2 Samuel 11:1-15 is one of the saddest phases of David’s life. Having reached a level of success and complacency he stupidly succumbs to temptation after spying on Bathsheba from a distance. As Sir Walter Scott, Scottish author & novelist, (1771 – 1832) once penned "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!"The sermon can be found here.
Some thoughts to ponder
1. Our temptations may not be the same as David’s, nor our station in life be as prominent as that which David had attained, but whenever we compromise on our beliefs it creates waves. What are our personal struggles?
2. David fell badly and went through a process of denial before there could be restoration. Are there areas in our own lives where we struggle to face the truth of our situation?
3. Through repentance the unexpected took place. God forgave David. For sure there was a price that he paid for his wrongdoing, but the final word rested with God. Be assured that our God is in the business, not of condemnation, but rebuilding. Because Christ died for our sins, there truly is hope for us all to overcome whatever may drag us down.
Psalm 51 includes the introduction "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba." It is one of the greatest prayers of repentance in the whole Bible. Here’s some excerpts from ‘The Message’ transliteration by Eugene Petersen. It’s a wonderful prayer that we can all relate to.
"Generous in love—God, give grace! Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record. Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in Your laundry. You're the One I've violated, and You've seen it all. You have all the facts before You; whatever You decide about me is fair.
Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life. Soak me in Your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God, and I'll sing anthems to Your life-giving ways. Unbutton my lips, dear God; I'll let loose with Your praise.
Going through the motions doesn't please You, a flawless performance is nothing to You. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice"
Monday, July 27, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Amazing Grace
The hymn Amazing Grace has featured in a number of our recent events, both joyful and solemn. Here's a video about it's author.
Monday, July 20, 2009
The Big Picture
This weeks sermon THE BIG PICTURE
In our reading from 2 Samuel 7:1-14 David seeks to build a temple to house the Ark of God. At first it seems like a grand idea. But God had bigger ideas than just building a temple. He was building a Kingdom.
We learn important lessons for our own spiritual journeys from this passage.
1.Attempting the small things leads to the bigger things. Whilst David didn’t have his focus entirely correct, he at least attempted to do something! It often seems that way in our spiritual journeys. Doing something is always better than doing . God can use that ‘something’ in ways we never expected.
Is there a project you have been putting off? Maybe it’s time to launch out and test the waters. It may not turn out exactly as you planned, but if you allow God to lead and guide you then there is no telling where it may lead!
2. Accomplishments are stepping stones not standing stones. A journey is a journey. In Christian life we never arrive. We reach milestones along the way but our final destination is not of this world. Wherever we are now (however good or bad it may seem) is a stepping stone towards further growth.
Be thankful to God for where life has led you thus far. You have learnt many lessons. You have had your share of accomplishments and failures. But don’t allow yourself the luxury of thinking ‘that’s it’. Ask God to continue to lead you and guide you through His Holy Spirit.
3. Appetizers are good, but the dessert is out of this world! One of the re-occuring messages of Scripture is that ‘The best is yet to come.’ We are encouraged to live as though all of the experiences that come our way are a prelude to something greater.
Try and think things through from the perspective of a bigger picture… namely the framework of the love and grace of Jesus Christ. You are a deeply loved child of a God whom knows all that you are travelling through and has your ultimate best in mind.
In our reading from 2 Samuel 7:1-14 David seeks to build a temple to house the Ark of God. At first it seems like a grand idea. But God had bigger ideas than just building a temple. He was building a Kingdom.
We learn important lessons for our own spiritual journeys from this passage.
1.Attempting the small things leads to the bigger things. Whilst David didn’t have his focus entirely correct, he at least attempted to do something! It often seems that way in our spiritual journeys. Doing something is always better than doing . God can use that ‘something’ in ways we never expected.
Is there a project you have been putting off? Maybe it’s time to launch out and test the waters. It may not turn out exactly as you planned, but if you allow God to lead and guide you then there is no telling where it may lead!
2. Accomplishments are stepping stones not standing stones. A journey is a journey. In Christian life we never arrive. We reach milestones along the way but our final destination is not of this world. Wherever we are now (however good or bad it may seem) is a stepping stone towards further growth.
Be thankful to God for where life has led you thus far. You have learnt many lessons. You have had your share of accomplishments and failures. But don’t allow yourself the luxury of thinking ‘that’s it’. Ask God to continue to lead you and guide you through His Holy Spirit.
3. Appetizers are good, but the dessert is out of this world! One of the re-occuring messages of Scripture is that ‘The best is yet to come.’ We are encouraged to live as though all of the experiences that come our way are a prelude to something greater.
Try and think things through from the perspective of a bigger picture… namely the framework of the love and grace of Jesus Christ. You are a deeply loved child of a God whom knows all that you are travelling through and has your ultimate best in mind.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Davids Dizzy Dance
Our reading from 2 Samuel 6: 12-19 gave us an account of the return of the Ark (a symbol of the Presence of God) to Jerusalem and a procession in which David danced for joy, much to the disapproval of his wife Michal. The sermon is here: "David's Dizzy Dance"
Some thoughts to ponder…
1. David appeared to have a paralyzing fear of the Ark… and by implication of God. In our day many profess an over familiarity with God (For example I met somebody the other day wearing a T-Shirt declaring ‘Jesus is my homeboy’). How do we maintain a healthy balance between living in awe of God whilst also entering into a personal relationship with God?
2. David danced ‘with all his might’ before the Ark. At the same time the procession was one which had form and order. Both were expressions of worship. How can we find a balance in worship between form and freedom?
3. David’s embittered wife Michal was so focussed on David that she failed to see the significance of the occasion. How can we avoid focussing on people and remain focussed on God?
