Alleluia! Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
John 20: 19-20
"Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, 'Peace be with you'. When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord."
****************************
We have great joy today! Alleluia! Prophesy has been fulfilled; the story of centuries past, the promise of a Redeemer has come! Alleluia!
The pain we experienced these past few days is now gone. Christ has arisen triumphant over death. The grave has no ability to hold us. His sacrifice has secured for us the gift of eternal life with God, our Father, in Heaven. Alleluia!
Is this the end of the story? Of course not. We see the risen Christ visit his friends, giving them directions to make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. He offers proof to Thomas that He is actually Jesus, back from the dead. He tells them they will cast of demons, speak in tongues, heal the sick. He instructs them to feed His lambs and tend to His sheep.
After He does all of these things, our Lord, resurrected, is received up into Heaven and seated at the right hand of God. Alleluia!
In the Church Calender, for the next ten weeks, we get to experience the joy of living in the light of the Risen Christ. Through Ascension Day and Pentecost, we hear exciting stories of the Apostles' work in the world as the go out and follow the instructions given to them by their Lord Jesus Christ. After the dry, sorrowful time of Lent, when the word 'Alleluia' has left our vocabulary, we can't seem to say it enough: Christ is risen - Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed - Alleluia!!! It is truly a time of celebration as Spring breaks forth in its full glory. The world is reborn and renewed. We shed our winter shells, turning our faces to the warm sun, feeling its energy giving us strength. We are awake and alive with joy!
When we arrive at the celebration of Pentecost at the end of May, we hear about the Holy Spirit coming into the world. The early church is then charged with spreading the Good News and given the ability to do it via the gift of the worlds' languages bestowed upon them.
About ten years ago, when as an adult I first became aware of the full Church Calendar, I thought, "Man...Pentecost is so long!" We go from the excitement of Advent, to Christmas, to Epiphany, to Ash Wednesday, to Lent, to Holy Week, then to Easter...all in a matter of about four months. Then, we have to wait 8 months to start the fun all over again. Why can't they do something to make the church year be more "exciting" for the bulk of the year? We have all these interesting things, keeping us going for a few months, then, a big dry spell.
But, my friends, our life in Christ is this way too. The Church Year is a microcosm of our lives in the Spirit. Our debt has been paid, our salvation assured. We have been given all the tools we need to keep us going through the long years ahead until Christ returns. The Holy Spirit is there for us to quench our thirst, keep us strong, to help us lift up others and provide support. We have received all of the things we need to live a life of joy in knowing we will all be together again one day with our Lord in Heaven. It is up to each of us to decide: what will we do? Will we keep the Joy, the Light, the Love, the Word, the Living Water all to ourselves? Will we keep the secret or will we shout it out with Joy, Light and Love in our hearts? If we are the Body, our feet should be moving, our hands should be healing and our hearts should be loving.
So, begin today. There is work still to do. Through your prayers, request discernment of what you will do to keep the Living Water of the love of Christ moving through you, into the world around you. The work is one of great joy and of great reward!
Brothers and sisters, I end these writings with a prayer for each of you.
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in His Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of
your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting.
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!!!
The Lord is risen indeed!! Alleluia!!!!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Apr 11 - "Is Hope Lost?"
Matthew 27: 59-60
"And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. "
*****************
You have followed Him for 3 years, listening to His words.
You saw the Holy Spirit come down, like a dove, when He was baptised in the Jordan as God's voice thundered from Heaven.
You have seen Him preach to to thousands and to individuals. You have seen Him give sight to the blind, heal the lame.
You sat and listened as He spoke with the high and the low, the rich and the poor.
You stood with your friends as you saw Elijah and Moses come down from above and stand next to Him.
With each word, each gentle hand of healing, each peaceful prayer of encouragement, your belief that Jesus of Nazareth was Messiah grew each day. Although you had given up all of your possessions to follow him, your life has been enriched beyond your imagination.
But today, He is dead.
He lies in a tomb.
What happened? Wasn't He supposed to have beaten Death? The power and healing you witnessed these past years, where are they now?
With each step from Jerusalem to Golgotha, you waited for Him to throw off the Cross; break it into pieces and rise up, triumphant, healed and whole, the crown of thorns turning into one of shining gold and precious jewels, befit a king.
You are broken today.
You faith crushed.
Your head buzzes in abject astonishment of what has happened.
You have shed every tear in your body.
You are unable to mourn because you cannot believe what has happened.
You are dizzy and weak.
There is nothing left.
What now? What should you do? All that is left to do is to pray. Ask God for peace, for guidance, for hope. It seems impossible that it will come, but, He will grant it.
So, today, pray. Remember the power of weakness. Rest assured that in your time of deepest need, God will provide.
"And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. "
*****************
You have followed Him for 3 years, listening to His words.
You saw the Holy Spirit come down, like a dove, when He was baptised in the Jordan as God's voice thundered from Heaven.
You have seen Him preach to to thousands and to individuals. You have seen Him give sight to the blind, heal the lame.
You sat and listened as He spoke with the high and the low, the rich and the poor.
You stood with your friends as you saw Elijah and Moses come down from above and stand next to Him.
With each word, each gentle hand of healing, each peaceful prayer of encouragement, your belief that Jesus of Nazareth was Messiah grew each day. Although you had given up all of your possessions to follow him, your life has been enriched beyond your imagination.
But today, He is dead.
He lies in a tomb.
What happened? Wasn't He supposed to have beaten Death? The power and healing you witnessed these past years, where are they now?
With each step from Jerusalem to Golgotha, you waited for Him to throw off the Cross; break it into pieces and rise up, triumphant, healed and whole, the crown of thorns turning into one of shining gold and precious jewels, befit a king.
