Pastor’s Ponderings

Seeking What is Good

a summary of sermon on Colossians 3:1-17, using Micah 6:6-8 and Luke 10:38-42 as additional passages. What are you seeking? People seek all different types and sorts of things, feelings and experiences. We have spiritual seeking of simplicity, joy and peace. We seek more money, better employment and other mundane matters. People seek items on Ebay. Others seek my help in building farms and fighting the mafia on their facebook games---I have no idea what that is about. All types of people seek many different types of things. Today, we read the story of Martha and Mary, one working, one worshipping. Martha begs Jesus, "Tell her to help me". But Jesus sees that worship should not be forsaken in the midst of pressing work. Ultimately, Martha doing her work as a worship experience would be the best combination. We worship God...and then we stay close to God in our daily responsibilities, whether that be workplace, daily chores, or other commitments that we make. In Paul's Letter to the Colossians, he writes to his readers about what they should seek. 3:1-4, seek Heaven, not earth. 3:5-8, seek Good, not evil. 3:9-11, seek new life, not old life. What is the new life that we are to seek? Christ's life. This includes, a life of character, forgiveness, love, peace (as a body), gratitude and praise through song. Let us be people who seek God. For God is good. And God has filled the earth with his goodness. By seeking what is good, we can pursue a thousand lifetimes of experiences and endeavors. Seek good. Seek God.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1026645512205061672-7141147988488073294?l=ponderingparadox.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>
Read more...

Not My King

Yes, I am a minister. Yes, I teach a college course on our CIVIL society. But if Lebron James stands up tonight in his made for tv announcement, and embarrasses the fans of Cleveland, then what little respect I have for him now will be completely gone. And it will not come back. Shame on him. The only way this thing works tonight is if it turns into a celebration of Cleveland. Otherwise it is empty and far worse, harmful and hurtful. Someone good enough to earn millions of dollars should have the sense not to be so hurtful. I'm glad I serve a good King.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1026645512205061672-1886400192593521515?l=ponderingparadox.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>
Read more...

