Here is our text for the week:
Matthew 7:21-27
"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
What do you think about this?
Clearly, not everyone who thinks he/she is going to Heaven is going to make it. What is the criteria for getting to Heaven?
This seems to take us back to where we have been for the last two weeks: Just what are we to do with our lives?
What else is on your mind this week?
[This is Spring Break week and some of our regular contributors are gone, so here is your chance to jump in and share some thoughts.]
Sunday, March 25, 2007
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22 comments:
“Weathering the Storms” is probably not the best title for these verses, but it’s what I came up with quickly. But the more I think about it, it’s not that bad. There are all kinds of storms we face, including doubts about doing the right thing. That theme has been present in our community for the last couple of weeks. It has been a good discussion. I am willing to discuss it further, if you are. Jesus makes it clear in the first part of this selection that doing the Father’s will is crucial to salvation. This again raises the issue of works and grace, but I think the answer is always going to be a relationship with Jesus that causes us to work. See John 15:1-10 and Ephesians 2, for example.
Hello Dr. Burris, This is Chrystal. I came to class with Dee last week. Anyway, I am enjoying reading these blogs. Makes a person think. Anyway, on this blog I think the criteria to getting to heaven is to try to live your life as closely to the walk of Christ as possible. I know that we humans are all going to still sin even after we turn to Christ because we are flesh and the flesh still sins. I think that it is a good idea that we (as humans) should all go to church or at least be in our bibles and making friends with other Christians. I have noticed that I walk closer to God when I am around Christians. My Christian friends and going to church keep me in the right frame of mind.
Hi Chrystal! I’m glad you read the blog. Welcome! It was nice meeting you a couple times lately, and I hope to have you in class next year. I appreciate your insight about walking with Christ and the importance of Christian community. I think you are exactly right.
Here is a good, relevant prayer, penned in the 30's by Reinhold Niebuhr, a theologian. I believe this often used in AA and other 12 Step programs. I think it works well for just about everyone.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.
Amen.
Hey, HERE’S an interesting blog by a future famous author known by some as MPG (meat & potatoes guy).
Listening to God and acting out His purpose in our lives builds a foundation that goes deep and when storms assail like, death, illness, disappointment and all other manner of trials that occur, we can stand firm during the storm because we have built our lives on the firm foundation that goes deep and withstands the storms of life. We may wobble a little but we will not fall. The walls of the house will protect us from external elements (things that come to us from the outside) and the roof shelters us and gives us a place of refuge. In Isaiah there is a verse about God's protection and I cannot quote it word for word but it says that He holds us in the palm of His hand and to not be afraid. My sister gave me a ceramic angel being held in the palm of a large hand with that Bible verse inscribed on it. She had made it for me when I had my heart attack and was helpless for several days. I will always treasure it because it reminds me of where my help came from. It also reminds me of the comfort I felt from God's care during that time. What a beautiful warm day this is. I hope all of you are having a wonderful day. Love, Sherron
Our theme for Easter is going to be “Here’s Your Sign.”
What do you think of that? What do you think we plan to do with it?
Allen, are you talking about (comedian) Bill Engvall's "stupid" sign?
Incidentally, the mother-in-law continues to improve. Thanks, all, for the prayers and good wishes.
Donna
Just wanted Annette to know that I miss her blogging:)
Thanks Sherron for those nice thoughts. This weather is amazing and a source of gratitude.
Here’s another wonderful prayer. This one belongs to St. Francis.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Donna, we might play around with some of his stuff, but how can we develop this theme with the biblical story?
Yes, Annette, where are you. I miss your thoughts. My oh my, the mind runs wild thinking of the theme. Signs and billboards alongside the roads--point you in the right direction, give you orders to stop or yield, gives you information, warns of danger, make you smile, make you think, reminds you of something, entices you to buy into something. In everyday language--signs of Spring, signs of the times,signs and wonders. In business we sign on the dotted line to bind an agreement between two parties. Or--I'm with stupid. Or I am stupid. This should be interesting. We cleaned out the pond and got it working last night and uncovered a little frog living in it. We had several last fall. I hope they all come back. They are so neat to listen to in the evening. Glad Todd's mom in better. Have a great day. Sherron
I have been out of state on vacation and my computer has crashed at home. Its nice to know I was missed. See everyone at class tomorrow.
Annette
Hey Annette, it IS great to have you back. Hope you had a great trip.
I am in a Spring Break state of mind, which means I am having trouble staying focused on work this week. Of course the weather is a contributing factor. Oh well, I am still managing to get some things done, but I am taking it a little easier in some other areas.
I did find this a thought worth repeating. It comes from William Hendricksen.
