Would you rather be right or be good?
Of course, this is a false premise: one can be both right and good.
But one can also be right and not good. Right?
Here’s an example. I can win the argument with my wife about who didn’t wash their dishes and be right. But this isn’t being good. (Just a hypothetical situation, never has happened. Ever.)
Something similar came up for the early church in Corinth. But it was wasn’t about dishes. It was about meat — and what kind of meat was appropriate to eat or not to eat. This was actually a pretty big deal for this community.
For Paul, love was more important than knowledge. Knowledge is great, but it does have a limit and it can lead us to being “puffed up.” Rather, love is what builds up.
So rather than an over-focus on proving ourselves in the right, the way of Jesus is more about seeking the good of those around us.
I can’t but help that sometimes the Church, just as I have, has gotten off track by focusing on our own right-ness and others’ wrong-ness.
This raises a ton of questions! What if we focused on how we could be good? What if we focused on how to build each other up in love? What if that was our posture?
More to come on Sunday at 5PM. See you then!
CALENDAR (see below for details)
ongoing – Home Churches
ongoing – The Alpha Course
11/9 – Men’s Axe Throwing – 6:30PM
11/13 – Baby Dedications
11/13 – Second Sunday Supper — Chili Cook-off
11/23 – Thanksgiving Eve Service with Emanuel Lutheran – 7PM
11/27 – First Sunday in Advent
MEN’S AXE THROWING EVENT
Sharpen your ax blades as we seek to sharpen one another. Grab a friend and join us at 6:30PM at the Smart Axe on Wednesday, November 9th. Cost: $15 (includes food). Let John Fowler know by 11/6 to help with planning (209-345-5854). You can also sign up at Welcome Table on Sundays.
BABY DEDICATIONS
This is very exciting — our first ever batch of Radiant baby dedications on November 13th. Let Zach (zach@radcov.org) know if you are interested in having your baby/young child dedicated.
Baby dedications are a special prayer time when parents bring their children before God and the church. During the service both parents and the church state their commitment to raising and nurturing their children in Christ.
CHILI COOK-OFF 11/13
For our Second Sunday Supper on 11/13 we are going to do a chili cook-off. Sign up at Welcome Table to bring chili or cornbread or rolls. There will be a blind taste contest for those who wish to enter.
THE ALPHA COURSE
What is the Alpha Course? Alpha is a series of conversations about things we all question in life: What’s the purpose of life? Why do bad things happen to good people? Is there a God?
We are meeting on Thursdays from 6-8PM. Dinner Included! We’ll meet at Emanuel Lutheran’s fellowship hall.
Go here for more information and to register!
HOME CHURCHES ARE NOW HOME CHURCHING
Home Churches are just getting going! Our Home Church groups are smaller communities that meet during the week where we learn to practice the simple way of Jesus. No experience required, all are welcome. We usually share meal, read scripture, and consider what God is up to in and through our lives.
Currently, we have five different home groups meeting at various times and locations. If you are interested in learning about available groups and what group might be a good fit for you contact Zach at zach@radcov.org
BAND APP
One way to connect at Radiant is to join our BAND APP group. Think of this as a sort of Radiant message board — our own little Facebook/ Craigslist space. People can extend invites, share about needs and resources. Please join us! https://band.us/n/adaa739aX4Rca
Grace and peace!
Zach
zach@radcov.org
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
