Lection: 2 Timothy 4

Joel 2:23-32; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:16-18

“God is Amazing!”

Singing: “I am amazing! I am filled with power! And God loves me like crazy! I am amazing!”

I can’t remember if I’ve shared that song with you before. About 15 years ago, that was the theme song that went along with the Bible study curriculum at Camp Christopher. I remember thinking that it was super fun, and kind of “over the top,” and I’ve kept singing it with the kids and camp and elsewhere in the years since.

But I notice that when I invite adults to sing that song, you sometimes like kind of uncomfortable. I think that some of you probably feel slightly awkward throwing your arms in the air and singing out loud about how amazing and wonderful you are.

I don’t think it’s that we are particularly shy or awkward people. Some might say that it’s because we are Presbyterians… very reserved and proper individuals…

But I wonder if, really, it’s awkward for us to sing “I am amazing” because we’ve been taught from a young age that we should be humble. We should not make ourselves the centre of attention. We should not be proud or brag about our … Read more »

Joel 2:23-32
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Luke 18:9-14

Singing: “I am amazing! I am filled with power! And God loves me like crazy! I am amazing!”

Some of you may remember that as the first verse of the theme song from Camp Christopher this summer. I shared the song with you back in May when we celebrated Camp Sunday here at St. Andrew’s. And if you’re anything like me, you probably felt slightly awkward throwing your arms in the air and singing out loud about how amazing and wonderful you are.

I don’t think it’s that we are particularly shy or awkward people. Some might say that it’s because we are Presbyterians… very reserved and proper individuals…

But I wonder if, really, it’s awkward for us to sing “I am amazing” because we’ve been taught from a young age that we should be humble. We should not make ourselves the centre of attention. We should not be proud or brag about our accomplishments.

Today’s parable seems to come down hard on people who think too highly of themselves. In particular, it’s another one of the Gospel stories that doesn’t make the Pharisees look very nice.

You remember who the Pharisees were, right? They were very devout and religious … Read more »