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DEVOTIONAL

False balances

Amos 8:1-14: [The Lord said,] "Hear this, you that trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land, saying, 'When will the new moon be over so that we may sell grain; and the sabbath, so that we may offer wheat for sale? We will...practice deceit with false balances, buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals...'" Store ads tell me that I can now buy, at a discounted price, pieces which it calls "collectibles." I understand that people love certain types of things and end up collecting them. But I do not appreciate a retailer's telling me that I should want things because they are "collectible." God spoke to Amos of such convoluted values, of those who profess to be seekers of God, but who routinely "trample on the needy and bring to ruin the poor." God railed against people who honor the sabbath superficially but can't wait to get back to their priority of "practicing deceit with false balances, buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals." I believe that, more than anything else, God asks us to be authentic, to pursue God deeply with our hearts, even amid our mistakes and failings. A religious practice or tradition that remains on the surface and permits us to "buy the poor for silver" does not honor God. We are to seek God for the love of God, not so that we look good to those around us. In other words, God is not just another "collectible." Psalm 38; Revelation 1:17-2:7; Matthew 23:1-12 Copyright 2011 by Carol Mead. This material is copyrighted, but you are welcome to share it in its entirety with others. To subscribe, visit the website at www.holyordinary.com PROGRAMS Make plans to join us Sunday for a wonderful opportunity of service and fellowship!  We will have a class brunch and outreach project during the Sunday School hour.  We'll work on sending Christmas cards to church shut-ins and continue our Christmas celebrating with brunch and Christmas tunes!  You won't want to miss this!  The Spencers, Hodges, and McWhorters will be bringing in snacks that day. Thank you! SOCIAL The Annual LAF Christmas Party is THIS Saturday at the home of Kevin and Jo Hodges. Join us as we celebrate the Christmas season with dear friends, great food, and plenty of merriment! There will be a champagne bar with festive mixers and the class is proving the traditional Chick-fil-A nugget tray.  We kindly ask that you bring an appetizer, dessert, or beer/wine to share. Please respond to the Evite so we can have a final headcount.  If you didn't receive the Evite, please email Elizabeth atebwerdesheim@gmail.com.   TREASURER We received pledges for $2,400 to use as class funds for 2012, and dues checks are slowly starting to come in. While we hope to collect most of the dues before the end of the year, we understand if this doesn't fit everyone's needs. The Borowsky's won't be present in class during much of December, but you can put a check made out to PRUMC (with Love and Fellowship Dues in the memo line) in the offering plate or give them to the Metzners or Easoms. If you give your check to the church directly, please let Lauren know so she can make sure we receive proper funds. Please let us know if you have any questions.  Blessings,  Malia, David, Susan, Wes