Mar 10 - "Don't Worry...Be Happy"

"Do not fret because of evildoers; do not be jealous of those who do wrong. For they shall soon wither like the grass, and like the green grass, fade away. Put your trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and feed on its riches. Take delight in the Lord and He shall give you your heart's desire." -- Psalm 37: 1-18
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Do you ever find yourself spending time fretting over people who are obviously doing wrong and yet are still prospering?

Given the constant flow of information we receive from 24-hour news channels or the Web, we certainly are not at a loss for numerous examples of people doing the wrong things on a daily basis. One microcosm of this is what seems to happen in Hollywood almost every day; some celebrity dragged back into court for breaking the law, then released or receiving a hand-slap sentence, pretty much walking out the door without material consequences to their actions. Doesn't this drive you crazy? Similarly, we often see associates at work or in our other social and volunteer activities, where someone continues to move ahead or receives accolades for their work, even though you and others know they are not doing their fair share.

I certainly find myself in this spot every once in awhile. There are times when I get too focused on those people in my work life who seem to be getting ahead or at least, not being held to account, while continually doing the wrong things. This can be a pretty negative way to spend my time and mental energy, but yet, I go there and find myself getting incredibly frustrated. But, what good does this serve? Have I improved the situation at all by binding myself in this fabric of worry?

Now, I am not advocating that we should just let evil run its course and lazily allow bad things to happen. There are plenty of ways we can take action to help those who are being wronged or support those who do battle with hatred or oppression in the world. This is really more about the wasted time we spend on petty jealousies. I do believe God wants us to take a different approach to the mental anguish we can put ourselves through, unproductively worrying about these minor things. The fretting and focus can take us away from the things we should be spending our thoughts and efforts on.

This Psalm, written with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, does not tell us to take action against those who do wrong or give us guidance on the steps we should put in place to resolve their nefarious acts. The Psalmist simply says that we should put our trust in the Lord. Let Him handle it. Find joy in the fact that He will take care of all things and bring us to a place of joy and peace.

The words of the Bobby McFerrin song come to mind. My apologies if you now have that song stuck in your head the rest of the day. But the advice it gives is good when it comes to these times when we can find ourselves overly-focused on others' acts.

S0, don't worry. Let the Lord take care of those things which are out of our control and cause us unproductive mental anguish. Be happy in knowing that God has got it covered.

Mar 9 - "Good for the Soul"

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God. -- Hebrews 12: 1-14
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Does God require us to confess our sins? Is there something holy or spiritual that happens when we bow ours heads and come face to face with our actions which have hurt ourselves or others?

This season of Lent is a time of reflection and preparation for what we know is to come; the conviction, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the time when we orient ourselves towards the recognition, praise and thanksgiving of this most gracious gift. One death in a perfect sacrifice which paid the debt of our sins...past, present and future...and saved all of us from death.

This time of preparation causes me to think about other ways we prepare for various events and occasions. In my extended family, we are in the process of preparing for yet another baby coming into our lives! Niece or nephew #15 for Greta and me; grandchild #10 for my parents and child #3 for my sister...will be born into our family sometime before we celebrate the first day of May. How is my sister and her family preparing for this arrival? They are moving furniture around, painting, cleaning up, removing any obstacles which would not allow their new baby to be easily and wonderfully received into their family and household.

Through confession of our sins, we prepare our hearts and souls in this same way. When we confess and repent, we remove the obstacles that can get in the way of having a relationship with God. How many times have you said to yourself, "I don't deserve His grace...I don't deserve His love. I have sinned too much and am not worthy of His forgiveness." Let me tell you, brothers and sisters, you ARE good enough because God made you as His perfect creation. Christ died on the cross so that you might be fully forgiven...not because of things you do or going to church or being a good person...but because He already paid your debt in full.

When we are angry or feel hate for someone because of an offense, don't we feel that burden, that obstacle which prohibits us from a relationship with that person? When we do something wrong, can we not feel the wall which is put up between us and others or us and God?

God does not "require" us to confess our sins. God does, however, want, us to confess our sins because, by dealing honestly with our transgressions and putting them aside, we clear the way for receiving the full measure of grace and love which has already been given to us via our relationship with Christ Jesus. God wants us to confess our sins because he wants to be in relationship with us. Confession removes that wall and prepares our hearts for being filled with the love he brings to us. All we have to do is push our sin aside by the simple act of confession and repentance.

