Jonah and his message of hope!

Friends:
As I write to you this week I am listening to the band Jonah 33. For those of you who don’t have the Bible memorized, Jonah 3:3 says, “This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large it took three days to see it all” (NLT). Jonah is one of my favorite books in the Old Testament, especially chapter 3. It begins with God coming to Jonah a second time and commanding him to go to Nineveh, a city of the lost. The first time God commands him to go there, Jonah runs away. The second time he obeys and goes among the lost to proclaim God’s message to the masses, who in turn repent. It is a great story of how our God is a God of second chances, that despite past mistakes we may have made, we are continually given the chance to participate in spreading God’s message of hope, salvation, grace and love to those who feel lost, helpless, hopeless and alone. Jonah’s brings an unpopular message that challenges the community of Nineveh to turn away from the false idols that are ruling their lives and turn to God. It is a great message showing the God’s word is for everyone. Despite the wickedness of the Ninevite people, they were open to God’s message and repented immediately. If we simply proclaim God’s message of salvation, we may be surprised at how many people will listen.

Food for thought: How is God calling you to be like Jonah? Where are the Ninevite communities in your life? Do you know someone who is lost and could use the message that God gives us today, one that says our God is a God of second chances? Can you remind one person this week that God loves them?

Reminder: Don’t forget our faith in film series continues Sunday night with the showing of Sicko. The film starts at 6 pm and is followed by a discussion of how God calls us to be engaged in the process of equitable health care for all God’s Children.
Reminder, part 2: Next Thursday, November 15th from 7-8 pm we will hold our first Solomon’s Porch coffee house discussion at Redford’s new organic coffee house at Five Mile and Inkster, First Cup. Join us as we talk about faith, life and how faith and life connect using real issues in the news.

Green Tip of the week: Wondering what to do with all those greeting cards laying around your house or sitting in your attic? Reuse your greeting cards as gift tags. Call us psychic, but we're betting you're not planning to reread every single card you receive this holiday. Instead of stashing them in the attic to collect dust, grab some scissors and get crafty.
The Benefits
· Save trees. Our crystal balls (and industry stats) predict that about 90% of all US households will buy greeting cards, but few will be recycled.
· One-of-a-kind gift tags are a great personal touch when you're giving presents.
· Save money - you'll never buy another gift tag again, boxes of which go for $2-$15.
· An artful lesson in reusing for the kids. Just grab some pinking shears and give the kiddos a right brain workout.

-courtesy of Ideal Bite online resource

I will be praying for those who read this blog every Friday morning. Let me know how I can pray for you at bicyclepastor@yahoo.com ?

Have a great week
PB
Web: www.sjlcredford.org
Blog: www.missionarywheels.blogspot.com


Prayer Points:
For all those who feel lost, that they may know that our God is a God of second chances
For those who do not have access to quality health care
For our Sunday school as it continues to grow
For discernment with our brothers and sisters at Bethlehem Lutheran Church