peace pods

Finding God in Film and Literature

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:15:04 PDT

In June, we begin a new series, Finding God in Film and Literature. We want to know where you have seen God in the world lately? Especially what movie have you seen or book you have read where you felt a God connection. Post your reviews here and we'll be on our way to collecting a great summer viewing and reading list!

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 06:22:30 PDT

40 Days with the Lord's Prayer

February 28-March 1, 2009

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Luke 11:1-13

In the year 1535, Peter Beskendorf, a barber and friend of Martin Luther asked Luther for his advice concerning prayer. Luther responded by writing a long letter called "How One Should Pray, for Master Peter the Barber."

The first thing Luther does in prayer is to prepare his own heart. ("It is of great importance that the heart be made ready and eager for prayer.") To do so, he might read the 10 commandments and their explanations from the catechism, or he might read from the psalms, or from the words of Jesus, or from one of Paul's letters, or a command from God in scripture that we should pray and that God will answer.

Then, when his heart has been warmed and is intent upon the matter, he confesses to God that he is an unworthy sinner. "But because thou hast commanded us all to pray and hast promised to hear us and through thy dear Son Jesus Christ has taught us both how and what to pray, I come to thee in obedience to thy word, trusting in thy gracious promise." ("Here I come, dear Father, and pray not of my own accord nor because of my own unworthiness, but at your commandment and promise, which cannot fail or deceive me." LC, 21)

Then he prays the Lord's Prayer through, word for word. And then he returns to focus on one part of the prayer and expand upon it. Luther advises Peter to let his heart be guided and stirred by the thoughts which are derived from this way of meditating on the Lord's Prayer. "It may happen occasionally that I may get lost among so many ideas in one petition that I forego the other six. If such an abundance of good thoughts comes to us we ought to disregard the other petitions, make room for such thoughts, listen in silence, and under no circumstances obstruct them. The Holy Spirit himself preaches here, and one word of his sermon is far better than a thousand of our prayers. Many times I have learned more from one prayer than I might have learned from much reading and speculation."

According to Luther, you can pray the Lord's Prayer thousands of times and not even taste it. The best way to pray it is to listen to all the thoughts it brings into your mind and heart. Let it become an experience of listening to God, listening to what God wants, listening to what God would teach you. That's what prayer can become. That must be what the disciples of Jesus observed when they witnessed the impact of prayer in Jesus' life.

Through the praying of Jesus, the disciples began to see that prayer was more than a religious duty; it could be the vital connection between God and themselves. "From the beginning to the end of Jesus' ministry, his disciples had a front-row seat to watch the greatest pray-er who ever prayed. And as they watched, they saw him filled with peace, wisdom, spiritual power, and grace. When Jesus prayed, they saw things happen." (Ortberg, Praying With Power, 12)

In our gospel reading, (Luke 11:1-4) the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray in that way. Jesus gives his followers a prayer form, (what we call the Lord's Prayer, but which might better be called a Model Prayer or the Disciple's Prayer).

This prayer form wasn't intended to become a ritualized prayer, that is recited from memory without thought. As we hear from Luther, and as the disciples saw in Jesus, it's benefit would be found more from the listening side than from the speaking side.

That's where we can also grow in prayer. The Lord's Prayer has become so familiar to Christians that we can recite it without even thinking about what we are saying (even in under 10 seconds). That is why we are spending 40 days with the Lord's Prayer this Lenten season, taking the prayer one petition at a time, so we may to pause to think about what we are praying (when we pray this prayer), so that we may pray this prayer with understanding and so that it may become for us a rich resource for meditation and communication with God.

Today we begin with the opening lines of this prayer:

Our Father…..in heaven…..hallowed be your name.

Together these opening words of the Lord's Prayer form a kind of paradox. God, the creator of all is "a transcendent God, a God to stand in awe of, a God clothed in mystery. God cannot be contained in any ideology or even theology." (French, Lenten Journey: 40 Days with the Lord's Prayer, 27) And yet God is our loving parent, desiring that we know him intimately.

God is called by many names in the Old Testament: Strong One, Rock, Refuge, King of Kings, and Most High. When God reveals himself to Moses, he uses the term Yahweh: which may be translated as: I am who I am, or I will be what I will be, or simply: I am (Ex 3:13-15) God is other. "In ancient Israel, the name of God was considered so holy that it was not to be spoken or written." (French, 32)

In the Old Testament, God is described and describes himself as a Father to his people, Israel. But in the New Testament, there is something quite new with the word Jesus uses to refer to God - "abba." It is one of the words children use for their parents (abba and imma, like our mommy and daddy). "Abba" was an everyday word, a family word. "No Jew would have dared to address God in this (intimate) manner. Jesus did it always, in all his prayers which are handed down to us." (Jeremias, The Prayers of Jesus, p. 97)

When Jesus invites us to speak to God as "our Father," even our "daddy," we can be assured of several things:

First, that God the Father wants to meet us in prayer. That God is accessible, waiting to listen to us, and to talk with us, like a mother to her child.
It means that we that we can approach God with a simple childlike confidence and trust.
Jesus goes on to describe God as the ideal parent who provides us with what we need. Jesus says that human parents have their obvious weaknesses, but in general they give their children the things they need. If human parents provide their children with the things they need, then how much more will the perfect parent, our Creator, give us what we need –the Holy Spirit.
By calling God our Father, we do not mean to say that God is masculine

or of the male gender. God does not possess our human traits. God is also portrayed in the Bible as having qualities attributed to females: like nurturer, life-giver, comforter. But God is neither male nor female. "The words father and mother both make the point Jesus was making when he taught his followers to pray 'Our Father.' We are dependent upon God as a child to a parent. We are to obey God as a child obeys a parent, trusting that whatever God asks of us will be good for us. We are to respect and love God as a child respects and loves a parent,

when the parental relationship is grounded in love and care for the child." (French, 25)

German pastor Helmut Thielicke puts it this way: Even more important that presenting our prayer petitions is our entering into communion, into a personal relationship with God the Father. The greatest blessing of prayer "does not consist of our receiving the specific things we have prayed for…We learn that the happy gift of prayer consists in receiving the fellowship of the Father, that he gives us his whole heart—that we can accept everything from his hand." (Thielicke, The Lord's Prayer, 37, 39) That's what it means to pray to God as Father.

After way pray "our Father," we then pray "Hallowed be your name." Which means, may your name be held holy. Of all the things Jesus teaches that we need to pray about, honoring God's name is first on the list. Why is that?

When we pray "hallowed be your name," we begin the prayer with praise and worship of God. Praising the Lord sets the tone for the entire prayer. Adoration of God puts us in the right frame of mind: we are reminded whom we are addressing, whose presence we have entered. We give God the honor and reverence due God.

(We are reminded that God is God and we are not. God doesn't need reminding that God's name should be holy—we need to be reminded of it.)

