God in a Soup Bowl

Consider the very important role food plays in our lives. Not just the biological role of sustenance and fuel for the body. But all the other ways that food is used to define us as a people. One of the very first rules that God lays down for hungry Adam & Eve concerns food: Eat anything you want except for what comes from that tree. God gets very specific with the Hebrews in the book of Leviticus when he describes which plants, animals, and birds are off-limits for use as food. Jesus’ first temptation from Satan in the desert is to make bread out of a rock. More than once, Jesus made food the focus of a miracle when he fed thousands of hungry people with a few loaves of white bread and a couple of sardines. Jesus took great liberties with an age-old traditional holiday meal (Passover). He said from now on the bread would represent his body and the wine would represent his blood. Jesus, come on- that’s just gross… and weird.

We use food to commemorate and celebrate just about every milestone or special occasion: birthdays, weddings, graduations, new jobs, even funerals. Turkey and dressing is synonymous with Thanksgiving. You’re supposed to eat black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day for good luck. Whole cultures claim their own distinct types of food: Chinese food, Mexican food, Italian food. French fries, Spanish rice, Irish coffee, Canadian bacon, and so on.

When someone special is coming to visit us, we prepare a special meal or go eat at a special restaurant. We use food to help us make memories. We use food to help heal. We use food to comfort. We use food to just enjoy someone’s company. Food can be used to express genuine love. Jesus knew a little bit about this when he used bread and wine to symbolize his transforming love for us. He also made it very clear that we are to carry this transforming love to a hurting world. Let’s do this together by filling soup bowls in Miller Park on January 10, 2009. It’s like we were made for this.

December 2008- Christmas Carols

Project ARK also went Christmas Caroling to five elderly and widowed members of our church family on Saturday evening, December 13, beginning at 5:30pm. We had 10 participants who went from house to house singing and warming the hearts of their front-porch or living room audiences. Thanks to everyone who came and made this a very special evening. We had a chili dinner at the last home where we sang- Ms. Elizabeth Haynes. The evening concluded with a very intimate observance of communion- a vivid reminder that we are Christ's body walking and talking... and singing.

December 2008- Cookies Are Done

Project ARK went to the Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House on Saturday morning, December 13 from 10:30-12:30 to make Christmas cookies and caramel corn for the residents staying there. There were about 10 of us that went. Thanks to everyone who participated and gave of their Saturday afternoon to brighten the day of others through the home-baked smells of Christmas. I know you were blessed just as you were a blessing to others. Selfless acts like this make the kingdom that Christ spoke so much about very real.
(Photos coming)

God in a Cookie?

We are told that God is everywhere. This is true. But how do we really experience that? We can get a sense of his creative power by looking at the beauty of this planet and the heavens that surround it. We can get a sense of his closeness when we pray or meditate. But how can we actually see God walking and talking? We witness this when we see someone totally let God live through them. God showed us what this looks like 2,000 years ago through the person Jesus.

Jesus explained to his followers, “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. Be generous with your lives. Open up to others and you’ll prompt people to open up to God.” (Matthew 5: 13, 14, 16, the Message)

What are God-flavors and God-colors? Certain aromas draw us into the kitchen looking for the source. Certain color combinations draw us into an artist’s painting looking for meaning. Could it be that our actions help people “smell” and “see” something that draws them toward God? Jesus said that it is though us that this world would experience God. So, what do we do? We feed when someone is hungry. We clothe when someone needs clothing. We visit when someone is sick or lonely. We listen when someone needs to talk. We forgive when someone needs forgiving.

We even bake cookies when it will help brighten someone’s day.

We do any number of these things not to bring attention to ourselves. We do them to bring attention to the fact that 1) There is a God; 2) He is walking and talking among us; and 3) He loves us.

Jesus said, “You are blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.” So, yes, God can even be found in a cookie!

Amen.
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Come join us on Saturday, December 13 to make Christmas cookies at the Ronald McDonald House. We will leave the church at 10am.