Challenging Sermons

I'm into podcasts these days, as evidenced by the final paragraph of my previous post. Today I listened to a podcast about giving from Erwin McManus, the pastor of Mosaic in LA as I was riding the T into downtown. He was saying, in my shortened and perhaps not completely comprehensive summary, that giving has less to do with setting aside a monetary amount to give away, and more to do with being a person who gives, with giving as a lifestyle. A spirit of giving comes from one who loves others more than she loves herself.

Then, at City Life today (the church I'm thinking I'll attend), Tim Keller, the pastor of Redeemer Pres., was visiting and spoke about having a broken spirit, and that it's when we are able to view our sinfulness as intrinsically related or connected to the love of God that we view repentance as a reminder of the effectiveness of God's grace and sacrifice. Therefore, the recognition of our brokenness is necessary for ministering with a selfless spirit. It is grace, not giftedness, that allows us to be effective.

For me these days, it's all coming back to love... over and over and over again. I need to recognize my lameness (as Jacob was lame, as Paul was lame) in order to recognize my blessing (complete forgiveness, love, and acceptance from the Lord) and give unreservedly to others (of my time, of my finances, of my heart).