In a Word

I have been using single word titles for my sermons in recent summer days. We are bombarded with words, words, and more words. I have been in the mood to spend more time on fewer words even if that is not clear in my writing, email, or “anytime” minute usage on my cell phone.

Nonetheless I want to savor words like the taste of a casual summer picnic—ah, I want it to last and last by just thoroughly enjoying it. There have been four words that I have been playing with: intentional, emergent, focused, and faithful.

INTENTIONAL: How are we living (or not living) with clarity of intention? To be intentional is less about placing before God a “want list” and more about placing oneself in the presence of God.

EMERGENT: What is bubbling up or emerging in your life? Living emergent is stepping into a reality where one sees Christ written on everyday happenings, events, and all that those unexpected/unplanned quandaries of today.

FOCUSED: How is your vision pointed? To be focused is to have a view of reality based in the spiritual realm where what is real is the holiness of God with permeates all of creation.

FAITHFUL: Where are you able to point to faithfulness in your living? Faithfulness is deeper than trust and broader than hope; faithfulness is connected to the authenticity of God’s steadfast and enduring love which is noticeable in our daily existence.

Those four words—intentional, emergent, focused, and faithful—have been significant words to me and I hope that you will savor them. But what about you? What one (or few words) stands out to you these days? In what way does that word/words point you toward God? If you quiet your mind, and close your eyes, then what word do you see and hear? What to do with that word—oh, savor—yes, savor it!