When it's hard to be kind

Here's this week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:

Peninnah treated Hannah cruelly. She provoked her just to irritate her. What she did to Hannah was awful, unkind, unconscionable and simply mean. In this week’s reading from 1 Samuel 1:4-20, her cruelty is glaring.

I am one who seeks to live the phrase, “No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey . . . you’re welcome here,” I also say, and try to live the words, “God loves everyone – not just the people you like or agree with – EVERYONE.”

And I have a real difficult time showing kindness and love for folks who manipulate, exploit, ridicule, and abuse others.

I have a real difficult time showing kindness and love for folks who make up lies, distort what other people say, use fear and hate as weapons, call some of God’s children evil names, and do it all while calling themselves Christian.

Hannah prayed. She poured out her soul to God. I wonder if she had trouble showing kindness and love for Peninnah?

I sure do.

Family

This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Functional) provided some initial thoughts for a sermon that begins with Ruth -- but explores a whole lot more. It is Sunday's sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL.
"Family" text
"Family podcast

Functional

Here's this week's short Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:

According to this week’s Bible reading from Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17, here’s how Ruth family functioned:

• Find a relative of your dead husband.
• Follow your mother-in-law’s instructions for what to do to seek security for you and for her.
• Attempt to seduce him so that he will marry you.
• (Not in the reading –but part of the story: Know that he will be a just person who will honor you and who will follow the rules set up by the system.)
• Get married.
• Have a baby.
• Give the baby to your mother-in-law to care for.
• Let the baby be the grandfather of David.

What can you add to the story? What can you learn?

Wherever You Go

This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Beyond) provided the start -- but Sunday's sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL goes well beyond the thoughts laid out in the short entry. Take a deep breath!

"Wherever You Go" text

"Wherever You Go" podcast

Superchick - Cross the Line Bible Study

Interlinc's most recent Music Video Loop Magazine (MVL67) features a Bible study I wrote for Superchick's "Cross the Line" video.

The Superchick people liked it. I hope you do, too.

Leader Guide

Artist: Superchick
URL: superchickonline.com
Album: Rock What You Got
Label: Inpop
Video: Cross the Line
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational United Church of Christ
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@revkirk.com

Theme:
Courage

Objective:
Students will discuss what holds them back from living their lives fully and completely for Jesus. They’ll be encouraged to cross the line out of their comfort zones to live fully in Jesus’ love.

Warm- up:
The Distance: Draw or mark a line on the ground. Have students stand on the line and jump forward as far as they can. (Do you remember the standing broad jump?) When they have jumped as far as they can, draw or mark a line where they just jumped to. Then invite them to try again – attempting to cross the line and jump past where they jumped before. Remind the students that this is a challenge for each of them to jump farther than they did on the try before – it is not a competition to see who can jump the farthest. Encourage them to try their hardest to cross the line they reached before.
{Alternate activity for folks who aren’t jumpers: Make some paper ‘footballs’ (triangle-shaped folded paper) and invite students to send them (with a flick of the finger) as far as they can. Then invite them to try again – challenging them to cross the line they’ve just reached . . .}
When all have had several chances to jump and jump again, congratulate them for their efforts and invite students back into the group area.

Transition:

Say: The first time you jumped, you may have gone as far as you thought was possible – or maybe you just went as far as you were comfortable trying. What was it like to attempt to go beyond where you were comfortable or where you thought possible? (Allow for some short discussion here if students seem eager.) After a short discussion time, introduce the video.
Superchick’s song, “Cross the Line” is a challenge to look beyond what we are comfortable with or what we think is impossible. It’s got some really cool jumps in it, too! (Leaders: This video is fun and exciting – a blend of a rocking Joan Jett song and a Matrix movie video.)

Play Cross the Line from Superchick

During the video, have students write down phrases that describe what stands out from scenes in the video that they’d really like to see again.

Transition:

Say: “Everybody dies – but not everyone lives.” Is the band’s favorite phrase in the song. Think about your reaction when you hear that. (Allow for a discussion if students are eager.)
Another part of the chorus has the singers talking about riding as if the police were chasing you and living as if you’d just gotten out of jail. What do you think of when you hear those words? (Allow for continued discussion.)

