38When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ 39He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon.
John 1:38-39
A couple of things about these verses strike me nearly every time I read this first chapter of John. One, the two who are following Jesus never answer the question that Jesus asks. These are two of John's disciples, and upon hearing John's proclamation "Look, here is the lamb of God!" begin to follow (at least walk behind) Jesus. Two, the writer of this Gospel finds it important that we know what time all of this takes place.
Sometimes these little details can cloud how we see the broader message of the gospel. And, other times they can provide an enlightening nugget of information. Not unlike the rest of our lives, we need to strike a balance between attending to details without missing the beautiful picture of what is before us. The danger for me in paying too much attention to these two little details? I miss Jesus' invitation to "Come and see." Let us raise our heads, stay alert, and "come and see" what Jesus wants us to see.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Friday
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always.
When I was younger and had to memorize Bible verses, I asked my pastor what was the shortest Bible verse. He told me about John 11:35 (Jesus wept). He didn't tell me about this one from 1 Thessalonians. I like it though.
I know we've all got a busy day today. Some are working. Some are shopping. Some are watching football. Some are recovering from a tryptophan-induced coma. Some are traveling. We're all busy, so we don't have time to memorize a big long Bible verse. But we can all remember "rejoice always." I like that because it reflects reality. It doesn't say "be happy always." There's a difference between happiness and joy. Joy is deeper and can sometimes coexist with sadness. Happiness is momentary, fleeting, and situation-driven. Joy comes from deep within. In fact, joy comes from deep without... joy is a gift of God. Joy is that which says "God loves me" in the midst of sadness and pain. Joy is that which says "God will lift us up" when all evidence says otherwise. Joy gives thanks even when it's not a nationally recognized holiday. Rejoice today. And rejoice always.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us as we begin the preparations for Christmas with the First Sunday of Advent this Sunday... worship at 8:30 and 11.
When I was younger and had to memorize Bible verses, I asked my pastor what was the shortest Bible verse. He told me about John 11:35 (Jesus wept). He didn't tell me about this one from 1 Thessalonians. I like it though.
I know we've all got a busy day today. Some are working. Some are shopping. Some are watching football. Some are recovering from a tryptophan-induced coma. Some are traveling. We're all busy, so we don't have time to memorize a big long Bible verse. But we can all remember "rejoice always." I like that because it reflects reality. It doesn't say "be happy always." There's a difference between happiness and joy. Joy is deeper and can sometimes coexist with sadness. Happiness is momentary, fleeting, and situation-driven. Joy comes from deep within. In fact, joy comes from deep without... joy is a gift of God. Joy is that which says "God loves me" in the midst of sadness and pain. Joy is that which says "God will lift us up" when all evidence says otherwise. Joy gives thanks even when it's not a nationally recognized holiday. Rejoice today. And rejoice always.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us as we begin the preparations for Christmas with the First Sunday of Advent this Sunday... worship at 8:30 and 11.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Thanksgiving
The Prayer of the Day for today:
Almighty God our Father, your generous goodness comes to us new every day. By the work of your Spirit lead us to acknowledge your goodness, give thanks for your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Almighty God our Father, your generous goodness comes to us new every day. By the work of your Spirit lead us to acknowledge your goodness, give thanks for your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Wednesday
Psalm 76:4 Glorious are you, more majestic
than the everlasting mountains.*
I looked up "majestic" in the dictionary. I was pretty sure I knew what it meant, but it's sometimes useful to read a dictionary definition and some synonyms. "Having or showing lofty dignity or nobility." So God has more dignity and more nobility than the everlasting mountains. In our scientific age, we have learned that even mountains are not everlasting. Mountains come and go. The Rockies are young and jagged. The Appalachians are older and more rounded. But to the psalmist those differences were not related to change: what he saw in the mountains around his house had always been that way and would always be the same. And that everlasting sameness was dignified. It was seen as noble.
The nobility and dignity of God is just as everlasting as the psalmist imagined the mountains to be. God is as powerful today in your life as God was in the life of Noah. God loves you with the same everlasting love with which God loved Abraham and Sarah. The more that we learn about the change of things we thought was everlasting, the more amazing, the more noble, the more majestic that God appears.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us in giving thanks to the majestic God in worship tonight (Wednesday) at 7 pm. Bring a bag of groceries for the Palatine Township Food Pantry.
than the everlasting mountains.*
I looked up "majestic" in the dictionary. I was pretty sure I knew what it meant, but it's sometimes useful to read a dictionary definition and some synonyms. "Having or showing lofty dignity or nobility." So God has more dignity and more nobility than the everlasting mountains. In our scientific age, we have learned that even mountains are not everlasting. Mountains come and go. The Rockies are young and jagged. The Appalachians are older and more rounded. But to the psalmist those differences were not related to change: what he saw in the mountains around his house had always been that way and would always be the same. And that everlasting sameness was dignified. It was seen as noble.
