Daniel

Daniel

          Evan’s sermon on Daniel brought out so many new thoughts that I couldn’t get it all in the picture. Daniel, his friends Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego practiced self-control, because they knew God was in control. They refused food the King offered because God wanted everyone to know it was God that kept them strong. The three friends refused to bow to anyone but the one true God, because they trusted that God was in charge. Even if they died, they would not bow to an idol.

          When Daniel realized praying to his God would mean a trip to the loin's den he did not give in to fear. He knew God was in control of his life, and death. I know there are some that say the phrase “God is in control” is a cliché Christians shouldn't banter around. Well, honestly, when I go through the hardest of trials I want to know there’s a reason. That God does work it out for the good. That He is in control. Adonai, the God who is in control.

          Evan, also, included a great quote from Eugene Peterson. He tells us it is not all a simple flip of a believing switch.  Is it hard to trust? Yes! It takes practice, sweat, tears, and struggle, but walking in God’s control grows our own self control over fear, anger, doubt, and procrastination. (That last one is my worst.)

Here is the quote from Eugene Peterson. “There is far more to the Christian life than getting it right. There is living it right. Learning the truth of God, the gospel, the Scriptures involves understanding words, concepts, history. But living it means working and praying ourselves through a world of deception, of doubt and suffering, a world of rejections and betrayal and idolatry.” 

Prophets

Prophets

          Our lessons from The Story have moved into the time of the prophets, Elijah, Elisha, and Isaiah. Greg’s sermon spoke to what a prophet is. Not someone who only prophesies the future, although he may. He is appointed by God to call the people to repentance, obedience, and hope.

          Jesus was said to be a prophet when he preached in his hometown. He told the people what they should be doing. We can, and should, be this kind of prophet today.

          We don’t need to give out lists of what we’re against, but we need to let people know what we stand for. We need to stand up for justice, mercy, and to offer hope to people for this life and for eternal life through Jesus Christ. 

The Split

The split

          Pastor Greg Ralston’s sermon covered the times when the Jewish nation was split in two. Solomon had not kept his word to Jehovah and allowed the worship of other gods. The next king in line decided to continue to overburden his people with taxes. So the people rebelled and most of the country split off. Before this happened God told His prophets this was about to happen. God split the nation into ten tribes and these became Israel.  The tribes of Benjamin and Judah became Judah.

          Greg told about the history of the event. Then he went into how we have splits in our churches and denominations. Some split over very petty things, some over things that cannot be ignored.

          But the point is that somehow the work of God keeps moving forward in a way that most cannot explain. God has a plan even when everything seems to be falling in around us. Barnabas and Paul split up and God turned it into good. Churches split and God still uses the people. Friends split, but God does not abandon them.

          In other words, in spite of what humans do, God doesn't give up.

King David

King David

          Shepherd, giant killer, soldier, king, man after God’s own heart, adulterer and murderer, this is David. Pastor Evan and Pastor Greg told the story of David’s sin.  I retold the story in the King’s crown.

          David loved God but lost his way, like any of us. But he sinned in a very kingly way, a real whopper. Taking another man’s wife and when he couldn’t cover it up he put the man in harm’s way and the man died. Nathan, the prophet, confronted David in a searing way that cut into David’s heart, and he repented. Though David prayed with tears and grief the baby born of the infidelity died.

But after David married Bethsheba they had another baby. This child became the famous and wise, King Solomon.   Read the story for yourself in 2 Samuel 11-12.