Writing in the Margins

It seems the more I read, the more questions I have.  The more I learn about Jesus, the more mysterious he becomes.  I agree with Dale Bruner, "There are no graduates from the Jesus school" (p.. 24). 

I am a big fan of highlighting and writing in the margins of a text, and boy, this week I just about ran out of highlighter juice and pencil lead.  My thoughts and questions on this blog may not be very cohesive and orderly, but they came straight from my thoughts and scrawled margin writings at the time.

• "...To put it more graphically, Jesus the Baptizer dunks us and drenches us with the very Life of the Triune God" (p.28).  

Margin note: (large drawn star)
Thought:  I love this image.  I am picturing being completely immersed in a pool, totally submerged.  The very life of God is being indwelled in me....and that's to stay. That does not go away.  THE very life of God is in me. 

• "It may be sudden, critical and sensationally transforming; it may be slow and quiet and spread over a period [of time].

Margin note:  Joe Howard
Thought:  Joe was a friend of mine who became a believer when we were in college.  I remember sitting with him in a coffee shop after he had been asked by Campus Crusade to share his testimony in front of the students at a meeting.  He was really nervous and shared that he did not have that "moment of conversion" or a "lightning strike" moment with God.  We talked for several hours and I remember telling him that everybody's journey with God is different.  He pursues each person in a different way and, for some, there is a "BAM!" moment, and for others it is a slow, "turning to the light" process. 

I am so happy Darrell included that the baptism of the spirit can be slow and quiet, and over a period of time.  This could be a big question on some campers' minds this summer.

• "The one common denominator for all is the experience of newness" (p.29).

Margin note: What about those who have been walking with Christ for years?  How do they experience newness?
Thoughts:  Nina, what is one way you experience newness with Christ?
Answer:  Talking with others about Christ.  I always get Jesus Schooled this way.  I walk away convicted,  with many questions, and much to think about.  "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."  Hebrews 10:25

• "This is the One who keeps on baptizing.  Continuous action.  Keeps on baptizing" (p. 32). 

Margin note:  Philippians 2:12 "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling."
Thoughts:  Baptism and salvation:  More similar than we think?  They are both continuous and are a process of Christ infusing and pruning. 
Ceremonially we are baptized once and we only need to be saved once (we don't need to doubt our salvation once saved), but both are continuously being "worked out." 
Is this correct thinking? 

• "So, from our fear, we settle for a manageable form of religion and hold the full reality at arm's length...Out of fear we try to domesticate the Wind and Fire of God even if it is no longer satisfying."

Margin note: BAM!  Guilty.
Thought:  "Lord, help me not to make you safe!"

• "But the point is we need not fear the effusion- for the simple reason that we were made for this!..This effusion does not make us weird- it makes us human!  We are finally human! (p.35) 

Margin note:  Hallelujah!!
Thought:  Hallelujah!!