It's What You Scatter

Here is a story that Jeff Bradshaw sent along....enjoy!




IT'S WHAT YOU SCATTER

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes... I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.

Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Barry, how are you today?'

'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.'

'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'
'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you with?
'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'
'Would you like to take some home?' asked Mr. Miller.

'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'

'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'

'All I got's my prize marble here.'

'Is that right? Let me see it', said Miller.

'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'

'I can see that. Hmm mmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.

'Not zackley but almost.'

'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.

'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.

With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.

When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket.

Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.

They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'

'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ...'

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral:
We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.

Veterans Day

Lesson Preview!!!

     This week we will ask the question, "How do I contribute?"  The context for the question is the people giving of their resources (time, talents, finances) to build the tabernacle and support the ministry of the priests.
     Our own needs can sometimes make us hesitant to give to God's work.  In difficult circumstances, we may not have much money and thus feel we have nothing to give. 
     This lesson is not designed to make anyone feel bad or take a guilt trip.  However, it will help us, as mambers of the family,  think about - "How do I contribute."  The lesson comes from the following section in Exodus: chapters 35:4-9, 30-36:1 & 40:12-15. 

See You Sunday,
Don

The Mid-Week Update!!!

Lesson Recap

EXODUS-32:1-34:35

Oops 32:1-4,30-34; 34:6-9

Summary of Background Material:

  Ex 32: 1-35 Moses had a prolonged absence from the Israelites while he was on the mountain receiving instructions from God.  This absence led them to demand that Aaron make a representation of God.  Taking gold earrings from the women and children, Aaron fashioned a golden calf; and the people held a great feast sacrificing to this idol.  God commanded Moses to return to the people, stating that He intended to destroy them.  Moses pleaded with God to spare Israel, and God honored Moses' intercession.  When Moses saw the people's sinful actions he condemned them.  Aaron feebly tried to excuse his actions.  Moses called those faithful to God to come to him.  The Levites gathered around Moses, and he instructed them to kill the unrepentant idolaters.  After Moses sought God's forgiveness for the people, God pledged to guide them; but He punished them with a plague.

  Ex 33:1-23 God declared to Moses that He would send an angel before His people to lead them, but He would not go with them because of their constant disobedience.  Moses set up a tent of meetings outside the camp where he went to God and to receive His guidance.  Moses asked God to send His presence with the Israelites and to teach him His ways.  When Moses asked to see God's glory, God instructed Moses to wait in the crevice of a rock as He passed by.  God allowed Moses to see His back but not the overwhelming glory of His face.

  Ex 34:1-35 God instructed Moses to prepare two new tablets on which He would write the Ten Commandments.  When Moses ascended Mt. Sinai again, God declared His name and nature; and Moses worshiped Him.  God stated that He would drive out the inhabitants of Canaan so the Israelites could settle in the land.  God instructed the Isrealites not to make treaties with the people of Canaan or to engage in idolatry.  Instead, they were to observe the sacred times of the year and to offer worthy sacrifices.  After Remaining with God on Mt. Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights, Moses returned to the people, his face shining with the reflected light of God's glory.

Introduction:

Picture an inflatable mattress.  They are beneficial for camping and housing guests when you don't have enough beds.  Have you ever slept on one of these mattresses that slowly lost it's air during the night?  This lesson was about those who have experienced a slow leak in their own lives and have faltered publicly in their walk with the Lord.

What would you say is the first step in repairing a leaking mattress?  First, you have to realize there is a leak!  We usually do not know there is a leak until the mattress is put under pressure.  We are going to see Israel under pressure in these verses.

How We Falter 32:1-4

What would you say were some of the pressures the people faced as Moses delayed his departure?  Aaron was the person in charge in Moses' absence.  Why do you believe the pressure on the people created even more pressure on Aaron?  What big oops did Aaron make?  What factors may have contributed to Aaron's falter?  What are some factors that lead to out faltering today?

    Back to the air mattress-just knowing there is a leak in the mattress is not enough.  If I know there is a leak but still fill it full of aire and ask you to sleep on it, you will have a miserable night!  Likewise, many have had miserable nights because they know they have faltered, but have not done anything about it.  In the next set of verses we will discover what Moses did about Aaron and the people's big oops.

When We Falter 32:30-34

Moses described the peoples sin as great sin.  We can learn from Moses how to respond when a Christian, including yourself blows it.  We can go to God on people's behalf.  The air mattress we have been referring to gives us three options.  We can ignore it, throw it away, or repair it.  Why would some opt to throw the mattress away?  Why do some choose to repair it?  In these next verses we will see what choice God made when the people sinned against Him.

