How to Win a Rap Battle (With the Devil)
When the Devil Throws Your Sins in Your Face
When the Devil Throws Your Sins in Your Face
Read the whole article at How to Win a Rap Battle (With the Devil) - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
There’s a famous scene at the end of 8 Mile, the early 2000s hip-hop drama based on the backstory of Eminem. In a crowded basement, two rival rappers, Papa Doc and Rabbit (played by Eminem), face off in a freestyle contest, both of them trying to tear down the other’s ego in a battle of wits. The key is to reveal the other’s weaknesses. Any material that could be used to discred
We Need Less Goliath and More Bathsheba
I became like God’s child David, whom the Lord pardoned of his adultery and murder. I became like Noah, Abraham, Judah, Aaron, Gideon, and so many more wayward children.
I became like God’s child David, whom the Lord pardoned of his adultery and murder. I became like Noah, Abraham, Judah, Aaron, Gideon, and so many more wayward children.
Read the whole article at https://www.1517.org/articles/we-need-less-goliath-and-more-bathsheba-1
hen I was a kid, I roamed the alleys and nearby fields with a pocket full of pebbles and a slingshot in hand. My grandfather had carved me the slingshot from the fork of a mesquite tree. I’d even burned my name into the wood using the sun and a magnifying glass.
As you might expect, my favorite Sunday School story was David and Goliath. In my make-believe world, I was that boy from Bethlehem, and sparrows the Philistine giants. It felt good to be the hero who takes down the foe. I was but a boy. I was new to the world. I loved Bible stories about saints who co………………………………….
The Beautiful Irony Of The Cross
When God Was Numbered With the Transgressors
When God Was Numbered With the Transgressors
Read the whole article at The Beautiful Irony of the Cross - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
In any of the crucifixion narratives in the Gospels, the character that intrigues me most is Pontius Pilate. In many ways, he’s often cast as the villain of the story. He’s the Claude Frollo in this classic tale, with the quiet, unassuming Jesus, of course, standing as our consummate hero. But when you examine Pilate’s activity within the accounts of Jesus’s execution, he’s far more of a complicated figure than we like to remember. Especially according………………………
Crab Racing! April 23'
The Racing Crabs are Coming! May 28th 23’
The racing Craps are coming to Grace May 28th 2023
The Light has Come To Stay
The resurrection rips through all of my intellectual questions.
Read whole article at The Light Has Come to Stay - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
This reflection originally appeared in Daily Grace: The Mockingbird Devotional, Vol. 2.
“But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20:17-18)
There is a local legend of a preacher in Jackson, Mississippi. He stood up to offer a word on Easter Sunday, simply leaned into the mic and said, “It’s all true,” then sat down. I have heard people tell this story two ways. Some people talk about that minister like he was a lazy so-and-so with little regard for the pageantry of Easter. Such a day demands a well thought-out sermon befitting the hats, lilies, and plastic eggs! And then there are the people…………..
Rise & Fall - Saul and David in Samuel (Teaching Series)
In a world where chaos has reigned, the people cry for the rule of a king, a king who will raise them into a bigger and brighter existence. However, as pride and the desire for power rise, so, too, come the falls.
In a world where chaos has reigned, the people cry for the rule of a king, a king who will raise them into a bigger and brighter existence. However, as pride and the desire for power rise, so, too, come the falls.
Reading Plan
The readings for Sunday
4/16/23
1 Samuel 2:1-10
Romans 9:1-5
Mark 13:1-8
4/23/23
1 Samuel 5:1-12
Romans 9:6-15
Luke 18:35-43
4/30/23
1 Samuel 8:19-22, 9:15-21
Romans 9:16-24
Matthew 21:6-11
5/7/23
1 Samuel 13:8-15
Romans 9:24-29
Matthew 23:13-17
5/14/23
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Romans 9:30 - 10:4
Matthew 18:1-5
5/21/23
1 Samuel 24:1-12
Romans 10:5-13
Luke 6:32-36
5/28/23
2 Samuel 1:1-6
Romans 10:14-21
Matthew 14:13-21
6/4/23
2 Samuel 7:8-16
Romans 11:1-10
Matthew 22:41-46
6/11/23
2 Samuel 12;1-13
Romans 11:17-24
Matthew 20:29-34
6/18/23
2 Samuel 18:31-19:2
Romans 11:25-36
Matthew 24:1-8
6/25/23
2 Samuel 24:10-17
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 24:36-42
![[Sunday] Grief - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1686834314419-MWSO75K85R6ZTSH6GEP6/R%26F10a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Bathsheba- Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1686320525961-SEJ40E4CQS8HCO3U523K/R%26F9a.jpg)
![[Sunday] House - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1685664450071-S7IZYOOLH9QR917HR6K1/R%26F8a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Future - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1685052434626-73KV9KG1818C0GGGHUCV/R%26F7a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Projection - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1684454086617-K5FFBWTSMHE2SCYW7AKP/R%26F6a.jpg)
![[Sunday] David & Goliath - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1683820778726-WFX3YS6PSAAD9G3Y5GZP/R%26F5a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Fickle King - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1683248946896-A2ANLKFVMK3GZUFR2ZH1/R%26F4a.jpg)
![[Sunday] We Want a King - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1682700535005-5MM2PLA1M9G3CWUIFGZR/R%26F3a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Pattern of Eli - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1681912627792-V7VCDGRLRH33HCDDYSGN/R%26F2a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Hannah's Pattern - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1681478390671-978SXY58VLMTNRU7ERUD/R%26F1a.jpg)
Seder Meal Photos 23'
We had a great time remembering the Last Supper. The Passover meal of Freedom.
