Daily Archives: June 21, 2023

Friday’s Word

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Hello, Max—I have read you over the years and I appreciate your thought and writing style. You said not one biblical inerrantist believes Mt. 5:38-48.
   I’m an inerrantist.
   I believe those words.
   Now what? – Regards…

   O, my dear friends in newspaper land, I have other things to talk about, but I am drawn back to this subject.
   I appreciate my gracious reader for sticking with me through the years. But I must say right out that you cannot—CANNOT—be a biblical inerrantist and believe Mt. 5:38-48 or Lk 6:27-36 or even the Parable of the Prodigal.
   The God Jesus shows us would not order the slaying of the Amalekites or even get mad, repent a mistake, and drown all creation in a flood.
   Yes, even Jesus used that last story in a parabolic way. He knew it would preach. But that is not the God he preached.
   Jesus tells us that “an eye for an eye” is not God’s reality. There is no retribution in God.
   No retaliation. No getting even.
   We must love our enemies as God loves his.
   Jesus tells us God is “kind to the ungrateful and to the wicked.”
   (Oh!!!, if I had a mere dollar for every time I have quoted that verse, I’m a rich man!)
   Jesus makes it clear. God does not punish his enemies! God takes the punishment upon himself!
   God suffers for our sins. We are all forgiven.
   Now. As we are.

Max’s Corner

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Concert Canceled.

Sorry about this.
I was the one putting this concert together.
I have had a headache for six days.
A brain scan in the E.R showed no abnormalities.
But tonight, I have developed a fever.
I am headed to E.R again.
Been pretty miserable.
Mary Preaches Sunday.
This is the first she is hearing of it.
God Bless—MB

We need to catch up. Our goal is $5,000 per Sunday.
1st Sunday: We received $5,911.
2nd Sunday offering was $3,535.
3rd Sunday: $2.713.
With $2,000 this month from me, we are $841 short after the first three Sundays. The Lord has brought us safe thus far—the Lord will lead us home.

Kids’ Update

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Sunday was Father’s Day, and we discussed the different names Jesus called His father. We talked about the Great “I Am”, “The Good Shepherd”, and this week “Abba, Father”. Jesus knew the time of Hs death was near, so He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He took with Him Peter, James and John. When they reached the garden, He asked them to tarry there and watch. Jesus went further into the garden and fell on the ground and prayed. After He prayed, He returned to them and found them sleeping. He asked them could they not stay awake for one hour. Again Jesus went away to pray. And when He returned, He found them asleep again. As He prays, Jesus goes to God with his fears.

Just as Jesus goes to God with His fears and doubts, we can explore what it means for God to be like a loving parent. Or guardian or a trustworthy adult we can go to in times of need. Just as Jesus turned his troubles over to God, we can too

We celebrated Father’s Day making cards and having Blue Bell ice cream! I know Dad felt the love when he received his cards! Hope we see you in church Sunday to learn more about our father. Have a wonderful week!

Blessings, Miss Vickie, Miss Angelia, Mr. Jason and Miss Sue

Mary’s Corner

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Good Monday to all! I have listened again to the sermon from Sunday. I always “re-listen” to the sermons looking for areas that need to be made more understandable, looking for points that I feel need to be repeated in the newsletter, and looking at the weird things I do while I am preaching! 

These are my takeaways from the sermon, Ego vs Spirit:

1. Ego and spirit are not in a battle against each other. Ego and spirit co-exist.

2. Living in the spirit requires work: contemplation, having a sacred space, intentional connection of our spirit to THE SPIRIT.

3. I lick my lips A LOT! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I will be wearing ChapStick from now on! And drinking lots of water before the service.

I had such a wonderful time with all of you yesterday. Your love and the joy I see on your faces make my life a happy place to live. The music in our services makes my spirit soar. We are so very blessed with a skilled and passionate organist and with two exceptional vocalists. We are small but we are mighty with the Spirit!

Spend time this week contemplating the love of the Creator of the universes, sent to us as God made flesh in the body of Jesus. We are forgiven, we are eternally beloved. Pray for each other, especially those experiencing health problems and grief this week.

My love to all, Mary