It is hard to believe that summer is almost over! Schools are starting back for the 2009-10 academic year, vacationers are returning home and we are buckling down for another round. I have been hearing great feedback about the King David series. As people who are part of the Judeao-Christian tradition it is important to know biblical figures and the stories that come with them. King David is a "must know" since he is the ancestor to Jesus Christ and part of God's covenant history with humankind. Someone asked, Why are you preaching and teaching about David, why is it important for us to know? First and foremost we must grasp that we are loved, claimed and "saved" by God through FAITH (Ephesians 2:8-9). In other words, you can not be or do enough good to earn God's favor. So why not accept God's love and live gratefully? King David, like Abraham and Sarah before him, (Galatians 3:5-6) were considered holy because of their belief (relationship) with God. For many who enter through our doors at Holy Trinity they come believing that they have fallen from God's love and grace due to their sexuality, things they have done in the past, the shame they feel about who they are, or simply just being human! What we learn is that God is merciful and sees us with eyes of love (1 Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 23:7, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 8:38-39). King David, his relationships and his spirituality have so much to say to us!
Secondly, the reason I think King David's story is so important for us to know is that he speaks to so many ills we face. How many of us have poor self esteem? How many of us have dealt with poor body images? How many of us live compartmentalized lives that are not fully integrated into our faith? How many of us are still ashamed of our sexuality and think sex is dirty? And what about the dysfunctional relationship issues we keep repeating? And like last Sunday, how many of us understand the theologian, Henry Nouwen's statement, Forgiveness is another name for love for people who love poorly? King David's life mirrors ours in so many ways. King David also is a child of God who stumbled through his relationship with God, just as we do. He has much to say to us! And think of it, we have not even begun to touch all his Psalms which are conversations, chants, hymns and songs to his number one lover, God!
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1 comment:
Dear Pastor Tim,
This is the 2nd Blog post I have read. I cannot tell you what a joy it is to read your thoughts. So well put into words that I can relate to. My story seems to be lost in your words as you convey them on paper on a blog, its me that is in the story. Wow I am just wowed if that is even a word, by your ability to covey how I feel. God BLess You.
Daniel
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