For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3

Throughout the past week our church building was filled with children, youth and adults during our Kids Camp.  We taught bible stories, emphasized through story, games, science and art.  We did a service project to help families in need and we had a lot of fun.

The culmination of all of this was Sunday after worship.  During the week, the children would be asked questions about the messages.  When they got right answers, they would get a ticket to vote on which leader got dunked Sunday after worship.  I “won”. 

Throughout the week I acted in skits, then led a group through the stations.  I like to create “marching chants” for the group to bind us together.  I act a little silly (although I still do not to motions to songs, sorry).  On Sunday I sat on the front steps of the church as two youth doused me with not one but two buckets of water. 

Sometimes it is a good thing to just act a little silly and have some fun.  Sometimes we need to put the seriousness of life on the shelf.  The kids had fun, learned about and experienced God’s love and isn’t that the point?

May you find some fun and peace in this week.

Pastor Bill

 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is powerful.  He knows what is about to happen, He knows it is the way of reconciliation yet the human Jesus does not want to do it. 

Often, we have things in life we must do yet do not want to do.  Very often they are hard, require major effort, and sometimes change us.  Yet we do not do them alone.  We can take them to God in prayer, and if God does not “take the cup from us” we do as God wants us to do. 

Usually there is something far better on the other side God is leading us towards.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

There is a lot happening around the world right now.  There is continued conflict in many nations.  There are too many shootings in our own country (and one is too many), and amidst a toxic political season, we have an assassination attempt. 

We need peace.

No matter what a person’s political viewpoint is, if one claims the mantle of Christ, one should strive for peace.

In this chaotic time, pray for peace.  Pray that the political temperature lowers and we can get back to reasonable discourse.  Pray that people inclined to do violence would, instead, hear God’s still voice.  Pray that we can peacefully disagree and still see the image of God in each other.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  Romans 8:26-27

There have been times when I knew I needed to pray for someone, or about something, but did not have the words.  Maybe I did not know the situation (but knew someone needed prayer), sometimes I just don’t know what to ask for.  These are the times our prayer lives can grow, as well as our trust in God.  Don’t know what to pray for?  Just go to God in prayer.  As the Holy Spirit to intervene, to take over.  Sit in the silence and listen for God.  Take the time and allow whatever words come, for the Spirit will intercede, you will pray and the Father will hear.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

It is perhaps the most well known verse of scripture.  Multiple religions recognize it as sacred, multiple peoples are comforted by this psalm.  And it makes sense, we seem to need “so much” yet God is giving us what we really need – peace.  He leads us to the still waters, the green fields, the places of rest.  As we begin the month of July, allow the Lord to guide you to those places of peace.  I know I need to do the same.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Luke 13:10-17

¹⁰Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. ¹¹And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. ¹²When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” ¹³When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. ¹⁴But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” ¹⁵But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? ¹⁶And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” ¹⁷When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Here is an example of compassion versus following the rules.  The Sabbath rest is important, especially when we accept it as the gift it is meant to be, not the restriction it became.  Jesus chooses to heal this woman out of compassion, not an act of defiance against Sabbath.  Yet he is criticized by the leader of the Synagogue. 

Sometimes we need to do the right thing, even if it breaks customs (notice, I’m not calling for lawbreaking here).  Sometimes we baptize someone who may not come to worship regularly.  Sometimes we offer the Lord’s Supper to someone who is questionable about their faith.  Mercy goes a long way and who among us doesn’t need mercy from time to time?

Peace,

Pastor Bill

²⁴When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?” ²⁵He said, “Yes, he does.” And when he came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others?” ²⁶When Peter said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the children are free. ²⁷However, so that we do not give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me.”  Matthew 17:24-27

This is one of those unusual stories in the gospel and yet there is an important message.  While I do not expect God to pay my taxes, we can depend on Jesus to meet our needs.  Deep down, people have a desire to be loved and accepted.  Jesus meets this need.  Read the gospels and you will see how time and again Jesus meets the needs of those around him, whether it’s physical healing, spiritual healing, acceptance or love.

Do you have a need?  Take it to the Lord.  Do you know someone who might need some healing or acceptance?  Be Jesus for them.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹⁰Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: ¹¹it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.”  Matthew 15:10-11

In a lively discussion with the Pharisees about customs and traditions, Jesus answers them with this passage from Matthew.  While His words are talking about the traditions and following the law, we can look at it from our perspective as well.  We can “do” all the right things, go to worship, pray, live a morally clean life and all the rest, but if we say nasty things to people, if our speech is unwholesome, the rest doesn’t matter.

Words are important. Telling those we love that we love them is important.  Finding a good thing to say to someone is important.  Sharing a compliment is far more important than an unwelcome critique. 

As you travel through this week, pay attention to your words (and the thoughts before the words).  Share the good, ignore the rest.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; ⁴⁶on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.  Matthew 13:44-45

What is the Kingdom of Heaven like for you?  Have you thought about it?  Is it the trope of people with angels’ wings hanging out on clouds playing harps?  How about a beautiful garden?  What about the image of God before you?

Jesus tells us about the Kingdom of Heaven and it often sounds like the earth – although a much better version.  The Kingdom is filled with people seeking righteousness and justice, peace and love.

With that thought, what is your image of the Kingdom?  Is it worth selling all you have to achieve?  Is it worth everything to have?

The Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of God is worth far more than anything we could possess.  And the good news is this – it will not cost you anything you have, rather the Kingdom has already been purchase for you. 

As you travel through this week, seek the Kingdom, ask for the Kingdom, see the Kingdom.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Today is Memorial Day, a day we set aside to remember and honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  In your celebrations, in your chores, in all you do today, take a moment and give thanks.

Peace,

Pastor Bill