Southwood Lutheran Church

5 Books

Last night at our Summer class, Making Sense of Scripture, we played a little game. 

We had five groups.  Each group was asked to imagine that they were a small house church in a country that is hostile toward Christianity.  They had just been informed that their Bibles were about to be confiscated.  They couldn't hide one away because the secret police knew how many they had.  They also knew that they had just enough time before the police arrived to copy down 5 books of the Bible to keep with them.  Their task was to figure out which 5 they would choose.

Here is what each group decided:
Here's what we found to be so interesting:  The only book that every group chose was the book of Psalms.  Most had Genesis, but not all.  Everyone chose one of the gospels, but not the same one.  In some groups there were some pretty heated debates over which gospel, or which letter to include.  But everyone seemed to put down Psalms as if that was a "no-brainer."

Someone said that this choice of Psalms perhaps this indicates how powerful prayer is for people.  Others mentioned the power of worship and music for people.  The Psalms are full of prayers, worship, and some of the best of our church music.  I guess for our little scenario of a house church in danger of losing its most sacred scripture - everyone knew that these prayers and songs would continue to draw the people together as they have done for 1000's of years.

But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,

and through each night I sing his songs,

praying to God who gives me life.

Psalm 42:8 (NLT)

What 5 books would you choose?

Pastor Sara

A Parable about Prayer

Listen to Pastor Sara's Message

Message Text: Luke 11:5-8

Shame (noun):

1. the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, ridiculous, etc., done by oneself or another: She was overcome with shame. susceptibility to this feeling: to be without shame.
2. disgrace; ignominy: His actions brought shame upon his parents.
3. a fact or circumstance bringing disgrace or regret:
4. The bankruptcy of the business was a shame. It was a shame you couldn’t come with us.

Luke 11:8 - anaideia

• NRSV - persistence
• NIV - boldness
• CEV - not ashamed
• NLT - shameless persistence

What does SHAME have to do with PRAYER?

• Why don’t people pray? don’t know how, believe it to be so sacred and they don’t want to get it wrong, afraid to ask for the wrong thing, don’t believe their prayers will be answered
• Why do people pray? they find comfort in knowing God is present and listening, they realize that they don’t have to be perfect, a way to meet God and grow closer to God in relationship, they want to honestly tell God what is on their minds

Some SHAMELESS prayers from the Bible:

• Psalm 51:3 (MSG)
  I know how bad I’ve been; my sins are staring me down.
• Psalm 13:1-2 (MSG)
  Long enough, God—you’ve ignored me long enough. I’ve looked at the back of your head long enough.
• Psalm 28:4 (MSG)
  Pay them back for what they’ve done, for how bad they’ve been. Pay them back for their long hours in the Devil’s workshop; then cap it with a huge bonus.
• Psalm 141:10 (MSG)
  Let the wicked fall flat on their faces while I walk off without a scratch.
• Psalm 139:1-2 (MSG)
  God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you.
• Matthew 26:38-39 (MSG)
  Jesus said, “this sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me.” Going a little ahead, he fell on his face, praying, “My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?”

Matthew 7:24–27

Listen to Pastor Sara's Message

Message Text: Matthew 7:24-27

These verses are a part of the conclusion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This sermon is quite lengthy beginning in chapter 5 and ending with these verses in chapter 7. These verses are really a conclusion to Jesus’ teaching about what it means to be His follower.

• POIEO: This Greek word occurs 11 times in Matthew 7. The verses are below. The words the NRSV uses to translate poieo are in boldface.

  7:12 In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.

• 7:17-19 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
• 7:21-22 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?’
• 7:24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
• 7:26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

The Two Foundations (vs. 24–27)
The difference between the two men in these verses centers on the word Poieo. One hears Jesus’ words and is doing them. The other hears his words and is not doing them.

Questions for Reflection:

1. We are often tempted to think about what has happened in the past; e.g., I attended Sunday School and had perfect attendance, I endured confirmation classes, I went to church camp. Ask yourself: What is God doing now? How is God involved in your life of faith now?
2. What is the difference between “knowing about God” and “knowing God”?

