February 2012 - Margaret Feinberg

Archives For February 2012

A Divine Masquerade: The Beauty Behind the Mask

Margaret — February 29, 2012 — Leave a comment

Confession: Masks sometimes scare me. Though the artistic flair of a masquerade half mask can be spectacular, full masks make me uncomfortable. Not only is there mystery in whom I’m talking to, but they are too reminiscent of clown makeup for my liking.

The worst part is that sometimes I wear them myself-without even realizing it.

I don a mask of happiness when I’m really struggling inside. I slip on a mask of energy when I’m really exhausted. I know I’m not the only one.

We all slip on masks. We hide parts of ourselves to distract each other from the real identity underneath.

As I’m going through the Gospel of John for Lent, I was reminded of this truth. John 4 depicts the revealing of one woman’s true identity. A Samaritan woman is so desperate to hide from others she fills her water jug during the hottest time of day. Only on this occasion, Jesus is there.

With a few words Jesus tugs at her mask, “Give me a drink.”

The woman is thrown off by the request. With only four words, Jesus breaks down the barriers of gender, politics, and religion.

A man speaks to a woman.

A Jew addresses a Samaritan.

A rabbi asks to drink out of a defiled, unclean bucket.

Rarely has a request for a drink of water been so scandalous.

The woman is no longer invisible. She’s been called out. Jesus moves past any labels of identity given to her either by the townspeople or herself. Instead, Jesus offers her something better than musky well water: living water and the chance to be truly known.

Like the woman at the well, sometimes we need to realize that as hard as we try to hide God not only sees us, but in his love he sees through our efforts to hide.

As the woman’s mask falls to the ground, she refuses to remain hidden from others in her community a moment longer. She rushes into the town, calling out to everyone to come and see the beautiful work Jesus has done in her. They ask Jesus to stay with them and many come to know him as Christ their Savior, the Un-masker.

The woman at the well took off her mask and displayed God’s beautiful work in her life, and an entire village was transformed. Can you picture the scene? A sea of masks tumbling to the floor in a great tumultuous roar.

Which raises the question, if we were to take off our masks and give ourselves wholly revealing the beautiful work of God in our lives, then what might God do? Who would He draw closer to Himself as a result? A friend? A Neighbor? An entire community?

Anyone interested in diving into John’s Gospel with me may enjoy Pursuing God’s Beauty: Stories from the Gospel of John.

**Photo courtesy of here

In Bible Study beauty, Gospel of John, identity, Jesus, Lent, masks, Samaritan Woman, woman at the well

The Beginning of Lent: Why I’m Giving Up Contempt This Year

Margaret — February 27, 2012 — Leave a comment

Dear Friends,

Over the last few years, I’ve fallen in love with Lent. The opportunity to set apart time specifically to seek God for forty days and grow in my relationship with Him in the weeks preceding Easter has become like a balm to my soul-providing healing, comfort, all the while removing places of brokenness and disconnect from God.

One of the ways I’m celebrating Lent this year is by going through the Gospel of John in the 40 days preceding Easter. I’ve invited you to join along as I’ll be posting each week as we go through the Pursuing God’s Beauty: Stories from the Gospel of John 6-week DVD Bible Study.

Spoiler Alert: The sixth lesson ends with the resurrection!

As I’ve prayerfully considered what I want God to do in my own heart over the upcoming weeks, I’ve circled around one word: contempt. If I’m truly honest with you, this word has been nestled in the back of my mind as something to give up for Lent since last year. At the time, I just wasn’t courageous enough to give it up. So I gave up prayer instead-which led to a profound spiritual transformation in my own life-but you’ll have to wait for the next book to read more about that (sorry).

I’m just in the beginning stages of figuring out what it means to give up contempt. I’ve started with the basics, namely, figuring out what contempt means.

Dictionary.com defines contempt as: The feeling with which a person regards anything considered mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn.

Contempt is also the state of being despised, dishonored, or disgraced.

One of the most common understandings of contempt is found in the court of law whenever someone shows disrespect for the judge or rules of the court aka “in contempt of court”.

In my own life, I’m praying and asking God to show me all the places-big and small, mountainous and crevice-some where contempt bulges and hides below the surfaces. I’m also asking God to reveal the differences between contempt and concern and contempt and discernment. To be honest, I’m a bit afraid for all the Holy Spirit will reveal when we faithfully ask Him. But I’m also wildly expectant for the goodness and love of God to infuse my heart in greater measure.

I plan to keep you updated each week throughout Lent as to what spiritual rumblings take place. And I pray for God’s grace as you begin your own Lenten journey.

Much love,
Margaret

*Photo courtesy of here

In Dive Deeper Contempt, despised, disgraced, dishonored, Easter, friends, future book, Gospel of John, Lent, Lenten study, letter, Prayer, Pursuing God's Beauty, Resurrection

Lent Week 1: Christ in Cosmic Poetry: Discovering Jesus in the Gospel of John

Margaret — February 22, 2012 — 3 Comments

Today Lent begins. I’ve been waiting for this day. Counting down the days. And Lent is finally here.
During the next six weeks I’m going to be diving into the Gospel of John. I hope you’ll join me.

