Jan
21
2010
0

On Haiti

Our kids have directed their Advent collections, a little shy of $50, to Haiti relief through Lutheran World Relief. You can text LWR to 40579 to donate $10 to their efforts. LWR is a great organization that puts all relief donations to work to help people in need.

In the face of such destruction, many people are moved to ask how a loving God can let something like this happen — again and again — to Haiti.  Aside from the theories of Pat Robertson, this is a question that theologians and regular believers struggle with.

Check out this article in Newsweek which asks “If God is good and intervenes in the world, then why does he make innocents suffer? Why, as Job might have said, would God “crush an impoverished people with a tempest and multiply their wounds without cause? He will not let them get their breath.”"

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Written by Bob Fisher in: service, spirituality |
Jan
21
2010
0

Gifts for the journey

This coming Sunday we’ll meet at 4 pm at Karthaus’.  We’re going to continue our discussion from last week of “Expedition Behavior” or gifts we have been given for our journey of faith.

Last week we talked about these key points:

  • Jesus’ rule of thumb: Do for others what you would have them do for you.
  • Jesus’ promise – this expedition with God requires energy and focus.
  • God gives different gifts to each of us, and then weaves us together in community to create a beautiful whole.
  • God’s gifts are not given as an all-or-nothing thing; we’re all called to embrace what we have, develop our strengths and overcome the hurdles.

Since we’re on an expedition together, we looked at the principles of “Expedition Behavior.” EB means being prepared, on time, organized, flexible and humble; seeing the humor in everything; exercising a tolerance for adversity, uncertainty and discomfort; and putting the needs of the group and others on the same level or above one’s own needs. It’s a tall order but while on expedition it has magical results. (more…)

Written by Bob Fisher in: gatherings, spirituality |
Jan
19
2010
0

Expedition behavior

Our gathering Jan. 17 started our conversation about the journey we take together as Christians in community:

12“Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.

13-14“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention. (Matt:7:12-14)

Here at the end of his “Sermon on the Mount” – or what Brian McLaren calls his Kingdom Manifesto – Jesus calls his disciples to a challenging journey. Following Jesus is not a show, not a switch we flip on and off, but a journey that we take for our entire lives, in our vigorous, attentive moments and in our weaker, more distracted moments as well.

The best part is that Jesus does not call us to prepare for and walk this journey alone. He’s given us each other to both offer our gifts and to help carry each other when we are not able to walk on our own. (more…)

Written by Bob Fisher in: gatherings, spirituality |
Jan
17
2010
0

Weekly Readings for 1/18 - 1/24

Daily Reading for Monday (1/11)
Click the [M] link to read The Message or [NRS] for New Revised Standard
⇐ Please click the number to the left to read comments or leave one of your own!
Mark 1:14-20 [M] [NRS]
“The kingdom of God is at hand”

Daily Reading for Tuesday (1/12)
Mark 1:21-28 [M] [NRS]
“Jesus taught them as one who had authority”

Daily Reading for Wednesday (1/13)
Mark 1:29-39 [M] [NRS]
“They brought to Jesus all who were sick or possessed with demons”

Daily Reading for Thursday (1/14)
Mark 1:40-45 [M] [NRS]
“People came to Jesus from every quarter”

Daily Reading for Friday (1/15)
Mark 2:1-12 [M] [NRS]
“We never saw anything like this!”

Daily Reading for Saturday (1/16)
Mark 2:13-17 [M] [NRS]
“Many tax collectors and sinners were sitting with Jesus”

Daily Reading for Sunday (1/17)
John 2:1-12 [M] [NRS]
“Jesus manifested his glory at Cana”

Written by Pete in: Bible |
Jan
11
2010
0

Weekly Readings for 1/11 - 1/17

Daily Reading for Monday (1/11)
Click the [M] link to read The Message or [NRS] for New Revised Standard
⇐ Please click the number to the left to read comments or leave one of your own!
Mark 1:14-20 [M] [NRS]
“The kingdom of God is at hand”

Daily Reading for Tuesday (1/12)
Mark 1:21-28 [M] [NRS]
“Jesus taught them as one who had authority”

Daily Reading for Wednesday (1/13)
Mark 1:29-39 [M] [NRS]
“They brought to Jesus all who were sick or possessed with demons”

Daily Reading for Thursday (1/14)
Mark 1:40-45 [M] [NRS]
“People came to Jesus from every quarter”

Daily Reading for Friday (1/15)
Mark 2:1-12 [M] [NRS]
“We never saw anything like this!”

Daily Reading for Saturday (1/16)
Mark 2:13-17 [M] [NRS]
“Many tax collectors and sinners were sitting with Jesus”

Daily Reading for Sunday (1/17)
John 2:1-12 [M] [NRS]
“Jesus manifested his glory at Cana”

Written by Pete in: Bible |
Jan
03
2010
0

Weekly Readings for 1/4 - 1/10

Daily Reading for Monday (1/4)
Click the [M] link to read The Message or [NRS] for New Revised Standard
⇐ Please click the number to the left to read comments or leave one of your own!
Matthew 4:12-17,23-25 [M] [NRS]
“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light”

Daily Reading for Tuesday (1/5)
Mark 6:34-44 [M] [NRS]
“They all ate and were satisfied”

Daily Reading for Feast of Epiphany (1/6)
Matthew 2:1-12 [M] [NRS]
“They fell down and worshiped Jesus”

Daily Reading for Thursday (1/7)
Luke 4:14-22 [M] [NRS]
“All wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of Jesus’ mouth”

Daily Reading for Friday (1/8)
Luke 5:12-16 [M] [NRS]
“Great multitudes gathered to hear and to be healed of their infirmities”

Daily Reading for Saturday (1/9)
John 3:22-30 [M] [NRS]
“This joy of mine is now full”

Daily Reading for Sunday (1/10)
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 [M] [NRS]
“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”

Written by Pete in: Bible |

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