Batten down your hatches! I'm glad Rocky and I got our (deliciously muddy) romp in the woods done yesterday afternoon. We both might blow away today! By the way, has anyone seen a green AC unit cover flying around? If so, send me an email. Mine is "blowin' in the wind." Speaking of which. . .
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Weds, Feb. 11- What would happen to the Israelites if they worked on the seventh day?
Exodus 35:2, “For six days, work is done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of Sabbath rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death.”
And here's the question of the day:
Thurs, Feb. 12- What did the lame beggar ask of Peter and John? What did the lame beggar receive instead?
And here's the reflection of the day:
Congratulations to all those who have been wading through the last 13 chapters of Exodus--two more chapters tomorrrow and you're done with it! It's a little repititious, I know. My sermon on Sunday is going to paint the BIG PICTURE for you about the tabernacle and why it's so important. So if you're still wondering why, hopefully you'll be in worship on Sunday. If not, I'll be sure to post the sermon. I hope it helps!
As we find ourselves at the end of Exodus, so too we find ourselves at the beginning of Acts. Here is the beginning of the church and the initial way the first church sought to live out the gospel: preaching and teaching, fellowship, sharing communion, and praying together.
The first two chapters of Acts tells us about Pentecost and its effect on the people. Spiritual experiences--like Pentecost--seem to come and go quickly. We are not used to seeing spirituality on a long term basis. But that is what Acts seeks to do: provide a vision of the ongoing embodiment of the gospel, not just gospel in fits and starts.
In Acts three, the gospel has moved from the crowds to the temple--the heart of worship--"where the gospel would do its work and encounter opposition" (Willimon, Acts, p 43). The disciples are preaching the gospel as the fulfilment of God's promises to the people of Israel. (We will see how the Jews react to the gospel a little later on.)
Willimon tells us that the gospel is the power of God which creates healing, astonishment, or anger, depending on the situation. In Acts 3, which we read today, the power of the gospel has created both healing and astonishment.
Peter and John, being faithful Jews, go up to the temple at the time of prayer when they stumble on a man who was lame from birth begging at the temple gate. Willimon writes, "The path toward significant prayer is a way that goes straight through, not around, human misery" (p 44).
The lame beggar has no way to supprt himself, instead relying on the crumbs thrown to him from others. He can't even make eye contact with the disciples. I'm going to make a little interpretive leap here and suggest that he was probably so beaten down by the circumstances of his life, that he can't even imagine asking for healing--not from God or from the disciples. He asks only for alms, but he receives physical and spiritual wholeness.
This is where the gospel goes; this is what the gospel does. Church isn't so much about handing out money to people in need; it's about pointing out the wholeness in Jesus Christ that God offers to everyone. The path to significant prayer--to significant ministry and mission and kingdom building--is through human misery and hopelessness and defeat. Human misery is like a magnet for the gospel; Jesus came to seek out the least and the lost. That is where Jesus is and where the church should be too.
Where do you see human misery? Can you see the gospel at work there? Is God calling you to be a part of it?
Allison
Showing posts with label worship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worship. Show all posts
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Happy Friday!
Hello, again! Can you believe we're almost done with the gospel of Matthew? After today's reading (which has to be one of the most intense chapters in the Bible), there's only one left. The chapters are flying by, don't you think?
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Thurs, Feb. 5- How much silver does Judas receive to betray Jesus?
Matthew 26:15, “So they counted for him thirty pieces of silver.”
And here's the question of the day:
Fri, Feb. 6- What kind of wood (or tree) was the ark of the covenant made from?
And here's the reflection of the day:
Those of you who are wood workers or who like to sew might find these next couple chapters of Exodus to be pretty interesting. In Exodus 25 and 26, we read a lot about the details God commands to Moses concerning the Ark of the Covenant, the table, and the tabernacle (or tent), that will surround them. It's a little fascinating, trying to imagine what it all must have looked like once it was put together.
There are 13 chapters in Exodus that go on about the description of HOW to build the tabernacle as well as the chapters detailing the actual BUILDING of it too. And so as you're reading this, the question running through your mind may be this: WHY? Why does Exodus spend so much time talking about this stuff? What does this have to do with us? (Even if we had been living back in biblical times, would we really have thought it was interesting even back then?!)
Here's the thing: Exodus tells the story of God taking the Israelites from slavery to Pharaoh and freeing them for service to God. In Egypt, they were controlled and subdued; in God, they are free and liberated. God has freed them from restriction and limitation. They are now able to worship God. And to worship God, they need some place to do it; hence, the need for a tabernacle.
