29 May, 2009

Welcome to Town ... Maybe?!

Welcome to Basalt, Colo.? Maybe not, sign warns

BASALT, Colo. – Maybe the Colorado town of Basalt isn't so welcoming after all.

That's the impression government officials fear people will get when they enter the town because new posted signs say "Warning" in red letters right below the sign that reads, "Welcome To Basalt."

The warning refers to a town ordinance that prohibits drivers from letting their cars idle for more than two minutes. But Town Councilwoman Amy Capron says having the signs so close together makes it "daunting and not so welcoming."

She and another councilman say they have received several complaints about the signs from residents in this town about 180 miles west of Denver.

The town mayor suggested that the signs be separated and officials plan to relocate them.

Story and Photo from www.news.google.com.

Mark 6:6b-13 (NIV)

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

6bThen Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.

8These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them."

12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

What does God's Story Scripture teach us about being welcomed?

Have you ever experienced a time when you felt like you weren't welcomed because of your relationship with Jesus?  As we live this 3Story way of life, this is a hard reality to face.  We want to always be welcome.  But today's scripture reminds us that there may be times when we have to "shake the dust off of our feet" and move on.  Exactly what does that mean?

Check out the Life Application Bible Study Notes for Mark 6:11:

Pious Jews shook the dust from their feet after passing through Gentile cities or territory to show their separation from Gentile influences and practices.  When the disciples shook the dust from their feet after leaving a Jewish town, it was a vivid sign that they wished to remain separate from people who had rejected Jesus and his message.  Jesus made it clear that all who heard the gospel were responsible for what they did with it.  The disciples were not to blame if the message was rejected, as long as they had faithfully and carefully presented it.  We are not repsonsible when others reject Christ's message of salvation, but we do have the repsonsibility to share the Good News clearly and faithfull.

How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?

 

  • Thank God for the many ways you have experienced his Good News in your life.
  • Ask God if there are places he wants to send you to share his Good News Story.  Some of those places might be a different table at school.  Or it could mean becoming friends with someone in your neighborhood you have avoided until now.
  • God sent the disciples out two by two.  Look around your life for a friend who might go with you into new friendships and places to share the Good News.

 

How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
  • Go into the places that God has revealed to you where his Good News needs to be heard.
  • When God shows you who that friend might be who can partner with you in sharing the Good News, find the time to talk with them about it.
  • Is there a situation in your storysphere where you need to consider shaking the dust from your feet?  At first thought, this idea might seem contrary to the 3Story way of life.  But the reality is, that we may just be part of the process in sharing the Good News with our lost friends. God will send someone else to tend to the seed of the Good News that we have planted.
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The Daily Bide is brought to you by a team of writers from Youth for Christ/USA. The writers all have various years of experience in youth ministry but share a common bond in serving Jesus and discovering what it means to abide deeply everyday and to connect God's Story with those around them. A number of the Daily Bide writers have also written portions of our 3Story® resources. You can check out our resources at the 3Story.org website or connect with our writers at 3story@yfc.net. If you have a question or a story you would like to share, please reference the Daily Bide date in your email.

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