Christ the King Lutheran Church - Gladwin, Mi.
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The Gospel in Scales

Clever Words: a Lenten Devotional

3/26/2019

2 Comments

 
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A Clever Word for the Season of Lent
πιστός  
faithful, trusty
A Clever Verse for Context
No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful (pistos), and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Clever Reflections
Spiritual
    Paul tells us that God is faithful (pistos).  We humans are faithful too, but our quirks and flaws can sometimes distract from how holy that faithfulness can be.  Our own lives are sustained and nourished by the imperfect people who are nevertheless faithful.  I’m talking about the people who show up help lead worship even if they know they’re going to once again say Philippines instead of Philippians, the people who sing off key because someone needs to sing that hymn, gosh darn it, and the people who always managed to say the wrong thing and so just show up with a casserole and a smile, because it's the right thing to do.  God is faithful and so we are empowered to be faithful too, never knowing just how much of God’s Kingdom is built by the faithful showing up of imperfect people.   

Literary

The historian Herodotus uses the word faithful (pistos ) in a way that gives us a better appreciation for the full range of the word’s meaning.  Harpagus, the servant of King Astyages, is described as being most faithful (pistotaton).  He is described in this way as the King gives him the unpleasant and morally questionable task of disposing of the King’s infant grandson, whom the King believes to be a threat.  Harpagus’ faithfulness is presented in terms of his ability to see the grim task through and do so discreetly.  Though to find out just how pistos Harpagus turns out to be, I’d recommend you investigate Herodotus’ The Histories.     

Clever Questions for Further Reflection
Who are the imperfect yet faithful people in your life?  How have they helped and sustained you?

When have you been faithful and a friend, spouse, or confidant?
 



A Clever Prayer to Close
21 But this I call to mind,
   and therefore I have hope:
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,[b]
   his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
   “therefore I will hope in him.”
Lamentations: 3:21-23


2 Comments
Roslyn Macgregor
3/26/2019 05:20:30 am

OK - so I don't have Herodotus History in my library at home. What happened?? Please ??

Reply
Pastor Emily Olsen
3/27/2019 08:12:56 am

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0126%3Abook%3D1%3Achapter%3D107

Thankfully the internet has Herodotus' Histories readily available. The story of Astyages, Harpagus, and the fate of the infant Cyrus runs roughly from chapters 107-112 in the first volume.

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    Journey through the season of Advent with daily updates on the adventures of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Belliacre, MI as they attempt to cobble together a Christmas Pageant with an unlikely cast of characters.   

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    Amelia Corbett
    Amelia is a cool chick, who enjoys board game construction, elephants, and overall tom foolery. She lives in Gladwin with her parents and younger sister Beatrice.  

    Pastor Emily Olsen
    The charmingly weird Pastor Emily is blessed to live in Beaverton, serve the people of Christ the King Lutheran in Gladwin, and stand up paddleboard in just about any body of water she can find.  She has cats not snakes, but wouldn't hesitate to take in a stray python. tarantula, or dinosaur should it show up on her doorstep.  

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    Stephanie Dubbs
    Stephanie is an art educator and a landscape/portrait artist.  Her inspirations come from the amazing people she meets and the gorgeous state of Michigan as well as her home state of Florida.  She and he husband love nature.  They are out in the water during the summer months and on the snow in the winter enjoying the simple pleasures of life.  
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Christ the King Lutheran Church
600 S. M 18 
Gladwin, Mi. 48624
989-426-1659
Pastor Emily Olsen
pastor.ctkinggladwin@gmail.com


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  • Home
    • Pictorial Directory
    • Contact Us
    • Links
  • Worship Procedures
  • Who are We
    • Mission and Vision
    • Staff and Office Hours
    • Church Council
    • History
    • Newsletter
    • Calendar
  • Faith Formation
    • Sunday School
    • Christ the King Youth
    • Camping Ministry
    • Kids Club
    • Confirmation
    • Vacation Bible School
  • Ministries
    • Stephen Ministry
    • Quilting
    • Food Distribution
    • Backpacks for kids
    • Prayer Shawl Ministry
    • Parish Nurse
    • Columbarium
  • Worship
    • Schedule of Worship
    • How we worship
    • Children
  • Special Events
  • Budget / Annual Meeting
  • Blog