A Japanese solider approached a wise teacher. "I have mastered all of the martial arts," he said calmly. "I have risen to the highest rank possible for a man of my training. I now wish to learn about the spiritual life. Can you help me?" The teacher smiled and invited the man to sit at the table. "Let us have a cup of tea," before we talk further." After the soldier sat down, the teacher began to pour the tea into the man's cup. He filled the cup and kept on pouring until the tea was running over the table onto the floor. The soldier watched dumbfounded until he could no longer be silent. "Stop! It is full! The cup will not hold more tea!" Placing the teapot on the table, the teacher addressed the soldier, "You are so full of yourself that there is no room for God. It is not possible for you to learn, until you empty yourself." (White, Stories for the Journey, p. 63)

When we pray, hallowed be your name, we are led to ask ourselves: Whose name am I seeking to honor? God's name? Or my own? Here is Martin Luther's summary for this petition: "O dear Father, may your name he hallowed in us; that is, I confess and am sorry that I have dishonored your name so often and that in my arrogance I still defile your name by honoring my own. Therefore, help me by your grace so that I and my name become nothing, so that only you and your name and honor may live in me. (Exposition, 35-36)

Luther teaches us that we hallow God's name, we honor God's name, when we are

"gentle, merciful, chaste, just, truthful, guileless, friendly, peaceful, and kindly disposed toward all, even toward our enemies." Because the one in whose name we were baptized works these works in us.

I want to close the sermon by reading from the Psalms. Feel free to read along with me or to close your eyes and listen and meditate on what it means to hallow God's name. Here the psalmist gives us some excellent examples of honoring God's name. Psalm 95:1-7; 96:1-3; 97:1-6; 99:1-3; 100.

The psalmist invites to into praise and thanksgiving, as we honor God's name.

Transfiguration

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 06:26:46 PDT

Transfiguration, B

February 21-22, 2009

Mark 9:2-9

The transfiguration event on the mountaintop is a strange event; it not only puzzled Peter and the other 2 disciples, it has also continued to puzzle biblical scholars. (The first three sermons I preached while in college were all Transfiguration Sunday sermons. At the time, I thought it was because the day was usually near Valentines Day, and the pastor wanted to take that time off. But later I considered he might have taken that day off because it puzzled him as well.)

To begin to understand what is going on in this transfiguration event, we need to review what has happened in the gospel up to this point. We need to do a quick study of the highlights of the first half of Mark's gospel. We the readers know who Jesus is from the very first words of the gospel. "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (Mark 1:1) We know that Jesus is the Christ, that is, the Messiah, and the Son of God. However, those whom Jesus calls to follow don't know that much at the outset; they think of Jesus as a rabbi. (The identity of Jesus is going to be the primary question on their midterm exam.) Only as they follow Jesus in his ministry, do they begin to learn who Jesus is, and learn what Jesus wants to teach them. What do they learn? Let's begin in chapter 1 and walk with them.

In 1:14-15, Jesus announces the arrival of the kingdom of God. (The kingdom of God is somehow present in the person of Jesus.)

In 1:27, the disciples see that Jesus has authority over the evil spirits.

In 1:34, they see that Jesus has power over diseases.

In 2:9-12, they see that not only does Jesus have the power to cure diseases,

but that he also has the authority to forgive sins (and only God has that authority).

In 4:41, Jesus demonstrates an authority over the natural world (he controls the wind and sea).

In 5:41-43, Jesus demonstrates power over death.

Like God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Moses, in 6:41-44, Jesus provides the people with bread in the wilderness. (Just like the manna in the wilderness. And he does the same thing again for a gentile crowd in 8:6-9.)

The evidence is mounting. Surely the disciples now know who Jesus is, right?

In 8:14-21, they are in the boat with Jesus, and they realize that they forgot to bring bread. They have just participated in two miraculous feedings of large crowds.

They are sitting in the boat with the Bread of Life. And they're concerned about not having brought along enough bread. (8:17-18) They have eyes to see but cannot see. They have ears to hear, but do not hear. They don't understand. (It looks like they may fail the midterm.)

[Do you think that there might be some symbolism going on in the story about Jesus needing two tries to heal the blind man so that he can see clearly? 8:22-26]

Then we come to the heart of the gospel, the turning point. It's time for the midterm exam. What have the disciples learned? In 8:27-30, Jesus asks the disciples who people say he is. (Some think he's Elijah come back, or John the Baptist come back to life, or one of the other prophets.) But who do you say that I am? And Peter speaks up for them all: You are the Messiah. Thanks to Peter, the disciples get an A. But, as we'll see in a moment, it's a good thing it was multiple choice and not an essay question.

With that confession, (with the midterm exam completed), it is now time for the second half of the course. It is time for Jesus to tell his disciples more plainly what it means to follow him. What it means to live in the kingdom of God. And why they are heading to Jerusalem.

(Mark 8:31)
"Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again." Whoa, wait a minute. Peter corrects Jesus in protest. This is not the kind of Messiah he wants. Nor is it the kind of life he wants for himself. Jesus hears Peter's protests as one more ploy of Satan to lead him away from the path to the cross, and he confronts Peter. " Satan, get lost! Peter, get out of my way! You have no idea how God works." (Message)

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, Jesus says, " If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me and for the good news, you will save it. What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What could you give to get back your soul? (CEV)

Our gospel reading (9:2-9) picks up right there. Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. His appearance changes, right before their eyes. His clothes shimmer, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them. Then Elijah and Moses come into view, and they are in deep conversation with Jesus. Peter thinks this is a great moment and suggests they build three booths for Moses, Elijah and Jesus. A cloud moves overhead, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." The next minute the disciples see only Jesus. Coming down the mountain, Jesus swears them to secrecy. "Don't tell anyone what you saw until after the Son of Man rises from the dead." They are puzzled also over that, wondering what on earth "rising from the dead" could mean. (Message)

What is going on here? The transfiguration event is for the three disciples. The disciples need to hear God's declaration about Jesus. The voice is for their benefit. Jesus is God's beloved Son. They are to listen to him (Verb tense means they are to continue to listen to him.) Jesus speaks the truth (what God wants). Yes, Jesus is the Messiah. Even though he doesn't look like what they might have expected, even though his teachings about his coming death in Jerusalem are the direct opposite of what they would have expected in a Messiah, Jesus is the son of God, Jesus is the Messiah, and they are to listen to him; they are to follow him.

Why do they need this mystical experience, this affirming word from God the Father? Jesus has just spoken to them about the reason they are heading for Jerusalem (his death), and what it means to follow him (deny self, take up cross and follow). They do not understand nor do they want to understand. (Having eyes they cannot see; having ears they cannot hear.)

The road now leads to Jerusalem. Up until this moment, it has been rather easy to follow Jesus. From here forward, it's going to be harder and harder. It's going to be a difficult second half of the term. (And the disciples are going to need some remedial work to understand this message about following to the cross and denying themselves. Jesus reviews it with them 2 more times (Mark 9:31-32 and Mark 10:32-34.)

It's going to be a difficult second half of the term. The road to the cross is a difficult journey. Many will not make the sacrifice. (10:17-31 - If he who has everything will have difficulty, then who can be saved?)

In Mark 13 we hear that following Jesus will involve suffering and rejection for his followers.

It's going to be a difficult second half of the term. The final exam is about the cross. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see the agony of Jesus as he prepares to give his life on the cross for the world. For the Gospel of Mark, the cross is where we see the identity of Jesus revealed. On the cross, Jesus reveals the compassion of God, a suffering love for the world, the forgiveness of sin, the reconciling of the world to himself.

How strange. How difficult to comprehend. God, who is all-powerful, hides himself in weakness. God, who is all wise, hides himself in foolishness. God, who is life, hides himself in death. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)

The transfiguration event is a vision to help the disciples follow Jesus all the way to the cross. To go with Jesus even when it looks like he is giving in to evil. To listen to Jesus when it sounds like he does not understand the role of a Messiah.

