For the past few weeks I have been having a great time gathering materials for my messages. However, like so many other weeks there is so much good stuff and only tome for a little bit of conversation. So, for the first post in a long time I am going to give a little outline of the message and some of the additional resources that I mention in the message as well as some others that I have been liking while researching and studying this week or while I have been prepping for the message.
We will see how it goes or what it feels like. This week seems like a good fit because I feel like I have a story welling inside and I struggle at times with the best way to get it out. This might be a way to get some of the floodgates opened up.
So, this past weekend my congregation continued a series called Ordinary time. It is following the Lectionary and we are trying to lean into the time in the church year that is from the Sunday after Pentecost to the beginning of advent. It is a long period that we are not getting ready for Christmas or Easter. We are using an amazing book by author and pastor Erik Willits. Check it out from his website right here.
This is the 4th week in the series that will take us through the summer
The scripture readings for this weekend were: 1 Samuel 17:1, 4-11, 19, 32-49; Psalm 9:9-20; 2 Cor 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41
Ordinary Time: Story Message Outline
We are called to be Spiritual Biographers. We write (through our words, deeds and ideas) about the why God interactions with creation. We share the grace and heartache of humanity. The reality is that the story we are writing is the only Good News (gospel) others will be reading.
Ordinary time gives us an opportunity to get our story straight and prepare to write the next chapter.
The lectionary reading give us 2 guides this week 1. David and Paul. From them we learn 3 critical things that a good spiritual biographer does.
- Know your story–Before Goliath David has a history of protecting the the sheep from predators. He also knew that God was with him and he was anointed to do great things. In knowing his story, he was able to step-up to Goliath when no one else would.
- Set up camp in the discomfort zone–Standing before a giant David chose sling and stone over sword and shield. He knew it was going to be risky, but he was confidently entering into unknown territory and setting up camp. Paul understood what it was to be uncomfortable for the glory of God (see the 2 Cor reading). For both of these men setting up camp in the discomfort zone meant that they would be able to make history.
- Write the next chapter–we don’t stay in the discomfort zone forever. Either we are called to a new place or we face Goliath and that place is no longer uncomfortable. But we do tell the story. David kept Goliath’s sword as a reminder of the way God delivered him. Remembering and writing the next chapter in our spiritual biographies allows us to set way points along the trail of more fully trusting God.
Monday Moment–So what? Why does this matter
We are the only gospel some of our friends will ever read. What does your story say about God? Is it Good News? As Spiritual Biographers we want others to read our lives and know what God is all about. This week try this:
Make a list of the 5 people who you have the most contact with, and then:
- Pray for them that they may be blessed by God’s grace this week
- Look for an opportunity to get into the discomfort zone and share (a little bit more) of your story with them. This could be over lunch or coffee or just during a pause in your day. Have meaningful conversation to get to know one another more deeply.
- Write the next paragraph: promise to continue the conversation or offer to do it again. Write the story with your friends in it. Faith is a team sport.
Some resources I came across this week:
Tell Someone: You Can Share the Good News: check it out on amazon
David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants: Check it out on amazon
