Sunday, February 1, 2015

Church

Good Morning. Welcome to Ghog's Church of the On Line Rodents

Ghog, will you open with some prayer please?

"Lord, we would like to thank you for the lovely weather. It's perfect for hibernating in a burrow. Even so, we come together today to celebrate your life and what you did for us. We thank you for coming here in the fullness of time to teach us how to live. We thank you for sacrificing your life and then defeating death that we might live again with You in the Time after our time on earth. Lord we also thank you for this opportunity to come together on line and share with each other even when we are separated by the wonderful geography you have created. We know that you did not cancel church even though we did and we at least wanted to say 'Hi'. Thanks for being there. Now please keep the old ones safe. Heal the sick ones. Cheer up the sad ones. And send spring as soon as possible. Please be mindful that tomorrow is my day...I really do not want to see my shadow. Some clouds when I pop out of the burrow tomorrow would be nice. Just a thought. Anyway, thanks for hearing our prayers. I know we are just ground hogs in your sight, but we love you. In Jesus' name...Amen"

Now maybe we should sing a song?

Do you think so? I really can't sing very well.

Do it anyway...no one but God will hear and that's who it's for. He likes a joyful noise.

How 'bout a Rich Mullins tune?

OK

Oh God you are my God and I will ever praise You
Oh God you are my God and I will ever praise You
I will seek you in the morning and I will learn to walk in your ways
And step by step you'll lead me
And I will follow you all of my days.

Thanks Ghog for your rendition of an otherwise worthy praise song

I tried to warn you.

And now the sermon...

Today's scripture comes from Matthew 6:25-33

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 6:27 Or single cubit to your height
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

This scripture is from the Sermon on the Mount. The mountain is never identified, but it is believed to be somewhere just northwest of the Sea of Galilee. He gave a lengthy sermon there and this is just one small, but important part.

So why should Christians worry. Seriously. If we know the promises that we have in Christ, why is it that we get are underwear all up in a bunch over things that, in the big picture, do not really matter. Ultimately God is going to take care of us.

You say, "but I have to plan. I have to make sure there is enough for the future. I have to leave something for the kids. I gotta be sure the cupboards are full and there's gas in the tank. I have to work to make that happen. I have to be busy keeping up with Jones' and the Smith's. I don't know what's going to happen. I have to be prepared."

Do you really think that you have that much control over your destiny? Do you really think you can prevent personal disaster by storing up stuff and protecting it with your guns while you live in your suburban fortresses?

Let me tell you something. When the hammer falls and the feces hit the oscillating wind device, no matter how well you think you have prepared, those preparations will not be enough. They are going to run out. Or someone will steal them from you. Or they will rot before they are consumed. Ultimately, you will be in the same boat with the rest of us...totally dependent on God and each other. Why not just face that fact now and quit struggling so much in your life. Instead enjoy what God has given. See to the needs of your family by spending time with them. Take care of what you already have and enjoy because tomorrow it may be gone.

As Rich Mullins would, "we should all dress like flowers and eat like birds".

Seriously though, there are many things more important than the pursuit of material possessions, even when it comes to the essentials like food, shelter and clothing.

Everything will ultimately be all right. Whatever it is, by the grace of God and under His care, you will get through it. And if you die in the process, you will be with Him. It's a win win situation.

Worrying is for amateurs. Be a pro.

Thanks Ghog for that instructive, bold and direct message..."oscillating wind device" where did you get that one? Never mind. I don't want to know.

Since we're not actually together today, please be sure to take time to remember what the Lord did for you and thank Him for His sacrifice and His victory from which we all benefit.

I'd ask Ghog to sing us a closing song before the benediction, but I don't think anyone wants that.

So Ghog, will you close us out with some prayer...no song necessary.

"Lord, it's been good to be here today at the HyVee with the on line brethren. It would have been nice to see everyone in person, but that was not to be. I really needed to teach a class today too. My brain is full and I had no where to empty it. That being said, this too has been an instructive endeavor. Please bless us today as we go back out into the world. Help us to remember who we are and help us to act like it when we're out among 'em. Lord we love you. Thanks for the grace. Help us please to spread it around a bit. In Jesus' Name we pray these things....Amen   


They Canceled Church

Really? Are you kidding me? They never cancel church.

Ya, but it's snowing...alot

So...I know a 79 year old man that made it to church this morning and you know what they did? They sent him home.

I don't know what they were thinking. Guess I'll shovel some snow. Wait, here comes Joe to plow us out. Great!!! Now I only have to do the sidewalk

Something is still not right. I feel like I should be doing something right now. I feel like I should be with my peeps sharing the scriptures and acting like I know what I'm talking about. The Holy Spirit is willing, but weather is not.

Something is still not right. I feel like I should be with people...together...in a group setting.

I must be sick. I think I'm having church withdrawal. What the devil is wrong with me? Something is broken. I'm not sure I can go a whole other week without church...

Tomorrow is Ground Hog Day. Cheer up. You'll be fine.

What did you get me for Ground Hog Day?

Same thing as last year only twice as much.

Oh, good. I love a surprise.