Light on the Salt (Matthew 5:13-16)

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Light on the Salt (Matthew 5:13-16)
Message #1 from "NT70 - 70 Days through the New Testament" by Jeff MacLurg, Our Savior's Baptist Church (www.oursaviorsbaptist.org), Federal Way, Wash.; Sunday, July 3 (My notes are from our 9 and 10:45 am services, I pray they will be useful to you.)

--- You are the Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5:13) ---

Salt - today, it's seen as an enemy, in terms of health.  Throughout history, however, it had been one of the most valuable minerals.  One of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War was over a salt mine.  Roman solders were worth their salt - our modern word salary comes from a latin word salarium(?) - they were sometimes paid with salt instead of coins.

Salty Purpose (and Problems)
* It PRESERVES, but CAN MAKE USELESS.
* It PURIFIES, but CAN BE CAUSTIC.
* It SEASONS , but CAN OVERWHELM THE FLAVOR.

Salt prevents bacteria and cauterizes, slows the process of decay.    Even can be used on wounds.  Drop a few crystals in a glass of water and you change that water.  Drop a few Christians in a group and you change that group.  We will be able to slow the rate of decay in the world, in a place for a time.

Salt does not have its own flavor, but draws out the flavor that's already there.  Our appreciation for the beauty of God helps us appreciate the beauty in the world.  This is why many artists (especially before commercialism) were Christians.  Why hospitals were started by Christians. Why large NGOs are Christian. We should value beauty more in this earth. And we should set the standard for loving and caring for people.

Too much salt erodes, is caustic if there's too much. Too much salt can overwhelm the flavor of the food.

If you're only known for what you're against, you're being too salty.  (Example: Westboro of its protests against funerals and even *other churches.*. "Scourge of the earth" putting other Christians in a bad light.)

--- You are the Light of the World (Matthew 5:14-16) ---

Light Focus and Faults

* It EXPOSES DARKNESS, but CAN BE STARK.
* POINTS THE WAY, but MUST BE FOCUSED.
* To be SEEN, but NOT FOR ITSELF.

It does not take a lot of light to expose what's in the darkness.  But it should point the direction out of darkness.  If it's completely dark and someone comes in and just flips on a light - too much light all at once just makes you shut your eyes and exclaim negatively at being blinded.

Light shining in the darkness doesn't change what's in the darkness, but shines a light on a path out of darkness.

Does my life help people to see Jesus more clearly? Does it point in the right direction? Or does it just simply glare?

My light should expose darkness, show a better place (Jesus) and help people see how to get from here to there.

No such thing as "secret Christians" - it's only been in the past century or so where lighting fixtures themselves have become the focus.  We shouldn't shine for ourselves but for Jesus.  (Pastor doesn't mention it, but we can think of Christians who allow themselves -- or intentionally work -- to become the attraction themselves.)

--- Being Both ---

Salt alone can be caustic. Light alone can be glaring. But together they can be helpful.

* Understand, you ARE SALT AND LIGHT. Do it WELL!

Not that you are "like" or that you "will become" - but that you "ARE."  Not something to can decide to be or something you can volunteer for.  You don't have a choice about it - your choice is how well you'll do it.

* Get out of the SALT SHAKER and TURN ON YOUR LIGHT.

If we stay in the salt shaker, we have no purpose - we're just decoration. If we stay inside the church with our Christian friends, we are no good to the world.  If we hide our faith, if we do not shine a light on Jesus, we are of no use to Jesus.  (Read that again.  Harsh? It should be. Again, no "secret Christians." - I'm reminded of the great commission in Matthew 28.)

Invite some neighbors over for a BBQ.  Is it always just people from church? It's a good place to practice, but don't stop there.  If God presents an opportunity, take it. (And I would add - pray for the opportunity! Now that's a scary step of faith!)

