What Do I Do About Gifts I Don’t Want?
God gives me gifts that I don’t want. One of these is desperation. Desperation doesn’t seem like a gift. It is uncomfortable and causes pain and chaos in my life. It arises from my own self will, my desire to be in control.
The state of desperation is God’s way of asking, “How is that working for you?” It inspires me to look for other solutions. To ask for God’s help; to ask what God’s will for me is.
In comfort, I do nothing; there is no change and no growth. God’s will is for me to grow, and only discomfort will motivate me to do so. Even though desperation is not something I want, God knows it is something I need.
Thanks be to God for the gifts I don’t want but really need.
– Joe Herman, Chair of Elders
Paul’s Encounter with Grace
Paul, who was instrumental in carrying the good news of Jesus to the Gentile (non-Jewish) world, never failed to be amazed by the fact that God called him to be a witness to the risen Christ.
Before his encounter on the road to Damascus, Paul (known at that time as “Saul”), a Pharisee and an educated Jew, thought he was doing what was right by persecuting the early Christians…and he was very effective in his mission. Yet, God determined that this influential man could be even more effective in the important work of sharing the good news of a living, loving God with all people, not just the Jews.
Can you imagine what a major shift this must have been for Paul?
I don’t know of any among us who has ever had such a jolting turn-about in our lives, but I know a good many of us have experienced God’s amazing grace
- by enabling us to forgive others when we thought we couldn’t,
- by helping us make major life changes when such changes seemed impossible,
- by giving us the strength to be a blessing to others when we couldn’t imagine doing such a thing on our own, or
- by surviving through tough times and still having enough to share when we weren’t sure we had enough for ourselves.
Is it any wonder that the gospel Jesus brought is called the “good news?’ It is amazing grace, indeed!
October Scripture
Liturgical Color is Green
October 4 – World Communion Sunday
Exodus 20:1‑4, 7‑9, 12‑20
Psalm 19
Isaiah 5:1‑7
Psalm 80:7‑15
Philippians 3:4b‑14
Matthew 21:33‑46
October 11
Exodus 32:1‑14
Psalm 106:1‑6, 19‑23
Isaiah 25:1‑9
Psalm 23
Philippians 4:1‑9
Matthew 22:1‑14
October 18
Exodus 33:12‑23
Psalm 99
Isaiah 45:1‑7
Psalm 96:1‑9, (10‑13)
1 Thessalonians 1:1‑10
Matthew 22:15‑22
October 25
Deuteronomy 34:1‑12
Psalm 90:1‑6, 13‑17
Leviticus 19:1‑2, 15‑18
Psalm 1
1 Thessalonians 2:1‑8
Matthew 22:34‑46
