The Gathering planners for this Sunday have been thinking about salt. As a touch of salt brings out the best taste in foods, so grace seasons conversation, bringing out the best in others. It doesn’t cut anyone out or put them down.
There were times when I put others down, thinking apparently that I was lifted up in that process. Not. I’ve learned that self-worth doesn’t come from walking over others, even a tiny bit.
What a happy discovery to find that grace is the seasoning in conversation that makes our contribution relevant. It values and appreciates the other person just as they are. Then we are all lifted up together. What a great way to praise God for Her marvelous children!
Come and share your inspiration, questions, and friendship at the Gathering. Bring your friends – because we’re a group of listeners; we want to hear what everyone has to say.
We’re meeting at the building of the Des Plaines Society, 48 N. Broadway, Des Plaines, IL, at 2:00.
I treasure the love you are showing with each communication and service you are providing to the community.
I love your ideas on Soul and this week’s lesson, especially about grace blending the qualities of Soul so that we have just the right words to speak. Sorry we can’t join you this Sunday.
I have one thought I would like to consider with you all. The responsive reading and the Bible citations in the first section all talk about making a joyful noise. Naturally, I immediately think in terms of music.
In thinking about our hymns, we do have some that could be done as joyful noise, but our culture reveres quiet and reverence so much that we reject them by singing them much more subdued than the lyrics call for.
I don’t have anything against reverence, but we are supposed to be obedient to God’s word and God clearly states that we are to make a joyful noise!
I realize that even most of my songs don’t really make a joyful noise, so I’m going to work on that.
I’m just wondering if this idea could be explored a bit in how to put this into practice in worship.
I don’t feel comfortable bringing it up with my church, but I do feel comfortable bringing it up with all of you. I thank you all for that. It makes my heart glad.
i keep praying about how I can join you all in more than just the spirit – to be fully and actively present.
Laura, I think you would have enjoyed Sunday’s gathering. We did make joyful music to the Lord. Literally. We had bongo drums, tambourines, and other rhythm makers that we added as we sang hymn 460 – which is pretty joyous already.
I love that you’re valuing joy! Someone said “Joy is the bucket with which we draw our water from the well of salvation.”
We look forward to that happy day of getting our own technology to the point where we can welcome multiple folks from a distance via Skype or Conference call or some other voice communication.
Meanwhile, we can each make our own joyful noises each day – a kind laugh, a word of encouragement, a song, even a smile of approval.
WHOOPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just wondering what the topic is for Sept 12.
Hi Sue,
So glad you asked. While the Bible lesson for that week is on Substance, the team that compiles the theme and questions for discussion hasn’t met yet.
There will be an email to give folks a heads up – probably on Thursday before the Gathering. I’ll be happy to add you to that list. (You can be removed at any time simply by asking to be removed.)