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...