Call in the next 10 minutes and get our special deal! They won't last long at this price! Special financing available! Guaranteed to work!
Wow! All the promises I hear on the radio make me want to "pick up the phone and call NOW!!" I could lose weight in 20 different ways, get my eyes fixed by the NUMBER ONE eye surgeon in the Metroplex, solve all my credit problems with one quick fix, learn to invest by ordering a free book and video. It is amazing that I am able to drive at all with all the wonderful offers out there. I should just stay home and stay close to the phone, so that I won't miss any of the numbers to call.
I'm being facetious, of course, but I do have a good deal for those of you in my church. The only promise that I can make is that your life will be changed and that you will grow closer to God and to a group of fellow disciples. You can "try it and see" with no commitment, no cost and no pressure - and no continuing draft on your credit card! What am I talking about? Disciple Bible Study.
I really love this way of studying the Bible because it combines two things that I think are crucial for getting the most out of the Bible: personal engagement with the Bible and group reflection. Not only that, but as the group shares, week after week, we become close and are better able to help one another on our faith journeys.
My own journey into faith and eventually ministry came as the result of Disciple Bible Study. I experienced the power for myself and want so much to be able to share this with others.
You can come next Sunday evening (September 13) at 5:30 and check it out. If you have kids in the Children's choir or youth in the Youth Choir, then you have to come up to church anyway. Why not spend the time in a way that will feed your soul and embrace you in fellowship? Childcare will be provided for children who are not old enough for Children's choir and for the time after Choir. I am teaching the Disciple I course.
Check it out this week. We will have an introduction, get the books, and explain the format. You have nothing to lose and much to gain.
I hope to see you there!
Martha
P.S. Look at the Spring Valley website for other small group offerings! www.svumc.org. There is something for everyone.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
A great link to another blog - highly recommended
I received this link from someone and it is a great example of what I will be talking about in my sermon this Sunday on "From Common Ground to Holy Ground."
The link is: http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2009/08/bait-and-switch-of-contemporary.html
The article talks about the problem with Christians "working on their relationship with God" and somehow thinking that doesn't affect their relationships with others. If we are going to be disciples of Jesus Christ, then we have to love God, love neighbor, and serve the world. Those three things are inseparable. So, while I think that obviously "spiritual" things like prayer, bible study, worship, etc. are necessary ways for "working on our relationship with God," if they don't lead us to loving our neighbor and serving the world, then something is wrong with our prayer, study, worship, etc.
The link is: http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2009/08/bait-and-switch-of-contemporary.html
The article talks about the problem with Christians "working on their relationship with God" and somehow thinking that doesn't affect their relationships with others. If we are going to be disciples of Jesus Christ, then we have to love God, love neighbor, and serve the world. Those three things are inseparable. So, while I think that obviously "spiritual" things like prayer, bible study, worship, etc. are necessary ways for "working on our relationship with God," if they don't lead us to loving our neighbor and serving the world, then something is wrong with our prayer, study, worship, etc.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Gay Marriage, Democracy, and the Courts
This is an argument from the Wall Street Journal that I found quite interesting. (Click on the title to go to the article.) It is grounded in something other than the typical religious point of view. I would be interested to know what others think.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Life on the Edge - Sharing my journey
As I prepared for my sermon "Life on the Edge" last Sunday (see http://www.svumc.org/sermons.html to listen), I wondered exactly who my audience was. Was I going to be speaking to people who felt like they were at the center or people who felt like they were living on the margins. I must say that the folks at my congregation look pretty together and like they are "center" people, not folks that feel "marginalized," but I know that looks can be deceiving.
Personally, I feel like I have always lived on the edge. As a girl I was too tall, too smart and too quiet to run with the "in" crowd. I was perceived as "snobby," but I really just didn't know how to interact with all the cool people, so I stayed on the sidelines. That was pretty much true at church as well, unfortunately.
When I got to high school, I attended an all-girl school where it was okay to be smart and nerdy (although we didn't have the word "nerdy" yet!). I loved it there and felt at home for the first time in my life. I was still not a part of the group that was wealthy and socially elite, but there were enough of us who just loved to talk about Shakespeare and weird science and history to have a good group.
Church, however, continued to be a place where I was on the margins. I went to a different school from the other kids in youth group. My hobbies were reading and horseback riding; not the usual things. My family was not as wealthy as most of those in the church. My youngest sister died when I was 15, so that set me apart as well. I was persistent enough to just keep coming until I was accepted. And I needed the Christian community even though I didn't always feel at home in it.
