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".

"Becky the....."

He is known as "Mark the Evangelist". Nice. Of all of the descriptors that one could be known as, Evangelist is a good one. It makes me wonder...when my life has been said and done upon this earth, when I am in a much better place, what would I be known for?

Hmmm...some days I can honestly say that it would be something nice, such as "Becky the smiler" or "Becky the laugher"....but some days I suspect that it would be something that I don't even want to hear!

My point is that it is significant how we live our lives, not necessarily that everyone loves us and names us appropriately, because, let's face it, we are not going to make everyone happy all of the time, and to think that we can is ridiculous. However, we can choose to live our lives in ways that are pleasing to God, and to be known as one that shares the gospel with others.

Maybe when you have an extra minute or two today you will think on this a bit. What name is it that you would like to be named? How can you start living your life in that way today?

Peace to you this Holy week as you journey towards the cross. I will be specifically praying for all of those that read the blog this week...so please know that you are in my prayers.

Out on a Limb

Luke 19:1-10
"He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” 6So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”

It's funny, the song of Zacchaeus is one from Vacation Bible School that has stayed with me for 40 years or so. And even though, because of that song, I've known this story for most of my life, it has been a new revelation to study it all over again. I want to share with you a very simple summary of what I've been thinking about...and I hope you use the summary for reflection.

Zacchaeus, literally and figuratively went out on a limb for Jesus. Would I? Have I?

Have a blessed Saturday!

Martha and Mary

38Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” 41But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

It's the classic story, someone works harder than the others and then wants the ones that aren't working as hard to get up and DO SOMETHING! Jesus tells Martha that Mary's way is better...and we think to ourselves "seriously?!" She was lazy, we think (we would never say it out loud), Martha was in charge of the house and hospitality was essential for good dischipleship....no fair, we think. But it comes back to something so simple...and so important all over again. We talked about it just yesterday!

The key is not to focus on how others do or don't live, the key is to do our very best in the moments that we have to honor and follow Christ. Martha isn't scolded for her excellent hospitality, she is missing the big picture of pausing and focusing her attention on Christ, not on what Mary does or doesn't do.

Can you take a moment today to pause and focus on Christ? Focus on the sacrifice that Christ made for us? Maybe if we can do this we will be able to see more clearly the incredibly blessings that are all around us, just waiting for us to enjoy them.

Peace to you.

Blog to Come....

So sorry if you have checked today but didn't find an updated blog...I am having technical difficulties but am working it out! There will be a blog to come shortly.

It's Not About Me

The rich man is so caught up in his own life and possessions, he doesn't even see a starving man at his feet?! Not only does he miss Lazarus, but he misses the words of Moses and the prophets, again, because he is not paying attention. Or maybe more accurately he is only paying attention to himself.

In the last church I served we had a campaign talking about what church was all about...and we named it "It's not about me...." I LOVED that. It's such a flip-flop of ideas...to understand that we come into this community of faith intent on loving and caring for those around us. And we then trust that those around us will love and care for us, as well.

It's Not About Me...

Attitude is EVERYTHING

The rich young ruler asks Jesus how to obtain eternal life...and Jesus looks at him...LOVES HIM...and tells him that he needs to sell all that he owns and care for the poor. The man walks away sad. So...does that mean that we are all doomed?

I don't think so, I think this is about attitude. I think Jesus is talking to the rich young ruler about priorities, where his heart lies. In the text in Matthew 6:21 Jesus talks about our heart being where are treasure is...so don't store up your treasure where "moth and rust decay", but focus on eternity.

Those that are blessed with wealth play such a wonderful vital, roll in the church, when their eyes are turned towards eternity. We have some that just offer what they have so generously to lift up and care for those in need. They have an attitude of generosity and they seem to realize that giving generously doesn't take away from their abundance, instead it blesses them. They are wise with their finances, but not so frightened of it's loss that they won't share with others. It's as if they understand that when it's all said and done it's not about money at all...but about how we love and treat one another. What a wonderful attitude to cultivate!

*Part of having an attitude of thankfulness includes counting our blessings. What blessings to you have today that you are thankful for?

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

I LOVED Mr. Roger's neighborhood when I was a kid...and...well....I'm still really fond of it today. Caleb went through a short phase of wanting to watch it, too, which I thought was wonderful considering that the program was recorded years ago and has stood the test of time as far as a child's desire to enjoy it. Why? Because being kind to your neighbor (or to those you encounter along your life's journey) just doesn't go out of style. Mr. Rogers was all about building up the self-esteem of children and teaching them about the world that they live in, including caring for and being kind to those who are placed in our lives.

The Good Samaritan risks so much to care for someone in need...to be kind. I realize that it isn't always easy, or popular, or even safe, to be kind. But I know that it's good and right. Even in our anger and expression of pain, we can be kind. We can choose the words we use more carefully or even choose to not speak at all, which might be the kindest act of all in some circumstances. The point is we should make an effort to be a good neighbor. Isn't it interesting that it comes back to something that we learned as children? Hmmm....

As a special treat I found a wonderful little YouTube video tribute for Fred Rogers, who passed away in 2003. Here it is:

Mary, The First Missionary

Mary Magdalene. She certainly has become a woman of controversy as the years have marched on between the time of her living on this earth and now. We know that Jesus healed her and her life was transformed. She was with "the other Mary" at the tomb in the text that we read today. I could spend many hours writing about her and the various theories about her life, quoting source after source. She has become quite popular for scholars and even fictional novel writers.

However, I want to quote what someone said at Bible Study Wednesday night about her...and I suspect that he was quoting from something that he had heard before. Art said "Well, Mary was the first missionary." I paused...hmmm...I was thinking Paul and the missionary journeys in Acts...he went on to say "She was told by the angel in the tomb to run and go tell the others that Jesus is alive...and she did. She was the first missionary."

Interesting, the text tells us that the women are afraid, but also happy...and they run to tell the disciples the amazing news. And this is the good news of the Gospel that they had to share: Jesus was dead...now he is alive! Go tell the others! And the good news still remains: We can be touched by God and experience a resurrection in our own lives...that is the good news of Easter!

Run...go tell the others!

Well Written

I think that it's interesting that Luke wrote about 27% of the New Testament himself in the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. And even in the text we read for today we hear that the intent of Luke is to somehow, in an organized fashion, express the events that surrounded the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We certainly are the beneficiaries of his need to capture the events of the day!

Have you ever wondered what you are contributing in the world just now that will make a wonderful, lasting impact? I do...I want very much to leave the world a better place for my being in it. So if I care for someone who is in great need and it helps them survive through a really challenging time...I've done a good thing and it will effect the world for the better. And if I've written a blog that seems really simple but someone who needs a word of encouragement reads it and is lifted up...then I've done a good thing.

What about you? What "Lukan" act have you done that will make this world a better place?

It's tempting...

What is your greatest temptation? What was it for Jesus....power? Avoidance of death and the future that he was moving towards?

We are challenged today in a simple and profound way...resist temptation and it will flee from you. (James 4:7) See how it works today....let's do it together. When we face temptation we will be conscious in our resisting the devil.

*Join me in this day in praying for all of the others that read this blog and will make a choice to resist the evil that faces them.

To do Nothing

We talked about it at Bible Study last night...the fact that Pilate has become a villain...and yet he wasn't the only one involved in the death of Christ...the Jewish leaders certainly played their part as well.

What really was Pilate's sin? He obviously doesn't want to find Jesus guilty...he gives the crowd another choice in Barrabas, he continues to try to release Jesus, but he eventually gives in to the crowd, to those pressuring him, and even to his position. He does what his is supposed to do, according to his position. However....

It's a challenge, isn't it, to live outside of the opinion of others. And yet, to follow Christ and to accomplish our purpose in life we will need to do just that. Let's face it, we can't make everyone happy all of the time. It just isn't humanly possible! Instead of focusing our moral compass on those around us and their opinions (however good or not so good those opinions might be) it is infinitely better to focus on the opinion and teachings of Christ, as we understand them to apply to ourselves and our own situations. It is also a worthy challenge not to impose our judgments on those around us, as the pharisees did, but to understand that we are on a journey together and we are meant to love one another...to care for one another, not to tear each other apart but to lift one another up.

*Who can you encourage in this day? Don't let the sun go down without doing just that!!!! Go...NOW...encourage someone that needs you!!!!!

Fair is fair...right???

It only seems right....Jesus, we are working really hard for you...SO.....we want you to do anything we ask of you...just give us this one wish. In other words...we scratch your back and you scratch ours....

But, thank goodness, that's not how it works. The justice and mercy of God are not like ours. So often we see things in columns...you do this, I do this. You get this, I get this. It is all really on the surface. It doesn't take into account the whole person, the circumstances, the past, the present, the future...and it certainly doesn't reflect our ability to forgive and move on after someone has made a mistake. And when we look at things that way we become so focused on others...what THEY have or don't have...who THEY are, what THEY do....it's quite childish, actually. We expect children to act in this way, but part of our job as parents is to help our children understand that it's not for us to constantly compare ourselves and our possessions with others. We are to move beyond this behavior into a more mature form of communication, which takes into account many factors in processing information and relationships.

In essence, we are to become more Godly. Imagine that?! My prayer for us, for all of us, is that we will stop focusing on others and what they do and don't do, what they have and what we don't have...and be intentional about our own journey.

May we all be filled to overflowing today with God's grace, so much so that it splashes out of us and gets others wet!

In the Middle

I'm not sure where or who the quote comes from...but I've appreciated it.

"The truth is in the middle."

Have you ever heard that before? Jesus tells Thomas that those who believe and haven't seen are blessed. So, when we act on faith, we take leaps towards believing the unseen, we are blessed. However, I also believe that we are to engage our thinking minds as well. Jesus lived a life of discipline and study, he knew the texts of the Hebrew Bible, he went to the temple with his family...and then on his own! In this I see value, too.

So, when we hear of Thomas engaging his logic...of getting the wrap "Doubting Thomas"...we might scoff at him, but I think our lives should be made up of a balance of knowledge and faith. I believe in the unseen, but I also attempt to take time to understand what is visible, as well. I believe that the truth is in the middle.

*Would you ever name yourself as a "Doubting Thomas"?

To Live

I was in college when I learned the word "vivir". It's the Spanish word that means "to live". I remember after learning it in Spanish class that I kept using it in sentences...of course mixing Spanish and English because I am certainly not bilingual! Now, some 20 plus years later, I still love that word!!! It is so filled with energy, I'm not sure if it's the v sounds mixed w/ the trill of the r....but it makes me smile and want to move around..to get excited even.

Can you imagine what the women at the well must have experienced when she encountered Jesus? She is doing what she needs to do to exist...get water. She goes in mid-day, perhaps to avoid others so she doesn't face their judgments of her and her multiple husbands, and now the man that she is with but not married to. She is expecting her social status as a women, her past, her present, even the town and culture that she comes from to be a repellent for Jesus. However, he flips all of that around...and offers to her LIVING water. She encounters Jesus and he offers her a chance to move from merely surviving/existing to being ALIVE. He offers her a chance VIVIR (to live!).

*Have you experienced being alive in Christ "vivir"?
*Is there anyone in your life today who needs to hear the good news of Christ, that we can move from merely existing to being fully alive?

I hope your day today is filled with the sense of "vivir"!

Sight

We saw the movie "Shutter Island" last night. Yikes! It was so intense...and in some parts so very, very sad. It was interesting...when we came out of the theater I felt sort of dizzy, my perception was off just a bit. Because the main character in the movie has such a shift, or at least a perceived shift, in how he sees his reality, I was really shaken by that and felt kind of...well...creepy. (That's my technical/ professional, diagnosis!)

Jesus says to the Pharisees “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” ⁴⁰Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” ⁴¹Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”

It reminds me of a riddle, but more likely is reminiscent of the teachings of great philosophers, a turn of phrase and thought meant to make the listener pause and reflect, agree or disagree, and then mount a rebuttable or counter-argument. The section that grabs my attention is that Jesus came into this world so that those who do not see may see.

In a way I have felt that my whole life’s journey, especially my faith journey, has been a series of “waking up” moments thus far. As I continue to study scripture, to encounter God’s children, to experience nature, to feel loved and to love my family and friends…I wake up, over and over…or my blind eyes are given sight. It is my prayer that I continue this process; that I journey on in this life as a traveler waiting for the next encounter that will help me to see, as opposed to one who is just absolutely sure that my eyes have been opened completely and now you need to do it my way…end of story. Lord help us.

*What has been your most recent “eye-opening” experience?

*Are there people in your life who have been essential in your eyes being opened?

Appearances aren't Everything

Simon seemed to "have it all"...and yet.... It was customary for the day for him to have given Jesus a kiss as a greeting, to wash his feet, and to anoint him with perfume. He did none of these things...yet a women who was a known sinner enters into the picture, and lavishes expensive perfume on Jesus, and washes his feet with her tears and dries them with her hair!

I think it's easy to get caught up in appearances...and making snap judgments based solely upon what a person looks like, or what we perceive their reputation to be. And to a certain extent that is necessary in the world that we live in...but when we live ONLY that way, not looking beneath the surface, not giving ourselves the gift of time in getting to know a person, we become dangerously close to functioning like Simon the Pharisee did.

I tell you what, some of the most remarkable relationships that I have had have been unexpected. That is the beauty of taking the time to care for and get to know one another.

*Do you have any relationships that were unexpected?
*Do you ever find yourself in the position of Simon the Pharisee? What about the woman who is branded "a sinner"?

Grace

The story of the Prodigal Son helps us understand the love of God for us...that God's forgiveness is massive and complete. It's a story of grace. It's also a story about a family...and family dynamics. And family is wonderful...and can be very complicated. Take some time today to study the painting below, Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son. Do you notice anything that strikes you as interesting? Any insights into God's love for you?

Welcome Home

Hospitality....I love having people come to our home. I like fixing a good, home-cooked meal, I like sitting at the table with friends, I like laughing and telling stories, to hear their stories, to understand who they are and where they come from...I love all of it!

When I read this morning about Mary I think of her hospitality...but she was hospitable in a way that I could never understand...she was housing a prayer meeting...and then someone (Peter) who had just escaped prison (with the help of an angel!!!) shows up and gives them a message to pass along to the other believer's. Her hospitality, I suspect, could be more likened to those who ran the underground railroads that we have read about. Wow...what faith and brevity.

I wonder if we have ever had to be so brave about our faith in these days? Have you had an experience where you felt challenged and found it necessary to be bold to defend your faith in Jesus?

To share or not to share....

So...they were all hanging out together, living in community, and everything was shared. Their testimonies had great power, they were sharing the wonderful news of the resurrection of Jesus. Joseph gets his name changed to Barnabas (son of encouragement...what a great name!), he sells his field and donates the money to the cause...wow.

It sounds ideal, somehow, all working in sync. And Barnabas joins in, giving what he can to the cause...he enters in with all of his heart and all of his...well...field. We know later that Barnabas travels w/ Paul on many of his missionary journey's, helping others to come to know Christ.

I think I like this story because I love the concept of community. To journey together is what it's all about...we sang in church on Sunday "The Servant Song". I think it epitomizes this text today. Just click the center of the photo below to play the song. I hope this brightens your day. I hope your day is filled with joy!

Act or React?

Do you ever ponder whether you are acting or reacting? I suspect if we get technical about it we are all reacting to one stimulus or another, how could it be any other way? But, on a relationship level, are we choosing our responses to one another and circumstance, or are we simply going with the flow of the response around us?

I wonder if Cleopas and his Companion were caught up in the crowd response about the news surrounding Jesus, so they were sad...and disappointed that Jesus wasn't what they thought he was. Of course, if we would continue reading on in this passage they have their eyes opened to who Jesus is as they break bread with him later on. They have that "ah-ha" moment.

*If you are able to do so...pause for a few minutes in this day and ask yourself if you are acting or reacting to the people around you.
*What would you like to change in your relationships? Today is a great day to shift your thinking...and to have a new beginning!

Sons of Thunder

I love that James and John are referred to as "the sons of thunder"! In my head when I say that I hear an echo "thunder, thunder, thunder"....kind of like in big time wrestling, you know? Anyways...The fact that they are a bit impulsive...when people don't accept Jesus their solution is to rough them up... Now, you need to know that I'm not fond of this because I like violence and I think it's the answer to solving problems...because I don't. However, I love that these guys are normal and are shown in that way. They are human. As a matter of fact, in the book POP by Bishop-Driver he points out that John is transformed WHILE serving Jesus...not before. Well then...I guess I fit in just fine!

*What do you think of "the sons of thunder"?
*Do you find yourself thinking that you need to "transform" before you approach God or the church?

Seeker

Seeker. The term has been used so much in "churchy" circles...we have attempted to make our churches seeker-sensitive, paying attention to those who are not familiar with our customs/traditions and being thoughtful of their experience and entry into our worship times and gatherings. I'm certainly all for that...I get irritated when we use christian-ese... sometimes I think we should include a glossary of terms tucked inside our bulletins!

However, I also feel like we separate ourselves from folks when we place a label on them...we name visitors or those who aren't regular attenders in any congreagation "unchurched" or "seekers"...and I have also heard the term "pre-christian". I understand the need to classify so we can understand and reach out...I get it...I just really, really don't like labeling folks. Somehow it seems to place us in a superior role. And if I really get at that frustration I will admit that I don't like being labeled. Bishop Rueben Job in his book Three Simple Rules speaks of this and how painful it is for us and for the church. (This is a very small, but very amazing book by the way. I am including a link for the book right here .)

Nicodemus comes to Jesus as a "seeker" (oh...there's that word again!), or one who is open to seeing truth from a different angle than what he is used to. He is a leader of the Pharisees...and yet....he greets Jesus with "Rabbi" and seeks to understand the wisdom that he can share. Okay...so I'll admit it...if you HAVE to give me a label I think seeker would be all right. I WANT to be considered a seeker...to always want to expand my knowledge of Christ and faith....to learn from those that God places in my path on a daily basis. I want to see faith with brand new eyes. I'm so thankful for what I've learned, but there is so much more to experience! Thanks be to God for Nicodemus, the seeker.

Only one question today.....

*Are you a seeker?

A NEW DAY

It's a brand new day...in the moment that I write this the sun is rising (one of my favorite things in the world is a beautiful sunrise, by the way), I see BLUE sky, I have gotten enough sleep last night, our house is clean, my child is peacefully sleeping, my husband has kissed me goodbye and gone off to work...all feels right in my world in this moment. I want to freeze time...just freeze it for a bit....to enjoy the bliss.

I wonder if that is what Simeon felt...the fulfillment of God's promise to him had happened...he was meeting the Saviour, Jesus. What an amazing event...to be present at the consecration of Jesus...I thought Caleb's baptism was really amazing...can you imagination the blessing of Jesus???!!!!

I really believe that God intends good things for us all, for us to be fulfilled and happy. That doesn't mean that we won't experience suffering, but we should remember that sorrow may last for a night...but JOY comes in the morning.

*What do you have TODAY to be thankful for?
*Have you had a "Simeon" moment, when your hopes/plans were fulfilled?

ps...thanks for reading the blog!!!

Sacrifice

I say that I will sacrifice, but I truly don't understand what that means. Oh, I give so much time and energy, because that's what I have to offer God. But Stephen...what a sad, frustrating, amazing story. And we catch a glimpse of Paul...well, at the time he is Saul...talk about a life change.

I don't believe that we all have to give or do the same thing...we are who we are and we give what we can at any given time of our journey...I'm not about comparing myself to others, but it is important for me to know that I am doing what I am able and called to do....to live for God in the best way that I know how. God help me.

*What do you think of sacrificing for God?
*How do you "live for God"?

An Open Heart

Lydia...we don't have much information about her. She was a merchant that sold very fine cloth, she was curious about faith and Jesus, her heart was opened and she received the news of Jesus as God's son...she followed him and introduced others in her sphere of influence to do the same, she was hospitable and invited the followers on Christ to stay with her in her home.

Simple...she was seeking faith, seeking truth...she was gathered with others for prayer and discussion. She hears Pauls message and her life changes forever. Sometimes the stories we hear about faith are so amazing and BIG...and sometimes they are amazing and really quite...normal (whatever normal might be?!).

*How did you encounter Christ for the first time? Was your heart opened and did you receive him right away...or did it take some time for you to process it all?

*Lydia is so faithful in sharing her faith with other in her life...how are you doing with that?

Mercy, Not Sacrifice

Is it just me, or does this text about Matthew just scream “STOP BEING SO JUDGMENTAL??!!!” Is it the mood I’m in this morning as I compose this? Could it be that I’ve overhead a conversation that irritated me in regards to this…or read a newspaper…or even worse…could it be that I experienced this within myself?? Heaven help us (and I DO mean ALL of us)!

Jesus reminds all of us this morning to be merciful, to stop dividing us versus them. To live together in Christian fellowship…for those of you who were at COS yesterday morning this might start sounding familiar, apparently I wasn’t quite done preaching yet!

Jesus says to Matthew “Follow Me”, and he is still asking us today, “Follow Me”. When we do just that we are not given an exclusive pathway that is just for us alone…no, we join many others on a pathway that is beautifully scattered with other souls that we have the privilege to journey beside. Thanks be to God we are not on the pathway alone!

