9 The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made. -Psalm 145:9
I spoke with a woman yesterday who almost all her family lives in Alabama. She had been busy at work and hadn't heard any news of the storms, but when she got home she turned on the T.V. to images of her hometown... or what used to be her hometown. She said it was three gut-wrenching hours before she was able to contact family to find out that they were all physically fine. They did however lose homes and businesses to the storms. She said she had lived in that town for most of her life and knew a lot of people there, but she didn't lose anyone she knew.
My first impulse was to say, "Thank God!" or "God is good!" But what about the families that did lose loved ones? They are probably not feeling so thankful right now. And is God only good when good things happen to us? It is usually only in our joys that we use such phrases. And if this woman had told me that she had lost a friend or loved one in the tornadoes, how rude it would have been to reply with "God is good!"
We do know that God IS good ALL the time. But how do we convince ourselves of that truth with the earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and tornadoes that have ravaged the earth in the last couple of months?
Many years ago, insurance companies began labeling these natural disasters as "acts of God." So in most of our minds, we see God's hand directing these events... pulling them away from the path of some people and guiding them right into the lives of others. But is that really what's happening?
These natural disasters are necessary for the earth and are part of the plan of creation. I once heard a wonderful sermon on the topic that said in essence that nature and mankind are separate creations that often conflict with each other. Sometimes creation wreaks havoc with mankind and sometimes mankind wreaks havoc on creation. Sometimes nature's purposes are at odds with humans and sometimes our purposes bring destruction upon the environment.
It is so painful though when these natural disasters take lives or ruin lives. But God IS good. He is right there to walk with us through the pain. He is there bringing community together in amazing ways for support. And he is there to heal.
God's love never shines brighter than after catastrophes of these magnitudes. Our hearts are moved to compassion to give finacially or to join with mission groups to take time from our own lives to help others rebuild.
God IS good all the time. Sometimes we just need to wait for the pain to subside before we see it.
Father,
There are so many in our world and in our own region who are suffering right now. Ease their pain enough for them to remember that you are good and you are there for them and you will heal their pain and you will heal our land. Amen.
Joys: Mike was not hurt badly in his accident; quiet mornings; Friday
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Peace Be With You
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” -John 20:19
I love this verse. It shows Jesus as the active one in our relationship with him. There is nothing we need to do. He comes to us when we need him, we don't have to "conjure" him up with prayer or worship.
Can you imagine the disciple's fear on that Sunday before they understood what had happened? The Jewish leaders are angry, the Romans are suspicious, and the disciples are confused and in fear of their very lives. So they lock themselves behind a door. But Jesus comes into their midst with a message of peace.
Have you ever been in that place where you are so afraid that you can't even ask God for help... because you are afraid he won't... or because your deepest fear is that he might not really even be there. We lock the doors of our heart so that we can't be disappointed.
But Jesus finds his way in anyway, heedless of the locked door and UNINVITED!! It may be through a caring friend, or a compassionate doctor, or even someone completely unexpected who comes to you in your fear and in your time of need and speaks Christs words, "Peace be with you!" and suddenly that's exactly what you feel... peace.
Yes, the circumstances that brought you to fear are still there, but it doesn't scare you anymore. You know that Jesus is there and he will walk down the very Valley of the Shadows of Death with you and no matter what happens, it WILL be okay.
Peace be with you.
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for recognizing that we might sometimes be too afraid to even call upon you and taking the initiative to come anyway. Amen.
Joys: Good advice from a friend; being able to sleep through storms rather than being up all night worrying about them; staying connected through photos and updates with family through Facebook... technology can be amazing
I love this verse. It shows Jesus as the active one in our relationship with him. There is nothing we need to do. He comes to us when we need him, we don't have to "conjure" him up with prayer or worship.
Can you imagine the disciple's fear on that Sunday before they understood what had happened? The Jewish leaders are angry, the Romans are suspicious, and the disciples are confused and in fear of their very lives. So they lock themselves behind a door. But Jesus comes into their midst with a message of peace.
Have you ever been in that place where you are so afraid that you can't even ask God for help... because you are afraid he won't... or because your deepest fear is that he might not really even be there. We lock the doors of our heart so that we can't be disappointed.