To follow Jesus into the places of power where he will certainly be crushed. To learn that the way of Jesus is the way of death and resurrection. To learn from Jesus how to deny oneself and take up one's cross. To learn from Jesus that the cross is where we see God, and suffering is where we know God's strength. (2 Corinthians 12) To learn from Jesus that the call to follow Jesus is at once our death and our life, a new identity, a new life in Jesus Christ. (The transfiguration event is what the disciples need to keep them following Jesus to the cross and to the resurrection.)

How did the disciples do on the final exam? Most did not make it to the cross, and they got an "incomplete" for the course. Mark mentions some women who watched the crucifixion from afar. And Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Jewish council, obtained permission to bury the body. And on Easter morning, some of the women, upon finding the tomb empty are given the message that the crucified Jesus is risen, and will meet the disciples in Galilee. Even though they got an "ioncomplete," their teacher will not give up on them.

Some biblical scholars think the story about the transfiguration is a misplaced story, that it belongs after the resurrection, instead of the middle of the gospel. I think not. The transfiguration event is a vision that draws the disciples forward, encourages them, and gives them hope for the difficult journey to Jerusalem and the events of Jesus' passion and death.

But it is also a sign. It is a sign that there will be a resurrection. Following the rejection and suffering and death, there will be a resurrection. The vision of Jesus shining so brightly is a message to the disciples. You won't understand this now, but remember this. Keep this picture in your heart. Remember this…this is how you will see Jesus on that day.

Walking Wet: Outward, Not Inward

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:23:38 PST

Day 1
Read 1 Corinthians 9:16-23. What does Paul mean when he says he has become all things to all people, that he might by all means save some? How can we distinguish between meeting people where they are and pretending to be something we're not, or falling into greater sin ourselves? Since we are all sinners, is any such distinction meaningful? Reflect on where your way of life shares borders with people who live or think differently, and how God might be calling you to meet them.

Day 2
Read Luke 10:1-12. Jesus says he is sending his disciples out like lambs into the midst of wolves. How can we live with this kind of vulnerability and danger, and still be good to the people already connected to us through family and faith community? How does the specific call Jesus places on his contemporaries translate into our present circumstances? Reflect on where God may be calling you to accept risk or sacrifice in order to make the Gospel known.

Day 3
Read Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus here uses language about judgment in a way that directly challenges his disciples to be in service to others, where in most of the Gospels such language is reserved for his dismantling of priestly hypocrisy. Where are we living up to this challenge as a faith community? Where are we falling short? How can we affirm and encourage each other to make this call to service central to our faith walk? Reflect on where God may be challenging you to meet the needs of the vulnerable and suffering around you.

Day 4
Read Matthew 5:14-16 and Matthew 6:1-8. Jesus tells people to let their light shine before others, so that their good works may be seen, but he also warns against praying in public, boasting of faith, and ostentatious good works. How do we know when we are spreading the Gospel through acts of love and service, and when we are glorifying ourselves or seeking to earn grace? Reflect on how God may be calling you to be bold in proclaiming God's love through words and deeds.

Day 5
Read Matthew 28:19-20. Matthew recounts these as the last direct instruction of Jesus to his disciples; we call it the Great Commission – go and make disciples of all nations. A principle of our theology is that God calls those who he wishes to call, or as Jesus puts it elsewhere in the Gospels, "the wind blows where it wants to." If the calling of disciples is the work of the Holy Spirit, where do we come in? How do we know when we are following the Great Commission, and when we are trying to do God's work for God? Is there a difference between seeking intellectual assent to theology or doctrine, and offering opportunities for the Spirit to work in people's hearts and lives? What does this look like? Reflect on where God may be calling you to invite others into relationship with Christ.

Walking Wet: Are We There Yet?

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:02:53 PST

Day 1
Read Mark 1:14-15 and Matthew 3:1-6. What do you think is the good news of which Jesus speaks? Why does following Jesus begin with repentance? What does repent mean? (change; turn around; reorientation) Why is repentance essential if we are to grow as disciples? Why might be your prayer of repentance today?

Day 2
Read John 15:1-4. In following Jesus, what is the one thing required above all else? Compare Luke 10:38-42. What does it mean to abide in Jesus? What other words would you substitute for abide? What are the times when you hear Jesus calling you to come out of the kitchen to sit at his feet?

Day 3
Read John 15:5-17. What is the relationship between these phrases of Jesus: abide/remain in me, love one another, and bear fruit? Some biblical interpreters suggest that the fruit God wants to produce in us is love. One definition of spiritual growth is "an increasing love for God and for others." What is helping you grow in your love for God and your love for others?

Day 4
Read Ephesians 4:11-16. The author of this letter draws a picture of a faith community maturing toward the fullness of Jesus Christ. Notice that spiritual growth occurs in the context of a community of faith. What is the connection between doing ministry or service and growing in Christ? Like John 15, this passage also mentions love as an essential ingredient in growing up in Christ. What is it about love that contributes to the strengthening of the body of Christ and to its unity?

Day 5
Read Genesis 12:1-4 and Hebrews 11:8-16. God called Abraham to leave his home and journey to a new place. Do you think Abraham was always wondering, are we there yet? Did he ever arrive? Do we ever arrive, or are we always on a journey? It has been suggested that if you are not uncomfortable, then you are not growing. Is this your experience? What do you think about the following quotation: "The decision to grow always involves a choice between risk and comfort. This means that to be a follower of Jesus you must renounce comfort as the ultimate value of your life." (Ortberg, If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat, 21) What do you think are the growth points in your life? In our congregational life?

Walking Wet: Walking Together, Not Alone

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:36:42 PST

Day 1 - Where is your Antioch?
Where is your Antioch, your community of faith and learning? Is it dead or dying? Is it alive and growing? Before you can figure out where your Antioch is, you need to know what an Antioch is. Read Acts 11:20-30. What are some of the characteristics of the community in Antioch? Do you find these characteristics in your current community of faith?

Day 2 - Beloved Community
We all want to be part of a healthy, reconciled, authentic community. This is something Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. named the beloved community, one with the type of spirit and type of love "that can transform opposers into friends". Depending on your experience of church, you may be thinking that either being beloved community in a congregation is a no-brainer or a pipe dream. Read Colossians 3:12-17. How do these words provide a model for beloved community?

Day 3 - Authentic Community
Achieving true community is rare. According to M. Scott Peck, author of The Road Less Traveled and Beyond, most groups of people only achieve psuedo-community, where the assumption is that everyone is the same, with the same goals in mind, and that everybody will play nice. True community requires experiencing the chaos of our differences and the emptying of barriers to communication such as “expectations, preconceptions, and prejudices and emptying ourselves of the need to heal, convert, fix or solve."

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. What do you think it takes to move beyond psuedo-community to authentic community?

Day 4 - Changing Community
The church is people in community, so the church represents a lot of different experiences, passions, disappointments, gifts, attitudes, disagreements, challenges, and beliefs just like the real world. How do we do church with all these unique perspectives messing about? Read Matthew 18:1-5 and Romans 12 then ponder this quote from take this bread by Sara Miles:

"You can't be a Christian by yourself. You can't be more special or holy. I was going to be changed, too, and lose my private church for a new one I couldn't control. I was going to have to work with the people I liked at St. Gregory's, and the ones who irritated the hell out of me, and Veronica, and a bunch of strangers I hadn't even met yet."