STRETCH - this fall, we're going to get out of our comfort zone.
Worship, Fellowship, Growth in Jesus, Service, Outreach

* LIGHT your world with THE FLAVOR OF CHRIST.

They should smell the aroma of Jesus when they're around you.  Their life should be better by being around you.

We need to help people know what we are FOR, not just what we are AGAINST.  (That the world would see your good deeds.)

- 1.2-1.5 more abortions this year
- The homosexual agenda coming like a locomotive
- Public schools not only work hard to keep God out, but seems to take pride in mocking God.

If we simply work on what we are against, we are fighting a losing battle (the world will become a darker and darker place, this is a foregone conclusion).  But if we are working on what we are for, we slow the decay of the world.  We are for making the world a better place.  We're for caring for people. Jesus said "be as shrewd as serpents but as harmless as doves.". The world doesn't seek to know what you know when you're being a whiney Christian, but when you're loving like Jesus.

Darkness changes what you think is reality.  (Think of a child in a bedroom late at night without a nightlight.)  The world around us is in darkness.  It's not our job to scream at them in the dark but instead to help them see reality.

2 Corinthians 2:15 - "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."

When people see that you respond differently to the difficulties in life, they will want to know more about why and will be drawn to you.

Lots of fear around us, but we have the hope of Christ.  When others see that, they will want the hope you have.

* It's to SHINE THE ATTENTION ON THE FATHER, NOT US.

A wedding - procession, cake, gifts, the day - but it's really all about the bride.

The same way about us - if they only point to you, you your building, your amazing music - then we've failed.  Not "what a get Christian he is" but "what a great Christ he knows."

Are we influencing our spouse, our children, our parents, our neighbors - do they see Jesus, or just someone who doesn't have anything they need or want and happen to also be a Christian?

---
Playlist:
- A Thousand Tongues
- Jesus Messiah
- How Deep the Father's Love for Us
- You Are My King
- Shout to the North
- Glory of the King
(Communion/Benevolent Offering)

Is This Thing On?

Hey there, reader.  Happy Saturday.
(Or whenever it is if you're a slacker not sitting there reloading my blog hoping for something new.)

I'm at home today just working through household chores.  The girls are off on a girl's day out.  I had hoped to make it to @HomeDepot and @Menchies but the timing didn't work out and Ben ended up needing to go down for a rest.  It's been almost two hours and he hasn't fallen asleep yet, but he was asking to be put to bed.  I guess he just reaches that point where he needs alone time.  So... yeah... got a little bored.  Watched someone's video blog talking about the new Facebook chat.  It's just Skype, but now it's Skype in a way that anyone can understand it.  It'll probably take off now.  Google also launched +Hangouts this week.  Haven't played with that. (Well, haven't successfully video chatted with anyone over Facebook, either, but that's besides the point.  Except to say I'm keen to try it out, so feel free to ping me.)

So I decided I'd try to make a video blog just to see what it was like.  So I fired up Blogger and clicked on the little movie icon.  It asked me to tell it where the video was.  No... I wanted to record one.  Argh.  Ok, so over to YouTube.  Was it possible that I could just record a video straight from YouTube?  Yes.  Cool.  Ok, fired that up and off we went.  I chose a shot that had the trees behind me out the window.  Very quiet and peaceful.  Recorded a decent video.   Went to the next step and it sat there "Processing Video 0%" forever.  I did some other stuff and somehow managed to lose the window entirely.

So, I tried again.   More successful the second time.  Still nothing to say, but at least it actually resulted in a video. Now.. the question becomes... is there any value in this, or am I just creating more data that will live on forever and no one will ever care about?  If I had something more interesting to say, would there be value?  Does this make you feel more connected to me?  Or should I stick to writing so that you can skim over what I have to say? Someone much higher on the food chain has lately taken to doing 5-minute videos instead of sending memos.  It's an interesting tactic - you have to watch and pay attention, lest you miss something and someone else higher than you on the food chain references it and you look negligent if you don't know what they're talking about.  That hasn't happened yet, but I feel like it could.  But at least she has a script and talks about stuff relevant to us.  My video?  Probably not so relevant to anyone at all.

