Jesus and Me ... and the Cats

I Corinthians 13:4-6 Ephesians 5:21-33     "Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ."                   (Ephesians 5:21) Series Recap: We started the series looking at a priority list that will help us order our lives to be in right relationship with God, our families, the world, and even ourselves.  Our Relationship with God Self Care Our Ministry to Our Family Making Disciples (our missional relationships to our community of faith and the world) Today, we're looking at number 3 on the list, Our Ministry to Our Family. Whatever your family looks like, even if you have no children or are grandparents, there's something for you.  Before we get started, I have a question for you to think about: how is ministry to our family like pilates? When Paul was writing to the Ephesians, the cultural definition of what constituted a family was based on a foundation of two parents. Today, we recog...

Romans 12:1-2 Mark 12:28-34 Where on your priority list does self care fall?  With our relationship with God, how far down the list does it appear?  Is it on your list at all? Why have it on a priority list whose aim is to help us fulfill all righteousness? Suppose you have a quarter cup of water each day to give to your responsibilities at home, church, work, school and your volunteer commitments as well as to your family, friends and other significant relationships.  Everyone is thirsty for your time and your attention, and they all want their glasses filled to the brim.  Not only can't you give them all they want and deserve, you have nothing left over for yourself. That's why I believe #2 on our priority list should be self care. Sometimes, I'm more concerned about taking good care of my husband, my cat and other people than I am about talking care of myself.  What about you? One of the problems is that we've distorted our view about the worth ...

Matthew 3:13-17 A quote from Maxine,that feisty senior citizen of Hallmark cards: “ I think I made too many New Year's resolutions this year. It took me almost a full day to break them all.” Today, we celebrate the baptism of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and well as remembering our own baptisms with thanksgiving as we renew our commitment to God through Christ. So, it's a good time to think beyond resolutions that are easily broken and quickly forgotten to taking the time to review and re-set our priorities so we have time in our busy lives for the things that bring us joy, meaning and purpose. Today, we begin a four-part series discussing a priorities list that will help us succeed and thrive as human beings and as Christians. At Jesus' baptism, God announced to the world that he was the anointed one promised by God. It was the official start of his ministry. In the same way, our baptism is an outward sign of God's ...

Luke 4:14-19 I peeked in to say goodnight When I heard my child in prayer, "And for me some scarlet ribbons, Scarlet ribbons for my hair." (From "Scarlet Ribbons," music by Evelyn Danzig; lyrics by Jack Segal) Such a simple request -- scarlet ribbons for her hair. That was the desire of her heart.  The desire of her father's heart was to be able to give her what she wanted, but it was impossible.  The stores were dark and locked tight; the shopkeepers  had all gone home.  A few hair ribbons were all she wanted, and he could do nothing about it.  He spent the night anticipating her disappointment, and his own heart ached at the thought. Long before that holy night, that night divine when Christ was born, humanity's collective heart was breaking as they struggled in a fear-ridden and hopeless world, broken by hate, fear, selfishness, and all those things we call sin. The people of Israel prayed for their hearts' desire.  They, in a world ...

Luke 2:1-20 We've heard the story hundreds of times.  From Dr. Hardy on "General Hospital" to Linus in "It's a Charlie Brown Christmas."  And of course, at church amid flickering candles and holiday greens.  So many times that we can probably recite it with Linus: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed ...  (Luke 2:1, KJV) And it came to pass that the world Christ was born into was not so different than our own.  Yes, new players have taken center stage and the technology and advances in medicine would seem like magic to those living in Bethlehem.  But the human condition of our broken creation has not changed over the millennium.  There are still taxes and the poor, the lame, the imprisoned and the oppressed remain among us.  We still hope for something better in the midst of fear and uncertainty.     And there were in the same country shepherds a...

Matthew 1:18-25 Romans 1:1-7 Americans, it appears, are an anxious people.  Depression and anxiety is on the rise from teens to older adults.  The sensationalizing of the election and the constant barrage of media have put many in a state of constant fight or flight, affecting their relationships with family and friends.   We talk about peace on earth, but what about peace in our own lives?  What relief from fears and stress, especially in this very busy and very expensive holiday season, can Christ the King, the Prince of Peace offer us? Have worries ever tied your stomach into knot?  Have you laid awake at night wrestling with hard decisions or come home from work or school totally exhausted from stress?  Then you will have an idea what Joseph was going through. Joseph was faced with a tough decision.  I imagined he paced the floor for several nights.  He was worried about how Mary's surprise pregnancy would affect their future togethe...

Isaiah 35:1-10 Matthew 11:2-6 Make the world go away.  And get it off my shoulders.           "Make the World Go Away" by Hank Cochran Know matter how much we would like God to make all our problems and pains go way, God doesn't do that.  What God does do, is, well, that's where joy comes in. Note, this message may be contain language that some may consider questionable. Life sucks and then you die.  Be honest, we all feel that way at some time in our lives.  Even pastors do.  Like you, I know what it is to feel discouraged, to have doubts, to feel weary and burdened by problems and pain.  To say to God, "make the world go away." John the Baptist's life had taken a decided turn for the worse.  Imprisoned by King Herod, destined, for execution, he despaired that his life and his ministry had been for nothing.  Had he been wrong about Jesus?  Had he bet his life on the wrong man?  He had heard stori...