Thanks to all that hosted and came to the Seder meal.
The Transfiguration in the Garden of Gethsemane
In the garden, Jesus is confronted by two opposing wills that act in a hideous union.
Read the whole article at The Transfiguration in the Garden of Gethsemane - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
Every year during Passover week, Jerusalem would be filled with approximately 200,000 Jewish pilgrims. Nearly all of them, like Jesus and his friends and family, would’ve been poor. Throughout that holy week, these hundreds of thousands of pilgrims would gather at table and temple and they would remember. They would remember how they’d once suffered bondage under another empire, and how God had heard their outrage and sent someone to save them.
They would remember how God had promised them, “I will be your God and you will be my People.” Always.
They would remember how with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm God had delivered them from a Caesar called Pharaoh. Passover was a political powder keg, so every year Pontius Pilate would do his damnedest to keep Passover in the past tense. At the beginning of Passover week, Pilate would journey from his seaport home in the west to Jerusalem, escorted by a military triumph, a shock-and-awe storm-trooping parade of horses and chariots and troops armed to the teeth and prisoners bound hand and foot. All of it led by imperial banners that dared as much as declared “Caesar is Lord.”
So when Jesus, at the………………………..
Spring Clean up Day at Grace
Thanks for the Deep Clean!
Big Thanks to all that came and cleaned.
Big Thanks to our friends at the Korean Church!
The Calm Before The Storm
Jesus enters with all the pomp of a future King and departs as the butt of the joke.
Jesus enters with all the pomp of a future King and departs as the butt of the joke.
Read the whole article at The Calm Before the Storm - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
What experiences do you have on your bucket list? You know, that list we humans make of those things that we want to do before we die — whether it’s skydiving, seeing that band we’ve always loved (I see you U2), stepping our foot in Fenway Park, traveling abroad, or visiting all 50 states. This next Tuesday I am checking off the bucket-list item at the top of my list. I’m going to the grandest cathedral in American sport, Augusta National, and the Masters tournament. I joked with my Dad on Sunday night when I called to share the good news that there’s the beautiful experience of “telling your dad you’re having a child,” and just a sliver under that it is“telling your dad you’re going to the Masters.”…………….
Week 5 Vanishing Grace Together Groups
Holy Subversives
Together Group Video Week 5
Discussion Guide | Week 5
![Grace Hello, Welcoming New Members to Grace [Photos]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1677256986267-XJMFJGCSL9HHR3PQX0Y1/PXL_20230219_142746481.jpg)
Grace Hello, Welcoming New Members to Grace [Photos]
Inviting 16 new Members!
Great New Member Sunday at Grace. We invited 16 new people.
Tempted By an Unexpected Evil
The Trials of Job, Jesus, and Us
Read the entire article at Tempted by an Unexpected Evil - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
Along time ago in a heavenly court far, far away, God made a cosmic wager with the Devil. God was boasting to the Devil of the faithfulness of his servant Job, who was blameless, upright, and turned away from evil. The Devil was unimpressed, believing Job was faithful because God protected him and blessed him with everything he could ever want. The Devil seemed to have found such an arrangement unsatisfactory, believing t…………………….
LCMS President Harrison de-nounces "disturbing ideologies"
Over the last few weeks I have mentioned some troubling things, like friends of mine who are active LCMS Pastors have been openly threatened by people online who have “disturbing ideologies.” This statement from President Harrison addresses some of these issues and gives encouragement in Christ.
Statement from Pastor Cris:
Over the last few weeks I have mentioned some troubling things, like friends of mine who are active LCMS Pastors have been openly threatened by people online who have “disturbing ideologies.”
This statement from President Harrison addresses some of these issues and gives encouragement in Christ.
Statement on recent online unchristian teachings
Feb. 21, 2023
Dear friends in Christ,
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, its president, vice-presidents and all 35 district presidents, along with its ministerium and congregations, categorically reject the horrible and racist teachings of the so-called “alt-right” in toto (including white supremacy, Nazism, pro-slavery, anti-interracial marriage, women as property, fascism, death for homosexuals, even genocide).
The Synodical explanation of Luther’s Small Catechism teaches that the Fifth Commandment, “You shall not murder,” includes the prohibition of “hating, despising, or slandering other groups of people (prejudice, racism, and so forth).” The Scriptures agree: “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15). Every human being is precious to God and as valuable as the very blood of Jesus Christ shed for all, “for God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16).
