sex or money?

As I've been preparing the first of my series of sermons on sex ("Exposed"), the thought occurred to me: do American Christians need more sermons about sex or about money? I preached 3 sermons on money (the sermon series "Priceless") and the series on sex will be 8 sermons. Which topic should get more coverage?

When I tell people I'm going to preach on sex, I usually get a "good for you!" response. It seems that people think there's a need for sermons that tackle the topic head on. I agree. But why don't I get the same response when I say that I'm going to preach a series on money?

My hunch is that we THINK we know how to handle money. Especially if we're Asian American, we probably think we're extra good at handling money (at least according to the mainstream American stereotypes, but don't get me started on the myth of the "model minority").

But if God were to monitor our spending habits and our attitudes toward money (especially the latter), I think we'd fall pretty far short. The difference between our self-perceptions about money and sex is that we think we've got money figured out but we're conflicted about sex. Our parents told us one thing about sex (if not in words, at least by their arched brows) and American society (via television and movies) is telling us something different. About money, they both seem to agree that having a lot of money is good and makes you significant and how you get it isn't all that important.

So the next time I preach on money and sex, I may need to do 3 sermons on sex and 8 on money.

be a pencil

How do you think God can use your job skills? In the latest issue of the Covenant Companion (our award-winning denominational magazine) is an article called, "Be a pencil in the hand of God."

The author relates a prayer that she prayed as she wondered how to use her passions and skills for God: "Okay God. This is your entire fault. You gave me a passion for science and a heart for your people in the poorest parts of the world. I don't understand how these two things go together, but if you show me, I'll do it."

After receiving a doctorate in bioanalytical chemistry, she worked for 8 years in biotech. Finally, she quit her job and used her savings to start a non-profit called Science with a Mission, Inc. SMI is working to produce simple, affordable tests for diseases common in poor parts of the world. The article is a wonderful story of how God provides.

But the kicker is that at the end of the article Alynne MacLean shares that she has multiple sclerosis (guess she sorta overlooked this in the earlier part of the article). I was amazed that someone with a disease that is aggravated by tropical climates would devote her life to helping people in those climates.

What have I sacrificed to spread the Gospel? Are my passions so in line with God's love for the world that I would give up my own health to be used by God to serve others?

Alpha

After a couple of years' hiatus, Alpha is rolling again, thanks to the efforts of Pastor Brian and the Alpha team. It would be typical to think about how much of an impact Grace Community can have on seekers and new Christians by reaching out through Alpha. But on our Anniversary Sunday I was thinking about the tremendous impact that Alpha has had on Grace Community, how so many Alpha alumni have done so much at Grace (your pictures were up front in the slide show!). Alpha deserves all the support we can give it. Many, many thanks to those of you who are helping out with everything from facilitating discussion to serving dinner. What you're doing now will have an impact on both the Alpha guests and on us as a church community.

God sighting - CYES

In our staff meeting on Tuesday I found out from Wendy that one of the teachers at Champion Youth Education Services, the after-school program that uses 701 E. Meadow on weekday afternoons, is a Christian and is looking for ways to utilize his position to spread the Gospel. I guess I'd always assumed that any influence for God on CYES would have to come from us. Who would've thought that it would start as an "inside job"? Guess God got there first. Let's pray for CYES and that our relationship with them to be a source of grace.