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February 7, 2010
SMLC Midweek Devotions
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Our Mission
Invite others to hear the gospel and together grow as faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
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In this issue:
February 3rd Lessons and Gospel
Weekly Devotions
Quote of the Week
Chuckle of the Week
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February 3rd Pastor Jim Doherty preaching: "Small Acts Can Make a Big Splash"
Lesson of the Day: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'
Gospel of the Day: Luke 13:18-21 The Parable of the Mustard Seed
He said therefore, 'What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.'
The Parable of the Yeast
And again he said, 'To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.'
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Weekly Devotions
By Laurie Christopher
Like prancing steeds, champions are shiny, big winners. They're our heroes. Not only worthy of our attention, they almost demand that we stop and give our due respects. Hollywood stars, sports figures, television entertainers, and anyone who's of acclaim have big personas and voices to match. To us, they are champions because they've escaped the ordinary. We see them and wonder at and perhaps even envy their self confidence. They get asked to appear on 'The Jay Leno Show'.
Some champions, however, will never be invited for a guest appearance on a talk show. Often, they're not very big. Most often, they're quiet; barely noticeable. Pastors, teachers, and other mentors are the obvious quiet champions. But, there are others whose very existence goes unnoted. They're the ones who unobtrusively weed the garden of their next door neighbor who's too elderly to be able to do that anymore. Instead of complaining about the litter strewn along the streets, they simply pick it up. They read a story to a lonely child or listen again to the frequently told story of the oh-so-old person who lives alone. They're the moms who stay up until five in the morning sewing a costume for their daughter who forgot about it until the night before. They're the dads who wire Styrofoam spheres together to create a space station for their son's science project. Sometimes heroes are loud, noticeable people who seem bigger than life in their work but are quiet in what they do when no one sees them.
Mr. Dietrich wasn't loud but, he was a teacher which makes him an obvious champion right? Not quite. Do you know what he did on his own time very quietly, one summer? He spent much of his free time tutoring me so that I could get into a Christian Preparatory School. He wasn't paid and no one even realized what he was doing. He didn't get credit for his work or time. But, he made a deep, lasting impression on me. I've never forgotten his dedication and I've certainly always remembered my grammatical and writing tools! He fostered an interest in writing that eventually led to regular devotions and other Christian pieces. To me, he's a hero and, he doesn't even know that.
"It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches." (Luke 13:19) We aren't always around to see our mustard seeds grow into trees. But, they do. We're not even always aware of what our mustard seeds are. It could be a smile to that harried clerk behind the grocery store counter. It's only a smile but, maybe that friendly gesture enabled that clerk to stick out one more day instead of walking out on a dull job into a world where any job is hard to come by. It could be a tip left on a pillow for the hotel maid. It's only a few dollars but, maybe that was one more meal for a weary worker in a dead-end position. It could be a thank you to someone who hasn't heard that word in a very long time.
We don't know how or where our mustard seeds will grow but, we all have them. What's yours? Is it a melodic song or a hand ready to help someone in need or a kind word to someone living in a seemingly loveless world? Not only do those seeds flourish, they have unexpected consequences that last. They turn us ordinary mortals into great big, shiny heroes. Not the kind that receive accolades here on earth so that we may boast of ourselves. But, they're the kinds that live forever in heaven so that we can "boast in the Lord." (1 Cor 1:31)
"What is the kingdom of God like?" (Luke 13:18) It's a place that's filled with ordinary people like you and me who plant small seeds that in God's hands blossom into bigger than life events.
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Quote of the Week
"You're not only wrong. You're wrong at the top of your voice." John J. Macreedy
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Chuckle of the Week
The farmer's son was returning from the market with the crate of chicken's his father had entrusted to him, when all of a sudden the box fell and broke open. Chickens scurried off in different directions, but the determined boy walked all over the neighborhood scooping up the wayward birds and returning them to the repaired crate. Hoping he had found them all, the boy reluctantly returned home, expecting the worst.
"Pa, the chickens got loose," the boy confessed sadly, "but I managed to find all twelve of them."
"Well, you did real good, son," the farmer beamed. "You left with seven."
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Invitation for a Friend ~ Please clip & deliver!
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St. Matthew Lutheran Church
10390 SW Canyon Road
Beaverton, Oregon 97005
(503) 644-9148
Sunday Services at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 a.m.
Childcare available during all three services.
Visit us at: http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/
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