Late Response

This is a sufficiently late response about a sermon that was given on 3/9. If you weren't there, don't worry. But if you were there is a chance that you would have a better idea about what my notes are about.

First off I marked most of my notes into the margins of the church bulletin so there really isn't a ton of them but I do think that they may be of interest to some of you. You know what the bulletin is, if you don't leave me a comment and your email address and I will happily send you a picture of one. My notes were written as responses seemed necessary at points. But we all know that sermons aren't supposed to be turned into question and response sessions. And they're not really an open forum discussion either.

Secondly it was the first sermon in Lent. Pastor is presenting an interesting series of sermons entitled "Red Letters (Finding Our Story In The Story Of Jesus)". Meaning the focus is on the spoken words of Jesus, as well as his actions. This particular sermon focused on Matthew 4: 1-11, and was titled "Tempted."

So what were my responses/observations? They're things I thought some of you may find interesting.

• Destiny is not certain. It is in flux due to the actions of all those surrounding you. Your choices and theirs affect the outcomes over time.
• Lent acknowledges hardship, but ultimately shows that it can be defeated.
• Change is an element of time and consciousness.
• Effort is all relevant to the amount of desire one has to acquire the change or desired result. 
• Simplicity is reflective of perspective.

Now there was something Pastor brought up that intrigued me. HALT: used as an acronym to acknowledge situations that leave people open to temptation. It shows the four states in which people should pause before making any decisions.

• Hungry
• Angry
• Lonely
• Tired

These stated of mind leave people open to temptation. Whether it's a vice or some other negative, these states of mind leave room for them to creep into your thoughts. By putting them together into HALT, it's fairly simple to reflect on them.

Now, as to the sermon the following week on 3/16. This sermon was called "Boxes" and was a reflection on Matthew 17: 1-8. The point of this particular sermon was that people try to put God into a box. But boxes aren't always big enough to contain what we try to keep inside them.

In a round about way boxes can be likened to stereotypes and expectations. Personally I found this sermon slightly distressing. It had nothing to do with Pastor, or what he was saying as a whole. It had to do with the fact that there is a lot of things going on for me right now. Sermons are supposed to do that though, not distress, but they're intended top make guests of the church and members of the congregation reflect and contemplate the content of the sermon.

I didn't take specific notes this particular Sunday. I listened in the nursery with my nephews.

Why did I find this particular sermon distressing? I feel limited lately. It feels like people only see me for what they want me to be, not everything that I can be. What they have a tendency to forget is that there is a lot more to life than just what other people expect. If we only ever did what other people expected of us, we would never achieve our full potential. So, I suppose my observation and sentiment is that no one should be boxed up.

Remember, there's a very popular old saying; Think outside the box. Life can be so much better if you do.

Alright, well that's enough on my thoughts on the sermons at church. I know not all of you really are all that religious but it doesn't hurt anything to think about the messages, since they can be useful outside of the course of religion too.

Now, if you're in the Buffalo area and you want to check out the church, it's only fair that I give you the location. Mind you, you won't always find the same people there. But the people there are always welcoming and they enjoy seeing new faces.

Windom Community Church
3766 Abbott Road
Orchard Park, New York 14127

Oh, and Pastor Mike? Thanks for the sermons, and not beaning me in advance. After all I doubt that you were looking for responses of this kind, or reflections whatever people want to consider this. But we do have the freedom of speech, I just don't go ahead and speak up all that often.