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Pastor Annette's Blog

"OF ALL THE THINGS GOD HAS SHOWN ME, I CAN SPEAK BUT A LITTLE WORD . . . NOT MORE THAN A HONEYBEE CAN CARRY AWAY ON ITS FOOT FROM AN OVERFLOWING JAR."
~ MECHTHILD OF MAGDEBURG, 13TH CENTURY MYSTIC

March 6, 2012

3/6/2012

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Beloved:

    Years ago we got new neighbors.  The huge backyard pool was a danger to their small kids and something of an eyesore.  So the mom ran a classified ad, ”Free above-ground pool. If you haul it you can have it.”   She got nary a call for a week. So she changed the ad, “Above ground pool $500. You haul it.”  She sold it the first day and built a cool swing-set with the cash.
    “Wonder what’s wrong with it?” is always our first question of big ticket items priced so low; ‘free’ sounds plain suspicious.  In real life, everything worth having costs something and we are used to paying.  If truth be told, we like to pay.  We like earning, producing, providing and the sense of worth we gain with it.   
     When earning is a virtue and anything free is suspect, how will the gospel be received?   Will it be received at all?   Too often and too easily have preachers slipped into language that seeks to sell the gospel, suggesting that seekers and believers must pay in order to receive; pay with strong faith, obedience, righteousness, etc.   However well intended, such preaching soundly fails the gospel every time.  
    If only we were brave enough to tell the the truth every time - God’s love is not for sale at any price. It cannot be bought, only taken.  It cannot be earned, only received.  It cannot be produced or provided, only shared.  And only when we are wise enough to take it for the endless gift it is will divine joy and peace be our everyday reality.   
    This past Sunday during children’s sermon, kids were invited to a giant candy bowl and told they could have as much as they wanted.  They hesitated, but only for a moment.  As they filled their bags, the bowl kept getting refilled too.  When they were finished,  candy was all over the table, the floor and the bowl was as full as when they began.  “You can’t take too much. It will never run out.  No one else can take it from you.  As much as you want, as often as you want, forever and ever and ever.” I think they got it, if only for a moment.  I pray they keep it, and the rest of us as well.  peace & prayers, pastor annette   


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    I write a Tuesday morning devotional to members and friends of UBC.  It is also posted here. 
     
    Enjoy!  
    Pastor Annette

    Copyright
    Everything on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons license, which gives you permission to copy freely, provided that you attribute the work to me, that you use the work for non-commercial purposes, and that you do not produce derivative works.

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3740 East 3rd Street
Bloomington, IN 47401
812-339-1404
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  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Staff
    • Annette Hill Briggs, Pastor
    • Rob Drummond ~ Music Minister
  • Listen & Read
    • Sermons
    • Pastor's Blog
    • #ITSYOURCHURCHTOO >
      • About >
        • When & Where?
        • Ministries >
          • Worship >
            • Music
            • Worship Arts
            • Worship Resources
          • Fellowship >
            • Wednesday Night Supper
            • Church Recipes
          • Service >
            • MCUM Collections
            • Habitat for Humanity Project
          • Vacation Bible School
        • Our Story >
          • Denomination
          • Who We Are
        • Contact
        • Calendar
    • Social Media Feed
  • Give
  • Newsletter
  • Recommended Reading