Mark 9:38 John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." 39 But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
42 "If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 44 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell., 46 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
49 "For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."
Call up the kids.
Did you hear what I just read?
(Wait)
What do you think it meant?
(Wait)
(Interactive)
- The body here is the Body of Christ.
- Circle of friends.
- Peer pressure.
- A friend who makes you do bad things isn’t a friend.
- Jesus is saying that it is better to have just a couple of good friends than to have a lot of people that you call friends who really aren’t.
What is salt?
(Wait)
“For everyone will be salted with fire.” What do you think Jesus meant by this? … We will be purified or forgiven.
“Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it?” What do you think Jesus meant by this? … Jesus sent us out to make the world “taste” better. If we aren’t doing this why are we Christian?
“Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.” What do you think Jesus meant by this? … First, be your own person. Don’t just try to be what others want you to be. Second, don’t make life worse for others. Try to make it better.
Now I need you to help me bless the book bags. Repeat after me please.
Almighty God, …
you never stop calling us to learn, …
you sent the prophets to teach us, …
you sent your son into the world to teach us, …
you send your spirit into us that we might learn. …
Send your spirit upon us today …
that we might be both teachers and students. …
Bless us and bless these bags. …
Help us to follow your example …
as we enter into this new school year. …
Help these bags to carry us through the year …
as we learn and grow …
into the disciples you call us to be.
Through our saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
The Search for Wisdom - September 20, 2009
Holy God, help us to find your truth through human words. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Once again we are asked to listen to Wisdom. But what is Wisdom and how do we hear it? Does Wisdom have the same message for everyone?
My answer for that last question would probably be yes and no. Today I am going to share some of my thoughts about Wisdom. I am not going to try to define Wisdom or to tell you what Wisdom says to me.
Our first question. When I believe that I have discovered or understood some bit of God’s Wisdom is it helpful to share it with others? Yes. I find that talking to others about important things helps me to understand them better: to explore what they mean and to determine if they are truly important or just seemed so at the time. It helps me to refine my understanding: to keep the wheat and discard the chaff.
I don’t believe that I have the right to keep God’s Wisdom to myself. It isn’t mine to keep. I am also sure that I am not perfect in identifying God’s Wisdom. No one is. The only way I can be sure that I have found some of it is to keep looking, to keep paying attention.
Second question. Is it helpful to receive Wisdom that someone else has discovered. … Absolutely! It does not always have the same meaning to me. In fact it seldom does. But the Wisdom found by others usually leads me to my own discoveries. Even if I absolutely do not agree with what someone else sees as Wisdom from God I can learn about myself from that contrast. I also have to remember that I may be the one who is wrong or that neither one of us is wrong. There is a wonderful book called “You don’t have to be wrong for me to be right” by the orthodox Jewish Rabbi, Brad Hirschfield which explores the idea that everyone is a child of God. We may be called by God in different ways, but we are all called by God. Trying to understand what someone else believes and why they believe it can only help me understand better what I believe and why.
Third question. How do I look for Wisdom? Mostly I look for Wisdom by paying close attention to the world around me. I try to live into the idea that every moment the world may reveal some aspect of God to me. I often don’t succeed at this but I try. This is part of what is called living a sacramental life. Conducting ones life with the understanding that everything that we have is a gift from God and everything we do is a gift to God. Every moment is an opportunity to draw closer to God. The sacraments of the church are focussed examples of this.
Each of the sacraments tells us something about God’s call to us, about how we are reflections of God. For example: in baptism, we find that we are called to be part of a community. We are expected to care for each other. To teach each other. To support each other. To love each other. To come together and do all of this as a group exploring our faith together. This insight into baptism is by no means complete. We could do an extensive workshop on baptism, or on any sacrament for that matter, and still only touch on what it means. This is part of the glory of God’s gift to the church.
Now what does all of this have to do with what we read together this morning? James says “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” I think this is a perfect quote to summarise sacramental living. It tells us just how we can look for Wisdom. God is always looking for ways to connect with us. Unfortunately the society we live in teaches us to look for ways to disconnect. I feel absolutely blessed by being here, North of Smokey, where this much less true that back in Vancouver. Still, it happens. I have to remind myself that it is only a short walk to get to the co-op and that I don’t need to drive. By walking I remain part of the world I am moving through. By getting into the car I isolate myself from it. At the same time, the distance between Neil’s Harbour and Ingonish gives us the idea that we are separate from each other. That same car eliminates the reality of this separation but we still act as if it was a two hour walk.
