Matthew 5:1-10
Insights on Simplicity from the Sermon on the Mount
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Showing posts with label grief. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grief. Show all posts
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
"Christianity is not a spectator sport"
One thing that the BUMC family excels at is congregational care, particularly in empowering and equipping lay leaders to offer care and support to other members of the congregation. The PBS "Religion and Ethics" news show recently aired an eight-minute feature on the national Stephen Ministry that vividly describes the life-changing ministry happening in thousands of congregations. You can view the Stephen Ministry feature on the PBS website, where you'll also find several bonus features--including a nine-minute interview with Stephen Ministries' founder and executive director, Kenneth C. Haugk.
You can learn more about Stephen Ministry at BUMC here. We truly are blessed to be a blessing.
You can learn more about Stephen Ministry at BUMC here. We truly are blessed to be a blessing.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Daily Scripture April 2, 2010
Matthew 26:36-42
The Prodigal God: The Sequel
The Elder Brother You Can Count On
36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39Going 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."
40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
42He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
The Prodigal God: The Sequel
The Elder Brother You Can Count On
36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39Going 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."
40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
42He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
Friday, August 28, 2009
No Greater Love
I just recently came across this audio slide show on The Washington Post's website that left me with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. The Post's simple introduction tells you all you need to know:
Classie Morant, 104, swore that as long as she had strength, she would care for her bedridden sister, Rozzie Laney, 92. For more than 20 years, she has kept that promise.(Don't worry if the slideshow takes a minute or two to download -- it's worth it.)
Sunday, June 28, 2009
My 38 year old beloved husband passed away over a year ago now, and I’ve finally processed through enough time and grief that I’ve made the decision to live “in the world” again – with no agenda. What I’ve discovered is that the world “out there” is much different than I remember it, and it is certainly different than the small subset of the world I had created with my husband at home and my work at the church. One of the striking things I’ve come to realize is how much pain and loneliness there is among many “young” single people in their 30’s. I see a driving desire and a spiritual exploration in and among them for “true love.” For some, yes, this means a person; but for many -- because they’ve been hurt; because they have experienced a “failed love;” because they are wise enough to know that another imperfect person can’t just step in and “make” them happy -- it seems to be a very noble and radical search for what “true love” is – not a person, but an essence, or a way of being… if you will.
Coupled with this authentic “quest,” is a palpable mistrust and keen awareness of the “world’s” or “humanity’s” proven desire to manipulate power in order to gain control over others. Of course, we’ve all seen this with the corruption on wall street...etc., but I’ve realized that for some single “thirty somethings” who have taken the time to observe and/or experience examples of love in marriage, family, and yes, in the church, one can find many examples of how love has turned away from what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians (Love is patient and kind.. knows neither envy nor jealousy..is not forward and self-assertive, nor boastful and conceited. She does not behave unbecomingly, nor seek to aggrandize herself, nor blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs. She finds no pleasure in injustice done to others, but joyfully sides with the truth. She knows how to be silent. She is full of trust, full of hope, full of patient endurance), and it has moved instead toward a desire to “control” or “own” another person… not intentionally, but perhaps out of our basic “need” for love, and therefore driven by a fear of losing it. However, then, it’s no longer love – at least not the way Paul describes it… How real this slippery slope is, and how difficult it is for us to stay on top of it! I readily admit that I have been impatient, unkind, envious, jealous… with those I sincerely love… and the regrets that linger after they are gone are humbling and life altering… And yet, the moments of pure love that open up and break through so deeply that you can no longer separate yourself from the other or from God – those are the eternal blessings in life for which I am utterly grateful and overwhelmingly blessed.
Clearly, Jesus reminds us that this IS our main quest, our most important quest, and in fact, nothing else matters if love is not first present. It is a divine commandment for us – to love – God and neighbor. I can attest, that by losing everything with the death of my husband, I have gained a difficult but very real understanding of what Jesus is saying -- at the end of the day, when we become ashes -- and we WILL -- there’s just not much that’s important – it’s pretty much just love. When we get this, then there’s not much left to be impatient, unkind, envious…about.
So, do we really understand as a people, as a community of faith, as believers in God’s Word that our foremost duty is to love? Do we take it seriously… because it really isn’t debatable… this IS what we ARE to do. If those hurt “thirty-somethings” came to Broomfield UMC, would they find another reason to be skeptical and jaded, or would they stop and see something imperfect, but authentic and real between us? Would they be inspired to love back?
What do you think?
Coupled with this authentic “quest,” is a palpable mistrust and keen awareness of the “world’s” or “humanity’s” proven desire to manipulate power in order to gain control over others. Of course, we’ve all seen this with the corruption on wall street...etc., but I’ve realized that for some single “thirty somethings” who have taken the time to observe and/or experience examples of love in marriage, family, and yes, in the church, one can find many examples of how love has turned away from what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians (Love is patient and kind.. knows neither envy nor jealousy..is not forward and self-assertive, nor boastful and conceited. She does not behave unbecomingly, nor seek to aggrandize herself, nor blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs. She finds no pleasure in injustice done to others, but joyfully sides with the truth. She knows how to be silent. She is full of trust, full of hope, full of patient endurance), and it has moved instead toward a desire to “control” or “own” another person… not intentionally, but perhaps out of our basic “need” for love, and therefore driven by a fear of losing it. However, then, it’s no longer love – at least not the way Paul describes it… How real this slippery slope is, and how difficult it is for us to stay on top of it! I readily admit that I have been impatient, unkind, envious, jealous… with those I sincerely love… and the regrets that linger after they are gone are humbling and life altering… And yet, the moments of pure love that open up and break through so deeply that you can no longer separate yourself from the other or from God – those are the eternal blessings in life for which I am utterly grateful and overwhelmingly blessed.
Clearly, Jesus reminds us that this IS our main quest, our most important quest, and in fact, nothing else matters if love is not first present. It is a divine commandment for us – to love – God and neighbor. I can attest, that by losing everything with the death of my husband, I have gained a difficult but very real understanding of what Jesus is saying -- at the end of the day, when we become ashes -- and we WILL -- there’s just not much that’s important – it’s pretty much just love. When we get this, then there’s not much left to be impatient, unkind, envious…about.
So, do we really understand as a people, as a community of faith, as believers in God’s Word that our foremost duty is to love? Do we take it seriously… because it really isn’t debatable… this IS what we ARE to do. If those hurt “thirty-somethings” came to Broomfield UMC, would they find another reason to be skeptical and jaded, or would they stop and see something imperfect, but authentic and real between us? Would they be inspired to love back?
What do you think?
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