Again he said, 'What shall we say the kingdom of God is like?'
Mark 4:30-32
When our YAC class started rattling off words, thoughts, and ideas about the kingdom of God, the following were the first to be blurted out: "Mystery, Flowers, Butterflies, Gold Streets, Bright Light, Pearly Gates, Beauty not able to be grasped by our earthly minds, Angels, Happiness, Welcoming, Family, Friends, Vast, Bigger than you can imagine ..." As the thoughts were bouncing around our classroom, we eventually came to two words we thought best described the kingdom of God – INFINITE and INDIVIDUAL.
We found that as we each tried to think of places we have been that make us think of heaven everyone had their own location. One student talked about the feeling when you are the only person on the beach with the ocean stretching out before you – the beauty and peace are overwhelming. Another student felt the same sense of greatness in a shaded forest setting, and still another saw the kingdom of God looking at farm land. Everyone agreed that in the kingdom of God we would find what means heaven to each of us individually. All agreed that the sense of infinity you feel staring at the endless ocean, forest, or planted fields provides a small glimpse of what we can imagine.
Cheryl Dorr and the YAC class (Grade 12)
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Lenten Reflection - February 27, 2013
But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.
Matthew 20:17-28
This quote from the scripture may seem strange to some who read this page.
Just before Jesus uttered these words, James and John, through their mother, had asked to be seated on either hand of Jesus in the heavenly kingdom. They, along with the others, often just didn't seem to get it. They had seen Jesus exhibit humility, meekness, and disregard for worldly ambition in his ministry and yet, few saw the need to emulate the Master. Rather, as in this case, they sought to use his prestige to further their own earthly desires. With the above-quoted words, Jesus rebuked his disciples. By the time of the crucifixion, their understanding of their place in His kingdom had changed. Most even accepted death in his service.
Paul, in a letter to the Corinthians said, "I go through all of the things I go through for your sakes." I am sure that Paul was highly thought of by those to whom he ministered. But, he got it. He saw himself not as a revered teacher (which he truly was) but as a slave bound to Christ. He realized the importance of stressing his real servanthood in order for his actions to be seen as Christ-like.
Do we get it? Many of us, I perceive, do. When we strive to serve Christ we are, in fact, being servants for Christ. Upon reflection, the quoted words aren't strange at all.
Charlie Wolf
Matthew 20:17-28
This quote from the scripture may seem strange to some who read this page.
Just before Jesus uttered these words, James and John, through their mother, had asked to be seated on either hand of Jesus in the heavenly kingdom. They, along with the others, often just didn't seem to get it. They had seen Jesus exhibit humility, meekness, and disregard for worldly ambition in his ministry and yet, few saw the need to emulate the Master. Rather, as in this case, they sought to use his prestige to further their own earthly desires. With the above-quoted words, Jesus rebuked his disciples. By the time of the crucifixion, their understanding of their place in His kingdom had changed. Most even accepted death in his service.
Paul, in a letter to the Corinthians said, "I go through all of the things I go through for your sakes." I am sure that Paul was highly thought of by those to whom he ministered. But, he got it. He saw himself not as a revered teacher (which he truly was) but as a slave bound to Christ. He realized the importance of stressing his real servanthood in order for his actions to be seen as Christ-like.
Do we get it? Many of us, I perceive, do. When we strive to serve Christ we are, in fact, being servants for Christ. Upon reflection, the quoted words aren't strange at all.
Charlie Wolf
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Lenten Reflection - February 26, 2013
Those who love their life, lose it. And those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
John 12:25
WOW!!!!! This is such a powerful scripture, and it could be taken the wrong way so easily. This is the section of John that Jesus is predicting his death. He is with his disciples at a feast where some Greeks were attending and asked Philip if they could see Jesus. Jesus replies with predicting his death and explaining how a grain of wheat needs to be planted so it can produce many seeds. Look at how many lives have been produced because of the death of Jesus.
Can you imagine how anyone would have felt then, wanting to see Jesus, and then hearing that same person predicting his death? I have always wondered how I would have reacted had I lived then. I would like to think I would have been a follower of Jesus, but I really think I would have been way too scared to follow that crowd. I don't like to admit it, but I probably would have been one of the in-crowd followers too scared to step out on faith and go against the grain.
We as Christians and human beings with free will, too many times want to know the reason why something has happened, especially when it is something that we perceive as a bad thing. Our nature is to want a reason or someone to blame; however, we need to have patience because God always turns our "bad" situations into a good thing for us, and it is a growing experience and we can always learn something when we look back.
One of my favorite poems is Footprints in the Sand, and when I look back at my life I can see the many times there were only one set of footprints in the sand of my life. So, I have learned to love this life of mine with fervor for I am excited to see what is in God's plan for me and the day that I will be with Jesus, God and all of my loved ones that are there waiting for me to join the big banquet table.
