It seems that common to all people are those days when we think “Why bother. Nothing that we can do can make a difference.” Our sermon (which can be found here) took the title “Can we heal the world?”
The Kingdom of God appears to invade our world not through the big things but the little things. In the bible reading of the feeding of 5000 the whole event turns around what seem like tiny actions. A young lad offers to share his lunch. A prayer of blessing is said. There is nothing particularly earth-shattering about such simple actions.
Yet through sharing and blessing a miracle takes place. One could become bogged down trying to explain how or why or what actually is actually going on in this story. There are many different layers to the account. It has deep theological overtones and appears within a particular context. It is great to ponder and investigate such avenues.
But there is also a simple beauty about the fact that little actions bring about big changes. The little things we consistently do everyday make a difference. It makes a difference when we show thankfulness for the blessings we are receiving or offer a prayer at mealtime. Random acts of kindness that let others know they are cared about are never insignificant. Offering the little we have to be used by God in whatever way God can use it is a big thing.
A boy shares his lunch. A prayer is offered. Leave the rest in Jesus hands and you never know what can happen!
Prayer: Lord, Forgive me for those times I forget to care. Help me to be open to the opportunities laid before me. Help me to see that no action is without significance in the light of Your love. Amen.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Why are prayers not answered?
This past Sunday we pondered the problem of unanswered prayer. The sermon can be found here.
To many atheists the explanation for unanswered prayer is simple. There is no God. But what about answered prayers? Well that it is just coincidence. Has to be. If there is no God there can be no answered prayers. End of story.
As a theist I have to ask … ‘How many prayers have to be answered before it becomes more than coincidence?’ If even one single prayer in the whole history of the universe turns out to have been more than a coincidence; where does that leave arguments about the non-existence of a force that answers prayer?
Fact is that over the years, in ways mundane and moments that have graced my life with an awesome sense of wonder, God has answered prayers. The simple fact that I am where I am, doing what I do, is difficult for myself to understand without relating it to the way God has guided my life.
An atheist will suggest that there are other forces at work that have led me to my current work. That I am befuddled and brain-washed and they will offer a whole host of other explanations. They have to. The only other conclusion would be that they had got it wrong.
I also would assert that biblically speaking ‘no’ and ‘not now’ are considered equally valid answers to prayer as ‘yes’, and that negative answers need also to be balanced into the equation.
Of course when Jesus spoke of prayer He kept throwing that word ‘faith’ into the mix. Not just any sort of faith, but a faith that believes that God has our absolute best in mind, has a purpose for our lives and whose Holy Spirit is able to lead us and guide us through the many perplexing situations of our lives.
The sort of faith that when we don’t understand continues to ask ‘Not my will, but Your will be done’. A faith that includes present relationship, past experience and future hope.
Nobody can prove faith. You can’t set up laboratory experiments to measure it. It resists calculations. It is not a formula. It lacks physical dimensions. It defies defining. It is hardly surprising that Jesus speaks of it in relation to prayer!
So let us pray! “Lord, I don’t always understand how prayer works. But I do understand that I need You more than my words can express. Help me to be comfortable with mystery and be trusting that Your way is best. Amen.”
To many atheists the explanation for unanswered prayer is simple. There is no God. But what about answered prayers? Well that it is just coincidence. Has to be. If there is no God there can be no answered prayers. End of story.
As a theist I have to ask … ‘How many prayers have to be answered before it becomes more than coincidence?’ If even one single prayer in the whole history of the universe turns out to have been more than a coincidence; where does that leave arguments about the non-existence of a force that answers prayer?
Fact is that over the years, in ways mundane and moments that have graced my life with an awesome sense of wonder, God has answered prayers. The simple fact that I am where I am, doing what I do, is difficult for myself to understand without relating it to the way God has guided my life.
An atheist will suggest that there are other forces at work that have led me to my current work. That I am befuddled and brain-washed and they will offer a whole host of other explanations. They have to. The only other conclusion would be that they had got it wrong.
I also would assert that biblically speaking ‘no’ and ‘not now’ are considered equally valid answers to prayer as ‘yes’, and that negative answers need also to be balanced into the equation.
Of course when Jesus spoke of prayer He kept throwing that word ‘faith’ into the mix. Not just any sort of faith, but a faith that believes that God has our absolute best in mind, has a purpose for our lives and whose Holy Spirit is able to lead us and guide us through the many perplexing situations of our lives.
