He Came to Live Among Us
Click on this link to get to the "World Vision Experience: Aids" and check out the sight for opportunities for us to get involved as a church. You can also do some things on your own like join the
Hope Prayer Chain or add your name to the
No Soldiers Declaration.
Today, we read from
I John 1&2 and Pastor Amy talked about how Christmas is more about the brokenness we all live with around and within us than an image of the "Perfect Christmas." Jesus came to our broken world and showed us how to live. He came to bring light and healing to our lives. Amy reminded us to keep the true light in mind this Christmas - the One that is already shining.
Labels: Advent
A Firm Foundation
Today, we read
Matthew 7:13-29 and focused on how the wise man built his house on the rock. When the floods and troubles came, his house stood firm. I love this image and that is one of the things I want to always remember about the Sermon on the Mount. This gives us a good picture of what we will be like when we seek to do what Jesus says.
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
It's Not About Me
Today Pastor Henry told us about Jesus Inconvenient truth in
Matthew 7:1-12. We started out by talking about how we would expect to be treated in different situations and found out that we want to be treated with respect, unconditional love, fairness, honesty, trust. This is how we want to be treated, and the summary statement of this passage is "
So, in everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you for this sums up the law and the prophets." To be this way, we have to have a change in heart, or a change in focus - to look not in the mirror but to God in everything.
Today's question is "
Where is your heart today and how do you do things to others that you want done to you?" I think one of the ways to do this is to try to pay attention to people and listen to what's going on with them out of respect. This is probably harder to do than one might think because we have a tendency to rush in with our own situations and problems and solution, but it shows respect to really listen to someone when you ask them how they are doing. What are some other ways?
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
Your Treasure
Today, Pastor Amy talked about the Inconvenient Truth found in
Matthew 6:19-34. Jesus says here that we should not lay up for ourselves treasures on earth, but instead we should be storing up treasures in heaven. The place where our treasure is is where we'll most want to end up being.
The text is best summarized by verse 33:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. The Message puts vs 33 like this:
Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.Today's question is 'Where does your treasure lay and how does this affect you spending habits?' Most of the time I would like to say my treasure is in heaven - this causes me to use stewardship in what we have been given - both at work where we operate on donations and at home. I think the hardest is when we feel like we'll be suffering on this earth forever - then we are prone to spend money on things for quick relief. Our focus instead should be on knowing God and He'll take care of what we need.
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
