God’s Trust
Sunday Sermon
Rev. Patricia Ireland, First Presbyterian Church, Cottonwood Falls
Friday, February 25, 2011
In God we trust. We print it on our money. We protest when someone one suggests that perhaps that is inappropriate. The irony is that our money is usually about the last thing we are willing to entrust to God.
Still, we know deep down when all else fails, God will be there. God’s love in Jesus remains with us and calls us into God’s love and care.
It is just so sad, that so many folks wait until all else fails to turn and recognize “God with them.” When the Bible says we were made in God’s image, it is a explaining that deep desire we have to grasp that which is beyond us. It was St. Augustine who wrote in his Confessions, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee.”
Roger Nishioka writes about elephant seals in Argentina. The mother seals all come ashore to give birth to their babies. Then famished they leave the pups on the shore and to feed in the rich waters off the coast. After feeding, the mother returns to a different part of the beach and begins to call for her baby. Other mother’s have done the same, and all return at a similar time. How can one mother and one pup be united in all that turmoil? It is a miracle of grace that among all that noise and smell, a mother and pup, following each other’s call and scent, can find one another. At the moment of birth each is imprinted with the other’s voice and scent.
That is how God is. We are imprinted with the memory of God and our hearts are restless until they find their way home. Like those newborn pups, we are here in worship this morning, not because we are searching but because we have been sought, called, summoned. You are here because God has reached in, grabbed you, put you here. God has enticed, wooed and allured you here. So Christianity is not so much a religion of discovery as it is a religion of revelation. The long search is over. You have been found. This is the good news.
Our task is to trust in the God who has gathered us. But it really isn’t all that simple is it. We may have different understandings of how God wants us to be in community, or what God wants us do as community. Those are issues of discernment -- a fancy word for “follow me.” The problem is that in order to follow we have to hear. In order to hear we have to listen. In order to listen, we have to be still.
Now we are getting to the heart of discernment.
There are so many voices claiming to know God’s will. There are even more voices telling us to be afraid. There are even voices proposing salvation in power or stuff, or even magic. The challenge is to hear God’s voice within the din!
Moses taught you can judge a prophet by their acts. Jesus said, “by their fruits you will know them.” To discern God’s leading we have to look at the person and the actions that are behind the voice. If that life and those actions are consistent with the God of love and justice revealed in scripture, then we too should follow. If they are not, then we must continue to listen for God’s voice among all the others.
This morning this congregation installs elders in whom they have seen, not only a willingness to serve but a heart for God and a willingness to listen for and follow God’s desires for this congregation. We pray for and with them as we prepare to follow the Spirit into the Kingdom of God.
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
Actually the motto of this country was "E Pluribus Unum," meaning "From Many, There is One", until 1953 when Eisenhower made the change official. The words "under God" weren't officially added to the Pledge of Allegiance until 1954, under the same President, who, by the way, was a Jehovah's Witness until he became a communicated as a Presbyterian in 1953.
Isn't history interesting??
Matt
February 25, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Very true, Matt. Sometimes Christians forget that they (mankind) have altered things in the past. Then they act like it was always that way and god will be mad if we ever change it again. In reality, they have no idea if there is a god let alone what he might want.
"Still, we know deep down when all else fails, God will be there." Please explain how you "know" this to be true. This seems kind of like how kids "know" there is a Santa Claus… Stupid kids…
"How can one mother and one pup be united in all that turmoil?" You said it yourself, through sound and scent. What does that have to do with god? Adapting to such tumultuous environments, over the course of many years, the creatures evolved to possess those skills.
"The challenge is to hear God’s voice within the din!" And how exactly does one do this? How do you "know" which voice if the voice of god? It seems like you're just guessing and making it up as you go along. The voice within my din tells me to drink beer on Sundays instead of go to church. Thanks, god! He must like me better to not require my time and money every Sunday.
'enry
How long until these comments are removed? The Walkers hate blasphemous comments on their church newsletter.
February 25, 2011 at 2:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
Henry, you said;
""It seems like you're just guessing and making it up as you go along""
You hit the nail on the head! I have always thought that a lot of those who preach the word, just spew it out and the sheep believe it, pass the plate
February 25, 2011 at 2:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ubet (anonymous) says...