You are broken today.
You faith crushed.
Your head buzzes in abject astonishment of what has happened.
You have shed every tear in your body.
You are unable to mourn because you cannot believe what has happened.
You are dizzy and weak.
There is nothing left.
What now? What should you do? All that is left to do is to pray. Ask God for peace, for guidance, for hope. It seems impossible that it will come, but, He will grant it.
So, today, pray. Remember the power of weakness. Rest assured that in your time of deepest need, God will provide.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Apr 10 - Good Friday - "A Prophesy of Love Revealed"
Isaiah 53: 13 - 53:12
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
************************
The prophet Isaiah was pretty good at his job. At the time he prophesied these events to come, centuries before they occurred, it was unknown as to how accurate his foretelling of Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection would be.
Today, Good Friday, is a day of immeasurable sadness. On this day, our Lord, our Redeemer, the Lion of Judah, the Lamb of God, the Branch from the root of Jessie and David, dies a horrible death. I wonder how Isaiah felt, when revealing this story. Was he sad? It must have been hard for him to serve as the vessel of bringing God’s Word into the world. I imagine people must have doubted this prophesy. Why would God bring our Savior into the world as a man, to be crushed and broken? Why would God not bring His Son into the world as a triumphant warrior, destroying death and pain with a mighty hand? Why would God have our Savior oppressed, afflicted, carrying our disease, bearing our sins and led to the slaughter like a helpless lamb? Why?
Because of one thing and one thing only: Love.
How much do you love your spouse? Your children? Your grandchildren? Your parents? Nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends? When I think of the love I have for our three beautiful daughters, I cannot imagine a love greater than this. It fills me up. It consumes me. It is a thing which is greater than myself.
What would I do to show this love or to fulfill its promise? Would I give away health to restore one of theirs? Would I give away all my material possessions so that they could prosper?
Would I give my life in order for one of theirs to be saved?
For each of these questions, I would answer, as I’m sure would all of us for those we love, with an absolute, unequivocal, emphatic “YES!!”.
When I think about how much I love each of my daughters, I imagine it is like the love God has for me. Yes, it is close to that. But not quite. God’s love for me is greater. And infinitely so. How do I know this? What evidence do I have of this? The expanse of His love was revealed in his gift to me and to us all. The sacrifice of His Son, our Lord, for our sins.
As great as my love for our daughters is, would I give one of them to forgive the sins of someone else?
Would I give one of their lives in order that another’s life may be spared?
I hope I am never faced with that choice. But it is exactly the choice which God made for us. He gave is only Son over to death, so that each of us might live. That is how amazing and infinitely expansive God’s love is for you, for me, for all of us.
So today, relish in the pain and sadness of Christ's crucifixion. Because on Good Friday, through the death of Jesus Christ, that gift of love is given to us and Isaiah’s prophesy of love revealed is fulfilled.
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
************************
The prophet Isaiah was pretty good at his job. At the time he prophesied these events to come, centuries before they occurred, it was unknown as to how accurate his foretelling of Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection would be.
Today, Good Friday, is a day of immeasurable sadness. On this day, our Lord, our Redeemer, the Lion of Judah, the Lamb of God, the Branch from the root of Jessie and David, dies a horrible death. I wonder how Isaiah felt, when revealing this story. Was he sad? It must have been hard for him to serve as the vessel of bringing God’s Word into the world. I imagine people must have doubted this prophesy. Why would God bring our Savior into the world as a man, to be crushed and broken? Why would God not bring His Son into the world as a triumphant warrior, destroying death and pain with a mighty hand? Why would God have our Savior oppressed, afflicted, carrying our disease, bearing our sins and led to the slaughter like a helpless lamb? Why?
Because of one thing and one thing only: Love.
How much do you love your spouse? Your children? Your grandchildren? Your parents? Nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends? When I think of the love I have for our three beautiful daughters, I cannot imagine a love greater than this. It fills me up. It consumes me. It is a thing which is greater than myself.
What would I do to show this love or to fulfill its promise? Would I give away health to restore one of theirs? Would I give away all my material possessions so that they could prosper?
Would I give my life in order for one of theirs to be saved?
For each of these questions, I would answer, as I’m sure would all of us for those we love, with an absolute, unequivocal, emphatic “YES!!”.
When I think about how much I love each of my daughters, I imagine it is like the love God has for me. Yes, it is close to that. But not quite. God’s love for me is greater. And infinitely so. How do I know this? What evidence do I have of this? The expanse of His love was revealed in his gift to me and to us all. The sacrifice of His Son, our Lord, for our sins.
As great as my love for our daughters is, would I give one of them to forgive the sins of someone else?
Would I give one of their lives in order that another’s life may be spared?
I hope I am never faced with that choice. But it is exactly the choice which God made for us. He gave is only Son over to death, so that each of us might live. That is how amazing and infinitely expansive God’s love is for you, for me, for all of us.
So today, relish in the pain and sadness of Christ's crucifixion. Because on Good Friday, through the death of Jesus Christ, that gift of love is given to us and Isaiah’s prophesy of love revealed is fulfilled.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Apr 9 - "Break Bread Together"
1 Corinthians 10:14-17; 11:27-32
"Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
*********************
Today is a special day (aren't they all?). On this day of Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, we celebrate the Last Supper. We remember the simple meal Christ shared with His friends. We experience the words He gave to them and to us which encourage us, in the sacrament of the Eucharist, breaking bread and partaking in wine, to remember Him and His example to us.
