the cost of discipleship -- thoughts on the book by dietrich bonhoeffer

i've wanted to read this book for a long time. and i thought, i need to share the things i've been learning from it. so here is my first thought from chapter one.

"Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him. Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it cost a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son... and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God." (pp. 44-5)

this really made me think of the what it means to be a Christian. it's not just a title... not just a nametag, it's a lifestyle that's worthy because so much was put on the line for me to have that name. i should treasure and value it. this is what pushed me to be a real Christian in the first place way back when i decided to take my faith seriously.

this all started with finishing the Harry Potter series. i was also finishing the last book of the Bible, Revelation, in my devotions. it all made me think of how the Order of the Phoenix was willing to die for a better wizarding world (and in some ways, Harry Potter). i wondered to myself, as a Christian in this world, am I willing to die for the truth of the Gospel? the things that Revelation talks about is pretty creepy. we already know about Satan and the power he has on this world and it's pretty sad. in fact, the Death Eaters really reminded me that even Satan's army is willing to put up a fight until the bitter end.... so I better be ready to as well. okay, post your thoughts ppl! :)

story time

two recent stories of late... :)
1) from my placement during indoor recess on monday... a dialogue:

R: Melody, are you an intern?
Mel: Yes.
R: You don't look like an intern.
Mel: What does an intern look like?
R: Like her. (She points to my classmate, a fellow intern for the special education teacher, L)
Mel: (I turn to L.) Did you hear that? You look like an intern.
L: I get that a lot. People think I'm a teenager.
Mel: Excuse me. (Point to self.) I look like a teenager! And you're married.
Mel: (To R.) Then what do I look like?
R: A teacher.
Mel: Thanks. (Her comment made me really happy.) But L is married!
R: So are you.
Mel: No, I'm not. I'm not married.
R: Yes, you are. What is your husband's name?
Mel: I don't have a husband.
R: What is your boyfriend's name?
Mel: I don't have a boyfriend.
W: Melody and her boyfriend kissing! (He proceeds to incorporate me into his drawing of mountains, where I am now on a mountaintop kissing my boyfriend.)

Anyways, throughout the rest of that half hour, more and more students became involved. I was given a wedding ring (made out of yellow paper) and taped to my finger. I was made a wedding veil (which was taped to a rubber band and stuffed around my head).

Then they proceeded to drag me out to marry Richard. (Richard is the principal.... who is married and has 3 children.) So then they decide to make me a boyfriend by drawing him on a piece of paper, colouring him and then cutting him out. "This is Dottie," they told me. Haha. I also had pictures of my wedding drawn by them.

This story made me love why I'm there. It was a bit annoying at the end when they told the whole class I was getting married... but it was cute, nonetheless. :)

2) I received a Compassion letter in the mail today. For those of you who don't know, I've been sponsoring a child in Bolivia for 6 years and this year, I got a new sponsor child. In his letter to me it said this:

"I greet you with very much love. I am sad because my mother and my relatives drink too much. I ask you please pray for them and I ask a favour please write to me and tell me how you are. Right now I am fine. I attend to the centre and I also went to visit to my uncles and I played with my cousin Luis and Melvin. I also had vacation and I did my homework. I love you very much."

Receiving a letter from my child always makes me happy, but this letter is the second letter I have ever received from him and he is telling me things that are upon his heart. I heart my child... :( If you ever feel burdened to sponsor a child, feel free to ask how my experience has been. I've loved every moment of it. :)

Perhaps more stories later...