Mustard Seeds

[Bryan]

We discussed this Sunday what Jesus was asking us to pray for (and do) when he said "Your kingdom come."

"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed..."

German theologian Gerhard Lohfink writes this, “Jesus is very aware of the ‘impossibility’ of the cause of God in the world. In his seed parables he depicts not only the unstoppable growth of the reign of God, but also the frightening smallness and hiddenness of its beginning.”

Shane Claiborne: "The blessing of the world through the people of God is not like a violent, quick revolution that takes over power. It starts small, grows silently, faces setbacks, but nevertheless permeates the world with love. What Jesus had in mind was not a frontal attack on the empires of this world. His revolution is more like something subtle, something contagious – one little life, one little hospitality house at a time."

Next week we will dream together about ways we can plant mustard seeds here and now in our community, in Traverse City, and beyond. Spend some time this week thinking about this, and be ready to share a thought or idea this Sunday as we discuss "Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven." Feel free to post a thought or idea here in advance - and remember the words of Muhammad Yunus - "How can I help one person for one day, in some small way?"





--------------------
"The kingdom of God cannot be reduced to a single definition: the kingdom of God tells a story."

[rachel]

I was flipping through TIME this afternoon at lunch and found a good one... Project Health

[rachel]

It's kind of like what our local Community Action Agency does... except through clinics. Connecting people and resources to treat non-medical problems; a very good idea.

[Bryan]

If you missed the message on Sunday or want to listen again, it is now online:

Your Kingdom Come

[Angela Josephine]

One of the things that I've come to appreciate about the Watershed community is that people are already planting those seeds in many different ways. I see a diverse group of people who are making what they do count. (That thought is from the Brian McLaren book we just studied... and I think you talked it that one Sunday Bryan... "Let's stop adding more things to the divinely inspired to-do list. Instead, let's start counting what we are already doing.... let's make the things we're already doing count").

I don't think that means there won't be new things done or that we shouldn't talk about it - in fact, by virtue of the organic flavor of our community, I expect we'll get some great input about new ideas that are connected with other ideas. It's just that finding God in what we are involved in resonates and I think it's important to encourage that awareness as it is too easily dismissed or forgotten. So maybe we talk about how we 'can' plant seeds, but also talk about how we are already doing that too? (Maybe that is what you talked about on Sunday... haven't listened to the sermon yet. :) ). Looking forward to hearing what people have to say.