine Kauffman — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 22:50:21 +0000

You include some expressions and phrases in this devotional that I will quote to my congregation on Sunday when talking about “wise foolishness.” I will give you credit, with my thanks!

By: Lisa Guedea Carreno

Lisa Guedea Carreno — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:47:06 +0000

Thanks, Ross. I appreciate in particular the reminder that giving up control is “the only thing that will make room for God in our lives.”

By: Jim Brenneman, GC President

Jim Brenneman, GC President — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:59:32 +0000

Ross, Your devotional in an odd way reminded me of the lyrics of Dave Davies’ (The Kinks) song “Death of a Clown,” a sorrowful, lament of life devoid of clown-ery and circuses and other foolishness. If my hope, discipleship and salvation depend on a bit of foolishness — bring on the clowns!

By: Elizabeth S.O.

Elizabeth S.O. — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:54:01 +0000

It’s funny that right now, I should read this thought about being foolish for something you care about, because just a few minutes ago, I was thinking of the part of the play Antigone where the title character says, “Leave me my foolish plan; I am not afraid of the consequences. If it brings death, it will not be the worst of deaths- death without honor.” Coincidence? Maybe, but I think not. I don’t even remember what made me think of this quotation, but it could be that something is stirring within me, encouraging me to break out of my comfort zone and be willing – no, eager – to be foolish for God.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:41:45 +0000

What a great reminder as we take on the big thing that God calls us too and we cannot walk away from.