A short blog from one our residents at our Center Of Hope on The Change Bible Study held on Mondays from 730-830 pm. Salvation Army Center of Hope Greensboro NC Bible Study with Josh and Jordan Lyle April 28, 2014 God’s Community SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 2 The group was small, the message big. What a fitting subject, as there seemed to be much ado about attending this bible study at the Salvation Army’s Center of Hope. While many are familiar with the Salvation Army; often whose only reference is that of the Santa with the dirty grey beard on the corners during the Christmas season ringing bells beside a big red pot, some are not aware of the Center of Hope. Center of Hope is just what its name implies. It is a center housing individuals and families who have, for myriad reason, become homeless, and we arrive here with the hope of rebuilding our lives through the generosity of the Salvation Army and its many benefactors; and so, it is with surprise that I (a resident myself) hear the grumblings and murmurings of other residents when their attendance is requested at the weekly studies and meetings to give honor to the one who is truly one of mercy and has shown us grace by allowing us placement at the Center of Hope. Josh Lyle begins with Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…” and he reminds points out that even before there was a was: God was a community within and of himself. At the Center of Hope we are basically a communal of diverse individuals whom from time to time, get quite fed up with one another. Even in the closest of families it can be this way, and though it is quite different when strangers are thrust together, the same lessons we learn in the God’s word applies in resolving differences and coming together as one family or community. Josh points out that we are not an isolated individual on an island and that the world is not about just what we desire and want, but that our life and its purpose is to be community of one in God. The Living Stone and a Chosen People 4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”[b] 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”[c] 8 and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”[d] They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. It’s quite simple and even the privileged crew of the Salvation Army’s Center of Hope realizes this (as it states in Verse 9) we are a chosen people (and, in fact, many feel quite privileged to be at the Center of Hope than to be like those who are still on the streets or at the Local shelter “down the street”. Yet we seem to forget God’s grace and mercy and His favor in our placement at a place which provide you an opportunity to be sheltered with dignity and respect and also finds the finances to pay your deposit to assist in independent living and empowerment. Some may argue that it is my God’s grace and not man’s that we are where we are and I say if this is the case then why are we hesitant and griping about giving him honor in reading his word as he mandates in a fellowship setting. For those who do not know: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. This is about or Lord and Savior and no one else. No one is forcing us to accept Jesus. The Christ. But when we knock on the door of THIS church we should EXPECT to receive the Good News and though no one will be “kicked out” for not participating in his worship and praise, one should be careful of the choices made for those choices have their consequences. God made US in THEIR image which means we are NOT one, and even in our own misunderstandings of one another we need to accept the fact that we are ONE community. Proverbs 18 states “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment” and now I too must reevaluate my own actions and so I pray for discernment as I try to engage within my immediate community while not becoming so unevenly yoked that I stray from beliefs and walking along the path I know God has me on. And so Father help me to be more understanding of my neighbors and to forgive those who trespass against me as you have so forgiven mine. Help me to become a wiser and better Christian and to be like you in all that I do. I will always give you the praise and honor for your have been the cornerstone of my whole life. Thank you for Josh and Jordan and their work in the Salvation Army as we learn together what you will have us to do, in the name of Jesus The Christ…AMEN
Posted on: Tue, 29 Apr 2014 19:40:13 +0000
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