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Thursday, 11 January 2018
Jonah 4:1 But this was very displeasing to Yonah, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to Adonai, “Now, Adonai, didn’t I say this would happen, when I was still in my own country? That’s why I tried to get away to Tarshish ahead of time! I knew you were a God who is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in grace, and that you relent from inflicting punishment. 3 Therefore, Adonai, please, just take my life away from me; it’s better for me to be dead than alive!” 4 Adonai asked, “Is it right for you to be so angry?”
What did Jonah think was “utterly wrong”? Jonah 3:10 said, “God stopped planning to destroy [the people of Nineveh], and he didn’t do it.” The story said when Jonah grudgingly went to Nineveh, his entire message was, “Just forty days more and Nineveh will be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4). He wanted to see Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, flattened! This story was in the Bible, not to endorse Jonah’s spirit, but rather, through God’s challenge to the sulking prophet, to show that God’s love truly extended to the whole world.
• The writer of Jonah had a superb touch with irony. The book described an astounding preaching success—a whole city repenting and turning to God. The preacher’s attitude? “Jonah thought this was utterly wrong, and he became angry” (Jonah 4:1)! What made Jonah so angry? Is it possible for God to care about people without endorsing violent or other hurtful actions, like Assyria’s violence toward Israel?
• The story of Jonah ended with a question, not a statement. God asked Jonah, “Can’t I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than one hundred twenty thousand people who can’t tell their right hand from their left, and also many animals?” Is there any person or group of people you’d rather see God “zap” than to see them repent? Is it right for God to extend heaven’s offer of mercy to all people?
Prayer: Lord God, sometimes, like Jonah, I wish you’d hate people I hate. But you call me to change my attitude, not yours. Guide and lead me as I wrestle with that change of spirit. Amen.
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Janelle Gregory
Janelle Gregory serves on the Resurrection staff as a Human Resources Specialist. Janelle finds that her heart is constantly wrestling with the truth that she needs a Savior, and the times when she's at her very best are when she's just too tired to put up a fight.
Last Saturday, I stood in the freezing temps to watch my beloved Chiefs lose a playoff game which was all but wrapped up for them at the half. It was heartbreaking. I grumbled and moaned with every other Chiefs fan leaving the stadium (some may have been grumbling words that aren’t appropriate for this post). Yet for as much defeat as we felt in that moment, we immediately turned our thoughts to next year. We believe that next year is the year when we can win the championship. Why? Because we’re Chiefs fans! That’s what we do. Every Chiefs fan knows there are three essential truths: 1. We stand by our team no matter what. 2. We will always defend Arrowhead as the loudest stadium in the NFL. 3. We hate the Raiders.
Chiefs fans are the most enthusiastic group of fans you’ll meet. Even when our team is losing, our city turns red on game day. Fans will still pour into a packed Arrowhead. This leads us to having the loudest stadium in the NFL, which is loudest when we’re playing our nasty rivals, the Raiders. Why? Because we hate them. Why do we hate them? I don’t know. They’re mean and obnoxious. They’re associated with gangs, aren’t they? Didn’t they beat up some of our fans once? They’re the worst! They’re evil! We can’t stand them!
The essential truth of Raiders contempt created a sea of internal conflict across our metro area last year when Derek Carr received a $125 million contract with the Raiders. At 26 years-old, one would expect him to immediately blow it all on sports cars and mansions. But his plans for the money are to tithe, help people, and buy a Chick-fil-A sandwich. He chose not to take every cent he could get out of the contract deal, leaving money for the team to sign other players. Carr has served in Haiti through Love a Child and even helped find a missing child by spreading the word through social media. It’s super frustrating because, dare I say it, Derek Carr is a good guy.
You see how this is frustrating, right? Derek Carr is making it very difficult for me to hate the Raiders. He’s bashing all stereotypes I’ve held of the vile team. I don’t hate him. In fact, I kind of like the guy.
There are times when the religions of the world can feel very much like cheering for your favorite team. As Christians, we root for our faith and are quick to dismiss or justify any wrong act committed in the name of Jesus. “That’s not the true Christianity. That’s not what I believe.” And it very well may not be. However, when it comes to looking at other faiths, we tend to highlight every incident of wrong-doing or evil committed by one of their followers. It easily comes down to this: we are the good guys and they are the bad guys. Isn’t that right?
It may seem right. That is, until we have conversations with “the bad guys.” In listening and speaking with open hearts, we can come to learn that “the bad guys” may not be all that bad. In fact, most are good, at least as good as we are. Do we hold fundamental truths that make us different? Sure. Do these truths separate the good guys from the bad guys? I don’t think so.
