March 29, 2011

Opening Hymns:
Hallowed Be Thy Name (Red) 17
Because He Lives (Red) 20

Scripture Reading:
1 Samuel 16:4-13

Message: Gossip
“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Do you ever get the feeling that you are looking at things in the wrong way? Sometimes our views of people are based off of the wrong kinds of things. We see people through gossip, or through the few actions that we have seen. We may just see the action and not the cause or the reason for the action… and we judge. Too often we can mess up on our judgment and cast out people who may appear to us as strange or irritating… when in God’s eyes they are kind, and beautiful.

At work, and living in a small town, it seems like gossips spreads far. A patient comes in and everyone knows him or her. “Oh, THEY are back again.” A nurse might say. It is very clear to me how humans can view some of the “regulars” that come in. However, I wonder what God’s view of them is. Are there some inner things that we miss when we follow along with gossip? I think that there are. I believe that true healing can be given when we set our judgments aside at our work place, at home, and during all our other activities. If we can do that, maybe we can instead focus on what God’s view is. We can learn to love the inner beauty. We can help create an environment that supports inner healing and forgiveness.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, let us not listen to gossip today, instead turn our ears to listen to You and Your wisdom. For you are able to look at things that we cannot see. Thank you for Your guidance. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Change My Heart Oh God

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, and serve the Lord
Thanks be to God