Mark 11:27-33
Again Jesus and the disciples came to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.” They argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?” – they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
***********************************
Imagine living near Jerusalem during Jesus' earthly We have seen miracles of healing and of power. Christ has fed thousands, walked on water, healed dozens and dozens of people. He has done all of these things in a servant-like manner. At no point has He come out and said to the crowds or priests, "I am the Son of God. Worship Me. I am the One you have been praying for over the centuries. I am Messiah."
Wouldn't it have been so much more simple if He had just come out and said who He was? Jesus has been building a case, compiling proof after proof that He is the Son of God, the Mighty Redeemer, Messiah. He has set everything up, so why doesn't He close the deal?
Of course, the answer is obvious. If He had stated these things, He may have been worshiped during all of His earthly life. He would have been marked among the great Prophets and compared to Abraham or Moses...Gandhi or Mother Theresa...Martin Luther King. But unless He continued to perform miracles time and time again, the memory of the three years of His ministry on earth would likely have faded over time.
During my teens years, I went to "church camp" every summer. I remember these times being not only a week of fun with friends, but a time when I felt very close to God. Some of my dearest and longest-lasting friendships came from those times at camp. Close to the end of each of these weeks, summer after summer, there would be a gathering one evening during which we would attend a worship service. During this service, each of us was asked to make a covenant with God. There was no pressure to promise any certain thing. Each of us were simply encouraged to pray, to talk to God and determine what He might be calling us to do.
I remember these worship services at the end of camp to be incredibly spiritual and emotional events. There was hardly ever a dry eye in the house, as each of us came to terms with our relationship with God.
But, the other thing I remember just as vividly, is how the feelings from that worship service faded in the weeks following camp. As each of us came back out into the world and the daily grind of our lives took over once again, the power of that moment, that evening seem to grow dim. The way we campers were able to keep that memory alive was to spend time with each other, encouraging each other in our faith as the months, the years passed along. However, even with this fellowship, the sharpness and clarity of that evening never quite regained its luster.
Why did Christ not proclaim Himself as God incarnate? Because He did not have to use words for this to be true. He put Himself below all, allowing Himself to be sacrificed for each of us. His death and resurrection spoke more than any words could tell. The ministry of the Apostles after He left this world showed more to us than Christ's attestation of His being could ever have done.
So, as we enter into the crescendo that is the last part of Holy Week, do not let the memories of the Last Supper, the Garden at Gethsemane, Golgotha or the Tomb fade as you continue with your lives after this season. Remember the sheer humility of washing the feet of a friend; remember the tears shed on Good Friday; remember the emptiness of the time when all hope seems lost. But most importantly, remember and rejoice in the power of the Resurrection! Recognize that the finality of His sacrifice is far greater than mere words could ever profess and that His conquering of Death will continue forever and never fade away.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Mar 30 - "Had Enough?"
Mark 11:12-25
Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”
*********************
Was there a time recently when you completely lost your cool? Are there days when you are in a crabby mood for no apparent reason?
I find this passage both interesting and confusing. Right before Jesus goes to the temple and shakes things up a bit, He is walking along, spies a fig tree and decides He would like one. He comes to the fig tree and finds none. Even though figs are not in season at this time, He curses the tree, soon after which it withers and dies. It seems a strange story to tell. But as always, we later see the divine purpose of the fig tree's undoing is to show the power of prayer. Jesus tells His disciples that nothing is impossible; whatever they ask for in the deep belief of their prayer will come to pass.
After sending the fig tree to an untimely demise, Jesus wreaks havoc at the temple. He turns over tables, chases people out and starts barking orders, telling people what they can and cannot do in the temple. This seems so uncharacteristic of Jesus. It was likely not a planned or staged event...nothing Jesus did had that false flavor. He must have simply been fed up and witnessed a scene which pushed Him over the edge. Even though we see times when Jesus rebuked or seemed angry, this is the first and only time we see Him really take action, lashing out in response to His anger or perhaps frustration.
How could He do this? Wasn't He perfect and beyond sin? Even though Jesus was fully God, He was also fully Man. Things angered and frustrated Him; He wept; He was tempted; He asked that this cup be passed from Him; Jesus even asked God why He was forsaking Him on the cross.
At the end of this chapter, Jesus returns to His old self. He is back in the temple talking to the priests, telling the parable of the caretakers in the vineyard and how they mistreat the vineyard's owner. This is the Jesus we know. Even though He is still pushing the envelope, rebuking the priests and elders by means of the story He tells, He does it in a way that is non-violent, scholastic and almost meek.
So, we all lose our cool every once in awhile. It's OK, even Jesus did. Just make sure you return to your former self, loving peace and working towards harmony.
Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”
*********************
Was there a time recently when you completely lost your cool? Are there days when you are in a crabby mood for no apparent reason?
I find this passage both interesting and confusing. Right before Jesus goes to the temple and shakes things up a bit, He is walking along, spies a fig tree and decides He would like one. He comes to the fig tree and finds none. Even though figs are not in season at this time, He curses the tree, soon after which it withers and dies. It seems a strange story to tell. But as always, we later see the divine purpose of the fig tree's undoing is to show the power of prayer. Jesus tells His disciples that nothing is impossible; whatever they ask for in the deep belief of their prayer will come to pass.
After sending the fig tree to an untimely demise, Jesus wreaks havoc at the temple. He turns over tables, chases people out and starts barking orders, telling people what they can and cannot do in the temple. This seems so uncharacteristic of Jesus. It was likely not a planned or staged event...nothing Jesus did had that false flavor. He must have simply been fed up and witnessed a scene which pushed Him over the edge. Even though we see times when Jesus rebuked or seemed angry, this is the first and only time we see Him really take action, lashing out in response to His anger or perhaps frustration.
How could He do this? Wasn't He perfect and beyond sin? Even though Jesus was fully God, He was also fully Man. Things angered and frustrated Him; He wept; He was tempted; He asked that this cup be passed from Him; Jesus even asked God why He was forsaking Him on the cross.
At the end of this chapter, Jesus returns to His old self. He is back in the temple talking to the priests, telling the parable of the caretakers in the vineyard and how they mistreat the vineyard's owner. This is the Jesus we know. Even though He is still pushing the envelope, rebuking the priests and elders by means of the story He tells, He does it in a way that is non-violent, scholastic and almost meek.
So, we all lose our cool every once in awhile. It's OK, even Jesus did. Just make sure you return to your former self, loving peace and working towards harmony.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Mar 29 - "Beauty For Ashes"
2 Corinthians 1:1-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.
*********************************
It hurts to hurt. There are times when we struggle, are in pain, suffer. We wonder, what good can come of this?
Over the past couple of years, my Mom has been down quite a tough road. In the later months of 2006, her husband Mark started to exhibit behavior which pointed towards something not being right. Fast forward to February of 2007 when he is diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. This crippling and often terminal disorder took what was a strong, assured man and reduced him to a shell of his former self. Mark left this world and went into the loving arms of God on January 24, 2008.
For the period of over one year, my Mom was faced with the daily struggle of not only caring for her ill husband, but the prospect of gradually losing the man she loved for many years. How hard it must have been, dealing with caring for another who eventually could no longer care for himself and to have to do it without your best friend, your confidant to guide and support you through. She suffered greatly. The pain of this suffering has still not fully faded, nor may it ever. I am in awe of the courage she showed during this time.
But, good things can come from bad. During the past year, a dear friend of my Mom's went through a similar situation. Her husband also became ill, failing and falling towards what was to be his eventual passing late last year. Over the course of a few months, my Mom was able to give comfort to her. Because she had experienced what this woman was now experiencing, she was able to give words of support and show a caring love which had come out of her own trials. She was now able to relate in a way which she may have been unable to do, unless she had experienced the passing of her own husband.
My Mom also now volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House, helping families who have children with devastating, chronic or terminal illnesses. She is able to support them in a far richer and more meaningful way because she too has suffered their pain. By no means, do I want to imply that the Mark's illness and death occurred just so my Mom would now have the words to comfort those who are in pain. But, she has taken her pain and turned it into something magnificent.
There is a beautiful song by Crystal Lewis, based on Isaiah 61:3 ("To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."). The chorus of the song has a poignant message, putting into contrast the highs and lows we all experience:
He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair
So, brothers and sisters, know that when you suffer, you are not alone. Lean on those around you who have also suffered; allow beauty to come forth from their ashes. Remember that you have a Great Comforter in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is able to bring peace and solace to you because He also was persecuted and in pain. Gain peace with the recognition that you do not have to bear the burden of pain, sorrow or heartache by yourself.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.
*********************************
It hurts to hurt. There are times when we struggle, are in pain, suffer. We wonder, what good can come of this?
Over the past couple of years, my Mom has been down quite a tough road. In the later months of 2006, her husband Mark started to exhibit behavior which pointed towards something not being right. Fast forward to February of 2007 when he is diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. This crippling and often terminal disorder took what was a strong, assured man and reduced him to a shell of his former self. Mark left this world and went into the loving arms of God on January 24, 2008.
For the period of over one year, my Mom was faced with the daily struggle of not only caring for her ill husband, but the prospect of gradually losing the man she loved for many years. How hard it must have been, dealing with caring for another who eventually could no longer care for himself and to have to do it without your best friend, your confidant to guide and support you through. She suffered greatly. The pain of this suffering has still not fully faded, nor may it ever. I am in awe of the courage she showed during this time.
But, good things can come from bad. During the past year, a dear friend of my Mom's went through a similar situation. Her husband also became ill, failing and falling towards what was to be his eventual passing late last year. Over the course of a few months, my Mom was able to give comfort to her. Because she had experienced what this woman was now experiencing, she was able to give words of support and show a caring love which had come out of her own trials. She was now able to relate in a way which she may have been unable to do, unless she had experienced the passing of her own husband.
My Mom also now volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House, helping families who have children with devastating, chronic or terminal illnesses. She is able to support them in a far richer and more meaningful way because she too has suffered their pain. By no means, do I want to imply that the Mark's illness and death occurred just so my Mom would now have the words to comfort those who are in pain. But, she has taken her pain and turned it into something magnificent.
There is a beautiful song by Crystal Lewis, based on Isaiah 61:3 ("To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."). The chorus of the song has a poignant message, putting into contrast the highs and lows we all experience:
He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair
So, brothers and sisters, know that when you suffer, you are not alone. Lean on those around you who have also suffered; allow beauty to come forth from their ashes. Remember that you have a Great Comforter in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is able to bring peace and solace to you because He also was persecuted and in pain. Gain peace with the recognition that you do not have to bear the burden of pain, sorrow or heartache by yourself.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Mar 28 - "The Sweet Ain't as Sweet without the Bitter"
Zechariah 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 wonderful image we have today! Christ enters Jerusalem today as a king. He ministry has reached its crescendo and thousands rejoice at His magnificent yet humble entry through the city gates. The question is, to what event has He so triumphantly arrived?
As I have grown older, the feelings I have on this day have changed. I used to look at Palm Sunday as this big, exciting event where Jesus comes into Jerusalem like a king. I loved getting the palms at church, waving them around in the air. As we left church on this day, I knew we were only one week away from the Easter Bunny's arrival with baskets of goodies and a fun day spent with family.
For me now, it is the beginning of a week filled with a melancholic rise and fall. In the coming days, we will watch Jesus humbly serve His friends, washing their feet. We will sit with Jesus at a simple meal, creating a ceremony of remembrance. He will go to the Garden at Gethsemane, be taken in and beaten. We will stand in a crowd and shout "Crucify Him!!". Our Lord will trudge these same streets through which He rides in glory today, bearing a crushing cross, His body bleeding and broken. Even though I know how the story ends next Sunday, I still know the pain of the coming week.
I imagine Jesus felt the same way. He knew this entry into Jerusalem was a celebration based on Man's standards, not on God's. The waving palms were beckoning Him to His temporary demise. He could likely see the Pharisees standing in the back of the crowd, talking with the Roman authorities, convincing them that this man of no account from the backwater town of Nazareth was putting Himself above Caesar. Maybe He caught a glimpse of His friend Judas down a dark alley, accepting a bag of silver. He sees all of this and knows what is to come over the next week. Yet, perhaps there is gleam in His eye, the corner of one side of His mouth upturned into a slight knowing smile. He knows how the story will end.
But, dear friends, just because we know there is pain ahead it does not mean we can't enjoy the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on this day. Place yourself in the crowd, just inside one of Jerusalem's imposing gates. You are surrounded by the blind who can now see, the lame who can now walk, the diseased who are now clean. On your left and right are those who drank the sweet wine at the wedding of Cana; those who broke bread with the 5,000. Everyone is filled with great joy seeing the Man we have come to know and love being praised as a king.
So, sing with joy today! Praise the arrival of your King into the ancient city. Celebrate with those He has healed and made whole. Emmanuel...God with us...Messiah has come!
"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 wonderful image we have today! Christ enters Jerusalem today as a king. He ministry has reached its crescendo and thousands rejoice at His magnificent yet humble entry through the city gates. The question is, to what event has He so triumphantly arrived?
As I have grown older, the feelings I have on this day have changed. I used to look at Palm Sunday as this big, exciting event where Jesus comes into Jerusalem like a king. I loved getting the palms at church, waving them around in the air. As we left church on this day, I knew we were only one week away from the Easter Bunny's arrival with baskets of goodies and a fun day spent with family.
For me now, it is the beginning of a week filled with a melancholic rise and fall. In the coming days, we will watch Jesus humbly serve His friends, washing their feet. We will sit with Jesus at a simple meal, creating a ceremony of remembrance. He will go to the Garden at Gethsemane, be taken in and beaten. We will stand in a crowd and shout "Crucify Him!!". Our Lord will trudge these same streets through which He rides in glory today, bearing a crushing cross, His body bleeding and broken. Even though I know how the story ends next Sunday, I still know the pain of the coming week.
I imagine Jesus felt the same way. He knew this entry into Jerusalem was a celebration based on Man's standards, not on God's. The waving palms were beckoning Him to His temporary demise. He could likely see the Pharisees standing in the back of the crowd, talking with the Roman authorities, convincing them that this man of no account from the backwater town of Nazareth was putting Himself above Caesar. Maybe He caught a glimpse of His friend Judas down a dark alley, accepting a bag of silver. He sees all of this and knows what is to come over the next week. Yet, perhaps there is gleam in His eye, the corner of one side of His mouth upturned into a slight knowing smile. He knows how the story will end.
But, dear friends, just because we know there is pain ahead it does not mean we can't enjoy the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on this day. Place yourself in the crowd, just inside one of Jerusalem's imposing gates. You are surrounded by the blind who can now see, the lame who can now walk, the diseased who are now clean. On your left and right are those who drank the sweet wine at the wedding of Cana; those who broke bread with the 5,000. Everyone is filled with great joy seeing the Man we have come to know and love being praised as a king.
So, sing with joy today! Praise the arrival of your King into the ancient city. Celebrate with those He has healed and made whole. Emmanuel...God with us...Messiah has come!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Mar 27 - "Temporary and Eternal"
2 Corinthians 4:13-18
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
****************************
There is no doubt about it. We grow older each day, our bodies microscopically changing and degrading every so slightly as we walk slowly towards the end of our days on earth. Our minds become a little less crisp, memories fade and physical activities we once used to enjoy without second thought become more difficult and leave us hurting after.
