Welcome!
I welcome your comments regarding our shared ministry at St. Paul.
If you would rather comment privately please, email me at Prshepherd@westriv.com
"Two are better than one," says Ecclesiastes,
"because if one falls down, his friend can help him up."
I deeply desire to bring Christian comfort and the power of prayer to those who are challenged with sickness or circumstances in life. However, in this time of restricted visitation call me and I will attempt to contact them.
Please, assume that if you don’t tell us, we do not know.
Call me at 301-4956 if surgery or hospital stay is imminent or if a visit could be helpful.
Pastor Dennis
from my perspective…
Breaking News, or Headline News, is updated by the hour and minute. The programs are designed to get our attention and to sell advertising. (Big surprise!) On the other hand, the Good News of Jesus Christ was proclaimed and is proclaimed today for an entirely different purpose.
Mark begins his gospel with “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mk 1:1, ESV) It sounds like Mark is reporting, “Breaking news! Pay attention! Something important has happened!”
Matthew begins his gospel, “The book of genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David.” (Mt. 1:1) It sounds like Matthew is introducing a history lesson whereby we might learn something. Don’t get me wrong – I love history because I believe with George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
John begins his gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.” (Jn. 1:1) This is something totally different. John invites us to lay aside our daily concerns and ponder life’s Big Questions concerning God and “The Word of God.”
Each year, we might take a measure of our life on Tax Day, an anniversary, or any number of other milestones. Regardless of the circumstances, we go through a process of reflection, evaluation, and decision-making. We might reflect on the Big Questions of Life, like “Who are we? And “How do I fit in with family and society?” or “What positive difference am I making?”
I will grant that the most common daily question is, “Am I happy.” But I believe the Bible teaches us that happiness results from how we think of ourselves and our relationship with others. Therefore, John invites us to ponder anew our relationship with the One God of the Holy Scriptures, as opposed to mental or emotional gods of pleasure, wealth or self-importance.
In the church year, Lent is the season that encourages us to ponder our relationship with the one and only eternal God and one another or who we desire to become.
Join us as we explore Jesus’ great encounters with religious rulers, a disrespected woman from a disrespected people and His disciples. In John, Jesus, the Word of God, invites people to question who we are in God’s eyes and who He desires us to become to live a fulfilling life. (e.g. John 10:10)
As John informs us, Jesus, the true Word of God, comes into the world to save us from ourselves and the destructive temptations brought on by the evil lies of the great Satan. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17, ESV)
Please join us in our encounter with the Living Word of God, your pastor, Dennis.
Conflict and Jesus' teaching
by Pastor Dennis on 09/04/14
Heaven is a home not made with human
hands filled with joy; for all the sins of pride, worry, doubt and fear will be
no more. But what of the kingdom of God on earth, can heaven reign here?
Jesus’
teaching in Matthew 18 addresses the human failings of pride, responsibility,
temptation and forgiveness. Many commentators have difficulty with this
teaching. For some it doesn't sound like a "grace-filled Jesus." It sounds like
the Law. They surmise therefore, that this passage must be influenced by
Matthew’s situation. Other commentators rejoice in what seems like Jesus laying
down the law, to keep peace in the church. As with all of Jesus’ teachings I
don’t think it is as simple as all that.
This teaching must be pondered and mined for Jesus’ wisdom in how to
deal with human failings in the community and our response as followers of
Christ, forgiven and saved.
Notice
the three preceding parables: “the Lost Sheep,” “the Lost Coin,” and “the Lost
Sons.” Then look the parable of the “Unforgiving Slave” that follows it. Now
reread 18:15-20 and see both the Law of God and the Grace of God. What do you
see – a teaching of the law and condemnation and/or a teaching about
forgiveness and grace or both? Please,
take some time to discuss this teaching with others today.
