Speaking The Unspeakable

We know what Jesus taught about praying for our enemies and turning the other cheek so we find it hard to know what to do with the prayers of vengence (Imprecatory Psalms). What did you think as you learned it was okay to pray that way?

We learned the psalms of vengence help us pray more fully and authentically in the following ways: (1) We learn to be more honest with God; (2) We learn to pray in solidarity with victims of injustice; (3) We pray against God's enemies; (4) We surrender our vengeful desires; (5) We open our hearts more fully to to God's transforming power; (6) We experience the grace of the cross. Which of these points resonates with you? Why?

Interesting Links

The Garden Tomb - Interesting site about possible burial place of Jesus

http://www.gardentomb.com/information.php

Funeral Planning

http://www.funeralplan.com/index.html

A Blog I Enjoy

I have a list of blogs I read daily and another weekly. One I always take time to read weekly or more if necessary, is the Evangelical Outpost. The author of the blog is a thought provoking writer and commentator. Check out the blog at: http://evangelicaloutpost.com/

Facedown

Here are some questions upon which you can reflect and in light of Sunday's sermon.

1. Do you desire a more causual or reverent style of worship? If so, which service do you
attend? What, in your opinion would make it more reverent?

2. Have you ever bowed facedown before God? Are you willing to do so? Why or why not?

3. What one thought from Sunday's message did you take away from worship?

4. What other comments or questions would you like to offer?

(It has been gentley pointed out to me that I need to be aware that some because of physical limitations cannot bow down. I am grateful for that reminder. I apologize for not being more sensitive to that. Physically bowing down is not really the issue, it is attitude of the heart. You know and God knows when in your heart you are bowed down.)

March 12 message: Hey God

I hope Sunday's message, "Hey God" helped you better understand how to pray the way God wants us to. Isn't it amazing God wants us to actually express any need we have any way we want? Just to remind you, we are to ask: simply, repeatedly, and boldly just like King David did. What was your "take away" from the message? What new thing did you learn about prayer? How did you feel as you thought about yourself praying that way? Share your thoughts with us. Leave your comments for us to ponder.

Sunday's Sermon: No Holds Barred

In Sunday's sermon we learn that God invites us to authentic prayer. We are invited to come before God boldly (Hebrews 4:14-16). "Boldly" literally means, with full freedom of speech. That implies we are free to say pretty much anything we want when we pray. We also talked about some of the reasons why we hold back from speaking freely to God. Those reasons included: sin, an inaccurage/incomplete understanding of God and what we have seen modeled or taught.

I would be interested in knowing what you thought and felt as you listen and learned. Were you suprised to learn it was acceptable to talk to God openly and honestly? Does it excite you or make you feel uncomfortable to think about praying the way the Psalmist prayed?

Tell us what you learned, what you felt and what you are going to do. Your thoughts may be a great help to someone else.

Will