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The men are preaching on different parables this month, and David chose the parable of the shrewd servant.  I have been reading two books - What’s so Amazing About Grace? and 12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee.  Both books talk about how great God’s grace is, and how much God sacrificed for everyone, and therefore how we should treat others the way God treats us.  Namely: forgiving, giving mercy, graceful, etc.  Then in my daily Bible reading I ran across the parable of the Shrewd Servant (Luke 16).  I never understood this parable.  The manager was bad. He was gonig to get fired.  So he goes and bacially steals from his boss - lower the debts owed to his boss to gain favor with the people.  Then his boss compliments him and Jesus tells us to do the same.  What?  In context, Jesus is discussing earthly riches.  So I thought, if the boss is God, and we are the shrewd managers, then I can see that God compliments the lowering of the debts, because God would have forgiven them anyway.  He had already written them off.  A real master would have wanted the debt paid, but God paid that debt for us, with his Son on the cross for our sins.  So when Jesus says that people of the world are more shrewd that God’s followers, He is saying that many times Christians don’t forgive others or show acts of kindness to help others and win favor, though many times people of the world do.

Well, so those were my thoughts, but in looking at commentaries on the parable, no one agreed with me.  Hmmm…  Most didn’t really even read it as a parable with a spiritual meaning, but took a literal interpretation - we need to be shrewd with our money and buy favor.  But Jesus taught in parables.  They had a regular meaning that was obvious (plan before you build a house, etc), but they also had spiritual meaning (count the costs and make a commitment to following Christ).  Another interpreted it as a parable, but said that God was the master, Jesus was the manager and we are the debtors.  But Jesus wasn’t about to be fired, and he didn’t forgive some debt, but all. 

So, read over the parable, and let me know what you think through comments or email.

Yesterday we had a special service and nine couples were married.  These are all couples that have been married under God forever (some have grandchildren!), but never did the legal contract because of the cost.  Our first year here two of our couples were married for this same reason.  We had a great time and everything was beautiful.  One of our members sister-in-law decorated.  She decorates professionally for presidential events and such, and really did a great job (especially considering we only have a roof!).  Of course our camera batteries decided to die after about 10 minutes, so I’ll have to get pictures from Giovanni.  We started the day early decorating, then some of the ladies helped do make-up and hair on the girls.  After the ceremony we had refreshments and fellowship.  Fun, but tiring!!

It has been raining raining raining!  We couldn’t have kids class today because it was raining (we have class outside).  We have a few tarps that we’ve used before, but it was so muddy we were afraid kids would fall (or teachers for that matter!).  October rains the most.  The shoes I wore on Sunday were moldy by Thursday!!  Yuck!  I love the rainy season, but I’m ready for a few sunny days so we can all dry up a bit!

The youth group attended an area wide activity last week.  Every 3 months or so the kids get together for a devotional, and to play.  This is fun because it lets the all get to know one another.

David gave a great sermon on Sunday about the parable of the day laborers.  He talked about the attitude of the first workers, the attitude of the last workers and the attitude of the boss.  The first workers wanted what they “deserved” and were upset when the others were paid as much a they were.  Their real problem was that the others were made “equal” to them.  They felt they had worked harder (which was true) and that it was unfair that the others got paid equally.  The last workers were happy about their pay and didn’t say a word.  They knew that if a recount was made, it would be know their pay was a mistake.  They didn’t concern themselves with the pay of the others.  This is the way we should be.  We shouldn’t think that we “deserve” salvation, and should remember that since we have all sinned, we all deserve condemnation.  Because of God’s great love for us He has saved us.  We don’t want a recount and we don’t want fairness.  We want mercy and grace.  We also aren’t concerned about what others get paid.  After we have received so great a blessing, who are we to question the blessings that others may receive.  Finally the attitue of the boss, who represents God.  The boss was generous and graceful.  He gave what wasn’t deserved and it was only His business to decide what to give.  Don’t we trust God to be a more righteous judge than we could ever be?  God gave His Son and it is only His business to decide what to give us - salvation.  Don’t we want Him to be extra grateful?  David closed by saying that he prays that ALL will be saved.  Do we really want even the worst of sinners to face the wrath of God?  Who could wish that on anyone?  In my Bible reading this week I noticed that Paul wished the same thing - he said he would gladly give himself up for punishment if he could take the place of those who refused to acknowledge their Savior.  Lets all do what we can to help others know God and His great gift for us.

Two weeks ago we had a great ladies class.  We all sat in a circle and each lady had to participate.  We did three songs and then a prayer.  Even some of the kids who come lead songs.  I always like classes like that because you get to see what the favorite songs are and always get a good variety.

This Sunday was review Sunday in our kids class.  One of the little boys wanted a toy so bad, but he didn’t know any of his memory verses.  He’s 4, and sharp, so I told him sorry, but he had to know his three memory verses to get a toy.  So he ran off with one of the older kids and came back after a bit and said one memory verse.  When he was done I asked for the next and he didn’t know it.  Sorry again, have to know them all.  Off he goes, and back he comes with the second verse, ready for his toy.  Nope, gotta know all three.  The last one was longer and more difficult because of the names, but he learned that one too.  You should have seen his look of triumph when he finally got his toy.  But I sure was impressed that he could remember them so quickly (not that I think they stuck).