Today's Scripture (1Peter3:18-22) was a prime example of this simple truth -- each pericope (fancy word for passage of Scripture) contains many themes and truths that can be expounded upon.
I focused on the forgiveness of God being available to everyone, and included the interpretation of the odd phrase in vv19-20 about the 'spirits in prison in the time of Noah.'
Equally valid would have been a sermon the the suffering of Christ for our sins, baptism as a the representation of God's grace and how that works, or even focused on Christ's identity and purpose.
So, there are many different directions to focus a Scripture. That is different from saying 'any interpretation is valid;' but that's a post for another day.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Lenten Practices 2012
I'm always caught a little off guard by the beginning of Lent. It doesn't matter if Lent comes early (like this year) or super late (like last year). I'm always surprised when it begins. I usually discover that Ash Wednesday is just around the corner when someone casually remarks that they are giving up sweets, meat, alcohol, or something else for Lent. My standard response is, "Oh, man! Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, isn't it?!?" To which I get a quizzical nod, like: "You're asking me?"
So this year it happened again -- but I had a full two weeks heads-up, and I had already been thinking about our Ash Wednesday service, so I'm counting both of those as wins. I also asked a few colleagues and friends what they were doing for Lent, did a little reading, visited some blogs and websites, and came up mostly blank.
I love the idea of giving something up for 40 days as a sign of devotion to Christ. I also like adding a spiritual discipline to deepen my faith connection to God. I've done both before and it's been meaningful. This year I've decided to return to the Sermon on the Mount, the location of Christianity's 'classic' faith practices: Alms (Matt 6:1-4), Prayer (Matt 6:5-13), and Fasting (Matt 6:16-18).
The focus of these practices in Matthew is that they are done not to be noticed and receive praise from others, but because they restore us to a right relationship with God. I'm not bragging about what I am doing for Lent, I am only sharing my journey in hopes that it leads others into deeper devotion and commitment to our Lord.
Alms: I am committing to carrying around four $5 bills each week and giving them away. For the sake of argument, I'll consider the week as Monday - Sunday. I might give to a homeless dude downtown, someone at the grocery store, or even a random fundraiser I come across. It doesn't matter where I give the money, only that it meets a need and I don't tell anyone about it.
Prayer: I will carry my prayer beads with me all 40 days of Lent, and will pray using them in the morning, at noon, and in the evening.
Fasting: Although the Didache suggests fasting be done every Wednesday and Friday (and John Wesley agreed!), I will take a page from the Catholic practice and fast Tuesdays with a morning and afternoon collation of bread and water. I like Landon Whitsit's suggestion that fasting is going without something we need, not just something we want.
So, there's my 2012 Lenten practice in a nutshell. What are you doing/not doing this year?
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| The prayer beads Erica gave me a couple years ago, ashes, and the lid to our baptismal font. |
I love the idea of giving something up for 40 days as a sign of devotion to Christ. I also like adding a spiritual discipline to deepen my faith connection to God. I've done both before and it's been meaningful. This year I've decided to return to the Sermon on the Mount, the location of Christianity's 'classic' faith practices: Alms (Matt 6:1-4), Prayer (Matt 6:5-13), and Fasting (Matt 6:16-18).
The focus of these practices in Matthew is that they are done not to be noticed and receive praise from others, but because they restore us to a right relationship with God. I'm not bragging about what I am doing for Lent, I am only sharing my journey in hopes that it leads others into deeper devotion and commitment to our Lord.
Alms: I am committing to carrying around four $5 bills each week and giving them away. For the sake of argument, I'll consider the week as Monday - Sunday. I might give to a homeless dude downtown, someone at the grocery store, or even a random fundraiser I come across. It doesn't matter where I give the money, only that it meets a need and I don't tell anyone about it.
Prayer: I will carry my prayer beads with me all 40 days of Lent, and will pray using them in the morning, at noon, and in the evening.
Fasting: Although the Didache suggests fasting be done every Wednesday and Friday (and John Wesley agreed!), I will take a page from the Catholic practice and fast Tuesdays with a morning and afternoon collation of bread and water. I like Landon Whitsit's suggestion that fasting is going without something we need, not just something we want.
So, there's my 2012 Lenten practice in a nutshell. What are you doing/not doing this year?
Friday, February 17, 2012
A Tidbit From 2 Corinthians 4
5For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. 6For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
The imagery of light is a powerful one. Thinking of ourselves not as the producers of light, but the conduits of God's light puts it in proper perspective. It takes our own ego out of the equation -- and Lord knows we all enjoy our own ego -- and makes it about what God is doing in our hearts and in our relationships through Jesus Christ.
How do people see God today? Through you.
Oh yeah, and I'm on Facebook now!!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
The Job
This strikes me as about right, which is why it's funny.
How about your job? Any entertaining insights?
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