Pastor’s Corner
"Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
As I was preparing for my sermon this week, the one on Jesus walking on the water, I came across a section in the commentary that opened my eyes a bit to the meaning of this passage. Since my focus on Sunday will go in a different direction, I thought I would share a bit here in the newsletter.
You are likely aware that the New Testament was written in Greek, the trade language at the time of the writing. However, Jesus and the disciples spoke Aramaic, or formal Hebrew when reading from the Bible. In this passage, it matters.
The Greek text says “It is I.” But that would not have been a one on one translation of what Jesus actually said. In Hebrew would have been translated as “I Am.” So his words to his disciples would have been more closely translated as “Take Heart, I Am, Do not be afraid.”
We talk a lot about the I am statements, but sometimes miss it in this context. So, even Peter’s response would translate into, “Lord, if you are I Am, then call me out onto the waters.” This moment is much more than Jesus walking out to the disciples, it is the story of Jesus proclaiming himself as God to them. And it is the story of Peter, asking him if it is true.
In Hebrew thought, water is often portrayed as that which is opposed to order, and there are many scriptures that portray God’s power over water, beginning in Genesis, when God parted the water so that land might appear. We go on to find the flood of devastation, and his promise to Noah that he would never allow it again. Of course, we have Moses parting the Red Sea, and the Jordan drying up so that the people could cross safely.
But perhaps some of the most powerful words are from Job 9:8, stating that God alone walks on the waves of the sea, or Habakkuk 3:15, again having God trampling the sea and stirring up the waves. God asks Job in 3:15 if he has entered the springs of the sea or walked in its depth.
So, even beyond the words, “I Am,” by the very act of walking on the sea, Jesus is claiming that which belongs to God alone.
The question becomes, “Why does that matter to us?” Beyond accepting that Jesus is not just a good teacher, and is, in fact, God, it matters because in understanding it, we understand the claim Jesus made as God in this moment in time.
The disciples were in the boat, in a storm, far from land. And in the midst of their aloneness, Jesus came to them, not just as a man, but as God. When Peter took that step over the side and into the water, he was taking a step into believing that Jesus was the one he claimed to be.
We, too, sometimes feel like the disciples in the boat, battered by storms, wondering if we will see land again. And God reaches out to us in our storms, and comes to us where we are, not powerless, but all powerful, walking across the waves, the things we fear the most.
So, take Jesus’ words to heart today. “It is I. Do not be afraid.”
Serving you for Him,
Pastor Bobbie
Phone: 660-851-0067, Cell Phone: 660-596-3954
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: http://tricountyministries.weebly.com
Sermon On Line
Worship continues to be available on our Web site under the Communications/Worship Tab
https://tricountyministries.weebly.com/worship-service
Lord’s Acre Sales
Both sessions of Range Line and Longwood churches will be meeting in September to discuss the feasibility of having our annual Lord’s Acre sales. Range Line will meet on September 3rd, and Longwood will meet on September 10th. Most likely, we will postpone the September newsletter to include the results of these meetings. We will keep you posted.
LPC Presbyterian Women
I feel like this sums up what Presbyterian Women strive to be.
THAT ONE
Be that one. That one who forgives when deep offense has been committed. That one who loves when no one else does. That one who gives kindness to those who are mean. Be that one who looks past the insult, instead seeing the pain that motivated it. That one who shines light upon those who sit in utter darkness. Because the impact of being that one runs far and wide. It brings healing to the wounded, joy to the sad, and hope to those in despair. Be that one.
Sheri Eckert (found on Facebook)
Offered to you by Sharon Greer, PW.
Esther Brown, Happy 103rd Birthday, last month!!
Most people that I know from our community can agree on one thing—we can remember Esther Brown when we were growing up. This is mostly true, because she’s the oldest living person I know. And what a true blessing we have to not only know someone who is centenarian, but is actually a member of our congregation.
Congratulations, Esther on your 103rd birthday (last month, July 23rd). May you have many more!
Sympathy
From the congregations at both churches, we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Alan Meyer. Blessings to his wife, Sally and her family, and others who are affected by his passing.
Cares and Concerns
Please keep all of our church families in prayer. Remember, those who are in the nursing homes always enjoy greeting cards:
Concerns from Both LPC & RLPC:
Status of the SBA Loan through the PPP Government Program
As a reminder the TCSM Council agreed to apply for a grant through the Small Business Association and the Payroll Protection Program. On May 7, we received $14,000.00 in the form of a loan, and this past week (Sept. 7) we applied for all of the loan to be forgiven. We will keep you posted when we learn the outcome. TCSM Council Treasurer, J. R. Greer
From the Internet and the Sedalia Democrat:
Thanks to the many folks who contributed to the following quotes! --Editors
Faith isn’t a feeling. It’s a choice to trust God even when the road ahead seems uncertain.—Toby Mac
Train your mind to see the good in everything. Positivity is a choice. The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.—Positive Energy
God didn’t remove the Red Sea. He opened it. Just because God hasn’t removed your problem, doesn’t mean he won’t provide a way through it.
Don’t let your ice cream melt while counting somebody else’s sprinkles. –from Dianna Marcum
Sometimes, the person who’s been there for everyone else, needs someone to be there for them.—from Clergy Coaching Network
If you have a family that loves you, a few good friends, food on your table and a roof over your head. You are richer than you think.—Positive Thoughts
If you don’t take a Sabbath, something is wrong. You’re doing too much, or your being too much in charge. You’ve got to quit, one day a week and just watch what God is doing when you’re not doing anything.—Eugene H. Peterson
Practice the Pause. Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things that you will regret later. –Clergy Coaching Network.
Have Hope. Be Strong. Laugh Loud and Play Hard. Live in the Moment. Smile Often. Dream Big. Remember, You are Loved and Never, Never Give Up.—Clergy Coaching Network.
If you have to choose between being Kind and being Right, choose being Kind, and you will always be Right.
Every time you get upset at something, ask yourself if you were to die tomorrow, was it worth wasting your time being angry? Robert Tew (another good quote of his is: “The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. Don’t give up.”)
Satan may be winning a bunch of battles right now, but make no mistake, God wins the war.
A lot of what weights you down isn’t yours to carry.
Don’t wait for things to get better. Life will always be complicated. Learn to be happy right now, otherwise you’ll run out of time.
Grace is the most perplexing, powerful force in the universe, and, I believe, the only hope for our twisted, violent planet.—Phillip Yancey
Never let a bad situation bring out the worst in you. Choose to stay positive and be the person God created (in) you.
Found on a coffee mug, “I can do all things through a verse taken out of context.” It was provided by someone who states, “God is still laughing.”
Somebody is not listening!!!
What screws us up most in life is the picture in our head of how it is supposed to be.
Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others.—from Dianna Marcum
How we treat others is the ultimate test of our love for Christ.—Clergy Coaching Network
Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties.—C.S. Lewis
The gospel is less about how to get into the Kingdom of Heaven after you die, and more about how to live in the Kingdom of Heaven before you die.—Dallas Willard, From Clergy Coaching Network.
If you look for something to criticize, you will find it. If you look for something to compliment, you will find that too. Your choice!—from Dianna Marcum
Train your mind to see the good in everything. Positivity is a choice. The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.—Positive Energy, from Renee Moore
The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.—Paul Coelho, from Clergy Coaching Network.
Be selective in your battles. Sometimes peace is better than being right.-- from Ron Anstine
You are free to choose, but you are not free from the consequence of your choice.—from Clergy Coaching Network
I love listening to children. They have an interesting perspective. They may hear things differently than you and I. For instance, a Sunday school class was studying the Ten Commandments; they were ready to discuss the last one. The teacher asked if anyone could tell her what it was. Susie raised her hand, stood tall, and quoted, "Thou shall not take the covers off the neighbor's wife." Even though that wasn’t the exact wording, I guess the point got across. Another young kid prayed, "And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets." Again, this kid mixed up the words a bit, but maybe we adults could gain something from his translation.--From an article in the Sedalia Democrat written by Pastor John Church, Katy Park Baptist Church.
"Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
As I was preparing for my sermon this week, the one on Jesus walking on the water, I came across a section in the commentary that opened my eyes a bit to the meaning of this passage. Since my focus on Sunday will go in a different direction, I thought I would share a bit here in the newsletter.
