Ray is PCC’s Senior Pastor.

Friends,

As we race toward Thanksgiving and Christmas, I’ve been wondering how to express my gratitude toward God more readily and tangibly. Then I recently came across an obscure Scripture text I don’t remember ever reading before. Maybe I don’t want to remember. Whatever the case, now I just can’t seem to shake it. Why would I want to shake it? Because it’s a tough one to accept — not to mention extremely convicting.

Get this: Ezekiel 16:49 records what God sees as the ultimate sin of Sodom. Yeah, Sodom, the city we all remember for its perverse debauchery and vulgarity. Well, here’s what the Sovereign Lord says [speaking to Jerusalem], Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.

Is it just me or do the terms arrogant, overfed and unconcerned make anyone else a little nervous? Perhaps this holiday season, we at Parkview can together move away from consumption to compassion by taking notice of those around us in need and taking steps to help.

Ray

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. -Proverbs 14:31