After a short time of discussion, introduce the Bible study.
Jesus lived a life of courage in the face of danger. He gave his life and offers us eternal life. God is the author of our salvation. There’s nothing we can do to earn it. And as sinners saved by God’s grace, we have a natural response. We courageously live God’s love through Jesus! Sometimes doing that isn’t easy and it is even sometimes scary. But it is what God calls us to do as Christians.

Bible Study:

Invite students to look up and read

• 2 Timothy 1:7-9
• Philippians 4:13
• Psalm 56:11
• John 10:10

Discussion questions:

• God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, yet we’re so often afraid to live out our faith. What are some ways to encourage one another to courageously live with a spirit of power, love and self-discipline?
• God promises that we can do everything with the help of Christ who gives us strength. What strength do you need to love God’s love through Jesus?
• The writer of the Psalm offers words of encouragement to all to trust in God and to be courageous. How does Psalm 56:11 encourage you?
• What do you think it means to have life “to the full” or abundantly?

Wrap-up: Jesus came to give us life – not fear. And through God’s word we’ve found encouragement to live our lives sharing God’s love through Jesus. Let’s leave this place ready to cross that line of timidity and fear to be courageous witnesses of Jesus’ love.

(If students ask, play the video for them once again.)

Closing prayer: God who gives us a spirit of power, love and self-discipline, thank you for always hearing our prayers. Please help us to live courageously as we share God’s love with all we meet. Help us to live lives that you desire for us. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Beyond

Here's this week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:

Elimelech and Naomi went with their sons Mahlon and Chilion beyond the land of Judah – the land of their ancestors, to Moab, the land of their cousins . . . cousins with a tenuous and sometimes violent past.

After their father died, Mahlon and Chilion married Orpah and Ruth from Moab, and when they died, Naomi, Orpah and Ruth were beyond the help of the system.

After traveling beyond where they had been living, Naomi went beyond the idea of self-preservation and told Orpah and Ruth to return to their families. She would live out her days in bitterness and poverty.

Though she convinced Orpah to leave and to seek the care of her family, Ruth was not convinced. She went beyond the safe route and cultural norms and she vowed to stay with Naomi no matter what.

Ruth’s decision to stay with Naomi has significance well beyond her lifetime. She has been traced as the ancestor of David and Jesus, and her love for Naomi has been lifted up as an example for all to follow.

What else can you find beyond this week’s Bible reading from Ruth 1:1-18?

Have mercy!

This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Leaving town) is just part of the buffet that is Sunday's sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL
"Have Mercy!" text
"Have Mercy!" podcast

Leaving town

Here's this week's i.ucc Bible study blog entry:

Do you ever feel like you’ve just arrived somewhere and then it’s time to leave? It seems to happen mostly on the best of vacations. Sometimes it happens when you’re moving from one house to another or changing jobs. Maybe it happens every day where you work, study or do what it is that you do every day.

And isn’t it also all too common that when you’re on your way out, there’s something to do that can’t wait until another time.

This week’s Bible reading from Mark 10:46-52 shows both situations as they relate to Jesus and the disciples’ visit to Jericho.

They came to Jericho.
As they were leaving

No explanation of what happened. Sure, there was a big crowd following so we can make an assumption that something Jesus did attracted them, but the “They arrived. They were leaving” nature of this story leaves you wondering, “What was so unimportant about the visit?” or “What is so important about what is coming up that it makes what happened before unimportant?”

Just one more thing . . .

Jesus had just one more thing to do while he was in town. Bartimaeaus, who was anything but quiet about who he was calling and what he wanted, needed to be healed. And Jesus made sure that happened.

“Your faith has made you well.”

We could spend a whole lot of thought on that part. And it would be worth it. But let’s start by asking something that comes before that.

What transition are you near or in right now?
What is one more thing to do before you’re on the way?

