Comments on: To be shaped as much as to shape

By: Mike Frost

Mike Frost — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 00:48:23 +0000

Thanks for your comments, everyone. I read them all and appreciate the feedback. Please consider subscribing to my blog so you can be notified of future posts. The link is on the right at the beginning of the post.

By: Janet Glowicz

Janet Glowicz — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 18:47:24 +0000

Couldn’t help but think about the way that roots prevent erosion. Thank you!

By: Cheryl Fairclough

Cheryl Fairclough — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 11:40:00 +0000

As one of the many Australians who have lived in various places over my lifetime, I was particularly struck by one phrase in the Jeremiah passage you quoted – “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you”.

In the upheaval that comes with even a positive move, friends are left behind and griefs are felt. This verse and your entire post was a reminder that wherever I am transplanted, my call is to become a strong tree in that community, providing a shelter of grace, peace and blessing.

Thanks for your thought provoking words.

By: Tony Silveira

Tony Silveira — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 16:59:29 +0000

Awesome post, I love it!

By: Dave Bonselaar

Dave Bonselaar — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 14:41:36 +0000

Great reminder and great perspective!

By: THOMAS FORAN

THOMAS FORAN — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 23:59:33 +0000

Really appreciate, “…exiles who put down roots deep into the soil of their host empire, and who model an alternative ethic..” Great words!

By: Mike Frost

Mike Frost — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 23:18:57 +0000

In reply to George Hayward. Thanks for sharing something of your journey, George. It's so encouraging.

By: George Hayward

George Hayward — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 21:33:48 +0000

I resonate very much with these observations here Mike. Over my life I would not have been able to have articulated these thoughts quite as well as this. But let me share 2 examples how I would like to think this has applied to me. The first example I can think of is when I was a high school science teacher for about 16 years. I worked in state high schools. I’m not sure how people found out or knew I was a christian and a science teacher from other parts of the city or even the state but initially at least I kept getting ‘invitations’ to apply for science teacher positions at ‘Christian’ schools and even from independent schools. Some of these would come through the post from other cities or towns. I even had the head teacher of science from Barker knocking on my door one time espousing the the virtues of applying for a job there. But I had my reasons and your article above very much touches on it (although I also had other reasons too) and said things about being salty people etc. And later I think of words like ”being incarnational’. Likewise I know the decision to what school people send their kids to is a vexed one for many parents. But again for me to send my kids to a state school was an easy one. Apart from not affording the fees (or having other priorities for our resources) etc I was supportive of Christians being salt there and I know as a former teacher how Chistian kids are (mostly) good contributors to the school they go to. I was particularly grateful when I was pastor at inverell for 5 1/2 years that there was no ‘Christian’ school in town so that the Christian kids basically went to the local school and my kids had at least some Christian friends to hang out with. And by the way I have 4 kids who are now adults who are wonderfully active and committed followers of Jesus.

The second example I want to mention is that yes currently I am attending a church regularly as a part of the flock but not nearly as involved in church based ministry/life/leadership etc as I have been historically. But I am commitedly involved, have regular contact with, support and am supported by, a bunch of great blokes who are like me pilgrims on a journey of life, have issues and challenges that face them (and me) and we help each other. Interestingly a number are Christians but others aren’t and in a sense they are more church to me than I often realise. But I would like to think that with these blokes I am doing this sort of thing. I am shaping and being shaped by them

Thanks again for your well articulated and appreciated comments in your blog.

By: Alan Hirsch

Alan Hirsch — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 21:24:08 +0000

Great visual metaphor Mike.