Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Videos:
A Religion for Tiger
from The Daily Show on Comedy Central
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| The Best News Team Ever - Tiger Woods' Faith | ||||
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Silliness aside, What are the gifts/benefits of each religion?
What do they contribute to the world?
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“Ring the Bell” scene from The Witness
(Climax scene where the unarmed Amish community confront an armed killer. )
Scene not available on-line but here is the trailer.
This movie contrasts violence with the ways of the Amish.
In the climax scene, a boy rings a bell to call the community to witness the violence and injustice.
What is comparable to ringing the bell in our church and community?
How did community beat violence and a gun?
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The Most Important Question Isn't WHY
;)
Presidential Palace in Haiti by UN Development Programme on Flickr
Pat Robertson seemed to be answering the question of WHY Haiti suffered an earthquake with an explanation that it was a result of a pact with the devil (Listen, He seems to be speaking directly to me!). His network, CBN, has a statement about the comment..
Pat Robertson joins a long line of theologians in and out of the Bible wondering why bad things happen with a good God. Some folks will give you a cause and effect explanation in terms humans can grasp.
I prefer the tradition in the Biblical books of Job and Ecclesiastes of humble wonder at the vastness of God. Some have said the answer to the "WHY?" question of life is a shrug. Humans don't know and cannot know.
Thankfully, answering "WHY?" is not our most important task. Martin Luther King tells us: "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"
Thankfully, Christians and others are answering that question by donating to the American Red Cross and other agencies for relief from the earthquake. The denomination I serve, The Presbyterian Church (USA) has given $100,000 already and its web site is jammed with church folk answering the question more urgent and persistent than, "WHY?"
Some have urged us to consider that the answer to "WHY?" only begins with a shrug. The more complete answer includes a hug.
Jesus Answers WHY?
As [Jesus] walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. - John 9:1-7
The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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From our Song and Service A Light to the Heights worship Sunday, January 10th
Bible Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7
Title comes from Texts from Last Night. CAUTION! Immature Content!
Videos:
Baptism Cannon Ball from Funniest Home Videos
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Everyone's Watching Everyone?
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Hal Niedzviecki, author of The Peep Diaries: How We're Learning to Love Watching Ourselves and our Neighbors (City Lights, San Francisco), argues that we are moving from pop culture to peep culture. Instead of being enthralled with the movements of celebrities, we have realized that folks don't have to be rich to be spoiled, a movie actor to behave badly, nor an athlete to overindulge in the pleasures of this life.
We can peep into the lives of ordinary people, some we know and many we do not, through webcams, twitter feeds, and Facebook status updates. Now folks are choosing to reveal their lives on video, not just on youtube, but ustream.tv and justintv.com. Talent is optional. |  |
What kind of world would it be if everyone was watching everyone else? I hope it would be kinder and gentler with the community urging each other towards greater responsibility for themselves and compassion for others.
I think that is why I'm a pastor of a church. On our best days, we reveal our true selves to one another and are encouraged to be our best selves by others.
The Crowd is Watching
And after getting into a boat he crossed the sea and came to his own town. And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." Then some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -he then said to the paralytic-'stand up, take your bed and go to your home." And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.
- Matthew 9:1-8
Bible quotation from The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Looking for Happiness in 2010?
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Let me join others in wishing you a "Happy New Year".
Did you know the word that "Happy" is sometimes used instead of "Blessed" in translations of scripture? Most notably in the 1966 edition of my favorite translation of the Bible for personal devotion, The Jerusalem Bible. (In the most recent edition, "Blessed" returns.) There is much written about the difference between the two words. I think the difference is that you're Happy when your life is going your way and Blessed when your life is going God's way. |  |
Let me add to my wish. May you have a Blessed New Year and find a holy happiness in that blessing.
A Blessed New Year
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. - Matthew 5:1-12
Bible quotation from The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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