Trouble

This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Winning) provides the early thoughts for what is now this week's sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, Illinois.
"Trouble" text
"Trouble" podcast

Fun

I'm a big supporter of fun. The folks at thefuntheory.com have produced a series of videos that reinforce the idea that fun can change people's behavior for the better. Have a look at the piano staircase:

Winning

Here's this week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:

James and John had the nickname "Sons of Thunder." Jesus gave them that nickname. Once a Samaritan village rejected Jesus. The Sons of Thunder wanted to bring fire down from heaven to kill everyone.

These two were wildmen.

In one of the bible reading for this week, Mark 10:35-45, there's a less extreme view of James and John. They wanted positions of authority when Jesus took power.

Jesus knew that what they were asking for meant suffering. These two weren't ready for that. He told them about being humble. He told them about greatness only comes in being a servant to others.

Yeah -- that's all good. The last shall be first. Turn the other cheek. Blessed are the meek - for they shall inherit the earth. Great spiritual directions.

What do they have to do with real life?

Life is about winning! The ones who win write the history. The ones who win get all the glory. The ones who win get all the money and power!

Bu the desire to win in all of life’s pursuits can and will turn things sour. The desire can and will lead a person into insensitivity. Insensitivity leads to rudeness. Rudeness leads to arrogance. Arrogance leads to callousness. And callousness leads to ruthlessness.

Jesus said "Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Jesus came from very humble beginnings. He worked with his hands. He lived the life of a peasant. He healed people. When he made his final entry into Jerusalem, he rode on the foal of a donkey instead of a proud stallion. He gave food to the hungry and he visited the sick. When he made miracles happen he ran from the ones who wanted him to become a powerful ruler. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. Jesus let himself be crucified.

I don't think it's wrong to win or to have money. I don't think it's wrong to have fame. I don't think it's wrong to have nice homes and cars.

But it is not the model Jesus has for us.

Philippians 2:5-8 says this: Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, {6} who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, {7} but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, {8} he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross.

Having the same mind that was in Jesus is not about the competition. It is not about winning. It is about losing. It is about emptying ourselves of the things that we make more important than God.

Who Owns You?

This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Be good) got the thought process going for me this week, but Sunday's sermon, based on the same passage, comes this week as a guest podcast from Prairie Association UCC Minister Rev. Kathy Lawes. Rev. Lawes preached today at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL.
"Who Owns You?" podcast

VeggieTales - Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving

I've now watched the newest Bob and Larry Christmas story a couple of times. Here's my short review:

A gentle and entertaining explanation of the beginning of Santa filled with a message of giving and several laugh out loud moments.

Here's a little more

• The VeggieFolk don't reveal anything that will makes kids cry -- but some older children will probably ask their parents a few questions after watching this video.
• Octavius' (Mr Lunt) costumes are hilarious! Robin? Wonder Woman? Robin Hood! Genius!
• Larry's attempts to make things more "Christmas-ey" in the story made me think of folks who want to boycott stores who don't use 'Christmas' in their advertising. Note to those folks: You've lost your compass.
• The dog and donut song? Silly and fun, but . . . meh
  
• This is a great video for teaching and showing the two rules: Love God -- Love everyone.

I'm looking forward to next year's "Pistachio" A veggie twist on the original 1883 Pinocchio story by Carlo Collodi.

Be good

Here's this week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:

One of my favorite things to say just after “good-bye” to folks is, with a slight wink in my eye, “Be good.” I usually get a smile and something like “not a chance” or a sarcastic “sure” in return.
I hope, however, that the fun of a “Be good” comment leaves at least a tiny grain of thought – one that challenges us at our very core to be good to one another.

In this week’s Bible reading from Mark 10:17-31, Jesus issues a reminder of just how difficult it is, if not impossible, to be good. He goes as far as to say that no one is good but God alone. He reminds one questioner – and any who heard then or read now – how impossible it is to earn any kind of ‘good points’ on our own steam.

But he does offer hope. Everything is possible with God. When we pursue the good that God is and the love that God is and the care and compassion that God is we start to taste what it is to focus not on our desire for ‘stuff,’ but rather God’s desire that all may be considered important, precious, and loved.

Be good.

Children

This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Scriptural Abuse) really gets things rolling. It's a big part of the beginning of this week's sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, Illinois.
"Children" text
"Children" podcast