04/24/2023
Yesterday, after Pastor Daisy’s excellent sermon, I had a few moments with the 10:30 folks and I mentioned two other ways God’s mission becomes our mission.
First, we are a congregation are working on refining our mission statement. My current favorite is this:
We’re called to be the Heart of Jesus,
in the Heart of Carmel:
helping our neighbors
make a difference in the lives of their neighbors
for Christ’s sake.
Secondly, I always think it’s helpful to have a personal mission statement, especially when it comes to guiding how we relate to others with the heart of Jesus. Here is one of my favorites in that category as well:
When it comes to those closest to you:
If you find a need, fill it.
If you find a hurt, heal it.
If you encounter a problem, help solve it.
If you cause a division, bridge it.
And pray that you can be to them
what you would like them to be for you.
I’ve been reminded by the baptisms we’ve had the pleasure of witnessing over the last few weeks, that God has a unique purpose and plan for each of us. Discerning that plan and hewing to it is a big part of what it means to live a faithful life. May the Spirit fill you with everything you need to grab a hold of that plan and make it your own.
Archived Posts
The Loss of a Great Christian Leader
The death today of Pope Francis was particularly poignant, falling as it did on the day after Easter. As Protestant Christians we have a once removed interest in the leader of the Roman Catholic church. Yet the pope is the authoritative leader of 1.4 billion women and men around the world. It is worth our time to pause and consider what kind of man and what kind of legacy Pope Francis left behind.
Everything You Wanted To Know About Judas Iscariot
(Drawn from online sources)
Jesus Hears A Who
Few people know that Horton Hears A Who comes from the 25th Chapter of Matthew.
Matthew 24: One More Thing...
I sometimes stumble on old documents I’ve created but have completely forgotten about. I cannot remember why I created them or what purpose they were originally supposed to serve....
Keeping the Church Doors Unencumbered
Sunday, we considered Jesus’ disruptive actions in the Temple in light of his frustration with keeping gentiles from worshipping in their designated courtyard. We then reflected on how we still tend to throw up roadblocks to those who don’t normally attend church. I found the following, but didn’t have space for it in the sermon. It’s provocative and worth chewing on for a while.
What Was the Crowd Celebrating on Palm Sunday?
I came across this list which feels a little like a "Greatest Hits of Jesus' Ministry". I share it with you today for your inspiration and edification. Enjoy!
The Best Kind of Trouble-maker
While working on this last week’s sermon I was looking through Phillip Yancey’s excellent book—The Jesus I Never Knew—when I came across a section that I found profound. It didn’t quite fit my sermon, but it caught my eye enough that I copied it down.