May 6 – Via Zoom

Children’s Story by Reba Patches (and family)

The Elephant Who Couldn’t Forget by Faith McNulty

Their daughter held up pictures that matched the story and every now and then someone in the background made an elephant “sound.” 🙂

Congo (I think that was his name) Elephant never forgets anything.

However, during the story he was taught that it is important to remember what is important – like: a lion is dangerous and good manners.

One day his brother pushed him and made Congo very angry.

He chose to never forget and would not play with the other elephants – he even stopped eating.

Grandmother Elephant noticed and called a meeting to find out what was wrong and taught everyone that there are some things not worth remembering.

You have to forget what is not important.

You must remember what is important.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

Opening Thoughts and Prayer – Cole Zimmerman

He welcomed everyone to our “virtual” church and prayed for the needs of our congregation and thanked God that we live in a time when we can connect virtually.

Bible Study – by Doug Shenk. Subject – Moving and Healing from Emotional Isolationism.

We are learning new terms like social distancing. We are getting used to new things – no handshakes, no hugging. Each of these things is isolating us.

If we don’t purposefully maintain our lives, things move from order to disorder.

When we feel emotionally detached, we feel alone, ignored, and misunderstood.

This actually began in the Garden of Eden – after Adam and Eve sinned and hid from God.

Thus began the feelings of being misunderstood, going to a party and thinking you don’t fit in, a return missionary who feels they lost their connection with everyone at home, and those who feel like no one understands their pain – or joy.

Jesus came to change that – to bring us back together. The Good Shephard always brings his sheep together.

God said shortly after creating man – it is not good for man to be alone.

The prodigal son returned to his father when he realized that he was “in want.”

Then there was the “responsible” older brother who sat outside the door – sulking – not enjoying the party.

What was blocking his relationship with his father? Anger, jealously.

Knowing you have a spiritual or emotional need and dealing with it is like a forced fast.

We are kind of in a forced fast because of COVID-19 – because we are spending so much time alone.

We are like an onion with a variety of layers. We have a variety of relationships. Some are surface, some are deeper and there are a few that are really deep – without walls.

Back to the garden – There was a time when Adam and Eve had nothing between them – but then they started building walls with blame and fear following their sin.

Fear is the main reason we build walls – which only creates loneliness and more fear.

Some people build beautiful walls – like perfectionism – quiet withdrawal – talking too much – control.

Fear is always at the root and will isolate us.

We begin thinking I am not good enough.

We are afraid to take a risk – a risk we know that God is asking us to take.

Fear brings, pressures, condemnation, and harshness.

We insist that what God says about us in not true.

We cannot receive that we are accepted, forgiven and loved.

We become so used to our fears that we forget what it is like to have not known fear – or that we can be freed.

What changed for the prodigal son?

He stepped out from behind the wall he had built and asked for forgiveness.

As a result he experienced the love of his father.

John 15:4 and 5 – Abide in my love. Jesus

Stay in His love.

Don’t abide in performance or perfection. They invite fear.

Fear makes us slaves and servants.

Faith makes us God’s sons and daughters.

Jesus says when you believe in me – you are a new person.

Believe it.

Sit with Me in Heavenly places.

Jesus invites us to grace and kindness.

Faith allows us to move toward God.

Faith builds bridges over our broken walls.

When we step toward God – He steps toward us.

Right now – are you moving toward fear or are you moving toward faith? You cannot be stagnant.

He closed by recommending a few books.

We must be intentional about our relationship with God and others.

There is always a deeper relationship to be had with God.

I am thankful that we serve the Good Shepherd

The one who gathers

The one who brings us to a relationship with Him.