The Parable of 'God Doesn't Nag' by Erin Kirkland

For the record, I did not come up with that title. Tom Letts did as he was trying to help those of us gathered at last night's 7:07 service understand the Parable of the Sower, which doesn't sound nearly as compelling as the Parable of God Doesn't Nag, but, whatever.

In two weeks of diving into the inner workings of Jesus' methods of reaching the curious crowds, I am amazed at his ability to tell us what we need to hear in a way that makes us in charge of our own selves. In fact, the whole parable repeats the importance of recognizing what Jesus is trying to say about God's desire for relationship with us, the independent masses who always think we can do things ourselves.

We learned the purpose of a parable is to make us stay when everyone else leaves, and ask questions. Jesus doesn't give us the answer on purpose, knowing that if we want a relationship of deep intimacy with God, it is we who need to take the first step toward Him. Thus the "nag" part. If I don't nag my son to get ready in the morning, who ultimately wins once he figures out going to school without breakfast, or in his PJ's, isn't so fun? I'll wait it out. God will, too.

God tells us what we should do, based upon obedience and authority, as we learned in the morning service. But He doesn't make us do it, because of our own brokenness. We decide when we shall come to Him from rocky ground, in turmoil, finally realizing that asking questions when scattered blindly across the stones is the only way toward true understanding. It is our choice entirely to get up and walk away from the rocky ground, to sit somewhere else and listen, then ask How and What instead of Why.

Interesting last night when we were encouraged to ask questions of the parable, silence reigned for more than a few moments. Were we afraid?

Stay. Ask. God will wait for you to show up. In fact, He really, really wants you to. No need to be afraid.

Get Hooked and Filled!

This Sunday, August 29th, is Trinity's Annual Fall Kick-Off!

The theme this year is "Fish for Life: Get Hooked and Filled!"

Come to Trinity on Sunday to find all the ways you can get Filled Up throughout the year.

Tons of cool information, activities, snacks and cake will be here following the 10:30am Worship Service. Make sure to check out all the booths!

See you Sunday!

30-Minute Service This Sunday!

Don't forget this Sunday, August 15, is another 30-Minute Service at Trinity.

Show up for worship, as usual, dressed for action. After a short service, we'll all break up and disperse to our respective "filled-up/poured-out" activities.

Some people are going to the recycling center, others downtown to serve the homeless. Still others will be meeting new people and taking them to lunch. Whatever activity you choose, just remember to let us know about it.

You can leave a comment here, or at trinity@trinityalaska.org

Healing Misconceptions, by Tom Letts

Meeting your Neighbors

So, from the "there are two kinds of people 'church people' and 'not church people'" post earlier in the week (please read it now if you missed it) comes the follow-up: How do we express the beauty, power and reality of the encounter we have had with Christ to a largely ignorant, apathetic and hostile neighborhood?
I'm going to start with two observations and then ask each of us to practice them next week. Ready? In Luke chapter 10, Jesus sends out 72 followers in twos into communities that were ignorant, apathetic or hostile toward this new community of faith. He sends them: to live among the residents (even in their homes), to teach and heal, and to proclaim the blessing of 'peace' upon the town.
1st observation: Jesus sends them 2-by-2. Say what you like but I believe that the reason for this was so that the people of these villages could see the unique quality of the relationship between the 'two.' I used to tell our volunteer youth staff, 'The students will watch how you love each other and then how that love overflows onto them. This is your testimony, to love each other in ways they don't see at home or school.'
2nd observation: Jesus sends them to offer the blessing of peace to a world that knew no peace. He sent them to teach and heal. But he sent them to do this all in real relationship to the people of the villages, 'Stay in one home, do not move about. Eat whatever they offer.'
So that's it. Jesus' followers faced a lot of what we face. Jesus' response? Go out in twos and build relationships based on offering blessing, healing and teaching.
On Sunday the 15th we are going to practice this very thing. This will be the third time we meet for 30 minutes of worship (10:30-11:00) and then go out 'in twos' (groups of two or more) to serve in our community.
Sign up this week for a ministry or talk to a friend or two and figure out something on your own. Another option would be to call a 'not church person' friend and take them out to lunch (or a walk, or...) with some of your coolest 'church' friends. That's all.
Feel free to contact me at any time tletts@trinityalaska.org I'll post comments from there in the next blog if you like.

Peace, tl