Could you imagine being there? How would it have be to be sitting with Christ around a humble table? I have to believe at this meal, there was not a lot of laughing. If anything, it was probably a solemn occasion. The air must have been thick with tension and fear. The Disciples knew that their Rabbi, Jeshua, was about to be taken into custody. They had to know it would not end well. Could it be any less comfortable? It becomes so. Jesus, the Christ, God incarnate, kneels to the floor and removes the sandals from each of His friends and washes the dust of Jerusalem off their tired feet. Is there a better example of servant leadership? Could there be a better way to show humility and sincere care for your friends?
When we think about the wonderful times with family we have had around a table, sharing a meal why are they so often such happy and joyous memories? I remember many times as I was growing up...and still today...sitting around a big table with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles cousins, nieces and nephews...all of us laughing and truly loving being with one another at that moment. Some of my most fond memories are of meals at Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays, weddings and, yes, funerals. I smile just thinking about these times!
As a race, we humans most often celebrate special occasions by breaking bread with one another. Even in the business world, lunches, dinners, breakfast meetings...all of these represent times when we can be together in fellowship. But why do they seem so special? Is this because of the shared memories each of us have around these meal times? It is merely the celebration of holidays and special occasions, the joy of which just overflows to the meals at these events? Or, is it something else? Christ said, "where two or three are gathered together, I will be with them." Could this be the reason? When we sit around the table and give thanks for the food and the fellowship, is He not with us? I think so. I believe Jesus is sitting right there at our table. He laughs with us...cries with us...shares our joy and our love for one another.
So, on this day, Maundy Thursday, celebrate the sharing of a meal with friends, as Jesus did with His. If your church offers it, participate in the ceremony of foot washing. For in all of these things...breaking bread, sharing wine, serving each other humbly...we remember Him who died for each of us in the ultimate gift of love.
"Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
*********************
Today is a special day (aren't they all?). On this day of Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, we celebrate the Last Supper. We remember the simple meal Christ shared with His friends. We experience the words He gave to them and to us which encourage us, in the sacrament of the Eucharist, breaking bread and partaking in wine, to remember Him and His example to us.
Could you imagine being there? How would it have be to be sitting with Christ around a humble table? I have to believe at this meal, there was not a lot of laughing. If anything, it was probably a solemn occasion. The air must have been thick with tension and fear. The Disciples knew that their Rabbi, Jeshua, was about to be taken into custody. They had to know it would not end well. Could it be any less comfortable? It becomes so. Jesus, the Christ, God incarnate, kneels to the floor and removes the sandals from each of His friends and washes the dust of Jerusalem off their tired feet. Is there a better example of servant leadership? Could there be a better way to show humility and sincere care for your friends?
When we think about the wonderful times with family we have had around a table, sharing a meal why are they so often such happy and joyous memories? I remember many times as I was growing up...and still today...sitting around a big table with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles cousins, nieces and nephews...all of us laughing and truly loving being with one another at that moment. Some of my most fond memories are of meals at Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays, weddings and, yes, funerals. I smile just thinking about these times!
As a race, we humans most often celebrate special occasions by breaking bread with one another. Even in the business world, lunches, dinners, breakfast meetings...all of these represent times when we can be together in fellowship. But why do they seem so special? Is this because of the shared memories each of us have around these meal times? It is merely the celebration of holidays and special occasions, the joy of which just overflows to the meals at these events? Or, is it something else? Christ said, "where two or three are gathered together, I will be with them." Could this be the reason? When we sit around the table and give thanks for the food and the fellowship, is He not with us? I think so. I believe Jesus is sitting right there at our table. He laughs with us...cries with us...shares our joy and our love for one another.
So, on this day, Maundy Thursday, celebrate the sharing of a meal with friends, as Jesus did with His. If your church offers it, participate in the ceremony of foot washing. For in all of these things...breaking bread, sharing wine, serving each other humbly...we remember Him who died for each of us in the ultimate gift of love.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Apr 8 - "Think On These Things"
Philippians 4:1-13
"Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
**********************
Running a very close second to the opening chapter of John's Gospel, these verses in Paul's letter to the church at Philippi are my very favorite in all of Scripture. I love these words of encouragement!
We live in an interesting time. While on one side of the equation, we are prosperous as a people in ways greater than anyone hundreds or thousands of years ago could have imagined. On the other, there are people hurting deeply all around us. Technology and other modern marvels have allowed us to lose some of our ability to be in relationship with one another in a direct way. There are the burdens of a sagging economic climate. People have lost jobs, livelihoods and years of savings. While advances in science have taken away many of the things we used to have to think about, we have different, more complex burdens to bear in order to survive in today's world.
When dwelt upon too much, all of these things can allow us to end up in a state of fear, sadness, hurt and depression. If you read the entirely of the verses in Paul's letter, you will see he is trying to encourage the people in the new church at Philippi. They have been through tough times, facing a divide in their young congregation. Paul's words are of support and encouragement. You can almost hear him saying (as our teenager Maddy would say), "Chill-ax! Don't worry about these things. Think about better things!". What's amazing about these words? Paul wrote them from prison.
At all times in our lives, we have things going on for which we should be deeply thankful and rejoice in the bountiful blessings we have received. But, there are also things at the very same time with which we struggle deeply; trouble, trials and tribulations which cause us sorrow, stress and pain. Paul says, simply, think about the good things, Rejoice in them! Turn the things which cause sadness and hurt over to God. Christ can carry this burden for us.
So, I will end today in Paul's words. They are perfect and do not need my feeble attempt at finding additional meaning. Every time I read them, peace and joy enter me. A smile shines on my face.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Awesome!!!!
"Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
**********************
Running a very close second to the opening chapter of John's Gospel, these verses in Paul's letter to the church at Philippi are my very favorite in all of Scripture. I love these words of encouragement!
We live in an interesting time. While on one side of the equation, we are prosperous as a people in ways greater than anyone hundreds or thousands of years ago could have imagined. On the other, there are people hurting deeply all around us. Technology and other modern marvels have allowed us to lose some of our ability to be in relationship with one another in a direct way. There are the burdens of a sagging economic climate. People have lost jobs, livelihoods and years of savings. While advances in science have taken away many of the things we used to have to think about, we have different, more complex burdens to bear in order to survive in today's world.
When dwelt upon too much, all of these things can allow us to end up in a state of fear, sadness, hurt and depression. If you read the entirely of the verses in Paul's letter, you will see he is trying to encourage the people in the new church at Philippi. They have been through tough times, facing a divide in their young congregation. Paul's words are of support and encouragement. You can almost hear him saying (as our teenager Maddy would say), "Chill-ax! Don't worry about these things. Think about better things!". What's amazing about these words? Paul wrote them from prison.
At all times in our lives, we have things going on for which we should be deeply thankful and rejoice in the bountiful blessings we have received. But, there are also things at the very same time with which we struggle deeply; trouble, trials and tribulations which cause us sorrow, stress and pain. Paul says, simply, think about the good things, Rejoice in them! Turn the things which cause sadness and hurt over to God. Christ can carry this burden for us.
So, I will end today in Paul's words. They are perfect and do not need my feeble attempt at finding additional meaning. Every time I read them, peace and joy enter me. A smile shines on my face.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Awesome!!!!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Apr 7 - "Living Water"
Philippians 3:15-21
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself."
***************
Have you ever been humiliated? Or maybe just embarrassed? I'm not necessarily talking about events from our childhood, where a cruel joke was played; or the time we cut our own hair and the kids at school had a laugh. I am also not speaking of the humilation Michigan State fans feel today after the beating they took from North Carolina last night. Most likely, as adults, we have not experienced a deep feeling of humiliation; being ridiculed for something we are or we believe. In today's politically correct society, it is rare for another individual to make an open and brutal mockery of another, except on "reality" TV or when accosted by an over-served bar fly.
One of the main reasons we may not suffer such abject humiliation is because we rarely put ourselves in situations which would expose us to such treatment. We move along through life, not putting ourselves "out there" most of the time. We temper our strongest beliefs lest we offend, or be called to task on justifying what we feel.
As I considered starting these writings back at the beginning of Lent, I did hesitate even letting people know I was doing this. But at some point, I knew posting them on the web, putting a link on my Facebook page, telling people about it was what God had written on my heart to do. For many years, I have thought about the things God speaks to us as words not necessarily meant just for our own ears. Things become more real when you speak them out loud; write them down.
One of my favorite concepts written about in Scripture is the Living Water. Christ is described this way, as is His counterpart within the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. Think about water. When a crisp, clean spring-fed stream flows down the side of a mountain, it has life. It bubbles, it falls, it moves...it brings life to the things it touches. God's Word is like this; as it comes to each of us, it brings life. It changes that with which it comes into contact.
Eventually, the mountainside waterfall ends in a beautiful pool. Calm, peaceful and lovely. But what happens if that same water, so full of life, stays in the pool? It stops moving, and without movement, water can become stagnant. As it stands still, it can become bitter, almost poisonous. The Living Water is like this too. If we do not share it, open ourselves to the chance of it not being received in a welcoming way, it too can loose its life and become stale.
So, risk humiliation and embarrassment. Take the Living Water in, drink deeply of its cool and nourishing freshness. Allow it to refresh you. But, don't let it become stagnant. Move it along; keep it full of life by passing it onto your friends, family, anyone. For by moving God's Word on to others, we allow new Living Water to come into us, and to be refreshed again and again.
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself."
***************
Have you ever been humiliated? Or maybe just embarrassed? I'm not necessarily talking about events from our childhood, where a cruel joke was played; or the time we cut our own hair and the kids at school had a laugh. I am also not speaking of the humilation Michigan State fans feel today after the beating they took from North Carolina last night. Most likely, as adults, we have not experienced a deep feeling of humiliation; being ridiculed for something we are or we believe. In today's politically correct society, it is rare for another individual to make an open and brutal mockery of another, except on "reality" TV or when accosted by an over-served bar fly.
One of the main reasons we may not suffer such abject humiliation is because we rarely put ourselves in situations which would expose us to such treatment. We move along through life, not putting ourselves "out there" most of the time. We temper our strongest beliefs lest we offend, or be called to task on justifying what we feel.
As I considered starting these writings back at the beginning of Lent, I did hesitate even letting people know I was doing this. But at some point, I knew posting them on the web, putting a link on my Facebook page, telling people about it was what God had written on my heart to do. For many years, I have thought about the things God speaks to us as words not necessarily meant just for our own ears. Things become more real when you speak them out loud; write them down.
One of my favorite concepts written about in Scripture is the Living Water. Christ is described this way, as is His counterpart within the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. Think about water. When a crisp, clean spring-fed stream flows down the side of a mountain, it has life. It bubbles, it falls, it moves...it brings life to the things it touches. God's Word is like this; as it comes to each of us, it brings life. It changes that with which it comes into contact.
Eventually, the mountainside waterfall ends in a beautiful pool. Calm, peaceful and lovely. But what happens if that same water, so full of life, stays in the pool? It stops moving, and without movement, water can become stagnant. As it stands still, it can become bitter, almost poisonous. The Living Water is like this too. If we do not share it, open ourselves to the chance of it not being received in a welcoming way, it too can loose its life and become stale.