Should this stark reality weigh us down, depress and leave us without hope?
I have been blessed to know Bonnie Lucy Wilson my entire life. My Grandma Bonnie has been the steady rock of our family for as long as I can remember. Her deep love for family, her sharp wit and her vegetable soup have been mainstays in my extended family for all of my years. If you were to meet her today for the first time, you would see that her physical form is fading away. It is hard for her to get around and her short-term memory is not what it used to be.
But, in a beautiful way, she is getting younger every day. Whenever I see her, it seems she has a new perspective on the value of family and, most importantly, on the role God has played and continues to play in her family's life. She sits serenely watching all that is going on around her as children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren laugh, play and love in her midst. When I talk to her about the scene, the menagerie of activity, relishing with her the blessedness of the occasion, she often quotes Psalm 46, verse 10: "Be still and know that I am the Lord." It is now obvious to me that her sitting and watching is not a quiet disconnectedness, it is her way of praising God, letting Him "be".
Yes, the fact that we are growing older each day is right there in front of us. But what else is true? With each day we live, we come one day closer to that day, when we will stand with Christ, renewed and restored with the knowledge that the pain and trials we faced on Earth were only temporary. We will recognize that we are seasoned by this world. We are given the gifts of time and experience which wonderfully deepen our understanding.
So, rejoice in growing older. Know that we live in this strange yet beautiful way; growing older and closer to the end of our earthly lives, yet becoming newer and more childlike with each passing day. Love the hauntingly bittersweet dance of this world, for each moment, each temporary instance of joy and pain, bring us ever-closer to eternity of being in the loving arms of God.
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
****************************
There is no doubt about it. We grow older each day, our bodies microscopically changing and degrading every so slightly as we walk slowly towards the end of our days on earth. Our minds become a little less crisp, memories fade and physical activities we once used to enjoy without second thought become more difficult and leave us hurting after.
Should this stark reality weigh us down, depress and leave us without hope?
I have been blessed to know Bonnie Lucy Wilson my entire life. My Grandma Bonnie has been the steady rock of our family for as long as I can remember. Her deep love for family, her sharp wit and her vegetable soup have been mainstays in my extended family for all of my years. If you were to meet her today for the first time, you would see that her physical form is fading away. It is hard for her to get around and her short-term memory is not what it used to be.
But, in a beautiful way, she is getting younger every day. Whenever I see her, it seems she has a new perspective on the value of family and, most importantly, on the role God has played and continues to play in her family's life. She sits serenely watching all that is going on around her as children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren laugh, play and love in her midst. When I talk to her about the scene, the menagerie of activity, relishing with her the blessedness of the occasion, she often quotes Psalm 46, verse 10: "Be still and know that I am the Lord." It is now obvious to me that her sitting and watching is not a quiet disconnectedness, it is her way of praising God, letting Him "be".
Yes, the fact that we are growing older each day is right there in front of us. But what else is true? With each day we live, we come one day closer to that day, when we will stand with Christ, renewed and restored with the knowledge that the pain and trials we faced on Earth were only temporary. We will recognize that we are seasoned by this world. We are given the gifts of time and experience which wonderfully deepen our understanding.
So, rejoice in growing older. Know that we live in this strange yet beautiful way; growing older and closer to the end of our earthly lives, yet becoming newer and more childlike with each passing day. Love the hauntingly bittersweet dance of this world, for each moment, each temporary instance of joy and pain, bring us ever-closer to eternity of being in the loving arms of God.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Mar 26 - "Conflicted"
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? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; by night as well, but I find no rest. Yet you are the Holy One, enthroned upon the praises of Israel. Our forefathers put their trust in you; they trusted, and you delivered them. They cried out to you and were delivered; they trusted in you and were not put to shame. But as for me, I am a worm and no man, scorned by all and despised by the people.
*********************************************
Have you ever felt forsaken by God? Has there been a time in your life when you wondered if He was with you, if He was still watching over you?
Whenever I read the 22nd Psalm, I am struck by the spectrum of feelings it represents on behalf of the Psalmist who wrote it. I encourage you to get the Bible you have on a shelf somewhere in your house, or the one you keep close by at all times (you can just Google it too, of course), and read through the whole thing. It is such an interesting piece of scripture because of its constant turns between despair and praise. You can almost see the giant pendulum of the Psalmist's mind and heart, swinging over its long course...back and forth...back and forth.
The picture the Psalmist paints is that of a man who has lost everything. What comes to mind, for me is Smeagol, the scrawny bag of bones, half-naked character from the Lord of the Rings movies. Not only is the first part of Psalm 22 reminiscent of the constant dialogue Smeagol has with evil alter-ego, Gollum, but the physical appearance the Psalmist describes, "I am poured out like water, all my bones are out of joint...I can count all of my bones..." seems to match this character too. This is a man who is likely standing alone out in a dusty street, walking around in half-crazed circles, shouting at the sky, then weeping in a curled mass in the dirt.
The opening to the Psalm also represents one of the "Last Seven Words of Christ", which he spoke while hanging on the cross. As we all do at times, Christ looks to Heaven and pleads with God on His seemingly forsaken status. Yes, even Christ, who although was fully God was also fully Man, and therefore had a conflicted spirit.
It is also ironic that this Psalm is immediately followed by the 23rd Psalm, arguably the most famous of all the Psalms. The 23rd Psalm sits in stark juxtaposition to the prevalent theme of questioning woven throughout Psalm 22. It is almost a palate-cleansing response, standing assured, saying "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."; and, "Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil." I encourage you to read this one too.
Dear friends, all of us have dry times. Each of us wonders if God is with us. We waffle between the sure knowledge of God's work in our lives and the questioning spirit of the seemingly abandoned. God created each of us and His creation is perfect. Do not fear that your spiritual conflict somehow puts you out of favor with God, because you, even in your time of fear and doubt, are a part of that perfect creation.
Read Psalm 22 all the way to the end. You will see the Psalmist rising from the dusty and dry ground. He stands up, straightening his appearance, the countenance of peace crossing his face. He is filled with the spirit of the Lord and stands firmly, praising the power, majesty and grace of the one true God. He has come full circle and is at peace.
So, even in times of great despair, praise the Lord. We all feel conflicted. Remember that words have power, and that by praising God even in your times of doubt, your spirit will once again swing slowly back into the assured faith of His presence, love, care and mercy.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me and are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; by night as well, but I find no rest. Yet you are the Holy One, enthroned upon the praises of Israel. Our forefathers put their trust in you; they trusted, and you delivered them. They cried out to you and were delivered; they trusted in you and were not put to shame. But as for me, I am a worm and no man, scorned by all and despised by the people.
*********************************************
Have you ever felt forsaken by God? Has there been a time in your life when you wondered if He was with you, if He was still watching over you?
Whenever I read the 22nd Psalm, I am struck by the spectrum of feelings it represents on behalf of the Psalmist who wrote it. I encourage you to get the Bible you have on a shelf somewhere in your house, or the one you keep close by at all times (you can just Google it too, of course), and read through the whole thing. It is such an interesting piece of scripture because of its constant turns between despair and praise. You can almost see the giant pendulum of the Psalmist's mind and heart, swinging over its long course...back and forth...back and forth.
The picture the Psalmist paints is that of a man who has lost everything. What comes to mind, for me is Smeagol, the scrawny bag of bones, half-naked character from the Lord of the Rings movies. Not only is the first part of Psalm 22 reminiscent of the constant dialogue Smeagol has with evil alter-ego, Gollum, but the physical appearance the Psalmist describes, "I am poured out like water, all my bones are out of joint...I can count all of my bones..." seems to match this character too. This is a man who is likely standing alone out in a dusty street, walking around in half-crazed circles, shouting at the sky, then weeping in a curled mass in the dirt.
The opening to the Psalm also represents one of the "Last Seven Words of Christ", which he spoke while hanging on the cross. As we all do at times, Christ looks to Heaven and pleads with God on His seemingly forsaken status. Yes, even Christ, who although was fully God was also fully Man, and therefore had a conflicted spirit.
It is also ironic that this Psalm is immediately followed by the 23rd Psalm, arguably the most famous of all the Psalms. The 23rd Psalm sits in stark juxtaposition to the prevalent theme of questioning woven throughout Psalm 22. It is almost a palate-cleansing response, standing assured, saying "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."; and, "Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil." I encourage you to read this one too.
Dear friends, all of us have dry times. Each of us wonders if God is with us. We waffle between the sure knowledge of God's work in our lives and the questioning spirit of the seemingly abandoned. God created each of us and His creation is perfect. Do not fear that your spiritual conflict somehow puts you out of favor with God, because you, even in your time of fear and doubt, are a part of that perfect creation.
Read Psalm 22 all the way to the end. You will see the Psalmist rising from the dusty and dry ground. He stands up, straightening his appearance, the countenance of peace crossing his face. He is filled with the spirit of the Lord and stands firmly, praising the power, majesty and grace of the one true God. He has come full circle and is at peace.
So, even in times of great despair, praise the Lord. We all feel conflicted. Remember that words have power, and that by praising God even in your times of doubt, your spirit will once again swing slowly back into the assured faith of His presence, love, care and mercy.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Mar 25 - "This Woman's Work"
Collect of the Day: The Annunciation of Our Lord to the Virgin Mary
"Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
**************************************
Today is the celebration of Mary being visited by an angel, giving her the news that she was to bear the Son of God. (only 9 months until Christmas...start shopping now!)
Can you imagine what it must have been like to be Mary? A young girl, likely not even 20 years old at the time, being told that she would carry this Gift, this Precious Child. She would be responsible for raising Him and caring for Him. As if the news of being with child is not challenge enough for any woman, but to have the Son of God in your womb. Wow...that's some pressure!
There are times in our lives when we receive really big news, good and bad. What often measures us is how we respond to that news. How does Mary respond? Well, here is when we see the strength of a woman, when put in a tough situation. She says, beginning in Luke, chapter 1, verse 46:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for He has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name."
Now that is grace under pressure. She does not run away or ask that someone else be chosen. She must have known how hard things were going to be, explaining to her family and her soon-to-be husband Joseph, what she had been asked to do. Mary glorifies God and gives thanks for the gift she has been given, relishing in the great responsibility which has been thrust upon her.
In comparison, what do some of the more famous men of the bible do when called by the Lord or similarly challenged? Moses asks God to pick someone else; Jonah takes a boat in the opposite direction of where God told him to go; Zechariah discounts God's power to make him a Father; Joseph initially wants to ditch Mary; Peter denies knowing Christ three times. We men are such goofballs, most of the time. We strut around thinking we are "all that". But when the rubber hits the road, we sometimes fall short and it is a woman who brings us around and points us in the right direction.
Some of you faithful readers who are men and are reading this may say, "Wait a minute, I work hard...I do good things...I help with things!" All of this is true. But, guys, if we are being honest with ourselves, we know that the reason many of us are as "successful" in life as we are, is because at least one woman has or had a hand in it. Was it your Mom or Grandma? Maybe a teacher or a good friend? Your wife? Certainly, my wife Greta makes me a better man every day. My daughters inspire me to be more than I would be if they were not in my life.
So, today, celebrate the glory of all that is being a woman! Gives thanks for grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, nieces and granddaughters...all women. Women, spend today rejoicing in the essence of being a woman. Men, tell a woman today how much you value the gifts she brings to your life. Thank you, Lord, for the beauty and grace you have given to the world in the gift of women. Praise to you, Heavenly Father, for making women distinct and special in a way that glorifies your wisdom and power.
"Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
**************************************
Today is the celebration of Mary being visited by an angel, giving her the news that she was to bear the Son of God. (only 9 months until Christmas...start shopping now!)
Can you imagine what it must have been like to be Mary? A young girl, likely not even 20 years old at the time, being told that she would carry this Gift, this Precious Child. She would be responsible for raising Him and caring for Him. As if the news of being with child is not challenge enough for any woman, but to have the Son of God in your womb. Wow...that's some pressure!
There are times in our lives when we receive really big news, good and bad. What often measures us is how we respond to that news. How does Mary respond? Well, here is when we see the strength of a woman, when put in a tough situation. She says, beginning in Luke, chapter 1, verse 46:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for He has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name."
Now that is grace under pressure. She does not run away or ask that someone else be chosen. She must have known how hard things were going to be, explaining to her family and her soon-to-be husband Joseph, what she had been asked to do. Mary glorifies God and gives thanks for the gift she has been given, relishing in the great responsibility which has been thrust upon her.
In comparison, what do some of the more famous men of the bible do when called by the Lord or similarly challenged? Moses asks God to pick someone else; Jonah takes a boat in the opposite direction of where God told him to go; Zechariah discounts God's power to make him a Father; Joseph initially wants to ditch Mary; Peter denies knowing Christ three times. We men are such goofballs, most of the time. We strut around thinking we are "all that". But when the rubber hits the road, we sometimes fall short and it is a woman who brings us around and points us in the right direction.
Some of you faithful readers who are men and are reading this may say, "Wait a minute, I work hard...I do good things...I help with things!" All of this is true. But, guys, if we are being honest with ourselves, we know that the reason many of us are as "successful" in life as we are, is because at least one woman has or had a hand in it. Was it your Mom or Grandma? Maybe a teacher or a good friend? Your wife? Certainly, my wife Greta makes me a better man every day. My daughters inspire me to be more than I would be if they were not in my life.
So, today, celebrate the glory of all that is being a woman! Gives thanks for grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, nieces and granddaughters...all women. Women, spend today rejoicing in the essence of being a woman. Men, tell a woman today how much you value the gifts she brings to your life. Thank you, Lord, for the beauty and grace you have given to the world in the gift of women. Praise to you, Heavenly Father, for making women distinct and special in a way that glorifies your wisdom and power.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Mar 24 - "The Power In You"
Exodus 7:8-24
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a wonder,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, and it will become a snake.’ ” So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did as the LORD had commanded; Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers; and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same by their secret arts. Each one threw down his staff, and they became snakes; but Aaron’s staff swallowed up theirs. Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.
***********************
God is all-powerful, all-knowing and ever-present. He created the earth and the heavens. He has the power to do anything...literally, no miracle is too large, no task is too great. Nothing is beyond Him.
If this is the case, why can't God change the heart of one man? How is this possible?
Pharaoh is just one example of many throughout the Bible, as well as in the times up to and including today, where people have been able to temporarily deny the will of God. Look around us. There are certainly people in our lives who, when considering God, range from a mild interest, to indifference, to an agnostic chill, to ardent disbelief, even to militant atheism. All of them are denying God in varying degrees. They are, looking at it one way, more powerful than God.
I have denied God. I have had a time in my life where I no longer believed in Him. Because of a tragedy in my extended family many years ago, I decided that God did not exist. Looking back on this, I realize this choice I made was my way of exercising my power over God. I was lashing out at Him. Fortunately for me, this relationship has long since been restored.