So, be good to your soul. Confess the thing you have done; do not be owned by it...but own up to it. For by tearing down the wall of guilt, anger or hurt, you open yourself up to the gift already given, a perfect love and grace which refreshes, renews and brings you peace.

Mar 7 - "The Journey Continues..."

"Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song." -- Psalm 100
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Hello again Dear Friends!

Almost a whole year has passed since we were last together in this way. Many of us are better than a year before; a few of us may be struggling with something new; all of us are changed. We have the ability each year in Lent to reflect upon our lives and upon our Walk as new and different people than we were the last time we set out on this path together from Ash Wednesday until Easter.

I invite you, once again, to join me on this Lenten journey. When I first began this effort 2 years ago, I took the approach of "giving something out" instead of "giving something up" for Lent. I had no idea how abundant the gifts would be, which have come, and continue to come back to me each day, as a result of this daily sojourn through The Word. God is good!

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and in you always.

Apr 4: Easter - "Alleluia!"

John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

1 Cor. 5:7-8
Alleluia! Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia!

Rom. 6:9-11
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
So also consider yourselves dead to sin, and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia!
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Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

It has been a long, almost 50 days, my friends, since we have been able to say this word: Alleluia! Saying it brings a smile to my face, a freshness to my mouth. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Think of the pain and emptiness of the crucifixion and the tomb; it is gone!

Think of the waiting for Messiah; He is come!

Think of the fear we had of death; it is wiped away!

Think of the doubt, wondering if we would live with God in heaven for eternity; it is assured!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

The celebration of Easter is a time of renewal. Our sins are washed clean by the blood of Christ's sacrifice for us. Today, each of us is reminded of this renewal. Celebrate this newness as each of us are reborn. The happiness we feel today with our rebirth is no less than the same abundant joy we feel when a new baby arrives into the world.

What does this new birth, this cleansing arrival bring?

You can no longer be in darkness.

You can no longer be in a place which separates you from God.

You can no longer be without a Companion who is always with you.

Alleluia!

So, brothers and sisters, I leave you for a time, until we meet again. If you found peace or joy or love or inspiration from the words that were written here, words that were not mine, but which came through me to you as a gift from God, send the link along. The Living Water that is the Holy Spirit is most refreshing and renewing when it flows freely and does not sit, becoming stale. I send blessings in the name of the Risen Christ to you on this day. May you encourage each other in faith, and be encouraged. May you give love greatly, and reside in love. May you rejoice in the knowledge of your salvation, and live in peace. Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!!!!

Apr 3: Holy Saturday - "Darkness"

Mark 15: 42-47
When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.
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Today is a day filled with abject despair and empty of hope. A terrible darkness, matching the inky black of the tomb, fills your heart.

It is almost impossible to have faith on this day It is so hard to keep believing. Your teacher, Rabbi, Son, friend...is lying dead in a cold grave. He is now no different than any other man. Even though the past three years have been filled with days of wonderful words, quiet moments of peace and awesome miracles, right now, it is all gone.

You wander around without direction, stumbling through menial tasks. Your purpose seems to have evaporated in the bright heat of this day. The sun is hot and stark. It does not bring warmth, but only a painful, false brightness. There is a ringing in your ears, the voices of the crowd and the streets from yesterday's macabre parade to Golgotha resound mercilessly in your head.

How can you go on? What will you do?

But, there is still hope. The scriptures foretold of this moment. He would be broken; His side would be pierced. He would rise up triumphant over death. Will it happen? Will the darkness turn to beautiful light?

You decide you can make it through another day. You will pray. You will keep up hope. You will sit with your friends in joyful remembrance of His miracles and words. You will comfort His Mother.

Maybe tomorrow will be better...

Apr 2: Good Friday - "Were You There?"

Mark 15: 1-47
And they brought Him unto the place called Golgotha (which is, being interpreted, The Place of a Skull). And they gave Him to drink wine mingled with myrrh, but He received it not. And when they had crucified Him, they parted His garments, casting lots for them to see what every man should take. And it was the third hour when they crucified Him.
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Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

You are a merchant, living in Jerusalem. You celebrated the Passover this week with friends. You are a peaceful person, not wanting conflict around you. You hear about some men going on public trial today and that Pilate, as is the tradition, will let one prisoner go free. You stand in the crowd, caught up in the brutal mentality of the mob. For one man, you shout "Free him!". For another, one you have heard causes trouble in the Temple, you shout, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

You are a young Roman solider. You are far from your home, having been assigned to this dusty city full people whose language and traditions you don't understand. You have been assigned, on this day, to push a man along in the streets, forcing Him to carry the cross on which He will be crucified. He must have done something terrible to deserve this. When you reach the top of the barren hill outside of town, you press Him onto the rough-hewn wood. He does not seem to resist. Why? You hold the sharp iron spikes against His hands, then feet, while your fellow soldier pounds them mercilessly through His flesh. He does not make a sound as you raise the cross to a standing position. His blood drips onto your shoulder as you drop the base of the cross into the hole in the ground, assuring pain, torture and eventual death for this man. What did he do?