Matt
President Eisenhower was raised as Johovah Witness by his parents. That you have right. He left that cult when he went into the service just as his brothers did not live their lives as witness's.
February 25, 2011 at 2:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...
1 Corinthians 14:34
February 25, 2011 at 3:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Chevy_Guy,
What's that? Some kind of rock band like "Blink 182" or "Seven Mary Three" or something?
Oh, you must be referencing some random line in a fictional book. How about this one...
Page 45 - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Line 27
That's gotta mean something...
'enry
February 25, 2011 at 4:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Chevy_guy,
More worlds to live by from your favorite storybook:
http://home.earthlink.net/~owl233/bib...
'enry
February 25, 2011 at 4:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...
'enry,
I believe you're confused. You didn't even look up that passage, did you? I was giving the author some words to live by from her favorite storybook.
'evy_guy
February 25, 2011 at 5 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Oh Boy, here we go with the religion and the bible thing, yet again !
Faith is faith and you don' t have to believe in a book to have Faith !
Oh man, Chevy_Guy, your recent reference to 1 Corinthians 14:34, should make the women of religion and faith a little angery !
Yup, " HERE WE GO " !
February 25, 2011 at 5:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
The church is controlled by satin. People were created by space aliens to be slaves and mine gold for the space people.
http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sum...
February 26, 2011 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I love it when it gets this way. I clap my hands and do the Hawaiian War Dance in rememberance of all the fraudulent and despicable things those damned missionaries did to the Hawaiian Islands, all in the name of "God." They ruined those islands forever, robbed the people of their lands and cultural practices, and took political control by marrying into the monarchy. Yeah, God helps those who help themselves and those missionaries did help themselves -- to everything.
February 26, 2011 at 11:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Stock up on arsenic too. You never know when strangers may invite themselves to our diner table. :-)
February 26, 2011 at 12:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
Ubet,
You are correct sir, good catch, thank you.
I believe that a lot of the political pressuring to formally add "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance and make "In God We Trust" the new official motto of the US had a lot to do with trying to differentiate us from the Godless Communists.
The reason people protest "In God We Trust" is because it was NEVER designed to be that way. Worship whatever you want, so long as it doesn't impact my right to life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness.
Matt
P.S.-- If you want religion in your life, then it's your responsibility to put it there, not the Government's.
February 26, 2011 at 1:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
And whenever government tries to put religion into our lives it is our responsibility to stomp it, scrape it up and feed it to the hogs.
February 26, 2011 at 1:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flyboy32 (anonymous) says...
I'll pray for you Henry and Flush
February 26, 2011 at 4:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Please view You Tube Elvis Presely Amazing Grace. Nearly 14 million views.
February 26, 2011 at 5:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Please view You Tube 2011 Super Bowl XLV Declaration of Independence.
February 26, 2011 at 6:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
flyboy32,
I'll pray for you too...to Satan! How you like that? Waste your time however you see fit, but don't you think god already knows about me? Do you really need to point it out to him?
'enry
February 26, 2011 at 7:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JJ2014 (anonymous) says...
The full EISENHOWER story links off the following websites.
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The following website summarizes over 900 court cases and lawsuits affecting children of Jehovah's Witness Parents, including 400 cases where the JW Parents refused to consent to life-saving blood transfusions for their dying children, as well as nearly 400 CRIMINAL cases -- most involving MURDERS:
DIVORCE, BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS, AND OTHER LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
jwdivorces.bravehost.com
The following website summarizes over 500 lawsuits filed by Jehovah's Witnesses against their Employers, incidents involving problem JW Employees, and other secret JW "history" court cases:
EMPLOYMENT ISSUES UNIQUE TO JEHOVAH'S WITNESS EMPLOYEES
jwemployees.bravehost.com
February 26, 2011 at 7:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flyboy32 (anonymous) says...
I'll pray for your salvation my friend.
February 26, 2011 at 8:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Hot Dry Sweltering Heat Blown from Furnaces Fueled by Fear Blow their Freighting Freakish Foul Fumes Fermenting Foul Play Forever as the Faithful Feel Free to Frolic Forever in the Freedom Forged in Fire Fortified with Friendship Founded in the Forsaken Promise made by a Friend who Faithfully Forwarded to all the Faithful Forgiveness Forever Free of Fee with the words "I AM THAT I AM" donotdenymeforiaamthatiamoriwillbewhatwilbe.
