08/15/2023
A Little Forgiveness Goes a Long Way
I thought this week I'd just share, once again, what I used for the benediction in Sunday's worship. I had several requests for the quote that is included within it.
Here it is…
There is a tendency, a kind of parody of psycho-therapy, to blame our parents for everything we don't like about ourselves. I would be a much better person if I'd only had better parents. I'd be a much healthier person if I'd gotten better genes. I've fallen prey to it myself at times, and can easily devolve into a lifelong pity-party. There is a strange comfort in in being a victim of a dysfunctional family.
I found a quote that puts it all in perspective and I want to send you out with it this morning.
"It's not your place to hold your parents responsible for your failings, they are as imperfect as you are.
"It is your place to recognize that their sacrifices have allowed you the opportunity to be in this world long enough to work on and overcome those failings."
Funny how imperfect parents often end up with imperfect children (but perfect grandchildren). But as followers of Jesus, we know that not one of us is perfect, and yet because of His amazing grace, we most certainly are forgiven. And many times, that's all it takes.
Archived Posts
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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)
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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.