In our human forms, each of us has the ability, the power, to deny God. God noes not require our faith. God wants us to be in relationship with Him, leaning on Him for help and support, giving Him thanks for the many blessings in our lives. Not because He needs it, but because we need it. But we sin and fall short, missing the mark of the ideals He has set before us. Would it be better if we had no power? Would our lives be easier if we did not have the ability to choose or deny God? Is this a trick, this ability to deny Him? No, it is the free will He has given us to chose. By choosing Him, we become fully invested in the relationship. If we had no choice, we would see our relationship with God as a given, something easily obtained and grasped. Would we value it as much as a relationship for which we have had to work? Easy come, easy go.
So, recognize the power that is in you. In a way, you have a power that is greater than God's; use it wisely. But, the good news is,that even if we deny God while we are in this world, when we stand before Him and His Son at the end of our days on earth, we will no longer have human eyes, seeing through the glass darkly. We will know that God had the power...has the power to do more for us than we can ask or imagine. Each of us will walk towards Him, ready to accept His love and the authority of His power. And the best news? He will stand there will open and loving arms, forgetting and forgiving our denial, welcoming us in.
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a wonder,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, and it will become a snake.’ ” So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did as the LORD had commanded; Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers; and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same by their secret arts. Each one threw down his staff, and they became snakes; but Aaron’s staff swallowed up theirs. Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.
***********************
God is all-powerful, all-knowing and ever-present. He created the earth and the heavens. He has the power to do anything...literally, no miracle is too large, no task is too great. Nothing is beyond Him.
If this is the case, why can't God change the heart of one man? How is this possible?
Pharaoh is just one example of many throughout the Bible, as well as in the times up to and including today, where people have been able to temporarily deny the will of God. Look around us. There are certainly people in our lives who, when considering God, range from a mild interest, to indifference, to an agnostic chill, to ardent disbelief, even to militant atheism. All of them are denying God in varying degrees. They are, looking at it one way, more powerful than God.
I have denied God. I have had a time in my life where I no longer believed in Him. Because of a tragedy in my extended family many years ago, I decided that God did not exist. Looking back on this, I realize this choice I made was my way of exercising my power over God. I was lashing out at Him. Fortunately for me, this relationship has long since been restored.
In our human forms, each of us has the ability, the power, to deny God. God noes not require our faith. God wants us to be in relationship with Him, leaning on Him for help and support, giving Him thanks for the many blessings in our lives. Not because He needs it, but because we need it. But we sin and fall short, missing the mark of the ideals He has set before us. Would it be better if we had no power? Would our lives be easier if we did not have the ability to choose or deny God? Is this a trick, this ability to deny Him? No, it is the free will He has given us to chose. By choosing Him, we become fully invested in the relationship. If we had no choice, we would see our relationship with God as a given, something easily obtained and grasped. Would we value it as much as a relationship for which we have had to work? Easy come, easy go.
So, recognize the power that is in you. In a way, you have a power that is greater than God's; use it wisely. But, the good news is,that even if we deny God while we are in this world, when we stand before Him and His Son at the end of our days on earth, we will no longer have human eyes, seeing through the glass darkly. We will know that God had the power...has the power to do more for us than we can ask or imagine. Each of us will walk towards Him, ready to accept His love and the authority of His power. And the best news? He will stand there will open and loving arms, forgetting and forgiving our denial, welcoming us in.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Mar 23 - "Childlike"
Mark 9:30-41
"Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, 'What were you arguing about on the way?' But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, 'Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.' Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 'Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.'”
**************************
Jesus talked about children a lot. In addition to the passage above, He said: peacemakers are the children of God; we should become like children in order to enter Heaven; He commanded that His disciples should let the children come to Him.
What does it mean to me childlike? Having 3 daughters and 13 nieces and nephews...most of them being under age 10...I have had the opportunity to see lots of children in action over the past few years from the perspective of an adult, father and uncle.
Here's what I notice about children:
...children can make a plaything out of the most obscure items...a stick, a rock, or a discarded piece of plastic can be better than the hottest new toy or video game
...children love intensely...have you ever seen a child lose their favorite stuffed animal?
...children are often more fascinated by the packaging, bows and boxes than the gifts inside them...take bubble wrap, for example
...children run...not as a means of exercise, but as the most fun and efficient way to get anywhere fast
...children speak their minds openly...the things that come out of their mouths bring us great joy, laughter or inspire us to our core
...children accept new people into their lives with excitement and hope...anyone is a friend at the playground
...children smile more than they frown, laugh more than they cry, love more than they hate
I think Christ talks about children so much because, not only does He want us to take a childlike point of view in our faith and relationship with God...our Father...Abba..., but that He wants us to recognize the gifts that can come from a childlike point of view. As adults, we can complicate, caveat, couch, hedge, analyze, plan, rethink and strategize the pure joy and excitement out of any situation. We develop very complex points of view on myriad topics as well as the people we know or don't even know.
Christ calls us to be like children and embrace the childlike point of view because, if we discount the wisdom, value and joy a child or childlike person can bring to our lives, we are missing out on an important part of the total picture.
So, be childlike. Love fiercely. Run, jump and play with intensity and joy. Accept the view a child brings with openness and warmth. For when we welcome a child in the name of Christ, we welcome Christ Himself into our lives.
"Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, 'What were you arguing about on the way?' But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, 'Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.' Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 'Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.'”
**************************
Jesus talked about children a lot. In addition to the passage above, He said: peacemakers are the children of God; we should become like children in order to enter Heaven; He commanded that His disciples should let the children come to Him.
What does it mean to me childlike? Having 3 daughters and 13 nieces and nephews...most of them being under age 10...I have had the opportunity to see lots of children in action over the past few years from the perspective of an adult, father and uncle.
Here's what I notice about children:
...children can make a plaything out of the most obscure items...a stick, a rock, or a discarded piece of plastic can be better than the hottest new toy or video game
...children love intensely...have you ever seen a child lose their favorite stuffed animal?
...children are often more fascinated by the packaging, bows and boxes than the gifts inside them...take bubble wrap, for example
...children run...not as a means of exercise, but as the most fun and efficient way to get anywhere fast
...children speak their minds openly...the things that come out of their mouths bring us great joy, laughter or inspire us to our core
...children accept new people into their lives with excitement and hope...anyone is a friend at the playground
...children smile more than they frown, laugh more than they cry, love more than they hate
I think Christ talks about children so much because, not only does He want us to take a childlike point of view in our faith and relationship with God...our Father...Abba..., but that He wants us to recognize the gifts that can come from a childlike point of view. As adults, we can complicate, caveat, couch, hedge, analyze, plan, rethink and strategize the pure joy and excitement out of any situation. We develop very complex points of view on myriad topics as well as the people we know or don't even know.
Christ calls us to be like children and embrace the childlike point of view because, if we discount the wisdom, value and joy a child or childlike person can bring to our lives, we are missing out on an important part of the total picture.
So, be childlike. Love fiercely. Run, jump and play with intensity and joy. Accept the view a child brings with openness and warmth. For when we welcome a child in the name of Christ, we welcome Christ Himself into our lives.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Mar 22 - "Doubt in the Face of Proof"
Exodus 4:10-20, 27-31
"But Moses said to the LORD, 'O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.' Then the LORD said to him, 'Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.' But he said, “O my Lord, please send someone else.' Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, 'What of your brother Aaron, the Levite? I know that he can speak fluently; even now he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you his heart will be glad. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. He indeed shall speak for you to the people; he shall serve as a mouth for you, and you shall serve as God for him. Take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.'”
**************************
Sometimes, it is hard for us to believe. We see God's work in our lives. We see the beauty of the world around us, the miracle of creation; but still, we have doubt.
Do you fear that God will think less of you, abandon you because you have trouble believing? Every once in awhile, I look at a task that is set before me, or the schedule of my week ahead, and I think, "How am I going to get through this?" Even though every time I ask God for His help, each time I pray for guidance, strength, or support, He delivers without fail. Yet, I still have doubt.
But, don't worry. This challenge of reconciling our faith to the events around has been going on for thousands of years. Look at Moses. He had just seen a burning bush. God has just spoken directly to him in a voice coming straight from heaven. What does Moses say? He tells God that he is the wrong guy because he is not the most eloquent speaker. How can he doubt? Doesn't he realize that if God can bring fire to a bush and not let it be consumed by the flames, that He can give Moses the right words to say?
Fortunately, God is patient. He figures out a way to make it work by offering up Moses' brother Aaron to speak for Moses on his behalf. This helps build Moses' confidence in getting the Word to Pharaoh.
So, don't let your doubt make you feel like you are giving up on God. Ask for His help; let Him know your fears and trepidation. He will provide.
"But Moses said to the LORD, 'O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.' Then the LORD said to him, 'Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.' But he said, “O my Lord, please send someone else.' Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, 'What of your brother Aaron, the Levite? I know that he can speak fluently; even now he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you his heart will be glad. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. He indeed shall speak for you to the people; he shall serve as a mouth for you, and you shall serve as God for him. Take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.'”
**************************
Sometimes, it is hard for us to believe. We see God's work in our lives. We see the beauty of the world around us, the miracle of creation; but still, we have doubt.
Do you fear that God will think less of you, abandon you because you have trouble believing? Every once in awhile, I look at a task that is set before me, or the schedule of my week ahead, and I think, "How am I going to get through this?" Even though every time I ask God for His help, each time I pray for guidance, strength, or support, He delivers without fail. Yet, I still have doubt.
But, don't worry. This challenge of reconciling our faith to the events around has been going on for thousands of years. Look at Moses. He had just seen a burning bush. God has just spoken directly to him in a voice coming straight from heaven. What does Moses say? He tells God that he is the wrong guy because he is not the most eloquent speaker. How can he doubt? Doesn't he realize that if God can bring fire to a bush and not let it be consumed by the flames, that He can give Moses the right words to say?
Fortunately, God is patient. He figures out a way to make it work by offering up Moses' brother Aaron to speak for Moses on his behalf. This helps build Moses' confidence in getting the Word to Pharaoh.
So, don't let your doubt make you feel like you are giving up on God. Ask for His help; let Him know your fears and trepidation. He will provide.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Mar 21 - "Proof"
Mark 9:2-13
"Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, 'Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!' Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus."
****************************
What proof do you have the God exists? Do you have evidence that Christ walked on the Earth over 2000 years ago? Can you unequivocally prove that the Holy Spirit works in the world yet today?
Throughout the Bible, we see many occasions where God takes a visible role in situations where He was executing against His divine plan. Countless times, we see Him talking with people directly; Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses and many others all had a direct connection to God. During these times, there is no doubt in their minds that He exists and is all He says He is. In today's reading, we see that direct connection once again. Even though Christ was performing miracles on a seemingly daily basis in full view of His disciples, this is the first evidence they have proof that He is really who He says He is. God's voice booms down from heaven, telling them flat out that Jesus is His son and that they should listen to Him.
I think all of us want proof. We live in a cynical time with so much information and misinformation surrounding us, is it easier when we can see direct, incontrovertible evidence that the thing we are supposed to believe is actually true. When it comes to God, I am sure there are moments when it would be much easier if God would just come right out and show us that He is the Lord and that He is in control.
There have been many times in my life where I asked God to please, please show me that He is there; I have pleaded, "Lord, give me a sign. Show me that You are real. I feel so weak in my faith. Knowing that You are there will secure my belief." The good news is that when we ask, God delivers. When these times of dryness have come, the usual issue is that I am not looking in the right place for the proof. Have I seen proof today, yesterday that God exists?
Absolutely.
Last night, my sister started the next part of her life as Mrs. Rosen. The love which permeated the entire day yesterday is proof. I know God exists and He is with us. Hugs, kisses, laughter, tears of great and profound joy. I know God exists and He is with us. Dancing with my wife, my daughters, my nieces and nephews is proof. I know God exists and He is with us. Sharing words with family, commenting on the joy which surrounded us is proof. I know God exists and He is with us.
So, realize it is OK to ask for proof. Our souls thirst after God and part of this thirst is quenched when we know in our hearts that He is real. But, dear friends, be open to the way this proof may come. The evidence of His existence is around us all the time. We may just need to change our perspective or look in a different direction in order to see it.
"Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, 'Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!' Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus."
****************************
What proof do you have the God exists? Do you have evidence that Christ walked on the Earth over 2000 years ago? Can you unequivocally prove that the Holy Spirit works in the world yet today?
Throughout the Bible, we see many occasions where God takes a visible role in situations where He was executing against His divine plan. Countless times, we see Him talking with people directly; Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses and many others all had a direct connection to God. During these times, there is no doubt in their minds that He exists and is all He says He is. In today's reading, we see that direct connection once again. Even though Christ was performing miracles on a seemingly daily basis in full view of His disciples, this is the first evidence they have proof that He is really who He says He is. God's voice booms down from heaven, telling them flat out that Jesus is His son and that they should listen to Him.
I think all of us want proof. We live in a cynical time with so much information and misinformation surrounding us, is it easier when we can see direct, incontrovertible evidence that the thing we are supposed to believe is actually true. When it comes to God, I am sure there are moments when it would be much easier if God would just come right out and show us that He is the Lord and that He is in control.
There have been many times in my life where I asked God to please, please show me that He is there; I have pleaded, "Lord, give me a sign. Show me that You are real. I feel so weak in my faith. Knowing that You are there will secure my belief." The good news is that when we ask, God delivers. When these times of dryness have come, the usual issue is that I am not looking in the right place for the proof. Have I seen proof today, yesterday that God exists?
Absolutely.
Last night, my sister started the next part of her life as Mrs. Rosen. The love which permeated the entire day yesterday is proof. I know God exists and He is with us. Hugs, kisses, laughter, tears of great and profound joy. I know God exists and He is with us. Dancing with my wife, my daughters, my nieces and nephews is proof. I know God exists and He is with us. Sharing words with family, commenting on the joy which surrounded us is proof. I know God exists and He is with us.
So, realize it is OK to ask for proof. Our souls thirst after God and part of this thirst is quenched when we know in our hearts that He is real. But, dear friends, be open to the way this proof may come. The evidence of His existence is around us all the time. We may just need to change our perspective or look in a different direction in order to see it.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Mar 20 - "Wedding Day"
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
"If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love."
*******************************
As I sit here and write, I am smiling and rejoicing in the Lord's plan, His work in the world and the way He times things out...just perfectly. Lord, You are marvelous and glorious! Heavenly Father, I love how you make things come together, bringing joy to our lives!
Because today is a special and joyous occasion (my baby sister Abbi is getting married!!), I was going to step aside from my normal process of writing a meditation from one of the readings in the Daily Office. My plan was to meditate on the passage about the miracle of water to wine at the wedding in Cana, Jesus' first miracle. Right before I was ready to search for it, I thought I should at least check to see what the readings today were. What if God had delivered something better? And...what do you know...I scan down through the text and there, right in front of me, is 1 Corinthians 3:1-13! Probably the most-read scripture at wedding ceremonies around the world. How God must be smiling down upon the Wilson and Rosen families today!
This is one of those passages in which Paul packed so much into a a short section of verses. Paul obviously knew love. He captures every essence of it; patience, kindness...bearing, believing, hoping and enduring. There are those who would say the feeling of love is just a set of chemicals in our body, reacting to external stimuli. Some have even said the chemical processes which occur in the body when a person "feels love" is basically the same as when we eat chocolate.