I’m not God. I can’t speak on what this means for all faiths when it comes to salvation or eternity. But what I do believe is that God doesn’t see people of other faiths as the bad guys. There are certainly scriptures that point to his disappointment in people who turn their back on him to worship other gods. But there are also scriptures which show his mercy and love for people of other faiths. He has even used many to carry out his eternal story of redemption.
When we are willing to have open conversations with people with differing views, it’s possible to see God’s view. We might find goodness and light; we might find deep friendship; and we might even develop a new respect – EVEN for a Raider.
5 Yonah left the city and found a place east of the city, where he made himself a shelter and sat down under it, in its shade, to see what would happen to the city. 6 Adonai, God, prepared a castor-bean plant and made it grow up over Yonah to shade his head and relieve his discomfort. So Yonah was delighted with the castor-bean plant. 7 But at dawn the next day God prepared a worm, which attacked the castor-bean plant, so that it dried up. 8 Then, when the sun rose, God prepared a scorching east wind; and the sun beat down on Yonah’s head so hard that he grew faint and begged that he could die, saying, “I would be better off dead than alive.”
9 God asked Yonah, “Is it right for you to be so angry about the castor-bean plant?” He answered, “Yes, it’s right for me to be so angry that I could die!” 10 Adonai said, “You’re concerned over the castor-bean plant, which cost you no effort; you didn’t make it grow; it came up in a night and perished in a night. 11 So shouldn’t I be concerned about the great city of Ninveh, in which there are more than 120,000 people who don’t know their right hand from their left — not to mention all the animals?”
---What did Jonah think was “utterly wrong”? Jonah 3:10 said, “God stopped planning to destroy [the people of Nineveh], and he didn’t do it.” The story said when Jonah grudgingly went to Nineveh, his entire message was, “Just forty days more and Nineveh will be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4). He wanted to see Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, flattened! This story was in the Bible, not to endorse Jonah’s spirit, but rather, through God’s challenge to the sulking prophet, to show that God’s love truly extended to the whole world.
• The writer of Jonah had a superb touch with irony. The book described an astounding preaching success—a whole city repenting and turning to God. The preacher’s attitude? “Jonah thought this was utterly wrong, and he became angry” (Jonah 4:1)! What made Jonah so angry? Is it possible for God to care about people without endorsing violent or other hurtful actions, like Assyria’s violence toward Israel?
• The story of Jonah ended with a question, not a statement. God asked Jonah, “Can’t I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than one hundred twenty thousand people who can’t tell their right hand from their left, and also many animals?” Is there any person or group of people you’d rather see God “zap” than to see them repent? Is it right for God to extend heaven’s offer of mercy to all people?
Prayer: Lord God, sometimes, like Jonah, I wish you’d hate people I hate. But you call me to change my attitude, not yours. Guide and lead me as I wrestle with that change of spirit. Amen.
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Janelle GregoryJanelle Gregory serves on the Resurrection staff as a Human Resources Specialist. Janelle finds that her heart is constantly wrestling with the truth that she needs a Savior, and the times when she's at her very best are when she's just too tired to put up a fight.
Last Saturday, I stood in the freezing temps to watch my beloved Chiefs lose a playoff game which was all but wrapped up for them at the half. It was heartbreaking. I grumbled and moaned with every other Chiefs fan leaving the stadium (some may have been grumbling words that aren’t appropriate for this post). Yet for as much defeat as we felt in that moment, we immediately turned our thoughts to next year. We believe that next year is the year when we can win the championship. Why? Because we’re Chiefs fans! That’s what we do. Every Chiefs fan knows there are three essential truths: 1. We stand by our team no matter what. 2. We will always defend Arrowhead as the loudest stadium in the NFL. 3. We hate the Raiders.
The essential truth of Raiders contempt created a sea of internal conflict across our metro area last year when Derek Carr received a $125 million contract with the Raiders. At 26 years-old, one would expect him to immediately blow it all on sports cars and mansions. But his plans for the money are to tithe, help people, and buy a Chick-fil-A sandwich. He chose not to take every cent he could get out of the contract deal, leaving money for the team to sign other players. Carr has served in Haiti through Love a Child and even helped find a missing child by spreading the word through social media. It’s super frustrating because, dare I say it, Derek Carr is a good guy.
You see how this is frustrating, right? Derek Carr is making it very difficult for me to hate the Raiders. He’s bashing all stereotypes I’ve held of the vile team. I don’t hate him. In fact, I kind of like the guy.
There are times when the religions of the world can feel very much like cheering for your favorite team. As Christians, we root for our faith and are quick to dismiss or justify any wrong act committed in the name of Jesus. “That’s not the true Christianity. That’s not what I believe.” And it very well may not be. However, when it comes to looking at other faiths, we tend to highlight every incident of wrong-doing or evil committed by one of their followers. It easily comes down to this: we are the good guys and they are the bad guys. Isn’t that right?
