Good afternoon friends,
We jumped into it a bit late this year, but we're having an exciting picnic and concert on Saturday. From 1:30-3 this coming Saturday Alan and his band, the Mighty High and Dry, will be rocking out as we enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers and other delights. If you can, bring a dish to pass, but don't worry if that's not convenient. It's a great time to bring a friend and enjoy a great afternoon of music and fun.
Today's passage from Proverbs offers some fortune cookie style wisdom about wisdom and honesty. In particular I like the focus on how words can be either dangerous or healing depending on how they are used. The way we speak to each other matters. We learn as kids that "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Later on, we learn that isn't really true; words can do a lot of damage. At the same time, Proverbs reminds us that, "The prudent ignores and insult." We can chose not only how we speak to each other, but also how we respond when others speak in negative ways. Words are powerful; use them well.
God bless,
Sam
Proverbs 12:14-28
14From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things,
and manual labor has its reward.
15Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to advice.
16Fools show their anger at once, but the prudent ignore an insult.
17Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness speaks deceitfully.
18Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil, but those who counsel peace have joy.
21No harm happens to the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23One who is clever conceals knowledge, but the mind of a fool broadcasts folly.
24The hand of the diligent will rule, while the lazy will be put to forced labor.
25Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up.
26The righteous gives good advice to friends, but the way of the wicked leads astray.
27The lazy do not roast their game, but the diligent obtain precious wealth.
28In the path of righteousness there is life, in walking its path there is no death.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Saturday, June 1, 2013
a great prayer
Good morning brothers and sisters,
First two quick announcements/reminders: today from 2-4 is Laurelton's Big Lunch chicken barbecue. Not only will we serve free chicken and fixins from 2-4 (or so, we may go through the food earlier if lots of people show up), we'll also be hosting The Mighty High and Dry for some awesome live music. It would be great to see you. If you can come a little early (anytime from 11 on) to help with food prep and set up, that would be great. If you have a large cooler you can bring, that would also be great.
The second announcement is about Sunday. We'll be starting what I hope will be an exciting series on the early church and the Book of Acts so Sunday is an introduction to the book. We'll also be electing officers for the church, so if you're an active member, your vote is very important tomorrow.
Today's reading is the beginning of what Bible scholars call Jesus' "Great High Priestly prayer." Jesus talks to God on behalf of the disciples, including us. He asks God to bless and protect these folks as they prepare to continue Jesus' work. The prayer is a little challenging to read, but it's beautiful and inspiring. It's pretty cool to have this extended prayer of Jesus to his Father.
I hope the prayer and the weekend are a blessing to you,
Sam
Sam Picard
First two quick announcements/reminders: today from 2-4 is Laurelton's Big Lunch chicken barbecue. Not only will we serve free chicken and fixins from 2-4 (or so, we may go through the food earlier if lots of people show up), we'll also be hosting The Mighty High and Dry for some awesome live music. It would be great to see you. If you can come a little early (anytime from 11 on) to help with food prep and set up, that would be great. If you have a large cooler you can bring, that would also be great.
The second announcement is about Sunday. We'll be starting what I hope will be an exciting series on the early church and the Book of Acts so Sunday is an introduction to the book. We'll also be electing officers for the church, so if you're an active member, your vote is very important tomorrow.
Today's reading is the beginning of what Bible scholars call Jesus' "Great High Priestly prayer." Jesus talks to God on behalf of the disciples, including us. He asks God to bless and protect these folks as they prepare to continue Jesus' work. The prayer is a little challenging to read, but it's beautiful and inspiring. It's pretty cool to have this extended prayer of Jesus to his Father.
I hope the prayer and the weekend are a blessing to you,
Sam
John 17:1-10
After Jesus
had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has
come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2since you
have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you
have given him. 3And this is eternal life, that they may know you,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4I glorified
you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5So now,
Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your
presence before the world existed.
6”I have made
your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and
you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know
that everything you have given me is from you; 8for the words that
you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in
truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9I
am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on
behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10All mine
are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them.
Sam Picard
Pastor, Laurelton United Presbyterian Church
Daily Bible readings in interactive format: laureltonpastor.blogspot.com
Sermons: laureltonsermons.blogspot.com
Sunday, July 29, 2012
David comes to court
Good morning friends,
As you can see, we're getting ahead of ourselves in the daily readings, but the story of David is much more involved than the story of Saul. We've seen that God has rejected Saul and chosen David to be king. The story now turns to how God's plan will unfold practically. You notice if you read this whole story that there are some seams in the narrative as we've noticed in some other places too. In this story King Saul's servants bring David to court to play music for Saul. They praise David saying that he is a mighty warrior. Later in the story when David gets ready to kill Goliath, David is a young boy (not a warrior) and Saul doesn't know him.
The most likely explanation for these seams is that two or more older traditions were woven together when the story was written down or edited. David's story as a whole is rich and full of complexity. Here's a good start to that story.
See you in church,
Sam
As you can see, we're getting ahead of ourselves in the daily readings, but the story of David is much more involved than the story of Saul. We've seen that God has rejected Saul and chosen David to be king. The story now turns to how God's plan will unfold practically. You notice if you read this whole story that there are some seams in the narrative as we've noticed in some other places too. In this story King Saul's servants bring David to court to play music for Saul. They praise David saying that he is a mighty warrior. Later in the story when David gets ready to kill Goliath, David is a young boy (not a warrior) and Saul doesn't know him.
The most likely explanation for these seams is that two or more older traditions were woven together when the story was written down or edited. David's story as a whole is rich and full of complexity. Here's a good start to that story.
See you in church,
Sam
1 Samuel 16:14-23
14Now the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. 15And Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16Let our lord now command the servants who attend you to look for someone who is skillful in playing the lyre; and when the evil spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will feel better.” 17So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me someone who can play well, and bring him to me.”
18One of the young men answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a warrior, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence; and the Lord is with him.” 19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David who is with the sheep.” 20Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a kid, and sent them by his son David to Saul. 21And David came to Saul, and entered his service. Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. 22Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.” 23And whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, and the evil spirit would depart from him.
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