Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Seeking What is Good

a summary of sermon on Colossians 3:1-17, using Micah 6:6-8 and Luke 10:38-42 as additional passages.

What are you seeking?

People seek all different types and sorts of things, feelings and experiences.
We have spiritual seeking of simplicity, joy and peace.
We seek more money, better employment and other mundane matters.
People seek items on Ebay.
Others seek my help in building farms and fighting the mafia on their facebook games---I have no idea what that is about.

All types of people seek many different types of things.

Today, we read the story of Martha and Mary, one working, one worshipping. Martha begs Jesus, "Tell her to help me". But Jesus sees that worship should not be forsaken in the midst of pressing work.

Ultimately, Martha doing her work as a worship experience would be the best combination. We worship God...and then we stay close to God in our daily responsibilities, whether that be workplace, daily chores, or other commitments that we make.

In Paul's Letter to the Colossians, he writes to his readers about what they should seek.

3:1-4, seek Heaven, not earth.
3:5-8, seek Good, not evil.
3:9-11, seek new life, not old life.

What is the new life that we are to seek? Christ's life.
This includes, a life of character, forgiveness, love, peace (as a body), gratitude and praise through song.

Let us be people who seek God. For God is good. And God has filled the earth with his goodness. By seeking what is good, we can pursue a thousand lifetimes of experiences and endeavors. Seek good. Seek God.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Not My King

Yes, I am a minister.

Yes, I teach a college course on our CIVIL society.

But if Lebron James stands up tonight in his made for tv announcement, and embarrasses the fans of Cleveland, then what little respect I have for him now will be completely gone. And it will not come back.

Shame on him.

The only way this thing works tonight is if it turns into a celebration of Cleveland. Otherwise it is empty and far worse, harmful and hurtful.

Someone good enough to earn millions of dollars should have the sense not to be so hurtful.

I'm glad I serve a good King.