Date: 10 Jun 2002
Time: 11:07:00

Comments

Welcome as you have been welcomed. Receive as you have been received. Love as you have been loved, by GOD in CHRIST.


Date: 16 Jun 2002
Time: 20:18:45

Comments

what is a prophet's reward?

kind of curious in Chicago


Date: 16 Jun 2002
Time: 20:19:34

Comments

How does a Protestant talk about rewards?

still kind of curious in Chicago


Date: 17 Jun 2002
Time: 13:06:00

Comments

see comment on Genesis passage page RevJanet in CNY


Date: 18 Jun 2002
Time: 13:25:04

Comments

The question of the prophet's reward intrigues me also. seems to me their rewards are negative. they are chased, stoned, etc. some reward!

AB in oklahoma


Date: 23 Jun 2002
Time: 12:48:05

Comments

This is sure short and sweet, isn't it? These are the toughest lessons to preach, the short ones!

Blessings, Eric in KS


Date: 23 Jun 2002
Time: 12:50:37

Comments

Perhaps the answer to the question of what might be a prophet's reward is found in the lesson from the letter to the Romans:

"But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom. 6:22-23)

Blessings, Eric in KS


Date: 24 Jun 2002
Time: 03:17:15

Comments

The sharing of the presence of Christ involves a prophetic ministry. Prophets are the ministers of the Word of God.The Word makes divine intervention into the status quo, disturbing the security, balance, and present status, of the organized self-system and/or organizational, historical, and cultural system at hand, and thus calls for transformation, reformation, and new birth. If one dares walk this glory road of wilderness wandering and desert sands they not only will get blistered feet but will apprciative that "drink" of water. Deep learning in discipleship journey cannot occur without the same stages of growth: (1) at first one is in a state of balance (status quo undisturbed); (2) the intervention that throws one out of balance (status quo disturbed); (3) the grace and struggle withe the quest to re-establish a new equilibrium (the completion of the transformation, new birth, new being/becoming center frame of reference). Growth in grace engages one in the realization and actualization of sacramental spirituality, of the Incarnation realized and actualized, namely, "it is not I, but Christ that lives in me". Would we dare share this Joshua the Messiah from Nazereth prophet's ministry and sacred presence when we know where it ultimately leads? Ask Peter, Andrew, Steven, etc., etc., Bonhoeffer, etc. MLK, etc.??? "REWARDS"??? (PaideiaSCO reflecting in north GA mts)


Date: 24 Jun 2002
Time: 10:40:01

Comments

I am going with the "cup of cold water" motif.

A cup of COLD water. We COULD just offer a cup of water to those in need, it might be hot or cold-HERE! But no, it takes additional effort to make the water cold. It not only is hydrating, but it is also the cooling properties of the water that brings refreshment to the person in need. It not only refreshes the body but the soul as well.

I have this idea of missions. That cup of cold water is ministry. That cup of cold water is working with that group of rowdy boys. Its working with the mentally handicapped. It is visiting the shutins. It is taking the healing message to the sick. It is doing things that no one else wants to do in the name of Jesus.

I have a problem in my small rural Methodist church. They do not want to pay their apportionments, their share of conference administrative and missions costs. This may be a way that i can get them to look at apportionments differently. If we have a Missions perspective of it, maybe we can change.

Maybe I can list off a few of the things that the conference does, as far as minitry goes.

I am open to other ideas and solutions. TF...


Date: 24 Jun 2002
Time: 15:02:22

Comments

2 Kgs 4:8-11, 14-16a is our Old Testament reading - here the prophet Elisha is rewarding the hospitality of his hostess with the gift of fertility. As one who is totally without Greek I wonder if vs. 41 can be read the same way, that is, the reward is not the fate of the prophet but the reward that a prophet would grant.

I do think that prophets received rewards for proclaiming God's word that more then made up for the abuse they received. Not just the rewards of heaven as Elijah received but rather an inner peace that comes from standing by the truth despite adversity. There is a grace in that which gives inner peace and joy.

