October 23, 2016. After illustrating with a skit the Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector in Luke 18:10-14, Pastor Penny talks about our need to come to God with an empty cup. The Pharisee in the story came seeking God’s favor, his cup already full of what he thought was his virtue. But the tax collector came with his head down and acknowledged his sins. Is there something of the Pharisee in us? In our highly polarized society, how can we find common ground with our brothers and sisters? How can we come to God with an empty cup?

*** [Keywords: Dianne Deck Luke 18:10-14 Pharisee Tax Collector Tom Palazzolo Twin Cities accomplishments beg for mercy beverage brothers burden chaplain common ground common sense confession cup already full diluted domestic violence simulation effective government empty cup fear firearms training fly by night offer forgiveness gun head down highly polarized society homeless industrious integrity justification justified mug narrow minded product racist remorse richness seeking God’s favor self made self sufficient selfishness sinner sisters skit thin trigger virtues wedge]