Thoughts from Pastor Stan

On Palm Sunday, we continued the story of LOR.

As the fellowship continued their journey. Each member of the fellowship receives a gift (weapon). Frodo receives “ light of Eärendil, our most beloved star."

They then set on their journey and they come to a rest in the spot of the river, where they prepare to cross over to the other side of the river. They then are attacked by orcs.

Frodo escapes and then begins to weep silently, then Frodo remembering his conversation with Gandalf (who is now dead), he says to Gandalf,

Frodo: "I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened."

Gandalf: "So do all who live to see such times but that is not for them to decide. All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you."

At that moment in the story, Frodo knows what to do. With the lingering images of the mirror and what could happen if he does not destroy the ring, Frodo sets across the river.

He is soon followed by Sam Wise, who can't swim. Sam enters the river and Frodo informs him,
"Go back, Sam! I'm going to Mordor alone."

Sam responds, "Of course you are, and I'm coming with you!"

Frodo, "You can't swim! Sam!"

Sam struggles to swim then sinks into the water. Then when it looks like Sam is about to die, Frodo's hand reaches down and grabs Sam's wrist. Sam tightens his hand around Frodo's. Frodo pulls him out of the water and up into the boat.

Sam informs Frodo, "I made a promise, Mister Frodo. A promise! 'Don't you leave him Samwise Gamgee.' And I don't mean to! I don't mean to." They continue the journey together and it will be Sam’s turn to save Frodo.

THE POINT
Frodo at this time saves Sam. There will be opportunities for Sam to “save” Frodo as the journey continues.

PALM SUNDAY
On Palm Sunday we are reminded that Jesus enters Jerusalem as a "king," and departs Jerusalem as a "criminal."

Peter when reflecting on Good Friday and the death of Jesus on the cross says in I Peter 2:24b
"by his wounds we have been healed."

Jesus then becomes our Wounded Healer. We are reminded to be like Jesus. Thus, we too can become a wounded healer in the life of another. In Frodo's case, by reaching down into the water, he becomes a "healer" for Sam. The "wounded" Sam will have his opportunity to turn around be a "healer" for Frodo.

In baptism, we descend into the water, as one descends into death; and then we are brought forth out of water, from death to life. Frodo reaching into the water brings life into Sam. The Wounded Healer reaching down into the water of despair that is drowining us and pulls us out of that water brings us into life.

QUESTION TO PONDER
How can I be Christ-like and be a wounded healer?

Sermon Notes: March 2, 2008

QUESTION – Does evil exist?

Socrates/Plato – evil is merely ignorance

Spinoza - evil is a matter of personal perspective

Nietzsche – evil is weakness and good is strength (Klingon)

Ayn Rand – evil is when the weak prey on the strong

Cracker Barrel – “evil is in the eye of the beholder”

- “evil is the absence of God”

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:13 (Lord’s Prayer taught at the Sermon on the Mount)

MT 6:13 Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

9/ll - wake-up to an evil that was always there

Problem: with the passing of time, we forget (Status Quo)

LAST WEEK

DECISIONS: evil begins with decisions. Can we decide to do an evil act?

LORD OF THE RINGS

In LOR, "it was man and man's greed for power" that allowed the ring (evil) to exist when man could have decided to destroy the ring.

The ring reminds us of evil.

VIDEO SEGMENT #1

Last week the topic was decisions. Frodo, the ring bearer was given the responsibility to make the DECISION. They were attempting to cross through the mountain pass and were buried in an avalanche. The Dwarf, Gimili, suggested to go under the mountain through the mines of Moria. gandalf says, "Let the ring bearer decided." Frodo decides to go through the mines of Moria.

As they briefly enter the Mines of Moria, Frodo's decision. , they become aware that the mine is now a tomb for goblins have killed the dwarfs, as they are about to exist the mine and attempt another way, they are ushered back into the mine by the beast of the lagoon. Once again back in the mine with the entrance caved in by the beast, Gandalf says, "We now have but one CHOICE we must face the LONG DARK OF MORIA. Be on your guard there are OLDER AND FOULER THINGS THAN ORCS IN THE DEEP PLACES OF THE WORLD.