*In the text today which person do you most resonate with?
*Have you chosen to Follow Christ?

Parts of the Whole

The story of Caiaphas, the High Priest, reminds me of a large puzzle coming together. He is one piece of the whole in how the crucifixion of Christ took place. In the moments of that meeting, when the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and the question was posed "What should we do?"...can you imagine if someone would have said..."Well...Jesus is wise and seems to have amazing insight. Maybe we should rethink this whole thing and should, perhaps, listen to him."

Of course, the prophets had foretold what was to come, and Caiaphas was responding to a prophesy that he had made...but it still makes us see that there were so many different moments of the story leading to the crucifixion, and how one moment may seem insignificant, but it leads to something larger.

I want to make my "moments" count. I hope that as I go along life's journey that I am able to realize, little by little, that I am building an entire life-time of moments.

*What will you do TODAY that will lead to something greater tomorrow? Will you connect w/ a friend? How about love and support your children? Will you do something to serve the church?

*Were the words of Caiaphas inevitable...or did he make a choice?

Jairus, Mark 5:21-43

21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered round him; and he was by the lake. ²²Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet ²³and begged him repeatedly, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.’ ²⁴So he went with him.

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. ²⁵Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. ²⁶She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. ²⁷She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, ²⁸for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.’ ²⁹Immediately her haemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. ³⁰Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ ³¹And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?” ’ ³²He looked all round to see who had done it. ³³But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. ³⁴He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’

35 While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’ ³⁶But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ ³⁷He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. ³⁸When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. ³⁹When he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ ⁴⁰And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. ⁴¹He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha cum’, which means, ‘Little girl, get up!’ ⁴²And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. ⁴³He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Jairus doesn't surprise me in his desperation for his child's healing...as a parent I'd do anything to help Caleb that I could, at this point I've not been pressed to that point and I pray that I never am. But I believe that I'd do anything to help him. So my focus in this scripture and the person of Jairus is the challenge that it must have been to hear the words of Jesus, "Do not fear, just believe", after it seemed that all hope was lost.

I want to challenge you...and I challenge myself...to live this entire day with that thought playing over and over again in our heads. Now, I don't think this is to be said in a callous, get over it, kind of a way. Instead, I think it is expressed with a love and kindness that looks beyond the surface of circumstance into the great unknown and understands that God is present in the midst of all of our circumstances, good, bad and all of those things in between. So...we have a conflict at work and feel shaken up by it "Do not fear, just believe". We hear of rumors of war and terrorist acts in the news "Do not fear, just believe". Our loved ones are struggling with disease "Do not fear, just believe".

Do Not Fear...Just Believe....

Zechariah and Elizabeth, Luke 1:5-22

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. 8 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. 13But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 16He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ 18Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ 19The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’ 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. 22When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak.

We might marvel at Zechariah and his questioning of the angel of the Lord...but sometimes it is harder for those of us who have been in the church for years and years and years to see the hand of God at work. Maybe because we somehow "get used to" seeing God in action, maybe we become a bit more cynical? I know that as a pastor I enjoy the wise insights of the saints of our church...but I so enjoy the insights of those who haven't been in the church their entire lives because they see things in such a fresh, exciting way.

I liken it to the joy that I experience as I watch Caleb, our 5-year-old, discover the amazing world around him. I have scrapbooks filled with pictures of "first-times". Maybe somewhere in heaven God has scrapbooks with our first-time pictures?!! "Oh...here is Becky when she first experienced a rainbow...look at the wonder on her face! And there she is when she really grasped that I love her unconditionally...isn't she beautiful??!"

*What insight about God really AMAZES you today?
*Have you ever received a miracle such as Zechariah and Elizabeth did?

Jesus Christ, John 1:1-18

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 15(John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) 16From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.


When I read this text the section that jumps out at me is this THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS...AND THE DARKNESS DOESN'T OVERCOME IT. I think it jumps out at me because that phrase seems to tell our story.

Know what I mean?

Each and everyone of us has a story...especially of the things that have been hard, those things that could really break our hearts if we let them. But...the light shines in the darkness and the darkness doesn't overcome it. We lose a job, a relationship ends, a loved one passes away...and the light shines in OUR darkness...and the darkness doesn't overcome it. I'm so glad that all of the ways that Christ is portrayed in the scripture, in the very beginning of the book of John Jesus is potrayed as "LIGHT".