Deke in Texas - Pace e Bene


Date: 24 Jun 2002
Time: 15:24:15

Comments

If anyone is using the "Steward" program (Abingdon Press), it might be helpful to consult session 6, about hospitality. The title of that unit is "Stewards of the Good News of Personal Communities, I". There's some good, practical application in that chapter, including a checklist for asking whether your church is "user friendly." MTSOfan


Date: 24 Jun 2002
Time: 20:59:08

Comments

Hi, I am just browsing, it's fifth Sunday, Preacher gets day off! Charge Evening Service, with a Gospel Group... I was think about a mini sermon-devotional opening...I wrote something in Genesis lection. I like this one,short ans sweet like someone else said... (This would be a good one to do John Wesley's love Feast with) have you pitcher of Ice water...and cups...and have the people come forward to pour and recieve the cool refeshing water from each other...Emphasis the pouring out...and recieving... it's neat is young one could serve an old one! Go ahead and use this idea if the Holy Spirit leads! For some of us Communion Sunday is Next week, the giving, pouring and recieving the water would be a neat pre curser to the communion next week... This could tie in with rewards for protestants.... Now to Answer TF- Small churches... Mine pay their, it's hard though...even ones that pay see no results to where money goes... Well, it your Conf is like WV JIM BERNER the CONF TREASurer will come to a Church of any size for any Number to explain it to them. That's what he gets paid to do, Sometimes if a higher up from conference comes, it makes the little church in the Hollow feel important, wanted, but don't we all really just want appreciated...If they ever have a youth, or someone be a counselor and recieve conf. monies for travel- that's apportionment at work. Just keep it real and honest...ok TF... they may not take risk to accept all 100% but anyone that you get them to pay 20% 10% it's a faith thing... you could throw in Genesis passage too...test of faith, God wants our all! Abraham's Issac...Pastor mary in OHIO


Date: 25 Jun 2002
Time: 04:08:58

Comments

Webster's notes that "welcome" is rooted in German that means "a desirable guest." There is an Anthony de Mello story that (condensed) goes like this:

An abbey, formerly known for its vitality and spirituality, had fallen on hard times. Where once there had been many visitors and joyful singing, there was now empty places in worship and lifeless singing. The abbot went to visit a holy man who lived on a nearby mountain. Upon arrival, the abbot poured out his heart and told the holy man everything he thought he should know about the abbey. Finally, the abbot asked, "Are we guilty of some sin?" "Yes," replied the holy man. "Christ is living in your community, and you have failed to recognize him because he has come in disguise." All the way back to the abbey, the abbot wondered which member of the community could be Christ. Each person he considered had faults, but then perhaps that was part of the disguise. Back at the abbey, the abbot shared what he had learned, and the community decided that the only thing to do was to treat each person as if they were Christ. Soon, the comunity again was alive and vital, for they did indeed recognize that Christ dwelt among them.

OLAS


Date: 25 Jun 2002
Time: 06:58:16

Comments

Eric is right, the short ones are tough!

Deke, I believe you are onto something there. When we recognise the presence of a prophet or a disciple in our midst we open ourselves to receiving the blessing such presence bestows. Like in OLAS's story of seeing Christ in all. This might work its way into preaching in several ways.

Someone said we don't take Christ to the mission field, He is already there. We go out pointing Him out and in doing so all become aware together of His presence. So as we go blessing others we are blessed as well. When we recognise that anyone may have a word from God for us, we become attentively expectant, and so receive the reward of knowing God With Us, Emmanuel! Whether we seek to find righteousness or sinfulness in others, we will probably find it. Welcome the good in others and be strengthened by it. Seek fault and you will find it, but don't expect to receive any good from your efforts.

Having said all that, I am a bit confused by the phrase "in the name of". To whom does it apply? The one welcoming or the one being welcomed? Can anyone help me with this?


