Pastor’s blog 10/20/10 The Pharisee and the tax collector
October 20, 2010
I have been thinking about the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector in Luke chapter 18. What a fascinating little story. Here we have the pharisee who we think of as a bad person today but in reality was a person who is looked up to by the jewish people congratulating himself on how devout a person he is. He is sooo glad he is better than all of the people of disreputable character like the tax collector who is standing near him in the temple. The tax collector as many of you may know is hated by the jewish people. He collected taxes by any means necessary often with the use of force and violence. Yet here he is affirmed by God because he realizes he is a sinful man. He knows that he falls short of being a good observant jew. Just a poor sinner in need of a savior. Interesting isn’t it that the esteemed religious leader falls short in God’s eyes yet the outcast tax collector does not. I guess that means that Jesus accepts us all, his only desire being that we realize we the sinful beings that we are need a savior’s love and forgiveness.
Pastor’s blog 10/11/10 kingdom conflict
October 11, 2010
I have a friend who enjoys conflict. He is one of those people who will say things to provoke a reaction and sometimes an intense discussion. He is a great guy and fun to be with but on occasion he feels some need to stir things up. I wonder why is that? Is it an old competitive streak or a way of communicating? I guess I really don’t know but I think about him once in a while. Conflict is always with us in some form isn’t it. Whether it be in our jobs, family life, interests in sports etc. there is often the potential for some type of disagreement. Our Christian life is no different as we come together on Sunday morning from many different backgrounds and religious experience. While we are sitting in church there are other things tugging away at us. Other things which we struggle with in life like jobs, relationships, kids, hobbies, families to name a few. These are all important parts of our lives just how do we make it all work? There is a simple answer “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind..” How easy to say and how hard to cary out the call of Jesus to put him first. Yet that is what this Christian walk is all about. You and I spend our Christian lives struggling to keep our Lord first and foremost in our lives. This struggle is a journey not a destination. We will never fully be able to accomplish this task. What we can do is live faithfully and ask for God’s help often. Jesus loves us a great deal my friends, he will guide us, carry us, seek us throughout our journey. Embrace this journey with Jesus he will guide and bless you along life’s way.
