Moses and Me: the long journey to humility

Moses went from a position of significance in the Egypt to obscurity in a foreign land. He wasn't even "good enough" to belong to a group of slaves. That's quite remarkable to think about; he was even rejected by his own people.

You know, Moses could have fought against this descent. Maybe he even did, we don't know all the details of the story. But through the providential circumstances, he had no other option other than accept his rejected lot in life. For Moses, humility meant he stopped fighting for something other than his reality.

Why do you and I fight against our reality (i.e. our brokenness, sin, evil, addictions, weakness, vulnerability)? I have my ideas, but what are yours? And according to the message on Sunday, what do we lose when keep holding tight to the illusion of respectability?

I'd be curious to here your thoughts on anything related to our Sunday message.

Did they lie or not?

In our passage this morning, pharaoh ordered Shiphrah and Ruah, these Hebrew midwives to kill these babies if they were boys. Ex. 1:17 says, "But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live." Then when pharaoh asks the midwives why they didn't do as he commanded they answered (vs. 19), "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them."

What do you think of their response? Do you think they are being dishonest to pharaoh? Do you think there could possibly be an explanation for what they said; maybe we don't have full story? Do you think they lied to pharaoh or not? And does it matter? What might be some of the implications if they were dishonest?

I'm curious to hear your thoughts.
Pastor Brian

No compromise

Following up from our sermon on Sunday (5-10-09), I'm curious to hear you respond to a couple of things.

1. When I live life by my way rather than Jesus' way, I know I'm missing out seeing God work. What do you think you're missing by doing life your own way?

2. What do you think is holding you back from living fully in the love and grace of God? Are you afraid of what others will think? Maybe you don't know what that means; maybe you are new to this whole Jesus think and you're thinking, "I'm not even sure how to live with God?" Are you being distracted from life with God because of all the clutter around you? Maybe there's another reason (educate me!).

Pastor Brian

No Accidents with God

We learned this Sunday that the people of Israel weren't in Egypt by accident, but instead by the providential hand of a merciful and gracious God.

God has you right where he wants you even if that has come through the unjust actions of others. Nothing escapes the providence of God and being good God is always working good for his children. What do you think about that and why? Is this an encouragement to you or not? If yes, why? If not, why?

Don't be content with you initial reactions, whatever they are. Explore why you think and feel the way that you do. Examine why you might see this as encouraging or discouraging. It's only when we get honest with ourselves do we really begin to grow.

I'm anxious to hear what you say.

Pastor Brian