But Jesus finds his way in anyway, heedless of the locked door and UNINVITED!! It may be through a caring friend, or a compassionate doctor, or even someone completely unexpected who comes to you in your fear and in your time of need and speaks Christs words, "Peace be with you!" and suddenly that's exactly what you feel... peace.
Yes, the circumstances that brought you to fear are still there, but it doesn't scare you anymore. You know that Jesus is there and he will walk down the very Valley of the Shadows of Death with you and no matter what happens, it WILL be okay.
Peace be with you.
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for recognizing that we might sometimes be too afraid to even call upon you and taking the initiative to come anyway. Amen.
Joys: Good advice from a friend; being able to sleep through storms rather than being up all night worrying about them; staying connected through photos and updates with family through Facebook... technology can be amazing
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
An Easter Sermon
I read a wonderful (but short) Easter sermon by Nadia Bolz-Weber, a Lutheran pastor in Denver Colorado. I would like to offer it as my devotional today....
http://sarcasticlutheran.typepad.com/sarcastic_lutheran/2011/04/easter-sunrise-sermon-for-red-rocks.html
Lord,
We have a way of trying to "clean up" your stories that, because they are so interactive with humans, are supposed to be messy. Thank you for entering our mess and saving us from ourselves. Amen.
Joys: The aromas of Spring: freshly cut grass, rain, flowers... all mixed together; time with Cecelia yesterday
http://sarcasticlutheran.typepad.com/sarcastic_lutheran/2011/04/easter-sunrise-sermon-for-red-rocks.html
Lord,
We have a way of trying to "clean up" your stories that, because they are so interactive with humans, are supposed to be messy. Thank you for entering our mess and saving us from ourselves. Amen.
Joys: The aromas of Spring: freshly cut grass, rain, flowers... all mixed together; time with Cecelia yesterday
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Out of the Boat
[Jesus] said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. –Matthew 14:29
This is one of my very favorite Bible stories. At Holy Cross, we have often talked about “getting out of the boat” – trying something new and maybe a little scary. I’ve learned how to do that through the years though sometimes I’m better at it than others. But I LOVE watching others “get out of the boat”… especially for the first time. It changes them. It is one of the most powerful ways Jesus has of working in us.
It’s true that you can’t walk on water unless you get out of the boat. It is our own decision to get out of the boat. Jesus can’t make us do that. We have to be willing to do it on our own. We are the ones that have to trust Jesus. But we certainly can’t depend on ourselves for the miracle of the actual walking on the water. That is Jesus’ work. Without his help, we will certainly drown. But we can depend on Jesus to keep us steady. All we need do is keep our eyes on him and have faith.
Lord Jesus,
Give us courage to step out of our comfortable boats and really walk on water with you. I give you thanks for all of those times we do and we see that you will do amazing things through us. Amen
Joys: Wildflowers; excitement of a new baby coming into the world; listening to music
This is one of my very favorite Bible stories. At Holy Cross, we have often talked about “getting out of the boat” – trying something new and maybe a little scary. I’ve learned how to do that through the years though sometimes I’m better at it than others. But I LOVE watching others “get out of the boat”… especially for the first time. It changes them. It is one of the most powerful ways Jesus has of working in us.
It’s true that you can’t walk on water unless you get out of the boat. It is our own decision to get out of the boat. Jesus can’t make us do that. We have to be willing to do it on our own. We are the ones that have to trust Jesus. But we certainly can’t depend on ourselves for the miracle of the actual walking on the water. That is Jesus’ work. Without his help, we will certainly drown. But we can depend on Jesus to keep us steady. All we need do is keep our eyes on him and have faith.
Lord Jesus,
Give us courage to step out of our comfortable boats and really walk on water with you. I give you thanks for all of those times we do and we see that you will do amazing things through us. Amen
Joys: Wildflowers; excitement of a new baby coming into the world; listening to music
Monday, April 25, 2011
Tithe or Offering?
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.-Psalm 96:8
Tithe/Offering... is it the same? I think they are as different as Old Testament and New Testament. As different as Law and Grace. As different as "have to" and "want to."