Moses has gone back up on the mountain and has asked God to allow him to see His glory.  God allowed Moses to see his backside because Moses would not be able to withstand the glory of God's face.  Then God had Moses prepare two more stones so he could rewrite the Ten Commandments.

Although We Falter

Bonus Notes!!-in verse 7 we hear of God punishing future generations.  God does not make children and grandchildren suffer for the sins of their forefathers.  The point made is that the consequences of sin persist so strongly they pass from one generation to the next.  

In verse six God described His essential nature by listing five of His characteristics.  They are:

• Compassionate:  God consistently loves and tenderly cares for His people even when they sin against Him.
• Gracious:  God acts to bless and provide for us.
• Slow to Anger:  He provides opportunity after opportunity for people to come to and return to Him.
• Abounding in Love:  God maintains loyalty to His people even when their sins strain the covenant to the breaking point.
• Abounding in Faithfulness: We can depend on what God says because His Word is completely reliable.

Since God has all these characteristics, then why are people hesitant to come to Him when we falter?


Conclusion: God delights in saving, not destroying.  Therefore I will not hesitate to go to Him and seek forgiveness when I falter in my faith.

New CSM Website

There is a new website so that students and parent can keep tabs on all that is happening with the youth.  It can be found here.

SPOT Class Christmas Party

Zenobia has been kind enough to open her home to us for our annual Christmas party.  It will be on Dec. 10the at 6:30 PM.  We will all bring appetizers, and we will also have a white elephant gift exchange (so start looking for something around your house you don't want!).  

Servant Opportunity

The sign-up sheet has already been turned in , but the is still a need for couples to volunteer to help with children for four Sundays throughout the year during worship.  You can sign up at the Welcome Center

Snacks

• 11/13 Phillips
• 11/20 Stubbs

   

 

Happy Anniversary!!!

Happy Anniversary today to Jeff and Ronda Bradshaw!!!

The Mid-Week Update!!!

Lesson Preview

     Last week we saw the best of Israel as they agreed to receive and follow God's commandments.  This Sunday, November 6, we will see Israel at her worst as she disobeys God.

     Hey, play along with the following.  Think back to when you were a teen.  What was a pretty big "no-no" you did?  How long afterwards did it take for you to feel remorse?  Did you find it easy to confess and ask forgiveness?
 
     Sometimes Christians who have been believers for a long time forget they are still sinners who need to confess their sins and receive forgiveness.  Unbelievers sometimes do not recognize they are sinners or sometimes think God could never forgive them for their thoughts and deeds.  Truth is, we all continue to be in need of God's grace and forgiveness.  This week's study comes out of Exodus 32 - 34.

See You Sunday,
Don

Last Weeks Lesson

EXODUS-25:1-31:18

Worthy of Worship 25:8-9, 17-22, 29:38-46

Summary of Background Material:

25:1-27:21 God instructed Moses to gather an offering from the Israelites for the purpose of building a place of worship.  Since the materials to be used included precious metals, fabric, animal skins, wood, oil, spices, and gemstones, everyone could provide something required.  Go gave detailed instructions regarding the construction of the ark of the covenant, the table, the lamp stand, the tabernacle, the sacrificial alter, and the courtyard.

28:1-29:46 God also provided instructions for the creation of the priestly garments, particularly the robes, ephod, and breastpiece worn by the high priest.  Once the tabernacle had been constructed and furnished and the priestly garments had been created, everything needed to be dedicated and consecrated for worship.  God gave specific instructions for the consecration service, emphasizing the responsibility of the priests and the need to consecrate them.

30:1-38 God designed worship to engage all the senses.  He directed the Israelites to offer incense made from a select mixture of fragrant spices.  He also commanded them to create a bronze basin that could be filled with water and used by the priests for washing.  God directed the men to contribute half a shekel to the tabernacle to be used to support the worship center and to remind them that they belonged to God.

31:1-11 God gifted two men with the ability to work with metals, gemstones, and wood.  Then He appointed them to design, craft, and supervise  that aspect of the sacred project.

31:12-18  God's final instruction was to remind the Israelites not to work on the Sabbath.  Even as the people constructed the worship place, they needed to worship God regularly.  After giving Moses instructions for building the sanctuary, God gave him the two stone tablets on which He had written the Ten Commandments.

Affirming the Lord's Presence 25:8-9

See 40:34-38 to see what made the tabernacle holy.  Some churches today meet in schools, storefronts, traditional settings, etc.  They are made holy by the presence of the Lord. The tabernacle affirmed God's presence for Israel.  How do we acknowledge/affirm God's presence in our worship at Concord?