The nobility and dignity of God is just as everlasting as the psalmist imagined the mountains to be. God is as powerful today in your life as God was in the life of Noah. God loves you with the same everlasting love with which God loved Abraham and Sarah. The more that we learn about the change of things we thought was everlasting, the more amazing, the more noble, the more majestic that God appears.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us in giving thanks to the majestic God in worship tonight (Wednesday) at 7 pm. Bring a bag of groceries for the Palatine Township Food Pantry.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
ASLC Devotions - Tuesday
Ezekiel 29:6-7 Then all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know
that I am the Lord
because you* were a staff of reed
to the house of Israel;
when they grasped you with the hand, you broke,
and tore all their shoulders;
and when they leaned on you, you broke,
and made all their legs unsteady.
Ezekiel is given a message from God against Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. So why exactly is God angry at Pharaoh? Most of us think of Pharaoh and the Bible in terms of Moses and the slavery of the Israelites for generations in Egypt. And we know how the Pharaoh that Moses knew refused to let the people go. But this is a different time period entirely. This Pharaoh had not enslaved the Israelites. He had not refused to let them go to freedom. In essence, he tricked them. He was a bad ally. The nation of Israel had allied itself to Egypt in order to try to protect itself against the Babylonians who were attacking. And the Egyptians didn't come to help. "When they leaned on you, you broke."
This makes me think of Martin Luther's explanations of the commandments. The commandment "You shall not murder" isn't fulfilled when you do not actually kill someone. We also have to help and support the lives of everyone around us in every way we can. We break the commandment when we turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. The requirements of the law are so much bigger than just "don't kill or don't enslave." Pharaoh was charged with failing to help sufficiently. And so are we. And that's why the law can never be fulfilled. I've never murdered anyone and assume that I never will. But I neglect the sufferings of others every day. The law is impossible to fulfill. Thanks be to God for the good news that Jesus' death and resurrection mean I am free from the punishment of the law.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember to gather and give thanks to God for our special Thanksgiving Eve worship tomorrow (Wednesday) evening at 7 pm. Bring a bag of groceries for the Palatine Township Food Pantry.
that I am the Lord
because you* were a staff of reed
to the house of Israel;
when they grasped you with the hand, you broke,
and tore all their shoulders;
and when they leaned on you, you broke,
and made all their legs unsteady.
Ezekiel is given a message from God against Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. So why exactly is God angry at Pharaoh? Most of us think of Pharaoh and the Bible in terms of Moses and the slavery of the Israelites for generations in Egypt. And we know how the Pharaoh that Moses knew refused to let the people go. But this is a different time period entirely. This Pharaoh had not enslaved the Israelites. He had not refused to let them go to freedom. In essence, he tricked them. He was a bad ally. The nation of Israel had allied itself to Egypt in order to try to protect itself against the Babylonians who were attacking. And the Egyptians didn't come to help. "When they leaned on you, you broke."
This makes me think of Martin Luther's explanations of the commandments. The commandment "You shall not murder" isn't fulfilled when you do not actually kill someone. We also have to help and support the lives of everyone around us in every way we can. We break the commandment when we turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. The requirements of the law are so much bigger than just "don't kill or don't enslave." Pharaoh was charged with failing to help sufficiently. And so are we. And that's why the law can never be fulfilled. I've never murdered anyone and assume that I never will. But I neglect the sufferings of others every day. The law is impossible to fulfill. Thanks be to God for the good news that Jesus' death and resurrection mean I am free from the punishment of the law.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember to gather and give thanks to God for our special Thanksgiving Eve worship tomorrow (Wednesday) evening at 7 pm. Bring a bag of groceries for the Palatine Township Food Pantry.
Monday, November 23, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Monday
Daniel 7:27 The kingship and dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High;
their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey them.’
As Pastor Jenn said in her sermon yesterday, Christ the King Sunday was introduced at a time when the leadership of Hitler and Stalin and Mussolini were on the rise. Christians in Germany and Italy and Russia (and elsewhere) were caught up in very pressing and real considerations about whether to serve their earthly ruler OR to serve Christ as king. The demands and expectations of the earthly kingdom were quite starkly opposed to the demands and expectations of followers of Christ the king.