We were shocked to learn recently that a few members of LCMS congregations have been propagating radical and unchristian “alt-right” views via Twitter and other social media. They are causing local disruption and consternation for their pastors, congregations and district presidents. They have publicly stated that they seek the destruction of the LCMS leadership. They have made serious online threats to individuals and scandalously attacked several faithful LCMS members. Through these social media posts, even our wonderful deaconesses have been threatened and attacked.
This is evil. We condemn it in the name of Christ.
These “alt-right” individuals were at the genesis of a recent controversy surrounding essays accompanying a new publication of Luther’s Large Catechism. This group used that opportunity to produce not only scandalous attacks and widespread falsehoods, but also to promote their own absolutist ideologies.
Anyone trying to sully the reputation of the LCMS based on comments from a small number of online provocateurs does not know the loving, faithful, generous, kind and welcoming Synod that I have met all across the nation. Our people are delighted to gather with sinners of every stripe to receive full and free forgiveness from our crucified Savior and are not represented by these few men with their sinful agenda.
I am not speaking about the individuals who may have expressed theological concerns about the essays published alongside the Catechism. I’m talking about a small number of men who based their opposition upon racist and supremacist ideologies. The former we welcome. The latter we condemn.
The LCMS is a robust Christian community under the absolute authority of the inerrant Scriptures as the very Word of God and bound together in subscription to our Lutheran Confessions. Theological dialogue is good. We have clear processes for registering concerns over published materials, and we encourage such theological critique. The biblical confession of the LCMS on doctrine and life is true and unchangeable.
LCMS congregations agree to uphold our biblical standards. We are not a top-down institution. That said, I will work together with our pastors and district presidents to address this matter wherever it arises among us and reject it. We issue the cry of Jesus: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2). We are confident that the same Law and Gospel that broke the hard heart of St. Paul, himself a murderer and blasphemer, can and will do the same today. We are all called to repentance daily. “The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Where that call to repentance is not heeded, there must be excommunication.
Of all the things I’ve seen as LCMS president, this is the most bizarre. I am informed that other conservative denominations are experiencing similar challenges. This horrid attack of the devil drives us to be firm in our confession. Our message of Christ the Savior for all, our local and global mission that serves the entire human race with forgiveness and joy stands firmly opposed to Satan and all evil. Our steadfast message of love and biblical fidelity on the cultural issues of marriage, sexuality, race, and life is an assault on the devil and his minions to no end. Our steadfast witness and assistance to our global Lutheran friends has the devil fuming.
Do not be discouraged! Stand firm! Speak of Christ and His Gospel! “We preach Christ crucified” (1 Cor. 1:23). And if Jesus so carried our sins and the sins of the world, though He never sinned, shall we expect not to bear a few splinters of the cross in this age?
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:31–39).
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Matthew C. Harrison
President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The Seder: From Bitterness to the Lamb (Lent Wednesdays 23)
Every Week we will be going though the Seder plate of Passover meal. Discussing what each things mean from the Bitterness to the Lamb
Every Week we will be going though the Seder plate of Passover meal. Discussing what each things mean from the Bitterness to the Lamb
Reading Plan
The readings for Sunday
2/22/2023
Ash Wednesday
Exodus 2:1-102
Corinthians 5:16-21
Matthew 6:1-4, 16-18
Maror and Chazert Bitter Herbs
3/1/2023
10Exodus 3:1-14
Romans 12:1-2
Matthew 16:21-28Charoset Sweet Brown Mixture/Fruit
3/15/2023
Exodus 14:1-29
Matthew 11:25-30
Karpas Vegetable/parsley dipped into salt water
3/22/2023
Exodus 16:1-8,
Exodus 17:1-7
John 6:35-40Unleven bread
3/29/2023
Exodus 32:1-14
1 Corinthians 10:5-8
Matthew 5:27-30Beitzah roasted egg
![[Wednesday Lent] Beitza - The Seder](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1680093287611-CE1Z3MGO78N02MCJ88L4/seder+5a.jpg)
![[Wednesday Lent] Matzah - The Seder](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1679455050370-GBLOV036WTS1GF65VGVZ/seder+4a.jpg)
![[Wednesday Lent] Karpas- The Seder](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1678887163301-GTRUJMGEKUXVQSJ9TEAR/seder+3a.jpg)
![[Wednesday Lent] Zeroah- The Seder](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1678285116286-8UL7RCGU3KQ4IPHRVJZW/seder+2a.jpg)
![[Wednesday Lent] Charoset - The Seder](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1677513069393-XHCDWK9PVCMCKJQ7MTUN/seder+1a.jpg)
![[Ash Wednesday] Bitter Herbs - The Seder](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/4fef5a15-d08d-4f6d-80a9-4c65ebe5bc66/ash+wednesday+23.jpg)
The story of David follows those patterns of the kingdom of God. From Hannah’s pattern of humbleness to Eli’s pattern of pride leading to a fall. But David's fall at the end of Samuel cries out into the future giving us eyes to see the pattern again in the true and better David.