Nkirawaanga: An Update to the Update

Just yesterday I posted a building update and photo we received from our sister church in Tanzania, the Uswaa Parish.  They are currently in the process of building a second site so that even more people will be able to worship God. You can read more about that here.

Southwood is a partner with Uswaa in this building project.  We are able to support them financially and with our prayers.  Each member of the Uswaa congregation is also asked and expected to make a contribution.  Most were asked to pledge $12 per year, one dollar per month.  Unfortunately this is beyond what most families at Uswaa can afford. 

So how do they contribute?  Check out these great pictures from May 21, 2010.

Here's what Pastor Moshi (Pastor in Charge at Uswaa) had to say:

GREETINGS. ON 21ST MAY 2010 WAS THE DAY CONGREGANTS OF USWAA PARTICIPATED ON WORKING FOR NKIRAWAANGA CHURCH BUILDING AS THE WAY TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION TO GO FAST, AND WAY TO SHARE AND TO BE INVOLVED TO THE GOD'S MISSION.

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ.  for we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body - weather Jews or Greeks, slaver or free and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  ... God has combined the members of the body ... so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one parts suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  (1 Corinthians 12: 12-13, 24-26, NIV)

So whether you are from Nebraksa or Tanzania, whether you are rich or poor, whether you have had your hands and feet on this project or your prayers,  we all rejoice together that God will be praised in this new church!

Pastor Sara

Nkirawaanga: Building Update

I remember when our new church was being built.  Every time a new wall was painted, it seemed like reason for celebration.  We were so excited about our church serving God in this new place that progress as small as a nail hole being filled seemed to be of the utmost importance.  Members of Southwood were driving out to our spot on South 40th street on a daily basis to see the progress.

We're here now and so we don't have building updates of our own to celebrate anymore.  That's why I am so excited to share with you a building update from our brothers and sisters in Tanzania.  They have just completed phase three of this project!  

I wrote about the completion of phase two in March and progress just keeps plugging along.  If you look at that post from March you can see pictures of the progress of the building when I was there in May of 2009, and then of the completion of phase two in March.  Here's a picture after phase three was completed:

This is going to be an impressive building where God will certainly be praised.  If you read Scott Koehn's post from March you read about all of the reasons that this building and the church that will gather in it will bring hope to these people who live day to day with so little. 

Their resources may be little, but faith is nothing close to little.  They praise God with their lives and their offerings in ways that astound and inspire all those American's who visit.  

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. Psalm 127:1

God is certainly the chief architect in this process.  In his wisdom he drew our two churches together in a project that brings glory and honor to Jesus.   We are helping to build this church, but day in and day out, these Tanzanian's are helping to build our faith and together we grow the body of Christ in the world.

Bwana Asifiwe ("Paise God" in Swahili)

Pastor Sara

Christian Unity

 Sermon Text: John 17:20–26

May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. John 17:23 (NLT)

In essential beliefs, we must have UNITY.

“There is one body and one Spirit.....just as you were called to one hope when you were called....one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)

In non-essential beliefs, we have LIBERTY.

“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.” Romans 14:1 (NIV)

In all our beliefs, we have LOVE.

“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV)

In a world defined by conflict, believers are to be recognized by a love that unifies.

Questions for Reflection:

• Take some time to think about what you consider to be “essential beliefs.” Make a list.
• Be honest with yourself about when you have made non-essential beliefs seem essential. Ask for God’s forgiveness and healing.
• How many times in the last week have you been willing to say “I could be wrong”?
• Are you willing to really listen to someone’s beliefs that might be different from yours?
• Read Acts 2:42–47, Romans 12:9–18, or Colossians 3:12-17 What does it mean to live in Christian community? Could you change one thing in your day-to-day living that would help you to reflect this?

Walking on Water ... Really?

Have you heard of Liquid Mountaineering?  I hadn't until I watched this video.