But love is so much more!
God brought Christ to the world to live with us because He loves us. Christ sacrificed Himself on the cross because He loves us. God sent the Holy Spirit to be a companion for us after Christ left the world because He loves us. We do so many things because of the love we have for friends and family. We make sacrifices, we give, we put others' needs in front of our own. Would we do all of these things as a result of a chemical reaction? I don't think so.
Today is a day that will be overflowing with love. At the dinner we shared together last night, celebrating the joining today of Abbi and Ben, I could see that God , in His divine purpose, was bringing together two families who abound in love. There were smiles, laughter, hugs, tears of joy...all coming out because of one thing: the love between Abbi and Ben.
I say it again: Lord, you are marvelous and glorious! Today, my cup overflows, my soul is bursting with joy!!!!
So, brothers and sisters, love, love, love, love, love!!!!! Unlike anything else in God's marvelous creation, Love is the thing that, when given, does not diminish you. Its giving away does not leave you with something less or smaller, the giving of Love...the living in Love...builds you up and comes back to you ten-fold.
"If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love."
*******************************
As I sit here and write, I am smiling and rejoicing in the Lord's plan, His work in the world and the way He times things out...just perfectly. Lord, You are marvelous and glorious! Heavenly Father, I love how you make things come together, bringing joy to our lives!
Because today is a special and joyous occasion (my baby sister Abbi is getting married!!), I was going to step aside from my normal process of writing a meditation from one of the readings in the Daily Office. My plan was to meditate on the passage about the miracle of water to wine at the wedding in Cana, Jesus' first miracle. Right before I was ready to search for it, I thought I should at least check to see what the readings today were. What if God had delivered something better? And...what do you know...I scan down through the text and there, right in front of me, is 1 Corinthians 3:1-13! Probably the most-read scripture at wedding ceremonies around the world. How God must be smiling down upon the Wilson and Rosen families today!
This is one of those passages in which Paul packed so much into a a short section of verses. Paul obviously knew love. He captures every essence of it; patience, kindness...bearing, believing, hoping and enduring. There are those who would say the feeling of love is just a set of chemicals in our body, reacting to external stimuli. Some have even said the chemical processes which occur in the body when a person "feels love" is basically the same as when we eat chocolate.
But love is so much more!
God brought Christ to the world to live with us because He loves us. Christ sacrificed Himself on the cross because He loves us. God sent the Holy Spirit to be a companion for us after Christ left the world because He loves us. We do so many things because of the love we have for friends and family. We make sacrifices, we give, we put others' needs in front of our own. Would we do all of these things as a result of a chemical reaction? I don't think so.
Today is a day that will be overflowing with love. At the dinner we shared together last night, celebrating the joining today of Abbi and Ben, I could see that God , in His divine purpose, was bringing together two families who abound in love. There were smiles, laughter, hugs, tears of joy...all coming out because of one thing: the love between Abbi and Ben.
I say it again: Lord, you are marvelous and glorious! Today, my cup overflows, my soul is bursting with joy!!!!
So, brothers and sisters, love, love, love, love, love!!!!! Unlike anything else in God's marvelous creation, Love is the thing that, when given, does not diminish you. Its giving away does not leave you with something less or smaller, the giving of Love...the living in Love...builds you up and comes back to you ten-fold.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Mar 19 - "Open Mouth and Insert Foot"
Mark 8:27 – 9:1
"Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that I am?' And they answered him, 'John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.' He asked them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Peter answered him, 'You are the Messiah.' And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, 'Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.'"
*******************************
Do you have times when feel like you just can't say the right thing? Do you find yourself in situations where you have a chance to make a great statement or pass wisdom along to another, but you end up tasting shoe leather because you have inserted your foot squarely into your mouth? How about times you were concerned about saying something the wrong way, so you kept silent?
You gotta love this guy, Peter. He is all about trying to do and say the right thing. Of all the disciples, he comes across as the most human, down-to-earth bloke of the whole bunch. I picture Peter as someone who tries really hard, but just can't seem to get it right some of the time...just like me and you. In this conversation with Jesus, he thinks he answers Jesus' question correctly of who He is: "You are the Messiah!". Peter is probably thinking, "Yahoo! I know I got this one right!". But then Jesus comes back with a warning about Peter's answer. I imagine Peter slapping his hand against his forehead in a "coulda had a V-8" moment, realizing he got the answer only partly right.
After this dialogue, it seems that Peter pulls Jesus to the side for a private conversation. We don't know what he said to Jesus, but it was probably something about what could be done to avoid the pain and death Jesus has just foretold. Once again, his heart is in the right place. He may have said, "Jesus, look...why don't we go off to another part of the country, avoiding this local group of Pharisees who seem to have it out for you? Or maybe, let's just lie low for awhile, stop all the miracles for a bit? The local bakers are really upset about all the bread you've been creating and giving away lately. Maybe all of this can blow over if we keep it cool for awhile?"
How does Jesus respond? He basically tells Peter that he is the devil. He rebukes Peter for putting his mind on short term goals...things of this world...not on things eternal. Poor Peter. He probably slunked away from the group, saying to himself, "I am SO stupid!! Why do I say those things?!? Arrggh!" Haven't we all felt this way?
But look at Peter, he was right there in the thick of it. He gave everything up to follow Jesus. He did not get caught up in wondering if what he was doing was right. He was no Hamlet; he said what he thought, wore his heart on his sleeve and took action. Although he ends up denying Christ at one point when he wanted to stand beside Him, he was also the guy who jumped out with his sword, ready for a fight, when the authorities came to take Jesus away.
I love praying. I believe one of my spiritual gifts is gathering a group of people together and leading them prayer. I don't know where the words come from, but I seem to find them when needed. I do know that the gift came from my Dad, because he is a great prayer leader. When I am in situations where asked to say a prayer for a group, his words, which I have heard spoken countless times, always come to mind. I find myself fashioning these prayers in the form of the words he has spoken, picturing my Dad with head bowed in reverent gratitude. (Yes, sometimes I opened my eyes and peeked when he was praying.)
When we pray, it can be hard to find the right words. Even though I love praying, I have had many times where I felt like Peter after I had led a group in prayer. I think, "That was the worst ever! Man, that prayer stunk. What was I thinking, imagining I could lead these people in a solemn, heart-felt prayer?!?"
But the truth is, there are no "bad" prayers. Prayer represents an opening up. It is a way for each of us to recognize that God is the one who can make it happen. We can work hard, try hard, focus on doing and saying the right things in order to move forward in our lives. But when we ask for help, give thanks or offer praise in prayer, we are showing there is something more than our own efforts at play. We don't have to worry about saying the right thing. We just have to say it.
So, don't let your fear of saying the wrong thing keep your voice silent. Put your words, your thoughts, your dreams out there with love and sincerity. Be Peter. For although Peter put his foot in his mouth every once in awhile, Jesus smiled upon him; he was Jesus' most beloved disciple and Jesus loved him to the very end.
"Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that I am?' And they answered him, 'John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.' He asked them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Peter answered him, 'You are the Messiah.' And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, 'Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.'"
*******************************
Do you have times when feel like you just can't say the right thing? Do you find yourself in situations where you have a chance to make a great statement or pass wisdom along to another, but you end up tasting shoe leather because you have inserted your foot squarely into your mouth? How about times you were concerned about saying something the wrong way, so you kept silent?
You gotta love this guy, Peter. He is all about trying to do and say the right thing. Of all the disciples, he comes across as the most human, down-to-earth bloke of the whole bunch. I picture Peter as someone who tries really hard, but just can't seem to get it right some of the time...just like me and you. In this conversation with Jesus, he thinks he answers Jesus' question correctly of who He is: "You are the Messiah!". Peter is probably thinking, "Yahoo! I know I got this one right!". But then Jesus comes back with a warning about Peter's answer. I imagine Peter slapping his hand against his forehead in a "coulda had a V-8" moment, realizing he got the answer only partly right.
After this dialogue, it seems that Peter pulls Jesus to the side for a private conversation. We don't know what he said to Jesus, but it was probably something about what could be done to avoid the pain and death Jesus has just foretold. Once again, his heart is in the right place. He may have said, "Jesus, look...why don't we go off to another part of the country, avoiding this local group of Pharisees who seem to have it out for you? Or maybe, let's just lie low for awhile, stop all the miracles for a bit? The local bakers are really upset about all the bread you've been creating and giving away lately. Maybe all of this can blow over if we keep it cool for awhile?"
How does Jesus respond? He basically tells Peter that he is the devil. He rebukes Peter for putting his mind on short term goals...things of this world...not on things eternal. Poor Peter. He probably slunked away from the group, saying to himself, "I am SO stupid!! Why do I say those things?!? Arrggh!" Haven't we all felt this way?
But look at Peter, he was right there in the thick of it. He gave everything up to follow Jesus. He did not get caught up in wondering if what he was doing was right. He was no Hamlet; he said what he thought, wore his heart on his sleeve and took action. Although he ends up denying Christ at one point when he wanted to stand beside Him, he was also the guy who jumped out with his sword, ready for a fight, when the authorities came to take Jesus away.
I love praying. I believe one of my spiritual gifts is gathering a group of people together and leading them prayer. I don't know where the words come from, but I seem to find them when needed. I do know that the gift came from my Dad, because he is a great prayer leader. When I am in situations where asked to say a prayer for a group, his words, which I have heard spoken countless times, always come to mind. I find myself fashioning these prayers in the form of the words he has spoken, picturing my Dad with head bowed in reverent gratitude. (Yes, sometimes I opened my eyes and peeked when he was praying.)
When we pray, it can be hard to find the right words. Even though I love praying, I have had many times where I felt like Peter after I had led a group in prayer. I think, "That was the worst ever! Man, that prayer stunk. What was I thinking, imagining I could lead these people in a solemn, heart-felt prayer?!?"
But the truth is, there are no "bad" prayers. Prayer represents an opening up. It is a way for each of us to recognize that God is the one who can make it happen. We can work hard, try hard, focus on doing and saying the right things in order to move forward in our lives. But when we ask for help, give thanks or offer praise in prayer, we are showing there is something more than our own efforts at play. We don't have to worry about saying the right thing. We just have to say it.
So, don't let your fear of saying the wrong thing keep your voice silent. Put your words, your thoughts, your dreams out there with love and sincerity. Be Peter. For although Peter put his foot in his mouth every once in awhile, Jesus smiled upon him; he was Jesus' most beloved disciple and Jesus loved him to the very end.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Mar 18 - "One Body"
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
"Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'”
******************************
Do you believe you have value in the world? Are you important in the grand scheme of things?
I was always the last guy to get picked for the kickball teams at school recess. The girl I asked to the prom had a better offer. There have been lots of times in my life where I felt like it did not really matter if I was around or not. Just so we're clear, because of the abounding love I received from my family, I've never gone to the depth of a George Baily, It's A Wonderful Life, moment. But, just like you, every once in awhile I have had times when I felt pushed aside, discounted. When I think about how I felt in those moments, it is not a fun place. When made to feel less than we are, less than our potential, we shrink and often compound the insult by criticizing ourselves.
But, turn the table. When have you pushed someone aside, discounted the value of another?
As I sit here and write this, I feel like a hypocrite. I am about to pontificate on how we should all recognize the value of those around us, yet I can think of at least a few times each week...maybe even daily...when I discount some person's role or impact in my life and the world. I have instances where I avoid contact because a person annoys me; I say critical things about people to others; I literally shut a person down when they are trying to make a point, a request or give input, just because I think it will have no value.
Where does this cynicism come from? At what point do we as individuals decide that we are judges, making decisions on who has value and who does not? How do we get that way? When you see toddlers playing in a sandbox together, even if complete strangers, they don't judge. Sure, they may throw things at each other every once in awhile, but they do not assess and criticize; they just play and get along because innately they know it it more fun playing with someone than sitting by themselves.
The question: what do we do? How do each of us resolve this conflict of knowing what we should do and doing what we should do? It is tough to change overnight, to make an immediate U-turn on our approach, but it can be done over time. Maybe we just need to go ultra-simple and start with the recognition that each one of us plays a vital role in creation. I know it may sound strange to think that the homeless guy begging for change on the street corner plays a role, but he does. How about the guy who cut you off in traffic yesterday? Or the person who shoved their way ahead of you in line? The bank robber? The sycophant? The person who is always complaining? The liar? The cheat? Oddly enough, each of these people play a role in creation. Each of them is loved by God and has been given the same redemption through Christ which you have received. No more, no less.
Christ talked about the importance of going after the one lamb who was lost. He tells the story of how shepherd's care for the flock, but if one of the sheep go astray, he leaves the others to go bring back the one. Every single one of them has value. No one is expendable.
Can I turn around today and change, repent, renew my outlook on those around me? I can. I know I will fall short at times, many times. But I will move forward in the faith that God smiles upon those who try and fail, but try again. His steady hand guides those, who with sincere hearts, work toward peace and harmony, showing love, recognizing the gifts that each person brings.
So, brothers and sisters, do you have value in the world? You absolutely do. Does the person sitting next to you, in front of you, walking beside or behind you have value in the world? They absolutely do. Look for that value; don't discount; don't judge. For when we find the shining gem of value in another, we are also, in a way, found.
"Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'”
******************************
Do you believe you have value in the world? Are you important in the grand scheme of things?
I was always the last guy to get picked for the kickball teams at school recess. The girl I asked to the prom had a better offer. There have been lots of times in my life where I felt like it did not really matter if I was around or not. Just so we're clear, because of the abounding love I received from my family, I've never gone to the depth of a George Baily, It's A Wonderful Life, moment. But, just like you, every once in awhile I have had times when I felt pushed aside, discounted. When I think about how I felt in those moments, it is not a fun place. When made to feel less than we are, less than our potential, we shrink and often compound the insult by criticizing ourselves.
But, turn the table. When have you pushed someone aside, discounted the value of another?
As I sit here and write this, I feel like a hypocrite. I am about to pontificate on how we should all recognize the value of those around us, yet I can think of at least a few times each week...maybe even daily...when I discount some person's role or impact in my life and the world. I have instances where I avoid contact because a person annoys me; I say critical things about people to others; I literally shut a person down when they are trying to make a point, a request or give input, just because I think it will have no value.
Where does this cynicism come from? At what point do we as individuals decide that we are judges, making decisions on who has value and who does not? How do we get that way? When you see toddlers playing in a sandbox together, even if complete strangers, they don't judge. Sure, they may throw things at each other every once in awhile, but they do not assess and criticize; they just play and get along because innately they know it it more fun playing with someone than sitting by themselves.
The question: what do we do? How do each of us resolve this conflict of knowing what we should do and doing what we should do? It is tough to change overnight, to make an immediate U-turn on our approach, but it can be done over time. Maybe we just need to go ultra-simple and start with the recognition that each one of us plays a vital role in creation. I know it may sound strange to think that the homeless guy begging for change on the street corner plays a role, but he does. How about the guy who cut you off in traffic yesterday? Or the person who shoved their way ahead of you in line? The bank robber? The sycophant? The person who is always complaining? The liar? The cheat? Oddly enough, each of these people play a role in creation. Each of them is loved by God and has been given the same redemption through Christ which you have received. No more, no less.
