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The Trouble with Jesus

by Constance Hastings

Be My Assistant

August 30, 2021

The trouble with Jesus sometimes means we need to offer our collective voices

to begin to understand what it means to follow him.

This week I’m taking a break from The Trouble with Jesus Blog in order to move into another space. In a couple of months, I will be speaking on a Sunday morning (yeah, it’s a sermon but that sounds preachy, not me.) The lesson that week has its challenges. (So what else would I ever say when I write all the time about The Trouble with Jesus?)

Let me get straight to it. The passage turns on Mark 10:21. “Jesus felt genuine love for this [rich] man as he looked at him. ‘You lack only one thing,’ he told him. “Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’”

Here’s your chance to bring your voice to this passage. And this is where I need your help. In 50 words or so, what are your thoughts about what Jesus meant or was saying in this verse, especially the part I have italicized? I would like to use your (as in, collectively your) responses in this message. No one’s name or any identifying information will be revealed. Just email what you think by October 1, 2021. constance.hastings@constancehastings.com The message will be recorded in YouTube, and a blog posting with the link taking you to the recording will be made available.

Why am I asking for this help? Let me admit two things right now. I don’t have all the answers to the challenges Jesus brings. It’s only in faith and after much thought and emotional/spiritual wrestling that I offer this blog or whatever message I’m asked to prepare. That being said, I do want to hear your thoughts, beliefs, hopes and fears about Jesus. Only when I have your perspectives, even when based in the tension of doubt, can I speak to you with affirmations or directions you could choose to move.

Together then, we can learn.

In this company of voices, let’s give an answer to The Trouble with Jesus.

“Then come, follow me.”

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God’s plan is to meet all the wrong in the world with Love.

Wrong time for Christmas

By Constance Hastings • December 23, 2024

We never get what we want for Christmas. That’s what we think God should do, and almost always, God never does...In a real way though, this is likely the closest to God’s Christmas we may ever know. If we are still as church mice on Christmas Night, we just might see a strange sight through the frosted windowpanes of our souls. God shows up, not how we want, not bringing us all we want. God’s plan is not to fix everything that is wrong in the world, but to meet all the wrong in the world with Love.

The Trouble with Jesus: Even before he was born, his birth sang of trouble.

Love Song of Protest

By Constance Hastings • December 16, 2024

Well, isn’t this just jolly. No matter that we’re still trying to get around life and not be sidelined by mysterious drone sightings, people getting shot just walking down a street, or watching dictators fall only to create a vacuum for power. The world daily has some kind of crisis that needs attention. Noooo. People keep acting like they’ve got to get ready for the Big Day and all the festivities that cover for the stress of the season. For the love of God, give it up and tend to what really matters.

The Trouble with Jesus brings a joy to the world that can be costly to both living and one's life.

Don't Kill the Messenger

By Constance Hastings • December 9, 2024

So, JTB, have you ever heard it said, Don’t kill the messenger? Sorry, desert-dweller, but if you keep up with this talk of “the ax of God” and “never-ending fire,” well, don’t say you weren’t warned. Somebody’s going to be gunning for you. So much for all this Good News you’re supposed to be shouting about. Geez, guy, the holidays are coming. Lighten up! Let’s clear this up right way. Good News doesn’t necessarily mean what you want to hear...

The Trouble with Jesus is his weirdo advance guy is the one who announced his coming.

Pathway of Peace

By Constance Hastings • December 2, 2024

John’s proclamation though was not feel-good, you’re trying your best, and everything is going to be ok. Parroting the old scriptures with high energy may make for an emotional ride, but it doesn’t last. People need what they can hold close and carry away with them.

The Trouble with Jesus is he gives fair warning. Hope for that.

Stand in Hope

By Constance Hastings • November 25, 2024

Jesus, we’ve said this before and still you just don’t get it. Here we are at the time of the year when we should be all bright and merry, and you come on with this end-of-the-world rant. Can’t you just join the party and make happy? We’ve had enough of bad news for too long.

The Trouble with Jesus is he would not be intimidated into answering a trap.

Truth on Trial

By Constance Hastings • November 18, 2024

Truth is the spotlight on humanity. Find it, wrestle with it, run from it but know truth tells much, sometimes too much. Just-the-facts, video footage, eyewitness testimony, subpoenaed emails and documents only color the canvas. Anything can be made to say anything; it’s all in the spin. But truth reveals the greater story, and the direction life gives.

The Trouble with Jesus is he never made the future look totally rosy. He told it real.

Of Horrors to Come

By Constance Hastings • November 11, 2024

Jesus, what makes you think this Doomsday portrait you give here is helping? Why even talk about it? We’ve been through a hell of a lot, and this end-of-the-world talk isn’t doing us any good. Besides, who’d ever get behind you if this is where you’re going. We’re just not going to listen to this kind of thing. Yeah, well what galaxy do you come from? If talk of apocalyptic endings bother you, why do you watch so much of it from streaming movies to video games to best sellers? Listen guy, there’s money to be made from this genre, and the makers of these stories play right into the basic fears of futurists to preppers to predictive prophets with megaphones shouting, “The End is Near.” Why is this ok for everyone else, but Jesus can’t say anything beyond Love Your Neighbor and Bless the Children? Get over that, and listen up.

The Trouble with Jesus is his teaching was sometimes meant for what he had to do more so than others

How Right is Your Mite?

By Constance Hastings • November 4, 2024

Brief musing here: November 5:2024 Today, tonight, this week we will wait. Apply whatever importance you prefer to this date. Take your side expressed by your vote. Hope for the best. Yet in the marking of your ballot, also bow your head. Pray the hardest prayer ever spoken. “Your will be done.” Accept what will be. Then move into your space, your world, and see what God will do. Shalom.