Date: 25 Jun 2002
Time: 07:00:07

Comments

If you do seek faults, here's one. The above unsigned post was from tom in TN(USA)


Date: 25 Jun 2002
Time: 07:30:53

Comments

Hi all.

Tom in TN asked, "I am a bit confused by the phrase 'in the name of'. To whom does it apply? The one welcoming or the one being welcomed?"

Tom, I think the answer is, "Yes!" When we bless, we are blessed. When we are blessed, we bless. It strikes me as a "both/and" sort of proposition.

FYI, at our summer Assembly next month, the congregations of our Synod (insert region, district, diocese for your church!) are going to be challenged to make one new outreach into the local community. If everyone does, that will be something over 210 acts of Christian love being made. It probably won't make headlines, but it will certainly be faithful witness, and maybe a chance to give a few cups of cold water to thirsty neighbours!

Cool!!

Rick in Canada, eh?


Date: 25 Jun 2002
Time: 09:21:08

Comments

Tom in TN asked, "Having said all that, I am a bit confused by the phrase 'in the name of'. To whom does it apply?"

Tom, the New Interpreter's Bible commentary on this passage indicates that "in the name of" is a Semitic turn-of-phrase meaning "because one is" ... so these sayings could be interpreted: "One who receives a prophet because he/she is a prophet ..."

Deke, I think you may be right about the Greek. The Greek is "misthon prophetou" which is literally, "reward of a prophet" which is ambiguous. In this context, it could mean either "the reward a prophet will RECEIVE" or "the reward a prophet will GIVE". Great point! I can't find any commentary on it one way or another right now, but I'm going to keep looking.

Blessings, Eric in KS


Date: 25 Jun 2002
Time: 10:37:46

Comments

Thanks, Tom and Eric, If the Greek is ambiguous, I'll feel OK to interpret it that way. Deke in TX Pace e Bene


Date: 25 Jun 2002
Time: 11:35:16

Comments

anyone have any idea how easy/difficult it might have been to have/give a cup of "cold" water? I checked in BAGD and "cold" in the NT is usually associated with "hot" (ie Rev 3). I also checked and found the the word used for "cold" is closely related to the word "breath" (psuchos). Not sure where this is going, yet. Anyone know about how plentiful cold water may have been back then?

Vic in MC


Date: 26 Jun 2002
Time: 06:16:22

Comments

This is off topic, but a few weeks/months ago we discovered spreading the gospel and how coca-cola set out to spread the message about their soda. does anyone remember when that was? and for what text? Thank you. Jen in PA


Date: 26 Jun 2002
Time: 07:23:56

Comments

I wanted to do something with the division in the family following Jesus can produce, but I picked a different emphasis a couple of weeks ago. But family has come around again! In the OT text for this week Abraham is asked to put his faith before his love for his son (sermon in the Christian Century asks, "Do we love the giver or the gift?), and in Matthew's text the writer is describing a new family (the church) bound together by a common commitment to love the world as God loves the world. This is a more binding relationship than even the natural family! Sermon in a sentence: Identitiy as a "child of God" prempts even identity within the family. The question the congregation and I need to ask ourselves is this, "Are we as generous and kind and thoughtful and hospitable with our Christian brothers and sisters as we are our blood relatives?" This question is not asked to instill guilt, but possiblity...a possibility that comes with our recognintion of the Christ within. My sermon title is, "Family of God." revdlk in Nebraska


Date: 26 Jun 2002
Time: 09:16:42

Comments

I was trying to find a quote from Mother Teresa about offering a cup of cold water and I also remember her using the image of seeing the face of Jesus in those she ministered to. Can anyone help me make that connection with this text? Greg in Wi.


