Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Monday, 3 November 2014 "The soil made the difference"Daily Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9
Reflection Questions:
Farming, like fishing, was a common occupation in Galilee. (Matthew said Jesus sat in a fishing boat by the shore to tell this story—cf. Matthew 13:2). At least one farmer was likely in plain view sowing seed by hand as Jesus told his story. Even today, some seed grows, some doesn't. That was even truer in hand-tilled fields, with the seed thrown out by hand. It was the same seed--the soil made the difference.
What person or persons played the biggest role in planting the seed of God's message in your life? Is there anything you wish they had done differently in the planting process, as you look back? What are the main ways that your gifts, talents and temperament equip you to "sow the seed" into other lives?
Jesus was a master at taking the ordinary activities of everyday people—fishermen, farmers, even parents and children—and using them to teach big ideas about his kingdom, his grace and forgiveness. How easy or hard do you find it to share God's message without using "church talk" that may not seem to have much to do with "real life"? How can Jesus' model help you learn to connect God with people's day-to-day concerns?
Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you said, "A farmer went out to scatter seed." Your story never hinted that the farmer got depressed and quit. Help me to keep my "sack of seeds" at hand, always ready to scatter the story of your love into the lives of others. Amen.
Insight from Chris Holliday
Rev. Chris Holliday serves as the associate minister at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection West.
I recently sat on the floor with two women who have cancer, who are facing death with all the grace and dignity they can muster. As we talked about life, making it through the hard days and the importance of spending time with the people we really love, one of my favorite songs from the musical “Rent” came to mind. The song is entitled “Seasons of Love,” and it reminds us how to truly measure our lives. Click here to watch and listen. I pray that the words and music are meaningful and hope-giving to you this day.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/s1c3MARlJ0Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
"Seasons Of Love" is track #17 on the album Rent. It was written by Larson, Jonathan D..
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, a year in the life?
How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love
Seasons of love (love)
Seasons of love (love)
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty five thousand journeys to plan
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life of a woman or a man?
In truths that she learned
Or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned or the way that she died
It's time now, to sing out
Though the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love
(Oh, you got to, you got to remember the love)
Remember the love
(You know that love is a gift from up above)
Remember the love
(Share love, give love, spread love)
Measure in love
(Measure, measure your life in love)
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
(Measure your life, measure your life in love)
____________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment