paravanes:meditations

**This is the text from a sermon I preached yesterday (October 27, 2019) at Fort Street Presbyterian Church in Detroit, Michigan. The text includes the prayers at the beginning and end of the sermon and a few of my personal notes to enhance the delivery of the sermon. ( Sharing this sermon ("The Heart and Soul of the Gospel") in part or as a full document is permitted. Attribution (credit to the author) will be appreciated. -Deborah) Thank you Lord for calling us into your kingdom, into your power, and into relationship and connection with you. Show us how to live the purposes for which we were created. Show us how to live as authentic witnesses to the truth of your word. Amen. Passage from Colossians 1:9-14 (NIV) 9  For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, [ a ...

Are you anxiously and happily looking forward to God punishing someone? Do you enjoy telling someone about the imminent judgment of God? Slow down and stop holding your breath. Stop looking forward to lightning bolts and  the crushing sound of thunder. Remember: God loves all people equally. Expect others to receive as much patience, mercy, and grace as you have received and will continue to receive.