“Humans don’t always know how to be human.” That was the sentence that caught my attention In last Sunday’s sermon about love. Is loving one another our sincere intention?
Most of us know the Bible’s definition; We’ve heard the scripture countless times. But reading it, saying it, and doing it Aren’t the same – not even sometimes.
Mary Grace Reynolds took the topic Of love on Super Bowl Sunday (The week of Valentine’s Day) And related it to a movie and play.
The movie was “Remember the Titans.” The play was football and dance. Some newly integrated football players Were brought together by chance.
On the football field they never joined Together and danced as one. During practice their coach Sent the players out on a run.
The coach stopped them at Gettysburg – a place of war – A place where 50,000 men died Fighting the fight we’ve fought before.
Take a lesson from the dead; Come together on hallowed ground. Learn to play in harmony. Set aside prejudice; let oneness be found.
Push yourself aside for the good Of the whole – learn to love. Display the honest hope and possibilities Born of God – born to hug and not shove.
The Galatians had the same problem – Fighting, arguing, not loving. Paul wrote a letter to them, Encouraging huddling, not shoving!
Galatians 3:19-29
Paul says we are wearing the identity of Christ and while we come from difference, and difference is beauty. We are nothing except Christians
Galatians 5
Like the Titans, we have to change our actions and attitudes. We have to put on the uniform and come ready to win. Recognize we as the players need one another. Remember we are the players, not the coach.
Prayer is the topic of a book study we are doing with our pastor these weeks of November 2022. But, back in 2015, it was also a topic of discussion and the title of our guest minister’s sermon. Take a step back – and join me:
Prayer was the title of our sermon on Sunday, August 16, 2015 by Rev. Carol Shellenberger of Bozeman, MT. Here are the notes I took while I listened to her very meaningful and inspiring message:
Turning to the Lord in prayer Is a habit I cultivate. Turning to the Lord with concern Is wise, before it’s too late.
But turning to the Lord in praise Is a minute-by-minute habit. It’s not just a request for courage When we’re afraid. It’s a joy. Grab it!
Prayer is a source of inspiration. Our Father has so much to give. Prayer is a way to receive it… The gift of wisdom; abundance to live.
Some folks expect too much or too little, Looking for extraordinary results Or doubting that God even hears. But prayer is a part of us – like our pulse.
Turning to the Lord in prayer Tells God we are here – and so is He. We know He is wherever we are. I know my Lord cares and answers me.
Prayer is not just a matter of speaking; It’s conversation, but it’s silence, too. If you never stop talking in prayer to God, You never hear what He’s saying to you,
In Luke 11, Jesus teaches His disciples To pray in a wise, simple way. Recognize the power of God And reflect on what this version has to say.
It’s a personal, approachable prayer To Abba, our Papa, our Dad. It invites us to be honest with God, Especially when we’ve been remorsefully bad.
Be specific in naming your sins. From your core, tell Him of your failure and fear. Then look for the way your Savior responds. Notice His Spirit within you. Feel His Love near.
God may not answer in ways you expect. Our Lord is not Santa Claus in disguise. Listen and look for God’s exquisite response. He cares, He hears, and His response always is wise.
In faith, hope and trust, Just PRAY!
Amen.
Take your troubles to the Lord today. The Holy Spirit is in you – always ready. The God of Creation who created you Is here to help you … Helpfulness is steady.
There is nothing quite like prayer in song – especially when it is Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion!
It’s been a wonderful early winter Sunday. It snowed all night last night! Yes, I know… too soon! It’s only mid-October.
See those footprints under the tree? When I looked out the window this morning, there was a deer, nibbling on the berries in that tree. By the time I dashed to get my camera/phone, she was long gone! I think she is the same doe who visited us last week, and chewed off/ spit out the geranium blossoms that were in that planter.
Yes, she’s been here before. I captured her on camera last spring. She’ll be back! She’s pretty… but she is a nuisance. She thinks our plants were put there to supply her salad bar!
