"We Are All Treaty People"

To begin, I would like you to know that the word "treaty" means the same as the word "covenant". Both mean that persons with differences have agreed to cooperate in the expectation of blessing. We may think of the Hebrew covenant with God. We may also think of the various promises we make and the contracts we sign.

The world has come to a place of decision. The ideas rooted in our past are no longer viable. They have produced far too much destruction of God's creation, the realm of nature. It has become obvious to me that God has shaped me to call old ideas into question and stir up the imagination of new ideas. My message is not really a sermon. It is simply me expressing the words God's spirit gives me to speak.

Here it the video we recorded on Saturday morning:

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me.

"Let There Be Light"

Saturday morning began with a cloudy sky. By noon the clouds had drifted away and the sun was shining brightly. This seems a little like the times we are now living through. Things seem dark in the world of circumstance. Thank goodness for the light of God's word which shines in our hearts. Hopefully, each of you is in touch with that inner light, and that it is giving you some sense of peace and security.

I find it very hopeful when we get together for the recording of our Sunday service. Just being in the company of our Band and Sound Guy brings me some sense that life is good. The creative energy released by each person serves to shape a spiritual foundation for our activity. Hopefully, you in your home are also making a connection with the spirit, by which light shines in the darkness.

Here is our service:

Here are the texts which inform our service:

Genesis 1:1-4 - In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.

Psalm 29:1-4; 11 - Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy splendor. The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Mark 1:4-11 - John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

New Years Greetings to One and All!

Five of us gathered in the Big Red Church on Saturday morning. We chatted and nibbled some nice goodies from Barbara. Then the band practiced songs for the service. It is wonderful to hear them as they figure out timing, harmonies, and other musical talents. All while Tom is working at getting the technical details working well. Then we start recording our service. We do this in the hope that you will be encouraged and strengthened during these days of testing.

Here is the video for you:

These are the relevant texts:

Psalm 147:12-18 - Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you. He grants peace within your borders; he fills you with the finest of wheat. He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down hail like crumbs-- who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow. He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and ordinances to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his ordinances. Praise the LORD!

Ephesians 1:3-6 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

John 1:1-9 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.