Blessings
Michael Frost wrote
[One core practice in our church community is to bless] others at least 3 times every week- someone in the community, someone outside of the community and a third from either of those groups.
Jeannie U. wrote
what does it mean to "bless" someone? how you would all describe it, in terms of what it really looks like, feels like. is it just praying for each other?
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I was about to reference Strong's concordance when I actually read Jeannie's post more thoroughly. Blessed is she for asking this question! It's a great one. "Bless" is one of those words that Christians love to toss around often without thinking about what it might actually mean beyond sounding generally positive. To me, to bless someone else would be to show them favor.
When I say that I'm blessed, I am acknowledging God's favor toward me as one of his adopted children, set apart by the work of his son. When I think of being blessed, I think of Jesus' opening words in his sermon on the mount, where he uses the term "blessed" over and over again. I think the implication is that for those who mourn their poverty of spirit, who are meek and hungry and thirsty for righteousness, who are pure-hearted peacmakers, persecuted for their righteousness, these are favored by God. It is a favored position, not one to be ashamed of, because the rewards that God bestows are manifold!
Thus, after rambling, I will sum it up by saying that, for me at least, blessing others is showing favor. Maybe that means buying a homeless person a slice of pizza, or giving your friend a ride to work even though it makes you late, calling someone to tell them you love them, praying for their strength and faith to grow, or healing on the sabbath. Maybe what Frost has in mind is different, but that's blessing to me.
[One core practice in our church community is to bless] others at least 3 times every week- someone in the community, someone outside of the community and a third from either of those groups.
Jeannie U. wrote
what does it mean to "bless" someone? how you would all describe it, in terms of what it really looks like, feels like. is it just praying for each other?
_________________________________
I was about to reference Strong's concordance when I actually read Jeannie's post more thoroughly. Blessed is she for asking this question! It's a great one. "Bless" is one of those words that Christians love to toss around often without thinking about what it might actually mean beyond sounding generally positive. To me, to bless someone else would be to show them favor.
When I say that I'm blessed, I am acknowledging God's favor toward me as one of his adopted children, set apart by the work of his son. When I think of being blessed, I think of Jesus' opening words in his sermon on the mount, where he uses the term "blessed" over and over again. I think the implication is that for those who mourn their poverty of spirit, who are meek and hungry and thirsty for righteousness, who are pure-hearted peacmakers, persecuted for their righteousness, these are favored by God. It is a favored position, not one to be ashamed of, because the rewards that God bestows are manifold!
Thus, after rambling, I will sum it up by saying that, for me at least, blessing others is showing favor. Maybe that means buying a homeless person a slice of pizza, or giving your friend a ride to work even though it makes you late, calling someone to tell them you love them, praying for their strength and faith to grow, or healing on the sabbath. Maybe what Frost has in mind is different, but that's blessing to me.
posted by chris at 10:02 AM
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