to know, grow and show the love of God
Can I ask an indelicate question? Who here is in their 80’s? Or 90’s? Anyone older?
Today we have that wonderful picture of the 3 visitors who come to bring startling news to Abraham and Sarah. Well, more to Sarah actually. The news is that within a year, the 89 year old Sarah will become pregnant and have that long-awaited, long-promised child.
I’ll just let that sink-in a moment…
We’re being asked to choose: What kind of people do you want to be?
“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength”.
Moses says: is this how you want to be known? If so, you can do it. It’s within your grasp…
Our reading from Acts tells us that if you’re looking for a quiet life then the very last thing you want to do is to go to a prayer meeting.
Luke puts on the style with this story, showing his flair for the dramatic. It’s as if he was auditioning to be a writer for a TV soap and throws every possible plot-line in. He knows how to keep his audience entertained.
So, let’s take a peek at Luke’s screenplay…
At our last Sunday@Seven I was given a two minute slot to say something about Psalm 19. Think of it as a speed sermon!
The intention is to have an ‘open mic’ section in future Sunday@Seven services for anyone who feels led to share a word or two, either prepared or off the cuff.
Sunday@Seven services are normally on the last Sunday of the month. We’d love to see you. Check out the calendar for the location or look out for the posts.
Fragrance has deep significance for us. It’s supposed to be one of the best memory triggers. Even years on, a certain aroma can take us back to a particular time and place.
Our Gospel reading tells us about Mary, washing the feet of Jesus with a pint of pure nard – or spikenard in some translations.
I’ll use the word spikenard otherwise I know I’ll end up saying ‘lard’ instead of ‘nard’. A pint of lard on Jesus brings an entirely different picture – and smell – to mind…
God uses that amazing visual aid. He says to Abram “Look up at the sky and count the stars – if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be”.
Abram had said look at me…
God said look up, look out, look beyond. I’m going to wildly exceed your expectations.