Sure, I've still got a whole lot on my mind. So why not preach it out? This week's Bible reflection (Preoccupied) provides the very beginning for Sunday's sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL.
"Enough for Today" text
"Enough for Today" podcast
Showing posts with label Matthew 6:24-34. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matthew 6:24-34. Show all posts
2/25/2011
2/21/2011
Preoccupied
This week's Bible reflection:
Don’t you worry about a thing. Everything will be all right.
I’m sure some read this week’s Bible passage and hear the calm, soothing voice of Jesus assuring them that whatever problem is happening that it will be all right as long as they stop worrying.
And while I know that Jesus is a person of calm and peace, I don’t think his words here are about lessening anxiety or bringing a heart rate down.
They are about preoccupation.
You don’t have to have the best food prepared by the best chefs. You don’t need to know what the best wines or what the most trendy cocktails are. You don’t have to wear the most desirable clothes or the sharpest outfits. Stop your obsession with standing out because you have all the right, flashy things. It’s not about the stuff!
Pay attention to God. Pay attention to justice. Pay attention to what you can do to follow God right now. That’s enough. Do that.
I wonder if I can follow that advice.
Don’t you worry about a thing. Everything will be all right.
I’m sure some read this week’s Bible passage and hear the calm, soothing voice of Jesus assuring them that whatever problem is happening that it will be all right as long as they stop worrying.
And while I know that Jesus is a person of calm and peace, I don’t think his words here are about lessening anxiety or bringing a heart rate down.
They are about preoccupation.
You don’t have to have the best food prepared by the best chefs. You don’t need to know what the best wines or what the most trendy cocktails are. You don’t have to wear the most desirable clothes or the sharpest outfits. Stop your obsession with standing out because you have all the right, flashy things. It’s not about the stuff!
Pay attention to God. Pay attention to justice. Pay attention to what you can do to follow God right now. That’s enough. Do that.
I wonder if I can follow that advice.
5/24/2008
Undivided attention
This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Superheroes) served as the starting point for, and has morphed into tomorrow's sermon at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Somonauk.
"Undivided attention" text
"Undivided attention" podcast
"Undivided attention" text
"Undivided attention" podcast
5/20/2008
Superheroes
Here's this week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:
This summer we’re watching some blockbuster superhero movies on the big screen:
Every superhero needs to have a secret identity.
It’s the duality of the superhero that makes them so engaging. Understanding the flaws and the struggles of the characters makes their makes their superhero selves somehow more believable. We see the possibility that anyone, flaws and all, can have times of super heroism.
And the lesson is . . . that we should hide our flaws by becoming superheroes! Right?
That idea seems contrary to this week’s Bible reading from Matthew 6:24-34. In this week’s reading from Matthew 6:24-34 I see a call for authenticity and for devotion to God. I also experience something that may not be written here. I don’t think anyone has the true ability to never worry about their lives. (Would that be a superhero power?) I think the passage understands that and invites us to bring all that we are – worries, flaws and all – on our journey of faith.
What do you think?
This summer we’re watching some blockbuster superhero movies on the big screen:
- Iron Man (This one may be the best superhero movie yet made! - IMHO)
- The Incredible Hulk
- The Dark Knight
Every superhero needs to have a secret identity.
It’s the duality of the superhero that makes them so engaging. Understanding the flaws and the struggles of the characters makes their makes their superhero selves somehow more believable. We see the possibility that anyone, flaws and all, can have times of super heroism.
And the lesson is . . . that we should hide our flaws by becoming superheroes! Right?
That idea seems contrary to this week’s Bible reading from Matthew 6:24-34. In this week’s reading from Matthew 6:24-34 I see a call for authenticity and for devotion to God. I also experience something that may not be written here. I don’t think anyone has the true ability to never worry about their lives. (Would that be a superhero power?) I think the passage understands that and invites us to bring all that we are – worries, flaws and all – on our journey of faith.
What do you think?
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