February 26, 2011 at 8:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
create, you said in the "name of God" and then you also stated that the missionaires were only helping themselves so TRUE, wasn't God but under the use of his name which was false. God didn't do it, humans did. See, God gave each one of us a brain and the freedom to use that brain even if we choose to use it in a "ungodly like" manner, such as henry. God shouldn't be held accountable for those actions
because we are ADULTS.
flyboy32, you will find in time as most of us have, that to get into a debate with henry is totally useless, so therefore don't read 99.9% of what he writes. Each time I get suckered in I always endup saying "why try"? (then let him rant as another poster.) Henry just likes to rant and see what he can write, makes him feel "big" but in the eyes of most posters he is VERY small and VERY rude. He needs to sit back and then read the trash he post and then ask, "who is preaching"? (his beliefs) which most of us don't usally doing baseing it on religion. Henry just about always has something to say concerning religion and many times doesn't even fit the topic.
February 26, 2011 at 9:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Meth, in reference to Chevy_Guy posting, please go to 1 Corinthians 11:4/5. As in anything, if you take it out of context will fail to get its true meaning.
February 27, 2011 at 6:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...
Nice try sandman. 1 Corinthians 11:4/5 says "Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. "
This has nothing to do with 1 Corinthians 14:34, which says "Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. "
When something is taken out of context, that means you omit relevant information from a sentence or paragraph to change the meaning of that sentence. Going back 3 chapters and finding a couple sentences that have nothing do do with what I was talking about is "taking things out of context."
February 27, 2011 at 9:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...
Deuteronomy 22:23-24
This is fun.
February 27, 2011 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...
Proverbs 14:15
February 27, 2011 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
sandman,
I didn't say God needs to be held accountable for what the missionaries did. I thought I made it clear that the missionaries themselves are to blame for all the wrongdoing. Are we on the same page here? Perhaps I misunderstood you.
When the missionaries arrived, the people of Hawaii were polytheistic. They also believed strongly in myths and legends and they believed in the powers of the natural world.
Along came the missionaries who convinced them that this being of theirs was the one and only deity. It cost lives, land holdings, and split families forever. As we all know, the same treatment was given the Native Americans by those on missions to "save the savages." It's all a crock!
February 27, 2011 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Oh boy, like I said, " Here we go " again !
Here is my question to all of those who are arguing religion, faith and beliefs here !
Do you or should anyone take every thing in a bible, holy book, scripture, preaching or prophecy, " Literally or Figuratively " ?
After all aren' t the ones who take supposed holy scripture, preaching or holy prophecy too " Literally " more likely to be thought of, looked at and labeled as " Holy or Religious " extremists, such as muslims, Hindi, Hasidic Jews, etc. ?
I do so hate it, when people fall back to quoting scriipture or referring to scripture as the final, correct and absolutely last word as to how one " MUST " live their lives, instead of a guideline, suggetive reference as to how on should live their lives ! Make no mistake, every word of scripture is a suggestive reference as to how man should live his life and what the consequences " May " be for not making the right decision, not necessarily the scriptural decision !!
But the final decision of man, as to how he lives his life how he treats his fellow man, is still entirely up to the individual man or woman ... otherwise, why would man and woman , have been given a brain, with which to think, reason and the capability to decide for himself ???
Just a little food for thought and quite possibly a " STIR " of the pot !
JMO
February 27, 2011 at 10:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
God has nothing to do with religion. That's what the church is for.
February 27, 2011 at 12:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Please You Tube Paul Washer project.
February 27, 2011 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Chevy_Guy, Yep, taken out of context!!!!!! Please go back and read Proverbs14:14/16. Also, I was very correct for you need to read what you posted first concerning women and then read what I posted: "Woman who PRAYS OR PROPHESIES, oops, not quiet!!!!
February 27, 2011 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Chevy_Guy, in reference to your first posting, please go to Galatians 3:38, should answer your question.
February 27, 2011 at 1:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
REWBA, and what is a church??
February 27, 2011 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Meth, I so agree with you, a guideline for our lives for as I said before, we each were given a brain to use and to make that decision. Just as we have laws today, the bible was setup to "guide" and give us a foundation.