Christ talked about the importance of going after the one lamb who was lost. He tells the story of how shepherd's care for the flock, but if one of the sheep go astray, he leaves the others to go bring back the one. Every single one of them has value. No one is expendable.
Can I turn around today and change, repent, renew my outlook on those around me? I can. I know I will fall short at times, many times. But I will move forward in the faith that God smiles upon those who try and fail, but try again. His steady hand guides those, who with sincere hearts, work toward peace and harmony, showing love, recognizing the gifts that each person brings.
So, brothers and sisters, do you have value in the world? You absolutely do. Does the person sitting next to you, in front of you, walking beside or behind you have value in the world? They absolutely do. Look for that value; don't discount; don't judge. For when we find the shining gem of value in another, we are also, in a way, found.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Mar 17 - "St. Patrick's Lemonade"
Genesis 50:15-26
"But Joseph said to them, 'Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.' In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them."
****************************************
Are you in a bad spot today? Are you having one of those times when you feel like everything is working against you?
Today, we celebrate the life and work of St. Patrick. We participate in this remembrance, honoring Irish heritage in a variety of ways; wearing green so we don't get pinched; eating corned beef and cabbage; drinking green beer (or just drinking), or; driving around town all day with Irish dancers in tow, dancing at schools and marching in the parade (our day today).
Although St. Patrick is famous for supposedly banishing snakes from Ireland, many are not aware of how he got to Ireland in the first place and why he ended up bringing Christianity to this beautiful land. Patrick was born in Roman Britain. His father, was a deacon, his grandfather a priest. When he was about sixteen, he was captured and carried off as a slave to Ireland. Patrick worked as a herdsman, remaining a captive for six years. His faith grew in captivity and he prayed daily. After six years he heard a voice telling him that he would soon go home, and then that his ship was ready. Fleeing his master, he travelled to a port, two hundred miles away where he found a ship and, after various adventures, returned home to his family, now in his early twenties.
Patrick then returned to Ireland to bring the good news of Christ to these people. He, of course, could not have done this unless he had know Gaelic, the language of Ireland. Being taken into captivity in Ireland and toiling there for six years was the thing that facilitated this future ministry, which we celebrate today. He he definitely took the lemons he was given and made lemonade (it was probably green, though).
St. Patrick's life reminds me of the story of Joseph and his brothers, which has been one element of the reading in the Daily Office for the past couple of weeks. Joseph was also taken into slavery in a strange land. He struggled for many years, was even in and out of prison, before the full glory of his purpose was revealed, bringing his family to Egypt, where they were able to prosper in a dry time.
We all have times when things do not seem to be going our way. It is really hard, when living in these moments, to see some potential greater purpose. Many times, we are not able to see what God was doing in our life until much later. But when we look back, we can often see the work God was doing at that time.
So, what are your lemons? Are you slave to something today that is making your life a moment-by-moment struggle? As strange as it sounds, give thanks to God for this time. Praise Him in the storm, in your frustration, in your toil. Although it may be hard to see today, God is working in you for His divine purpose and the result of this tough time will be something more beautiful, more peaceful and more glorious than you can even imagine.
"But Joseph said to them, 'Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.' In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them."
****************************************
Are you in a bad spot today? Are you having one of those times when you feel like everything is working against you?
Today, we celebrate the life and work of St. Patrick. We participate in this remembrance, honoring Irish heritage in a variety of ways; wearing green so we don't get pinched; eating corned beef and cabbage; drinking green beer (or just drinking), or; driving around town all day with Irish dancers in tow, dancing at schools and marching in the parade (our day today).
Although St. Patrick is famous for supposedly banishing snakes from Ireland, many are not aware of how he got to Ireland in the first place and why he ended up bringing Christianity to this beautiful land. Patrick was born in Roman Britain. His father, was a deacon, his grandfather a priest. When he was about sixteen, he was captured and carried off as a slave to Ireland. Patrick worked as a herdsman, remaining a captive for six years. His faith grew in captivity and he prayed daily. After six years he heard a voice telling him that he would soon go home, and then that his ship was ready. Fleeing his master, he travelled to a port, two hundred miles away where he found a ship and, after various adventures, returned home to his family, now in his early twenties.
Patrick recounts that he had a vision a few years after returning home:
"I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them. I read the heading: 'The Voice of the Irish'. As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people who were near the wood of Foclut, which is beside the western sea—and they cried out, as with one voice: "We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us."
Patrick then returned to Ireland to bring the good news of Christ to these people. He, of course, could not have done this unless he had know Gaelic, the language of Ireland. Being taken into captivity in Ireland and toiling there for six years was the thing that facilitated this future ministry, which we celebrate today. He he definitely took the lemons he was given and made lemonade (it was probably green, though).
St. Patrick's life reminds me of the story of Joseph and his brothers, which has been one element of the reading in the Daily Office for the past couple of weeks. Joseph was also taken into slavery in a strange land. He struggled for many years, was even in and out of prison, before the full glory of his purpose was revealed, bringing his family to Egypt, where they were able to prosper in a dry time.
We all have times when things do not seem to be going our way. It is really hard, when living in these moments, to see some potential greater purpose. Many times, we are not able to see what God was doing in our life until much later. But when we look back, we can often see the work God was doing at that time.
So, what are your lemons? Are you slave to something today that is making your life a moment-by-moment struggle? As strange as it sounds, give thanks to God for this time. Praise Him in the storm, in your frustration, in your toil. Although it may be hard to see today, God is working in you for His divine purpose and the result of this tough time will be something more beautiful, more peaceful and more glorious than you can even imagine.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Mar 16 - "The Power Of A Single Moment"
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
"For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'"
******************************
Jesus sitting with His friends having a simple meal. Can you imagine yourself being at this quiet moment, this instant in time?
Broken down to its basic components, this event does not seem to be as dramatic as other moments during Christ's life on earth. Whether it is His baptism, with God's voice booming from heaven, Jesus walking on water to His disciples, or the miracle of water transformed to wine during the wedding at Cana, there are many moments where Jesus' holiness and power shouts to be recognized more than this one. At face value, it carries no more significance than a conversation we may have with family at the dinner table on any given evening. His request is simple; "I may not be with you much longer, so, when you are together sharing a meal, remember me."
Does this moment carry its weight for me because I have heard the story of the Last Supper easily more than 1000 times over the course of my life during communion on Sundays or at special holidays and celebrations? Or, is there something more? I am sure Jesus recognized the power of the moment in general as well as the power of this particular moment. He knew that His words would be repeated by His friends and later by those with whom they would share the Good News. The story of these short series of words would be handed down from generation to generation and retold again and again until He returned to earth as a triumphant king.
Life is an almost infinite series of single moments. In the multi-tasking rush of our days, weeks, months...lives...it is easy to miss the opportunity to have a positive impact each one of these smidgens of time presents. Equally as important, we often fail to recognize that these moments can sometimes be a force for negativity which ripples through time, not seeing their effects at that particular second. A kind word or a hateful one...a hug or a cold shoulder...a smile or a scowl...a helping hand or brush off; each of these actions have meaning to those around us.
When I think about the power of a single moment, I sometimes feel sad about the opportunities, the moments I have squandered. Even though I live without regret, because the good, the bad and the ugly have brought me to this moment in my life...and I would not change a thing about it because I am so richly blessed...it is hard not to think about the times when a different choice may have made the difference to someone close to me.
So, what will be your moment today? Will you seize the opportunity to make history, not necessarily in some dramatic, public event, but in the gift of a personal interaction with someone around you, the effect of which changes their life? Take the time to speak simple, loving words in every moment. For when we do this, we do this in rememberance of Him.
"For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'"
******************************
Jesus sitting with His friends having a simple meal. Can you imagine yourself being at this quiet moment, this instant in time?
Broken down to its basic components, this event does not seem to be as dramatic as other moments during Christ's life on earth. Whether it is His baptism, with God's voice booming from heaven, Jesus walking on water to His disciples, or the miracle of water transformed to wine during the wedding at Cana, there are many moments where Jesus' holiness and power shouts to be recognized more than this one. At face value, it carries no more significance than a conversation we may have with family at the dinner table on any given evening. His request is simple; "I may not be with you much longer, so, when you are together sharing a meal, remember me."
Does this moment carry its weight for me because I have heard the story of the Last Supper easily more than 1000 times over the course of my life during communion on Sundays or at special holidays and celebrations? Or, is there something more? I am sure Jesus recognized the power of the moment in general as well as the power of this particular moment. He knew that His words would be repeated by His friends and later by those with whom they would share the Good News. The story of these short series of words would be handed down from generation to generation and retold again and again until He returned to earth as a triumphant king.
Life is an almost infinite series of single moments. In the multi-tasking rush of our days, weeks, months...lives...it is easy to miss the opportunity to have a positive impact each one of these smidgens of time presents. Equally as important, we often fail to recognize that these moments can sometimes be a force for negativity which ripples through time, not seeing their effects at that particular second. A kind word or a hateful one...a hug or a cold shoulder...a smile or a scowl...a helping hand or brush off; each of these actions have meaning to those around us.
When I think about the power of a single moment, I sometimes feel sad about the opportunities, the moments I have squandered. Even though I live without regret, because the good, the bad and the ugly have brought me to this moment in my life...and I would not change a thing about it because I am so richly blessed...it is hard not to think about the times when a different choice may have made the difference to someone close to me.
So, what will be your moment today? Will you seize the opportunity to make history, not necessarily in some dramatic, public event, but in the gift of a personal interaction with someone around you, the effect of which changes their life? Take the time to speak simple, loving words in every moment. For when we do this, we do this in rememberance of Him.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Mar 15 - "You Are What You Eat"
John 6:27-40
"Then Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' They said to Him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.' Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'"
1 Corinthians 10:14 - 11:1
"The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
********************************************
In the first few books of the Bible, there are a lot of rules about food. There are many chapters dedicated, based on early Judaic Law, to how food should be prepared, what should and should not be eaten, as well as various cleansing practices which must occur before and after eating.
I have often wondered why so much time and effort was spent laying out all of these rules on something so seemingly unimportant. But, you've got to love how God works; there is always some process, some stage of growth set before us.
My sometimes demented sense of humor thinks of it this way: I imagine God up in heaven during the early days of humans on earth. He looks down on His creation and thinks about all the things that His chosen people could eat, all of the wonderful elements of creation, many of which are delicious when properly prepared, but which can also be deadly. He realizes that most likely, many people will die if they eat lobster which is not cooked the right way; or that pigs sometimes carry a dangerous bacteria which, if not destroyed through the cooking process, can be fatal to humans. To make up for this, knowing that eventually cooking "technology" will allow these things to be enjoyed, He sets ideas on the hearts of Moses and the early faithful, driving them to put rules in place which say "don't eat these things", or, "only eat after washing your hands".
Later, the prophesy of old comes treu and Christ is in the world with us. He says, "I am the bread of life". He tells us that He is all we need to be sustained.
Eventually, Paul comes along, professing that the original Law was fulfilled by Christ and that the rules established by Judaism are no longer needed. Paul says, "eat whatever you like...don't worry about the old rules". He tells the people of the early Christian churches that it's really all about glorifying God in whatever you do and since Christ fulfilled the Law, they no longer need be bound by it.
I think our faith is like this.
When we are young, our parents tell us what to do and what not to do. We go to church with them, learn to stand up, sit down and kneel at certain times. When the priest or minister says certain phrases, we respond in a specific way. We learn the liturgical calendar, relishing in the excitement of anticipating Christmas after Advent and Easter after Lent.
As we grow, we develop a personal knowledge that Christ came to earth and died for us so that we will have eternal life with God. He is the bread which sates our hunger. We recognize the importance of the rules, rituals and calendar associated with our faith and we make these a part of our life, but they become just one element of our faith. Our belief develops a personal flavor because we are building an individual recognition of what we need to thrive and survive.
Eventually, as our faith matures, we are able to put the rules aside and realize that it's all about Jesus. The rituals and order of worship which were the foundation of our early faith remain, but they are not the focus of our journey. We can look at Paul's words and recognize that when he tells us to discard the old ways and not to worry what we take in, but in what we put out, we are truly partaking in the bread of life and all that it has to offer.
So, feast on Him. Use His story to quench your thirst, His love to feed your hunger and His peace to keep you strong. Know that the glorious banquet set before us is all we need for our strength and sustenance.
"Then Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' They said to Him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.' Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'"
1 Corinthians 10:14 - 11:1
"The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
********************************************
In the first few books of the Bible, there are a lot of rules about food. There are many chapters dedicated, based on early Judaic Law, to how food should be prepared, what should and should not be eaten, as well as various cleansing practices which must occur before and after eating.
I have often wondered why so much time and effort was spent laying out all of these rules on something so seemingly unimportant. But, you've got to love how God works; there is always some process, some stage of growth set before us.
My sometimes demented sense of humor thinks of it this way: I imagine God up in heaven during the early days of humans on earth. He looks down on His creation and thinks about all the things that His chosen people could eat, all of the wonderful elements of creation, many of which are delicious when properly prepared, but which can also be deadly. He realizes that most likely, many people will die if they eat lobster which is not cooked the right way; or that pigs sometimes carry a dangerous bacteria which, if not destroyed through the cooking process, can be fatal to humans. To make up for this, knowing that eventually cooking "technology" will allow these things to be enjoyed, He sets ideas on the hearts of Moses and the early faithful, driving them to put rules in place which say "don't eat these things", or, "only eat after washing your hands".
Later, the prophesy of old comes treu and Christ is in the world with us. He says, "I am the bread of life". He tells us that He is all we need to be sustained.
Eventually, Paul comes along, professing that the original Law was fulfilled by Christ and that the rules established by Judaism are no longer needed. Paul says, "eat whatever you like...don't worry about the old rules". He tells the people of the early Christian churches that it's really all about glorifying God in whatever you do and since Christ fulfilled the Law, they no longer need be bound by it.
I think our faith is like this.
When we are young, our parents tell us what to do and what not to do. We go to church with them, learn to stand up, sit down and kneel at certain times. When the priest or minister says certain phrases, we respond in a specific way. We learn the liturgical calendar, relishing in the excitement of anticipating Christmas after Advent and Easter after Lent.
As we grow, we develop a personal knowledge that Christ came to earth and died for us so that we will have eternal life with God. He is the bread which sates our hunger. We recognize the importance of the rules, rituals and calendar associated with our faith and we make these a part of our life, but they become just one element of our faith. Our belief develops a personal flavor because we are building an individual recognition of what we need to thrive and survive.
Eventually, as our faith matures, we are able to put the rules aside and realize that it's all about Jesus. The rituals and order of worship which were the foundation of our early faith remain, but they are not the focus of our journey. We can look at Paul's words and recognize that when he tells us to discard the old ways and not to worry what we take in, but in what we put out, we are truly partaking in the bread of life and all that it has to offer.
So, feast on Him. Use His story to quench your thirst, His love to feed your hunger and His peace to keep you strong. Know that the glorious banquet set before us is all we need for our strength and sustenance.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Mar 14 - "Your Inheritance"
Genesis 48:8-22
"When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, 'Who are these?' Joseph said to his father, 'They are my sons, whom God has given me here.' And he said, 'Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.'”