So, risk humiliation and embarrassment. Take the Living Water in, drink deeply of its cool and nourishing freshness. Allow it to refresh you. But, don't let it become stagnant. Move it along; keep it full of life by passing it onto your friends, family, anyone. For by moving God's Word on to others, we allow new Living Water to come into us, and to be refreshed again and again.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Apr 6 - "Back Seat"
Philippians 3:1-14
"Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."
******************
There are parts of the Bible where we see examples of people dropping everything, relinquishing all that they own, in order to follow God's call. Even Jesus tells us, on multiple occasions, to leave the worldly things behind, take up a cross and follow Him. These are pretty high standards to meet.
When I think about a situation where I would do this, it has more consequences than I am willing to accept. What about my family? As the "provider" for our livelihood, what would happen them, to our daughters, if I made the decision to give up all material possessions and follow Christ?
Sometimes, the answers we receive to prayers for guidance on what direction we should take can be uncomfortable ones. In today's reading from Paul's letter to the church at Philippi, maybe there is a different, more "comfortable" message. He speaks of the things he possessed as a man, the things he achieved, that they did not matter any more. They were important things in the world which brought him along a certain path, allowing him to come to the place he was at the point where he accepted Christ as his savior. But now, he had "given up" those things and counted them as rubbish. By focusing on the things which were of God, the other things had been relinquished and mattered no more. Maybe it's just a matter of prioritization.
So, think about how you prioritize the things of this world and the things which are of God. Recognize that, although the money we earn in our jobs, the homes in which we live with our families, the cars we use to drive our kids to activities which hopefully enrich and strengthen them are vital, but they should always take a back seat to the things which are truly important. These things...being in relationships with each other founded in love and support...being in relationship with God and recognizing His majesty...knowing that Christ died for you that you are freed from sin and will have eternal life...these are the thing to keep and treasure.
"Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."
******************
There are parts of the Bible where we see examples of people dropping everything, relinquishing all that they own, in order to follow God's call. Even Jesus tells us, on multiple occasions, to leave the worldly things behind, take up a cross and follow Him. These are pretty high standards to meet.
When I think about a situation where I would do this, it has more consequences than I am willing to accept. What about my family? As the "provider" for our livelihood, what would happen them, to our daughters, if I made the decision to give up all material possessions and follow Christ?
Sometimes, the answers we receive to prayers for guidance on what direction we should take can be uncomfortable ones. In today's reading from Paul's letter to the church at Philippi, maybe there is a different, more "comfortable" message. He speaks of the things he possessed as a man, the things he achieved, that they did not matter any more. They were important things in the world which brought him along a certain path, allowing him to come to the place he was at the point where he accepted Christ as his savior. But now, he had "given up" those things and counted them as rubbish. By focusing on the things which were of God, the other things had been relinquished and mattered no more. Maybe it's just a matter of prioritization.
So, think about how you prioritize the things of this world and the things which are of God. Recognize that, although the money we earn in our jobs, the homes in which we live with our families, the cars we use to drive our kids to activities which hopefully enrich and strengthen them are vital, but they should always take a back seat to the things which are truly important. These things...being in relationships with each other founded in love and support...being in relationship with God and recognizing His majesty...knowing that Christ died for you that you are freed from sin and will have eternal life...these are the thing to keep and treasure.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Apr 5 - "Triuphant Joy!"
Zech. 9:9-12
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
**********************
What a great day! Victory! No, I am not talking about Michigan State beating UConn last night. Although, Spartan fans get a double-dose of joy today, knowing they are going to the national championship game tomorrow AND celebrating Jesus' glorious arrival into Jerusalem as a king.
Today is a day to celebrate! Imagine you are Jesus' friends and family during His time on earth. You have seen his humble, yet majestic birth; watched Him run through the streets of Nazareth as a boy; perhaps you were with Him at the wedding in Canna, tasting the delicious wine of His first miracle; you have seen Him talking to friends as a small group, or to 5,000 people; you stood in the temple with Him as He argued with the Pharisees. You have been on a wonderful journey. You know in your heart that He is Messiah!
Now, you stand at the gates of Jerusalem, waving palms in His honor, welcoming Him into this great city as a king!
What if you skipped forward, one week from now. Easter Sunday! The glory you feel upon seeing evidence that Jesus, the Risen Lord, is Messiah makes the joy of Palm Sunday seem infinitely small in comparison; He is God incarnate!
Are you one of those who like to skip to the end of a book? Watch the last scene in a movie before you sit down to enjoy the whole thing from start to finish? Celebrating Palm Sunday today, then going right to Easter Sunday is like this. There is much of the story yet to be told in the next six days: the simple meal of the Last Supper, where Jesus breaks bread with His friends; the beautiful scene of Jesus, our servant, washing the feet of His disciples; the quiet pain and pleading of Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane; the false trial; crucifixion; death. All of these things help us see the whole story. Each of the things we experience during Holy Week deliver to us the full flavor, the rich bouquet of Christ's last days with us as a man.
You Spartan fans, is it as fun to watch the first game of the season, perhaps a "win", and then skip to what might be the national championship without watching the ups and downs of the entire season? Is the victory as special?
So, dear friends, I encourage you to experience all that Holy Week has to offer in the coming days. Pray with Jesus at the dinner with His friends; weep with Him at the Garden; mourn His death. Experience the whole story, that the coming greater joy will be much more sweet.
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
**********************
What a great day! Victory! No, I am not talking about Michigan State beating UConn last night. Although, Spartan fans get a double-dose of joy today, knowing they are going to the national championship game tomorrow AND celebrating Jesus' glorious arrival into Jerusalem as a king.
