Jul 2006
Buffalo Mennonite Church - Pastor's Blog | Aug 2006 | Jun 2006
Gossip
July 17, 2006, 08:00 AM | Discipleship | Permalink
I just finished a three-part series on "New World Speech," looking at the power our speech has on the lives of others. This past Sunday's message had to do with gossip ... that's not a windmill I want to chase from the pulpit too often. Here's one of the sermons slides I used to paraphrase Ephesians 4:21:

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Vacation Bible School
July 15, 2006, 08:30 PM | Church Events | Permalink
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We made it to the end of the week for VBS and things went very well. Some nights we had over 100 people at the church. This time of year in central Pennsylvania is usually hot and steamy and this year was no different. However, it only rained one evening.

I am impressed by the many young people who helped out this year. That's something I really enjoy watching. Youth helping other kids does an awful lot to foster a sense of community in the church.

I'm grateful for everyone who served this week. I have also been touched by the sounds of children's voices singing the praises of Jesus. I'm glad for the message of hope we have to share with them at this young age. I'm glad that for many this will be a spiritually significant experience. God is doing something wonderful among us and it is our great privilege to be a part of it.

I've enjoyed the laughter and fun we made along the way. I've enjoyed getting to know the children of the church a bit better and I'm pleased to also be meeting neighbors and friends.

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Worshiping with the Children at VBS
July 12, 2006, 09:00 PM | Worship | Permalink
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The upbeat worship at VBS is terrific. It's refreshing to sing and shout praises to God with little children - their innocence, trust, and honesty is wonderful. No pretense, no agendas. They reminded me that one can be in the presence of God and yet be silly and happy. No wonder why Jesus told us we should be more like little children.
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Seek First the Kingdom of God
July 11, 2006, 08:00 AM | Discipleship | Permalink
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Do not seek gain or self-interest. 

This, then is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts a we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ (Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 6:9-13)

It is tempting to follow the example of those who accumulate great gain, to Creation’s detriment. But the scriptures assure us: “Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong... Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:1-4) ... “those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land” (Psalm 37:9).


Christ affirms the inheritance of those who do not arrogantly press their neighbors and the Creation for all they are worth: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5); "...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).        


Joy is a by-product of stewardship. Fulfillment is a consequence of seeking the kingdom. It is the kingdom of God – Creation restored and renewed – toward which we are striving as children of God.

  “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land...” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20a).


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