this is how we do

“once again jesus went out beside the lake. a large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. as he walked along, he saw levi son of alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. ‘follow me,’ jesus told him, and levi got up and followed him.
while jesus was having dinner at levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. when the teachers of the law who were pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: ‘why does he eat with tax collectors and “sinners”?’
on hearing this, jesus said to them, ‘it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. i have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’” mark 2:13-17
this was one of those passages in scripture that motivates what we do at the upper room. this is why we eat together. there is something almost mystical that happens when we share a meal. my prayer for the coming year is that we would find more around our table…those that some might label tax collectors or sinners. the call is still the same…follow me. he ate with tax collectors and sinners…i want to follow him…
so this is how we do
peace to you,

scott

a tale of two healings

the leper he touched
the paralytic broke through the ceiling
both healed
both for different reasons?
a man cried out on his knees
"if you are willing"
and jesus was filled with compassion
friends carried the other to the lord
and again jesus healed
this time by forgiving sin
who is this man who claims he can forgive sin?
Son of Man and Son of God
we echo the words of the crowd that day
"we have never seen anything like this!"

sunday night at fude...4pm
a tale of two healings

peace to you,
scott

happy christmas eve

ancient words come to pass

this is a gentle reminder to celebrate the messiah, not just the merchandise this season. we will be getting together again at fude after the holidays...see you on the 30th at 4pm. bring your leftovers and christmas goodies to share.
peace to you and merry christmas,
scott

christmas at the upper room

here is how the next few weeks unfold for us at the upper room

saturday, december 15 - the upper room christmas @ derek and heidi's (email scott if you would like directions)
sunday, december 16 - no upper room
monday, december 17 - lending hands to osborne house
tuesday, december 18 - lending hands to osborne house
sunday, december 23 - no upper room...spend the holidays with your other loved ones.
sunday, december 30 - the upper room will gather at fude.

we are looking forward to a season filled with family and friends, of celebrating and remembering. we pray that you have a peaceful, meaningful and memorable christmas this year.

peace to you,
scott

advent

merry christmas everybody

advent

heading for a time of solitude

the man heads out for a time of solitude. it is not yet dawn. the cool early morning air causes the hair on his arms to rise slightly. he shivers. in the distance there is the sound of a bird venturing out for its morning meal. a twig snaps under his sandal as he continues out beyond the limits of town. just a few hours ago there was an entire village crowded here. calling for mercy, desirous for healing. so he met them. he heard their story. he took care of them. many were healed. but now he is tired. not just because of lack of sleep, but a tiredness that runs much deeper. he has expended himself for others. power has gone out from him.
his labour of love has cost him. he was willing to pay the price, but now not only is his body tired from the previous late night, but there is a slight weariness in his soul. it thirsts for connection. for a time to recharge.
he finds a place of quiet...of solitude. in the words of paul simon...a time when my restlessness is past and i can lie down on my blanket and release my fists at last. a place of quiet
and it is here that the silence is broken with the words that can shake the mountain...
father...i need you.
there are days where i feel weary. not because i was up at 5am before the sun rose. nor is it because i have worked a full day. but a weariness that runs much deeper. naps, (o how i love thee) do not seem to relieve this sluggishness in my soul. perhaps because it is there that the weariness resides...the soul. it is not merely a physical issue, though they are somehow inextricably linked. nagged by the weariness that sleep cannot requite.
in those times i know only one place to turn. just like my master before me...
father...i need you.
it doesn’t take long for the world to cram in on us. appointments and schedules, people clamouring for our time and energy. jesus knew what it was like to feel this...
do you?
and where do you turn?
this week at the upper room we will look at mark 1:35-37...
peace to you,
scott

advent