Can we be part of a community without expecting change, in
ourselves and in others?

Day 5 - Reconciling Community
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-20. Consider the following words from
Becoming the Authentic Church by Gordon Cosby & Kayla McClurg:

"We are the recipients of God's atonement through Christ's life, death and resurrection, but how can we claim to have atonement, literally at-one-ment, with God if we are not reconciled to the
diverse family of God?"

How can we seek to know and be known by people whom society might call our "opposites", in order to overcome the barriers that we have been led to believe were inevitable? How does your faith community practice the ministry of reconciliation?

Walking Wet: Relationship, not Religion

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 03:32:23 PST

Day 1
Most people appreciate being called by name. Some are offended if their names are forgotten or mispronounced. God knows our names. God knows all about us, and yet God loves us. Read the following verses, basking in God's intimate love for you: Psalm 139:13-18, 23-24; Isaiah 43:1, 46:3-4; 49:15-16a; Jeremiah 1:4-8; and John 10:3-4. Some of these words are spoken to individuals or to Israel, but the heart of these messages is for each of us: God know us by name; God loves us and calls to us. Thank God for calling you by name. Embrace God's love.

Day 2
Love and belonging is a basic human need. Too often we humans search for love in all the wrong places. Our past human experiences cloud our understanding of God's unconditional love for us. Today is a new beginning. If you are suffering ask the great healer to live in your heart and accept the love He freely has already given you. "So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." 1 John 4: 16.

Day 3
Do you see your Christianity as a "religion" or as a relationship, a journey with God? Read John 1:35-51. Notice the eagerness with which these early followers of Jesus leave what is behind and put their trust in Jesus, and commit their lives to him. Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime with God and his son Jesus? Are you ready to re-commit your life to Jesus?

Day 4
Find a quiet spot away from all distractions. Turn off electronic devices, breathe deeply and talk openly and authentically with God. Whisper, shout, cry, smile. Don’t hold anything back. End by thanking Him for His love, be specific.

Day 5
Begin by reading Luke 6: 27-38. We demonstrate unconditional acceptance and love, based in the unconditional love and acceptance offered to us by Jesus. We serve others, regardless of what we think of their worthiness or circumstances, with no strings attached. Love will push us out of our comfort zone as we choose to do what is right, even to our enemies and no matter the personal cost. Commit to leave your comfort zone and serve others today. Service opportunities are posted in the Spirit of Peace (the weekend handout), the Peace E-zine, and on the ministry wall as you enter the church building.

Walking Wet: The call of baptism

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:34:57 PST

Day 1: You Are Invited!
Read John 1:35-43. In verse 39, Jesus invites us to "come and see." We have an "open" invitation…to participate in a relationship with him…any time, anywhere. And, the good news is that we can share this invitation with others. The invitation is a call to discipleship, fellowship, blessing, comfort, service, sacrifice, and life eternal. The following passages will give you more specifics: Matthew 11:28-30, 25:34; Mark 10:21; John 4:29, 21:12; and Revelation 3:20. Have you responded to the invitation? Come and see!

Day 2: He Knows Your Name
Have you ever walked into a crowd at a party and looked around for someone you knew who could call you by name? What a relief when you hear a familiar voice calling your name. God knows your name—He knows all about you and loves you unconditionally. Read the following verses which tell of the depths of His love for you: Psalm 139:13-18; Isaiah 43:1; 46:3-4; 49:15-16a; Jeremiah 1:4-8; and John 10:3-4. Thank God for knowing you and calling you by name.

Day 3: Is God Using Your Voice?
Read John 1:43-51. Take note of all the invitations that are given. Did these early followers of Jesus wait until their faiths were mature and they knew Jesus well before inviting others to "come and see"? They had been waiting for the Messiah and, upon meeting him, they were incredibly eager to invite others into relationship with Jesus. Have you ever talked with anyone about what Jesus means to you? Have you invited someone to church so that he/she might hear the good news? Read Acts 1:8 and Romans 10:8-15. The disciples began by sharing Jesus with those closest to them. Ask the Spirit to give you opportunities this week to share the love of Jesus with family and friends.

Day 4: Have You Shared the Invitation?
Yesterday, we noted all the invitations in John 1:43-51. Read the text again and notice that Andrew and Philip immediately invite others to come and meet Jesus. And those whom they invite, Simon and Nathanael, find that Jesus already knows them. Read John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:4-6; and 2 Peter 3:9. God’s love knows no limits. We, too, are called to love without limit. Yesterday we prayed about sharing with those people closest to us. Is God calling you to deliver the invitation to those outside your circle of friends and family? The neighbor two doors down, the student sitting across from you, the mailman who stops to chat while working his route? Ask God for guidance and direction.

Day 5: Welcome to the Community!
Where do you feel most secure in God’s love? Is it in your family, in your church? When you're in prayer? One by one, Jesus invites the disciples into relationship with him. He calls them by name; he knows them intimately; he challenges them to "come and see" and to follow him. And he invites them into community. In John 1:41-46, notice how God uses the voices of Andrew and Philip to call others to Jesus. And just as he uses human voices to call people to Jesus, he uses human arms to embrace them and words to encourage them with Jesus' love. Read John 13:34-35; 15:9-13; 17:20-26. Thank God for your family, your friends and your faith community. Thank God for loving you unconditionally. Ask the Spirit to guide you in sharing this "welcome call" to those beyond the comfortable circle of family and faith community.

Walking Wet: Week 1

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:48:35 PST

Once you give God an opening,
the door will never again be closed.

Day 1: Mark begins his gospel by explaining that John the Baptist, in fulfillment of prophecy, came to herald the Messiah. After several hundred years of prophetic silence, John’s appearance must have stirred hearts and created eager anticipation for what God was doing in their midst. In these early days of 2009, is your heart stirred and do you eagerly anticipate God's presence and activity? Picture yourself with the crowd gathered at the Jordan River as you read Mark 1:1-11. Pray the Spirit will draw you into the scene and enable you to hear God’s voice.

Day 2: Carefully and thoughtfully, read Mark 1:4-8. What is the message John teaches as he prepares the people for the soon-to-be-revealed Messiah? Did few or many respond to his words? What does this say about the hunger of the people's hearts? Consider the baptism of which verses 4 and 5 speak. How might repentance, confession, and forgiveness prepare the people for meeting Jesus and receiving his baptism (vs. 8)? Do we understand our need for a Savior if we do not recognize that we are sinners? Read Matthew 9:12-13; Luke 15:10; 18:9-14; and 1 John 1:8-10. Pray a prayer from your heart or use David’s words in Psalm 51:1-12, 17 to form your prayer.

Day 3: Read Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; and John 1:24-34. Jesus steps into the waters of the Jordan; God affirms Jesus as the beloved Son, and now Jesus is ready to begin his public ministry. John had been preparing the people for this moment; now the people can experience God's presence (Immanuel) in their midst in the person of Jesus. Jesus, though without sin, in humble identification with the people he came to save, steps into the water to be baptized by John. Jesus, the perfectly obedient, eternal Son, says, "yes," over and over, to God's will and mission for his life. Thank Jesus for setting aside his eternal glory and offering himself for you.