Romans 8:11-25
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, 'Abba! Father!' it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ – if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him."
*********************
How many of us are hoping for that long-lost, unknown, great-Aunt who is going to leave us a million dollars in her will? Or maybe that eccentric 3rd cousin-in-law twice removed who bought ten thousand shares of a funny company called Apple in 1980 and stuck it under his mattress, only to leave it to you because you gave him a plate of jello with pears floating in it at a family reunion 20 years ago.
I suppose some of us have dreams, at times, of a rich inheritance that will set our lives on easy street. For others, maybe its the Powerball, Lotto or Hoosier Millionaire. ;-)
My brother, sisters and I joke around with our mom and dad every once in awhile at how much they are going to leave us in their wills, as well as what we do or don't do at times that will keep us "in" or "out" of these anarchic documents. The discussion always ends in the same way; we want them to spend every penny and enjoy all the blessings their hard work has brought them. Each of us are fine and aren't counting on anything, except for maybe family heirlooms such as the Beatles lunchbox, Barney's head, the front porch hammock or our famous giant beach innertube.
But the truth of the matter is that we have already been given a rich inheritance; one that we don't have to wait for, but that we can enjoy right now. We have been given the opportunity to live in the light; to walk with God and with Christ in every moment of our lives. And the most wonderful news about this inheritance? We can never do anything that, at the end of our lives, will separate us from this gift. The debt has been paid in full. The will has already been written in the blood shed on the Cross, and it cannot ever be changed.
The question often comes up, how will will we spend our inheritance? Will we squander it or will we put it to good use? And most importantly, will we also hand along a share of this inheritance to our children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren? Should we also not ensure that those small and growing lives in which we have been entrusted also become aware of and are enabled to redeem the gift of this inheritance?
So, rejoice in your inheritance. Use it as it was intended...to be enjoyed fully while we are here in this world. Take a share of it and hand it down. For, when properly nourished, the portion we pass along takes root, grows and flowers into something more beautiful, rich and greater than if we had kept that portion to ourselves.
"When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, 'Who are these?' Joseph said to his father, 'They are my sons, whom God has given me here.' And he said, 'Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.'”
Romans 8:11-25
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, 'Abba! Father!' it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ – if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him."
*********************
How many of us are hoping for that long-lost, unknown, great-Aunt who is going to leave us a million dollars in her will? Or maybe that eccentric 3rd cousin-in-law twice removed who bought ten thousand shares of a funny company called Apple in 1980 and stuck it under his mattress, only to leave it to you because you gave him a plate of jello with pears floating in it at a family reunion 20 years ago.
I suppose some of us have dreams, at times, of a rich inheritance that will set our lives on easy street. For others, maybe its the Powerball, Lotto or Hoosier Millionaire. ;-)
My brother, sisters and I joke around with our mom and dad every once in awhile at how much they are going to leave us in their wills, as well as what we do or don't do at times that will keep us "in" or "out" of these anarchic documents. The discussion always ends in the same way; we want them to spend every penny and enjoy all the blessings their hard work has brought them. Each of us are fine and aren't counting on anything, except for maybe family heirlooms such as the Beatles lunchbox, Barney's head, the front porch hammock or our famous giant beach innertube.
But the truth of the matter is that we have already been given a rich inheritance; one that we don't have to wait for, but that we can enjoy right now. We have been given the opportunity to live in the light; to walk with God and with Christ in every moment of our lives. And the most wonderful news about this inheritance? We can never do anything that, at the end of our lives, will separate us from this gift. The debt has been paid in full. The will has already been written in the blood shed on the Cross, and it cannot ever be changed.
The question often comes up, how will will we spend our inheritance? Will we squander it or will we put it to good use? And most importantly, will we also hand along a share of this inheritance to our children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren? Should we also not ensure that those small and growing lives in which we have been entrusted also become aware of and are enabled to redeem the gift of this inheritance?
So, rejoice in your inheritance. Use it as it was intended...to be enjoyed fully while we are here in this world. Take a share of it and hand it down. For, when properly nourished, the portion we pass along takes root, grows and flowers into something more beautiful, rich and greater than if we had kept that portion to ourselves.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Mar 13 - "Passing Tests"
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
"No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."
*****************************
Do you ever feel like you are being tested? Are there times when you have been put in a tough situation where your strength, your sanity or your faith have been pushed to the brink?
I think we all have times when we say, "Lord, what is going on? Why are things so hard right now? Why does it feel like everything is against me?". During these times, it can take every ounce of our spirit to persevere and keep pushing through, until the rocky time has come to an end and we can look back, seeing with clear eyes what was to be learned or how we were strengthened.
One of my favorite movie quotes is from a couple of years back in the film Evan Almighty, the sequel to Bruce Almighty. In one scene, the wife of Steve Carell's character is having a tough time. Her husband has taken on the likeness of Noah and started building an Ark in the back yard. It has pushed her and her family to the brink and she is thinking about leaving her husband. She meets God, played by Morgan Freeman, as a waiter in a restaurant (I think) . She is sharing her troubles with him and he replies with what I believe is one of the wisest statements to ever come out of a Hollywood screenplay. He says:
"Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience? Or does He give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does He give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for their family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does He give them opportunities to love each other?"
Brilliant!
So, dear friend, what fruit is your current struggle going to bear at the end of its time? Could it be that your "test" is actually an answer to a prayer? Recognize that even though you may feel like you are trying to past some test, have faith that these tests are only passing times which we sometimes go through, being refined in a crucible, coming out shining like gold.
"No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."
*****************************
Do you ever feel like you are being tested? Are there times when you have been put in a tough situation where your strength, your sanity or your faith have been pushed to the brink?
I think we all have times when we say, "Lord, what is going on? Why are things so hard right now? Why does it feel like everything is against me?". During these times, it can take every ounce of our spirit to persevere and keep pushing through, until the rocky time has come to an end and we can look back, seeing with clear eyes what was to be learned or how we were strengthened.
One of my favorite movie quotes is from a couple of years back in the film Evan Almighty, the sequel to Bruce Almighty. In one scene, the wife of Steve Carell's character is having a tough time. Her husband has taken on the likeness of Noah and started building an Ark in the back yard. It has pushed her and her family to the brink and she is thinking about leaving her husband. She meets God, played by Morgan Freeman, as a waiter in a restaurant (I think) . She is sharing her troubles with him and he replies with what I believe is one of the wisest statements to ever come out of a Hollywood screenplay. He says:
"Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience? Or does He give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does He give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for their family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does He give them opportunities to love each other?"
Brilliant!
So, dear friend, what fruit is your current struggle going to bear at the end of its time? Could it be that your "test" is actually an answer to a prayer? Recognize that even though you may feel like you are trying to past some test, have faith that these tests are only passing times which we sometimes go through, being refined in a crucible, coming out shining like gold.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Mar 12 - "A Little Goes A Long Way"
Mark 6:30-46
"Taking the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and He divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men."
*************************
I got a call yesterday from a contact I have in the Dominican Republic, where my company recently started operations. After updating each other on various things, he asked me if I was ready to think about how my company was going to give back to the local community. Although we certainly have an interest in doing this, as we do for all of our locations, my mind immediately went to wondering what the expense would be, how much time and money it would take to have a positive impact.
It would have been very easy for me to tell my contact that we had to wait until later, when we were more established, due to the expense associated with it. However, after talking through a couple of options, I was amazed at how little it would take to have a big impact. The need for basic things like books for children, food staples or clean water is so great in certain parts of the country, that a little goes a long way. This is certainly something we will do right away.
In the story of Christ's miracle with the Loaves and Fishes, the disciples wonder how they will be able to feed so many people with what little they have. But Jesus takes action. He gathers the meager amount of food, offers thanks to God (that's the important part) and the small portion becomes something great, more than they could have imagined, with much left over.
Many times, we think that in order to have a positive effect on a situation, it will take a lot of time, talent or treasure. But I am continually amazed at how big an impact the little things can make. A smile, a please, a thank you, a helping hand. All of these things, though seemingly small and insignificant, can make a difference. My wife Greta is a big fan of "random acts of kindness". She has paid fares for people behind us at toll plazas, handed extra coupons or tickets to total strangers because we had more than we needed...she is a master of the little things that make a difference. It is one of the infinite list of things I love about her.
So, do the little thing. Do not be fearful that you do not have enough and are unable to make an impact on the world around you. For when offered up, blessed, broken and shared, even the smallest gift, the tiniest amount of time, talent or treasure can make a big difference.
"Taking the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and He divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men."
*************************
I got a call yesterday from a contact I have in the Dominican Republic, where my company recently started operations. After updating each other on various things, he asked me if I was ready to think about how my company was going to give back to the local community. Although we certainly have an interest in doing this, as we do for all of our locations, my mind immediately went to wondering what the expense would be, how much time and money it would take to have a positive impact.
It would have been very easy for me to tell my contact that we had to wait until later, when we were more established, due to the expense associated with it. However, after talking through a couple of options, I was amazed at how little it would take to have a big impact. The need for basic things like books for children, food staples or clean water is so great in certain parts of the country, that a little goes a long way. This is certainly something we will do right away.
In the story of Christ's miracle with the Loaves and Fishes, the disciples wonder how they will be able to feed so many people with what little they have. But Jesus takes action. He gathers the meager amount of food, offers thanks to God (that's the important part) and the small portion becomes something great, more than they could have imagined, with much left over.
Many times, we think that in order to have a positive effect on a situation, it will take a lot of time, talent or treasure. But I am continually amazed at how big an impact the little things can make. A smile, a please, a thank you, a helping hand. All of these things, though seemingly small and insignificant, can make a difference. My wife Greta is a big fan of "random acts of kindness". She has paid fares for people behind us at toll plazas, handed extra coupons or tickets to total strangers because we had more than we needed...she is a master of the little things that make a difference. It is one of the infinite list of things I love about her.
So, do the little thing. Do not be fearful that you do not have enough and are unable to make an impact on the world around you. For when offered up, blessed, broken and shared, even the smallest gift, the tiniest amount of time, talent or treasure can make a big difference.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Mar 11 - "Struggling With God"
Genesis 46:1-7, 28-34
"When Israel set out on his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. God spoke to Israel in visions of the night, and said, 'Jacob, Jacob.' And he said, 'Here I am.' Then he said, 'I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again; and Joseph’s own hand shall close your eyes.'".
************************************
When you think about your relationship with God, is it easy or hard? Do you feel like you are working against Him, or Him against you, at times? Or, as you assess this partnership, do you rest peaceful with the knowledge that He is working right along side you?
My journey with God has been a long and winding road. Along this road, I have strayed off into the woods every once in awhile. I have even come to a point where I thought the road ended and I had been abandoned. But fortunately, there was always something which brought me back to the journey or allowed me to clear away the debris blocking the road which seemed to be a dead end.
Have you ever felt this way?
The word "Israel" is a funny one. It first appears in Genesis 32:28 after the angel, with whom Jacob had wrestled, told him that his name would no longer be Jacob, but now it would be Israel, because he had struggled with God. The Hebrew word "Israel" (I am by no means an expert in Biblical Hebrew, so might have this wrong) can be broken into two parts; the first part, "isra" is related to the verb meaning "to struggle or toil"; the second part "el" is a very ancient name for the word "God". Putting them together, you get "struggle with God".
When I first learned about the Hebraic origins of this word, it struck me as interesting because, if you think about it, you can say this phrase in two different ways, with two completely different meanings. The first can be meant to imply that there is a daily struggle, a constant work which must be done because we are, in a way, battling with God; "struggling with", then "God". Read this way, it is the literal interpretation of the situation Jacob experienced; wrestling against the angel, who was a manifestation of God on Earth at that moment.
However, as with almost everything, there is another way to look at it.
You can also think of this, breaking the phrase in a different way: "struggling", then "with God". Read in this way, we recognize that we are all struggling every day. We face a daily grind that is the world around us. At times, we seem beset on all sides by things working against us, we have to fight it out every day to keep our sanity, our peace, our faith. But, we are not alone in our struggle. We have a partner, an advocate, the best bodyguard ever working with us in our struggle. God jumps right into the ditch next to us, shovel in hand, and starts digging. He brings the sharp axe to the brush and bramble in which we are often tangled, hacking away and clearing a path for us.
So, struggle...with God. Do battle every day knowing that He is right beside you, behind and above you, in front of you...tackling the scrap in our lives right along with us. Brothers and Sisters, you do not have to do it alone. Call on Him and He will struggle...with You.
"When Israel set out on his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. God spoke to Israel in visions of the night, and said, 'Jacob, Jacob.' And he said, 'Here I am.' Then he said, 'I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again; and Joseph’s own hand shall close your eyes.'".
************************************
When you think about your relationship with God, is it easy or hard? Do you feel like you are working against Him, or Him against you, at times? Or, as you assess this partnership, do you rest peaceful with the knowledge that He is working right along side you?
My journey with God has been a long and winding road. Along this road, I have strayed off into the woods every once in awhile. I have even come to a point where I thought the road ended and I had been abandoned. But fortunately, there was always something which brought me back to the journey or allowed me to clear away the debris blocking the road which seemed to be a dead end.
Have you ever felt this way?
The word "Israel" is a funny one. It first appears in Genesis 32:28 after the angel, with whom Jacob had wrestled, told him that his name would no longer be Jacob, but now it would be Israel, because he had struggled with God. The Hebrew word "Israel" (I am by no means an expert in Biblical Hebrew, so might have this wrong) can be broken into two parts; the first part, "isra" is related to the verb meaning "to struggle or toil"; the second part "el" is a very ancient name for the word "God". Putting them together, you get "struggle with God".
When I first learned about the Hebraic origins of this word, it struck me as interesting because, if you think about it, you can say this phrase in two different ways, with two completely different meanings. The first can be meant to imply that there is a daily struggle, a constant work which must be done because we are, in a way, battling with God; "struggling with", then "God". Read this way, it is the literal interpretation of the situation Jacob experienced; wrestling against the angel, who was a manifestation of God on Earth at that moment.
However, as with almost everything, there is another way to look at it.
You can also think of this, breaking the phrase in a different way: "struggling", then "with God". Read in this way, we recognize that we are all struggling every day. We face a daily grind that is the world around us. At times, we seem beset on all sides by things working against us, we have to fight it out every day to keep our sanity, our peace, our faith. But, we are not alone in our struggle. We have a partner, an advocate, the best bodyguard ever working with us in our struggle. God jumps right into the ditch next to us, shovel in hand, and starts digging. He brings the sharp axe to the brush and bramble in which we are often tangled, hacking away and clearing a path for us.
So, struggle...with God. Do battle every day knowing that He is right beside you, behind and above you, in front of you...tackling the scrap in our lives right along with us. Brothers and Sisters, you do not have to do it alone. Call on Him and He will struggle...with You.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Mar 10 - "Knowing or Loving?"
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him."
*************************************
When you spend time reading the Bible every day, as I have been this past couple weeks of Lent, every once in awhile you run across some strange things. For the past week, one of the lessons each day has come from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. I enjoy reading these letters from Paul because, although an Apostle and Saint, you see a very human side of him. You see the things he may have been struggling with at the time he wrote the letter.