That's really not my issue... I don't know if it's yours. While I agree with certain politicians and disagree with others, it's hard for me to say that one is doing things of the Lord and others are doing things anti-Lord. Maybe that's why Christ the King Sunday has always felt a little bit strange to me. It's just not my issue.
And yet, when I'm going to wake up on Monday morning and read my newspaper... and that newspaper will surely have stories of wars and rumors of wars, of debates about what is the right thing for government to be doing about healthcare, of children killed in some way or another... when I'm going to read that newspaper, it's a good thing to be reminded that one day, the Most High will reign over an everlasting kingdom.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Pastor Seth
For conversation and talk-back, visit http://allsaintsdevotions.blogspot.com. Remember to join us in giving thanks in worship at 7 pm on Wednesday.
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High;
their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey them.’
As Pastor Jenn said in her sermon yesterday, Christ the King Sunday was introduced at a time when the leadership of Hitler and Stalin and Mussolini were on the rise. Christians in Germany and Italy and Russia (and elsewhere) were caught up in very pressing and real considerations about whether to serve their earthly ruler OR to serve Christ as king. The demands and expectations of the earthly kingdom were quite starkly opposed to the demands and expectations of followers of Christ the king.
That's really not my issue... I don't know if it's yours. While I agree with certain politicians and disagree with others, it's hard for me to say that one is doing things of the Lord and others are doing things anti-Lord. Maybe that's why Christ the King Sunday has always felt a little bit strange to me. It's just not my issue.
And yet, when I'm going to wake up on Monday morning and read my newspaper... and that newspaper will surely have stories of wars and rumors of wars, of debates about what is the right thing for government to be doing about healthcare, of children killed in some way or another... when I'm going to read that newspaper, it's a good thing to be reminded that one day, the Most High will reign over an everlasting kingdom.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Pastor Seth
For conversation and talk-back, visit http://allsaintsdevotions.blogspot.com. Remember to join us in giving thanks in worship at 7 pm on Wednesday.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Wednesday
Psalm 13:1-3, 5-6
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me for ever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I bear pain in my soul,
and have sorrow in my heart all day long?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
...
But I trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
This lament psalm is one that I often keep close because it speaks to such a human pain -- how long, O Lord, how long? Haven't we all prayed or cried some variation of these words to God? Can this situation go on forever?
What I often forget, however, is the way the psalm ends. The psalmist doesn't fall asleep in tears, doesn't stomp away angry, doesn't turn away from God. The whole psalm is a monologue to God, a prayer, and it ends with praise. The psalm ends with the acknowledgment of God's bounty, and perhaps more importantly, God's steadfast love. Let our hearts rejoice in the salvation of the Lord.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Friday, November 13, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Friday
2 Corinthians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe,* and not according to Christ.
The other night I was innocently watching a hockey game, minding my own business. And then there was a commercial break. That's when it started. Fear and violence came into my home.... by which I mean, more fear and violence than I had seen watching the hockey game. First was a commercial for a new television series about alien invasion. Then came the commercial by one political advocacy group that told me that if I don't recycle my newspaper now, there's no chance of the planet's survival. Immediately followed by another commercial that argued that if I don't call my Senator now to oppose health care reform, then the American way of life is doomed. Last but not least was a commercial for "2012" the new movie based on ancient Mayan predictions that the world will come to a violent end in late 2012. Some of these commercials seemed like well-reasoned and plausible arguments and some were political advertisements. But I was glad for the rest and relaxation of the hockey game after that commercial break.
Fear is all around us. And fear is nothing new. Irrational fear is nothing new. Conspiracy theories and "end-of-days" scenarios have been around a very long time. Let me quote Paul again: "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ." The only thing that can possibly combat all this fear and all this uncertainty about the future is certainty grounded in Christ. Christ has already won the victory for us on the cross. In the grandest sense of things, in the great sweep of history, everything's going to be OK, because we are resting in God's strong and gentle hands.
Now, back to the hockey.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join together for worship this Sunday at 8:30 and 11. If you have thoughts you'd like to share about these devotional messages, you can head over to http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com
The other night I was innocently watching a hockey game, minding my own business. And then there was a commercial break. That's when it started. Fear and violence came into my home.... by which I mean, more fear and violence than I had seen watching the hockey game. First was a commercial for a new television series about alien invasion. Then came the commercial by one political advocacy group that told me that if I don't recycle my newspaper now, there's no chance of the planet's survival. Immediately followed by another commercial that argued that if I don't call my Senator now to oppose health care reform, then the American way of life is doomed. Last but not least was a commercial for "2012" the new movie based on ancient Mayan predictions that the world will come to a violent end in late 2012. Some of these commercials seemed like well-reasoned and plausible arguments and some were political advertisements. But I was glad for the rest and relaxation of the hockey game after that commercial break.
