Counter-intuitive Virtues

I'm feeling very ambivalent about this photo of me playing laser tag. Because I am a pacifist follower of Jesus and yet feel the appeal of weapons in movies.

What would it have been like if Luke would have given in to Darth Vader at their first encounter? Instead of fighting, struggling, and suffering through not one, not two, but three feature length movies, until finally destroying the emperor and almost killing his own father?

What if the villains and heroes of our time and place would come together, be honest, and instead of investigating and denying would use their resources and talents for good? Could corrupt politicians, abusive priests, or totalitarian nations change their ways, admit their wrongs, and make amends?

And, would we forgive them?

Word

Jesus proposes a life based on virtues that are counter-intuitive. Virtues like forgiveness, tolerance and charity.

Jesus commends to his disciples in the sermon on the plain: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you.” (Luke 6:37-38)

We may agree that those are noble virtues, but we also know how difficult it is to practice them. Following Jesus’ way of life takes practice.

Connection

We are constantly exposed to polarization, judgement, and greed. Over and over we are faced with the decision to harbor hate, begrudge, and hold back. Or choose to work on reconciliation, understanding, and generosity.

We can learn to be forgiving, tolerant and generous when we have experienced the same from God and others. Jesus makes it clear that it is God who has acted counter-intuitively by forgiving all of us: God “... is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” (Luke 6:35c)

Message

The Good News is: God’s love is not constrained by our human experiences. Jesus has shown us God’s counter-intuitive forgiveness, unbiased acceptance, and gracious mercy to all people.
Jesus says to you: Even when it's difficult, practice sharing mercy instead of holding grudges, loving those who are different from you, and bringing change through generous sharing.

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Give Praise

Church vocal and bell choir in worship leads the assembled congregation to give God praise. Throughout the Bible, God and humans have used music to communicate with each other and about God’s greatness. Word In the Old testament, King David instructed the worship leaders of Israel to praise God for the kind and powerful help they received: “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. ” (2 Chronicles 16:7-9) The songbook of the Bible encourages creativity and diversity for giving glory to God with a new song. In one of its poetic hymns we are told that it is not only fitting but pleasing to God to join all creation “... with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!” (Psalm 98:6) And the early church saw spiritual songs as an expression of their new life in Christ. The apostle Paul wrote to believ

Invitation

The Weekly Word will be brief, so it can be read or viewed easily, yet without compromising on faithful and meaningful content. It will consist of four parts which will draw your interest, help connect with the topic, learn about biblical stories or ideas, and share a transformative and encouraging message for your life. There will usually be a topic introduction, some real-life connection, biblical reflections, and the good news God’s message from Jesus. Get God’s message for your life. Sunday worship offers a unique way to celebrate God’s love and experience the love of faith community. Throughout your week, read my Weekly Word blog or watch the Weekly Word video online. May the Spirit deepen your understanding of God’s message of love, keep you encouraged to follow and serve Jesus, and invite you to practice trust in God’s promises and join a local faith community. Your Weekly Word author Pastor Stefan Munker

Spreading the Love

This is a childhood photo of myself. I learned about love from my parents. God wants everyone to share love with others. Do you realize that you are commissioned to be God’s messenger of good news, and an instrument for sharing the experience of love? Word The prophet Jeremiah is told there are no excuses not to spread God’s message of love, “I appointed you a prophet to the nations ...” And, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you ...” That is, everyone is chosen to speak and show love to everyone. Jesus announced his mission to bring good news of God’s life changing love. But he did not stop there. He went on to renew people’s lives by setting them free from guilt of sins, suffering with disease, and loneliness from exclusion. Connection Church experience can be comforting like a cozy quilt. You got your friends, the familiar words and hymns of worship, or the comfort that comes from the feel and look of the place. But God wants o

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