Are you odd enough to be a prophet?

This week's Bible readings are all about authentic, God inspired speech.  We get public speech in the psalm that is comprehensive and complete and tells us what God wants from us.  In the Old Testament we hear the consequences for false speech by would-be prophets. In Mark we witness Jesus speaking authentically and with authority to exorcise a demon.  In 1 Corinthians we learn that we should take care with our knowledgeable speech because not everyone has the same depth of knowledge and understanding.

What an odd collection of readings about speech related to faith.  There are odd circumstances.  There are odd insights to consider about what is authentic.  Odd considerations about the use of prophetic speech. It's all so odd that it's enough to make us never want to have a religious conversation again much less take it on as a vocation.  No wonder Prophets never have a real home.

Well, we don't get off the hook that easily.  It's the obligation of all believers and it's okay to be weird in Jesus.

The lectionary readings are:  Psalm 111; Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Mark 1:21-28; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13.

Don't forget the prayer breakfast this Saturday morning at 8 a.m.  The program is our annual report and our vision for the future.   See you there!

Allen Cross