Today’s sermon by Rev. Mary Grace Reynolds dealt with this same theme: “He’ll be back!”
John 16:16 Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy
16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.”
In my sermon notes today, I captured these main ideas,
Life doesn’t always turn out as we imagine. Disappointments run the gamut. The disciples were puzzled, not understanding where Jesus was going and why He had to leave. Jesus knew His disciples would grieve and they would be mocked for believing in Him as their Savior, so He wanted to encourage them.
20 “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.”
He would not leave them for good… He promised He’d send them A Comforter (The Holy Spirit), and then He would return to them.
Jesus told the disciples, “The Holy Spirit is a gift that will come in my absence.”
The Holy Spirit is with us today. The Spirit is a nudge in the night, the inexplicable comfort in times of distress, a direct line to God (God on speed dial!) Sometimes referred to as the Holy Ghost, He will come to remind you of everything Jesus taught during His ministry on earth.
Tragedy is tragedy- However, there is a wisdom obtained when we experience the goodness and the tragedy together.
Life can take us on turns we don’t expect. We’d like to trade pain and tragedy for comfort. However, disappointment and pain help us be more fully connected to others with empathy and compassion. That ain’t always easy – that’s for sure!
Mary Grace concluded her sermon with this thought to ponder: “We become stronger than what hurts us. There is much hope in that.”
Are you like me? Wouldn’t you rather just avoid that which hurts you? Don’t hurts just feel like a trap?
God is asking us to look at life’s challenges through Jesus glasses. Don’t deny yourself the lessons learned. When things aren’t working out, take another look!
Like that deer on my front lawn, troubles and disappointments return. But so do joys and blessings.
My cough has been quiet while I typed this. It may return when I try to sleep tonight, but it won’t last forever. JOY comes in the morning! Hang in there, my friends. I’ll be back!
Have a blessed week. Today was my grandson, Chrissy’s 27th birthday!!
Happy Birthday, Toki!! (He’s in Switzerland…)
Thanks for visiting and leaving your comment below. I love having positive exchanges with you.
If you’ve followed my blog for a while, You know I attend church every Sunday, And I usually try to take sermon notes. As I listen, I try to record the message poetically.
Our pastor, Rev. Mary Grace Reynolds, is doing a bold sermon series. She’s asking our church congregants to send her scripture that puzzles or troubles them.
This week the scripture passage she used is from Luke 9:57-62. A weird one indeed! I’ve often thought Jesus was rather harsh with these two men who wanted to follow Him.
Luke 9:57-62
New International Version
The Cost of Following Jesus
57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
59 He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”
62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Is Jesus saying You have to leave your family and forget your livelihood to be a Christ follower?
Today’s sermon notes:
The mid-west mecca of modern architecture Is Columbus, Indiana. Ever been there? I watched the movie, “Columbus,” recently. Jinn & Casey meet and share.
Ultimately the movie is about Staying or leaving – choices we make. Casey needs to go, but doesn’t want to. Jinn convinces her to leave for her own sake.
Jesus may have been telling the men To leave for their own sake. Their situations were different, But departure was what it would take.
Jewish burial rites have many parts: Wrapping body, burial, dig up, burn, urn… In this scripture a man wants to tend to his father. Jesus prompts, “Come now and learn.”
We don’t know at what point in the rites This man’s father may have been – But it seems harsh for Jesus to tell him “Let the dead bury their dead.” Such chagrin!
Another man wants to go back to his family, But Jesus says, “Do not do an about face!” This passage is all about priorities. Jesus asks us to put Him in first place.
Love is not selfish, sinking in its talons. Love is generous – love always is kind. There often is sadness in leaving, But when God calls, listen, decide, and mind!
Don’t get stuck looking back (like Lot’s wife). You’ll become a pillar in your own tears and grief. It’s all about priorities and obedience. Hear God’s call and follow your belief!
Amen? Amen!
What is it that determines your values and beliefs?
Perhaps Jesus was not being harsh with those two men after all. Perhaps, like Jinn and Casey in the movie, “Columbus,” He was telling them to leave for their own sake – even though they didn’t want to go quite yet.