Fear is all around us. And fear is nothing new. Irrational fear is nothing new. Conspiracy theories and "end-of-days" scenarios have been around a very long time. Let me quote Paul again: "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ." The only thing that can possibly combat all this fear and all this uncertainty about the future is certainty grounded in Christ. Christ has already won the victory for us on the cross. In the grandest sense of things, in the great sweep of history, everything's going to be OK, because we are resting in God's strong and gentle hands.
Now, back to the hockey.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join together for worship this Sunday at 8:30 and 11. If you have thoughts you'd like to share about these devotional messages, you can head over to http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com
Thursday, November 12, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Thursday
1 Timothy 6:17 As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
It's all about hope and trust. Where do we put our hope and our trust? The life of faith isn't so much about circumstance: what we have and what we don't have at any given moment. But it's about what and who we trust to provide what we need. In this letter to Timothy, the author doesn't say anything about standing with God based on riches. There are some who believed that those who are rich must be loved by God more... look at their riches as evidence of God's love. There are some who believed that the rich must have done something bad to get their wealth and God didn't love them. But those questions are irrelevant. The relevant questions are those of hope. Where do you put your hope?
Are you going to hope in riches that come and go? Are you going to hope in riches that cannot buy you what you really need? Place your hope in the God who provides everything we could possibly need.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for worship this weekend: 8:30 and 11 on Sunday with Education Hour at 9:45.
It's all about hope and trust. Where do we put our hope and our trust? The life of faith isn't so much about circumstance: what we have and what we don't have at any given moment. But it's about what and who we trust to provide what we need. In this letter to Timothy, the author doesn't say anything about standing with God based on riches. There are some who believed that those who are rich must be loved by God more... look at their riches as evidence of God's love. There are some who believed that the rich must have done something bad to get their wealth and God didn't love them. But those questions are irrelevant. The relevant questions are those of hope. Where do you put your hope?
Are you going to hope in riches that come and go? Are you going to hope in riches that cannot buy you what you really need? Place your hope in the God who provides everything we could possibly need.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for worship this weekend: 8:30 and 11 on Sunday with Education Hour at 9:45.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Wednesday
Psalm 94:17 If the Lord had not been my help,
my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
In my life as a pastor I have gotten to know several veterans.... veterans of every conflict since World War II. There are amazing stories to be told by those who either volunteered or were drafted to serve in the military. Most who have served are pretty reticent to tell their stories, but the stories are amazing when they begin to flow. What are most powerful for me are those stories of survival: survival in the face of huge odds. A jump out of a crashing bomber, the beaches of Normandy, the frozen Yalu River, the heat of DaNang, and the eerie still of a Mosul evening. The stories that I have heard all bear witness to unanswerable questions of "Why me?" and gratefulness for survival.
What all the veterans that I have known will also tell you is that God has no special protection for veterans or for those in war. Their stories can be examples for the rest of us, for those of us who live our daily lives in less obvious danger. But through stories of survival in Normandy and in Baghdad we learn again that we are dependent on God for every good gift, even for life itself.
Thanks be to God for those who have served. And thanks be to God for the gift of life.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us this evening (Wednesday) for Holden Evening Prayer at 7 pm.
my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
In my life as a pastor I have gotten to know several veterans.... veterans of every conflict since World War II. There are amazing stories to be told by those who either volunteered or were drafted to serve in the military. Most who have served are pretty reticent to tell their stories, but the stories are amazing when they begin to flow. What are most powerful for me are those stories of survival: survival in the face of huge odds. A jump out of a crashing bomber, the beaches of Normandy, the frozen Yalu River, the heat of DaNang, and the eerie still of a Mosul evening. The stories that I have heard all bear witness to unanswerable questions of "Why me?" and gratefulness for survival.
What all the veterans that I have known will also tell you is that God has no special protection for veterans or for those in war. Their stories can be examples for the rest of us, for those of us who live our daily lives in less obvious danger. But through stories of survival in Normandy and in Baghdad we learn again that we are dependent on God for every good gift, even for life itself.
