When trying to illustrate a point in my preaching, I try to find topics that are non-controversial or at least non-partisan.  This last week I used the idea of Gun Rights vs. Responsible restrictions on those rights to talk about the balance between Rights and Responsibilities.  I’m sure there are going to be folks who think I leaned too far one way or the other when describing the debate.  In any case, I kept trying to come up with an example that might highlight how those on the Left also want to defend certain rights and ignore responsibilities.  This is what I came up with but—with a sermon much longer than it should be—didn’t have space for.

Pastor Tim’s Summer Reading Group: Calling All Fans of well written History

       I’m in the mood this summer to do some reading, and I love history when it is delivered well. So I am inviting you to join me in reading three books between now and September.

        I found a wonderful illustration while preparing for Sunday’s sermon, The Gospel According to Aladdin/Disney. In the sermon I talked about how all of us were brought into this world to reflect the image of God that is within us. I wanted to use this story but ran out of time. Thank goodness I’ve got this blog so I can work in what I regrettably cut out and left on my study floor.

The powers and principalities of this world—the governments and corporations, all our ideologies and economic systems; all the ‘isms’ that we have found comfort in, and all the tribal allegiances that have offered us some semblance of security —are arrayed against the Kingdom of God and therefore deeply resistant to any signs of its growth or expansion into our world.  These powers are going to fight back whenever they feel threatened and they feel plenty threatened by those who passionately pursue justice, who love mercy, resist personal and systemic evil, and advocate loudly for peace and the best interests of their neighbors, those next door as well as those around the world.

It may look bad now, and it will even look worse down the road, but if you stay faithful, if you cling to Christ and to one another, you will share in the victory won by Jesus.