Chewing on meat

How precious it is to sit and share together at the table! This past week I was blessed again to spend a few days at ABSS - Advanced Bible Study Series in Gemünden, Germany with people from all over Europe. The lessons are always challenging on various levels and there is time and opportunity for real conversation about spiritual topics. It is also a time to meet new people and where young and old gather to learn from each other. 

I usually also go hoping to see and experience some snow, but that was certainly not to be this year. Instead, I was able to play some good, energetic basketball with a good group from Marseille. In the past we have played in the snow, we have played when we only had three and we have played with anyone - even those who don’t really know anything about basketball. This time we had at least 4x4, but the challenge was to play with a ball that was almost flat. Lots of passing, very little dribbling. 

As mentioned, the lessons challenge. This year brought questions about what third-culture leadership looks like. It even reminded me that anyone who is in Christ is essentially third-culture, as is anyone who is married. Another series asked us to look at our bias and consider how we approach others with the word of God. For me it was nice to get some lessons on Judges, since I will be teaching this at our Teen Camp this summer. It is always nice to get some information and different viewpoints at a week like this. 

Shirley and I are always apart during this study week. We cannot easily find someone for Chester for those days. At the end of this week (Thursday), Shirley heads out to the Ladies Retreat in Germany, so it will be her turn then for the challenging lessons, conversations and good fellowship. We are thankful that we have these opportunities and that we are able to take advantage of them. 

How has God been challenging your heart and mind around the table with others recently? 

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:14-18