Tonight’s teleconference study is all about what I call the fine print of the Christian life:
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. (2 Corinthians 4:7-12)
It’s pretty clear, actually, the way God set this up. First is the underlying principle that God’s power is most clearly seen in our lives when it contrasts the vulnerability of our frail, human (mortal) existence – that which makes us a common, ordinary jar of clay. Then, just to make sure everyone gets that point, he puts that vessel through all sorts of trying experiences in order for the power to be clearly manifested in us. Since the true ministry resides with God and not us, this is the extent He will go to show that power and to separate it from anything we could take credit for like our awesome personality or natural talent or gifting. In other words: expect to be pressed, perplexed, persecuted and punched out if you want to be an effective witness for Christ. See why I call it the fine print?
God can say more through the things that break us down than through the things that make us appear strong, pretty and powerful. True Christianity is not what comes from motivational pump, but from the real stuff that gets pressed out of our lives by the things that threaten us every day.
No passage is truer, more relevant, and more earth shaking than this one. It challenges all our assumptions and undermines all our success-oriented philosophies.
I hope you can join our study tonight as we seek to draw some of this out in practical ways in our lives. [Dial in: 218-237-3840. Access code: 124393. 7 pm Pacific; 10 pm Eastern.]
John Fischer The Catch 
My wife wrote this poem several years ago. Seems to fit the days theme.
Earthen Vessels
We have this treasure in earthen vessels
Riches in jars of clay
And now and then we’re redesigned
To meet the needs of the day .
We may be full of beauty and grace
Each one meeting a need
In our own time and place
or
We may be strong and plain of face
Yet still helping others
To run their race.
We may become cracked
and chipped from wear
Yet God still holds us
In His care.
And gathers the pieces
we counted as loss
And into His fire
He places the dross.
And after we’re melted
And cast in His mold
We shall come forth
As purest gold.
II Corinthians 4:7-12
NLS
Thanks John, I passed on your email to coworkers who I know are suffering. I got a bit carried away and added:
“What I am passing on below may seem strange for Christmas time, when all is happy and joyous. Reasons:
1. A lot of people we work with are experiencing difficulties and pain right now: physically, emotionally, maybe spiritually.
2. Christmas time (actually the holiday period from Thanksgiving to New Years) can be a tough time to be experiencing difficulties as a Christian. Somehow we get the idea that we shouldn’t be having a tough time or if we are, we should not express it and ruin everyone else’s celebration, or we should just claim victory in Jesus and “suck it up”. A lot of people suffer alone at this time.
3. It’s also a time when we miss people who used to be with us at holidays and we grieve a long time for their absence. The holidays just remind us that we miss them.
Am I trying to put a wet blanket on Christmas? Nope. Celebrate big time. If you are hurting, don’t suffer alone and don’t think you can’t be real: don’t think something is abnormal in your Christian walk. It’s not abnormal…it IS the Christian life …it’s all there in the “fine print” (see below).
At Christmas we don’t celebrate the absence of trouble or pain or the disappearance of our comfortable Christian life. We celebrate Emmanuel “God with us” through the reality of trouble and pain. The incarnation is not a one time calendar event. It is an ongoing personal expression and relationship bringing God’s love and provision to us… just as we are. Plenty of Joy and celebration in that.
Sorry about the preaching. I just meant to forward an email.”
Excellent!
Conflicts, broken relationships and the pain our broken selves and other broken people bring into our lives can all be used by God for his glory. It comes naturally to fight God and one another when we fail to love God, family, neighbors and, yes, enemies. Imagine what happens to clay pots when they are thrown at one another. We shatter our own selves and endanger others, too. (We certainly do the former, but our affect on others is not certain – particularly if they’re “in Christ”, in the full armor of God!) I saw a quote from Paula D’Arcy, today via a devotional from Fr. Richard Rohr: “God comes to us disguised as our life.” Will we receive God, there, in all our messiness, and seek his healing touch?
What!? A teleconference study!? I will totally be joining from in from Michigan! Will I need high speed internet for this? I have fairly quick speed, but it takes time to upload you tubes, etc… ? Thank, Emily