Day 4: For another look at this passage, read Matthew 3: 13-17. At Jesus' baptism, there was a public connection between Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The form of a dove was a visible endorsement of the Holy Spirit's presence. God's voice added to the weight of the moment. Jesus was the "real deal" – God’s only beloved Son in whom God was well-pleased. In addition to being a public endorsement, this was a very intimate moment between parent and child. The key word is "Beloved." How does it feel to be called "beloved," especially by God?

Day 5: What are the first words Jesus speaks as his public ministry begins according to Matthew 4:17 and Mark 1:15? What message fol¬lows (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17)? What are the commands; the promises? Consider that Jesus’ commands are the key that opens the door to discipleship. Why is repentance important; might it signify our realization that we need a Savior and our desire to be in a right relationship with God? Jesus also says, "Come, follow me." Do you hear the invitation? In the call to repent and to follow, it's Jesus who takes the initiative and invites us into relationship. Read Luke 19:10 and thank Jesus for inviting you to follow him.

We are called to deeper discipleship in Jesus Christ. Jesus was called to us by the love of God. His entry into the Jordan River was not for the forgiveness of sin—he knew no sin. It was so that God's presence could permeate every aspect of what it is to be human. Jesus will go where we all must go. Even without sin, he will enter into the waters of forgiveness. Sin no longer separates us from God's love.

Welcome to 2009!

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:16:11 PST

The start of a new year often brings to mind the chance for new beginnings, hopes and wishes. Here are a few thoughts about hopes and dreams for this new year.

"In this New Year, we turn again to the Lord of hosts - praying urgently for the justice, righteousness and peace hailed by the birth of the newborn babe in the manger, the humble child, the Prince of Peace.

In these days of terrible violence, death and destruction in Gaza and southern Israel, the ELCA joins its voice with all in the region and around the world who call for an immediate ceasefire. The continuing loss of life, infliction of serious injury and devastation of property will only deepen hatred and divisions, and will serve no good end. Lamenting the recent escalation of violence, only negotiations, leading to a two-state solution, will bring about a durable peace with justice for both Israelis and Palestinians." - Bishop Mark S. Hanson

"that we'd be people & communities radically in touch with Christ's love for us & continue to risk our comfort, ego, time, money, and heart to offer mercy & compassion to others. that we'd be somehow known as those weird people who love other people unconditionally, tangibly, and in all kinds of crazy, unexplainable ways." - kathy escobar

What hopes and dreams do you have for 2009?

Questions: Who Does Our Church Belong To?

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:28:07 PST

Day 1
Read Psalm 95:1-7. As the season of Advent approaches, we may wonder how we will proclaim "Joy to the World" with the backdrop of economic fear and uncertainty. Many people and institutions are revisiting their priorities for this season. Think and pray about what your priorities are and where you hope to find joy this season?

Day 2
What does JOY stand for? It can be an acronym to remind us of who our church belongs to:
Jesus first
Others second
Yourself last
According to these priorities, first and foremost, our church belongs to Jesus. Read Colossians 1:15-20. What is Jesus' relationship to our church?

Day 3
Second, our church belongs to others. Read Matthew 25:31-46. What is Jesus' relationship to others? Think about the ways that Peace already “gives itself away” to others. Pray about new ways that Peace can make others a priority by helping those that are overlooked, ignored, lost or lonely.

Day 4
Finally, our church belongs to us. Or does it? Read Galations 2:11-21 & 2 Corinthians 3:1-6. What is Jesus' relationship to each one of us? How does this relationship affect our priorities at Peace?

Day 5
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13. Paul experienced great joy at hearing about this new church in Thessalonia and prays that God will continue to increase their love for each other and everyone else until it is overflowing. Do we want to be a church where God can work through us to bring overflowing love and joy to the world? Pray for Peace to be a place where Jesus is followed and others can see and experience hope rising in God’s world.

Questions: Why do people need the church?

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:51:59 PST

Day 1
Read Ephesians 4:1-16. How many "ones" appear in verses 4-5? What point do you think these repeated words make? What relation might this have with ensuing verses, 7-16?

Connect verses 11-13 with these verses from 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 12, and 13. What are the purposes of the God-given gifts to God’s people? What gift has God given you to offer in the community? In the world?

Day 2
Read John 17:20-23; John 13:34-35. In John 17, Jesus prayed for all followers to be unified. What impact does unity (or lack of unity) have on the congregation? On you personally? On the community and world around us? Pray this part of Jesus’ prayer today.

Day 3
Read Acts 2:42-47. How has your experience with Christian community compared to the community described in Acts 2? Is there a way that you could help to move your community to a deeper level? What one step might you take?

Day 4
Read Matthew 16:13-20. Last weekend we read Mark’s version of this story (Mark 8:27-30). What do you think Jesus meant by these terms: keys of the kingdom, binding, loosing? Why did Jesus tell his disciples not to spread the word that he was the Messiah (at that time)? Do you think that command is still in force?

Day 5
Read 1 John 1:1-10. Do you recognize the words from 1 John 1:8-9? Why is confession important for the life of the individual Christian? Why is confession important for the life of the community of faith? Write a prayer of confession that you can use today and for the next few weeks.

Questions: What was the message of Jesus?

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 03:01:56 PDT

Day 1
Read Matthew 5:1-12 and Luke 6: 21-24. Some believe these represent one sermon; others suggest the thoughts were common topics in Jesus' teachings. At the heart of these teachings is the truth that Jesus turns worldly perceptions upside down. Consider that true wealth, joy, fulfillment, peace, purpose, satisfaction…are found in relationship with Jesus. Do you seek fulfillment in the temporal, which is fleeting, or in the eternal? How do the words recorded in John 16:33 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; help us understand Jesus' words in Matthew and Luke? And yet, we mustn't simply spiritualize Jesus’ words, for they embrace our experiences today as well as look ahead to eternity. For example: we might experience physical or spiritual poverty, and Jesus is the one who meets us in our need and promises us his provision (Matthew 5:3; 6:25-33), and we are called to be Jesus to others (John 21:15-17). Ask Jesus to open your eyes to whom you should bless in his name today.

Day 2
Christ's Church: True Disciples -How does Jesus define true disciples in John 8:31? How would our churches be different if we lived this? In Jesus' conversation before John 8:31, he leads those with open hearts to understand who he is. To be disciples, we must know the one whom we follow. Read John 8:12,19b,23,54-58; the claims Jesus makes are ones only God can make. Notice again Jesus’ words in John 8:58, "before Abraham was, I am" (NRSV); now read Exodus 3:14. Spend quiet moments pondering what Jesus is saying. Jesus is God incarnate; he is the light of the world; he calls us to walk in his light. Praise and pray as you read 1 John 1:1-8. Ask the Spirit to help you walk with Jesus.

Day 3
Whose Values? Read James 2:1-10. What or who shapes your values? Do the light and love of Jesus make you yearn to be his hands and feet and heart and voice to others, or do you allow the world to instruct you about what is of great worth? Are you inclined to defer to those who are wealthy, powerful, and famous, to those who have great beauty or amazing athletic prowess, or do you respond to people as Jesus responds to them, seeing the dignity and worth of each individual? In the early church, and in our world today, these are real issues for Christians who desire to reflect the character of Jesus. Ask Jesus to mold your heart according to his eternal values.

