PastorsPage - First Christian Church

GRACE REFLECTIONS -THOM'S MUSINGS
“...that the promise may rest on grace...” Romans 4:16 NRSV
Volume III, No. 29, August 4, 2010

FOREWORD
Given my penchant for irony, puns,and sarcasm, I find my humor is often off-the-wall. Since I realize that, I also know that sometimes I read things that just short-circuit my brain. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. For example, in Monday's Gainesville Sun, an article had the following headline: “VA Installs 1-800 Hot line for Homeless Vets.” Am I missing something?
Get your tickets. The Ohio State University Buckeyes are coming to the O-Dome on Tuesday, November 16 to play the Gators in men's basketball. If you do not have anything scarlet and gray to wear, see Dona. This commercial has been endorsed by all candidates not running for some public office.
On Sunday, August 29, you're invited to an “Eire Cook-out” at our house. Meat and beverages will be provided. Bring a covered dish to share. We'll eat at 5:30 p.m. Since Dona and I are planning a post-Easter 2011 trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland,we thought some of you might wish to go along. We're not leading a group or trying to secure a group discount. We're making a return trip to the Emerald Isle and enjoy traveling with friends. Several have already expressed an interest in making this trip. RSVP for dinner on or before Friday, August 27 to (352)-332-1288.
All committee chairs and budget stake holders are reminded to submit their 2011 budget
requests to the Stewardship (Budget) Committee on or before August 22. The Budget Committee chaired by Irene Wainwright will meet on Tuesday, August 24 to begin drafting the 2011 church budget. During September, our worship emphasis will be upon stewardship as we consider how we have been blessed by God and our Christian responsibility to be faithful stewards of creation.
Consecration Sunday is Sunday, September 19.
During August, we are receiving contributions to a special outreach offering designated for regional seminarians. Our gifts will be designated to be added to the principal of an endowed regional fund whose income is given annually through the Commission on Ministry to seminary students and their families. An envelope has been provided in the August Visitor and will also be enclosed in the
Sunday worship bulletins. If writing a check, make it payable to “First Christian Church” and in the memo line add “Regional Seminarian Fund.” Your financial support is much-needed and will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your love gifts for future Disciples of Christ clergy.
We are not a large congregation. By most standards, even for Disciples, we are a small
congregation but we have a large heart filled with compassion for others. In addition to these special monetary offerings, we're providing shoes for children in Guatemala (see Barbara DeBarr), making family lunches for distribution through the Gainesville Community Ministries, cooking and serving hot meals for the homeless at the St. Francis House downtown, collecting school supplies for both Marcy
Hoopaugh and Bill Powell's schools, collecting non-perishable food items for the Food Pantry, and collecting and distributing personal hygiene items for the Homeless Van Ministry. But we're making a significant impact through these ministries. Join me somewhere on the road to find out why.
THE WORD
“After these things God tested Abraham,” Genesis 22:1a NRSV.
REFLECTIONS
Tonight's Bible study session will conclude our look at the life and spiritual journey of Abraham (next week, we'll begin our look at Moses). For four weeks, we will have scrutinized Abraham's response to the commands and promises of God. Tonight, we will focus upon the God who tests (Genesis 22:1-7) and the God who also provides (22:8,12,13). As we examine Abraham's spiritual journey, we will have the opportunity to reflect upon our own. How have we been tested by God? How has God provided for us to pass this test?Fundamentally, Abraham's promise from God was future one which dealt with heirs and land.
Sarah was barren (Gen. 11:30; 16:1; 17:7). They had no children. God said “Go..and I will make of you a great nation,”(Gen. 12:1-3). And Abraham went. But in the course of his travels, Abraham did not always wait patiently for God to fulfill this promise. He was 75 when he left his home in Ur and 100 when his son Isaac was born. A lot happened in the intervening 25 years. Much of it included Abraham circumventing the promise of God, acting and hoping that God would catch up and bless him in the process. So in Genesis 22:1, we learn that “after these things God tested Abraham.”
At 90, Sarah had given birth to Isaac. Now God instructed Abraham to take him up Mt. Moriah and sacrifice Isaac, that is, kill him. His death would leave Abraham and Sarah with no heir (Ishmael didn't count – see Genesis 17:18-21). But Abraham trusted God would provide (Genesis 22:8). This verse provided not only the tension around which the narrative would develop but also the fundamental focus for a sound biblical theology. God is God and we're not. And God can be trusted to deliver on the divine promises because God also provides.
What about us? Has that been our experience? If it were true for Abraham and the community of faith – Israel, it also true for us as the community of faith – the church. Yes, God tests us. Every Sunday, we ask God to not lead us into temptation, to provide us with our daily bread. We are reminded by James (see James 1:12-16) that God tempts no one, but God does indeed test would-be followers. What then can we say? Although every temptation is a test, not every test is a temptation.
We would do well to endure such testing, “if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval,” (I Peter 2:20b NRSV). Join me somewhere on the road to find out “unless you fail to meet the test” (see II Corinthians 13:5 for further complications!).
ANOTHER WORD
“We should not, however, judge the value of our meditation by “how we feel.”” Thomas Merton from Contemplative Prayer, page 34.
SOME MUSINGS
Tonight at 7:00 p.m., our weekly Bible study will conclude its focus upon Abraham, looking at his mountain-top experience with Isaac, a ram, and the intervention of God. Parking and admission as usual free as is the nursery for your children.
Tomorrow at 11:30 a.m., S.A.M. will gather at Hungry Howie's in Magnolia Park, NW 39th
Avenue, for their monthly lunch meeting. Can we get too much of a good thing – pizza?!?!
Choir practice resumes tomorrow evening, Thursday, August 5 at 6:30 p.m. with Julian Gilder, directing. Welcome aboard, Julian!
During August, I'm preaching a five-part sermon series on First Peter. Why? Because it's there. In preparation for worship this Sunday, prayerfully read and study I Peter 2:4-10.
Regional Assembly is in Orlando, October 14-16. See me for registration information.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
“If you want a good litmus test of your spiritual growth, simply examine the nature and quality of your relationships with others,” M. Robert Mulholland, Jr. from Invitation to a Journey: A Raod Map for Spiritual Formation.