July 15, 2018, Lectionary

I ponder what it might mean to really bring God home, into home life, church life, and neighborhood life. 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12-19

Who can be in the retinue of the Lord and King? Maybe clean hands and pure heart still matter. Maybe pushing off from useless worships and deceitful intentions is still a good choice. Only by the grace of Jesus! Psalm 24

God has gathered together in one all things in Christ, that we should be to the praise of God's glory. I am adopted and predestined for one thing, God's glory! Ephesians 1:3-14

In the height of the party, the king took care of his guests instead of his conscience. The trick of Herodias. Mark 6:14-29

Thoughts about Listening

Celebrate the coming home, always. Some don't come home. 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12-19

Useless attention and deceitful intention hinder honorable mention. Psalm 24

Step back a bit, do a fly-over, change perspective, view it from another angle. Good exercise. Ephesians 1:3-14.

I am happiest when I use my speech, my words, and my other assets in ways free of intentional deceit, seduction, entrapment, and manipulation. Mark 6:14-29

Bible Reading Group Homework

1.    Tell someone who will listen about a homecoming that gave you great happiness.

2.    Read or listen to 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12-19. What were the parts of this celebration? What was the celebration about? What spiritual things do you celebrate? How do you celebrate?

3.    Read or listen to Psalm 24. Look in the last half to identify a litany that could have been used in the before-mentioned celebration. Look in the first half to discover what God thinks is important in order to join the celebration party.

4.    Read or listen to Ephesians 1:3-14. For what are you and I chosen, elected, predestined? Find several things, even in the first verses of the reading. Discuss.

5.    Read or listen to Mark 6:14-29. Herodias was the mother and queen. Salome was the daughter. Herod was the king. What was the trick in this story? Who tricked whom? How do you think each of the participants listed above felt about it afterwards? Discuss what might you or I need to do to make following our consciences more likely in our life situations.