Date: 26 Jun 2002
Time: 10:40:46

Comments

Vic in MC One would have to go deep into the well to find cold water. To go a little deeper would require more effort. Just a thought. RE in TN


Date: 26 Jun 2002
Time: 11:42:24

Comments

We all get a bit uptight when talking about evangelism. The task seems so huge and we are so shy. Isn't it interesting that we are talking about a cup of water rather than a pitcher of water? While the overall task is huge--to welcome everyone into the community of Christ--it can be broken down into smaller,simpler tasks. Offering a cup of water vs a pitcher. One on one, rather than all at once. Rambling in WI


Date: 26 Jun 2002
Time: 16:08:00

Comments

I believe that this is a true passage of any world religion. There is exceptional hospitality in all faiths. I have received many cups of cold water in the name of God from people of other faiths! Something we Christians need to learn to more of.


Date: 26 Jun 2002
Time: 19:00:53

Comments

Jen in PA, I preached on the Coca Cola message... it was in May, o.k. Either second or third week of may...


Date: 27 Jun 2002
Time: 05:33:14

Comments

Jen in PA, maybe these are the posts you want. --Deke in TX - Pace e Bene

Matthew 7:21-29 2 June 2002

Date: 26 May, 2002 Time: 10:53:59 AM

Comment

The opening of this reading harks back to the concern I shared last week. We don't like the four-lettered word "Obey". We don't teach it and we don't expect it. Jesus said,"...teachig them to obey..."

This text seems to be sayig the same thing. Not everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be save, but those who DO the will of God.

Maybe if we obeyed Jesus, we wouldn't have centuries of church scandals, maybe if we obey Jesus 17 million people won't die (every year) without hearing Gospel. Maybe if we obeyed Jesus, there would be people who live across the road from our churches or homes who have no idea what Christianity is about. I read this week a survey that said that 97% of the world's population has heard of Coca Cola. How come the church isn't any where near that successful with the Great Commission.

Last week people said that we don't like to obey anymore (post-sixties). Perhaps the decline of Christianity is due to our neglect and desire to not offend with the Truth.

I worry about the church of the West.

Pr.del in Ia

Date: 26 May, 2002 Time: 08:45:02 PM

Comment

Amen, Ia... Like the coke thing...think I'll borrow it...The Coke Motto "The Real Thing" A soda real thing? CHrist is real thing.... do you all know the song to that title...instead of Coke is...say Christ is... Christ is- the real thing; In the back of your mind- Christ is; Have Him anytime; Christ is real thing... Or I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony...I'd like to share Christ with the world- to keep them company...He's the real thing....Time after Time...In the Back of your Mind...Christ is the real thing..... Ladypreacher in OHIO

Date: 27 May, 2002 Time: 08:42:13 AM

Comment

Ladypreacher in Oh, Please use the coke thing, I used it for the Great Commission and it really got people's attetion. Before the service began, I sat a bottle of Coke on the pulpit where all could see is right from the start. Our prelude music before the "official" begginning of the service was the old song "I'd like to teach the world to sing..." (the version before coke changed it) but may in the congregation recogized it.

"Coca-cola is one product that has far outgrown its humble beginnings. In 1886, Dr. John Pemberton first introduced Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia. The pharmacist concocted a caramel-colored syrup in a three-legged brass kettle in his backyard. He first "distributed" Coca-Cola by carrying it in a jug down the street to Jacobs a local pharmacy.

"After little more than 100 years, surveys show that 97% of the world has heard of coca-cola. Seventy-two percent of the world has seen a can of coca-cola. Fifty one percent of the world has tasted a can of coca-cola. All due to the fact that the company made a commitment years ago that every one on the planet would have a taste of their soft drink.

"We should stand up and take note here! Ninety-seven percent of the world has heard of this sugar and water concoction while 1.7 billion people worldwide have no access to the good news of Jesus Christ! And it is estimated that 17 million people die every year without having heard the name of Jesus"!


Date: 27 Jun 2002
Time: 07:04:28

Comments

I am contemplating connecting our need to go so that people can receive Jesus with the popular uprising about the removal of "under God" from the pledge of allegiance.

Are we really willing to give up the honor and privilege of taking God's presence into people's homes and hand that task over to our government leaders?

