02/25/2019
Years ago while on a safari in Africa, the lions taught me a very good lesson. We traveled in a Jeep for two weeks following the great migration of animals. The Jeep was without doors, barely a roof and we were clearly exposed. If any animal was hungry, they could have easily attacked us and our tour would be over. When we would draw near a group of lions or other great creatures, the guide would remind us to not make any sudden movement, not to speak loudly and not to get out of the vehicle (not a problem, really!) The key was staying together inside of the Jeep. When we stayed together, when we journeyed together, we had a strength and a fearsomeness in the minds of the lions that we would not have had if we were standing alone.
This principle holds true in the jungle of Africa and in the jungle of Carmel UMC. This is why we talk so much about grow groups. You need to find your people because as long as you walk alone, you will never know your strength. Your greatest strength is not when you can prove that you don't need anyone; your greatest strength is when you no longer have to prove that you can do it alone.
If you contact Chris Thornsberry ( cthornsberry@carmelumc.org), he will find a grow group to start or join!
Archived Posts
What Jacob Marley Would Do,
If He Could Do It…
I thought about using the following for a benediction—since Jacob Marley was warning Scrooge about the danger of loving money and what it could buy. Ends up with the Cantata and everything else going on, I didn’t have the time. So here is what you might have heard if the sermon itself was 5 minutes shorter!
A Confirming Word on Old King Herod
I just want to echo what Rick said in his fine sermon yesterday (Nov. 23). Herod was a ruthless tyrant and skilled politician. When the Magi don’t report back to him, he decides to kill all the male children of Bethlehem under the age of 2. That’s one paranoid dude.
Power Without Conscience?
I ran out of room for this vignette in Sunday’s sermon. Remember the quote that could be the headline for Ahab and Naboth: “All that’s needed for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.” The following reinforces that truth.
The Cars Are Looking for A King
I don’t have a thing to add to Pastor Jessica’s excellent sermon this last Sunday. The fable/parable she shared has been one of my favorites for all the lessons she pulled from it in her message. I was playing around with my friend Chat GPT and after several abortive attempts, we came up with the following modernized version of Judges 9:7-15.
The Lost Benediction
Depending on the length of the sermon, I try to add a little something extra in my benedictions. This week I wrote up a benediction but then realized we’d be singing and waving our umbrellas to some New Orleans jazz.
Change of Focus This Week
Instead of sharing with you about yesterday’s sermon I’d like to invite you to do some background reading for next Sunday’s “Only Murders in the Bible.” Seeing that it is All Saints Day this Sunday, we are going to look at the very first Christian martyr, Stephen.
You Might Be Thinking It’s All About You If…
In working on Sunday’s sermon I asked my computer’s AI if she/he could come up with a few suggestions in answer to the above: "You Might be thinking it’s all about you, if…."