It may seem right. That is, until we have conversations with “the bad guys.” In listening and speaking with open hearts, we can come to learn that “the bad guys” may not be all that bad. In fact, most are good, at least as good as we are. Do we hold fundamental truths that make us different? Sure. Do these truths separate the good guys from the bad guys? I don’t think so.
I’m not God. I can’t speak on what this means for all faiths when it comes to salvation or eternity. But what I do believe is that God doesn’t see people of other faiths as the bad guys. There are certainly scriptures that point to his disappointment in people who turn their back on him to worship other gods. But there are also scriptures which show his mercy and love for people of other faiths. He has even used many to carry out his eternal story of redemption.
When we are willing to have open conversations with people with differing views, it’s possible to see God’s view. We might find goodness and light; we might find deep friendship; and we might even develop a new respect – EVEN for a Raider.
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"A call to reach out to 'all nations'”
Friday, 12 January 2018
"A call to reach out to 'all nations'”
Friday, 12 January 2018
Matthew 28:16 So the eleven talmidim went to the hill in the Galil where Yeshua had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they prostrated themselves before him; but some hesitated. 18 Yeshua came and talked with them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim, immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age.”
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A disciple is not just a person who knows some things about Jesus. A disciple intends to follow Jesus in all parts of life. So “making disciples” is not a one-time effort, but a continual choice to invest ourselves in making the lives of others better. According to Jesus’ “Great Commission,” that included (and includes) caring about “all nations.” As Paul wrote, after wrestling with questions of identity and faith, “God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge are so deep!” (Romans 11:33)
• This passage offered a command, and a promise. Jesus addressed the command to all his followers: “Go…make disciples of all nations…baptizing them …and teaching them.” In what ways are you gifted to help carry out this commission? In what ways does this make “the church” like a hospital that is open 24/7 rather than a fortress with gates tightly shut against “enemies” or “outsiders”?
• Jesus’ promise was more priceless than anything a MasterCard could get you: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” In what situations has it made your life better to remember and live in the light of that promise? How can knowing Jesus is with you give you courage, strength and peace to reach beyond your comfort zone to bless others?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I need you to stay with me, every day, every minute. Thank you for promising to do just that. Amen.
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A disciple is not just a person who knows some things about Jesus. A disciple intends to follow Jesus in all parts of life. So “making disciples” is not a one-time effort, but a continual choice to invest ourselves in making the lives of others better. According to Jesus’ “Great Commission,” that included (and includes) caring about “all nations.” As Paul wrote, after wrestling with questions of identity and faith, “God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge are so deep!” (Romans 11:33)
• This passage offered a command, and a promise. Jesus addressed the command to all his followers: “Go…make disciples of all nations…baptizing them …and teaching them.” In what ways are you gifted to help carry out this commission? In what ways does this make “the church” like a hospital that is open 24/7 rather than a fortress with gates tightly shut against “enemies” or “outsiders”?
• Jesus’ promise was more priceless than anything a MasterCard could get you: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” In what situations has it made your life better to remember and live in the light of that promise? How can knowing Jesus is with you give you courage, strength and peace to reach beyond your comfort zone to bless others?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I need you to stay with me, every day, every minute. Thank you for promising to do just that. Amen.
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“Now I know partially”
Saturday, 13 January 2018
“Now I know partially”
Saturday, 13 January 2018
1 Corinthians 13:9 For our knowledge is partial, and our prophecy partial;
The apostle Paul was a forceful advocate for his faith (as seen in Acts 17:16-34). Yet he spoke to the Athenian intellectuals with respect and humility. He honored their desire to serve an “unknown god,” and quoted from their writers in support of some of the truths he wanted to share. His deepseated faith didn’t make him arrogant, holding others in contempt. It made him humble, as he revealed in 1 Corinthians 13. He realized that his faith was about worshipping and serving the God who was bigger than everything even his exceptional mind could take in.
• 1 Corinthians 13:9 (“we know in part”) reminded us that we don’t know everything about God. Reflect on where you were in your faith journey 1 year, 5 years, 10 years ago. What have you learned in the meantime? In what areas, as you look back, can you sense how partial your understanding of God and God’s ways was? Could it be that at this time next year, or five years from now, you’ll have the same sense as you look back on some of the things you’re sure you “know” today? Given the scale and scope of the God we worship, do you think you will ever reach a point before eternity where you have nothing left to learn (or unlearn)? How does that realization shape the way you relate to other people with different beliefs?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of a mind that can grapple with the great realities of life, learning more of your principles and your ways, and yet remaining humble in the light of all that I have left to learn. Help me grow in my understanding of you during 2018. Amen.
Family Activity: Many world religions value treating others the way we wish them to treat us. We Christians find this in Matthew 7:12(Matthew 7:12 “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teaching of the Torah and the Prophets.), often called the Golden Rule. Read this passage, then hand out an index card to each person in your family. Have each person write, “I did or said something kind” on one side of the card. On the other side write, “I did or said something hurtful.” Ask each person to pay attention to their words and actions each day. Encourage them to place a mark on the appropriate side of the card each time they do something kind or hurtful. No one else needs to see the cards. These are just for each individual and God. Each day, work towards having fewer marks on the “hurtful” side and more marks on the “kind” side. Pray for God’s help to treat all people near and far with love, kindness, forgiveness and grace.
10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass.
11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child,
thought like a child, argued like a child;
now that I have become a man,
I have finished with childish ways.
12 For now we see obscurely in a mirror,
but then it will be face to face.
Now I know partly; then I will know fully,
just as God has fully known me.
---The apostle Paul was a forceful advocate for his faith (as seen in Acts 17:16-34). Yet he spoke to the Athenian intellectuals with respect and humility. He honored their desire to serve an “unknown god,” and quoted from their writers in support of some of the truths he wanted to share. His deepseated faith didn’t make him arrogant, holding others in contempt. It made him humble, as he revealed in 1 Corinthians 13. He realized that his faith was about worshipping and serving the God who was bigger than everything even his exceptional mind could take in.
• 1 Corinthians 13:9 (“we know in part”) reminded us that we don’t know everything about God. Reflect on where you were in your faith journey 1 year, 5 years, 10 years ago. What have you learned in the meantime? In what areas, as you look back, can you sense how partial your understanding of God and God’s ways was? Could it be that at this time next year, or five years from now, you’ll have the same sense as you look back on some of the things you’re sure you “know” today? Given the scale and scope of the God we worship, do you think you will ever reach a point before eternity where you have nothing left to learn (or unlearn)? How does that realization shape the way you relate to other people with different beliefs?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of a mind that can grapple with the great realities of life, learning more of your principles and your ways, and yet remaining humble in the light of all that I have left to learn. Help me grow in my understanding of you during 2018. Amen.
Family Activity: Many world religions value treating others the way we wish them to treat us. We Christians find this in Matthew 7:12(Matthew 7:12 “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teaching of the Torah and the Prophets.), often called the Golden Rule. Read this passage, then hand out an index card to each person in your family. Have each person write, “I did or said something kind” on one side of the card. On the other side write, “I did or said something hurtful.” Ask each person to pay attention to their words and actions each day. Encourage them to place a mark on the appropriate side of the card each time they do something kind or hurtful. No one else needs to see the cards. These are just for each individual and God. Each day, work towards having fewer marks on the “hurtful” side and more marks on the “kind” side. Pray for God’s help to treat all people near and far with love, kindness, forgiveness and grace.
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Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer
Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
• Libby Julo and family on the death of her father Hunter Harrison, 12/16
•Sandi Morgan and family on the death of her mother Lois Kinnaw, 12/22
•Bill Reed and family on the death of his wife Mary J. Reed, 12/25
• Matt Xiong and family on the death of his father Bon Xiong, 12/25
•Xai Vang and family on the death of his mother Choua Lor, 12/26
•Pattie Shaw and family on the death of her brother Isaac Pickett Jr., 12/27
•Valerie Burton and family on the death of her uncle Isaac Pickett Jr., 12/27
• Judy Schmidt and family on the death of her mother Betty Marie Stauffer, 12/28
•Carolyn Carlson and family on the death of her sister Mary Jo Hilyard, 12/28
• Mike Carlson and family on the death of his aunt Mary Jo Hilyard, 12/28
•RJ Scott and family on the death of his wife Sue Ann Sheridan, 1/30
• Joyce Hursman and family on the death of her daughter Kristen Hursman, 12/31
•Susan Yacos and family on the death of her husband John Yacos III, 1/1
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Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer
Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
• Libby Julo and family on the death of her father Hunter Harrison, 12/16
•Sandi Morgan and family on the death of her mother Lois Kinnaw, 12/22
•Bill Reed and family on the death of his wife Mary J. Reed, 12/25
• Matt Xiong and family on the death of his father Bon Xiong, 12/25
•Xai Vang and family on the death of his mother Choua Lor, 12/26
•Pattie Shaw and family on the death of her brother Isaac Pickett Jr., 12/27
•Valerie Burton and family on the death of her uncle Isaac Pickett Jr., 12/27
• Judy Schmidt and family on the death of her mother Betty Marie Stauffer, 12/28
•Carolyn Carlson and family on the death of her sister Mary Jo Hilyard, 12/28
• Mike Carlson and family on the death of his aunt Mary Jo Hilyard, 12/28
•RJ Scott and family on the death of his wife Sue Ann Sheridan, 1/30
• Joyce Hursman and family on the death of her daughter Kristen Hursman, 12/31
•Susan Yacos and family on the death of her husband John Yacos III, 1/1
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
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Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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