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Sometimes our prayers are heartfelt and flow freely. Sometimes we don't know what to pray for. Jesus gave us words and a model for praying. We will take a look at the Lord's Prayer, especially one part we may not have given much attention to.  Has there been a season in your life where everything seemed to come together to make you who you are? That brought you to a place or a job or a moment that seemed both inevitable and good? John was baptizing people in the Jordan River in just that kind of moment.  Long live the king! -- if he's a good one. The birth of any king is disruptive. What power structures did Jesus disrupt? Is that good?  You know what it feels like to work without reward or without satisfaction. So what's the answer? "Quiet quitting"? "Malicious compliance"? Jesus, as always, show us a better way.  There will be no livestream today. We are picnicking in the park! Join us at the pavilion Sunday at 10am for worship and a picnic. Click for a Google Maps link.  From our earliest days Christians have spent significant time in prayer. Sunday August 20 we will exchange our sermon time for time to pray together.  There are lots of things we do every day without thinking about it, and that's a good thing: brushing our teeth, driving to work or school, cleaning up. There are also lots of things we do every day thoughtlessly, and that's a bad thing. Thoughtlessness comes from being self-absorbed, and our culture -- "the world" -- encourages self-preoccupation. Is there a better way?  Who or what are you devoted to above all else? What do you arrange your time around? What are you willing to give up to participate in what God is up to right now? You become like what you worship.  Put off by the thought of being holy? Nobody wants to be accused of being "Holier than thou". So how could holiness be a good thing?  The apostle Paul experienced a transformation in his life, both in terms of how he thought about himself and what course his life took. Let's look a bit at his life, the sacrifices he made, and how that might make a significant difference in how we face each day.  |
Pastor MarkPastor Mark loves his wife and grown children, the Word of God, and words. And coffee, chocolate chip cookies, Apple products, small video projects, and the New England Patriots. 
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