Ok, a few nice touches - now that it's recorded, it showed up right away to select from in the Blogger video popup and I could select it without needing to worry about sizing or URL.  Of course, not so excited about YouTube's insistence on pulling a still from the center of the video, ruins any sort of novelty if someone were to do something unexpected in the middle of the video.  Oh well.

As always, comments welcomed/encouraged.

Cheers.

Rethink Chase

Well, now, this is a disappointing story with enough blame to go around for a lot of people, but mostly Chase and a little bit the Auburn Police Department.

Since his car was auctioned off, the police department needs to look at other cars about to be auctioned (of greater value than his car) and give it to him.  Along with a big fat apology for the circumstances.  And the police department needs to make it a policy that if someone has an active cases open where people are in jail - that someone else checks the voicemail while someone is out.  Duh.

Chase needs to apologize and compensate him in some way. (If the police won't give him a car, maybe they can give him a car and some money.) The guy spent four days in jail.  They need to round up their lawyers and huddle.  They need to fast-track this and go public on social media about how they're addressing this.  (Have they looked at #chase lately?)

This is a disappointing comedy of errors and Chase needs to do the right thing.

Updated with link.  Duh.  Sorry.

#trust30: Nothing to Lose

Nothing to Lose by Tanner Christensen

“Self-censorship is not just self-betrayal and self-abandonment (which would be bad enough), but soul-betrayal and betrayal of our Muse, out inner voice, our highest self.”

Too often we censor ourselves, our actions, and our work in hope or fear of what might happen if we otherwise don’t. What words would you write today, and what actions would you take, if you had nothing to fear, nothing to lose?

(Author: Tanner Christensen)

This is a bit bogus.  Although it feels like it's possible to spin.  There's still a big if there and a big would.  So this really isn't a question of actually acting as if there was nothing to lose but just thinking about what it would be like if there was nothing to lose.  I would write about people-type issues at work and what's wrong and how I would change them.  Of course, it would still feel futile, the only tool in my arsenal for this particular problem is patience.

What is this #trust30 stuff I've been posting?

Seth Godin and crew started this 30 day challenge back at the end of May to commemorate Ralph Waldo Emerson's 208th. birthday.  If you signed up, every day you'd get a quote and a question.  Well, I kind of missed out on that.  But I found out (and it's not listed on their website) that they continued the project.  You can still sign up even now and start receiving the emails.  Then you just write a response.  Supposed to help you think about writing every day and think in general.

Go to their site to get started.

#trust30 Worthwhile Day

Worthwhile Day by Jessica Dang

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could.”
What is one thing you can do that would make today worthwhile? What’s stopping you from getting started right now?
(Author: Jessica Dang)

I'm going to cop out. I'm going to say today was already worthwhile. I had an assertion I made several months ago validated yet again today to someone who disagreed with me. I created a graphic piece at the end of the day that will surprise and delight people at a meeting/conversation I'm holding first thing tomorrow. And in three different meetings it was suggested that my team needs additional headcount (and only once by me). Yes, today was quite the worthwhile day.

At work.

At home? I'm just exercising.

Review: Kirkland Signature Trail Mix

I really like Kirkland Signature Trail Mix in the blue bag from Costco. I used to eat it by the handful, non-stop.  Until I stopped and looked at the health information on the back.

Would you realize that this four pound bag contains over SIXTY servings?  That's right, a single serving is 3 tablespoons (30 grams, as seen at right).  That's less than one handful for 160 calories.  And you think because it's trail mix, it's gotta be healthy.  I was stunned.   (At the current price of $13.92, it's about 23 cents a serving, but it's hard to eat just one serving.)

The mix contains peanuts, M&M's candies, raisins, almonds, and Cashews and is very, very tasty.