The Israelites who were once enslaved to make bricks for Pharaoh's buildings are now able to freely and enthusiastically build a tabernacle for God. It is their "glad and obedient offering of themselves for a building for the worship of God" (Fretheim, Exodus, 263). That's a pretty big deal. In light of all of this, I can understand why so much of Exodus is involved with building this tabernacle.
Certainly, there's more to it than that, and I'll explain some of the other important aspects of the tabernacle, but for now, let it suffice to say that this is the ultimate reversal of fortunes for the Israelites. This is one of the ways they are showing gratitude to God for their deliverance.
How can you show YOUR gratitude to God today?
Allison
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Thurs, Feb. 5- How much silver does Judas receive to betray Jesus?
Matthew 26:15, “So they counted for him thirty pieces of silver.”
And here's the question of the day:
Fri, Feb. 6- What kind of wood (or tree) was the ark of the covenant made from?
And here's the reflection of the day:
Those of you who are wood workers or who like to sew might find these next couple chapters of Exodus to be pretty interesting. In Exodus 25 and 26, we read a lot about the details God commands to Moses concerning the Ark of the Covenant, the table, and the tabernacle (or tent), that will surround them. It's a little fascinating, trying to imagine what it all must have looked like once it was put together.
There are 13 chapters in Exodus that go on about the description of HOW to build the tabernacle as well as the chapters detailing the actual BUILDING of it too. And so as you're reading this, the question running through your mind may be this: WHY? Why does Exodus spend so much time talking about this stuff? What does this have to do with us? (Even if we had been living back in biblical times, would we really have thought it was interesting even back then?!)
Here's the thing: Exodus tells the story of God taking the Israelites from slavery to Pharaoh and freeing them for service to God. In Egypt, they were controlled and subdued; in God, they are free and liberated. God has freed them from restriction and limitation. They are now able to worship God. And to worship God, they need some place to do it; hence, the need for a tabernacle.
The Israelites who were once enslaved to make bricks for Pharaoh's buildings are now able to freely and enthusiastically build a tabernacle for God. It is their "glad and obedient offering of themselves for a building for the worship of God" (Fretheim, Exodus, 263). That's a pretty big deal. In light of all of this, I can understand why so much of Exodus is involved with building this tabernacle.
Certainly, there's more to it than that, and I'll explain some of the other important aspects of the tabernacle, but for now, let it suffice to say that this is the ultimate reversal of fortunes for the Israelites. This is one of the ways they are showing gratitude to God for their deliverance.
How can you show YOUR gratitude to God today?
Allison
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Super Bowl Sunday
Good morning/afternoon/evening! Can you believe Super Bowl coverage started at 7:00AM this morning on local Pittsburgh channels?! Mind you I bleed black-n-gold, but even I think that's RIDICULOUS. 12 hours? Seriously.
At any rate, here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Sat, Jan 31: Fill in the blanks: "Woe to you, teachers of the ___ and _________, you ___________!” (Mt 23)
Matthew 23:23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!
And here's the question of the day:
Sun, Feb. 01: Moses and the Israelites do what when they realize the waters have swept away the Egyptians who were chasing them? (Ex 15)
And here's the reflection of the day:
Anyone who has been part of a church for any period of time understands the mood swing of the Israelites in Exodus 15. Moses led the people out of Egypt, the Red Sea has come crashing down on their Egyptian pursuers, and now they are free. The singing and the dancing begin. The celebration and worship of God go on and on and on. Then, three short days later, the Israelites turn back into petulant children and are complaining again.
We've all seen this happen in churches: the church enjoys a time of almost ethereal blessing and then we come back down to earth with a thud. Things are going great and then something goes wrong; it's bound to happen because that's just the way life is.
In our individual walks of faith we see this happen. For every mountaintop experience there is a valley on each side, right? We can go from tremendous spiritual high to a low very quickly. And sometimes the valleys seem like they last forever. Just ask the Israelites about all their years of wandering!
The important thing to remember, on the mountains and in the valleys, is that God is always with us. God will always provide for us. It's easy to look down on the Israelites; hindsight is 20/20, right? But when we're in their shoes, I think we grumble just as much as they do. That is when we need to remember that we know the end of their story. We need to remember that we know about the manna, the pillar of fire, the staff, and the rock. God always provides for us. We just need to hang on and wait.
Here we go, Steelers, here we go!
Allison
At any rate, here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Sat, Jan 31: Fill in the blanks: "Woe to you, teachers of the ___ and _________, you ___________!” (Mt 23)
Matthew 23:23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!