A Prayer.
Lord our God, all powerful and glorious, we seek to have a sense of awe in Your presence whilst knowing You in a real and personal way through Jesus Christ. Help us to have neither a paralyzing fear of Your ways, nor an over familiarity with Your love. Teach us what it means for us to worship You ‘with all our might’. Help us to always keep our focus where it should be, on You, not upon each other. Amen.
Some thoughts to ponder…
1. David appeared to have a paralyzing fear of the Ark… and by implication of God. In our day many profess an over familiarity with God (For example I met somebody the other day wearing a T-Shirt declaring ‘Jesus is my homeboy’). How do we maintain a healthy balance between living in awe of God whilst also entering into a personal relationship with God?
2. David danced ‘with all his might’ before the Ark. At the same time the procession was one which had form and order. Both were expressions of worship. How can we find a balance in worship between form and freedom?
3. David’s embittered wife Michal was so focussed on David that she failed to see the significance of the occasion. How can we avoid focussing on people and remain focussed on God?
A Prayer.
Lord our God, all powerful and glorious, we seek to have a sense of awe in Your presence whilst knowing You in a real and personal way through Jesus Christ. Help us to have neither a paralyzing fear of Your ways, nor an over familiarity with Your love. Teach us what it means for us to worship You ‘with all our might’. Help us to always keep our focus where it should be, on You, not upon each other. Amen.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Answer that Call
Sermon can be found here... Answer that Call.
Our reading from 2 Samuel 5:1-10 gave us the account of David’s ascendancy to Kingship. Some reflections on the passage.
1. God calls people. All of us have a calling on our life. We are called to general things. To love God and love others. To worship. To change from doing things our way to doing things God’s way. There are also particular calls. To some particular role in secular service or in our working life. To serve as an elder or deacon. To preach or teach. There are as many different calls as we are different people!
2. When God calls people, people confirm the call. The people around David recognized him as the one who should take on the mantle of leadership. When God calls us to particular acts of service, that call is confirmed through those around us. There are also usually voices of dissent. Discernment is needed!
3. When God calls us to something, God helps us to meet the challenge. We are never called to work independent from God but always to work with God. God provides the resources we need and strengthens us to face the challenges through His Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Ask God to help you discern the call that is over your life. Trust that God is able to guide you through the actions of others, both positive and negative! Believe that as Jesus calls you to follow, He also equips you for service through His Holy Spirit.
Our reading from 2 Samuel 5:1-10 gave us the account of David’s ascendancy to Kingship. Some reflections on the passage.
1. God calls people. All of us have a calling on our life. We are called to general things. To love God and love others. To worship. To change from doing things our way to doing things God’s way. There are also particular calls. To some particular role in secular service or in our working life. To serve as an elder or deacon. To preach or teach. There are as many different calls as we are different people!
2. When God calls people, people confirm the call. The people around David recognized him as the one who should take on the mantle of leadership. When God calls us to particular acts of service, that call is confirmed through those around us. There are also usually voices of dissent. Discernment is needed!
3. When God calls us to something, God helps us to meet the challenge. We are never called to work independent from God but always to work with God. God provides the resources we need and strengthens us to face the challenges through His Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Ask God to help you discern the call that is over your life. Trust that God is able to guide you through the actions of others, both positive and negative! Believe that as Jesus calls you to follow, He also equips you for service through His Holy Spirit.
Hecksher Park Camping Weekend
This coming weekend a number of folk are heading out to Hecksher Park for a camping weekend. Guests are also invited to join them for the day on Saturday, or just stay part of the time. Call the Church Office if you need more details :-)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
First Visit to a Long Island Presbytery Meeting
Tuesday I had my first taste of L.I. Presbytery, attending their stated meeting at First Presbyterian Church of Greenlawn. Much business was accomplished, decently and in order. There was much food for thought. One highlight for myself was the examination of a Korean born candidate for ministry, associated with the church in Bethpage; Jungsuk Seo.
He spoke of how in Korea, whilst they had great enthusiasm for mission, sometimes they lacked training and expertise such as we have in the West. It was such insights that he hoped to gain through training for ministry in the USA. I could not help but think that we had a lot to learn from his experiences. He had served in numerous situations including time as a missionary in Kazakhstan.
We have more than enough training, information and programs, but what we sophisticated Westerners plainly lack is the enthusiasm and passion for the things of God's Kingdom so evident in this young mans life.
The sermon at Presbytery was given by Rev. Pamela Szurek who spoke on Jesus calming the storm. She mentioned the dangers of relying on our self-sufficiency in dealing with our fears... when what was really needed was to wake Jesus up! Thankfully, the option of allowing Christ to reignite our spiritual life, is always there :-)
Of course there was a whole lot more reporting and discussing... but its good amidst all the business to find those little inspirational nuggets.
He spoke of how in Korea, whilst they had great enthusiasm for mission, sometimes they lacked training and expertise such as we have in the West. It was such insights that he hoped to gain through training for ministry in the USA. I could not help but think that we had a lot to learn from his experiences. He had served in numerous situations including time as a missionary in Kazakhstan.
We have more than enough training, information and programs, but what we sophisticated Westerners plainly lack is the enthusiasm and passion for the things of God's Kingdom so evident in this young mans life.
The sermon at Presbytery was given by Rev. Pamela Szurek who spoke on Jesus calming the storm. She mentioned the dangers of relying on our self-sufficiency in dealing with our fears... when what was really needed was to wake Jesus up! Thankfully, the option of allowing Christ to reignite our spiritual life, is always there :-)
Of course there was a whole lot more reporting and discussing... but its good amidst all the business to find those little inspirational nuggets.
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