Blog Archives
Do some people seem impossible?
There’s an interesting instruction in the New Testament book of Romans. It reads like this, “If it is possible…live at peace with everyone.” Hmm. You see the problem, right? Most of us would be quick to point out, “it’s not possible.”
This weekend, as part of our ongoing series “Peacemakers” we’re going to explore making peace with difficult people. We’ve all got a few in our lives. Or in our past. So here’s the question. What makes them so difficult? What is it that makes them seemingly fall into the category labeled, “Impossible.”
If you’d like to share your thoughts on that, feel free to use the comment section below. (Some have already done so on Facebook.) Please, no names, and no “selfies.” Just a description of what it is about that OTHER person(s) that makes them so difficult to live at peace with.
And then plan to listen in this Sunday as we take up this very practical matter. How can we be peacemakers in the midst of difficult people? Is it worth it?
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. –Jesus
Peace out.
-Pastor Mark
Rethinking your Christmas gift list
I’ll admit it: My family creates gift lists for Christmas. They’re a guideline, not a mandate. And they serve a useful purpose. But there’s a problem, maybe two problems with them.
The first problem is that they reduce the surprise factor. I mean, if the gifts you unwrap are the ones you requested, it’s not super-surprising. Enjoyable, but not shocking.
But the second (real) problem is that the gifts on the list aren’t the ones we really want. Yes, we might desire those items, but the gifts that would truly satisfy and surprise us are seldom on the list. Gifts like:
- Deep and enduring joy
- Freedom from destructive habits
- Profound sense of purpose
- Life-giving relationships
- Healing from the wounds that cut to the soul
- The ability to accept ourselves for who God made us to be
You actually can put these on a Christmas list. But then give the list to the right person. Give it to God. Why not spend a little time “wishing” for these things (a.k.a. prayer) from your Heavenly Father? He is, after all, the giver of all good gifts.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)
You could use a prayer like this: “Heavenly Father, here are some things I could really, really use right now in my life…”
And as we discovered last Sunday in listening to Mary’s song (Magnificat),
He has filled the hungry with good things. (Luke 1:53)
I know it’s a busy season. But all the more reason to seek the gifts that we truly long for. We need those “good things” now more than ever.
-Pastor Mark
P.S. Keep leaning into the Advent Devotional. It’s a powerful, simple, daily way to make this a December that’s better than ever.
P.P.S. If you want a jump-start in 2018 for acquiring the kinds of gifts on the list above, let me encourage you to register for our next Rooted Experience which starts on January 16th. Details are here.
Living in faith, hope and Love 