And here's the question of the day:
Sun, Feb. 01: Moses and the Israelites do what when they realize the waters have swept away the Egyptians who were chasing them? (Ex 15)
And here's the reflection of the day:
Anyone who has been part of a church for any period of time understands the mood swing of the Israelites in Exodus 15. Moses led the people out of Egypt, the Red Sea has come crashing down on their Egyptian pursuers, and now they are free. The singing and the dancing begin. The celebration and worship of God go on and on and on. Then, three short days later, the Israelites turn back into petulant children and are complaining again.
We've all seen this happen in churches: the church enjoys a time of almost ethereal blessing and then we come back down to earth with a thud. Things are going great and then something goes wrong; it's bound to happen because that's just the way life is.
In our individual walks of faith we see this happen. For every mountaintop experience there is a valley on each side, right? We can go from tremendous spiritual high to a low very quickly. And sometimes the valleys seem like they last forever. Just ask the Israelites about all their years of wandering!
The important thing to remember, on the mountains and in the valleys, is that God is always with us. God will always provide for us. It's easy to look down on the Israelites; hindsight is 20/20, right? But when we're in their shoes, I think we grumble just as much as they do. That is when we need to remember that we know the end of their story. We need to remember that we know about the manna, the pillar of fire, the staff, and the rock. God always provides for us. We just need to hang on and wait.
Here we go, Steelers, here we go!
Allison
Sunday, January 11, 2009
A Psalm for Sunday
Hello, again! I hope that wherever you are, you are able to make it to church this morning! I still here the snow plows scraping the roads this morning, so drive carefully.
Here's yesterday's question and answer:
Sat, Jan. 10: How many times does Jesus heal people in Matt 8 (including casting out demons)?
#1 Matthew 8:2-3 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.
#2 Matthew 8:13 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
#3 Matthew 8:14-15 14 When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
#4 Matthew 8:16 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
#5 Matthew 8:31-32 31 The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs." 32 He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.
(Busy day for Jesus!)
And here's today's question of the day:
Sun, Jan. 11: Have you ever felt the way the psalmist feels in Psalm 6? Why? How did God respond?
Ha! This is kind of a trick question. No right or wrong answer but a good thing to think about.
And here's today's reflection (which is a little short because I'm trying to get out the door on time!):
A Psalm for Sunday
As I read Psalm 5 this morning, I thought it was a perfect psalm for a Sunday morning. It encompasses all the feelings and emotions we can possibly have toward God: pleading, adoration, cries for vengeance, mercy, refuge, and asking for favor. And these are all emotions we will be taking with us to church this morning and will effect how we hear the Word of God preached in each of our congregations. I'm not sure there's an emotion the psalmist misses with this little poem.
Think about how you are feeling this morning. What part of the psalm are you connecting with right now? How will that affect the way you pray today? How do you hope God will respond? And may this journey through the Year of the Bible help to surround you with favor as with a shield (v12).
Also, this morning's reading from Gen 22 is the text for Bible Study this week as well as for next Sunday's sermon. THAT should make for some good discussion!
Amen!
Allison
Here's yesterday's question and answer:
Sat, Jan. 10: How many times does Jesus heal people in Matt 8 (including casting out demons)?
#1 Matthew 8:2-3 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.
#2 Matthew 8:13 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
#3 Matthew 8:14-15 14 When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
#4 Matthew 8:16 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
#5 Matthew 8:31-32 31 The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs." 32 He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.
(Busy day for Jesus!)
And here's today's question of the day:
Sun, Jan. 11: Have you ever felt the way the psalmist feels in Psalm 6? Why? How did God respond?
Ha! This is kind of a trick question. No right or wrong answer but a good thing to think about.
And here's today's reflection (which is a little short because I'm trying to get out the door on time!):
A Psalm for Sunday
As I read Psalm 5 this morning, I thought it was a perfect psalm for a Sunday morning. It encompasses all the feelings and emotions we can possibly have toward God: pleading, adoration, cries for vengeance, mercy, refuge, and asking for favor. And these are all emotions we will be taking with us to church this morning and will effect how we hear the Word of God preached in each of our congregations. I'm not sure there's an emotion the psalmist misses with this little poem.
Think about how you are feeling this morning. What part of the psalm are you connecting with right now? How will that affect the way you pray today? How do you hope God will respond? And may this journey through the Year of the Bible help to surround you with favor as with a shield (v12).
Also, this morning's reading from Gen 22 is the text for Bible Study this week as well as for next Sunday's sermon. THAT should make for some good discussion!
Amen!
Allison
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