At first I thought what a fun new sport these people with a lot of time and plenty of money are inventing. Then I heard them talking about "really believing they could do it" and it just made me laugh and how serious they are about conquering the water.  I guess if they really are committed to this then more power to them.  For now I'm going to stick to swimming and canoeing and leave the fancy water tricks to Jesus.

I originally had titled this post "Leave it to Jesus."  But after I typed it I realized that it  sounded like I was saying "leave it to Jesus" as in "oh look what Jesus has done now."  When what I was really thinking was - walking on water is something I'd like to leave for Jesus to do, not me.  My brother once received a glowing job performance review in which his boss proclaimed:  "Ed walks on water."  Just this week he reminded me of these words (which, incidentally are at least 10 years old) to which I responded:  "Ed, leave it to Jesus."

Here's what I find so cool about Jesus walking on water.  In Jesus' time people were absolutely scared of water, anything to do with the Ocean was equated with death and evil.  So when Jesus came and walked on water, it was as if he was conquering the thing that they were most afraid of.  It wasn't just a cool trick with water, but it was Jesus saying:  "I know your fears, and I am stronger than them."

What are you most afraid of?  Are you trying to conquer it yourself, trying to be your own liquid mountaineer?  Or, are you willing to give it to Jesus?

Pastor Sara

Yet Another Reason I Love Caribou Coffee

I've shared before that I love Caribou Coffee.  Yesterday morning gave me yet another reason to love it.  The clever design of their new cup encourages the coffee drinker to "give presence." We've talked about the concept at Christmas time, instead of spending lots of money on presents, we've asked how we might give our time, our presence, to those in need and to our families.  Caribou is challenging us to do just that all year long.  This is not just a cup of caffeine, it is a spiritual "pick me up" as well.

Caribou's catch phrase has always been:  "Life is Short, Stay Awake for it."  Now they are giving us little tips to make the most out of that "short life."  I tried to take a few photos of the cup, unfortunately they are not in crystal clear focus.

Here's the list:  (I bolded my favorites!)

• Savor every sip.
• Marshmallow's have no nutritional value.
• Step 1:  Rake Leaves, Step 2:  Jump!
• You'll only be your current age once.
• Only look back if it makes you smile.
• Spend time with your kids, tomorrow they're a day older.
• Give your change to charity.
• Have a favorite charity.
• Sing out loud!
• Spin the globe, then pack your bags.
• Be the first to apologize.
• Don't wait for New Years to make a resolution.
• Dance in the rain.
• Donate blood, you have plenty.
• Lighten up.
• Get your hands dirty.

Which is your favorite?  What would you add to the list? 

Pastor Sara

John 20:19-31

Listen to Pastor Sara's Message

Text: John 20:19-31

John 20:30-31 (MSG)
Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down in this book. These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it. 

How do we know something/someone is believable?

1. Compelling evidence
2. Consistent in actions and speech
3. Established relationship

Believe (verb) to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.

Paul Tillich on Faith: “The very act of faith requires that we believe in someone we cannot fully know, someone who calls us to follow down paths whose ends we cannot see, and someone who demands of us an obedience and trust beyond anything we can conceive of in our daily lives.”

John 1:16-18 (MSG)

We all live off his generous bounty,
    gift after gift after gift.
We got the basics from Moses,
    and then this exuberant giving and receiving,
This endless knowing and understanding—
    all this came through Jesus, the Messiah.
No one has ever seen God,
    not so much as a glimpse.
This one-of-a-kind God-Expression,
    who exists at the very heart of the Father,
    has made him plain as day.

A Prayer for Faith:
Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Extra Books

Our Small Groups have been studying The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller for the last six weeks.  We have 11 copies of this book left over and will sell them to you for $10.  Yes folks, that's $5 off!!  If you've been wanting to read it or pick it up for a gift for someone, now is your chance.

Leave a comment on this post and let me know you want one, then I'll leave it at Southwood Central with your name on it it.  You can pay for it when you pick it up!

Enjoy!

Pastor Sara