February 27, 2011 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
create, no problem here concerning page for if you will reread what I wrote believe it says "in the name of God", did you read???(just as you stated) But as we both are aware, many times the unspoken word can be just as strong or stronger then the spoken. Yes, you were blaming the missionaires but they were also representing God or "in the name of God". And no, it is not a crock which by Webster: crock- 'An earthenware pot or jar.'
What you state is a half truth. Yes, we came here for freedom of religion (all faiths) but the killing of indians and white man was not over religion but land.Will not get into a discussion concerning that. What I do believe that you,henry and Chevy_guy can believe how you want and I will I, for it WILL all come out in the wash.
February 27, 2011 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I'm not going to argue anymore except to say that introducing religion to the Native Americans began long before Puritans and pilgrims arrived. It began in post-Columbian times with the Spanish colonization of the Americas. "...the policy of Indian Reductions resulted in forced conversions of the indigenous people in northern Nuevo España from their long practiced spiritual and religious traditions and theological beliefs." This was in the 1400's and 1500's. English settlers arrived much later.
February 27, 2011 at 2:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
create, agreed on all counts with your last post. But we traditionally think of settling of this land with the English pilgrims even though it had had earlier habitats.but not by the numbers of the pilgirms. Those early habitats procreated with the indians therefore giving us the blood lines of today. Yes! genealogy(history) is so very interesting!!! AND informing.
February 27, 2011 at 3:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
sandman, A church is an individual or group of individuals with a strong desire to influence the masses.
February 27, 2011 at 4:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
And further, after Paul instructs the order of a congregational teaching session in the church to be conducted only by men, as the structure God set up puts men as more accountable to Him in that than women: 1 Corinthians 14:36 Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.
The Bible is the final authority and God makes it very clear that those who don't acknowledge Him as such will not be rewarded in amy way, but will have their desires of self-rule fulfilled in hell (eternal separation from Him and all things good because those come from Him).
There, now this thread can be removed, because the Walkers obviously have no problem with heresies being posted on their website, but I can guarantee they have a problem with defending the truth of the Gospel. Jesus encountered that during His ministry here too.
John 7:33 Therefore Jesus said, "For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me.
34 You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come."
February 27, 2011 at 4:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
oh4theluvof , has spoken !
So everyone shutup and burn this thread !!!!
February 27, 2011 at 5:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
meth,
i don't understand this at all.
No one is going to change their minds.
No one will be converted, either way.
Why does the discussion of religion on here seem to bring out the worst in some of the posters?
February 27, 2011 at 5:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Jesus pointed out the wicked ways of the church so the church had Jesus killed.
Jesus despised the Pharisees because they upheld the letter of god's law without regard to the spirit in which it was given. For this, I would say that Jesus would have equal disdain for those who run around quoting scripture.
February 27, 2011 at 5:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
REWBA, you state: "Jesus despised the Pharisees because they upheld the letter of god's law WITHOUT REGARD TO THE SPIRIT IN WHICH IT WAS GIVEN." It was given, by God, in love and concern but many of the Pharisees did not repeat HOW it was given and that brought anger from the Lord. Just as an earthly father (hopefully) would treat his child with love and concern, so did our heavenly father.
February 27, 2011 at 8:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
Amen 04
February 27, 2011 at 8:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
One thing is certain, I bet this is the last time a religious thread is left open to comment on.
February 27, 2011 at 10:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Steve,
I don' t have an answer ! I certainly wish that a discussion on the Gazette forums could be discussed without someone always bringing religion into the discussions and just let everyone believe the way they wish to believe !
This is the last time I am going to make any comment about religion, faith, a scriptural book, that is just a book !!!
And I certainly hope that everyone else keeps their religious and faith preferences to themselves and stop trying to force everyone else into believing their particular way !!
February 27, 2011 at 11:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Meth, I truly agree with you and do not appreciate looking like a religious nut. BUT, in knowing me, will not sit back while my belief is being ripped apart. As I have stated, we as adults have the right to base our life however we so choose. Isn't that where freedom of relgion comes in and you have the right to read or not?
What thread was it started in objection?
I don't believe the debate was done to force everyone into ones belief but a difference of opinion and understanding. At least that was my objective.
February 28, 2011 at 3:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...
"Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest."
-Denis Diderot
February 28, 2011 at 2:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )