SCRIPTURE STUDY / WEEK LEADING TO SUNDAY May 22, 2005

Monday: Genesis 1:1 – 2:3 First Creation Story
Yes, this is the story about God creating in seven days. Read and enjoy!

Tuesday: Genesis 2.4-25 Second Creation Story
Yes, this is the story about God breathing creation into man and placing Adam in the garden. Out of Adam came Eve who was the perfect mate. Everything is really nice in the garden and all. Nice place, nice people, God is very good.

Wednesday: Psalm 89 God’s Covenant
Take a break from creation and go read a super Psalm about covenant. Covenant is really our underlying theme anyway for the next few weeks.

Thursday: Genesis 7-8 A Third Creation Story
Noah and the Ark is really a kind of third creation story. God does it all over again and tries to get it right this time. See what you think.

Friday: Romans 8 A Purpose for Creation
Paul the apostle writes to the church in Rome a letter where he attempts to share the real purpose for all creation. This is one of the most loved chapters in all the Bible. Isn’t the reason for salvation is more important than salvation.

Saturday: Genesis 1:1-31 God Creates
We get all caught up in how creation happened. Was it evolution or was it creationism? Did God just say the word or were there eons of slow process involved? Sometimes we get so weary of the arguments and speculation that we stop asking any more questions. Truth is we have been asking the wrong questions for a long time. I believe the right question is not how, but why? The right question is not when, but for what purpose? God created something very good. God created in love, for love. God created with a purpose. However it happened, God caused it. Period.
Now, deal with the love involved. Aahhh!
There is the big issue we have all been avoiding. And there is the sermon.

Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Sermon Scripture: Genesis 1:1-31
Sermon Title: “You Get What You Get”

Notes From the Sunday Sermon for May 8, 2005

Proverbs 31.10-31 The Value of a Christian Home

Mothers Day Card – 5.99
One Dozen Roses – 37.00
Mother’s Day Brunch W/Family – 65.00
The Value of a Christian Home – Priceless

Consider the Woman in Proverbs 31
Consider the Woman’s Family, Husband, Children, Expectations

2005 Problems in the Family – Home – Worst Examples
Griswold Hose Fire
Family Locking up Daughter in CB
Kansas Woman who Murdered and Took Baby from Womb

What is the Value of a Christian Home – Priceless

Why do I think this?
Freedom to live and grow with out fear
Boundaries offer freedom – Like a playground fence
Discipline offers freedom – Discipline is for the Parents – Super Nanny
Children Know a Greater Love than their Parent’s Love
Offers Hope
Offers Courage
Offers Grace
This is love by example – Jesus did this

Cannot buy this Love and Freedom with:
New TV
Soccer Game or Chucky Cheese afterwards
New Cars
New Clothes
Not even Good Grades in School
Only from Judeo-Christian values offered through a loving family

Christians are not Perfect, We are on a Journey Towards Perfection.
The Christian Home is not for Sale – You cannot Buy What it Offers.

Mothers Day Card – 5.99
One Dozen Roses – 37.00
Mother’s Day Brunch W/Family – 65.00
The Value of a Christian Home – (Say it with me) Priceless

Random Thoughts

• I do not remember seeing the Soft Maple trees dropping so many seeds as this year. I could scoop them off my sidewalk and driveway. I call them helicopters, because they spin on the way to the ground. When I was a kid there was a way to put one in your mouth and use it for a whistle. For all I know they are poison or something, so don't try this. So why so many seeds this year? Any ideas? I'll ask Sharon Davis, she was a forestry major in college.

• We used to take a blade of tall grass between our thumbs and blow to make a whistle. I know grass is not poison. At least most of it.

• Put the garden in over the weekend. Planted white, yellow, and red onions. Planted broccoli and tomatoes. Planted carrots and radishes. Did not plant the beans, or the cucumbers, or the okra yet. They need more warm weather. When we do plant them they will just bust out in a couple days. Hard to be patient.

• The wrens have arrived and are making homes in the box at the garden and also considering the box on the patio. Last summer we had three broods in on the patio. They were a little messy at times, but were good company and talked to us every day.

• It was nice to have family home for mother's day. Tate and Issy (grandkids) are both growing so fast. Hope you all had a wonderful mother's day! We grilled some chicken and just relaxed.

Praying on the Steps of City Hall

Have you ever prayed at City Hall? I will be on the West steps of the Council Bluffs City Hall to at noon today to pray with whoever gathers for our city. It is part of the National Day of Prayer movement and I will be one of seventeen pastors, almost a tag team kind of thing. We will be praying for about an hour. My prayers are supposed to center on children and youth. We shall see.

SCRIPTURE STUDY / WEEK LEADING TO SUNDAY May 15, 2005

Monday: 1 Kings 3:1-28 A King Prays for Wisdom
King Solomon asks God for wisdom before anything else. God is really pleased about this. I guess as a parent, I would have to say the same thing about one of my children. Enjoy reading this passage.

Tuesday: Proverbs 1 Wisdom Calls
Read about wisdom from an old text that still makes sense. I have noted this Hebrew word for wisdom is in the feminine case. Make your own conclusions. The real point is that wisdom is rare and should be highly valued.

Wednesday: Psalms 119:97-112 A Lamp Unto My Feet
Let the verse flow with the rhythm of your day. Have you experienced scripture being like candy? Have you wanted to just read and read; soaking up the wisdom from the Word of God? Reading the Psalms can be painful or wonderful. Sometimes it can be both at the same time.

Thursday: John 3:1-21 Nicodemus Visits With Jesus
How is it possible to be born a second time? Nicodemus was hearing Jesus talk but did not hear what Jesus was saying. What do you hear?

Friday: James 1 Difference Between Hearing and Doing
Read this passage from James and then sit and be quiet. Let the power of this passage sort of melt into your brain. Oh Yeah, you will come away calmer and richer for the experience. After hearing the Word, consider today’s path of acting out the essence of the Gospel message.

Saturday: Luke 17:11-19 The Ten Lepers
When life moves from pain to gain our response will express our focus. In this passage there were nine healed who did just as they were told; they went to see the priest. However, one Samaritan came back to thank Jesus for the transformation. Strange as it may seem Jesus wants us to think for ourselves. Even when is seems Jesus clearly tells us what to do, we must still discern the best way to proceed based on our own understandings. Our willingness to engage our brains is something God wants from us. You might like the idea of a God, a church, or even a church staff who hands you all the answers, but then you would never have to take responsibility for anything you do. The better way is to listen carefully as God offers our lives purpose, boundaries, and wisdom. Then our task is to plan every day as a blessing and offer our thanks and praise as we use our minds and our hearts to chart our path.

Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Scripture: Luke 17:11-19 Sermon Title: “The Best Samaritan”