September 1, 2022 – 2 Corinthians 9:8, The Funny Shape of Faith

“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

“It’s easy to believe the age of miracles is in the past. But even though we may not be pelted with manna, God does send a downpour of blessings to us. These abundant blessings aren’t meant to stop with us. What God gives freely to us-time, talents, money, bread, etc.-we are called to pass on to others. We share abundantly because God first shared abundantly with us.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Locations 239-242). Kindle Edition.)

Will Miracles Ever….Begin?

It is so easy to delude ourselves that we live in an age of no miracles. We go from event to event each day never giving G-d the credit when we see something amazing or even completely mundane happen in front of us. A near miss accident – an unintentional encounter with a long lost friend – all of the ways I believe G-d interacts in our lives.

I believe there are no coincidences in live. I believe we do not move about in this world from random event to random event. But I also believe that G-d never promised us a rose garden. G-d never told us all would be roses and sunshine in this life. Life is meant to be lived and as such we will encounter the good and the bad every day.

Now, does that mean we will not lose faith from time to time? Does that mean we will not occasionally cry to G-d “What are you doing up there?” Again I give you a resounding no. But each day I try my best to remember that G-d is good all the time, and all the time G-d is good.  

Let us pray,

God of surprises, help me neither hide from nor ignore your presence. Instead help me to live into your love and your presence every day. Amen.

Pastor Dave

August 31, 2022 – Matthew 5:8-9, The Funny Shape of Faith

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” -Matthew 5:8-9

“We can try to win every argument about God, faith, and the church, but this is an uphill battle-especially if we think we’re better than the people we’re arguing with. Instead, Jesus calls us to be peacemakers-striving to understand, build bridges, and look for ways to tackle heartbreaking problems from AIDS in Africa to poverty to homelessness to child abuse to domestic violence to loneliness and despair. No argument there.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Locations 235-238). Kindle Edition.)

Arguments

The world has always had people arguing about this or that. Even in the bible, one of the first stories we encounter is about an argument between Cain and Abel. (Genesis 4). G-d did not accept the offerings from each brother with the same enthusiasm, and this sparked an argument resulting in the first murder in the bible.

The recent pandemic has, it appears, made people in our society angrier and more separated. Every day we read about people who have shot or stabbed or run over someone else because they have been in an argument. Road rage and domestic violence are on the upswing. From the people in our earliest bible stories to our neighbors across the street, we are people who need love, grace and understanding.

While standing on the mountain, Jesus told his followers that people who seek peace and not war are blessed in the kingdom of G-d. And that kingdom is not just the future the kingdom, it is the kingdom we are all a part of creating right now.

Today, instead of focusing on how many arguments you can win, why not try to understand the struggles of your neighbors and offer them your help and your prayers.

Let us pray,

Lord Christ, sometimes I’d rather argue about you than spend time listening to you. Help me to bring peace and build bridges instead of sowing hate and division. Amen.

Pastor Dave