Being Put to the Test

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

I Corinthians 10:13 (NRSV)

This was one of the verses in the second lesson on Sunday, March 7th. I underlined it. I've been carrying it around in my back pocket ever since until I got around to writing a blog post on it. This verse spoke right to me in church that day. I've been having a tough time of things lately, and this was a nice reminder that God won't give me anything that I can't handle. When you're struggling to see daylight, it's hard to get out one step at a time. Instead it's easier just to ignore your problems. Sure, they often get worse, but if you ignore them, it doesn't matter, right? The funny thing is, even if you ignore them, God doesn't give you anything you can't handle. No matter how bad things are, you can get through them. One step at a time. One day at a time. God is always there beside you - and that's a good reminder to have.

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Glorious Unveiling

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

1 Cor 13:12 (NIV)

Continuing with the musical theme we have a song by The Micah Watson Band. If you click on the link to the band's site you can listen to their first album. The first song is the title track for their CD, "Glorious Unveiling". I went to look up the lyrics in the case and found the above verse in parentheses. What a wonderful message.

Before I address today's verse, I want to put in a plug for The Micah Watson Band. My friend Joe is the bassist for the band. He and I met at my first Kairos. He taught me everything I know about U2. :) The band is working on their new CD, and they are hoping to pay for it by selling pre-release packages. If you like their music, I would encourage you to support them if it is within your means. You can find the pre-release in their store - just click here! :)

We often talk about God's grace and how it saves us. Everyone has an idea in their head of what heaven will be like. This verse talks about the wonders of our reward in heaven. Imagine fully knowing. Imagine understanding all the things that perplex you now. We get to find out where gravity comes from. We can ask "why?" about anything and know the answer! Imagine a world where you can see everything clearly - where there is no need for deceit because everyone can see it for what it is. There is only truth.

Sounds good.

http://kairosverse.blogspot.com

Sexuality as a Stumbling Block

⁹Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. ¹⁰For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? ¹¹So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. ¹²When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. ¹³Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

1 Corinthians 8:9-13 (NIV)

The ELCA's social statement has created a lot of consternation over the last week. I have talked to people who are re-thinking their calls. I have talked to people who are considering leaving the church. One of the thoughts in my head lately has been, "Didn't anyone think about the impact this would have?" Maybe the disruption this is causing is inevitable. I can't help but think of the above passage though.

This issue is a HUGE stumbling block for many people. Does the social statement really make things better? When people start thinking about leaving the church over an issue that has no clear resolution after 8 years of discussion, are we making the right choice?

I pray that we will keep all our brothers and sisters in prayer as we continue to discuss this issue.

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Love Never Fails

⁸Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

1 Corinthians 13:8

This was one of two verses we picked for this year's Crossroads event. This passage is at the end of the famous love passage that is read at every wedding. We actually used just the beginning of the verse: Love never fails. Think about that. True love - actual love - never fails. It is always there.

It is easy to say we have, "fallen out of love", or "I never really loved them". What we are talking about is our own human failings. It's not love's fault. Love hasn't gotten less potent. Love is constant. The same is true of God's presence. We can feel him at youth events, but when we get home we feel that he is gone. He isn't. God is there. God' grace is there. God's love is there.

Love never fails.

http://kairosverse.blogspot.com