Thanks be to God for those who have served. And thanks be to God for the gift of life.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us this evening (Wednesday) for Holden Evening Prayer at 7 pm.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Tuesday
Deuteronomy 10:17-18 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them with food and clothing.
In worship on Sunday we heard about widows. We heard the story of the widow of Zarephath who hosted Elijah in her room, and whose jar of meal and didn't empty until everyone had eaten and until the famine in her land had ended. And we heard about the widow in the temple treasury who trusted God so completely that she gave her last two copper coins and was praised by Jesus.
And she was noticed by Jesus. Perhaps that is the greatest gift that Jesus gave to her (and to us). He noticed her. The invisible widow, who walked quietly and alone up to the treasury to give her offering, is invisible no more. The voiceless widow, who had no-one to speak for her, now has the Son of God to speak her praise and to tell her story. God executes justice for the orphan and the widow. Justice begins with paying attention. What needs your attention today?
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember to join us for Holden Evening Prayer tomorrow evening (Wednesday) at 7 pm.
In worship on Sunday we heard about widows. We heard the story of the widow of Zarephath who hosted Elijah in her room, and whose jar of meal and didn't empty until everyone had eaten and until the famine in her land had ended. And we heard about the widow in the temple treasury who trusted God so completely that she gave her last two copper coins and was praised by Jesus.
And she was noticed by Jesus. Perhaps that is the greatest gift that Jesus gave to her (and to us). He noticed her. The invisible widow, who walked quietly and alone up to the treasury to give her offering, is invisible no more. The voiceless widow, who had no-one to speak for her, now has the Son of God to speak her praise and to tell her story. God executes justice for the orphan and the widow. Justice begins with paying attention. What needs your attention today?
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember to join us for Holden Evening Prayer tomorrow evening (Wednesday) at 7 pm.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Wednesday
10Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right* spirit within me.
11Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing* spirit. Psalm 51:10-12
Some of you, upon reading this, will begin to sing -- or at least think, "Don't we sing that, sometimes?" Indeed! Much of our liturgy in the Lutheran church comes from scripture, and it's always fun (for me at least!) to see those original passages. Perhaps part of that joy is knowing that what we say in worship is often connected to something bigger than our bulletin or hymnal.
Apart from the cool connection, though, these words are ones that I'll be meditating on today. What does it mean to have a clean heart? A new and right spirit? These verses contain creation, presence and restoration. What in your life needs restoration? How can your willing spirit be sustained? May these words be part of your prayer today, and always.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
For conversation, visit: aslcdevotions.blogspot.com
See you there!
and put a new and right* spirit within me.
11Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing* spirit. Psalm 51:10-12
Some of you, upon reading this, will begin to sing -- or at least think, "Don't we sing that, sometimes?" Indeed! Much of our liturgy in the Lutheran church comes from scripture, and it's always fun (for me at least!) to see those original passages. Perhaps part of that joy is knowing that what we say in worship is often connected to something bigger than our bulletin or hymnal.
Apart from the cool connection, though, these words are ones that I'll be meditating on today. What does it mean to have a clean heart? A new and right spirit? These verses contain creation, presence and restoration. What in your life needs restoration? How can your willing spirit be sustained? May these words be part of your prayer today, and always.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
For conversation, visit: aslcdevotions.blogspot.com
See you there!
Monday, November 2, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Monday
Deuteronomy 6:10-12
10 When the Lord your God has brought you into the land that he swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—a land with fine, large cities that you did not build, 11houses filled with all sorts of goods that you did not fill, hewn cisterns that you did not hew, vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant—and when you have eaten your fill, 12take care that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
I'm reminded a bit of a child, who wrapped up in the excitement of a new place, forgets to say "thank you." Perhaps an interpretation that's a bit too simple, but I see us all a little overwhelmed and star-struck sometimes at the bounty that is around us. It can be pretty amazing to take stock of all that we have -- the opportunities, that options, the infrastructure, the relationships.
Take care that you do not forget the Lord. Take care.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
10 When the Lord your God has brought you into the land that he swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—a land with fine, large cities that you did not build, 11houses filled with all sorts of goods that you did not fill, hewn cisterns that you did not hew, vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant—and when you have eaten your fill, 12take care that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
I'm reminded a bit of a child, who wrapped up in the excitement of a new place, forgets to say "thank you." Perhaps an interpretation that's a bit too simple, but I see us all a little overwhelmed and star-struck sometimes at the bounty that is around us. It can be pretty amazing to take stock of all that we have -- the opportunities, that options, the infrastructure, the relationships.
Take care that you do not forget the Lord. Take care.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
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