Hearing the Lord's Message 25:17-22

The mercy seat is the main topic of these verses.  The mercy seat was a cover of solid gold covering the top of the ark, described in vv 10-16.  Mercy seat comes from the Hebrew verb "to cover".   This mercy seat symbolized the covering of sin and reconciliation that could only be found in God.   God's words to Moses were extremely valuable. How can we treat what we hear from God as extremely valuable?  How has God spoken to you in a worship service?

Giving the Lord Offerings 29:38-42

2 lambs per day at 362 days a year for 40 years = 29,200 lambs.  This is a group of over 1 million people wandering in a barren region constntly grumbling about a lack of food.  Do you think these people considered these offerings as sacrificial?  Do you think they were ever tempted to withhold some of the lambs for more practical use?  What are some things we can offer God instead of money?  Why would regularly giving to God our best lead to more meaningful worship and a deeper relationship?

Acknowledging the Lord's Greatness 29:43-36

God declared He would consecrate the tent of meetings, the altar, and those who served as priests.  He also stated that He would make Himself available to the people and would provide guidance and blessing.  The sanctuary and sacrifices would remind the people of God's presence and blessing in the past and the present.  Their obedience would demonstrate their commitment to Him in worship and daily life.  How does worship with other believers remind you of who God is and what He has done?

Conclusion: By worshiping regularly as a community of faith, God's people please Him and deepens our relationship with Him.  The following action is suggested as a result of this study.  Endeavor to participate regularly and meaningfully in congregational worship.

Spooknik Is Over

Even though the fire had difficulty starting, and there was a stiff, cool breeze...there was a lot of good fellowship and food.  Plan on joing us when we have our spring version of the class picnic!

Concord Need

Concord has a need for people to volunteer to serve for 4 one hour slots during the year.  This will be four different one hour time slots of your choice during a worship service over the whole year.  You will serve in one of the Child Care classes with an experienced teacher to assist the teacher who will be in the classroom, and who knows each of the children.  You will be giving parents the opportunity to worship the Lord freely without worrying about their small children.  Please accept this responsibility so no one else has to do your share.  There is a sign up sheet in the SPOT folder for the next few weeks. 

Snacks

• 11/6 Grable
• 11/13 Phillips

Prayer Requests

• From Ed Stanfield...pray for Robert, a teenager who tried to commit suicide.  His family is poor.  The father killed himself in front of Robert.  Need wisdom to seek out family and help them

  

   

Ooops!

Had a bit of a computer glitch here, so a day late...but Happy Birthday to Janice Meinhardt!!!



Also...the latest CSM newsletter from Ben can be found here.

The Mid-Week Update!!!

Lesson Preview

     There are some things in our society everyone has an opinion about.  A short list includes: music, politics, sports, and worship.  Worship.  That's a lot like saying love.  Is it a verb or noun?  Is it something one experiences (passive) or does (active)?
     Why do you worship?  What are your personal views regarding worship?  Now, what is God's view regarding worship?  You might imagine worship is the topic for this week's Bible study.  The background reading is quite lengthy but interesting.  It is Exodus 25:1-31:18.  Our study will come from chapters 25:8-9, 17-22: & 29:38-46. 
     Between now and Sunday morning, consider discussing the following with yor teen(s): 
What aspect of worhsip means most to you?
If you could help plan worship what idea would you suggest?
What do you do to prepare yourself for worship?

Hope to see you Sunday,
Don

Lesson Recap

EXODUS -19:1-24-18

Defining the Relationship 20:1-17 

The week before last we observed God displaying his divine power in order to build a relationship with Israel.  He wanted to prove to them He cared for their well being. When they had no food He provided for their need with the one time event of quail, and then manna on a daily basis.  God knew if he could bring them to understand He cared for them then they would likely have confidence in Him.  When we have confidence in a person it is much more likely we will trust them.

    Last week we saw God setting the boundaries for the relationship. He does it by providing a binding document.  We call it the 10 Commandments.  Here is how it came about.  Two months after leaving Egypt, the Israelites arrived  at Mt. Sinai.  God spoke to Moses, telling him that if the Israelites would remember what He had done and would obey Him, they would show they were his treasured possession.  When Moses reported God's words to the elders and the people, they agreed to obey.  God instructed Moses to prepare the people to receive His commands.  On the third day, smoke enveloped Mt. Sinai, and God spoke in thunder.  See 19:9 and 16-19.

See if you can, without aid of a Bible, to list the 10 commandments.

They are:

1. No Gods but me
2. No idols
3. Do not misuse God's name
4. Keep the Sabbath Holy
5. Honor Dad and Mom
6. Do not murder
7. Stay true to your spouse
8. Do not steal
9. Do not lie
10. Do not covet.

