NTC-Day 1

Matthew 1 & 2; Acts 1-3

I find great hope that within Matthew's genealogy there is a prostitute, a foreigner(Moabite Ruth), a woman who committed adultery with her father-in-law, and the mother of King Soloman who was involved in the sin that could have fallen King David. Why hope? First of all, because women were included at all. Second because even the unclean, or so declared at the time, had deeper wounds, further brokenness than met the eye. Hope that if some like these are included in Jesus' geneology, perhaps there is room for one like me, warts and all. Thanks be!

Matthew shows an interest in worship--which includes both relationship with God and relationship with others. Worship breaks down the wall between public and private lives.

We who follow ought to be in on the action of God, more than just impressed, rather participating in the mutuality of God acting in us, God living in us.

Acts 1.7-8- "Timing is the Father's business. What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the earth."

Acts 1.14--In this for good, completely together in prayer.

Are we witnesses to the resurrection? Do our lives and even our words, our testimony--not necessarily explicit I believe in Jesus testimony, but hope and the source of all hope--are trustworthy?

Feast of Pentecost--individual tongues come down on individual heads, albeit in community. To each is given a manifestation of the Spirit...to each one. Then, when we gather in community= magnification and multiplication!

"They were thunderstruck!"

"Whoever call out for help to me, God, will be saved!" Whoever!

This Jesus (whom you crucified)-God untied his death and raised him up! "Glad from the inside out." God made Jesus Master and Messiah. Change your life. Turn to God. Be baptized. Know yourself forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit blowing fresh, creative wind.

Church happens as the Holy Spirit descends. Never an institution with a history we can look back and measure. It's an experience of happening--of divine occurence.

Peter--I have no power (of my own) to do anything. Not even any money to give you. But I do have confidence in the power of God, and I give you that power. the willingness to respond with everything you are to the person who comes into focus as your brother or sister.

God doesn't ask us to do anything other than what we can do. Do that. (Scares me, especially if I think about the many times I've said no.)

Are you willing to respond to the needs around you with that which is uniquely you?

"You killed the author of life and God raised him from the dead--we're his witnesses! Faith in Jesus' name put this man on his feet--faith & nothing but faith.

Change your ways. Turn to God. Get your sins washed away.