As an adult, I have grown to enjoy life on the edge. I now bristle if anyone assumes I am "normal." At seminary all the conservatives thought I was a liberal and the liberals thought I was a conservative. I homeschooled my kids which by definition made me countercultural. I always take a different path toward my goals than the expected one. I also find that I relate to those who are marginalized for whatever reasons better than I relate to those who are in the center of society.
I think this is why Jesus is such a powerful figure for me. Jesus broke the rules and yet fulfilled the spirit of why those rules were created - to form a holy community. Jesus loved those who were unlovable and forgave the unforgivable. In coming to the point where I am better able to center my own life on God and God's kingdom, I can rejoice in who God is forming me to be without so much concern about how others perceive me. I am also a bit wiser in perceiving others; I know now that almost everyone feels on the edge in some aspect of their lives, no matter how "together" they look.
How do you see yourself? Where are you on the edge in this world? Are you able to center yourself on God or does that concept even make sense to you?
Grace and peace,
Martha
Personally, I feel like I have always lived on the edge. As a girl I was too tall, too smart and too quiet to run with the "in" crowd. I was perceived as "snobby," but I really just didn't know how to interact with all the cool people, so I stayed on the sidelines. That was pretty much true at church as well, unfortunately.
When I got to high school, I attended an all-girl school where it was okay to be smart and nerdy (although we didn't have the word "nerdy" yet!). I loved it there and felt at home for the first time in my life. I was still not a part of the group that was wealthy and socially elite, but there were enough of us who just loved to talk about Shakespeare and weird science and history to have a good group.
Church, however, continued to be a place where I was on the margins. I went to a different school from the other kids in youth group. My hobbies were reading and horseback riding; not the usual things. My family was not as wealthy as most of those in the church. My youngest sister died when I was 15, so that set me apart as well. I was persistent enough to just keep coming until I was accepted. And I needed the Christian community even though I didn't always feel at home in it.
As an adult, I have grown to enjoy life on the edge. I now bristle if anyone assumes I am "normal." At seminary all the conservatives thought I was a liberal and the liberals thought I was a conservative. I homeschooled my kids which by definition made me countercultural. I always take a different path toward my goals than the expected one. I also find that I relate to those who are marginalized for whatever reasons better than I relate to those who are in the center of society.
I think this is why Jesus is such a powerful figure for me. Jesus broke the rules and yet fulfilled the spirit of why those rules were created - to form a holy community. Jesus loved those who were unlovable and forgave the unforgivable. In coming to the point where I am better able to center my own life on God and God's kingdom, I can rejoice in who God is forming me to be without so much concern about how others perceive me. I am also a bit wiser in perceiving others; I know now that almost everyone feels on the edge in some aspect of their lives, no matter how "together" they look.
How do you see yourself? Where are you on the edge in this world? Are you able to center yourself on God or does that concept even make sense to you?
Grace and peace,
Martha
Monday, June 29, 2009
Another great quote
I can't resist posting this one as well: "The command of the gospel is a summons to give the allegiance of body and mind, heart and soul, to Jesus; and its basis is neither more nor less than the event that constituted him in Paul's eyes as Messiah and Lord--namely, his resurrection. And it is in the proclamation of this gospel, and its acceptance in faith, that people begin to glimpse a great curtain being drawn aside and the covenant faithfulness and justice of God displayed to view." (Wright, p. 427)
Yes! That is exactly what I would say about my own experience of God. At some point I realized that I could give my allegiance to God because God was and is absolutely trustworthy. And that continues to be the case. Whenever I start to worry, God enters into my life in a way that reminds me that God is in control.
Yes! That is exactly what I would say about my own experience of God. At some point I realized that I could give my allegiance to God because God was and is absolutely trustworthy. And that continues to be the case. Whenever I start to worry, God enters into my life in a way that reminds me that God is in control.
What Romans is teaching me
Sometimes I am amazed by what excites me these days. I am working through N. T. Wright's commentary on Romans found in the New Interpreter's Bible, Volume X. I find this incredibly fun and fulfilling. Maybe that shouldn't be surprising for a pastor, but 20 years ago I would not have thought, "Yippee! I get to spend a morning with just the bible, my commentary and my computer!" Especially the letter to the Romans, which, until I discovered N. T. Wright, has always been a bit hard to read. So, since I have this blog going, I think I will post some of my reactions here.
Today I am reading about Romans 1:16-17. This is the quote from Wright (p. 424) that struck me:
"In the gospel, God’s righteousness is unveiled. This revelation happens, not just in the events referred to in the gospel, true though that is, but in the very announcement of the gospel. . . .
