The Kin(g)dom of God. Our Best Kept Secret.

 The kingdom of God, from the text book for Covenant's
Bible 101 course, "Manna and Mercy," which is a survey
of the whole bible 

The kingdom of God, the Christian church's "best kept secret."

Sobering to think that way about God's reign, or, the kin(g)dom of God. But I think, unfortunately, it's true. We don't seem to make much of it never mind demonstrate its' reality to the world.

Well, Covenant Methodist wants to change that. We want the secret known! By the whole neighborhood. By the whole world!

And that's just what we'll be doing this Tuesday when the Eden Kids Garden Club meets for the first time during our Summer program. Fifty pre-registered children will be learning this "secret" that Jesus wants everyone to know about - how to live as "FRIENDS - with God, each other, and with all creation."

And they'll begin with seeds. Planting seeds in their own little plots within Eden Community Garden will expose them to the marvel of LIFE. They'll learn that watered seeds grow to produce carrots and climbing beans, food to make us strong and healthy because God wants us to enjoy life. And they will begin to experience the love of the Creator who made creation to work so beautifully, perfect in every way, when we learn to live as FRIENDS, with God, with each other and with all creation (ladybugs, chickens, worms too).

The Jerusalem Cross Garden at Leavenworth
United Methodist Church, WA

Slowly Eden is emerging at my home too, helping me too to live as a FRIEND with God, others and all creation. The Jerusalem cross raised-bed will remind me, as it yields food to nourish my body, of the other food, as important, that nourishes my soul - the acts of devotion, worship, compassion and justice. Doing these keep me nurturing my relationship with the God of love (prayer and worship) and, like Jesus, behaving lovingly in the world (compassion, justice).

Don't you feel it? God really does want to bring Eden back to our zip code. Then to God's zip code which is all the earth. And God wants to do it with and through us. Amazing!

Won't you join us?

The text this Sunday: Mark 4: 26-34
"The kingdom of God is as if...," and, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God,..."