True Identity - Monday Manna
Sunday Sermon Recap by Rev. TJ Lucas
As we continue our sermon series, Finding God in the Secular, Pastor Nicole brought the message home this past Sunday by looking at how God's truth shows up in places we might not expect—including iconic Disney movies and songs.
In stories like The Lion King and Hercules, we see central characters wrestling with who they really are. Simba swallows shame, runs away from his past, and takes on a carefree identity to avoid his pain. Hercules leaves home search of a place where he belongs. It turns out pop culture is full of stories about people running away from their past or trying to find their true identity—a human struggle we all relate to.
That’s where Joseph’s story in Genesis intersects so powerfully with our series. Joseph went through extreme highs and lows: betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and thrown into prison before eventually rising to second-in-command of Egypt. His external titles and status changed constantly, but unlike Simba or Hercules, Joseph never ran away, never blamed God, and never lost sight of who he was. Even in a secular culture that gave him a new Egyptian name and family, his identity remained deeply anchored in God.
This Sunday was a clear reminder that spiritual truths are woven all around us, even in the movies and music we grow up with. People, circumstances, and culture will always try to give us new labels, but when your security is found in God, your identity stays firm no matter what season you are in.
If you are seeking to stand firm in your identity in Christ, spend time with God in prayer and in scripture with our weekly spiritual practice of dwelling in the word below. Also, don't forget this Wednesday at 11 am downstairs we will be studying Ecclesiastes. Sunday worship is at 9:30 am and our monthly free meal is noon to 2 pm. We will be serving grilled burgers, baked beans, macaroni salad, coleslaw, dessert, and assorted beverages. All are welcome to enjoy a bite to eat before the Picnic in the Park later that evening!
Kick off your week with the Word of God through our weekly spiritual practice of Dwelling in the Word:
The Four Movements of Lectio Divina AKA Dwelling in the Word
Taking time to slow down and simply dwell in the Word is one of the most life-giving rhythms we can cultivate. In a world that constantly demands we read for information or efficiency, this spiritual practice invites us to read for intimacy and transformation. It is about letting the text master us, rather than us trying to master the text.
Here is a simple, four-step guide to help you sit with the Scriptures, followed by brief, clear summaries of the passages you've selected to guide your reflection.
Before you begin, find a quiet space, take a few deep breaths, and invite the Holy Spirit to speak.
1. Lectio (Read): Read the passage slowly, gently, and preferably aloud. Don't rush to finish. Just listen for a single word, phrase, or image that seems to shimmer or catch your attention.
2. Meditatio (Reflect): Read the passage a second time. Take that specific word or phrase and chew on it. Why did the Spirit highlight this for you today? How does it intersect with your current joys, burdens, or questions?
3. Oratio (Respond): Read the passage a third time. Now, turn your reflections into an honest prayer. Talk to God as you would a trusted friend — pour out your gratitude, your doubts, your requests, or your repentance based on what the text stirred up.
4. Contemplatio (Rest): Read the passage one final time. Release all your thoughts and simply rest silently in God's presence, letting His love wash over you like a deep exhale.
Scripture Summaries for Reflection This Week
Use these one-line summaries of the text to pick which scripture you will dwell in each day of this week. I have found staying in one scripture for a longer period of time can draw out more than bouncing between several. These are from the Revised Common Lectionary. You can read them in full all together here.
Genesis 45:1–15: Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers, forgiving them and explaining that God used their actions to preserve life during the famine.
Psalm 133: A celebration of how beautiful, pleasant, and blessed it is when God's people live together in unity.
Isaiah 56:1, 6–8: God promises to welcome faithfully obedient foreigners and outcasts into His house, making it a house of prayer for all nations.
Psalm 67: A prayer for God’s grace and blessings to extend to all nations so that the entire earth may praise Him.
Romans 11:1–2a, 29–32: Paul affirms that God has not rejected Israel, highlighting that His gifts and calling are irrevocable and His ultimate goal is mercy for all.
Matthew 15:(10–20), 21–28: Jesus teaches that true defilement comes from the human heart rather than dietary habits, and He commends a Canaanite woman's persistent faith by healing her daughter.
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