In small group we discussed writing down our stories and sharing them in 100 words of less. (Long winded me stay under 100 words? Pfftt…) Also, not to use church-talk or theology vocab – more challenges…. But I like a challenge so here goes….
Before Jesus, I was a sexual deviant - a stripper who did pornographic pictures on the Internet and a very mean person. Upon the advice of my Bishop, I read about Jesus in the Garden. It really got to me - the sins of the world pressed upon Him so intensly that He bled from every pore. I don’t know why, but it did. My journey has been up and down, but through it all I have learned that God’s grace – His forgiveness and love for me, is always there. No matter what I have done or will do.
I kinda like the idea of posting a 100-word “my story”, but what was the original prompt? Or just “my story” with no more rules than that, and the length?
(Is small group a church thing or a college thing?)
A small group (at least at my church) is just a group of people who get together on a regular basis (in our case once a week).
What sparked this posting was….
1. Our pastor just wrapped up a series called “Blog” about sharing our stories as Christ followers with others. At the end of the last sermon, he shared a few tips – one of which was to be simple – under 100 words so as not to bore the person and to not use any “church talk” or terminology.
2. In our small group (SG), our SG leader challenged us to write up our story in 100 words or less.
3. Since I blog – I decided to do so.
Is proseltyzing (sp?) important in Judiasm? If not, I’d still be interested in hearing/reading your story.
We don’t proselytize, really, but I’m human enough to like talking about myself and sharing my experiences
Here goes:
God has taken care of me since I was small, but I didn’t realize it until my late teens, as a constant presence to catch my compliments about all that exists and gently guide me when I’m screaming inside. I’m glad I have help to be the best me that I can possibly be. I’m also grateful for the experience of having been saved in a this-life sense; Passover is personal to me now. Thank you for cats and grapefruits, for the blessings of drive and intellect, and for a mother who cared and a wife I can trust.
(at this point I wanted to add SHEMA ISRAEL etc., but you said no ‘church talk’ and a direct quote from Deuteronomy is probably ‘temple talk’
)
I’ll say it, because it’s so beautiful!
Sh’ma Yis’ra’eil Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad.
Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.
Barukh sheim k’vod malkhuto l’olam va’ed.
Blessed be the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever.
V’ahav’ta eit Adonai Elohekha b’khol l’vav’kha uv’khol naf’sh’kha uv’khol m’odekha.
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
V’hayu had’varim ha’eileh asher anokhi m’tzav’kha hayom al l’vavekha.
And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart.
V’shinan’tam l’vanekha v’dibar’ta bam
And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall speak of them
b’shiv’t'kha b’veitekha uv’lekh’t'kha vaderekh uv’shakh’b'kha uv’kumekha
when you sit at home, and when you walk along the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.
Uk’shar’tam l’ot al yadekha v’hayu l’totafot bein einekha.
And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes.
Ukh’tav’tam al m’zuzot beitekha uvish’arekha.
And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.