Monday, August 1, 2005

Good Morning!

I'm still in Chicago through Wednesday night, so might not be able to get the emails done the first part of this week.

The new unit for this week is Unit 14

Focus Scripture for the Week: Luke 24:45-47

Then he opened his minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations"

Today's Scripture: Matthew 6:7-14

Today's Discussion:

-- quick couple of thoughts for the day -- we often forget that forgiveness of sins is what this is all about -- that sin puts distance between us and God, and that forgiveness spans that distance and repairs that breach. We are called to be forgiven and to forgive others. That is the key portion of the scripture reading for the day.

-- the commentary for this unit makes a great observation -- that acknowledging the need for forgiveness for sin is something that our society has a hard time coming to grips with - the idea that there is something that you can't handle on your own -- that you need power greater than yourself to give you that forgiveness. You can't even work hard to get it -- it is a gift that only has to be asked for.

Question for Sunday:

-- Who was the last person that you forgave for something that they did?

Today's prayer request: Natalee Holloway's family

They are still in Aruba, and the news continues to be grim. Continue to pray for their strength and for a resolution for the family.

Today's class member prayer:

Michelle Ray

Have a great day.

Jay