GC in IL


Date: 27 Jun 2002
Time: 07:19:41

Comments

Deke in TX - Thank you. I was just starting to go back to all my old files:) Jen in PA


Date: 27 Jun 2002
Time: 08:03:47

Comments

Juan Ortiz, the Spanish preacher at the Crystal Cathedral, has a great series of illustrations about Coca-Cola, which I first heard in 1990. I believe it was the central illustration theme of one of his "stump sermons". Some of that has been shared here, although he never bothered with numbers or dates. I have it on tape, but haven't listened to it in a few years. The sense of it is that Coke not only extensively advertises, but has also put some way of purchasing a Coke everywhere. For instance, when I lived in rural Illinois I had to go six miles to get milk or gasoline, but could buy Coke or Pepsi at three places within two miles. Compare this method to people who expect people to come to a church to try out Christ. There are some good illustrations in that idea for this passage, when Christ sent his disciiples out to Israel.

Larry in Indy


Date: 27 Jun 2002
Time: 12:06:32

Comments

At one point in U.S. history the Methodists were building a church a day, and These churches were more numerous than U.S. post offices. We were getting the message out by saturation, just like Coke. Something happened though.

I recently heard a man say, only slightly tongue in cheek, that our problem is there are too many bibles in the world. He said to imagine if there were only two or three bibles in a town. People would line up to get to see one, to take a turn reading it. Maybe the easy access to cold Cokes make cups of plain water seem meaningless. Rambling along here.

Thanx to Eric, Deke, and others for responding to my "in the name" query. tom in TN(USA)


Date: 27 Jun 2002
Time: 13:46:59

Comments

Curious in Chicago: You took the words out of my mouth. Prophets were not popular folk at least in their homeland. How can/does this relate to the Genesis reading? Feels like there is a ocnnection here. lp in CO


Date: 27 Jun 2002
Time: 13:53:34

Comments

TF: I, too, am the pastor of a very small rural church here in Colorado. The church here does pay its wider mission (apportionments). We call them Wider Mission in Rocky Mountain. One thing that I do to continually lift up the missional part of apportionments is lifting up UMCOR everytime we take an offering--sharing that 100% of that money goes to the cause BECAUSE the overhead is covered by our Wider Mission Giving (apportionments). Just one thought. I'm sure there are many out there. lp in CO


Date: 27 Jun 2002
Time: 14:54:50

Comments

Is that cup of cold water talking about quality of ministry, or integrity of ministry, or effort of ministry? B/c it seems to me that v.42 is talking about ministry to the "little ones." Those are the ones that we don't see. We have to make extra effort to find those. It would take extra effort to search out those who are the most and easiest forgotten. It would take extra effort to reach those.

Those who earnestly seek out Jesus, will find their reward.

TF


Date: 27 Jun 2002
Time: 14:56:45

Comments

lp in CO

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try it.

TF


Date: 27 Jun 2002
Time: 15:04:03

Comments

In the words of Mother Teresa, "The gospel is written on your fingers." Holding up her fingers, one at a time, she accented each word: "You-Did-It-To-Me." Mother Teresa then added: "At the end of your life, your five fingers will either excuse you or accuse you of doing it unto the least of these. You-Did-It-To-Me."

--Thanks to Hal Brady, Dallas, Tex., 11 October 1992.


Date: 27 Jun 2002
Time: 19:20:59

Comments

I've been pondering the contribution of how we're called to offer a "cup" vs pitcher or bucketful of water. In the midst of a pastoral call today, one of my "resource therapists" shared his perspective on how the "cup vs pitcher" also allows the giver to have a supply of more water. In other words, when we (clergy or lay) try to give the pitcher of water (more is better?) we run the risk of burnout. Is it possible that just giving a cup at a time could be what Christ called for? It might allow the focus to be on the recipient rather than the giver...

