Lesson from Sunday February 21, 2010

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The readings for this week focus on the transition in leadership from Samuel to Saul to David.  We will focus on Saul, as David will be the focus of the message this week during the service.  Saul takes up the throne reluctantly, hiding among the baggage so Samuel cannot anoint him (10:22), and then, to put it mildly, makes a mess of it.  In his last speech, which takes place as he is retiring from leadership and after he has anointed Saul as King, Samuel repeats the language of the covenant that is to between the people and Yahweh.  It is the covenant first made with Abraham, then Isaac, Jacob, Moses and the Judges:

Lesson from Sunday February 14, 2010

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There is a very obvious pattern presented in the book of Judges, it is one of cycles in which the people fall away from their faith commitment, experience the consequences, cry out to God for help, receive the help, and then, sadly, start the cycle again.  To wit: “After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.  Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord …”  (Judges 2:10-11).  This last phrase is repeated at Judges 3:7, 12; 4:1; 6:1; 10:6.  This has been referred to as the second generation syndrome and/or as the spiritual law of entropy and some feel it can be observed not only in individuals but also in organizations like churches and schools as well as countries like our own.  Another way this same idea is expressed is that God has no grandchildren, only children.  This emphasizes the need every person has to be in relationship with Christ. 

Lesson from Sunday February 7th, 2010

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In the middle of the week we read from Joshua, chapters 1-4.  This is the transition to new leadership in the person of Joshua.  God repeats the promise to Joshua, the same one that he gave to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (v. 1-5).  He also says to Joshua three times in the first chapter, “Be strong and courageous!”  The last time he says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go?” (v. 9).  And, we read that as they are taking up Joshua as their leader when they tell him they will follow him they also say, “only be strong and courageous” (v. 18).  Joshua tells them that they are to be people of the book: “do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful” (v. 8).  We too are to be strong and courageous as we rely on God’s promise and we too are to be people of the book.

Lesson from Sunday January 31, 2010

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Breath Prayer

A form of contemplative prayer linked to the rhythms of breathing:

1. Breathe in, calling on a biblical name or image of God
2. Breathe out a simple God-given desire

“Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Lesson from Sunday January 24, 2010

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Intercession is not prayer. Intercession is something a person does that he or she can do in prayer. To intercede is to go or pass between; to act between parties with a view to reconcile those who differ or contend to interpose; mediate or go between (like an attorney re-presents a client). It involves delegation, authority and representation.