This section of 1 Corinthians deals with a multitude of topics ranging from marriage and divorce to sex and man-woman relations as well as foods to eat or not eat. At times, it seems to be a random stream of consciousness as he tries to address either questions the people of Corinth had for him, issues they were dealing with or just things Paul had on his heart at the time. However, within these sets of rules and thoughts which seem to run on and on, there are sparkling jewels of wisdom.
Knowledge and Love.
When we say we "know" something or someone, how does that statement differ from when we say we "love" something or someone? Do you know ice cream or do you love ice cream (I love ice cream!). When you stand in awe of a beautiful spring morning, bursting with promise (those days are coming soon, my friends!), do you say "I know Spring" or do you say "I LOVE Spring!"? These are very different statements.
Knowledge of a thing or of a person is important. Saying "I know David" makes a statement to others that you likely (1) recognize him when he walks in the room, (2) understand in some small way how he relates to the world around him, and (3) that you maybe even have an idea of what he thinks about certain topics or issues. Knowledge almost becomes a possession, of sorts. As Paul said, it "puffs you up"; your knowledge makes you full, in some way (many would say, full of "it").
To say you love something is obviously very different. Now, I know people today throw around the word love in many ways and often without thought, but I am talking about the way we use it when we are deeply appreciative, in awe or fully connected to the joy that is the essence of that thing we love. Love is a sign of weakness, of sorts. It is why, I think, being in love is described at times as "weak in the knees" or "faint of heart". It represents a "giving over" of yourself to that thing or that person. By saying we love something or someone, we are in essence taking a piece of ourselves and handing it over to be cared for. We are, as they say, "putting it out there". When we say "I love...", we are assigning a value that is above all else.
Do you know God or do you love God?
I will admit, as I have moved through the daily walk of my Faith over many years, there are times I have said to myself, "OK. I think I get it. I know God. I know what He is doing. I know what He wants from me. I know what His work in the world is accomplishing." This 'knowing' has made me feel very secure of my place in creation, of my relationship with God. I felt that by 'knowing' God, I was in some way residing in a deeper form of faith. But, by saying "I know God", I have made Him a possession, of sorts. By saying this, I am almost putting myself as an equal to Him...and this is a very dangerous place to be.
When I change my point of view to "I love God", I become a part of Him in a very different way. Love does not pretend to represent an understanding, a knowledge or some empirical awareness of all things that are of God. By loving God, I am saying to Him, "here is my heart, I trust You with its care and comfort".
So, stated very simply....Love. Love your friends, love your children, love your family, love Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Love God. Give yourself over to the weakness that represents your trust in that relationship. For in the weakness of this love, we are built up and made immeasurably strong.
"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him."
*************************************
When you spend time reading the Bible every day, as I have been this past couple weeks of Lent, every once in awhile you run across some strange things. For the past week, one of the lessons each day has come from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. I enjoy reading these letters from Paul because, although an Apostle and Saint, you see a very human side of him. You see the things he may have been struggling with at the time he wrote the letter.
This section of 1 Corinthians deals with a multitude of topics ranging from marriage and divorce to sex and man-woman relations as well as foods to eat or not eat. At times, it seems to be a random stream of consciousness as he tries to address either questions the people of Corinth had for him, issues they were dealing with or just things Paul had on his heart at the time. However, within these sets of rules and thoughts which seem to run on and on, there are sparkling jewels of wisdom.
Knowledge and Love.
When we say we "know" something or someone, how does that statement differ from when we say we "love" something or someone? Do you know ice cream or do you love ice cream (I love ice cream!). When you stand in awe of a beautiful spring morning, bursting with promise (those days are coming soon, my friends!), do you say "I know Spring" or do you say "I LOVE Spring!"? These are very different statements.
Knowledge of a thing or of a person is important. Saying "I know David" makes a statement to others that you likely (1) recognize him when he walks in the room, (2) understand in some small way how he relates to the world around him, and (3) that you maybe even have an idea of what he thinks about certain topics or issues. Knowledge almost becomes a possession, of sorts. As Paul said, it "puffs you up"; your knowledge makes you full, in some way (many would say, full of "it").
To say you love something is obviously very different. Now, I know people today throw around the word love in many ways and often without thought, but I am talking about the way we use it when we are deeply appreciative, in awe or fully connected to the joy that is the essence of that thing we love. Love is a sign of weakness, of sorts. It is why, I think, being in love is described at times as "weak in the knees" or "faint of heart". It represents a "giving over" of yourself to that thing or that person. By saying we love something or someone, we are in essence taking a piece of ourselves and handing it over to be cared for. We are, as they say, "putting it out there". When we say "I love...", we are assigning a value that is above all else.
Do you know God or do you love God?
I will admit, as I have moved through the daily walk of my Faith over many years, there are times I have said to myself, "OK. I think I get it. I know God. I know what He is doing. I know what He wants from me. I know what His work in the world is accomplishing." This 'knowing' has made me feel very secure of my place in creation, of my relationship with God. I felt that by 'knowing' God, I was in some way residing in a deeper form of faith. But, by saying "I know God", I have made Him a possession, of sorts. By saying this, I am almost putting myself as an equal to Him...and this is a very dangerous place to be.
When I change my point of view to "I love God", I become a part of Him in a very different way. Love does not pretend to represent an understanding, a knowledge or some empirical awareness of all things that are of God. By loving God, I am saying to Him, "here is my heart, I trust You with its care and comfort".
So, stated very simply....Love. Love your friends, love your children, love your family, love Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Love God. Give yourself over to the weakness that represents your trust in that relationship. For in the weakness of this love, we are built up and made immeasurably strong.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Mar 9 - "The Power of Believing"
Mark 5:21-43
"Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, 'If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.' Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my clothes?' And his disciples said to him, 'You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ' He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.'"
*****************************
What do you believe in?
I ask this question, not necessarily about your faith tradition and whether you are Jew, Muslim, Christian or Buddhist. I am asking, what do you truly, strongly, deeply know to be true...know that beyond a shadow of a doubt, is solid as a rock.
There is a great video on YouTube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAMLOnSNwza) of a young man named Dalton Sherman. He gave a speech at the kickoff meeting for the Dallas Independent School District that, even if it were not delivered by a boy this age, tells a wonderful story. He asks questions throughout this amazing message, challenging the audience to believe in him, to believe in each other and to believe in themselves.
Belief can be many things and do many things.
Unfortunately, belief can be a poisonous deliverer of evil. Belief can...
...send millions to their deaths in the gas chambers of eastern Europe
...drive men to think that flying jumbo jets into skyscrapers in the work of God
...cause a generation of hatred manifested in white-hooded lynch mobs burning crosses
But, Belief can be amazingly powerful force for good. Belief can...
....cause the sick to be healed
...bring a woman to reject the notion that, because of the color of her skin, she has to sit at the back of the bus
...be a quiet voice that says "try one more time" and brings forth a miracle performance in music, science, sport or literature
Every Sunday, in almost every denomination of Christian church, after the sermon, homily or message is delivered by the minister, priest or pastor, a Creed is said by the congregation. It is timed perfectly, as one priest jokingly told me, to affirm, "regardless of what this guy (or gal) just said, here's what we believe." I grew up in the Methodist Church, reciting the Apostle's creed. In my current tradition as an Episcopalian, we read the Nicene Creed, which I have come to embrace as my statement of faith, my belief:
"Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, 'If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.' Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my clothes?' And his disciples said to him, 'You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ' He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.'"
*****************************
What do you believe in?
I ask this question, not necessarily about your faith tradition and whether you are Jew, Muslim, Christian or Buddhist. I am asking, what do you truly, strongly, deeply know to be true...know that beyond a shadow of a doubt, is solid as a rock.
There is a great video on YouTube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAMLOnSNwza) of a young man named Dalton Sherman. He gave a speech at the kickoff meeting for the Dallas Independent School District that, even if it were not delivered by a boy this age, tells a wonderful story. He asks questions throughout this amazing message, challenging the audience to believe in him, to believe in each other and to believe in themselves.
Belief can be many things and do many things.
Unfortunately, belief can be a poisonous deliverer of evil. Belief can...
...send millions to their deaths in the gas chambers of eastern Europe
...drive men to think that flying jumbo jets into skyscrapers in the work of God
...cause a generation of hatred manifested in white-hooded lynch mobs burning crosses
But, Belief can be amazingly powerful force for good. Belief can...
....cause the sick to be healed
...bring a woman to reject the notion that, because of the color of her skin, she has to sit at the back of the bus
...be a quiet voice that says "try one more time" and brings forth a miracle performance in music, science, sport or literature
Every Sunday, in almost every denomination of Christian church, after the sermon, homily or message is delivered by the minister, priest or pastor, a Creed is said by the congregation. It is timed perfectly, as one priest jokingly told me, to affirm, "regardless of what this guy (or gal) just said, here's what we believe." I grew up in the Methodist Church, reciting the Apostle's creed. In my current tradition as an Episcopalian, we read the Nicene Creed, which I have come to embrace as my statement of faith, my belief:
"We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen."
So, recognize the power of believing. Believe in the good and you will do good things. Believe in yourself, and you will become something greater than you are today. Believe in someone close to you and you will lift them up. Believe in God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.Monday, March 8, 2010
Mar 8 - "Sacrifice"
Genesis 44:18-34
"Now therefore, please let your servant remain as a slave to my lord in place of the boy; and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the suffering that would come upon my father."
******************************
Throughout the hundreds of stories told in the Bible, we see examples of sacrifice. Situations where one thing or one person is exchanged in place of another in order to achieve the greater good is a thread which winds its way throughout the lives of the people we have come to know in these stories. From Abraham, Isaac and the lamb, to Ruth and Naomi, to Esther, to Job, we see a multitude of people we can uphold as models of sacrifice.
The reading above from Genesis is near the end of the story when Joseph, "disguised" as the chief assistant to Pharaoh, finally reveals himself to his brothers. When a stolen cup is found in the grain sack of Jacob's youngest son, Benjamin, Judah offers himself to be a slave in place of Benjamin. Judah has such a deep love for his father Jacob and a grave concern that he will no longer be able to live if Benjamin does not return home, he sacrifices his own freedom so that another can be free. Certainly, Judah is not without sin as he took part in the "loss" of Jacob's other dear son, Joseph, by selling him into slavery years before. But, regardless of his past transgressions, Judah's sacrifice is pure of heart.
Have you ever made a sacrifice?
Throughout our daily lives, we all certainly make sacrifices. Small things here and there which may not cause us terrible hardship, but by making the choice, eases another's burden in some way. But, have any of us been faced with a choice to put ourselves in a truly precarious position, risking perhaps even life and limb in order that another can live? I certainly have not been faced with anything this dramatic. On the other hand, have you ever been the beneficiary of someone else's sacrifice?
Yes. We all have.
I love my family. The depth of this love goes even to the point where I would willingly put my life on the line in exchange for one of theirs. If faced with a situation where one of them were in mortal danger and I had the opportunity to put my own life down as a sacrifice so that they could live, I would do it without a second thought. I think many of you reading this would do the same, without question.
But there is even a greater sacrifice.
It seems horrible to think about, but, if you have a child or children, would you allow one of them to be sacrificed so that someone else might live? How about someone who maybe didn't even deserve to live? Even writing these words brings pain to my heart, thinking about losing one of my children. I cannot imagine anything more terrible. When I think about how much I love my family and love each one of my beautiful daughters, I cannot imagine a greater love. It consumes me, fills me up, makes me better than I could be, had I never loved so deeply.
But, there is even a greater love.
God loves each of us so much, He made the choice to send His Son as a sacrifice for us. He took that which was dearest to Him and put Him into the world to experience sadness, pain and death. He did this not because we had obeyed His laws and commandments, not because we fulfilled our own obligations of sacrifice and repentance. He did this when we did not deserve to live. Can you imagine how great this love is which God has for us? Can you see it? It seems beyond comprehension, yet, we can see a shadow, a glimpse of it every time we have our children or our loved ones in our arms.
So, rejoice in the love and the sacrifice which was made for you. Know that there is nothing you can do to negate this gift; nothing which will separate you from eternal life with Him. For when each of us makes a small sacrifice for another, when we love, when we freely give and rejoice in these things, we are honoring that which is given to us and we become a part of God's glorious and ongoing work in the world.
"Now therefore, please let your servant remain as a slave to my lord in place of the boy; and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the suffering that would come upon my father."
******************************
Throughout the hundreds of stories told in the Bible, we see examples of sacrifice. Situations where one thing or one person is exchanged in place of another in order to achieve the greater good is a thread which winds its way throughout the lives of the people we have come to know in these stories. From Abraham, Isaac and the lamb, to Ruth and Naomi, to Esther, to Job, we see a multitude of people we can uphold as models of sacrifice.
The reading above from Genesis is near the end of the story when Joseph, "disguised" as the chief assistant to Pharaoh, finally reveals himself to his brothers. When a stolen cup is found in the grain sack of Jacob's youngest son, Benjamin, Judah offers himself to be a slave in place of Benjamin. Judah has such a deep love for his father Jacob and a grave concern that he will no longer be able to live if Benjamin does not return home, he sacrifices his own freedom so that another can be free. Certainly, Judah is not without sin as he took part in the "loss" of Jacob's other dear son, Joseph, by selling him into slavery years before. But, regardless of his past transgressions, Judah's sacrifice is pure of heart.
Have you ever made a sacrifice?
Throughout our daily lives, we all certainly make sacrifices. Small things here and there which may not cause us terrible hardship, but by making the choice, eases another's burden in some way. But, have any of us been faced with a choice to put ourselves in a truly precarious position, risking perhaps even life and limb in order that another can live? I certainly have not been faced with anything this dramatic. On the other hand, have you ever been the beneficiary of someone else's sacrifice?
Yes. We all have.
I love my family. The depth of this love goes even to the point where I would willingly put my life on the line in exchange for one of theirs. If faced with a situation where one of them were in mortal danger and I had the opportunity to put my own life down as a sacrifice so that they could live, I would do it without a second thought. I think many of you reading this would do the same, without question.
But there is even a greater sacrifice.
It seems horrible to think about, but, if you have a child or children, would you allow one of them to be sacrificed so that someone else might live? How about someone who maybe didn't even deserve to live? Even writing these words brings pain to my heart, thinking about losing one of my children. I cannot imagine anything more terrible. When I think about how much I love my family and love each one of my beautiful daughters, I cannot imagine a greater love. It consumes me, fills me up, makes me better than I could be, had I never loved so deeply.
But, there is even a greater love.
God loves each of us so much, He made the choice to send His Son as a sacrifice for us. He took that which was dearest to Him and put Him into the world to experience sadness, pain and death. He did this not because we had obeyed His laws and commandments, not because we fulfilled our own obligations of sacrifice and repentance. He did this when we did not deserve to live. Can you imagine how great this love is which God has for us? Can you see it? It seems beyond comprehension, yet, we can see a shadow, a glimpse of it every time we have our children or our loved ones in our arms.
