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Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
The day after his father's funeral Gary visited with his mother. She was beginning to go through her late-husbands belongings. At times she became lost in her memories of particular events shared during their many years together. Gary viewed this as part of the healing process. They shared many memories that afternoon. At times tears welled up in their eyes and at other times they could not help but laugh together.
As Gary was about to leave, his mother asked if there was anything of his father's that he would like to keep. He asked if he could have his dad's old leather wallet. He remembered how he used to love looking through his dad's wallet when he was a kid. "Breathing in its leathery smell and touching its texture, and knowing my dad had touched it, made me feel close to him," Gary told his mother.
Later he began to carefully examine the wallet and found a pocket with a folded piece of paper that looked like it had been tucked away for years. In his dad's handwriting were these words, "Lord Jesus Christ, I confess to you my sins. Come into my heart and forgive me for all my sins." As Gary read those words tears once again began to roll down his face and he heard the still small voice of God telling him that his father was truly living now.
Daniel saw a vision that disturbed him. In the dream he asked one of the attendants the meaning of what he was seeing. While the image was disconcerting it ended with the promise for those who obeyed God that they would receive "the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever -- forever and ever."
Tim S.
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
"Nothing lasts forever." "All good things must come to an end." "This too shall pass." These are only a few of the axioms that define life as we know it. Everything is transient. It has its time and then moves on. Even the Roman empire, which at its height, probably thought it would last forever, finally fell -- in the west, to Germanic mercenaries in 476, and in the east, to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. This was an empire once thought invincible, stretching at its height under Trajan from England to Turkey, encompassing most of Europe as well as parts of Asia and Africa. But it is now only history. Even the greatest powers of today -- the United States, the European Union, and so on -- may eventually see a day when they fall into the pages of history.
However, Daniel rightly points out that the kingdom of heaven, the reign of the Most High God, will never cease and that "the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever" (v. 18).
Craig K.
Ephesians 1:11-23
The 1991 film Hook, starring Robin Williams and Julia Roberts, is an adaptation of the story of Peter Pan. In the film, Robin Williams plays a grown-up Peter Pan, who left Neverland to live in the real world. Somehow Captain Hook finds his way to the real world from Neverland and captures Peter's children. The film follows the adventures of the grown-up Peter Pan as he returns to Neverland to save his children. In one scene, Peter joins the Lost Boys for dinner; however, the dishes that the children pile on the table are devoid of any food. Peter has to re-learn how to use his imagination -- how to believe -- before he can see the rich spread of food laid out before him and the Lost Boys. Only once he remembers how to believe can he be a part of the Lost Boys' world again.
Leah T.
Ephesians 1:11-23
Two years before LeBron James was eligible for free agency, basketball teams across the conference began preparations to woo him to their cities. From billboards, to calls from celebrities, even seven calls from the President of the United States urging him to go with the Bulls, and special engineering by team presidents to support his salary, all were placing themselves to be in vital contention. When the day finally arrived, only six cities -- Cleveland, New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, Brooklyn -- were in contention. James met with representatives from each team at his home in Akron. Discussions commenced on July 1, but his announcement would have to wait until July 8, 2010. During those days he debated with himself as to which team he should affiliate with.
He said his decision was actually made in a dream in the early morning hours of Thursday. Later that morning he shared his thoughts with his mother. Then that night, at 9 o'clock, on a special edition of ESPN, he declared his intentions. He would play for the Miami Heat.
In the interview with Jim Gray, regarding the overtures he received as a free agent, James said, "I can't say it was always in my plans, because I never thought it was possible." But it did become possible, and Miami is going to give James the opportunity that eluded him for seven years in Cleveland, a chance to win a championship ring.
Paul wrote in our lectionary reading that we are to live by "the hope to which he has called you." As James realized in his own life, we do not always know what that will be, but in hope, we continue to pursue our dream.
Ron L.