The gospel message about Jesus . . . opens people’s eyes to see for the first time that this was what God had been up to all along. It enables Jews to see how the promises they had cherished had been fulfilled, quite otherwise than they had expected. It enables Gentiles to see that there is one true God, the god of Israel, the creator; that this god has purposed to set the world to rights at last; and that this god has now in principle accomplished that purpose. . . . Paul believed that the announcement of the gospel wielded a power that overcame the unseen forces, inside people and around them, that prevented them from responding in obedient belief and allegiance."
What I find interesting about this is that it is the announcement of the gospel that has power. I find myself hoping that Paul is right. Because that is what I do; I announce the gospel. And if it is the announcing that has power, that means that I can relax a little about explaining the gospel. Being who I am, I want to explain things, but I don't always know how to explain the gospel. I didn't come to relationship with Jesus because the benefits were explained to my satisfaction. I came to relationship with Jesus because somehow I met Jesus in the course of my experience with the Christian community. Can't really explain it, just know it happened!
So this word about announcing the gospel both rings true to my own experience and gives me the courage to keep on announcing in my own preaching without the burden of having to explain everything. Of course, this doesn't mean that I shouldn't make sense in what I say or that I shouldn't try to be coherent! But it does mean that I can trust the power of God working through my imperfect words to enable people to respond to God's faithfulness with faith of their own. Hallelujah!
Today I am reading about Romans 1:16-17. This is the quote from Wright (p. 424) that struck me:
"In the gospel, God’s righteousness is unveiled. This revelation happens, not just in the events referred to in the gospel, true though that is, but in the very announcement of the gospel. . . .
The gospel message about Jesus . . . opens people’s eyes to see for the first time that this was what God had been up to all along. It enables Jews to see how the promises they had cherished had been fulfilled, quite otherwise than they had expected. It enables Gentiles to see that there is one true God, the god of Israel, the creator; that this god has purposed to set the world to rights at last; and that this god has now in principle accomplished that purpose. . . . Paul believed that the announcement of the gospel wielded a power that overcame the unseen forces, inside people and around them, that prevented them from responding in obedient belief and allegiance."
What I find interesting about this is that it is the announcement of the gospel that has power. I find myself hoping that Paul is right. Because that is what I do; I announce the gospel. And if it is the announcing that has power, that means that I can relax a little about explaining the gospel. Being who I am, I want to explain things, but I don't always know how to explain the gospel. I didn't come to relationship with Jesus because the benefits were explained to my satisfaction. I came to relationship with Jesus because somehow I met Jesus in the course of my experience with the Christian community. Can't really explain it, just know it happened!
So this word about announcing the gospel both rings true to my own experience and gives me the courage to keep on announcing in my own preaching without the burden of having to explain everything. Of course, this doesn't mean that I shouldn't make sense in what I say or that I shouldn't try to be coherent! But it does mean that I can trust the power of God working through my imperfect words to enable people to respond to God's faithfulness with faith of their own. Hallelujah!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Love in Any Language
Do you know your love language? Do you know the love language of your spouse/children/friend?
Dr. Gary Chapman helps us understand why we feel loved and how we can be better at loving intentionally. He speaks of the five love languages:
1)Words of Affirmation
2)Quality Time
3)Receiving Gifts
4)Acts of Service
5)Physical Touch
The premise is that we all have a primary and secondary love language, and if we are not loved in those languages we may not feel loved at all!
I have always had trouble figuring out my own love language. When I reread the book this time a statement jumped out at me: If your love tank is either very full or very empty, you may have trouble deciding what your love language might be. I have been blessed to always have felt loved in my family of origin and in my marriage, so I have never paid much attention to my own love language. But this book and its ideas have helped me to become better at loving others.
I would love to hear from some of you in reflecting on this.
Blessings,
Martha
For more information on the five love languages, go to Gary Chapman's website:
http://www.fivelovelanguages.com/
Dr. Gary Chapman helps us understand why we feel loved and how we can be better at loving intentionally. He speaks of the five love languages:
1)Words of Affirmation
2)Quality Time
3)Receiving Gifts
4)Acts of Service
5)Physical Touch
The premise is that we all have a primary and secondary love language, and if we are not loved in those languages we may not feel loved at all!
I have always had trouble figuring out my own love language. When I reread the book this time a statement jumped out at me: If your love tank is either very full or very empty, you may have trouble deciding what your love language might be. I have been blessed to always have felt loved in my family of origin and in my marriage, so I have never paid much attention to my own love language. But this book and its ideas have helped me to become better at loving others.
I would love to hear from some of you in reflecting on this.
Blessings,
Martha
For more information on the five love languages, go to Gary Chapman's website:
http://www.fivelovelanguages.com/
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