Our Relationships with Others – Br. David Vryhof

This sermon is part of a Lenten preaching series on “Growing a Rule of Life.

Preaching SeriesSQRules of Life & the Rhythms of Nature – Br. James Koester
Our Relationship with God – Br. Geoffrey Tristram
Our Relationship with Self – Br. Mark Brown
Our Relationship with Others – Br. David Vryhof
Our Relationship with Creation – Br. Keith Nelson
Living in Rhythm and Balance – Br. Luke Ditewig

 

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Br. David VryhofRomans 12:9-21, Luke 6:27-36

This evening is the fourth in a series of sermons on “Growing a Rule of Life.”  In the three previous weeks, we have looked at how we might make use of the monastic concept of a “Rule of Life”

  • to weave healthy practices into the rhythms of our lives,
  • to focus our time and energies on what we value most,
  • and to live more intentionally the abundant life God offers us in Christ.

We have examined how a Rule of Life might support our relationship with God, and our relationship with our own selves.  Tonight we consider how a Rule might inform how we relate to others. Read More

Remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Br. Jim Woodrum

Read by Br. Jim WoodrumEphesians 6:10-20; Luke 6:27-36

Enemy:  someone who hates another; someone who attacks or tries to harm another; something that harms or threatens someone or something; a group of people (such as a nation) against whom another group is fighting a war.  Upon hearing this definition from the Webster Merriam Dictionary, ask yourself:  Who is my enemy?  Who hates me?   Who is trying to attack or harm me, my family, or my community?  I think most of us could think of someone or some group of people in which we could attach the definition of “enemy.”  There are those of us who have experienced violence first hand or have seen another attacked or chastised by an aggressor.  Others of us may only know our enemy at a distance; for instance in the social media paradigm:  Who on your ‘friends’ list stands opposite you in the Duck Dynasty debate?  It would be easy to see this as petty, but don’t underestimate the power of words to inflict violence and pain on those who are considered the enemy.  Seeds of physical violence often germinate in the soil of language before moving to weapons that can do physical harm.   Adolf Hitler certainly knew this.  So, who is your enemy? Read More