Prayer Series

We are in the midst of our sermon series focusing on Prayer. I have heard such great stories from all of you...thank you so much for your amazing sharing! I am embedding the video that I shared yesterday in the service of Derek Redmond and his father at the 1992 Olympics. It's so powerful...and I thank the person that put it all together...what a wonderful blessing!

Peace to you all today!

Summer is Here

Time sure does fly! I have turned around and April turned into June...know the feeling? This evening I'm thankful to report that our youth group is on their very first mission trip! The are at TeamEffort in Cincinatti...how exciting. If you have time check out their blog: COS Next Generations.

I Am With You

Jesus prepares his followers for his departure...but doesn't leave them alone. I believe that in this section of text is housed some of the most comforting words for those that follow Christ. The concept that we haven't been abandoned when we experience loss, that if we ask and believe we can receive peace, God's peace that will descend upon us and fill us...and it's not the kind of peace that the world gives, says Jesus. Thanks be to God.

May you all experience that amazing peace today as we draw close to Easter Sunday. The day after Good Friday, when Christ was in the tomb and the disciples felt that all were lost. When they felt alone.

But thanks be to God that JOY comes with the morning!

I Hold You in My Heart

Timothy is known as Paul's "sidekick", working with him for 17 years...but he certainly had a resume of his own to brag about, and was an effective minister and evangelist in his own right. This text that we read this morning comes from Paul and Timothy, and it is a scripture that I have loved, especially as a Pastor who has left a congregation to move to another.

I especially appreciate the sentiment "you hold me in your hearts". I get that. There are people whom I love, especially those whom I don't always get to see, but my love for them still remains....and I hold them in my heart. I think of them, I pray for them, I give thanks for them.

Today is Good Friday, a day of pain and suffering. Remember, when we are journeying through some of our darkest, hardest times, we are held in the heart of God.

Peace to you today.

The Villian

Judas is the villain...the one who betrayed Jesus. And for what? Money (it really wasn't THAT much), power, pride? Or was it disbelief...maybe Jesus isn't really who he says he is...so will this betrayal even amount to anything? We hear it all and are disgusted...how could he do that????

And yet....and yet.....I find that some of things that I really dislike the most are the things that I am fearful that I might become or do, or already be. Does that make sense? Anyone else feel that way?

As we approach Good Friday tomorrow, and as we share in Holy Communion this evening, the celebration of the Last Supper, and the time that Judas betrayed Jesus, may we take time to make an examination of our own souls. May we honestly search our hearts and if there is any way in us that needs to be changed, forgiven and shifted may we be brave and move forward in forgiveness and new life.

Thanks be to God for moments of reflection and honesty.

Real-life

I like to think that when it really matters that I would come through. When faced with something as Peter was....that I would NOT deny Christ 3 times. But still, we really don't know until we are faced with what another if faced with what we would do. What I do believe, and think is the overall message that we need to get, is that Peter found forgiveness and redemption. That's real-life.

In real-life things don't always work out just so, we don't always make wise decisions, people don't always love us and help as we desire that they would. We keep on going, we forgive when we are given the opportunity to do so, we shift our thinking and our expectations, and we continue on the journey. We realize that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and move through that. It's not always easy, but there such growth and depth that can be gained by working through a challenging time and getting on the other side of it. Peter is a great example of a real-life person, not perfect, but growing and loving God in his humanness.

May it be so for us as well. Peace to you today...and I'm very glad to share my real-life with you.

Name Change

Have you ever noticed the significance of name changes in the scriptures? This is a symbolic way to understand the great change that occurs when one encounters a living God. For example, in the Old Testament, Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, and Jacob became Israel. 2 examples from the New Testament are when Jesus named Simon-Cephas (Peter) and Saul of Tarsus became Paul.

Saul who is a big-time persecutor of Christians encounters Jesus and becomes Paul. I have always found such hope in this story...it reminds me that God's love can reach out to anyone, anywhere. Those that seem beyond the reach of God, who might look at Christianity as primitive and puritanical, those whose hearts may have become so hardened that it seems that they will NEVER accept Christ...that's where Saul was! A Pharisee, part of a very strict sect, even murdering Christians.

God's love extends to all, even those that don't extend love to God. And when they come to accept that love, God gives them a fresh start, even a brand new name. The old is wiped away, and the new is ushered in. Ahhh...a fresh start. It's a beautiful thing.

Peace to you this Holy Week...may you enjoy the fresh start and new name that you have been given "Christian".