God's Word in Action: Ask the Pastor BLOG
Welcome to this new resource! At the suggestion of God's Word in Action (GWIA) subscribers, we are expanding this resource to include the opportunity to ask questions of our Pastors regarding their sermons, weekly Bible lessons for Sunday or any other faith/Bible based topics.
To best facilitate the question and answer process and to best share the benefits of all questions and answers with anyone who subscribes, we have choosen an interactive tool called a "BLOG". Short for "web log", the BLOG format allows for you to view the sermon summary from each weekly edition of GWIA and ask questions and view answers.
How to Use the "GWIA - Ask a Pastor BLOG":
- Scroll down the page to find the GWIA edition you wish to ask a question about. Note that the newest week (date) appears on top.
- Click the comments link under the sermon summary to ask your question.
- A new "Post Comments" form is displayed below the edition you want to ask a question about. Note the other weeks are temporarily out of view.
- Type a name. Even though a name is required, "Anonymous" and "Guest" are perfectly acceptable if you wish to ask your question anonymously.
- Type your email address. Also required but will not be publically displayed.
- Skip the Website field as it is NOT required.
- Type your question in the Comments Box.
- Click the "Add Comments" button at the bottom to submit your question. Your question now appears below the related GWIA edition.
- Click the <<back to the blog link to return to the BLOG and close the Post Comments box.
- Questions are reviewed and answered by our Pastors which can take anywhere from an afternoon up to 2 days in the event of questions posted on Fridays or Saturdays.
How to View Your Answer:
- Return to the GWIA - Ask a Pastor BLOG by clicking the Question Button in one of your weekly GWIA emails -OR- by visiting the All Saints home page and clicking the "view the current edition" link in the subscription box.
- Scroll down to view the GWIA edition you asked a question about and click the "Comments" link.
- This displays all the questions and answers posted for this edition.
- Once you have completed your review, you can click the <<back to the blog link and return to the complete list of weekly editions. From here you may choose to view other questions and answers posted for other edition, etc.
Questions about or difficulities with the BLOG:
Contact Bobbie Tomasek at btomasek@allsaintsphoenix.org or Gina King at ginaking@allsaintsphoenix.org
June 4 Edition: Be the people of God
Matthew 7:21-22 (NIV)
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'
Note the use of the word “we” in verse 22. Sounds rather egocentric, doesn’t it? Indeed, not everyone who says “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven. God will look at what, and who is in your heart. So when we live and serve Christ as the people of God, our words and actions should be “Christ-centric.”
Key to this idea is our foundation. Firmly grounded, we will not sway from speaking and acting in truth. That foundation is the word. And that foundation is love. Everything God does is about love and giving. He gave us life and all of creation. He gave us His son, who gave His life. With that two-fold solid foundation of Word and Love at the core of what we do, it should be a natural reaction to do unto others the right thing. On a daily basis, rise and shine and care for the hungry, the mourning, the hospitalized, the imprisoned. Be an example of Christian love to co-workers, co-volunteers, neighbors, family and friends. Be a reflection of Christ. Be and act like the people of God. Even when it isn’t easy.
Unlike the Pharisees who proclaimed their own righteous obedience, be quiet and humble, seeking, and probably getting, no attention or praise. Seek as your reward the joy of touching somebody’s heart in Jesus’ name. There may be sacrifice, suffering, pain or embarrassment. Others may complain about our goodness to others if it inconveniences them. But loving each other, from the greatest to the least, is what being people of God is all about.