Sometimes God’s perfect timing doesn’t seem perfect… … at least not at the time He jerks us out of our comfort zone! But often, looking back, we can say, “Aha! Now I see… God always knows what is best for me!”
Jesus’ words may seem harsh at first glance, But He always has our best interest at heart. I need to trust His encouragement to step out… And what better time than now to start?
Go ahead … Step Out!!
Here we are with our pastor, Mary Grace Reynolds. Thanks, MGR, for a great sermon!
See ya on the road to success tomorrow (God willing) Love, JanBeek
I met this donkey in England while visiting Jackie & Derrick Knight!
Sermon Notes
Our message at church today was an interesting one. Rev. Mary Grace Reynolds shared a story about a clerical friend of hers who renamed Palm Sunday “Donkey Sunday” because the palm leaves show up in only some of the Gospels, but the donkey is in all four!
Power in Love
Royalty who rode donkeys were considered a disgrace. But the throng didn’t mind How Jesus entered the place.
Power is a social contract. It’s a constructed idea for us. However it is not a given – Except in the case of Jesus.
Christ Power is a given. In the beginning was Light, And the Light was God who Came from darkness into sight.
Jesus Christ came from Light. Through God all things were created. Jesus was not just made… He always was. And I’m elated!
Because He came, I know That He will come again. He has the power to save us all. His power can save us from our sin.
Think about the presence Of power in our lives. When do you exercise it? Control it, friends, ’til Christ arrives!
He entered Jerusalem on a donkey
The donkey is a symbol of humility. The King of Kings came not to reign Over the rulers of this earthly kingdom. He came in love to display His own domain.
His kingdom is not on earth. Instead, it is in eternity… The place He has reserved For believers like you and me.
Today might be called “Donkey Sunday.” It is the day Christ rode to town On the back of this lowly animal. Praise God, His Son came down!
Power was His – But He exchanged it For humility and love And expressed it with compassion.
Happy Donkey Week, my friends. May the Power of the Holy Spirit Be expressed in you Through Love and Humility.
Our pastor, Mary Grace Reynolds, with me.
Thanks for your message, Rev. Reynolds. I pray my sermon notes did it justice.
Happy Sunday, my friends! Did you get to go to church this morning? Our church here in Ennis, Montana began today to resume in-person fellowship after the worship service. So good to be back in communication with our friends over a cup of coffee or tea and some wonderful refreshments.
This is Jo & Jim Forsberg who created these beautiful and tasty refreshments. I’m providing the fellowship refreshments next Sunday. This is a hard act to follow!
And now, back home in the comfort of our newly painted dining room, I am reviewing our sermon message today and wish to share it with you. As you know, I have a habit of taking notes in poetry as I listen to the message each Sunday. Here’s what Rev. Mary Grace Reynolds’ sermon at our Madison Valley Presbyterian Church said to me today:
Stay the Course
The road goes on – Listening each morning – A long, grueling journey – The road goes ever on.
It doesn’t seem hopeful – But, Jesus is on the road. We stand in solidarity With Him and His suffering.
Tolkien was encouraged – Lewis was hopeful, too. In a world of World War I, There was great disillusion.
The death toll was great In Europe and the US, too. The statistics kept rolling On the road – ever on…
Humanity tries to cheat And to wield power – Tries to play God – A dark, dangerous journey.
There is some good here In this world – and It is worth fighting for. Jesus knows no short cuts.
Only the long, grueling road – A journey that ends not In death, but in victory. We are on the road to Oneness.
Oneness with God Is the journey’s end. We stand in solidarity With Him. Stay the course!
(Quoting from Lord of the Rings?) “See the road roll past your doorway Calling for your feet to stray Like a deep and rolling river The road may sweep you far away.
BUT
Just beyond the horizon Like a waiting world unknown Like the dawn its beauty beckons With a wonder of its own.”
Oneness with God
Is the journey’s end.