In Mother Teresa's book "Words to Love By" I found the following:

I never look at the masses as my responsibility. I look at the individual. I can love only one person at a time. I can feed only one person at a time. Just one, one, one. You get closer to Christ by coming closer to each other. As Jesus said, "Whatever you do to the least of my brethen..." So you begin...I begin. I picked one person--maybe if I didn't pick up that one person I wouldn't have picked up 42,000. The whole work is only a drop in the ocean. But if I didn't put the drop in, the ocean would be one drop less. Same thing for you. Same thing for your family, same thing in the church were you go. Just begin...one,one,one. At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by "I was hungry and you gave me to eat..." Hungry not only for bread--but hungry for love. Naked not only for lcothing--but naked of human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks--but homeless because of rejection. This is Christ in distressing disguise." I appreciate everyone's postings thus far!

Warblings in NJ


Date: 27 Jun 2002
Time: 19:21:17

Comments

I've been pondering the contribution of how we're called to offer a "cup" vs pitcher or bucketful of water. In the midst of a pastoral call today, one of my "resource therapists" shared his perspective on how the "cup vs pitcher" also allows the giver to have a supply of more water. In other words, when we (clergy or lay) try to give the pitcher of water (more is better?) we run the risk of burnout. Is it possible that just giving a cup at a time could be what Christ called for? It might allow the focus to be on the recipient rather than the giver...

In Mother Teresa's book "Words to Love By" I found the following:

I never look at the masses as my responsibility. I look at the individual. I can love only one person at a time. I can feed only one person at a time. Just one, one, one. You get closer to Christ by coming closer to each other. As Jesus said, "Whatever you do to the least of my brethen..." So you begin...I begin. I picked one person--maybe if I didn't pick up that one person I wouldn't have picked up 42,000. The whole work is only a drop in the ocean. But if I didn't put the drop in, the ocean would be one drop less. Same thing for you. Same thing for your family, same thing in the church were you go. Just begin...one,one,one. At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by "I was hungry and you gave me to eat..." Hungry not only for bread--but hungry for love. Naked not only for lcothing--but naked of human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks--but homeless because of rejection. This is Christ in distressing disguise." I appreciate everyone's postings thus far!

Warblings in NJ


Date: 27 Jun 2002
Time: 20:26:16

Comments

Getting a late start and not wanting to deal with this being the Sunday before the 4th and the expectations this brings for my congregation, I need a little help! I decided to let the pledge of allegience but added the pledge to the Christian Flag. However, where can I find those words? Can anyone help me? I'm going to suggest the singing of patriotic songs before worship just to let them have their own time for celebration and also am having a woman read some patriotic things. I have several men and women who served in the war and know those little things mean a lot, even if I wish we could stop all the violence in our world at this time. Thanks for letting me vent and for your help. SK in IA


Date: 27 Jun 2002
Time: 20:38:03

Comments

For a little history of the flag and the pledge try this link. Deke in TX - Pace e Bene

http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/chrflag.html

I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag

and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands;

one brotherhood, uniting all true Christians

in service and in love.


Date: 28 Jun 2002
Time: 08:51:48

Comments

My question is, "what is the value of a cup of water?" or should I ask, "what was the value of a cup of water? Today, to give a cup of water to someone takes no effort and costs no money (at least in the United States). Perhaps in the time of Jesus water had more value. But what resource can we use to be sure?

Kind of curious in Chicago


Date: 28 Jun 2002
Time: 09:24:09

Comments

In Genesis 18:1-15 Abraham received three strangers at Mamre and offered them water and they revealed themselves as the Lord announcing that Sarah would give birth to a son. 1Kings 17:9-24 Zarephath offered water, food and shelter to Elijah and he revealed himself as a man of God offering her an abundance of oil and meal and raising her son from the dead. Luke 24:13-35 The two travelers to Emmaus welcomed a stranger into their home for bread and water and he revealed himself as our Lord and Saviour.

Hebrews 13:2, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." The only reward I would want to receive is not of this world but eternal life with Christ.