Jeanie (Zseltvay) LesCallett
John 12:25
WOW!!!!! This is such a powerful scripture, and it could be taken the wrong way so easily. This is the section of John that Jesus is predicting his death. He is with his disciples at a feast where some Greeks were attending and asked Philip if they could see Jesus. Jesus replies with predicting his death and explaining how a grain of wheat needs to be planted so it can produce many seeds. Look at how many lives have been produced because of the death of Jesus.
Can you imagine how anyone would have felt then, wanting to see Jesus, and then hearing that same person predicting his death? I have always wondered how I would have reacted had I lived then. I would like to think I would have been a follower of Jesus, but I really think I would have been way too scared to follow that crowd. I don't like to admit it, but I probably would have been one of the in-crowd followers too scared to step out on faith and go against the grain.
We as Christians and human beings with free will, too many times want to know the reason why something has happened, especially when it is something that we perceive as a bad thing. Our nature is to want a reason or someone to blame; however, we need to have patience because God always turns our "bad" situations into a good thing for us, and it is a growing experience and we can always learn something when we look back.
One of my favorite poems is Footprints in the Sand, and when I look back at my life I can see the many times there were only one set of footprints in the sand of my life. So, I have learned to love this life of mine with fervor for I am excited to see what is in God's plan for me and the day that I will be with Jesus, God and all of my loved ones that are there waiting for me to join the big banquet table.
Jeanie (Zseltvay) LesCallett
Monday, February 25, 2013
Lenten Reflection - February 25, 2013
... unless a man has been born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:1-17
... no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above. John 3:3. Oxford NRSV
Some of the older Bible translations say, "... unless a man has been born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." That term "born again" has been used to challenge and discourage worshippers when asked, "Are you born again?" They imply that people are not religious if they haven't been "born" recently into the spirit. Are they not good enough for God to love them?
Here in John, Jesus makes it clear that God does not care whether or not we are "born again." All he asks, as he explains to Nicodemus, is that we believe in him. He very patiently says this is a bit of a mystery. "The wind blows where it chooses and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
And Jesus reassures him and us that "whoever believes in the (Son of Man) may have eternal life." And he gives us those remarkable words, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." He further reassures us by saying, "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."
Val Hymes
John 3:1-17
... no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above. John 3:3. Oxford NRSV
Some of the older Bible translations say, "... unless a man has been born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." That term "born again" has been used to challenge and discourage worshippers when asked, "Are you born again?" They imply that people are not religious if they haven't been "born" recently into the spirit. Are they not good enough for God to love them?
Here in John, Jesus makes it clear that God does not care whether or not we are "born again." All he asks, as he explains to Nicodemus, is that we believe in him. He very patiently says this is a bit of a mystery. "The wind blows where it chooses and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
And Jesus reassures him and us that "whoever believes in the (Son of Man) may have eternal life." And he gives us those remarkable words, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." He further reassures us by saying, "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."
Val Hymes
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Lenten Reflection - February 24, 2013 The Second Sunday of Lent
If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves, and take up their cross and follow me.
Mark 8:34
In first thought, Jesus seems to be asking a lot of his followers, his disciples. What does it mean to deny yourself? What does it mean to take up your cross? What does it truly mean to follow Jesus?
To deny yourself, you must say no to yourself. I'm not talking about completely denying your needs and wants, but rather, being ok with making God's will the priority.
Think of all the times you've said the "Lord's Prayer." We say, "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." We must become thoughtful in our words and actions towards others. We must remember God's will is to love all and forgive all. God's will is to love and forgive unconditionally. This is a hard thing to do, but we are all capable because God made us in his image, he gave us the choice and potential.
So, take up your cross, and do God's will. The cross is a symbol of pain, suffering, shame, and death. As Christians, we also must see it as a symbol of Jesus's sacrifice for us. He died for our sins. We sinned, we sin, and we'll sin some more. But he forgave, he forgives, and he'll always forgive us. And so we shall sacrifice ourselves to the inevitable hurt and pain others will cause us and remember to forgive and love. That is truly the only way to spread Jesus's teachings and follow him.
Seasons of the Spirit Class (Grade 6)
Andrea Ellmore
Mark 8:34
In first thought, Jesus seems to be asking a lot of his followers, his disciples. What does it mean to deny yourself? What does it mean to take up your cross? What does it truly mean to follow Jesus?
To deny yourself, you must say no to yourself. I'm not talking about completely denying your needs and wants, but rather, being ok with making God's will the priority.
Think of all the times you've said the "Lord's Prayer." We say, "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." We must become thoughtful in our words and actions towards others. We must remember God's will is to love all and forgive all. God's will is to love and forgive unconditionally. This is a hard thing to do, but we are all capable because God made us in his image, he gave us the choice and potential.
