When something carries over from one setting or application to another, it makes life quite easy. Of course, that doesn't happen always. In fact. we can find ourselves divided from our best purposes by such inaccurate assumptions. On faith matters, this can reveal how we live amid a "house divided" and our challenge is to be clear about the sacred and spiritual.
I highlighted a video produced by Tesla that was likely created by the same presentation designers that showcased the exciting rcokets of SpaceX and the all electric sports car of Tesla Motors, excciting products. This product was not a rocket or a car, but a very mundane an uninspiring home battery for energy storage (think solar energy). Actually, this simple product is likely to have more transformational impact than either the electric car or the re-usable rocket. Here's the video; click here and see for yourself.
The demand of Samuel by the elders was to anoint a king so that Israel could be like the other nations. God points out to the dejected Samuel that it wasn't a rejection of Samuel, but a rejection of God. Samuel brings back the warning of what this will mean to their lives - nothing good - and what they will be losing as a result. Undeterred, they insisted on a king.
In Mark 3, there is a "sandwich" story. It starts out with Jesus' mom and family coming to get him because he's been labeled "crazy." This is a social designation for folks who are crazy enought to rock the boat, callikng for and making changes that are upsetting to the power structure.
Too late, though, since scribes (lawyers) have already arrived from Jerusalem. They're accusing Jesus of being the prince of demons, Beelzebul himself. Jesus deftly disarms and makes a mockery of their logic.
By then, Jesus' family has arrived to collect "crazy" Jesus and bring him back to the safety of Galilee. Instead, Jesus proceeds to re-define what "family" means in terms of faith and kingdom.
Both Samuel and Jesus stand firm in their spirituality and sacred strength trying to prevent the division of God and God's purpose from his people. In our daily lives, we need to rely on sacred foundations and spiritual strength to be able to discern and act in witness to the love, justice, and peace of the Lord.
There is a lot to this, and it's fun to see how Jesus presents his argument, so check out the sermon video below, and the downloads below the video panel.
I highlighted a video produced by Tesla that was likely created by the same presentation designers that showcased the exciting rcokets of SpaceX and the all electric sports car of Tesla Motors, excciting products. This product was not a rocket or a car, but a very mundane an uninspiring home battery for energy storage (think solar energy). Actually, this simple product is likely to have more transformational impact than either the electric car or the re-usable rocket. Here's the video; click here and see for yourself.
The demand of Samuel by the elders was to anoint a king so that Israel could be like the other nations. God points out to the dejected Samuel that it wasn't a rejection of Samuel, but a rejection of God. Samuel brings back the warning of what this will mean to their lives - nothing good - and what they will be losing as a result. Undeterred, they insisted on a king.
In Mark 3, there is a "sandwich" story. It starts out with Jesus' mom and family coming to get him because he's been labeled "crazy." This is a social designation for folks who are crazy enought to rock the boat, callikng for and making changes that are upsetting to the power structure.
Too late, though, since scribes (lawyers) have already arrived from Jerusalem. They're accusing Jesus of being the prince of demons, Beelzebul himself. Jesus deftly disarms and makes a mockery of their logic.
By then, Jesus' family has arrived to collect "crazy" Jesus and bring him back to the safety of Galilee. Instead, Jesus proceeds to re-define what "family" means in terms of faith and kingdom.
Both Samuel and Jesus stand firm in their spirituality and sacred strength trying to prevent the division of God and God's purpose from his people. In our daily lives, we need to rely on sacred foundations and spiritual strength to be able to discern and act in witness to the love, justice, and peace of the Lord.
There is a lot to this, and it's fun to see how Jesus presents his argument, so check out the sermon video below, and the downloads below the video panel.
| 06-07-15-ff-answers.pdf |
| 06-07-15-amid_the_house_divided.pdf |