Resurrection UMC Hastings

Nothing is beyond reconciliation. If you doubt that, then the story of Jesus forgiving Peter’s denial of him is a good reminder. Jesus restores Peter, but not without a hard conversation first.

Beaches are those places where the water meets the land, and where God’s power faces the forces of chaos and defeats them. Even when the beach seems to have disappeared.

There are three stories of miracles where God literally made a way on the beach and saved the people’s lives. God still opens paths when it seems impossible, literally saving our lives.

When things seem beyond reason or our capabilities, we often discover with Jesus we can do far more than we could ask or think. Nothing is impossible for Jesus.

This past week, 54 kids descended upon Resurrection to attend VBS each day from 9:00a to noon. And they had a wonderful time and got to see and hear God’s love in action. Wondering what you missed? Check it out.

We can cause chaos if we don’t show compassion for others, i.e. refuse to listen to God. But this loving God of second chances doesn’t ever give up on us. Here’s a whale of a tale about it.

The Kingdom of God is like…buried treasure, priceless pearls, and sorting fish. But what does Thomsonite, a very rare and valuable Lake Superior gemstone, have to do with that?

Perhaps nothing symbolizes God’s conquering of the “forces of chaos” better than when the waters of chaos become the waters of baptism and Christ’s people are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life of freedom, peace, and power.

During times of chaos, believers can take comfort in the fact that God is on the lookout 24/7 to bring protection and peace in the midst of life’s rough waters.

Like the “unknown soldier” commemorated on Memorial Day, there are many persons who play significant roles in the bible whose names are unknown to us. But there are no “Nobodies” (no “Unknowns”) to God. We are all God’s “Somebody.”

Some think this game of chance may lead to love. Anyone who’s played it knows better. Real love is best demonstrated by God in his daily love for us, courtesy of Jesus.

This game only works when played together as a group. It’s no fun with just two players and almost impossible alone. So, too, the Christian faith—it is made to do together with each other and together with the risen Jesus.

This game is simple: The green light means “Go!” and the red light means “Stop!” In practical terms, move it when Jesus says “go” and stop what you’re doing when he says “stop”.

Jesus’ sermon on the mount (turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, love your enemy, etc.) hits us hard where it counts most: how we treat others. Be honest…do you even want to do this?

In this game, you run to try and break through the linked arms of opposing players. Jesus’ resurrection broke the barrier of sin & death. For us now, nothing more to fear; in its place: peace.

To win this game, avoid the floor (hot lava) while navigating between objects above the ground. Because one slip and you fall to your destruction. Kind of like avoiding temptation, isn’t it?

This game is all about giving an item to others as quickly as possible, because if you get stuck with it, you lose. For believers, the same principle holds true: it’s wiser to give than to get.

This game is based upon responding to what is heard, i.e. “listen up” if you want to win. And when Jesus says “listen up” he means for us to pay attention and do what he says.

The game of Sardines is over when everyone ends up gathered together in the same place. Coincidentally, it mirrors Jesus’ vision for the church: everyone together in the same place.

In this game, saying “Duck, Duck, Goose” will leave a Minnesota kid just sitting there, clueless. Only using all “Ducks” makes it work. Using the right words is important.

We’re told to seek the things of God, just as a child seeks out the hidden children in “Hide and Seek.” Jesus says, “Make the things of God a priority. Seek them first.” Okay…let’s go do it!

Social worker…miracle worker…magician…blasphemer…prophet…revolutionary…future king…the list kept going. So, who was/is Jesus? Perception versus reality: the real Jesus is more than meets the eye.

Worried about the future? Many do, but God’s already seen it with perfect clarity and lets us know that the future will turn out well for his followers. While we can’t see into the future, can we trust the one who can?

Our eyes are often blind to our true situations when we think it’s “us against the world” and God is nowhere to be seen. What peace would come to us if we looked at our situation from God’s perspective?

What do people see as the greatest thing they could ever have? Wealth…Wisdom…Health…Reputation…? Admirable, but nothing really that great about them contrasted with God’s ultimate GOAT: Love.