It's what is on the inside that counts!

Mark 13:2“Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

I asked to give the sermon at my church this past weekend and it was a great experience. I want to share my take away message with those of you that read this blog :-)

The lectionary passage was Mark 13:1-8 and it just so happens I am in New Testament I class right now so I was able to use some of my learnings in the sermon. The author of Mark was a very blunt writer and didn't sugar coat Jesus' messages. That is evident in verse two above. There is no sentimental value to the building or the fact that it will be destroyed. I saw the temple when I was fortunate to visit Israel and it is a huge structure that is very impressive even now! 

As Jesus talks to the disciples according to the commentary by Matthew Henry he is more worried about their conscience vs. the date events are going to occur.

That is my take away as we start the Advent season and look to go shopping on black Friday. It isn't about the presents, the decorations, the "temple". It is about how you behave and prepare yourself for the New Kingdom. Whenever it comes!


P.S. Registration is open on-line for the Winter Youth Retreat January 25-27th! 

Thanks - I think!

Psalm 100:4 (RSV) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name!

My brain again is scattered in many different directions. I seem to thrive on that though and like having many things going on. I do seem to have a hard time quieting my mind. Right now I am feeling guilty because I see all these posts on FaceBook and Pinterest dealing with what people are thankful for as we get closer and closer to Thanksgiving and my list seems to be pretty standard and boring. Sorry to my family and friends - I am thankful for you, but the idea of being thankful for you is boring to me. Those are two different things! Anyway, I did some research on the internet I want to share what I found some other people are thankful for and I realized I am too!

http://meanttobehappy.com/49-unconventional-things-i%E2%80%99m-grateful-for-that-i-bet-are-not-on-your-list/

http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/tp/ThankfulList.htm

http://www.thefreedomexperiment.com/2012/01/09/48-things-to-be-grateful-for-when-you-need-to-shift-your-focus/

There are a lot of pages on the internet and these are just a few and just these three helped me to realize how much is not boring about my life and what I am thankful and grateful for :-)

I would be interested to know what you are thankful for!