Luke 6:20-31
Often we do not realize the influence we have on other people. Day in and out we are simply doing what we always do unaware that others might be watching us.
At the close of worship people were given the opportunity to stand and name someone in the congregation who impacted their lives in a positive way.
A man in his mid thirties stood to acknowledge a former youth fellowship leader who impacted his life when he was a teenager. He briefly told of struggling to be accepted and found the youth leader making him feel a part of the group. He then added that that is why he is involved in the youth ministry of the church today.
Next was a woman who spoke of an older woman who came to visit her when she was experiencing personal problems. What she particularly appreciated was that the woman did not judge her but instead showed love and concern. The woman who stood said that she just started a small group within the church to help young, single mothers who need support.
Others in the congregation told of people who influenced their lives. Perhaps what was unexpected was the number of people who told of that special individual and who now were engaged in similar ministries within the church.
Today's lesson is from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Jesus reminds us that what we might consider a negative aspect might actually turn out to our benefit. He also warned those who thought they had it all -- the tables would turn on them as well. One of Jesus' primary teachings is to love one another. "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you," Jesus teaches, "bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you."
Tim S.
Luke 6:20-31
There is a pervasive message sweeping throughout the church. It is widely known as the "Prosperity Gospel." Without naming names, I will say that there are well-known, highly recognized Christian pastors and leaders who hold to this teaching that if you love God and follow him, you have all the faith in the world: you will be healthy with no sickness, you will have great relationships with no animosity or persecution or strife, and you will have all the money in the world to pay your bills and live "the good life." In fact, on the flip side, if you don't have these things, then you may be lacking in your faith and you may be denying yourself all that God has for you.
I have no wish to ruffle any feathers, but I will be perfectly frank in stating I believe this teaching is false. When I look at Jesus' words in this passage, words like, "Blessed are you who are poor" (v. 20) and "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!" (v. 22), I see no room in those words for any "prosperity gospel." God loves and uses even the least and the poorest and the worst of us for his glory.
Craig K.
The day after his father's funeral Gary visited with his mother. She was beginning to go through her late-husbands belongings. At times she became lost in her memories of particular events shared during their many years together. Gary viewed this as part of the healing process. They shared many memories that afternoon. At times tears welled up in their eyes and at other times they could not help but laugh together.
As Gary was about to leave, his mother asked if there was anything of his father's that he would like to keep. He asked if he could have his dad's old leather wallet. He remembered how he used to love looking through his dad's wallet when he was a kid. "Breathing in its leathery smell and touching its texture, and knowing my dad had touched it, made me feel close to him," Gary told his mother.
Later he began to carefully examine the wallet and found a pocket with a folded piece of paper that looked like it had been tucked away for years. In his dad's handwriting were these words, "Lord Jesus Christ, I confess to you my sins. Come into my heart and forgive me for all my sins." As Gary read those words tears once again began to roll down his face and he heard the still small voice of God telling him that his father was truly living now.
Daniel saw a vision that disturbed him. In the dream he asked one of the attendants the meaning of what he was seeing. While the image was disconcerting it ended with the promise for those who obeyed God that they would receive "the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever -- forever and ever."
Tim S.
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
"Nothing lasts forever." "All good things must come to an end." "This too shall pass." These are only a few of the axioms that define life as we know it. Everything is transient. It has its time and then moves on. Even the Roman empire, which at its height, probably thought it would last forever, finally fell -- in the west, to Germanic mercenaries in 476, and in the east, to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. This was an empire once thought invincible, stretching at its height under Trajan from England to Turkey, encompassing most of Europe as well as parts of Asia and Africa. But it is now only history. Even the greatest powers of today -- the United States, the European Union, and so on -- may eventually see a day when they fall into the pages of history.
However, Daniel rightly points out that the kingdom of heaven, the reign of the Most High God, will never cease and that "the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever" (v. 18).
Craig K.