So, rejoice in the love and the sacrifice which was made for you. Know that there is nothing you can do to negate this gift; nothing which will separate you from eternal life with Him. For when each of us makes a small sacrifice for another, when we love, when we freely give and rejoice in these things, we are honoring that which is given to us and we become a part of God's glorious and ongoing work in the world.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Mar 7 - "Begin Again"
Romans 8:1-10
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
*****************************
Today is the 3rd Sunday in the season of Lent. Many of us made a commitment, as is the tradition, to "give something up" during the time from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The question of the day is, "how are things going?".
On Ash Wednesday, we thought about a thing which we would set aside during this time. For some, it may have been a simple pleasure such as chocolate, soft drinks, snacks or the occasional glass of wine. For others, it may have been something more focused on forcing oneself into a penitential frame of mind. One friend of mine committed to giving up escalators and elevators and taking the stairs everywhere. This person, whenever she was trudging up or down stairs, committed to set her mind on the sacrifice Christ made for 40 days in the desert.
If you did make the choice to sacrifice something for Lent, have you been able to stick with it? Are you still fulfilling the commitment, or have you forgotten, or perhaps purposefully set aside the task after missing your goal early on.
We all fall short of the rules, the "law" at times; even the ones we place on ourselves. We each have a litany of things we have committed to do and failed. If we look back on those things, is there a common element to what we chose to pursue and then put aside? Did we set the bar too high? Did we hold ourselves to a standard which was unreasonable?
When you set the goal, did you tell anyone about it? Maybe the goal was achievable, but because you made the deal with yourself in quiet, there was no external accountability or support to make it happen. I wrote in a previous post about my belief in the power of words. A goal, when spoken aloud, when said to others besides yourself, becomes more real. You enable those around you to provide encouragement, helping you achieve your target as opposed to unintentionally abetting its downfall.
So, begin again. Say it out loud and renew your commitment. If you have fallen short of your original target, whether for Lent or something larger, it's OK to start over and try again. We live in Christ. He died once for all of us to forgive all of our sins and our shortcoming. Forgive yourself and be new again, for God's power to forgive and renew us over and over again is greater than our ability to deny ourselves His grace.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
*****************************
Today is the 3rd Sunday in the season of Lent. Many of us made a commitment, as is the tradition, to "give something up" during the time from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The question of the day is, "how are things going?".
On Ash Wednesday, we thought about a thing which we would set aside during this time. For some, it may have been a simple pleasure such as chocolate, soft drinks, snacks or the occasional glass of wine. For others, it may have been something more focused on forcing oneself into a penitential frame of mind. One friend of mine committed to giving up escalators and elevators and taking the stairs everywhere. This person, whenever she was trudging up or down stairs, committed to set her mind on the sacrifice Christ made for 40 days in the desert.
If you did make the choice to sacrifice something for Lent, have you been able to stick with it? Are you still fulfilling the commitment, or have you forgotten, or perhaps purposefully set aside the task after missing your goal early on.
We all fall short of the rules, the "law" at times; even the ones we place on ourselves. We each have a litany of things we have committed to do and failed. If we look back on those things, is there a common element to what we chose to pursue and then put aside? Did we set the bar too high? Did we hold ourselves to a standard which was unreasonable?
When you set the goal, did you tell anyone about it? Maybe the goal was achievable, but because you made the deal with yourself in quiet, there was no external accountability or support to make it happen. I wrote in a previous post about my belief in the power of words. A goal, when spoken aloud, when said to others besides yourself, becomes more real. You enable those around you to provide encouragement, helping you achieve your target as opposed to unintentionally abetting its downfall.
So, begin again. Say it out loud and renew your commitment. If you have fallen short of your original target, whether for Lent or something larger, it's OK to start over and try again. We live in Christ. He died once for all of us to forgive all of our sins and our shortcoming. Forgive yourself and be new again, for God's power to forgive and renew us over and over again is greater than our ability to deny ourselves His grace.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Mar 6 - "Shelter From The Storm"
Mark 4:35-41
"On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, 'Let us go across to the other side.' And leaving the crowd behind, they took Him with them in the boat, just as He was. Other boats were with Him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But He was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him up and said to Him, 'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?' He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, 'Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?' And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?'"
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Are you a morning person? When the alarm goes off or you open your eyes at first light, do you say, "Good MORNING world! I am so excited to be awake and starting my day!!" Or, are you like our middle daughter Rachel, who takes most of the morning to find her cheery self. Jesus seems to have woken up on the wrong side of the bed in this part of scripture. "Rebuking" is not usually the first thing you do if you wake up in a peaceful manner.
There are times when we all feel like we are in the middle of a giant storm. The waves are crashing around us, the wind howls deafeningly in our ears and there is no peace or calm to be found. The cause of the storm can range from things outside of our control...the economy, conflict among those around us...to the self imposed chaos we bring as we try to cram more and more into our lives.
When I read these stories about Christ in the world, I often wonder what else was going on or what led up to the events. Perhaps in this story, the sea was calm when Jesus and His friends left the shore. Jesus, being tired after a day of sharing the Word, laid down in the back of the boat to rest. The disciples, huddled in a quiet discussion away from Him as not to disturb, may have begun to see the storm coming up. Thinking it might pass or not turn something dangerous, they probably waited. As the storm raised into its full fury, they may have talked about waking up the sleeping Christ to ask for His help, but thought they could just hunker down and suffer it out without bothering Jesus.
But finally, they reached the point where their fear overtook them. They called out to Jesus, asking their rabbi for help. Jesus, in His full glory, immediately takes control of the situation and commands peace. After doing this, He asks His friends about why they were worried. You could imagine this as an angry rebuke, Jesus scolding them for their lack of faith. But I see it as a peaceful, calming smile of love, giving them assurance that they were never in danger.
The good news is that we don't have to wait for it to get bad before we talk to Jesus about it. Do you see a storm on the horizon? Are you able to look at the events around you and reasonably surmise that things will quickly get worse if you don't do something about it? Then make the decision now to ask for help. Don't wait for the storm to start.
So, call on Jesus. Allow Him to show you His power to calm the waves and quiet the gale. Don't worry about waking Him up, or about whether He will recognize you if you have not called on Him for a long time...or ever. He will deliver you to peace and, after bringing quiet out of the chaos, He will say to you lovingly, with a smiling countenance "Peace, My child. Do not fear, for I am always with you."
"On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, 'Let us go across to the other side.' And leaving the crowd behind, they took Him with them in the boat, just as He was. Other boats were with Him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But He was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him up and said to Him, 'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?' He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, 'Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?' And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?'"
***********************************
Are you a morning person? When the alarm goes off or you open your eyes at first light, do you say, "Good MORNING world! I am so excited to be awake and starting my day!!" Or, are you like our middle daughter Rachel, who takes most of the morning to find her cheery self. Jesus seems to have woken up on the wrong side of the bed in this part of scripture. "Rebuking" is not usually the first thing you do if you wake up in a peaceful manner.
There are times when we all feel like we are in the middle of a giant storm. The waves are crashing around us, the wind howls deafeningly in our ears and there is no peace or calm to be found. The cause of the storm can range from things outside of our control...the economy, conflict among those around us...to the self imposed chaos we bring as we try to cram more and more into our lives.
When I read these stories about Christ in the world, I often wonder what else was going on or what led up to the events. Perhaps in this story, the sea was calm when Jesus and His friends left the shore. Jesus, being tired after a day of sharing the Word, laid down in the back of the boat to rest. The disciples, huddled in a quiet discussion away from Him as not to disturb, may have begun to see the storm coming up. Thinking it might pass or not turn something dangerous, they probably waited. As the storm raised into its full fury, they may have talked about waking up the sleeping Christ to ask for His help, but thought they could just hunker down and suffer it out without bothering Jesus.
But finally, they reached the point where their fear overtook them. They called out to Jesus, asking their rabbi for help. Jesus, in His full glory, immediately takes control of the situation and commands peace. After doing this, He asks His friends about why they were worried. You could imagine this as an angry rebuke, Jesus scolding them for their lack of faith. But I see it as a peaceful, calming smile of love, giving them assurance that they were never in danger.
The good news is that we don't have to wait for it to get bad before we talk to Jesus about it. Do you see a storm on the horizon? Are you able to look at the events around you and reasonably surmise that things will quickly get worse if you don't do something about it? Then make the decision now to ask for help. Don't wait for the storm to start.
So, call on Jesus. Allow Him to show you His power to calm the waves and quiet the gale. Don't worry about waking Him up, or about whether He will recognize you if you have not called on Him for a long time...or ever. He will deliver you to peace and, after bringing quiet out of the chaos, He will say to you lovingly, with a smiling countenance "Peace, My child. Do not fear, for I am always with you."
Friday, March 5, 2010
Mar 5 - "Gifts"
1 Corinthians 7:6 and Mark 4:21-34
"But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind."
"Jesus said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light."
***************************************
What is your gift? What is the thing that God has given you, which He intends for you to use and show His glory by passing on to others?
The world is full of variety of people. With that variety comes a rich assortment of talents which each person brings to any situation. As a part of my daily life, I come into contact with people whose brilliance and intelligence blows me away, but I also see those who make me wonder how they got both legs into their pants that morning. Regardless of how I feel about the relative sharpness of any individual, I recognize that everyone brings something to the table. We all have different talents and every person has something to offer.
"But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind."
"Jesus said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light."
***************************************
What is your gift? What is the thing that God has given you, which He intends for you to use and show His glory by passing on to others?
The world is full of variety of people. With that variety comes a rich assortment of talents which each person brings to any situation. As a part of my daily life, I come into contact with people whose brilliance and intelligence blows me away, but I also see those who make me wonder how they got both legs into their pants that morning. Regardless of how I feel about the relative sharpness of any individual, I recognize that everyone brings something to the table. We all have different talents and every person has something to offer.
Do you know what your gift is? What thing do you have inside that God has blessed you with? Are you hiding it or letting it flow, like the Living Water, refreshing others while you too become refreshed? Right now, you may be saying to yourself,"I don't think I really have anything that is worth sharing with others...". But let me tell you dear friends, it is there. I promise. Don't over complicate it because it may be something very simple.
Are you a good listener to friends who are troubled or in need? Do you have a skill in helping people sort through their problems, giving clarity? Maybe you can sing, or dance, or play an instrument. Are you handy? Perhaps you have a green thumb or have a talent for preparing the food someone else has grown. Can you sew simple fabrics into quilts, creating beautiful tapestries of love? Or, maybe you just have a smile that lights up a room. It is there...in every single one of us.
If you think about it, all of these things and the thousands of things I did not list are gifts which can be used for the glory of God. They were given not for the purpose of wasting away, but for being passed along, enriching others who are a part of God's amazing and varied creation.
So, give your gift. Take that which God has blessed you with and use it as He intended. Do not hide it but make it known, let your light shine. For in showing forth the light God has placed in you, your joy will be multiplied, and the gift you are giving will also give back to you.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Mar 4 - "Fertile Soil"
Mark 4:1-20
"Again Jesus began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: 'Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.' "
**********************************
If you have not yet figured it out, faithful reader, I am amazed and deeply thankful for how much God has blessed my life.
The simple beauty of God's blessings, is that they are all around us, all the time. But sometimes, because we are too busy, to wrapped up in the things of this world, we don't allow ourselves to be open to the blessings that come our way. When we look down at the ground, scowling because we are frustrated, angry or discouraged, our eyes are not looking up and around, giving us the ability to become aware of the good things that can come our way. It is also easy to be so focused on what is going wrong in our lives at a particular moment, we are unable to see the good things.
I have a friend who, almost every time I talk to him, tells me about all the bad things that are going on in his life. This thing he owns is broken...traffic was bad and it took him an hour to get home from work...some person in his life said a hurtful thing to him...he lives with regret and sadness over the ways things could have been, or should have been. I try to be encouraging to this friend, but at times our conversations can be dominated by doom and gloom. Some days, it feels like he has closed himself off to receiving and recognizing the blessings which are all around him.
We humans are funny creatures. Our mood and attitude is such a powerful thing, it can affect our physical being. When we allow ourselves to descend into that spiral of despair, the feelings of doubt, fear and sadness abound. We can become physically ill due to anger, hatred or pain which has permeated our soul. When we do this, our nature can become almost poisonous and the blessings which could grow and flourish, wither and die, or never even take root. I believe this is the true pain of sin; not that, when unconfessed and unrepented, it keeps us from entering Heaven, but that it closes us off to the grace of God, because we simmer in our self-perceived unworthiness.
Every once in awhile, I find myself in this state. I can become so caught up with how busy my schedule is, how much work is set before me, I walk around in a constant state of stress, unable to enjoy simple pleasures...a laugh...a smile...a sunrise. But, every single time I take a moment to turn my eyes to heaven, thank God for the work He is doing in my life, peace sooths me like a warm, gentle, spring rain. I am refreshed and renewed, my heart becoming a rich ground in which the multitude of God's blessings can grow and bear fruit.
So, are you fertile soil? Is your heart, your soul and your mind prepared to receive the blessings God showers down upon you? Open up your being to the potential of His gifts, allow them to take root and permit yourself to taste and enjoy the sweet fruit of His work in your life
"Again Jesus began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: 'Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.' "
**********************************
If you have not yet figured it out, faithful reader, I am amazed and deeply thankful for how much God has blessed my life.
The simple beauty of God's blessings, is that they are all around us, all the time. But sometimes, because we are too busy, to wrapped up in the things of this world, we don't allow ourselves to be open to the blessings that come our way. When we look down at the ground, scowling because we are frustrated, angry or discouraged, our eyes are not looking up and around, giving us the ability to become aware of the good things that can come our way. It is also easy to be so focused on what is going wrong in our lives at a particular moment, we are unable to see the good things.
I have a friend who, almost every time I talk to him, tells me about all the bad things that are going on in his life. This thing he owns is broken...traffic was bad and it took him an hour to get home from work...some person in his life said a hurtful thing to him...he lives with regret and sadness over the ways things could have been, or should have been. I try to be encouraging to this friend, but at times our conversations can be dominated by doom and gloom. Some days, it feels like he has closed himself off to receiving and recognizing the blessings which are all around him.
We humans are funny creatures. Our mood and attitude is such a powerful thing, it can affect our physical being. When we allow ourselves to descend into that spiral of despair, the feelings of doubt, fear and sadness abound. We can become physically ill due to anger, hatred or pain which has permeated our soul. When we do this, our nature can become almost poisonous and the blessings which could grow and flourish, wither and die, or never even take root. I believe this is the true pain of sin; not that, when unconfessed and unrepented, it keeps us from entering Heaven, but that it closes us off to the grace of God, because we simmer in our self-perceived unworthiness.
Every once in awhile, I find myself in this state. I can become so caught up with how busy my schedule is, how much work is set before me, I walk around in a constant state of stress, unable to enjoy simple pleasures...a laugh...a smile...a sunrise. But, every single time I take a moment to turn my eyes to heaven, thank God for the work He is doing in my life, peace sooths me like a warm, gentle, spring rain. I am refreshed and renewed, my heart becoming a rich ground in which the multitude of God's blessings can grow and bear fruit.
So, are you fertile soil? Is your heart, your soul and your mind prepared to receive the blessings God showers down upon you? Open up your being to the potential of His gifts, allow them to take root and permit yourself to taste and enjoy the sweet fruit of His work in your life