Today is a day to celebrate! Imagine you are Jesus' friends and family during His time on earth. You have seen his humble, yet majestic birth; watched Him run through the streets of Nazareth as a boy; perhaps you were with Him at the wedding in Canna, tasting the delicious wine of His first miracle; you have seen Him talking to friends as a small group, or to 5,000 people; you stood in the temple with Him as He argued with the Pharisees. You have been on a wonderful journey. You know in your heart that He is Messiah!
Now, you stand at the gates of Jerusalem, waving palms in His honor, welcoming Him into this great city as a king!
What if you skipped forward, one week from now. Easter Sunday! The glory you feel upon seeing evidence that Jesus, the Risen Lord, is Messiah makes the joy of Palm Sunday seem infinitely small in comparison; He is God incarnate!
Are you one of those who like to skip to the end of a book? Watch the last scene in a movie before you sit down to enjoy the whole thing from start to finish? Celebrating Palm Sunday today, then going right to Easter Sunday is like this. There is much of the story yet to be told in the next six days: the simple meal of the Last Supper, where Jesus breaks bread with His friends; the beautiful scene of Jesus, our servant, washing the feet of His disciples; the quiet pain and pleading of Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane; the false trial; crucifixion; death. All of these things help us see the whole story. Each of the things we experience during Holy Week deliver to us the full flavor, the rich bouquet of Christ's last days with us as a man.
You Spartan fans, is it as fun to watch the first game of the season, perhaps a "win", and then skip to what might be the national championship without watching the ups and downs of the entire season? Is the victory as special?
So, dear friends, I encourage you to experience all that Holy Week has to offer in the coming days. Pray with Jesus at the dinner with His friends; weep with Him at the Garden; mourn His death. Experience the whole story, that the coming greater joy will be much more sweet.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Apr 4 - "Forgive and Forgive Again"
Jeremiah 31:27-34
"The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD."
**************
How many times should you forgive someone for doing wrong to you? This is a hard question because as humans, we have certain predilections where, if allowed to "misbehave" on multiple occasions, the forgiver can be seen as an enabler of the "misbehaving".
In Matthew's Gospel, Peter asks Jesus how often we should forgive someone who has wronged us. Peter suggests seven times as a good amount. But Jesus says, no, you should forgive "seventy times seventy" times; a pretty big number. In relation to today's reading, Jeremiah is delivering a prophecy to the Jewish people of the time saying, even though they have sinned and forsaken God over and over and over, He will forgive them, bring to them a new covenant in time and "remember their sin no more."
One of the things I remember my parents telling me time and time again as I was growing up was this: "Scott, dear son, there is nothing you can ever do to stop us from loving you. There is not a thing in this world you could do, no matter how terrible, which could ever cause our love for you to go away." What a message! Some people could take this as a sort of carte blanc, using this as an opportunity to take actions without consideration of their effect. Does this message from loving parents mean there was never punishment for poor behavior? Did it mean a life of choices without consequence? Not at all.
As a child, I often wondered how this was possible. Really, nothing? Not one thing? I could live a terrible life and they would still love me? To me, the message became one not of a right to misbehave to my heart's content, but one of an immense responsibility.
As an adult, with my own children, I can understand the wonderful message of love they gave to me. It is a message Greta and I have passed along to our own three daughters. I know in the deepest part of my soul, this message of love and infinite forgiveness is absolutely true.
So today, forgive. Forgive again. And then, forgive some more. Because, in forgiving, you are not only showing a deep love for the forgiven, but you are giving and given a glimpse of the love God has for you and for all of us.
"The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD."
**************
How many times should you forgive someone for doing wrong to you? This is a hard question because as humans, we have certain predilections where, if allowed to "misbehave" on multiple occasions, the forgiver can be seen as an enabler of the "misbehaving".
In Matthew's Gospel, Peter asks Jesus how often we should forgive someone who has wronged us. Peter suggests seven times as a good amount. But Jesus says, no, you should forgive "seventy times seventy" times; a pretty big number. In relation to today's reading, Jeremiah is delivering a prophecy to the Jewish people of the time saying, even though they have sinned and forsaken God over and over and over, He will forgive them, bring to them a new covenant in time and "remember their sin no more."
One of the things I remember my parents telling me time and time again as I was growing up was this: "Scott, dear son, there is nothing you can ever do to stop us from loving you. There is not a thing in this world you could do, no matter how terrible, which could ever cause our love for you to go away." What a message! Some people could take this as a sort of carte blanc, using this as an opportunity to take actions without consideration of their effect. Does this message from loving parents mean there was never punishment for poor behavior? Did it mean a life of choices without consequence? Not at all.
As a child, I often wondered how this was possible. Really, nothing? Not one thing? I could live a terrible life and they would still love me? To me, the message became one not of a right to misbehave to my heart's content, but one of an immense responsibility.
As an adult, with my own children, I can understand the wonderful message of love they gave to me. It is a message Greta and I have passed along to our own three daughters. I know in the deepest part of my soul, this message of love and infinite forgiveness is absolutely true.
So today, forgive. Forgive again. And then, forgive some more. Because, in forgiving, you are not only showing a deep love for the forgiven, but you are giving and given a glimpse of the love God has for you and for all of us.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Apr 3 – “In Pain and Lost”
Psalm 22
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me,
and are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress?”
******************************
Have you felt ever forsaken? Do you feel forsaken right now, at this moment? Has there been a time, or do you presently feel that God is not with you?
