Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, April 24, 2022
According to a Harvard study that tracked 724 participants from different walks of life for 75 years, the key to happiness is our relationships. The director of the study said, “Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period.”
The quality of our life is linked to the quality of our relationships. This isn’t about the number of friends. It is about the quality of relationships we have with our close friends.
And what makes our relationships healthy is being intentional in developing them.
Friendships matter.
Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times.”
What one thing can you do for someone today that will show that you care?
Jamey
Noah’s Ark
In this series, we hope to do a couple of things.
First, we want to take a fresh look at the biblical stories that we usually allocate to children’s stories and read them for their intended purpose. This closer reading will challenge us in how we read scripture and make us aware of how much we allow social memory to shape our biblical interpretation.
Secondly, this series will keep us sensitive to the complexity of scripture. This sensitivity to the complexity of scripture will commit us to a careful reading and application of the biblical text.
God's promise to Noah to be present with us reaches its fullness when we see Jesus hanging on a cross for our evil.
Weekly Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for lingering with us a little longer. We are grateful you have not given up on us as quickly as we give up on you. Create in us new hearts, hearts committed to loving as we have been loved. Amen.
The Burle Children
If you haven’t already done so, I want to encourage you to check out Abby Burle’s blog. Click Here to subscribe.
If you are looking for a speaker for your church or social event, Abby Burle is your person! Click here to schedule her to speak.
Meme of the Week
Dad Jokes
Apparently, you can’t use “beef stew” as a password. It’s not stroganoff.
What happened to the wooden car with wooden wheels and wooden engine? It wooden go!
I have been thinking………..
In a recent blog post, Abby Burle distinguishes between healing and curing. She says, “How we define illness, disabilities, and sickness will determine what you and I believe about healing.”
She then challenges us to think more expansive when it comes to the biblical concept of healing. According to Abby, Jesus’ healing is framed around relationships. She says, “Jesus’ healing is about wholeness to oneself, others, and Christ.”
You can read it by clicking here.
I agree with Abby that we should think about healing in the form of relationships. Matter of fact, the Greek word for “salvation” which at its root is “Sozo” means deliver, rescue, and heal. When Jesus extends healing in the scriptures he is offering the restoring of relationships because sickness in first-century Judaism brought with it social separation.
However, it is hard for us to wrap our minds around this concept because we live in a “fix it” world. We can be so focused on the “cure” that we ignore the potential healing that can take place.
And this happens not just in our treatment of sickness around our bodies and mind but also in our relationships, social structures, and institutions.
In a divided world like ours, we look to our politicians, medical community, and churches to give us a cure to “fix” us when maybe what God is wanting us to do is seek the healing that comes through the restoration of community.
Just a thought……….
Jamey
Photo of the Week (Photos taken by me)
Click on the links to read
Fragmentation Is Not What’s Killing Us
Our Pulpits Are Full of Empty Preachers
Recognize these faces? They’ll be taking over the dance floor at 2022 Dancing for a Cause
Community Input Is Bad, Actually
WHY THE PAST 10 YEARS OF AMERICAN LIFE HAVE BEEN UNIQUELY STUPID
Book I am currently reading
Sisu (formerly Challenged Child and Friends) offers an integrated learning environment where children from 6 weeks to 6 years with special needs learn and interact alongside their typically developing peers.
SISU believes in fostering a courageous approach to life nurturing every child to reach his or her full potential.
To find out more click here to check out the website.
Question Reflection (and yes, I actually think about these things)
What is the ideal place to take a nap?
Happening at Gainesville First United Methodist Church
The rumor is correct!
I have agreed to put on my dancing shoes for a great benefit. Now, if only the shoes were magical and granted me the ability to have rhythm!
Click here for more information
Watch this and be kind.
Weekly Blessing
by Kate Bowler
Blessed are we for whom the call to loving action is still strong, whose every urge is to keep going, keep working, and not to count the cost.