A Tree or Chaff

After welcoming us, Brad shared about how special last week's service was at Gwen and Walt's. A beautiful time on the lake with a service there and a day of fellowship. Today we would be looking at Psalm 1, which has a message all of us need to consider.

Announcements
1. Gail shared that on the 24th we will have a picnic following the service.
2. Walt shared an update on the building. The well has been dug, the foundation laid and power brought in. Many people have donated services, and this week the walls will go up. Financially the project is on track. It's a very exciting time.

A Tree or Chaff

Pastor Brad began by having us read Psalm 1, a wisdom psalm.

The psalmist presents a set of images to convey a truth. Some people are like trees, planted by streams of water. Its leaves don't whither. And it will bear fruit.

He then contrasts this tree with chaff, a bi-product of harvesting. Chaff has no value. It is dead, so it needs to be separated from that which does have value.

The psalmist then points to an either/or. Your life is either becoming a tree or chaff. But the choice is yours.

If you want to become a tree, he says there are places you should not be going to and people who you may not want to be involved with.

I Corinthians 10:23 states, “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.  In other words, our faith is not a set of rules.

But even though we have this freedom, there are some things that are not beneficial. Paul says that even though it is legal to do some things, it may not be beneficial.

Hanging out in a bar, watching television... this may not be sin, but does it bring you closer to God? Does God seem more alive when you are doing many of the things you do?

Verse 2, "But those who delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on His law day and night..." This is how you will become a tree.

Brad summarized in this manner: If you live your life in a place of spiritual drift where you get up and go through the motions of your day, this environment will deaden your life. This culture will lead you to a life of chaff unless you live with intentionality.

What would it look like as a church if we said, "No more chaff. I'm going to make decisions that make me a tree."

What if we found creative ways to get God's word into us, that would transform us into life-giving trees. I worry that we don't find the time, make the time to get God's word into us.

In closing Brad sang "I Want to Walk As a Child of the Light."The congregation joined in on the final verse.

* * * *
Here are some photos showing our current building project status:

It's starting to look real. Stay tuned.

Psalm 34

This week our service was held at Walt & Gwen Cressman’s home on Grand Lake. A gorgeous morning had been awaiting us here as everyone began assembling in lawn chairs of various configurations. It was nice to have some of the neighbors join us for worship including Martha Westlund who will be turning 99 in October.

Brad welcomed us with his usual enthusiasm, reminding us of how many times this (having the service at Walt & Gewn's) has been attempted but thwarted by weather. The stillness of the air helped the sound to carry wonderfully.

Announcements 
1. It was an awesome week on the building site, with the plumbing roughed in and prep for the next round of concrete. It’s an exciting time with many people contributing their time and experience. Please keep praying for the building committee and the vitality committee.
2. There will be a double header Tuesday at 6 and 7 and also on Thursday for the church softball team.

The trio got our blood flowing by opening with Heaven On My Mind. The electric keyboards sounded grand. They followed with Master of the Wind before leading us in worship.

There were several prayer requests and as well as things to praise God for, including the beauty of the day.

Psalm 34

It’s a familiar psalm, and one that Brad says he loves, as do many others. There are many familiar passages including “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” But this passage is not isolated. A later verse speaks to our wonderful provision for forgiveness through the Gospel.

And then there is Verse 18… The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and He saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Life has many incredibly hard things, so as much as I'd like to just talk about verse 8, we need to remember "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

And then there are verses 12-15… straight talk from David. “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days… keep your tongue from evil.” Stop slandering. Stop gossiping. Don’t yell and scream at each other. Don’t tell lies. Walk away from evil. Seek peace and pursue it.

What would our community look like if each of us found a way to be peacemakers?

I want to preach about verse 8 but I don’t know how to talk about that without addressing verses 4-7.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; 
 he delivered me from all my fears. 
5 Those who look to him are radiant; 
 their faces are never covered with shame. 
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; 
 he saved him out of all his troubles. 
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, 
 and he delivers them.

God not only frees us from sin, but also from our shame. What is it in your life that causes you shame? Sometimes it is from something that happened to you and you didn’t have anything to do with. It could be a broken marriage. It could be being betrayed by someone you trusted.

And then there are verses 1-3.

1 I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 
2 I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 
3 Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.

A spirit of gratitude is central to healthy life. God wants to hear your voice. No one can sing your praises for you.

Let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Finally … the verse I want us to consider. “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Our God is really, really a good God. When we taste God’s goodness, we suddenly have a bond with all others who have tasted and appreciated God’s character and nature and goodness. God even takes the evil one’s intentions and turns it around for our good.

Our God is good.

At this point we celebrated the Lord’s Supper. … followed by a time of fellowship over food and and an afternoon fun -- near, on and in the lake.