Temptation
January 5, 2012 | Posted by Doug
"Jesus.... was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil." -Luke 4:1-2
Reading: Luke 4:1-13
Why is temptation so…. tempting? The things the devil invites Jesus to consider are good. Turn stones into bread, gain and use political power, prove to people the power of God. We are most tempted around our strength, not our weakness. How are you being tempted? How do we resist temptation? Jesus responded to the devil out of a combination of Spirit and Word. He is able to see through the superficial to the deeper truth.
A New Self-Image
December 12, 2011 | Posted by Doug
"Do not be afraid.... you have found favor with God." -Luke 1:30
Reading: Luke 1:26-38
What if you could transform you self-image? That’s what happened to Mary. She couldn’t believe an angel of God was speaking to her saying things like: “Greetings favored one.” She looked around and then back at the angel and said, “Who are you talking to?” She was even suspicious of him. No one had ever said things like that to her. Who is this guy and what does he want from me? What he wanted was to help her to see herself as God sees her. “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God.” What if you could see yourself as God sees you?
Garden of Eden
October 4, 2011 | Posted by Doug
"They heard the sound of God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze...." -Genesis 3:8
Reading: Genesis 2-3
After reading the awesome story of creation on Sunday we move into the story of the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve had everything they needed. They lived in an abundant paradise. They had the choice to just enjoy that life, or to challenge God’s command to stay away from the fruit at the center of the garden. Of course, like any two year old would do when warned to stay away from the electric socket, they went to check it out. This whole episode dramatically changed their relationship with God. Now when God walked in the garden they hid themselves for they were ashamed. They began blaming each other. Life became a struggle. What does this story tell us about our relationship with God? About the source of joy in life? About the significance of the freedom to make mistakes? About the freedom to live in harmony with others, or to compete with them, even to injure them? Join us Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. for a creation conversation about Genesis 2-3 at 398 Oliver Place, Apt. 2E. You can call 917-669-5803 for details.
A New Song
August 10, 2011 | Posted by Doug
"Sing to God a new song!" -Psalm 3:3
Reading: Psalm 33
Old songs are fine, but here Psalm 33:3 invites us to sing a new one. God is doing a new thing. It’s new day! Things aren’t like they were. New possibilities are afoot, new opportunities abound! Let’s don’t get stuck in the past. What new thing is God doing in your life? What new possibilites are there that you weren’t aware of yesterday? Sing a new song to God!!
Light my Lamp
August 6, 2011 | Posted by Doug
"It is you who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness...(God is) a shield for all who take refuge... " -Psalm 18:28, 30
Reading: Psalm 18
Once again this Psalm has some real rough spots. David extols God for making “me head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me,As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me… This is the danger of mixing religion and nationalism and pride…. and “You made my enemies turn their backs to me… I beat them fine, like dust,cast them out like the mire of the streets… The challenge of reading through the Hebrew scriptures is to find the gems of wisdom in the midst of what can sometimes be violently nationalistic, ancient, traditional writing. There is some real beauty in the Psalms, given the context out of which it comes. This is also important historical background for understanding the ways Jesus has transformed the tradition.
Psalm 9
August 3, 2011 | Posted by Doug
"For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever." -Psalm 9:18
Reading: Psalm 8-10
I am deeply disturbed about the recent “compromise” between the Democrats and Republicans to increase the debt ceiling that includes massive cuts to social programs and no new taxes for the rich. At a time when the rich are reaching unprecedented wealth while the gap between rich and poor is growing rapidly, our so called leaders have said that the poor will pay the price of our debt. I will put my faith in God and in the words of the Psalmist: “The needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever. Rise up, O Lord! Do not let mortals prevail; let the nations be judged before you. Put them in fear, O Lord; let the nations know that they are only human. Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In arrogance the wicked persecute the poor - let them be caught in the schemes they have devised. ...Rise up O Lord: O God, lift up your hand, do not forget the oppressed
Protection from Enemies
August 2, 2011 | Posted by Doug
"O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge " -Psalm 7:1
Reading: Psalms 5-7
Reading a passage like: “All my enemies shall be ashamed and struck with terror; they shall turn back, and in a moment be put to shame” (Psalm 6:10) raises 3 ideas for me.
1. The writer is deeply afraid of enemies that are threatening his/her life. It’s hard for us to undersand sometimes the depth of fear that powerlessness and oppression can raise.
2. The Psalmist has found a God who will protect him/her in this perilous situation.
3. This passage helps me appreciate the radical challenge Jesus brings to the tradition of his people when he calls his followers to: “Love your enemies.”
PSALMS 2-4
July 31, 2011 | Posted by Doug
"Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord! You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound." -Psalm 4:6-7
Reading: Psalms 2-4
As we begin reading the Psalms together, please feel free to leave comments. Dialogue is a great way to move deeper into the Word.
Psalms 2-4 come out of a situation of a small and weak nation being beseiged by powerful empires. The Psalmist urges the people to find their peace in God. I connect with verses 6-8 of chapter 4. The gladness of God is even greater than the joy of a good meal. God alone can make me lie down in safety.
READING THE PSALMS IN 9 WEEKS (You may choose one Psalm for each day or read all that are listed)
Week 1 Sunday 1 Monday 2-4 Tuesday 5-7 Wednesday 8-10 Thurs.11-13 Friday 14-16 Sat 17-18
Many Gifts, One Spirit
July 10, 2011 | Posted by Doug
"There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. " -I Corinthians 12:4-7
Reading: I Corinthians 12:4-7
We each have unique gifts, they all come from the same Spirit and are all for the purpose of the common good. What is your gift and how are you using it for the common good? Come out Sunday, July 17 and hear how three New Day members are discovering and using their gifts.
Stories of Healing
April 26, 2011 | Posted by Doug
Reading: Mark 5
Join us for a study of healing, Mark 5