Cascade Church Portland

David & Shimei

This week we are finishing up the Life of David series with one of my favorite stories in the Bible. 

There's a smaller incident in the life of David that doesn't make the headlines, but is very interesting. There's a guy named Shimei who was related to Saul, the former King of Israel, and at one of David's lowest moments Shimei shows up to hurl insults and rocks at him. 

What do you do with bitterness and a desire with revenge? How do you respond when someone is celebrating a very difficult time in your life? Take a listen to what a Christ-driven response to those who celebrate your failures can be and ways that we can stop the flow of violence in our relationships. At the very least you'll learn some sweet 1000 - 950 BCE insults to use on your friends. 

David & Jonathan

The nature of friendship is a fascinating study of how human's operate. What is it that draws you to be friends with one person over another? Is it proximity? Similar backgrounds? A love of similar movies, music and hobbies? A deep soul connection that betrays logic?

 

Let's take a look at the nature of friendship and loyalty this week through the lens of David and Jonathan's story. We'll specifically look at how we can be the kind of friend that honors God and honors those made is God's image. Hopefully you can reflect on your friendships and step more fully into those gifts from God!

David & Goliath

Now, you know a story is a good one when it expands far beyond its bounds and comes to explain a multitude of different situations. Almost anytime there are incredibly overwhelming odds in a competition, people can't help but reference David and Goliath. Secretariat versus a mule. The 1994 San Francisco 49ers versus any football team. My Prius versus an '82 Toyota Tercel (I'll let you decide which is which). These are all scenarios likely to be compared to David and Goliath. 

 

So, what does that mean for us today? How do we face the Goliath in our lives that seem to have us beat with overwhelming odds? How do we face huge systemic issues of racism, sexism, slavery and abuse?