Day 4
Setting the Standard Read James 2:1; how is Jesus described? Jesus manifests the glorious presence of God; he is truly Immanuel, and he sets the standard for our behavior and our love. Read John 13:34-35; Romans 15:5-7; Ephesians 5:1-2; and 1 John 4:9-12. Praise God we don’t have to love in our own strength (Romans 5:5; Philippians 4:13)! Nevertheless, loving others and treating them without partiality is not always easy. In the early church Jews and Greeks or a slave and his/her owner might find themselves worshiping together. What situations today might cause the same degree of unease? Ask Jesus to help you reflect his glorious presence in how you treat others.

Day 5
Hearts for the Poor- Apparently some in the early church were exploiting the poor; high interest rates and harsh treatment of debtors were common. As fellow members of the body of Christ, how should we respond to the needs of others? Read Deuteronomy 15:7-8; Proverbs 14:21,31; Micah 6:8; Luke 14:12-14; and Acts 2:43-47. Is there poverty that doesn’t involve financial need? (Consider physical, relational, spiritual, emotional…). Is your heart tender toward those who are in need? Pray that you have a compassionate heart.Tell Jesus you want to be compassionate.

The Way of Generosity: Responding to God's Generosity

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:21:28 PDT

Day 1
Consider how God, in Christ, gives to us as you read Romans 5:8; Ephesians 3:17b-21; and 1 John 4:9-10. Do we trust God's love enough to come to God with hands and hearts wide open? In the passage from 2 Corinthians this week we read that Paul writes to the believers in Corinth and encourages them to give to the Jerusalem church, which is suffering persecution and is in great need. He teaches about sacrificial giving by using Jesus and the Macedonian churches as examples. Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. Pray you will understand and embrace the concept of sowing generously, and that you will see the privilege, joy, and benefit of giving from God's perspective. Pray the Spirit will lead you into an understanding of how you can live this out today. Read Hebrews 12:1-3 and run the race with joy.

Day 2
Tithing is the Scriptural standard for giving (Read Malachi 3:6-12), but if our hands are wide open, there is no limit to what God can move us to give and then do in and through us as we share what God places in our hands. And it doesn’t always begin with abundance - Read 1 Kings 17:7-16; Matthew 6:1-4; Luke 21:1-4; Mark 12: 41-44. (In these texts we see also a beautiful example of the phrase, "not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice." ) Prayerfully ponder giving or doing something outrageously, hilariously generous (anonymously, if possible). Allow the Lord to flood your heart with the joy of giving. Pray the lyrics: "We give Thee but Thine own, whate'er the gift may be; all that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee."

Day 3
Living Generously-Our motivation: We are to love the Lord and others wholeheartedly, and Jesus explains that that we are to love as he loves us, which means we are not only to love wholeheartedly but also sacrificially. The command is clear, but what might motivate us to live with open hearts and hands? It is not to earn salvation, for we are saved by grace. Read Psalm 100:1-5; Isaiah 58:10-11; John 15:9-12; Acts 20:35; and 2 Corinthians 1:20; 5:14-15; 8:1-5,9. Do words like gratitude, trust, God's promises, love, and joy come to mind?

Day 4
For God's Purpose, Mission, and Pleasure: Over a century ago, a speaker at a missionary convention, whose name has been forgotten, said, "Most people are not satisfied with the permanent output of their lives. Nothing can wholly satisfy the life of Christ within His followers except the adoption of Christ's purposes toward the world. Fame, pleasure, and riches are (nothing) in contrast with the boundless and abiding joy of working with God for the fulfillment of His eternal plans" (quoted in The Parables by Gary Inrig, p. 91; 1991, Discovery House Pub.). Read Luke 9:24-25; John 13:34-35; Acts 1:8; and 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Think about God's priorities; pray you will use what has been entrusted to you to live into God's mission.

Day 5
Our God, Who Blesses Us: Read 1 Kings 17:1-16. Did the widow become wealthy, or did she simply have enough? God also blesses us abundantly, but the best blessings are not material; consider the joy of being allowed to see more of God's glory and know more of Jesus' sweet presence in our lives. Read and pray Ephesians 1:17-19a; 3:14-21. Now ponder 2 Samuel 24:24; 2 Corinthians 9:7-11; Hebrews 13:5-8; and Isaac Watts' lyrics: "Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."

Overview of Proposed Constitutional Revisions

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:42:57 PDT

The last revision of the constitution of Peace Lutheran Church occurred in 1992. Since that time, the needs and ministry goals of this congregation and the requirements of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have changed. Because much of the language and congregational structure of the existing constitution reflected the needs, requirements and ministry goals of a predecessor church body and outdated patterns of ministry in this congregation, the leadership team charged the Constitution Review Team to undertake the process of reviewing and revising the current constitution of Peace Lutheran Church with the following goals in mind:

· To streamline the constitution and make it easier to use and adhere to its requirements. The committee and the Leadership Team have found that many elements of the older constitution were better left as bylaws or continuing resolutions because they covered aspects of the congregation’s life that change frequently. Bylaws and continuing resolutions are easier to change than the constitution and are more appropriate venues from transitory issues and procedures. Many of the policies and procedures that could and will change would be more appropriately included in a Policy and Procedures Manual because they do not touch upon crucial matters of doctrine or good order in the life of the church.
· To create a constitution that will not go out of date: This means removing some specific language and replacing it with more general, flexible language. For example, the current constitution states that a congregational meeting was to be held on the last Sunday of Easter. The proposed constitution requires that such meetings be held regularly and recommends that the meeting be held in May.
· To create a constitution that reflects the values and patterns of ministry of Peace Lutheran Church: The proposed constitution reflects this congregation’s current practice of ministries forming and dissolving according to the interest, calling and ministry needs the congregation and its members while preserving all the structures which are necessary for the life of a congregation of the ECLA.
· To bring Peace Lutheran Church’s constitution into conformity with the constitutional requirements of the ELCA for all its member congregations. The ELCA periodically updates its constitution due to legal decisions or changes in the polity of the church and requires that these changes be taken into account in the constitutions of its member synods and congregations.

The changes listed on this page should not be considered as an exhaustive list of the changes that are proposed to the constitution. Rather, they are an overview of the principles that guided the revisions, and examples which illuminate the principles which guided our work.

Draft Constitution of Peace Lutheran Church (pdf)

Please feel free to leave comments on the proposed changes here or send them to churchoffice@plchurch.org.

The Way of Generosity: Opening Our Lives

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:43:11 PDT

Day 1
Read Deuteronomy 15:7-11 and 2 Corinthians 8:1-7. Picture the compassion and generosity in the words "open your hand wide" (Deuteronomy 15:8). The needs around us these days are certainly overwhelming: natural disasters, wars, disease, economic crises, homelessness, hunger—the list goes on. Do these events and world conditions simply immobilize us or do we respond with our hands open wide? David Jeremiah writes, "What are our few dollars, small faith, and simple prayers in the face of such needs? (yet) The sweetest taste you will ever have is offering what is in your hand to God and watching Him multiply it and make a difference" (Turning Points, 2008, Vol. 10, #8, p45). Pray that the Spirit will move you to open your hands, open your heart, fill you with compassion, and make you generous in sharing your life with those in need—here in Hollymead, Charlottesville, Southwestern Virginia and, perhaps, even in far away places like Mississippi, Haiti, Honduras. Prayerfully consider the gifts God has generously given you—are you open to the possibilities?