It is so funny to hear folks talk about tithing. They say things like "It only starts at 10% of your income." And then they ask questions like, "Is it before or after taxes?" or "Is that just from work income or also from investments, etc.?" As someone who occasionally counts the church offering, I've seen obvious tithes come in... obvious because they are written to the penny.
A tithe is a lot for most people and I am not criticizing those who tithe, because it is a very good discipline. But for many that's exactly what it is: discipline, in every sense of the word. It can feel almost like punishment - God gives me so much, so I MUST give 10%. Often it is these same people who struggle with giving anything else, because they feel like they give "their part."
On the other hand, there is "offering." Even the word sounds so much freer... a response of the heart, not the conscience. A response of love, not fear. A response of thanksgiving, not of obedience.
You see, the thing is, when we think of all God gives us and all the grace with which he showers us, even our 10% is obviously not enough. We can't give enough. Even if we gave it ALL, it still would not be enough. We just cannot out-give God.
After our wonderful Easter service yesterday, Pastor Chad remarked on a very visual lesson on this topic. As he was saying the words "we do not give as we ought, but only as we are able" he watched Cecelia dance to the offering song.... (A big thank you to Dan Barker for catching this on video for me!):
Cecelia owns no material things of her own. But she has this talent and she has great joy in her heart. At 2 1/2 she doesn't know much about Jesus, but she recognizes that he is good and I think on some level she knows that he loves to watch her dance as much as her Kaymee and Opah do.
By all means, give 10% or more if you want or can... but don't "tithe." Instead make an offering... not as you ought, but as you are able... and as your heart moves you.
Lord God,
As I am once again reminded of the "Greatest Story Ever Told," I know without a doubt that I can never, ever give enough. Help me to recognize times when I can truly give an "offering." Give me a generous and loving spirit. Amen.
Joys: Watching ushers bring in folding chairs for more room at Easter worship; Getting unexpected time with Cecelia yesterday; wonderful Spring weather
bring an offering and come into his courts.-Psalm 96:8
Tithe/Offering... is it the same? I think they are as different as Old Testament and New Testament. As different as Law and Grace. As different as "have to" and "want to."
It is so funny to hear folks talk about tithing. They say things like "It only starts at 10% of your income." And then they ask questions like, "Is it before or after taxes?" or "Is that just from work income or also from investments, etc.?" As someone who occasionally counts the church offering, I've seen obvious tithes come in... obvious because they are written to the penny.
A tithe is a lot for most people and I am not criticizing those who tithe, because it is a very good discipline. But for many that's exactly what it is: discipline, in every sense of the word. It can feel almost like punishment - God gives me so much, so I MUST give 10%. Often it is these same people who struggle with giving anything else, because they feel like they give "their part."
On the other hand, there is "offering." Even the word sounds so much freer... a response of the heart, not the conscience. A response of love, not fear. A response of thanksgiving, not of obedience.
You see, the thing is, when we think of all God gives us and all the grace with which he showers us, even our 10% is obviously not enough. We can't give enough. Even if we gave it ALL, it still would not be enough. We just cannot out-give God.
After our wonderful Easter service yesterday, Pastor Chad remarked on a very visual lesson on this topic. As he was saying the words "we do not give as we ought, but only as we are able" he watched Cecelia dance to the offering song.... (A big thank you to Dan Barker for catching this on video for me!):
Cecelia owns no material things of her own. But she has this talent and she has great joy in her heart. At 2 1/2 she doesn't know much about Jesus, but she recognizes that he is good and I think on some level she knows that he loves to watch her dance as much as her Kaymee and Opah do.
By all means, give 10% or more if you want or can... but don't "tithe." Instead make an offering... not as you ought, but as you are able... and as your heart moves you.
Lord God,
As I am once again reminded of the "Greatest Story Ever Told," I know without a doubt that I can never, ever give enough. Help me to recognize times when I can truly give an "offering." Give me a generous and loving spirit. Amen.
Joys: Watching ushers bring in folding chairs for more room at Easter worship; Getting unexpected time with Cecelia yesterday; wonderful Spring weather
Saturday, April 23, 2011
In-Between Day
55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. -Luke 23:55-56
We had a very moving Good Friday service last night. I always thought of the slamming noise at the end of the service as symbolizing the tomb slamming shut. But in discussing the preparation of the service with Pastor Chad, he pointed out a different way of looking at it. He said to him, it symbolizes the closing of a book... the end of a story. And the beginning of a new story. Wow! I like that. I liked it even more when I thought about it that way when I heard the noise at the end of the service last night. It held a sense of hope... the same hope I felt as the Christ candle re-entered the sanctuary as Pastor Chad read from John 1.