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

You are Mary. As much as you did not want it, you knew deep in your heart that this day might come. The brilliant memory of the angel's visit, the excitement of that moment rings hollow on this day. You have watched your Son grow and come to be the Man that He is; speaking words of beauty and peace; healing; loving. Now, He is gone. You are broken beyond measure.

Oh, sometimes, it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Yes, we were all there. We stand there yet today every time we do not show mercy; every time we allow ourselves to play a role in something unkind; every time when we should show love but we deliver anger or hate; every time we watch a friend, a loved one or a child in pain. We were there.

Apr 1: Maundy Thursday - "Break Bread Together"

1 Corinthians 10:14-17; 11:27-32
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. *****************************************************
As I was sitting down to write this morning, I looked back on last year's posting for this day. I remember it was one of my favorites (not sure if it was anyone else's or not). The sharing of a meal together, as Christ did with His disciples on this day, is such a wonderful and important part of any family's life.

Looking back on this writing, the only thing that struck me differently than last year was the importance of the sacrament of Communion, which is a celebration of this meal between Christ and His friends.

For me, taking the bread and the wine each Sunday not only reminds me of the beauty of breaking bread with friends and family, but the nature of what we are actually doing during this sacrament. We start with prayer. We walk up to accept the bread and the wine which has been blessed. We take it in, recognizing that it is the representation of the sacrifice of Christ's body and blood. We end with prayer. The symbolic nature of the blessing, breaking and sharing is the way we take our prayers of trouble and concern, of thanksgiving or of simple praise and bless them. A burden, when shared, is lightened; a blessing, when shared, is multiplied.

So, faithful reader, I hope you don't see me posting a repeat as being lazy. If you enjoyed it before, I hope you enjoy it again. Blessings to each of you on this special day.
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Today is a special day (aren't they all?). On this day of Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, we celebrate the Last Supper. We remember the simple meal Christ shared with His friends. We experience the words He gave to them and to us which encourage us, in the sacrament of the Eucharist, breaking bread and partaking in wine, to remember Him and His example to us.

Could you imagine being there? How would it have be to be sitting with Christ around a humble table? I have to believe at this meal, there was not a lot of laughing. If anything, it was probably a solemn occasion. The air must have been thick with tension and fear. The Disciples knew that their Rabbi, Yeshua, was about to be taken into custody. They had to know it would not end well. Could it be any less comfortable? It becomes so. Jesus, the Christ, God incarnate, kneels to the floor and removes the sandals from each of His friends and washes the dust of Jerusalem off their tired feet. Is there a better example of servant leadership? Could there be a better way to show humility and sincere care for your friends?

When we think about the wonderful times with family we have had around a table, sharing a meal why are they so often such happy and joyous memories? I remember many times as I was growing up...and still today...sitting around a big table with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles cousins, nieces and nephews...all of us laughing and truly loving being with one another at that moment. Some of my most fond memories are of meals at Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays, weddings and, yes, funerals. I smile just thinking about these times!

As a race, we humans most often celebrate special occasions by breaking bread with one another. Even in the business world, lunches, dinners, breakfast meetings...all of these represent times when we can be together in fellowship. But why do they seem so special? Is this because of the shared memories each of us have around these meal times? It is merely the celebration of holidays and special occasions, the joy of which just overflows to the meals at these events? Or, is it something else? Christ said, "where two or three are gathered together, I will be with them." Could this be the reason? When we sit around the table and give thanks for the food and the fellowship, is He not with us? I think so. I believe Jesus is sitting right there at our table. He laughs with us...cries with us...shares our joy and our love for one another.

So, on this day, Maundy Thursday, celebrate the sharing of a meal with friends, as Jesus did with His. If your church offers it, participate in the ceremony of foot washing. For in all of these things...breaking bread, sharing wine, serving each other humbly...we remember Him who died for each of us in the ultimate gift of love.