So, take up your cross, and do God's will. The cross is a symbol of pain, suffering, shame, and death. As Christians, we also must see it as a symbol of Jesus's sacrifice for us. He died for our sins. We sinned, we sin, and we'll sin some more. But he forgave, he forgives, and he'll always forgive us. And so we shall sacrifice ourselves to the inevitable hurt and pain others will cause us and remember to forgive and love. That is truly the only way to spread Jesus's teachings and follow him.
Seasons of the Spirit Class (Grade 6)
Andrea Ellmore
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Lenten Reflection - February 23, 2013
Then Jesus asked them, 'Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?'
Mark 2:23-3:6
The Sabbath was a day set aside to rest and worship – a day when we are restored physically and spiritually and can focus on God. This day was intended to promote love of God and others.
In this reading, Jesus and his disciples are walking through the grainfield on Sunday. As they walked, they picked some of the grain. They were hungry and not selfishly indulging themselves. The Jewish law said that crops should not be harvested on the Sabbath. This law prevented the farmers from becoming too greedy and the laborers from being overworked. This law was never intended to mean that we cannot help ourselves or each other on the Sabbath. The Pharisees felt Jesus and his disciples had broken the law by harvesting the grain. The Sabbath law had become more important to the Pharisees than the purpose of the law.
Our society creates lots of rules. The rules are usually created with good intentions to protect ourselves and/or protect others. However, too often these rules are observed even when they are not appropriate for a situation. Before you insist on a rule, think about it. Make sure you understand the purpose of the rule. Make sure it is appropriate to the situation and is not more harmful than good. Is this God's rule or is this the rule of the Pharisees? Remember the example of the Pharisees that clearly had lost track of the purpose of God's law.
Kelly Richard
Mark 2:23-3:6
The Sabbath was a day set aside to rest and worship – a day when we are restored physically and spiritually and can focus on God. This day was intended to promote love of God and others.
In this reading, Jesus and his disciples are walking through the grainfield on Sunday. As they walked, they picked some of the grain. They were hungry and not selfishly indulging themselves. The Jewish law said that crops should not be harvested on the Sabbath. This law prevented the farmers from becoming too greedy and the laborers from being overworked. This law was never intended to mean that we cannot help ourselves or each other on the Sabbath. The Pharisees felt Jesus and his disciples had broken the law by harvesting the grain. The Sabbath law had become more important to the Pharisees than the purpose of the law.
Our society creates lots of rules. The rules are usually created with good intentions to protect ourselves and/or protect others. However, too often these rules are observed even when they are not appropriate for a situation. Before you insist on a rule, think about it. Make sure you understand the purpose of the rule. Make sure it is appropriate to the situation and is not more harmful than good. Is this God's rule or is this the rule of the Pharisees? Remember the example of the Pharisees that clearly had lost track of the purpose of God's law.
Kelly Richard
Friday, February 22, 2013
Lenten Reflection - February 22, 2013
Lord, thou only art our King: help me, who am alone and have no helper but thee.
Esther 14:1-6, 12-14 (from the Apochrypha)
No matter how far the rest of the world may seem, if we truly have faith, we are never alone. "Come to me those who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." We are so blessed as faithful Christians to know, as Queen Esther did, that all we must do in deep times of trouble and pain is to ask our Lord to be with us and he is. I feel deep sympathy for all of those who are sick, those dealing with economic disasters, those dealing with marriage issues, etc. who are so deeply alone and are unaware of the fact they need only ask for the Lord to be with them, and he will be. All may not be fixed, however the strength of the Holy Spirit will refresh them and prepare them for the challenges ahead. Honestly I can attest, as we all can, that it is hard to remember or even believe this when you are staring face to face with trouble, but that is where the community of Christians can step in, by encouraging each other to trust in our Lord and let them see the peace of the Lord through our generous words of encouragement. Remember we must all be in this walk together.
Steven E. Dorsey
Esther 14:1-6, 12-14 (from the Apochrypha)
No matter how far the rest of the world may seem, if we truly have faith, we are never alone. "Come to me those who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." We are so blessed as faithful Christians to know, as Queen Esther did, that all we must do in deep times of trouble and pain is to ask our Lord to be with us and he is. I feel deep sympathy for all of those who are sick, those dealing with economic disasters, those dealing with marriage issues, etc. who are so deeply alone and are unaware of the fact they need only ask for the Lord to be with them, and he will be. All may not be fixed, however the strength of the Holy Spirit will refresh them and prepare them for the challenges ahead. Honestly I can attest, as we all can, that it is hard to remember or even believe this when you are staring face to face with trouble, but that is where the community of Christians can step in, by encouraging each other to trust in our Lord and let them see the peace of the Lord through our generous words of encouragement. Remember we must all be in this walk together.
Steven E. Dorsey
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