Ephesians 1:11-23
The 1991 film Hook, starring Robin Williams and Julia Roberts, is an adaptation of the story of Peter Pan. In the film, Robin Williams plays a grown-up Peter Pan, who left Neverland to live in the real world. Somehow Captain Hook finds his way to the real world from Neverland and captures Peter's children. The film follows the adventures of the grown-up Peter Pan as he returns to Neverland to save his children. In one scene, Peter joins the Lost Boys for dinner; however, the dishes that the children pile on the table are devoid of any food. Peter has to re-learn how to use his imagination -- how to believe -- before he can see the rich spread of food laid out before him and the Lost Boys. Only once he remembers how to believe can he be a part of the Lost Boys' world again.
Leah T.
Ephesians 1:11-23
Two years before LeBron James was eligible for free agency, basketball teams across the conference began preparations to woo him to their cities. From billboards, to calls from celebrities, even seven calls from the President of the United States urging him to go with the Bulls, and special engineering by team presidents to support his salary, all were placing themselves to be in vital contention. When the day finally arrived, only six cities -- Cleveland, New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, Brooklyn -- were in contention. James met with representatives from each team at his home in Akron. Discussions commenced on July 1, but his announcement would have to wait until July 8, 2010. During those days he debated with himself as to which team he should affiliate with.
He said his decision was actually made in a dream in the early morning hours of Thursday. Later that morning he shared his thoughts with his mother. Then that night, at 9 o'clock, on a special edition of ESPN, he declared his intentions. He would play for the Miami Heat.
In the interview with Jim Gray, regarding the overtures he received as a free agent, James said, "I can't say it was always in my plans, because I never thought it was possible." But it did become possible, and Miami is going to give James the opportunity that eluded him for seven years in Cleveland, a chance to win a championship ring.
Paul wrote in our lectionary reading that we are to live by "the hope to which he has called you." As James realized in his own life, we do not always know what that will be, but in hope, we continue to pursue our dream.
Ron L.
Luke 6:20-31
Often we do not realize the influence we have on other people. Day in and out we are simply doing what we always do unaware that others might be watching us.
At the close of worship people were given the opportunity to stand and name someone in the congregation who impacted their lives in a positive way.
A man in his mid thirties stood to acknowledge a former youth fellowship leader who impacted his life when he was a teenager. He briefly told of struggling to be accepted and found the youth leader making him feel a part of the group. He then added that that is why he is involved in the youth ministry of the church today.
Next was a woman who spoke of an older woman who came to visit her when she was experiencing personal problems. What she particularly appreciated was that the woman did not judge her but instead showed love and concern. The woman who stood said that she just started a small group within the church to help young, single mothers who need support.
Others in the congregation told of people who influenced their lives. Perhaps what was unexpected was the number of people who told of that special individual and who now were engaged in similar ministries within the church.
Today's lesson is from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Jesus reminds us that what we might consider a negative aspect might actually turn out to our benefit. He also warned those who thought they had it all -- the tables would turn on them as well. One of Jesus' primary teachings is to love one another. "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you," Jesus teaches, "bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you."
Tim S.
Luke 6:20-31
There is a pervasive message sweeping throughout the church. It is widely known as the "Prosperity Gospel." Without naming names, I will say that there are well-known, highly recognized Christian pastors and leaders who hold to this teaching that if you love God and follow him, you have all the faith in the world: you will be healthy with no sickness, you will have great relationships with no animosity or persecution or strife, and you will have all the money in the world to pay your bills and live "the good life." In fact, on the flip side, if you don't have these things, then you may be lacking in your faith and you may be denying yourself all that God has for you.
I have no wish to ruffle any feathers, but I will be perfectly frank in stating I believe this teaching is false. When I look at Jesus' words in this passage, words like, "Blessed are you who are poor" (v. 20) and "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!" (v. 22), I see no room in those words for any "prosperity gospel." God loves and uses even the least and the poorest and the worst of us for his glory.
Craig K.