Christ is Supreme

II Kings 2:1-18, Luke 9:52-61, Colossians 1:15-23 The second in a summer sermon series on Paul's Letter to the Colossians. You know the situation. --The moral ambiguity of the surrounding culture --Competing Voices for the allegiance of the people --Questionable leadership, if not downright bad and evil leadership --Cries of injustice raised by citizens --Uncertainty and fear among citizens --Military extending its power over civilians --High tension with bordering nations --Religious Establishment compromising its authenticity, ethics and spiritual life --There is a major leadership change about to occur. I am not talking about modern American society when I describe this situation, but rather, the life of the nation of Israel during the 840’s…BC. In Scripture, Elijah was called THE Man of God. Emphasis on THE. But his ministry is coming to an end, and his successor had already been named. Elisha. The problem was Elisha was young and inexperienced, and the people weren’t quite sure that they wanted him being the head prophet. But Elisha embodied Elijah’s lifestyle and message. They both affirmed that there was only One God, the LORD. They both confronted kings and religious leaders with their fiery temperaments. They both performed miracles to an unbelieving nation. They both appoint new kings. They both suffer rejection and rejection. They both have a deep reverence for history, especially God’s story. And at times, they both felt alone as they set out to do God’s will. And as the world around them worshipped the god Baal, the storm God, it is Elijah who is taken up to heaven by the Almighty, who uses the storms for his purposes. Before Elijah goes up Elisha asks for double his power. After Elijah is lifted away (there is legend that Elijah never dies),, and Elisha is angry about it, so angry that he asks: Where is God now?, he strikes the water with the cloak, just like his predecessor had done, and the waters part, just like they did for Elijah. With Elisha taking over, The people receive continuity, a fresh water in times of uncertainty. The people have a spiritual leader, in times when earthly powers were colliding. The people are invited to the same relationship with the One True God. And after 800 years of history for Israel, with its constant ups and downs, God comes to earth. Jesus is born, grows up, and is ordained to public ministry. The Son of God witnesses to the truth, speaking to a rapidly changing culture with its moral ambiguity, competing voices, Questionable leadership, if not downright bad and evil leadership, Cries of injustice, Uncertainty and fear, Military powers, High tension and Compromised Religious Establishment. And just like the unpopular Elijah and Elisha, who in the midst of all of that chaos demanded the people stay true to the One God, so does Jesus. He has some shocking and seemingly harsh words. Like cold water they shock the body. Like unexpected news, they shake the comfortable Like a front page headline, they challenge the status quo. But also, Like a nutrition bar, they energize the body. Like life changing news, they stir the soul. Jesus looks at excuses. He stares at them, deeply. And then he answers them by putting them in their place. Ironically, the third interaction resembles when Elijah met a young, up and coming prophet named Elisha. Elijah calls him to follow. Elisha requests “First let me go and kiss my family goodbye”. Fred Craddock writes “the radicality of Jesus’ words lies in his claim to priority over the best, not the worst, of human relationships. The remarkable thing is that those who have done so have been freed from possession and worship of family and have found the distance necessary to love them.” The words of Jesus are hard. But all good things are worth sacrifice. And the best things are worth the greatest sacrifices. This brings us to Paul, writing to the church in Colosse. This week’s portion of the letter brings us face to face with that Jesus. Paul, writing 20-30 years after the death and resurrection of Christ, has time to place him in his historical importance. Teaching the Colossians, Jesus is… • An image of the invisible God • The firstborn of all creation • The creator of all things (in heaven, earth, visible, invisible, thrones, powers, authorities) • The One who IS before all things • The One who holds all things together. • Head of the body, the church • The beginning and firstborn from the dead • The supreme One • The fullness of God in human flesh • The reconciler of all things (earth, heaven, by making peace, through blood on the cross) Christ is Supreme. He is the reality of the changing world, with its moral ambiguity, competing voices, Questionable leadership, if not downright bad and evil leadership, Cries of injustice, Uncertainty and fear, Military powers, High tension and Compromised Religious Establishment. He is the one, and there really is no other. So like Elisha, we have a message to preach regardless of how it is received. Like the people who approached Jesus, we have to hear what is really important and follow, and not look back. Like the Colossians, we have to remember the story… We were alienated from God. We were enemies with God because we were evil. We have been reconciled to God by Christ and his physical death and resurrection We are now holy in his sight, without blemish, free from accusation….IF IF we continue in faith, IF we are not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. The gospel has been proclaimed to every creature in heaven and earth. Are you looking back? Or are you looking to Jesus Christ, the Supreme One.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1026645512205061672-5271472517418293956?l=ponderingparadox.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>
Read more...

We'll Sing in the Sunshine

Yes you can sing in the sunshine You can laugh everyday You can sing in the sunshine And you can find your way --Gale Garnett The scene was the beautiful Woolverton Inn, in Stockton NJ. The event: Stockton Elementary School Graduation. Congratulations to our four graduates as they continue their studies at South Hunterdon High School. As part of the quaint celebration, the teachers, board of Ed, PTO, Parents of Graduates, Students and finally all gathered, each sing a verse of an adaptation of "We'll Sing in the Sunshine". To sit together with the beautiful grounds around us, for a common purpose, howling this good old song, was quite a beautiful experience. I'm proud to be a part of the Stockton Elementary School community.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1026645512205061672-7910188525966074992?l=ponderingparadox.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>
Read more...

Wednesday Worship in July

One of the most beautiful spots in all the world is located a mile from our house: the riverview at the Wing Dam, at Prallsville Mills. Each Wednesday in July, we will gather at 7:30 at the river view for Wednesday Worship: Down By the Riverside. The worship service will be an informal and brief service that allows us to connect with God our Creator. If traveling by car, you can take route 29 north past the town of Stockton, and you will see a "Prallsville Mills, Stockton Visitor Center" parking lot on your left. If you are walking the towpath from town, turn left right past the new Prallsville Mill Office. If it is raining, don't come...or at least don't come looking for a service. Unofficially, I would encourage you never to be afraid of getting a little wet. Officially, we will not have a service if raining. peace.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1026645512205061672-5361563441511377556?l=ponderingparadox.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>
Read more...

Stockton Presbyterian Church