Jonathan Moore
Joshua 22:25-27
The Lord has placed the Jordan River as a barrier between our people and you people of Reuben and Gad. You have no claim to the Lord.’ So your descendants may prevent our descendants from worshiping the Lord. “So we decided to build the altar, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, but as a memorial. It will remind our descendants and your descendants that we, too, have the right to worship the Lord at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices, and peace offerings. Then your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no claim to the Lord.’
Some objects are objects of worship and some are objects of witness. This point of distinction was vital to the tribes settled on the 'wrong' side of the Jordan river. It was about to be such a point of contention that the other tribes were willing to go to war with their brethren over it. When do symbols stop being objects of witness and begin to be objects of worship? Display alone is not the deciding factor. Intent is. We can become critical of others without bothering to examine their intent.
Prayer from First Presbyterian Church Grenada Heavenly Father, we know that wind, water, rain , sleet and snow àre yours. This Sabbath we come before You with humble hearts, seeking Your protection and grace.
We pray you will place Your mighty hand over this storm and calm its force. Shield us from the fury of the wind, rain, snow and ice. Care for those in the grip of the storm and keep them from harm. We pray for the safety of every person, home, and community at risk. We lift up all rescue workers, police, firefighters, and utility crews, asking for clear minds, steady hands, and safe passage as they heroically assist others in dangerous situations. Calm the anxious thoughts and steady the restless hearts of those filled with fear. Remind them of Your constant presence, that even when life seems dark and stormy, You are with us, guiding us to safety. In the wake of the storm, we pray for swift recovery and restoration. Provide essentials like water, food, and adequate shelter, and inspire communities to come together in support and care for one another.
We trust in Your unfailing love and mercy, knowing You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. We pray in Jesus Name. Amen
🌾 A Parable for a World at War
The Parable of the Two Fires
A traveler once walked through a land torn by conflict. Everywhere he went, he saw two fires burning.
The first fire was wild and angry — it leapt from house to house, fueled by fear, rumor, and revenge. People gathered around it, shouting, feeding it with every hurt they carried.
The second fire was small and quiet. It burned in a single clay lamp outside a humble home. An old woman sat beside it, warming her hands. When the traveler asked why she kept such a tiny flame alive while the great fire raged across the land, she said:
“The big fire destroys. But this little fire — this one keeps hope alive. If even one person tends a small flame of peace, the darkness can never fully win.”
The traveler stayed with her for a while. He warmed his hands. He listened. And when he left, he carried a small flame of his own.
Soon others did the same. And though the great fire still burned, it no longer had the whole world to itself.
🌟 The message for today
We can’t stop every war. We can’t fix every division. But we can tend the small fire — the one God places in each of us:
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kindness
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patience
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truth spoken gently
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forgiveness offered freely
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hope kept alive
And when enough people carry that flame, the darkness loses ground.