...To live is to build. Every ambition a man cherishes, every thought he conceives, every word he speaks, and every deed he performs is, as it were, a building block. Gradually the structure of his life rises.
What kind of building are you constructing, but perhaps more importantly, on what foundation do you build? That seems to be the point of the parable Jesus closes with.
I was talking to two women today, both of whom have lost husbands to death after years and years of marriage. The one is only a few weeks into her grief journey. She wonders if her thoughts and actions are normal, and I assured her that they were. I based this on my hospice experience and study.
At one point I appealed to the other widow, who is close to 3 years into her journey. Looking for some encouragement. I asked rhetorically, “It gets easier, doesn’t it?” She said quickly, “No.” I thought, “thanks for your encouragement.” Then it hit me, I have no clue how she feels. She then added, “It doesn’t get easier, but you do get a little more used to it as you go.” One traveler speaking to another on a road that I am not on. Hopefully I stand at the side and offer words of encouragement, if I speak at all.
Grief is different for everyone, I think. The kind of house we have built and the foundation upon which we build help us weather this most difficult of storms. God is not unfamiliar with suffering and loss. I can say that.
I am keeping tabs on you Annette. Missed the last two sunday mornings but came one sunday night. Your people miss you. God
Wow, this blog is reaching new heights!
I think we need to get much more concerned for the salvation of others. When we begin to care more for the whole than we do for ourselves great work can begin, but our selfishness often overcomes.
Alas, with my schedule I will only have 2 sundays off in the next 7 weeks. However, I might still get to go sun evenings (no walk tho). I still have wed's off, for now anyway.
So, God, Please send me a m-f $14+/hr job. Day shift please.
Annette
Concerning the text....Pretty sobering words. I always thought once you were baptized nothing could change your salvation. This text says otherwise it seems to me. I guess once again its a heart matter, a relationship matter. I can't wait to discuss this in class.
This makes me think of King David and all he did that was bad and yet God considered him a man after His own heart. Also, it makes me think of Paul saying what I don't want to do is exactly what I do....
I think this text might cause doubt in peoples minds...which might not be a bad thing considering the ask, seek, and knock concept...... if you need more heart and pursue it, it will be given unto you.
Annette
Re: the signs theme, since we've recently been discussing fruit, what're some signs, from how we live, that we're in a good place where God is concerned?
As an aside, I love Chrystal Silverthorn's name; sounds like an elf from Lord of the Rings! Very pretty!
Rhea Dawn came home y'day! Still seems tired, but very well considering. Thank God. Quite literally.
Donna
Wow, was this day extra long or what? It seems like I’ve been going for about 32 hours. Lot of life today: study, run, lunch with my boys, funeral in Shoals, couple of counseling sessions, interview for Marriage and Family Alliance Fatherhood Initiative, class, more talking after class.
The funeral today was for Helen Bledsoe, Darla and Rhona’s grandmother. She was a neat, neat lady. She was one of my favorite people in the West Shoals church. She was just a little rough around the edges and funny as could be, sometimes intentionally and sometimes not. There was a good crowd at the funeral, and Kris Beasley did an excellent job describing her life and providing comfort.
It was really neat seeing a lot of people from the West Shoals church. Visiting with them brought back a lot of really good memories of my time there from 1994-98. I look forward to spending more time with them in eternity.
***
It seems to people that I have talked to several people who are in “ruts” lately; some of these folks are concerned that they are not growing spiritually. Could it be that ruts are a part of spiritual growth? I think it is during these times that obedience, discipline, and duty show up. We can’t be on mountain tops all the time. Sometimes we descend from one mountain to climb another, but of course this means that we pass through a valley on our way to a new peak. Take heart! And just keep moving.
***
My class tonight was different, interesting, and really good. It’s like a box of chocolates... I love this community of laughter and learning. We had a lot of both tonight.
***
I have been taking my cell phone with me a lot lately while running. That kinda strikes me as funny. Times have changed. I do a fair amount of running up in the Hoosier National Forest just west of my house a couple of miles. It’s pretty wild and wooly back there, so if I break a leg, I might be there for days...
Actually I carried my cell phone when Tony and I ran our 50K back in January. I used it to call Kedra several times to give her updates on our progress. Several fellow runners asked (get this creative, original comment) “Hey, can you order us a pizza?” Funny.
This week a young man passed away who was part of the Joy Bus program at Central and loved coming to young people's meetings and to church. He was a manager at Wendy's here in Bedford and not long ago had taken a job as manager at Wendy's in Washington Indiana. His name was Troy Heady and he had a special place in my heart and many others. He was only 39 and died of a heart attack. Please pray for his wife and children and family. Sherron
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