We stand in solidarity
With Him. Stay the course!
Let’s journey together in love!
Thanks for joining me on today’s journey. Continue, my friends, to pray for the people of Ukraine. Pray for their journey to lead toward Oneness with God – and a peaceful Oneness with us all.
God speak of your love and peace to Putin. God help us all!
Going to church on Sunday Always gives me inspiration: A theme to carry with me Through the week with contemplation.
Yesterday was no exception – The message was one of love, With 1 Cor. 13: 1-13 guiding My connection with Above.
Our pastor, Mary Grace Reynolds, Delivered a sermon with finesse, Alluding to the “Tragic Gap” That has our world in a mess.
Once upon a time she was A chaplain in a trauma center. A man was all alone there Where she was told to enter.
Her presence felt quite futile – Comatose and unhooked from life-support; But she gathered her wits and recited The Lord’s Prayer, knowing his life was short.
He may not have heard her petition, But then again, who knew? Maybe that prayer guided him To the Lord – and Life anew.
Stealing herself against dismay, Mary Grace spoke with assurance. “You’re a beloved Child of God, And He has issued us insurance.
The pain and hurt of life Can be a place of great despair, But you can ask and receive God’s Grace… it’s always there.”
Mary Grace assured us, too, That God’s strength is ours to claim As soon as we believe and Ask for it in Jesus’ name.
Never doubt that humanity Can be changed forever more For the better – in an instant. Just knock at Jesus’ door!
Don’t accept the “Tragic Gap” As a place we have to be. The cavernous space between love And a world of hate – is not for me!
Lead each other away from That place of despair and hopelessness. Be assured, there is a better reality. Lead on to the road of wholesomeness!
Amen?
In addition to the message of the sermon, I am inspired (sometimes to the point of tears) by the music. Yesterday the hymn that choked me up was this one – Pay attention to those words – they are powerful!
The verse that caught in my throat was the one that made me think of the #Bloganuary prompt from a few days ago: “How Are You Changing the World?”
Will you love the ‘you’ you hide if I but call your name? Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same? Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around through my sight and touch and sound in you, and you in me?
May your presence in this world Be a source of peace and inspiration To the people you encounter every day. Close the “Tragic Gap” with your imagination!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today. I’ll see you tomorrow (God willing)
Our flight home was long – but safe.
We are happy to be home – and delighted to have the floors almost finished. Also delighted to know there is a medication out there to help Bob with his heart issues.
Again, thank you for your prayers! (We await the insurance approval of the med.) God bless you!
Light Dispels Darkness Open His Word Let it enlighten you Brightness
Brightness Is yours If you ask Take it to others Share
Today at Madison Valley Presbyterian Church, here in Ennis, Montana, Pastor Mary Grace Reynold’s sermon was inspired by the New Testament scripture Matthew 2: 4-18
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”[a]
16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”[b]
What a terrible scripture to focus on during this season of Advent! But… the “Take-away” from the message was this:
Sermon Notes:
If something unnerves you, pay attention! The realm of unpleasantness is not what we expect in Advent as we wait for the Messiah. Killing all the boy babies? Worse than unnerving!
The season of Hope, Faith, Joy and Love is not supposed to be unsettling. Let’s weep with Rachel over the loss of children. Let’s weep over the bleakest of backgrounds.
Life is frequently bleak, but take heart! Into this bleakness a star appeared in the sky. Into this bleakness the vulnerable baby was born. Into this bleakness, a cruel king felt threatened.
Herod, the king sat in the stain of his own shallow angst and envy. He looked foolishly to the stars, believing in his own deity.
Threatened by an innocent baby, reported to be coming as a king, Herod ordered the death of all boys under the age of two in Bethlehem.
God heard the cries of “the least of these.” Jesus remembered those cries when He reminded us to care for “the least of these.” And friends, we each are part of “the least of these.”
Jesus/God knows the hearts of the bleak. He injects hope in the hearts of the hopeless. He injects love, joy and peace into our bleak world today.
