October 31, 2011

Philippians 4: 8,9- Summing it all up, friends, I’d say
you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble,
reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the
beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into
practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that,
and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most
excellent harmonies.

Looking back, I don’t feel like I did a very good job
yesterday of explaining how this text connected with the sermon. The point is
this: the Christian faith is, and has always been, about all of life and not
just what goes on in the confines of the church. Our calling (vocation) includes
connecting and helping others connect with all that is good and true and
beautiful and everything else mentioned above. When what we do in the church
does this we are living out our vocation. When our life together fails to do
this we have lost our calling. Our Next
Christians session this past week  gave examples of the ways some people are
being creative in doing this. None of us wants to live a life that is just
“going through the motions.” This week, focus on how God touches your life not
only through the traditional gifts of grace (i.e. the bible, worship,
fellowship, etc. – because these are important) but through all that is good and
true and beautiful. How can these be the building blocks we can creatively use
to Share God’s wonder and love.

And while you’re at it, have a Happy
Halloween!

Don