The sort of faith that when we don’t understand continues to ask ‘Not my will, but Your will be done’. A faith that includes present relationship, past experience and future hope.
Nobody can prove faith. You can’t set up laboratory experiments to measure it. It resists calculations. It is not a formula. It lacks physical dimensions. It defies defining. It is hardly surprising that Jesus speaks of it in relation to prayer!
So let us pray! “Lord, I don’t always understand how prayer works. But I do understand that I need You more than my words can express. Help me to be comfortable with mystery and be trusting that Your way is best. Amen.”
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Does it pay to be Good?
This past Sunday we reflected on if seeking to live a good life actually made any difference to ourselves or the world around us. The way of the world seems to be that prosperity has no link to morality! The sermon can be found here.
There are many who adopt an ‘ends justify the means’ philosophy. Whether it be governmental justification of torture or something far more mundane such as parking illegally because we ‘are just in such a rush today’ there are circumstances where people feel taking a course of action that would otherwise be unacceptable is O.K.
By way of contrast scripture invites those who follow Jesus Christ to be above reproach. In the Kingdom manifesto we know as the sermon on the mount we are counseled; “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven”. (Matthew 5:16)
When speaking of those who aspire to leadership in a congregation Paul places the highest standards before his young friend Timothy. “The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity.” (1 Timothy 3:2-4)
‘Do gooders’ are often regarded as hypocritical meddlers who do more harm than good. Neither Jesus or Paul suggest the way of God’s Kingdom is one of self-righteously enforcing our morality upon others. It is rather about doing the right thing whatever it may cost and however personally uncomfortable it may be.
Whether it means involving ourselves with a cause for justice and peace or simply obeying traffic laws the bottom line is that we are instructed in scripture to be shining examples of God’s love!
Prayer: Lord God, You call us to be people of Kingdom standards. We know ourselves well enough to see such is only possible through the intervention of Your Holy Spirit and through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us this week to let our light shine so that others obtain glimpses of Your love. Amen.
There are many who adopt an ‘ends justify the means’ philosophy. Whether it be governmental justification of torture or something far more mundane such as parking illegally because we ‘are just in such a rush today’ there are circumstances where people feel taking a course of action that would otherwise be unacceptable is O.K.
By way of contrast scripture invites those who follow Jesus Christ to be above reproach. In the Kingdom manifesto we know as the sermon on the mount we are counseled; “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven”. (Matthew 5:16)
When speaking of those who aspire to leadership in a congregation Paul places the highest standards before his young friend Timothy. “The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity.” (1 Timothy 3:2-4)
‘Do gooders’ are often regarded as hypocritical meddlers who do more harm than good. Neither Jesus or Paul suggest the way of God’s Kingdom is one of self-righteously enforcing our morality upon others. It is rather about doing the right thing whatever it may cost and however personally uncomfortable it may be.
Whether it means involving ourselves with a cause for justice and peace or simply obeying traffic laws the bottom line is that we are instructed in scripture to be shining examples of God’s love!
Prayer: Lord God, You call us to be people of Kingdom standards. We know ourselves well enough to see such is only possible through the intervention of Your Holy Spirit and through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us this week to let our light shine so that others obtain glimpses of Your love. Amen.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Souperbowl Sunday
This past Sunday we sang football related songs, raised money for the local Freeport Food pantry and reflected on ways we can help others. Lots of links today!
The sermon.
Our congregations rendition of “Drop Kick me Jesus”.
An update of the total money raised by the campaign.
Thanks deservedly go to our youth that participated in the service and all those who contributed.
The Sunday School sang for us the song ‘Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me’ . They reminded us all that whatever efforts for justice we make,they have to start where we are!
Prayer. ‘Lord, help us to sense Your presence this day, in a way that centers our lives, that we may share such peace with others. This we ask in Jesus name. Amen.”
The sermon.
Our congregations rendition of “Drop Kick me Jesus”.
An update of the total money raised by the campaign.
Thanks deservedly go to our youth that participated in the service and all those who contributed.
The Sunday School sang for us the song ‘Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me’ . They reminded us all that whatever efforts for justice we make,they have to start where we are!
Prayer. ‘Lord, help us to sense Your presence this day, in a way that centers our lives, that we may share such peace with others. This we ask in Jesus name. Amen.”
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