Two Thoughts

I have two thoughts this week. One of them is a little late, and the other is more current.

First of all, we discussed the ten commandments at church, and I have been fascinated recently with what is commonly called commandment II (there are differing opinions as to how to count the ten commandments. That is another post). We are to have no idols or graven images of God. There has never been a time on Earth when we've had more "idols" and images.

Some religious sects take this quite far, believing that no living thing should ever appear in a picture.

I actually have come up with an interesting twist on the commandment: Remember, God is dynamic! In other words, God is changing. An image may show one "aspect" of God. Yet, there is not an image that can replace God. If we see a picture of Jesus, are we not tempted then to think of Jesus as one thing and not another? What if my picture of Jesus was of a large, dark skinned man with tattoos? Or a woman with missing teeth and a mohawk?

We think of God's grace being like that movie we saw last week. We see it in a happy news story.

There is nothing wrong with this as long as we remember God may have no teeth. God may decide to be the smelly bum on the street corner. Grace can come in many packages. If we think we "know" what it looks like, then we are going to miss it.

Reactions? Thoughts? Do you have an image of Jesus that you like?

Ok, this is getting long, I'll do #2 quick, and leave it open:

#2. Light Out for Earth tonight! 8:30-9:30PM I think, if I remember right.
What does God want us to do about the environment? Why?


Ok, this is done.

Bring a friend along, share this blog, hope we have church in the morning and travel safely there through the snow!

-Michael

Getting comfortable

Last week in church we talked about the need to follow Christ all the way to the cross. Jesus tells Peter "Get behind me, Satan" when he suggests that Christ take an easier path.

Thinking about this I think about the easier paths that I choose every day. I am not very good at looking forward to the next world. I am much more interested in being comfortable in this world.

As an actor, I am often asked to step out of my "box". I must go beyond what is safe in order to play a character on the stage honestly. As a Christian, then, I try to go the same way. I'll try to follow the same rule.

Being comfortable is a gift from God. Maybe we don't have to put ourselves into total denial, but it helps to step out of our "box" every once in a while. How can we go the extra mile this week, maybe get a little UN-comfortable to help spread the love of Christ?

I'll work on it, and you work on it, and maybe we'll share some of this week's stories at the 9 a.m.
service (where I hope to see you!)

-Michael