Day 2
Read Joshua 24:14-15. What was Joshua's challenge to the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land? Recall again the events of the Exodus—how God provided for His people. Did they ever waver in their trust? Joshua tells the people to choose between gods and GOD, who has faithfully provided for them. We, too, must make choices about in whom or what we put our trust. Yesterday, we read Deuteronomy 15:7-11 and 2 Corinthians 8:1-7. Revisit these passages and then continue in 2 Corinthians chapter 8, verses 8-11 as well as chapter 9:6-15; note how God provides for, challenges, promises, and blesses the people. Pray for the Spirit's guidance; trusting God, pray for courage to share your life with others.

Day 3
Often we run after happiness and find it elusive, but God's Word promises us that we can live joyfully, even if our circumstances are not "happy." Have you thought about the difference between happiness and joy? Consider that one has to do with the people in our lives, our possessions and achievements (externals) and the other with the work of the Spirit within us—the "joy of our salvation". Read John 15:9-12; 2 Corinthians 8:1-2; Galatians 5:22; and 1 Peter 1:8-9. Pray that you will be filled with the abundant joy that only the Lord can give—filled to overflowing--sharing this joy with others.

Day 4
Jesus shows us what God's love looks like. As you reflect on Jesus, do you see God's relentless, immeasurable love; outrageous generosity; tender compassion; sacrificial service? Consider how we are to reflect these qualities as you read Ephesians 5:2 and Colossians 1:9-14; 2:6-7. Meditate on van Dyke's lyrics: "Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love; hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above." Pray you will joyfully reflect God's love to others.

Day 5
Paul tells the Corinthians that the Macedonians gave themselves to the Lord. What does this mean? Read Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 8:5,9; and Philippians 1:21a. On what are your heart and life centered? What are the riches Christ laid aside, and what riches are ours because of his grace (2 Corinthians 8:9)? Sing or pray Havergal's lyrics: "Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord, to Thee…Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store; take myself, and I will be ever, only all for Thee." With open hands and open hearts, "serve the Lord with gladness."

The Way of Generosity: The Generosity of God

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:09:00 PDT

Day 1
In worship this weekend we sang, "O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hands hath made…." Does that include us? Do we really consider ourselves wonderfully made and truly belonging to God? Ponder your relationship with the Lord, who is both Creator and Redeemer, as you read and reflect on Psalm 24:1 and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

Day 2
Read Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 8:1-9; and 139:1-18,23-24. Some of the creation narratives are expressed poetically; did you hear the rhythms of God's grace in the poetry or music of the pictures of creation? We have spoken of God's power and glory made manifest in creation. Do you also see God's intimate love and grace? Consider how perfectly God suits creation to the needs of humans. Ponder the tenderness of God's grace and love (Psalm 8:5; 139:13-14). Worship God as you respond to God's love, glory, and grace.

Day 3
Read 1 Chronicles 29:14-17 and Matthew 25:14-30. David expresses that giving to God is a matter of the heart. Do you trust God's intentions; do you believe that God knows what will bring you the most joy, the surest security, and the greatest blessing? Do you trust enough to risk taking God at God's word or do you see God as the servant with one talent saw him (Matthew 25:24-25)?

Day 4
Do you think in terms of "mine" as you survey all that is around you (my home, my yard, my car, my money…)? How do we move toward the realization that God is owner of everything, and we are simply those who manage or care for it on God's behalf? Read Psalm 24:1 and Matthew 25:14-30. For those hearing Jesus tell the parable, the setting was familiar: wealthy landowners often left their estates or property in the hands of trusted servants. If we view things as belonging to God instead of as "mine", how might we react? Do we manage wisely the life and resources, which have been entrusted to us? Do we ever squander or hoard them? Think on this and pray honestly.

Day 5
How much time do we spend longing for what we do not have as opposed to delighting in what God has put into our hands to manage as faithful stewards? Do we serve the Master and delight in pleasing him, or do we seek to please ourselves and treat God as the one who serves us? Consider what a privilege and responsibility it is to serve the King of kings and Lord of lords; and we serve as beloved children and heirs (Romans 8:15-17)! Read Matthew 6:25-34. What do the words of Jesus have to say to us in these days of fear and anxiety over jobs, finances, investments, and pensions

Practicing the Faith: The Feet of a Servant

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:38:22 PDT

Day 1
Read Micah 6:1-8. What in our way of life makes it challenging to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God"? How can we move as a fellowship and as individuals to a posture that reflects the teaching of scripture on mercy and justice?

Day 2
Read John 15:9-17. What does it mean to love one another as Jesus has loved us? Is love a feeling or a way of doing things? What do Jesus' ministry and passion have to tell us about the meaning of this passage?

Day 3
Read Matthew 25:31-40. Are we listening as a fellowship to this parable? Who are the "least of these" around us? What acts of mercy is God putting on your heart?

Day 4
Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. What part does fear of social embarrassment play in preventing us from living out the call to servanthood? Are we afraid of being "fools for Jesus"? How can we encourage, support, and learn from each other in this aspect of discipleship?

Day 5
Read Isaiah 61:1-4. In what ways are all of us the oppressed, the brokenhearted, and the captives? How can we act on God's call for justice and mercy in a way that includes all people, yet does not deny the differences in experience between individuals and communities?

Practicing the Faith: A Voice to Speak the Good News

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:38:38 PDT

Day 1
Read 2 Timothy 1:1-7. What people helped you to come to faith in Jesus Christ? How did they speak the good news to you? Give thanks to God for their role in your life.

Day 2
Read John 4:5-29. What positive and negative associations do you have with the word "evangelism?" How do you think you came to have these thoughts? How does the Samaritan woman serve as an "evangelist" for her community?

Day 3
Read Matthew 28:16-20. Kelly Fryer asks us to reflect on these questions: What is "the point" of your congregation? Getting people in the doors? Or sending them out? How can you tell?

Day 4
Read Acts 17:16-34. How does Paul help the Athenians to see the presence of God among them? Who in your circle do you think needs to hear that God has and can make all things new? Pray that you may be available to God’s call to speak a word of hope.

Day 5
Read John 9:13-33. What would you tell someone about what you have seen and heard? How have the life, death, resurrection and teachings of Jesus changed your life?

Practicing the Faith – Having Knees for Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:45:41 PDT

Day 1
Read again the scripture we studied in worship this week. Luke 11: 1-3. Jesus gives us a model of prayer - what instructions do you see in these verses? Which of these do you need to implement? Now read Philippians 4: 4-7. What do you hear from the words of Paul regarding prayer?

Day 2
Someone once wrote that each of us is created with a God-shaped hole and that we will never be truly satisfied until we fill that space up with him. Unfortunately, many of us fill up on Snickers Bars! What do you turn to instead of God when you are feeling empty? (Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)
God longs to have fellowship with us. Read the following verses and describe the metaphor Scripture uses to describe the intimate relationship we can have with God:
John 15:5
Romans 8: 15-16
2 Corinthians 11:2

Day 3
God Is Near -Read Psalm 145:17-18. David tells us that God is righteous, loving, and near. Who will know/recognize God's nearness? What does it mean to call on God "in truth"? Do we, do you, ever pray insincerely by praying to sound good or righteous or by praying without thought of what you are saying? God isn't impressed with lofty words or thoughtless rote; God longs for us to be honest in our prayers. God knows us intimately, and our honesty honors and recognizes that knowledge in our relationship with God. Read Matthew 6:5-8; Luke 18:9-14; and John 4:23-24. Tell the Spirit you want to be really honest with God today. Be still before God; then share your heart.