A week from today we will experience, in the celebration of Good Friday, a short time without our Lord Jesus Christ. In our remembrance of this day, we see the young man Jeshua given a false trial, beaten, dragging a cross through the streets, brutally nailed to this cross, dying a horrible death. As He is hanging on the rough-hewn boards, bleeding and broken above the barren landscape of Golgotha, He cries out to God. He asks His Father, his Abba, “Why? Why have you forsaken me?”.
While on the cross, Jesus makes a journey of loss. He moves from the question of why; being parched with thirst; to asking forgiveness for those who have persecuted him; to comforting his mother; to the recognition of the end of his earthly life; to the peace that comes at the time of death, commending His spirit to God in Heaven.
You may wonder, if Jesus was God incarnate, omnipotent, fully God, how could He experience the pain, loss and feeling of being lost that He did? Wouldn’t He have known that His pain and death was only temporary? Why would He ask for the cup to pass from Him? The reason…not only was He fully God, but He was also fully Man.
When we are in pain, when we feel loss or lost, we go through the same emotions as Jesus on the cross. We wonder why this thing is happening to us. We experience deep pain. We weep. We ask for the hurt to go away. All of these things are a part of us being human and perfectly acceptable emotions to feel. We should never be hard on ourselves for wondering why. At no time, should we think that pain, hurt, anger, feeling lost are in any way a sign of being somehow less than we should be. All of these things are a natural part of how God created us.
So, if you are experiencing pain, if you have had loss, if you are in a place of questioning and hurt even today, know that this is just a part of our story. Pain and loss is the crucible in which we are refined, like gold. Do not be hard on yourself for feeling apart from God at times. Recognize that even Jesus felt this pain. He felt deserted. But, we also see Jesus at the end of His time on earth, forgiving, comforting and in peace. As He was fully Man, so are we. We can be comforted in knowing that pain is not permanent, it will pass from us as surely as we will pass from this world into the joy of our eternal life in Heaven.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me,
and are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress?”
******************************
Have you felt ever forsaken? Do you feel forsaken right now, at this moment? Has there been a time, or do you presently feel that God is not with you?
A week from today we will experience, in the celebration of Good Friday, a short time without our Lord Jesus Christ. In our remembrance of this day, we see the young man Jeshua given a false trial, beaten, dragging a cross through the streets, brutally nailed to this cross, dying a horrible death. As He is hanging on the rough-hewn boards, bleeding and broken above the barren landscape of Golgotha, He cries out to God. He asks His Father, his Abba, “Why? Why have you forsaken me?”.
While on the cross, Jesus makes a journey of loss. He moves from the question of why; being parched with thirst; to asking forgiveness for those who have persecuted him; to comforting his mother; to the recognition of the end of his earthly life; to the peace that comes at the time of death, commending His spirit to God in Heaven.
You may wonder, if Jesus was God incarnate, omnipotent, fully God, how could He experience the pain, loss and feeling of being lost that He did? Wouldn’t He have known that His pain and death was only temporary? Why would He ask for the cup to pass from Him? The reason…not only was He fully God, but He was also fully Man.
When we are in pain, when we feel loss or lost, we go through the same emotions as Jesus on the cross. We wonder why this thing is happening to us. We experience deep pain. We weep. We ask for the hurt to go away. All of these things are a part of us being human and perfectly acceptable emotions to feel. We should never be hard on ourselves for wondering why. At no time, should we think that pain, hurt, anger, feeling lost are in any way a sign of being somehow less than we should be. All of these things are a natural part of how God created us.
So, if you are experiencing pain, if you have had loss, if you are in a place of questioning and hurt even today, know that this is just a part of our story. Pain and loss is the crucible in which we are refined, like gold. Do not be hard on yourself for feeling apart from God at times. Recognize that even Jesus felt this pain. He felt deserted. But, we also see Jesus at the end of His time on earth, forgiving, comforting and in peace. As He was fully Man, so are we. We can be comforted in knowing that pain is not permanent, it will pass from us as surely as we will pass from this world into the joy of our eternal life in Heaven.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Apr 2 - "Bad News"
"Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, 'It is the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard.' "
***************
Jeremiah had a tough job. For the past couple of weeks, the first reading in Morning Prayer has been from the the book of Jeremiah. This prophet had the "unfortunate" job of hearing some pretty dire news from God: the Jewish people of the time were about to be taken into captivity in Babylon and lose everything. Not only did he have to hear the news from God, but, as a part of his job description as a prophet, he had to deliver the news to those around him. And by the way, when they heard his message, the people in the kingdom of King Jehoiakim at the time wanted to kill Jeremiah.
When I think about the love God has for me and for each of us, it is hard to read the story of this prophet. Basically, God tells Jeremiah that His people have been going on and sinning, forsaking God for too long, and now it is time for them to be punished. Over the centuries, God has brought His wrath through a Flood, pestilence, plagues...lots of not very fun stuff. Now He is going to have them all taken into captivity and slavery to see if that helps them get the message. As always, He does give them an 'out', though. God tells Jeremiah that maybe His people will listen to the words of the prophet and change their evil ways.
Delivering bad news is no fun. All of us at times have had to share not-so-good information in a family, work or personal setting when we knew those receiving the message would not like it. Our fear of delivering the news comes from lots of places; will we experience anger from the receiver of the message? Resentment? Will we even run the risk of being cut off in some way from someone with whom we want to maintain a relationship? All of these are hard and painful things. Jeremiah, too, was fearful of delivering the message. Surely he knew that he might be ignored, ridiculed or even put to death. But God spoke to him, assuring him that this was a message which needed to be heard. Jeremiah put his faith in God and he was protected.