Rejoice in the brightness of God’s love. Rejoice that God claims us. Do not be surprised by God’s compassion. Bask in the warmth of His bright love.
May peace, love, hope and joy be yours this Advent season – and into the new year. May the brightness of Jesus/God be within you. Share His bright light with others.
Amen?
Wreath Advent Memories Light each candle Remember what each symbolizes Jesus
Rev. Mary Grace Reynolds & me
Embrace Brightness!! Thanks for visiting JanBeek. See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Give from your big heart Embrace generosity Use Christ’s example
Our Lord gave His all So we’d have Life Eternal It’s available
All you need to do Is open your heart to Him And embrace His love
If you have followed my blog for awhile, you know that I have a habit of taking notes in poetry as I listen to the weekly sermon. Sometimes it’s easy to do that… other times the poetry escapes me. Today the message came to me in rhythm and rhyme quite easily! It was an inspirational take on this very familiar scripture. I hope it speaks to your heart as it did mine.
Today’s sermon at Madison Valley Presbyterian Church by Rev. Mary Grace Reynolds was based on this scripture:
Mark 12:38-44
As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Sermon Notes
Usually this scripture Is used on Stewardship Sunday; But, relax! This is not What I’ll talk about today!
Who among us will go to the bank, Empty it, and put it in the offering plate? I wouldn’t expect that of tou – Not today… not on any date!
But, let’s look at the lofty ones, The ones who act like priests, But are not… and moreover, They righteously parade and gorge on feasts.
Jesus isn’t just ranting, but teaching. He tells the disciples about the widow’s life. He praises her for her generosity And coveys her years of trouble and strife.
He scold the scribes and pharisees For giving out of their spare change. While the widow gave all she had, He admonishes the limits they arrange.
These two teachings arre Jesus’s last. From here Jesus will face His fate. Chist encourages us to learn There’s no pay grade low enough to be ingrate.
The widow is a victim of the system. But, in spite of that, she gives all – Knowing her money will help someone. That widow certainly stands tall!
As part of the sum of many, She gives out of sacrificial love. Likewise, Jesus gave His all, so we Can learn from Him and join Him above.
“God so love the world That He gave His only begotten Son That whosoever believeth in Him Shall not perish But have everlasting life”
That marvelous rendition of this hymn by St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir reminds me of the men and boys’ double choir that we heard last month at Westminster Abbey in London. Sitting next to our daughter, who cried buckets of emotion all the way through it, I remembered my years as member of the University of Pacific’s A Capella Choir. We sang this version of the song at most of our concerts. I love it! I hope you are blessed by it, too. Soooo beautiful!!
Have a blessed rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week!
I send you my love and lotsa hugs.
See ya tomorrow (God willing) Embrace Generosity… and generously give as you are able…
Love, JanBeek
That’s me with our pastor, Mary Grace Reynolds She’s a gift from God!!
Happy Sunday, my friends. I hope you had a great day. As usual, Bob & I attended church and I took notes as I listened to the sermon.
The message was delivered by Pastor Mary Grace Reynolds. The sermon was inspired by John 6:51-63.
I was amazed at how cleverly MGR took the scripture and applied it to today’s world.
Bread & wine
John 6:51-63 NIV
51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” 52Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. 60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.
The Living Bread
We come to church to seek comfort, But is that the point of our faith? Aren’t we called to be moved by Jesus? He appeared a bit delusional to His disciples.
Jesus suggested what was prohibited. People didn’t eat human flesh! That teaching came across blasphemous. Associating with Jesus caused them alienation.
Jesus’ message was meant to teach His followers that He was the food That would bring them into relationship With God … and not laws or codes.
God saves – Rituals don’t. God sent manna and now Jesus. First physical, then spiritual saving. Jesus told them, “I am the Bread.”
Trust Jesus to provide the catalyzing calories in our lives. Feed on Him daily!
Jesus is the Living Bread…
Drink in the Wisdom of the Word
God Bless You for visiting JanBeek today. I appreciate you.
