Blog: Forest Lake Talks

Why Bethlehem? “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)” “To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.” “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.” And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2: 4-7 (KJV)…

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” – Luke 6:36 Be merciful. It’s not a suggestion. Or a request. Or a plea. It’s a command. And commands should be taken seriously. Yet, why do we pass the homeless as if they do not exist? Why do we assume the beggar at the intersection is operating a scam? Why do we think the person in front of us in the checkout line using food stamps has enough money to buy anything in the store? Why do we assume the skinny dog is someone else’s problem? And why do we assume…

“Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other.” – Romans 12:10 “Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. ” – Romans 12:13 “Keep loving each other like family. Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:1-2 “Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins. Open your homes to each other without complaining. And serve each other according to…

“Dear friends, let’s love each other, because love is from God, and everyone who loves is born from God and knows God. The person who doesn’t love does not know God, because God is love. This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him. This is love: it is not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as the sacrifice that deals with our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us this way, we also ought…

Then the father[a] said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’” – Luke 15:31-32 After receiving a significant inheritance, Person Y spent his twenties at home with his wealthy family living modestly and disciplined with a focus on family, forgiveness, generosity, and compassion – all the while working for little wages at the family business. Person X placed all value on other ideals such as material…

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 John 3:16 is a verse we usually associate with Easter. But, when I read this verse, it fills me with an immense sense of hope. And isn’t that what Advent is all about, hope? If God loves us THIS MUCH, he must really care about us! That is what I cling to during these troubling times. God has made us a part of His family through the gift of His Son, Jesus.…

“Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.” James 1:21 “….word that has the power to save your souls.” What a wonderful and mighty promise! The word made flesh is Christ and as we prepare our hearts and minds and wait during this advent season, James 1:21 reminds us to remove our sin, which does not reflect Christ, to enable us to hear and receive what the Lord is telling us through his word. I recently spent several days at Mepkin Abbey…

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” – Isaiah 9:2 I don’t think we can find many of us that will disagree that 2020 has been a strange and difficult time to say the least. I know that in my lifetime I have never lived through a time such as this. Its been a year when even the healthy have been quarantined at times. Most of us have known someone who has struggled with the coronavirus and many of us have lost family or…

We all find ourselves in a difficult time. Though we are blessed beyond measure, these days are difficult. The Coronavirus pandemic rages on, our mental and emotional health is stretched to the max, our democracy is being tested, racial strife consumes our streets, and the changing climate challenges our daily lives. Unease is near ubiquitous, and it is sometimes hard to face each day. During advent we are reminded that difficult times are not unique to the 21st Century. Imagine traveling on foot or donkey back miles and miles while in advanced pregnancy to a town far away to be…

My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout – Hymn No. 100 My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great, And my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait. You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, So from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn? My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws…

What a gift for Advent! Today’s devotion comes via video from our PC(USA) mission co-worker Shelvis Smith-Mather. Please take a moment to watch. Submitted by: Shelvis Smith-Mather

“Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” Isaiah 40:1-2 Sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving every year, I pull out a trusty old double CD that lives in my car and start listening. It is the full recording of Handel’s Messiah – conducted by composer and conductor John Rutter and performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cambridge Singers. It is glorious. Most of us are familiar…

“When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife…;” – Matthew 1:24 The ‘angel of the Lord’ spoke to Joseph about Mary, to whom he was engaged, and pregnant with a child. Everyone dreams in their sleep. Some of us ‘day dream.’ During my childhood, an uncle, who preached, disclosed to his congregation…’An angel appeared to me saying God called me to preach.’ How might I respond if an ‘angel of the Lord’ appeared to tell me God called me to preach? That image left an indelible impression…

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 As I sit here thinking and writing about Joy, nine months into a pandemic that has forced me to limit many of the things that bring Joy to my life, I am forced to look beyond what…

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 This scripture was a letter by Jeremiah written to those carried into exile from Jerusalem into Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. All these many years later, we may not have been sent into exile by a King,…