Every time we draw near to another person we draw near to God. Every time we draw near to someone that we don’t know very well we learn something new about God, after all we are, each and every one of us, made in God’s image.
This brings us back to Wisdom. How do we recognize Wisdom in each other and in the world around us?
Wisdom is more precious that jewels.
We trust Wisdom in our heart.
Wisdom does only good, never harm.
Wisdom works with willing hands.
Wisdom provides for us.
Wisdom never sleeps.
Wisdom makes the best use of what is available.
Wisdom is always worthwhile.
Wisdom keeps us clothed and safe.
Wisdom provides for those in need.
Wisdom perseveres in difficult times.
Wisdom can be recognized in those who embrace her.
Wisdom can be passed on to others.
Wisdom preserves the dignity of all.
Wisdom is never confusing.
Wisdom is constantly active.
Following Wisdom leads to rejoicing.
There are many good teachings but the teaching of Wisdom is better than all others.
Wisdom is not always the easiest or most appealing choice.
Wisdom is truly the most divine spouse that any of us could possibly have. As we draw nearer to God, we find that God has already drawn near to us.
Thanks be to God!
Once again we are asked to listen to Wisdom. But what is Wisdom and how do we hear it? Does Wisdom have the same message for everyone?
My answer for that last question would probably be yes and no. Today I am going to share some of my thoughts about Wisdom. I am not going to try to define Wisdom or to tell you what Wisdom says to me.
Our first question. When I believe that I have discovered or understood some bit of God’s Wisdom is it helpful to share it with others? Yes. I find that talking to others about important things helps me to understand them better: to explore what they mean and to determine if they are truly important or just seemed so at the time. It helps me to refine my understanding: to keep the wheat and discard the chaff.
I don’t believe that I have the right to keep God’s Wisdom to myself. It isn’t mine to keep. I am also sure that I am not perfect in identifying God’s Wisdom. No one is. The only way I can be sure that I have found some of it is to keep looking, to keep paying attention.
Second question. Is it helpful to receive Wisdom that someone else has discovered. … Absolutely! It does not always have the same meaning to me. In fact it seldom does. But the Wisdom found by others usually leads me to my own discoveries. Even if I absolutely do not agree with what someone else sees as Wisdom from God I can learn about myself from that contrast. I also have to remember that I may be the one who is wrong or that neither one of us is wrong. There is a wonderful book called “You don’t have to be wrong for me to be right” by the orthodox Jewish Rabbi, Brad Hirschfield which explores the idea that everyone is a child of God. We may be called by God in different ways, but we are all called by God. Trying to understand what someone else believes and why they believe it can only help me understand better what I believe and why.
Third question. How do I look for Wisdom? Mostly I look for Wisdom by paying close attention to the world around me. I try to live into the idea that every moment the world may reveal some aspect of God to me. I often don’t succeed at this but I try. This is part of what is called living a sacramental life. Conducting ones life with the understanding that everything that we have is a gift from God and everything we do is a gift to God. Every moment is an opportunity to draw closer to God. The sacraments of the church are focussed examples of this.
Each of the sacraments tells us something about God’s call to us, about how we are reflections of God. For example: in baptism, we find that we are called to be part of a community. We are expected to care for each other. To teach each other. To support each other. To love each other. To come together and do all of this as a group exploring our faith together. This insight into baptism is by no means complete. We could do an extensive workshop on baptism, or on any sacrament for that matter, and still only touch on what it means. This is part of the glory of God’s gift to the church.
Now what does all of this have to do with what we read together this morning? James says “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” I think this is a perfect quote to summarise sacramental living. It tells us just how we can look for Wisdom. God is always looking for ways to connect with us. Unfortunately the society we live in teaches us to look for ways to disconnect. I feel absolutely blessed by being here, North of Smokey, where this much less true that back in Vancouver. Still, it happens. I have to remind myself that it is only a short walk to get to the co-op and that I don’t need to drive. By walking I remain part of the world I am moving through. By getting into the car I isolate myself from it. At the same time, the distance between Neil’s Harbour and Ingonish gives us the idea that we are separate from each other. That same car eliminates the reality of this separation but we still act as if it was a two hour walk.