Day 4
Praise is an Aspect of Prayer -In Psalm 145, David begins and ends his prayer with words of praise and exaltation; in fact, the entire Psalm is a celebration of God's goodness. In the reading from Philippians, and in the prayer Jesus taught us, we are instructed to acknowledge the sacredness of God's name (Read Matthew 6:9). Is praise part of your prayer relationship with God? Praise helps us focus our eyes on the One who loves us infinitely. Consider spending time praising God every day this week. One way to begin making a habit of praise is to pray aloud a psalm each day; Psalms 145-150 work well for this.

Day 5
Think About God's Love…Jesus is about to die; the cross is only hours away, and Jesus prays. Read John 17 slowly and prayerfully. Jesus prays for God to be glorified. He prays for our protection, that we will love each other and embrace God's words of truth. He prays we will take the good news of God's love to the world and live God’s love in the world. Read John 13:34-35. We aren’t simply to love others as we love ourselves. What is to be the measure of our love? How does the world see Jesus? Take time to pray through all or part of John 17. Pray with an open heart. Then pray for whomever God puts on your heart; pray for the grace to love with Jesus' love.

Practicing the Faith: Arms of Love

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:23:27 PDT

God is love, and God sent Jesus to provide the love and acceptance we yearn for. So powerful is his love that nothing can separate us from it.

Contrary to popular media love is not an emotion or feeling. It is a choice and action. Love becomes a decision that is not necessarily motivated by positive feelings but by our own experience of God's love and our willingness to pass that on.

When we accept the love God offers us in Jesus and allow him to live within us then we are able to demonstrate authentic love. When our words and actions say to others, "You are loved! You are accepted!" we point the way to Jesus and let others experience the love of God through us.

Day 1:
Read Romans 13: 8-14
Today begin at home. In your family setting try to put into practice: 1) love of neighbor as yourself; 2) love does not wrong your neighbor and 3) the golden rule.

Day 2:
Referring to Day 1: How would you say you did in your intentional love of family? Who in your family is difficult to love? How could you purposely love them this week? Pray that God's spirit will help, guide and lead you.

Day 3:
Read 1 John 4: 7-21, 2 Corinthians 5: 1-2
As you read these New Testament passages consider that God is the source of all love. As God abides in us his love is perfected in us. Fear is cast away when God's love fills us up. What is your own unique expression of love for Him? Tell God your deepest needs and thank him for his unconditional love.

Day 4:
Read Ephesians 3: 14-19
"Bow your knees before the Father" – have you ever tried to change your posture as you pray to God? Consider giving this a try today. As you pop into your child's room tonight slip down to your knees at their bedside and pray with her/him to the God of love.

Day 5:
Consider how you might serve others? Regardless of what you might think of their worthiness or circumstances are there people in our area that need a no strings attached kind of love? Loving your neighbor is easy here at Peace. Check out the Food Bank items needed this month and donate. Sign up to serve the monthly Salvation Army Soup Kitchen dinner service. Buy stamps and cards for the Fluvanna Women's Correctional Facility. Contact the local Bridge Ministry and partner with them to help men become productive citizens of our community. Join a youngster at Hollymead School with the upcoming reading buddies hour. Help others in the local community garden effort in downtown Charlottesville. Detailed information about these and many more opportunities to love our neighbors can be found: in "The Spirit of Peace" - a weekly informational sheet handed out before worship; visit www.plchurch.org; and by browsing through the welcome center at Peace.

Practicing the Faith: A Heart for Christ Alone

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:04:40 PDT

We've begun a new series on practicing the faith. Following Jesus is a way of life. In the words of the apostle Paul, it is about Christ being formed in us. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Ever since the Christian church was established, Christians have "practiced the faith." They have practiced spiritual disciplines that put them in a position to love God and to love their neighbor. That is the purpose of spiritual disciplines: they help us to develop an intimacy with God and a fitness for service.

This Fall we are getting back to the basics with the marks of discipleship. This week we consider the most important mark, a heart for Christ alone. This mark often involves realignment of our priorities. We move from fitting Jesus into our agenda to being shaped by Jesus' agenda, from trusting in our plans and abilities to placing all our trust in Jesus. A heart for Christ alone transforms our lives as we relinquish our selfish pursuits and offer our whole selves into the service of Jesus.

Day 1:
Jesus' words in Luke 14:26-27 provide a glimpse into why being a disciple challenges the status quo. Read various translations to see how different words are used to try and convey the challenge of being a disciple:

You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life. You cannot be my disciple unless you carry your own cross and come with me. (CEV)

Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. (NSRV)

Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple. (The Message)

Day 2:
We begin this series by considering what it means to have a heart for Christ alone. Re-read Luke 14:26-27. How does this reading help explain what it means to have a heart for Christ alone? Consider how this might be challenging for you.

Day 3:
As Pastor John pointed out in his sermon, practicing faith in the burbs has it's own challenges. Jesus' call to follow him is a call that challenges the values of suburban life: the values of consumerism, comfort, security, and individualism. Read Matthew 16:21-26. How does this reading challenge you where you live?

Day 4:
Glenn McDonald says that a heart for Christ alone is the first mark of a disciple and its priority cannot be negotiated. However, we don't always travel a linear path in our faith walk. Consider one area of your life where you have substantially surrendered yourself to the leadership of Christ? What is one area where you continue to struggle?

Day 5:
Read Matthew 11:25-30. We may struggle with practicing the marks of discipleship, but is it really meant to be that way?

Dear Jesus,
Why do we linger, why do we wait;
We carry on without You.
You've always been here, but still we hesitate;
You have much in store for us,
if only we would come unto You.
Amen.

Resources:
The Disciple Making Church by Glenn McDonald
The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg
The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard
www.biblegateway.com

the book of faith

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:05:18 PDT

While we are talking the Bible, many other individuals, churches and organizations are talking the Bible as well. Are there ways we can talk the Bible together? The ELCA has started an initiative called The Book of Faith, Open Scripture. Join the Conversation.

"The Book of Faith initiative invites the whole church to become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture, in order that we might live into our calling as a people renewed, enlivened, empowered and sent by the Word. This initiative is the work of the whole church. Each individual, each congregation, each synod, and each church-related organization is invited to participate and to help make the vision of the Book of Faith initiative a reality throughout the church. The first year of the Book of Faith initiative centers on inviting everyone to join the conversation, to make a commitment, and to become part of the initiative."

Check out this resource and let us know how you think we can participate.

we want to hear from you

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:52:38 PDT

The weekend of July 12 & 13 we'll be starting a new worship series, Talking the Bible: Having Words with God. This series will be focused on the Bible and will look at things like what it is, why it is, and how we approach it? The worship design team enjoyed so much the interaction and dialogue generated with the Can U Hear Me Now? series, that we'd like to keep the conversation going. This time we want to know how you interact with the Bible and what questions you have about it. You can post your words here.

intrafaith dialog

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:53:51 PDT

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. - Ephesians 4:11-13

The weekend of June 7 & 8 we had an opportunity to exchange letters of encouragement with our sisters and brothers in Christ at St. Mark Lutheran Church and Grace & Glory Lutheran Church.
- Peace to Grace & Glory
- Grace & Glory to Peace
- Peace to St. Mark
- St. Mark to Peace

As with our interfaith justice and charity work, this intrafaith dialog is important in building up the body of Christ.