April 5, 2020 (Palm Sunday)

 Jesus said we were to love others as He loved us, but how can we do that when often we can't even get along? How do we love someone we don't like? And just what is love, anyway? The answer is easier (and tougher) than you think. 

The current health crisis has left us all feeling like we are walking through a deep, dark valley. Can an ancient Psalm help us find our way through the fear? You bet it can.

Do unto others as they do unto you? That's not exactly what Jesus said. And yet, what he did say was even more scary. Just what does it mean to "Do unto others as you would have them do to you?"

 Was the giraffe a mistake? What about a moose? What about you? Going back to the very first story in the Bible, Rev. Williams reminds us that we are God's creation, and God doesn't make mistakes. 

 Our words can bless or curse, heal or hurt, encourage or destroy. How are we using our words, and what impact are we having on the people who are watching and listening? Using the Letter of James as a backdrop Rev. Dave challenges us to consider how we are using our words. 

We are called to share our story as we invite others on an incredible journey. But what do we do about the mountains that get in our way. Drawing from the lessons of Moses and his father-in-law from Exodus 18 we look at some of these mountains, and what we might do about them.

Okay,  so we share the Good News about God's eternal love and the gift of life He offers by sharing our stories and inviting people to join us on the journey. Then they actually take us up on that invitation. Now what do we do?

 We have a gift to share, but when the time comes we are often too scared to share it. How do we go about sharing the Gospel? What do we say? How do we say it? What kind of training do we need? Rev. Dave draws on the story of Jesus healing the man possessed by demons to help us sort it out. 

In a world where people suffer and struggle, we possess a gift that God has given to us to share. What is that gift? It is the gift of life.