Every time we draw near to another person we draw near to God. Every time we draw near to someone that we don’t know very well we learn something new about God, after all we are, each and every one of us, made in God’s image.
This brings us back to Wisdom. How do we recognize Wisdom in each other and in the world around us?
Wisdom is more precious that jewels.
We trust Wisdom in our heart.
Wisdom does only good, never harm.
Wisdom works with willing hands.
Wisdom provides for us.
Wisdom never sleeps.
Wisdom makes the best use of what is available.
Wisdom is always worthwhile.
Wisdom keeps us clothed and safe.
Wisdom provides for those in need.
Wisdom perseveres in difficult times.
Wisdom can be recognized in those who embrace her.
Wisdom can be passed on to others.
Wisdom preserves the dignity of all.
Wisdom is never confusing.
Wisdom is constantly active.
Following Wisdom leads to rejoicing.
There are many good teachings but the teaching of Wisdom is better than all others.
Wisdom is not always the easiest or most appealing choice.
Wisdom is truly the most divine spouse that any of us could possibly have. As we draw nearer to God, we find that God has already drawn near to us.
Thanks be to God!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Rosa's Response
THE WORLD IS NOT A TRASHCAN. THE WORLD HAS NOWHERE TO GO .SO WE HAVE TO RESPECT THE WORLD .NO WORLD .NO PEOPLE .NO HABTAT .NO NOTHING.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Promise and Warning - September 13, 2009
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Promise and warning.
Or is it just warning ….
Proverbs: Wisdom says “You haven’t listened to me and now I will laugh at you in your troubles.”
James: “The tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature and is itself set on fire by hell.”
Ouch.
Mark: “Get behind me Satan.” And “Those who want to save their life will lose it.”
These are not very cheery lessons. There is great truth in them but they are not the most upbeat.
Last year I was preaching in my mother’s home church about “Take up your cross and follow me.” Her church is going through great changes. According to the guidelines set up in Vancouver, they are not “sustainable” yet they continue to be an active force in their community and to cover their expenses plus a bit. With every change in their programs and building use, they are threatened with closing. They have been like this for more than ten years and it takes a toll.
What does it mean to “take up your cross and follow me?”
Warning and promise ….
If we focus on the bad, we will reap only evil. Warning. Many bad things happen in our lives. Many bad things happen around the world. Who here has ever watched the news? … Not asleep yet. That’s a good sign. All we have to do is watch the news to be told how bad things are in the world.
“Take up your cross and follow me.”
Change your perspective ….
These readings are full of promise. Mark speaks of the evil of setting our minds on human things. What if we set our minds on divine things? The promise is left hanging there, not explicit but definitely there. “Those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”
Promise ….
Wisdom speaks of condemnation for those who don’t listen. Ah, but if you do listen to what she says …. “Those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.” Hallelujah, we’re saved! All we have to do is listen to wisdom!
Promise and warning.
What is wisdom. Who is wisdom. “Who do you say that I am.” This is a question that we all have to answer for ourselves.
How many of you here today have ever had contact with a teacher? … Good, still no sleepers. How many have had a really good teacher … a favourite? … A really bad one? …
How many of you have dealt with a pharmacist? Good? … Bad? … How about a flag person? I know it’s always bad when we see one but are they bad flag people? Or Good ones?
Why is it that we can have a really bad or really good teacher but not pharmacist or flag person? Trust. We trust that the pharmacist will give us the right medication. We trust that the flag person is not going to let us go until it is safe and that they are not going to keep us waiting unless it is unsafe to go. They may be talkative or silent, friendly or very clear that they would rather be fishing. But we trust that they will do their job.
Teachers do something much more personal. True, they provide us with a certain amount of data. Dry facts for our consumption. But a teacher who only does that probably ends up in the “bad” column. A good teacher helps us explore how we think. They guide us as we learn how to interpret that provided data for ourselves. They influence our choices as we are learning to interpret the world. This is incredibly powerful. A teacher can be instrumental in the direction we take in our lives. They can help us to fall in love with a subject or drive us away from it forever.
I don’t know about you, but for each subject I have a teacher who is associated with it. When I first took French I loved it. I had a great teacher who encouraged me and helped me to explore a new language. The next year I had a teacher who led me to hate French for many years. Teachers have power.
“We who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
Warning and promise.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters.” Who here is not a teacher?
- Any of you who raised your hands … I don’t believe you.