RE in TN


Date: 28 Jun 2002
Time: 09:24:29

Comments

In Genesis 18:1-15 Abraham received three strangers at Mamre and offered them water and they revealed themselves as the Lord announcing that Sarah would give birth to a son. 1Kings 17:9-24 Zarephath offered water, food and shelter to Elijah and he revealed himself as a man of God offering her an abundance of oil and meal and raising her son from the dead. Luke 24:13-35 The two travelers to Emmaus welcomed a stranger into their home for bread and water and he revealed himself as our Lord and Saviour.

Hebrews 13:2, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." The only reward I would want to receive is not of this world but eternal life with Christ.

RE in TN


Date: 28 Jun 2002
Time: 09:48:56

Comments

It seems to me that a prophet comes to her/his people with a message from God. The message may be a warning. The prophet might point to the cracks in the walls of a building and say to the inhabitants that "soon the building will collapse."

But the prophet also comes with God's promise. Those who repent and receive God's message will be saved from the collapse of the building. The reward of a prophet is eternal life. Jesus said, "I am the way the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

We can pray that Christ's death on the cross covered the sins of all people, even those who don't believe, but the prophet's message, that we have heard, is that through our faith in Christ we are saved. This reward is more like a gift, since we have not earned or deserved the reward of the righteous.

In summary, Protestants might have some difficulty with 'reward' language, but not if we understand that this reward is a gift. Eternal life, forgiveness, sanctification, reconcilliation, and righteousness before God cannot be bought or sold, but received.


Date: 29 Jun 2002
Time: 08:09:44

Comments

SK in Iowa--It may be too late for this feedback but every year I hold "Celebrate Freedom Sunday" on the Sunday closest to July 4. This year we will celebrate it on July 7. We sing the hymns in the hymnal that are listed under nation. Plus we sing the Battle Hymn and we always close with "Let There Be Peace on Earth" or "This Is My Song". The emphasis is to first celebrate the freedom given to us by God through Jesus Christ and secondly the give thanks for the freedom we have been given in the United States.

Hope this helps. Diana at the Lakes


Date: 29 Jun 2002
Time: 10:25:38

Comments

I always look forward to welcoming the prophet and the righteous one into my home. It makes me feel so go to associate with such people. Jeremiah and Titus make wonderful guests. It always gives me something to talk about when I am with others in my community. They all think I am quite special. But those little ones, they don't really do much for me. All they want is a cup of water. How about a good gourmet wine? No one really wants to hear about my welcoming of them, so I usually over look them, moving on to those who fill my ego with joy.

tom in ga


Date: 29 Jun 2002
Time: 11:36:21

Comments

kind of curious in Chicago writes "what is a prophet's reward?"

I know it's late in the week and I have to preach in 2.5 hours. As I look at the posts for this week I have just a couple of late comments.

A prophets reward (which can also mean wages or benefit) is perhaps the message he or she brings to the extent that it is heeded. Ultimately the word of God bore by the prophets is God's faithfulness to us, healing and salvation.

Secondly, a comment on "cold" water in the Middle East. To aquire cold water one would have to dip pretty deep into the well. Perhaps this means that warm water or surface water offered to a little one just will not do.

Pr.del in Ia


Date: 29 Jun 2002
Time: 19:26:00

Comments

A thought came to me after reading many of the contributions here. While in Guatamalla, after a long, hot treck into a coffee feild to a small church, the people gave us each a bottle of cold pop (soda). What a mission from people who had nothing including electricity! How they got it cold, we don't know. A cup of cold water? no, but just as much a mission outreach to us. Shalom, Rev. Nancy, Orchard NE


Date: 05 Sep 2002
Time: 18:24:24

Comments

A "prophets reward" is that: "he will become a pillar in the temple of my God". Now explain what that means! If your "born again" [John 3:3] lets get off this web page and bring some soup and bread to a neighboring widow or an orphan, and love God with our whole hearts. roger in Christ


Date: 21 Oct 2003
Time: 09:17:46

Comments

What exactly is the prophets reward?

EN Aberdeen, MD


Date: 21 Oct 2003
Time: 09:20:46

Comments

What exactly is the prophets reward?

EN Aberdeen, MD