Friday, January 18, 2008

Friday’s thoughts

What I think I have with this sermon is two great ideas, but, as yet, poorly developed. I was struck with two things about Joseph and what happened to him. It seemed to be important to note what happened to him when they took his coat. That had to be traumatic and symbolic. They took his prize possession from him and they slaughtered a goat and put blood all over the coat and told his father he had been killed. He lost his security when the coat was taken. He might have had some compassion for the goat. The goat saved his life. The goat’s death sacrificed for him.

When life takes our coat; think about the goat
When things happen to us it helps to know that there are others who are suffering as well and some of their suffering is on our behalf.

The other part of the story of Joseph has to do with what happened when he was thrown into the pit. Sometimes life throws us into the pit. Sometimes life is the pits. When we are put into the pit, it’s time to plan the palace. When we are down in the dumps it’s time for us to begin to plan our escape.

These are the two points of the sermon — as far as it goes on Friday morning.
1. When life takes your coat; have concern for the goat
2. When life puts you into the pit; begin to plan to build the palace.

Good lessons to live by; but there is much work to be done before they become a sermon. If you have suggestions write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net (click on the blank space and the email address will pop up.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Charles Schuster

Posted by Charles at 16:43:09
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