Have I Got a Deal for You!

Most of us cringe when we hear these words. Someone tries to convince us that if we give them something they will give us something better. Unfortunately, some see God as nothing more than a Dealer in charge of making certain the deals of life always work in our favor.

Ironically, this is not how Jesus lived or taught others to live. Jesus even invited one person to sell everything and give the proceeds to the poor! To sell all that I have means that I must first know “all that I have.” Have you ever thought about having an inventory of every single item you own? We may have a list of our “big ticket” items and heirlooms, but how many of our possessions rarely get a second thought?

When Jesus tells the young man to “sell everything,” we are told the guy sadly walks away. Does he walk away because he doesn’t want to part with these possessions or that he simply had too much to list? Besides, wouldn’t he then be poor, waiting on someone else to sell everything and share it with him? What is Jesus really asking?

Instead of an ultimatum, what if Jesus is inviting him to consider what he values most in life? Think about it. The guy doesn’t ask another question. What encouragement and insight might Jesus have offered if the conversation had continued?

We could spend a great deal of time with this one!

Pastor Jo

November 7, 2023

How Much is Enough?

I should be in the office more.

I should be out in the community more.

I should pray more.

I should visit more.

I should spend more time studying.

I should leave now or I’m going to be late to my next meeting.

I read a lot about how pastors are experiencing burnout and are struggling with self-acceptance. But even I know that pastors don’t have a monopoly on feeling the pressures of day-to-day life and second guessing every move. We all have the potential to believe the rumblings that tell us we are not enough, we are not doing enough, we should be farther along by now.

When I am overcome with “I should” moments that rumble “I am not enough,” is it possible I am forgetting that I am a part of something greater than myself?

Brené Brown reminds us that belonging starts with self-acceptance. “Your level of belonging, in fact, can never be greater than your level of self-acceptance, because believing that you're enough is what gives you the courage to be authentic, vulnerable and imperfect.”

In Paul’s letter to the Romans we are reminded of this acceptance with others.

May the God of endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude toward each other, similar to Christ Jesus’ attitude. (Romans 15:5 CEB)

I am grateful for a community of faith who reminds me that I am not alone. I am enough. I am loved.

I should not forget that!

Pastor Jo

September 18, 2023

A Change of Plans

I was looking forward to preaching last week’s sermon about how Jesus dealt with a major change in his life and how we can learn from his experience. I didn’t get to preach that sermon because I was dealing with a major change in my life! Oh, the irony! My heart went into atrial fibrillation and I had to be hospitalized for the night. Obviously, my “change of plans” changed the plans of others. Rev. Becky Conner changed her plans in order to preach and preside at the Communion Table for us Sunday morning. My family’s plans were changed, and the friends we were going to meet Sunday for lunch had to change their plans. Other friends changed their plans just so they could be on standby in case we needed them. Our congregation had to change how we blessed the backpacks. So many changes! This Sunday we will wrap up our WordSearch Sermon Series as we consider the experiences of Jesus and Peter. Would we have the feeding of the 5,000 and the walking on the water without the changes that came before these miraculous events? Let us stay curious as to how changes in our community invite us to grow in wisdom and compassion and love for one another. The need for wisdom, compassion, and love is one thing that never changes!

Pastor Jo

August 11, 2023