From time to time I take non sequitur notes during sermons. Usually it's because something the speaker has said has sparked an tangental thought in my head, and I need to get it down in order to pay attention to the sermon again. Usually I take these down on my smartphone. I just found several and wanted to a) share them with the few brave souls that actually read this, and b) get them down in another format so that I can guiltlessly delete them from my phone.


Living in the presense of God - it's bad when at the end of the day you ask yourself 'Where was Jesus today?' . It worse when you stop asking that question.

So I was standing in church, and I saw a woman who looked ... I guess harried is the best word. She needs prayer, I said to mysef. But as I thought about, I realized that she had simply not put on make-up that day. This was unusual for her as this woman is typically made up and dressed very well. However, I thought, who am I to judge? Maybe she didn't want to put on make-up today. Maybe she doesn't need prayer. But the I heard the Holy Spirit say to me "She lives in sinful, fallen world, seperated from the true presence of God. Trust me, she needs prayer. You all do."

The image that many have of God is the idea of a rolled up newspaper ready to whap us upside the head whenever we step out of line. The reality is the only penalty for sin that God enforces is banishment from His presence. All other consquences for sin are natural results of following a less-than-perfect plan.

Community was not invented in the Christian era. Community is built into our psyche. The Jews were a community 4000+ years ago. But that was a community based on family and race. Christian Community was revolutionary because it was not based on family, tribe, geography, nation, or race. Membership is open to (and required by) everyone.