There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die,  a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,  a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

When you think about it, we are governed by seasons.  We have the four climate seasons, summer, fall, winter and spring, and each brings its own excitement.  We have holiday seasons (which are just around the corner), and in this end of summer/end of August, we have the back to school season (as well as back to full church activities).

This is a bittersweet time for many parents as school begins.  For some, it is the change from elementary to middle, or middle to high school.  And for many the change from high school to college – meaning our little children are no longer little and have reached a different point in their lives. 

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heaven.

As we watch our children grow and explore the world, we must remember that God is with them (and us), and our prayers go with them.

For our students, may you have a wonderful school year and take the opportunity to learn beyond the subjects.  And remember, God goes with you.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. Matthew 4:23-25

I never noticed this before.  As I was pondering a scripture for today’s message, I came across this interesting tidbit.  Matthew tells us how news about Jesus was spreading among the area of the Jews, and Matthew’s gospel is written to Jews, including a lot of Hebrew scriptures related to the Messiah. 

But there it is, “Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.”  Galilee, Jerusalem and Judea makes sense, but Matthew points out the Decapolis, a region of ten Hellenistic cities.  These Greek cities followed their own culture, more in line with Roman beliefs than that of the Hebrews.  Yet they heard the stories of Jesus and followed Him.

This is good news for us in our segmented society.  Some of us might live in completely homogenous communities, while others very diverse.  In all cases, the story of Jesus can be powerful and will be heard – as long as we tell it.

This brief scripture also reminds me that even when people are “different”, God includes them into the family.

As you journey through this week, be on the lookout for someone that might be “different” and show them some love.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Mark 10:17-22

Often, we interpret this passage in a very exclusive way.  Jesus told this man, and this man alone, to sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow Jesus.  Yes, you can point to many wealthy people in the gospels who follow Christ, and even support the ministry so one could conceivably interpret this passage for the man alone.  But what do you need to give up so you can follow Jesus better?  Is there something that holds you back from greater discipleship?

Most of us have something.  It might not be wealth or possessions, rather it might be a relationship, or a hobby or a habit.  It might even be a combination of things.  What we frequently need to do is practice self-examination (or Holy Spirit led self-examination) and ask the Spirit to show us areas where we lack.  This does not mean we have to give up everything, we just need to put God first and allow God to put everything else in perspective.

As you journey through this week, practice the prayer of examen.  Ask the Spirit to show you areas that are placed above God, and ask for help. 

Peace,

Pastor Bill

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” John 1:43-46

Notice how Philip does not argue with Nathanael, nor does Philip reject him.  Nathanael has a counter to Philip’s claim of finding the Messiah.  Nathanael’s argument is downright nasty and prejudice, but Philip answers him with a very simple statement; come and see.

Come and see.  If someone wants to know who Jesus is, can you invite them to come and see?  Do you have a place to take them to show them Jesus in action?  How about a place to show great devotion? 

Have you ever invited someone to come with you on a mission project? Imagine your skeptical friends watching not only you, but your fellow congregation members working side by side in unity serving the hungry, or someone in need.  Imagine how the greater church can grow if we simply say “come and see”.  Come and see what we do for others.  Come and see, experience a peaceful and prayerful experience.  Come and see what we do in the name of Jesus.

As you travel through this week, consider how you could invite someone to come and see.

Peace,

Pastor Bill