The Gospel of John is written to help people-like you and me-encounter the person of Jesus. I can’t help but think of a better way to experience the next 40 days. The first chapter of John opens with a beautiful blend of poetry and theology. Unique from the other Gospels, John takes a more philosophical and theological approach to introducing people to Christ.

The first words begin, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1-5).

This cosmic poetry reminds me of the majesty of a starry sky on a clear night. You could stare at it forever and always see something new.

The themes touched on in this beautiful poetry can be seen throughout the Gospel of John. The cosmic battle between light and dark or good and evil is one of the themes traced throughout Christ’s story. From the beginning to end, evil will not overcome the Word of God.

That’s incredible news that I need to be reminded of every day. When I start to doubt or question God’s plan, the opening words of John remind me that in the end God wins. He is the source of light. He overcomes.

And as children of God we are all overcomers in him.

Anyone interested in diving into John’s Gospel with me may enjoy Pursuing God’s Beauty: Stories from the Gospel of John. Find it in the store, here.

What is your favorite verse in the Gospel of John?

**Photo courtesy of here

In Bible Study beauty, Cosmic Poetry, Gospel of John, Lent, light, Orion's Sword

God Loves Foodies, Too

Margaret — February 20, 2012 — 2 Comments

My friend, Reverend Michael Blewett, is not only the pastor of Christ Episcopal Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky, but he’s also one of those crazed foodies-the kind that orders spices and kitchenware from elite stores. He can distinguish between types of black peppers, flavors salts, cuts of meat, densities of fats, and much, much more. Michael is kind of a foodie super hero to me.

But Michael doesn’t leave his passion for food at home-he carries it into the church and community. On Wednesday nights, Christ Episcopal Church serves the hungry. But don’t expect mystery casserole or save-the-scraps soup. Instead, the church, serves home-cooked, made-from-scratch, gourmet-style meals to the community.

When interviewed about his approach, Michael says, “My philosophy was not to skimp on anything. We’re not going to buy the half-rotten meat and try to make it taste good.”

Instead, they serve colorful chopped vegetables, high-end chilis, and tasty soup. The food is good, nutritional, and fresh. And the message that’s invariably communicated to those who eat is that you, too, have value as a child of God, loved by God.

What I love most about Michael’s approach is that he communicates God’s love through the quality of the food that’s served.

Do you have any stories of someone in your community who is making a difference by taking a fresh approach to service and ministry? If so, I’d love to hear from you!

*Photo courtesy of here

**Michael was recently featured in the Bowling Green Daily News. To learn more about his church, click here. To check out Michael’s poignant blog, Under God’s Fingernails, click here.

In Church Life, Leadership Foodies, Michael Blewett, Serving the poor

Giveaway: Free Bible Study DVD Sampler with Margaret Feinberg

Margaret — February 16, 2012 — Leave a comment

actual-love-final

We want to introduce you to several DVD Bible studies that small groups, Bible studies, Sunday school classes, book clubs, and other groups around the country have been using to grow in their faith, knowledge of the Bible, and love of God.

Wonderstruck 7-Session DVD Bible Study invites participants to become more aware of God’s presence in their lives, recognize what’s holding them back in their prayer, be encouraged to go deeper in their friendships, and challenged to walk deeper levels of forgiveness, grace and joy.

The Organic God 6-Session Bible Study examines the attributes of God including His kindness, generosity, bigheartedness, beauty, and mystery.

The Sacred Echo 6-Session Bible Study challenges participants to grow in their prayer life and learn to hear God’s voice through the Scriptures.

Scouting the Divine 6-Session Bible Study looks at agrarian themes in Scripture including sheep/shepherds, farming, bees/honey, and grape growing bringing familiar passages to life.

Pursuing God’s Beauty: Stories from the Gospel of John 6-Session DVD Bible Study explores the entire Gospel of John and what it means to celebrate and radiate the beauty of Christ in your own life.

Pursuing God’s Love: Stories from the Book of Genesis 6-Session DVD Bible Study takes participants through the entire book of Genesis and explores the unflinching love of our Creator.

All of these studies are designed to be “All-Play” meaning that if someone doesn’t get to the homework, they can still dive into the group time. No one needs to feel left out! But of course, those who dive into the homework and reading will always get more out of the study.

Each of these studies are also created to bring people together. The questions are designed to take people deeper into the Scripture, but also create a safe place where people can share their stories and lives together as followers of Jesus.

While some groups decide to take their group through the following studies using just the workbook, we have found that participants get the most out of the study when they use it in unison with the book. We want to make this as affordable as possible, so we’ve created great discounts (up to 40%) when you purchase the book and workbook combination. Click here to see these great deals.

On the DVD sampler page, you’ll find a sample video lesson, as well as a PDF sample workbook lesson from each study. We would love to hear what you think, pray for your church and ministry, connect with you to let you know more about the products, answer any questions, and give you a heads up for any specials we’re offering.

If you are looking for a Bible study for your church or small group, email jessica@margaretfeinberg.com and we’ll give you access to the complimentary DVD Sampler from Margaret Feinberg.

In Resources Giveaway