Viewing entries tagged
One Another
Through David’s Thanksgiving, we see what gratitude looks like and sounds like and how it moves, and we see how God uses it, channels it, and encourages it. We see how God looks into a heart swollen with gratitude and breathes possibility and opportunity and growth. We see David’s Thanksgiving in both 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. It is repeated. It is emphasized. It’s echoed, because it is essential.
I know, you’ve heard this one a million times: Jesus’s parable about the talents. But it ain’t about money, and talent’s got nothin’ to do with it. It’s all about waiting and weight, and that dude Paul gets it straight. Join me at the mercy seat Sunday, and we’ll build each other up.
The message on Nov 8th is taken from Matthew 25:1-13. It is based on a parable, which is known by several names: The Parable of the Ten Virgins, The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, or The Parable of the Ten bridesmaids. As we will learn, maybe we should call it The Parable of the EMPTY TANK. Is your tank empty or full?
We love to hear about good things happening in our neighborhoods and communities, don’t we? We love to see that folks in our communities see a need and take swift, bold actions. We stand on the sidelines cheering them on, but what if we are the ones that should be the do “good-ers”? What if it is not just enough to like what we hear, but that we are called to do something?
I personally do not remember a time in my life that was this fraught with social and cultural issues. They have always been there of course… manifesting in different degrees depending on who you are and where you live. To some people they have been ever present and have a daily impact on their lives… and to others, they are sort of below the surface… somewhere in the background. I fall into that second category. I knew these issues were not resolved, but I felt for years like they were trending in a positive direction and would fade away eventually.
Now I really wonder.
“Go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you.” Matthew 28:19a,20a
The Bible says we are to teach, but you can’t have all teachers and no students! We must also be willing to listen and learn, no matter how much we think we already know.
Would you decline an invitation by King Friday XIII to attend his birthday party on Friday the 13th in The Neighborhood of Make Believe? And if you accepted the invitation, what would you wear to the royal festivities?
Photo by Tekke