You are likely aware that the New Testament was written in Greek, the trade language at the time of the writing. However, Jesus and the disciples spoke Aramaic, or formal Hebrew when reading from the Bible. In this passage, it matters.
The Greek text says “It is I.” But that would not have been a one on one translation of what Jesus actually said. In Hebrew would have been translated as “I Am.” So his words to his disciples would have been more closely translated as “Take Heart, I Am, Do not be afraid.”
We talk a lot about the I am statements, but sometimes miss it in this context. So, even Peter’s response would translate into, “Lord, if you are I Am, then call me out onto the waters.” This moment is much more than Jesus walking out to the disciples, it is the story of Jesus proclaiming himself as God to them. And it is the story of Peter, asking him if it is true.
In Hebrew thought, water is often portrayed as that which is opposed to order, and there are many scriptures that portray God’s power over water, beginning in Genesis, when God parted the water so that land might appear. We go on to find the flood of devastation, and his promise to Noah that he would never allow it again. Of course, we have Moses parting the Red Sea, and the Jordan drying up so that the people could cross safely.
But perhaps some of the most powerful words are from Job 9:8, stating that God alone walks on the waves of the sea, or Habakkuk 3:15, again having God trampling the sea and stirring up the waves. God asks Job in 3:15 if he has entered the springs of the sea or walked in its depth.
So, even beyond the words, “I Am,” by the very act of walking on the sea, Jesus is claiming that which belongs to God alone.
The question becomes, “Why does that matter to us?” Beyond accepting that Jesus is not just a good teacher, and is, in fact, God, it matters because in understanding it, we understand the claim Jesus made as God in this moment in time.
The disciples were in the boat, in a storm, far from land. And in the midst of their aloneness, Jesus came to them, not just as a man, but as God. When Peter took that step over the side and into the water, he was taking a step into believing that Jesus was the one he claimed to be.
We, too, sometimes feel like the disciples in the boat, battered by storms, wondering if we will see land again. And God reaches out to us in our storms, and comes to us where we are, not powerless, but all powerful, walking across the waves, the things we fear the most.
So, take Jesus’ words to heart today. “It is I. Do not be afraid.”
Serving you for Him,
Pastor Bobbie
Phone: 660-851-0067, Cell Phone: 660-596-3954
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: http://tricountyministries.weebly.com
Sermon On Line
Worship continues to be available on our Web site under the Communications/Worship Tab
https://tricountyministries.weebly.com/worship-service
Lord’s Acre Sales
Both sessions of Range Line and Longwood churches will be meeting in September to discuss the feasibility of having our annual Lord’s Acre sales. Range Line will meet on September 3rd, and Longwood will meet on September 10th. Most likely, we will postpone the September newsletter to include the results of these meetings. We will keep you posted.
LPC Presbyterian Women
I feel like this sums up what Presbyterian Women strive to be.
THAT ONE
Be that one. That one who forgives when deep offense has been committed. That one who loves when no one else does. That one who gives kindness to those who are mean. Be that one who looks past the insult, instead seeing the pain that motivated it. That one who shines light upon those who sit in utter darkness. Because the impact of being that one runs far and wide. It brings healing to the wounded, joy to the sad, and hope to those in despair. Be that one.
Sheri Eckert (found on Facebook)
Offered to you by Sharon Greer, PW.
Esther Brown, Happy 103rd Birthday, last month!!
Most people that I know from our community can agree on one thing—we can remember Esther Brown when we were growing up. This is mostly true, because she’s the oldest living person I know. And what a true blessing we have to not only know someone who is centenarian, but is actually a member of our congregation.
Congratulations, Esther on your 103rd birthday (last month, July 23rd). May you have many more!
Sympathy
From the congregations at both churches, we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Alan Meyer. Blessings to his wife, Sally and her family, and others who are affected by his passing.
