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​We are Blessed

I absolutely love "The Message: the Bible in Contemporary Language" by Eugene Peterson. If there’s ever a scripture you have trouble understanding, try reading it in "The Message" — it’s more conversational and relevant to our world today. We’ll be reading the Beatitudes this Sunday from Matthew, and I’d like to give you both translations of my favorites:

Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his Rule.”

Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are — no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.”

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”
“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.”

Pastor Ron Olson, who led Salem’s Saturday evening services 2004-08, used to tell us that we had two jobs as Christians: to bless and forgive. Do you fit into the Beatitudes as someone who is blessed? Are you at the end of your rope or content, caring for others or being cared for?

I encourage you this week to think of yourself as someone who is blessed, and to then go and be a blessing to others. My guess is that you already are.

Heather Lewis
Director of Worship and Music

Tags: Weekly Word