We will see that the first four commands deal with man's relationship with God.  The last six deal with man's relationship with man.

Consider the tool known as a level.  It is used to make sure that everything is straight and aligned.  Spiritual implications can be drawn from the level.  It can measure straightness either vertically or horizontally. Vertical straightness represents our relationship with God.  Relationships with our fellow man are measured horizontally.

Worship the Lord Only 1-6
The people were to show  their allegiance to God in the first two commands; exclusive worship and no idols.  Also note here that God's jealousy is different than that of man.  His jealousy is rooted in His holiness.  Ours is based on selfishness and pride.   As God, He is worthy of worship and will not surrender that to another person or object.

Show Respect For the Lord 7-11
We are  instructed to respect Go in commands 3 & 4; His name and His day.  What does it mean to misuse Go's name?  See Exodus 3:13-15.  His name not only revealed His character, but also His personal relationship with His people.  In ancient times, dissing a persons name was the same as dissing the person.  We also see what God traced the need for a Sabbath back to.  While God did not need a day of rest to recuperate from His work, He did it to reflect on His creation.  We are called to do the same-take a break to focus on who God is and what He has done.

Treat Others Right 12-17
The 5th command is to honor your parents. This command serves as a bridge between honoring God and honoring others.  A person cannot truly submit to God's authority, and respect others , until he is able to respect and submit to parental authority.  God promises long lif in this command.  This can work in two ways:

1. those who honor parents might be less likely to find themselves in dangerous situations.
2. the command includes the responsibility of caring for parents when they are older and unable to care for themselves.  By helping to extend the quality and quantity of life for parents, we are setting an example that our children can follow when we are older.   

The 6th command deals with murder.  God was the only one who determined when killing was appropriate-and He still is.  This is the basis for all decisions in taking of life.  In the 7th command, purity in marriage is essential because it represents the foundation of society.  The relationship in marriage between husband and wife is so important that Paul in the New Testament illustrates the relationship between husband and wife with that of God and His believers.  In the 8th command we see that stealing represents the honesty in our actions, where in the 9th command we see how we must have honest in our words.  The last commandment is different from the others  as it is rooted in the heart, not our actions.  Failure to keep this command can lead to violation of one of the previous commands.

Conclusion:  Experienced and inexperienced cooks use recipes. The purpose of a recipe is to insure the dish comes out right.  A recipe is a rigid set of rules..  It is important to adhere to the recipe to insure the proper outcome every time.  Many see the Ten Commandments as a rigid set of rules.  But really, the Commandments make up God's recipe for relationships with Him and others.  It is important that both experienced and inexperienced stick to the recipe.

Class Picnic

..has been dubbed the Spooknik, and it occurs this Sunday after class at Fenton City Park Shelter #2.  (Time subject to change if this is the day for the parade for the Saint Louis Cardinals World Series win!) As noted before the cost is $5 per person, with a max of $10 per family, to cover the cost of shelter and meat...then just bring a side dish to share and whatever you want to drink!  If you haven't made reservations yet, it is requested that you do so by Friday night.  You can do that with an email to thespotspot@charter.net. Come join us for fun, food and fellowship!  The forecast calls for sunny and a high around 61.  Perfect!

Upcoming Events

Zenobia has graciously offered her home up for the class Christmas party on December 10th (full details as the date gets closer!).  We are still looking for someone to host a board game night (maybe in January.) and the annual Super Bowl party in February.

Snacks

• 10/30 LaRowe
• 11/6 Grable
• 11/13 Phillips

Prayer Requests

•  Ongoing prayer for the new music/fine arts ministry and the new youth program. 
• Continued prayer for safe travels of kid coming home from college over break.

   

Lesson Preview!!!

Teens do what teens do.  One of the things they do is date.  This boy - girl thing has been going on for quite some time and I see no end in sight.  I often referred to one of my child's relationships as the "flavor of the week".  But sooner or later one of these relationships takes hold and lasts.  When a relationship starts getting pretty serious there comes the time for a "defining the relationship" talk.  Some times this "DFR" talk occurs by design and other times it just happens.

God has a defining the relationship conversation with Israel in this week's study.  One more thing, this conversation did not just happen - it was by divine design.  The background passage for this week is Exodus 19:1 - 24:18.  Our study will come from chapter 20 verses 1-17.

Just for fun, can you recall your "DFR" talk?  What was the setting?  Was it by design or did it just happen?  Who took the initiative?  After you and your mate agree on the answers - you may look for an opportunity to share this piece of history with your teen(s). 

Hope to see you Sunday,
Don