Cares and Concerns
Please keep all of our church families in prayer. Remember, those who are in the nursing homes always enjoy greeting cards:
Concerns from Both LPC & RLPC:
- Esther Brown, at Pilot Grove
- Bill & Margaret Schlomer at Golden Oaks
- Helen Coffelt—at Sylvia Thompson
- Georgia Reid, at Cedarhurst, Sedalia
- Elijah Johnson (Delbert & Amy’s son)
- Calvin (and Mary) Kirchhoff at Golden Oaks
- Renee Moore
- Scott Moore
- Aaron Reno, Army at Fort Benning, GA
- Isaac Greer, Army at Fort Leonard Wood
- Lee Ann (Paxson), chemo & possible radiation
- Kenny Reid
Status of the SBA Loan through the PPP Government Program
As a reminder the TCSM Council agreed to apply for a grant through the Small Business Association and the Payroll Protection Program. On May 7, we received $14,000.00 in the form of a loan, and this past week (Sept. 7) we applied for all of the loan to be forgiven. We will keep you posted when we learn the outcome. TCSM Council Treasurer, J. R. Greer
From the Internet and the Sedalia Democrat:
Thanks to the many folks who contributed to the following quotes! --Editors
Faith isn’t a feeling. It’s a choice to trust God even when the road ahead seems uncertain.—Toby Mac
Train your mind to see the good in everything. Positivity is a choice. The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.—Positive Energy
God didn’t remove the Red Sea. He opened it. Just because God hasn’t removed your problem, doesn’t mean he won’t provide a way through it.
Don’t let your ice cream melt while counting somebody else’s sprinkles. –from Dianna Marcum
Sometimes, the person who’s been there for everyone else, needs someone to be there for them.—from Clergy Coaching Network
If you have a family that loves you, a few good friends, food on your table and a roof over your head. You are richer than you think.—Positive Thoughts
If you don’t take a Sabbath, something is wrong. You’re doing too much, or your being too much in charge. You’ve got to quit, one day a week and just watch what God is doing when you’re not doing anything.—Eugene H. Peterson
Practice the Pause. Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things that you will regret later. –Clergy Coaching Network.
Have Hope. Be Strong. Laugh Loud and Play Hard. Live in the Moment. Smile Often. Dream Big. Remember, You are Loved and Never, Never Give Up.—Clergy Coaching Network.
If you have to choose between being Kind and being Right, choose being Kind, and you will always be Right.
Every time you get upset at something, ask yourself if you were to die tomorrow, was it worth wasting your time being angry? Robert Tew (another good quote of his is: “The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. Don’t give up.”)
Satan may be winning a bunch of battles right now, but make no mistake, God wins the war.
A lot of what weights you down isn’t yours to carry.
Don’t wait for things to get better. Life will always be complicated. Learn to be happy right now, otherwise you’ll run out of time.
Grace is the most perplexing, powerful force in the universe, and, I believe, the only hope for our twisted, violent planet.—Phillip Yancey
Never let a bad situation bring out the worst in you. Choose to stay positive and be the person God created (in) you.
Found on a coffee mug, “I can do all things through a verse taken out of context.” It was provided by someone who states, “God is still laughing.”
Somebody is not listening!!!
What screws us up most in life is the picture in our head of how it is supposed to be.
Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others.—from Dianna Marcum
How we treat others is the ultimate test of our love for Christ.—Clergy Coaching Network
Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties.—C.S. Lewis
The gospel is less about how to get into the Kingdom of Heaven after you die, and more about how to live in the Kingdom of Heaven before you die.—Dallas Willard, From Clergy Coaching Network.
If you look for something to criticize, you will find it. If you look for something to compliment, you will find that too. Your choice!—from Dianna Marcum
Train your mind to see the good in everything. Positivity is a choice. The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.—Positive Energy, from Renee Moore
The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.—Paul Coelho, from Clergy Coaching Network.
Be selective in your battles. Sometimes peace is better than being right.-- from Ron Anstine
You are free to choose, but you are not free from the consequence of your choice.—from Clergy Coaching Network
I love listening to children. They have an interesting perspective. They may hear things differently than you and I. For instance, a Sunday school class was studying the Ten Commandments; they were ready to discuss the last one. The teacher asked if anyone could tell her what it was. Susie raised her hand, stood tall, and quoted, "Thou shall not take the covers off the neighbor's wife." Even though that wasn’t the exact wording, I guess the point got across. Another young kid prayed, "And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets." Again, this kid mixed up the words a bit, but maybe we adults could gain something from his translation.--From an article in the Sedalia Democrat written by Pastor John Church, Katy Park Baptist Church.