As I reflect and write daily on scripture, I do recognize there are times when there are some not so nice messages to be heard. I will admit, I have purposefully avoided dwelling on some topic which might "turn you off" from the larger messages of Love, Mercy and Grace that I find so much more often...and more fun to share. Hearing yet another person tell you about sin, hatred, punishment and death may not be what you are seeking. It's also not what is on my heart to share...I think... But, sometimes, it's just what needs to be done.
So, think about something which has been weighing on your heart. Is there something that needs to be said? Know that you don't have to do it alone. Pray for God to help you with the right way to say it. Pray that, even though the message may be a tough one, God's perfect will may be fulfilled through you stepping out of your comfort zone and delivering some bad news.
***************
Jeremiah had a tough job. For the past couple of weeks, the first reading in Morning Prayer has been from the the book of Jeremiah. This prophet had the "unfortunate" job of hearing some pretty dire news from God: the Jewish people of the time were about to be taken into captivity in Babylon and lose everything. Not only did he have to hear the news from God, but, as a part of his job description as a prophet, he had to deliver the news to those around him. And by the way, when they heard his message, the people in the kingdom of King Jehoiakim at the time wanted to kill Jeremiah.
When I think about the love God has for me and for each of us, it is hard to read the story of this prophet. Basically, God tells Jeremiah that His people have been going on and sinning, forsaking God for too long, and now it is time for them to be punished. Over the centuries, God has brought His wrath through a Flood, pestilence, plagues...lots of not very fun stuff. Now He is going to have them all taken into captivity and slavery to see if that helps them get the message. As always, He does give them an 'out', though. God tells Jeremiah that maybe His people will listen to the words of the prophet and change their evil ways.
Delivering bad news is no fun. All of us at times have had to share not-so-good information in a family, work or personal setting when we knew those receiving the message would not like it. Our fear of delivering the news comes from lots of places; will we experience anger from the receiver of the message? Resentment? Will we even run the risk of being cut off in some way from someone with whom we want to maintain a relationship? All of these are hard and painful things. Jeremiah, too, was fearful of delivering the message. Surely he knew that he might be ignored, ridiculed or even put to death. But God spoke to him, assuring him that this was a message which needed to be heard. Jeremiah put his faith in God and he was protected.
As I reflect and write daily on scripture, I do recognize there are times when there are some not so nice messages to be heard. I will admit, I have purposefully avoided dwelling on some topic which might "turn you off" from the larger messages of Love, Mercy and Grace that I find so much more often...and more fun to share. Hearing yet another person tell you about sin, hatred, punishment and death may not be what you are seeking. It's also not what is on my heart to share...I think... But, sometimes, it's just what needs to be done.
So, think about something which has been weighing on your heart. Is there something that needs to be said? Know that you don't have to do it alone. Pray for God to help you with the right way to say it. Pray that, even though the message may be a tough one, God's perfect will may be fulfilled through you stepping out of your comfort zone and delivering some bad news.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Apr - 1 "The Light"
Luke 1:68-79
"In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace."
********************
Light.
Think of all the things light does and can do. It illuminates, warms, nourishes, pushes back fears, brings color to a dim landscape, heals.
One of the more difficult theological concepts to understand, in my opinion, is the nature of the Trinity. How can God be three things in one: Father, Son and Holy Spirit? We're not polytheists, right? Are we not worshipers of the One True God, not three gods? Some may not even care about the nature of the Trinity, which is fine with me. It is certainly not important to understand this concept in order to have faith.
But for those who do desire to understand this and struggle with it, I can share how I look at it.
Think of the Sun. A massive engine, a giant source of power and energy. We cannot look directly at it or our eyes will be burned. Now, think about the light that travels from the Sun through space to our planet. The waves of light cannot be seen as they travel. But we know the they are there. We do not see the rays of light until they actually touch an object, until they land to provide light and warmth. But the light does not stop there. It changes whatever it touches. It causes plants to grow, it colors and warms our skin. The light comes into us and into all things, it moves through us and creates a newness.
The Trinity is like this: God is the powerful source of all things; Jesus is the warmth we feel on our skin, the light to our path; the Holy Spirit moves through the world and us, changing things in every way, especially as we pass this change along to others.
So today, turn your face to the sun. Feel the warmth...your eyes closed...a smile on your lips...knowing that the One True Light is there to heal and warm you, illuminate your path and show you the way.
"In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace."
********************
Light.
Think of all the things light does and can do. It illuminates, warms, nourishes, pushes back fears, brings color to a dim landscape, heals.
One of the more difficult theological concepts to understand, in my opinion, is the nature of the Trinity. How can God be three things in one: Father, Son and Holy Spirit? We're not polytheists, right? Are we not worshipers of the One True God, not three gods? Some may not even care about the nature of the Trinity, which is fine with me. It is certainly not important to understand this concept in order to have faith.
But for those who do desire to understand this and struggle with it, I can share how I look at it.
Think of the Sun. A massive engine, a giant source of power and energy. We cannot look directly at it or our eyes will be burned. Now, think about the light that travels from the Sun through space to our planet. The waves of light cannot be seen as they travel. But we know the they are there. We do not see the rays of light until they actually touch an object, until they land to provide light and warmth. But the light does not stop there. It changes whatever it touches. It causes plants to grow, it colors and warms our skin. The light comes into us and into all things, it moves through us and creates a newness.
The Trinity is like this: God is the powerful source of all things; Jesus is the warmth we feel on our skin, the light to our path; the Holy Spirit moves through the world and us, changing things in every way, especially as we pass this change along to others.
So today, turn your face to the sun. Feel the warmth...your eyes closed...a smile on your lips...knowing that the One True Light is there to heal and warm you, illuminate your path and show you the way.
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