--- or ---
- Either you’ve all fallen asleep or your teachers did a good job.
We are all teachers. People pay attention to what we say and do. This means that we have to think about how we act and what we say. Just a couple of days ago I was walking with my children and several youth were out walking as well. One of them dropped his pop can, stepped on it, and kicked it to the side of the road. Where do you think he learned to do this?
“The heavens declare the glory of God.” This promise can be seen all around us. This land screams at us to pay attention.
The warning can be seen every day as we walk down the street. What happens if we don’t respond? Next time you are out for a walk pay attention. Look around you: in the ditch, on the side of the street, down by the water. The world has become our ashtray.
The heavens declare the glory of God. How can we afford to do any less?
Promise and warning.
Or is it just warning ….
Proverbs: Wisdom says “You haven’t listened to me and now I will laugh at you in your troubles.”
James: “The tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature and is itself set on fire by hell.”
Ouch.
Mark: “Get behind me Satan.” And “Those who want to save their life will lose it.”
These are not very cheery lessons. There is great truth in them but they are not the most upbeat.
Last year I was preaching in my mother’s home church about “Take up your cross and follow me.” Her church is going through great changes. According to the guidelines set up in Vancouver, they are not “sustainable” yet they continue to be an active force in their community and to cover their expenses plus a bit. With every change in their programs and building use, they are threatened with closing. They have been like this for more than ten years and it takes a toll.
What does it mean to “take up your cross and follow me?”
Warning and promise ….
If we focus on the bad, we will reap only evil. Warning. Many bad things happen in our lives. Many bad things happen around the world. Who here has ever watched the news? … Not asleep yet. That’s a good sign. All we have to do is watch the news to be told how bad things are in the world.
“Take up your cross and follow me.”
Change your perspective ….
These readings are full of promise. Mark speaks of the evil of setting our minds on human things. What if we set our minds on divine things? The promise is left hanging there, not explicit but definitely there. “Those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”
Promise ….
Wisdom speaks of condemnation for those who don’t listen. Ah, but if you do listen to what she says …. “Those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.” Hallelujah, we’re saved! All we have to do is listen to wisdom!
Promise and warning.
What is wisdom. Who is wisdom. “Who do you say that I am.” This is a question that we all have to answer for ourselves.
How many of you here today have ever had contact with a teacher? … Good, still no sleepers. How many have had a really good teacher … a favourite? … A really bad one? …
How many of you have dealt with a pharmacist? Good? … Bad? … How about a flag person? I know it’s always bad when we see one but are they bad flag people? Or Good ones?
Why is it that we can have a really bad or really good teacher but not pharmacist or flag person? Trust. We trust that the pharmacist will give us the right medication. We trust that the flag person is not going to let us go until it is safe and that they are not going to keep us waiting unless it is unsafe to go. They may be talkative or silent, friendly or very clear that they would rather be fishing. But we trust that they will do their job.
Teachers do something much more personal. True, they provide us with a certain amount of data. Dry facts for our consumption. But a teacher who only does that probably ends up in the “bad” column. A good teacher helps us explore how we think. They guide us as we learn how to interpret that provided data for ourselves. They influence our choices as we are learning to interpret the world. This is incredibly powerful. A teacher can be instrumental in the direction we take in our lives. They can help us to fall in love with a subject or drive us away from it forever.
I don’t know about you, but for each subject I have a teacher who is associated with it. When I first took French I loved it. I had a great teacher who encouraged me and helped me to explore a new language. The next year I had a teacher who led me to hate French for many years. Teachers have power.
“We who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
Warning and promise.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters.” Who here is not a teacher?
- Any of you who raised your hands … I don’t believe you.
--- or ---
- Either you’ve all fallen asleep or your teachers did a good job.
We are all teachers. People pay attention to what we say and do. This means that we have to think about how we act and what we say. Just a couple of days ago I was walking with my children and several youth were out walking as well. One of them dropped his pop can, stepped on it, and kicked it to the side of the road. Where do you think he learned to do this?
“The heavens declare the glory of God.” This promise can be seen all around us. This land screams at us to pay attention.
The warning can be seen every day as we walk down the street. What happens if we don’t respond? Next time you are out for a walk pay attention. Look around you: in the ditch, on the side of the street, down by the water. The world has become our ashtray.
The heavens declare the glory of God. How can we afford to do any less?
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