*What part of the above text jumped out at you today...why?
*Do you have a story of Jesus being the light in your darkness?
*How can you shine the light of Christ in another's life today?

John the Baptist, John 1:6-34

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 15(John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) 16From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ 20He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ 21And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ 22Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ 23He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord” ’, as the prophet Isaiah said.
24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ 26John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ 28This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” 31I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ 32And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” 34And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

John the Baptist was the "voice of one crying out in the wilderness"...John is known for his devout faith, he was an "all or nothing" kind of a fella...and he was faithful all the way.

During this season of Lent we are given an opportunity to serve others and also to reflect upon our own faith journey. In light of John's amazing, even "larger than life" faith...I have a few questions that we might ponder....

*When John baptizes Jesus he sees a dove from heaven and also hears God's voice...have you ever sensed God's presence in such a "real" or "tangible" way?

*Does John's faith challenge you in your own faith journey?

*Do you "cry out in the wilderness" about your faith in Christ?

Joseph, Matthew 1:18-25

¹⁸This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

²⁰But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

²²All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" which means, "God with us."

²⁴When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. ²⁵But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Now...I've been wanting to write about Joseph...or at least something more positive than Herod :) . Joseph seems to me to be the ultimate "good-guy". Shocked by the news of his betrothed and her pregnancy he is going to quietly divorce her (this is a very kind act in light of the circumstances...think of the many other ways in which Joseph could have responded?!), but instead he encounters an angel in a dream (not as uncommon as it might seem to us today...Joseph has it happen 3 times), he trusts himself and his dream (and ultimately God), and he follows through.

*I want to challenge you today to choose one word that really describes Joseph...just one...and then figure out why that is the word that you chose...and maybe even how/why it applies in your own life. And if you feel so inclined..comment about it below so we can all grow from your life experience as well.

Mary, Luke 1:26-56

Luke 1:26-56

26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

39In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” 46And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” 56And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

So much can be said about Mary...If you are following along w/ us in the POP book by Driver-Bishop I think that you will enjoy the writings about her today, especially the focus on "the Magnificat" the section of scripture, Luke 1:46-56.

Just recently I preached a sermon from this section of text as part of a larger series that myself and a small group of "pastor-type" friends did together. As a matter-of-fact, here is the link to the video (click on the word video) that I recorded going along w/ that scripture, if you weren't w/ us in church that Sunday and you feel so inclined to watch.

"Nothing is Impossible w/ God"....OH YEAH....that's what I'm talking about!!!! Mary is a wonderful example of the miraculous on so many levels....a young woman becoming the mother of God...What??!!! I have a pillow that hangs in my office, it's hung there ever since I received the wonderful news of our son, Caleb's, imminent arrival. On the pillow these words are embroidered "I Believe in Miracles"...yes I do.

*Do you believe in miracles...why? (This is a REALLY good place to jump into the blog...tell us your story :) )

Herod, Matthew 2:13-23

Matthew 2:13-23

¹³Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” ¹⁴Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, ¹⁵and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

¹⁶When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. ¹⁷Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: ¹⁸“A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”

¹⁹When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ²⁰“Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” ²¹Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. ²²But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. ²³There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”

I'll admit that it's taking a lot of my discipline to focus on writing and reflecting on Herod in this section instead of Joseph and his faithfulness, and even Joseph's willingness to get up, take his wife and child to a different land, based on a dream. (okay...I just focused on Joseph by writing that...oops!) We will get to Joseph in 3 days!

Anyways...Herod. Herod who was jealous of Jesus, who at times even referred to himself as the "King of the Jews", "POP, Driver-Bishop, p 7", ultimately decided that his best course of action was to kill all children that were even close to the age that Jesus would have been. It is about this act that the haunting scripture is written and words of prophecy are fulfilled “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” Just reading those words makes my heart sad...

It's amazing what Herod does in the face of possible loss of power. Maybe I shouldn't be amazed...Herod certainly isn't alone in his quest to be the most powerful, the best, the brightest, the most elevated, etc... And I am certainly not above examining myself and wondering what part of Herod dwells within me as well. Sobering thoughts...

*Have you done any soul-searching recently?

*What is it about Herod that elicits our negative response...not just his actions...but about who he is?

*How can you/I step out of the places that we find ourselves acting "Herodian" or "Herodish" :) ?