It helps to bring that sense of anticipation to this Saturday... this "in-between" day. What a strange day it is. It was the day the disciples were most confused. It was a day of grieving for them. It was a day of asking, "What do we do now?"
Today, we know the rest of the story. But still... after a moving Good Friday service, we tend to ask ourselves, will it still happen? When we come to church on Sunday will the black be replaced with white and gold? Will the brass be shined and placed back on the altar? Will the emptiness be filled with the strong scent of lilies? Will the solemn music be replaced with joyful hymns and songs? Will the "alleluias" be back?
What if we walked into our Sanctuary on Sunday and found Good Friday still there? It would suck all the "good" out of that Friday, wouldn't it? Even the hope of that Christ candle would be gone.
I pray each one of us will go to church this Sunday with that sense of anticipation with a little nagging doubt of "what if?"... "What if" it doesn't happen this year? What joy we will find when it does happen once again!
Father,
Open our hearts to the wonder and amazement and awe that Easter holds. Thank you that I know it WILL happen again this year. Amen.
Joys: The great job Anna Rose did as acolyte last night; Kevin coming to Good Friday service; Richard at home.
We had a very moving Good Friday service last night. I always thought of the slamming noise at the end of the service as symbolizing the tomb slamming shut. But in discussing the preparation of the service with Pastor Chad, he pointed out a different way of looking at it. He said to him, it symbolizes the closing of a book... the end of a story. And the beginning of a new story. Wow! I like that. I liked it even more when I thought about it that way when I heard the noise at the end of the service last night. It held a sense of hope... the same hope I felt as the Christ candle re-entered the sanctuary as Pastor Chad read from John 1.
It helps to bring that sense of anticipation to this Saturday... this "in-between" day. What a strange day it is. It was the day the disciples were most confused. It was a day of grieving for them. It was a day of asking, "What do we do now?"
Today, we know the rest of the story. But still... after a moving Good Friday service, we tend to ask ourselves, will it still happen? When we come to church on Sunday will the black be replaced with white and gold? Will the brass be shined and placed back on the altar? Will the emptiness be filled with the strong scent of lilies? Will the solemn music be replaced with joyful hymns and songs? Will the "alleluias" be back?
What if we walked into our Sanctuary on Sunday and found Good Friday still there? It would suck all the "good" out of that Friday, wouldn't it? Even the hope of that Christ candle would be gone.
I pray each one of us will go to church this Sunday with that sense of anticipation with a little nagging doubt of "what if?"... "What if" it doesn't happen this year? What joy we will find when it does happen once again!
Father,
Open our hearts to the wonder and amazement and awe that Easter holds. Thank you that I know it WILL happen again this year. Amen.
Joys: The great job Anna Rose did as acolyte last night; Kevin coming to Good Friday service; Richard at home.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Skipping John 19?
16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. John 19:16-18
Good Friday: the darkness before the light; the storm before the rainbow. The battle before the victory. How tempting it is to just skip John 19 and jump right to chapter 20... no torture, no thirsting, no emotional pain, no defeat. Many people do just that... they skip John 19 and go right to chapter 20. And what they get is a hollow Easter. What good is a victory without a struggle?
It would be great to skip the cancer diagnosis and go right to the clean PET scan, but there is so much more joy in good health when we've experienced sickness.
It would be great to go right from school to the "best job ever," but it is through the not-so-great-jobs and periods of unemployment that we discover what the "best job ever" looks like for us.
It would be great to skip the hurts and fights and almost-breaking-ups to celebrate 50 years of marriage, but it is the hurts and fights and almost-breaking-ups that make our love strong enough to endure those 50 years.
No Good Friday would take all the best stuff out of Easter Sunday. With no Good Friday there would have been no sacrifice. No sacrifice, no atonement. No atonement, no resurrection for us. No resurrection, no Easter.
Good Friday is a tough day to get through. But we know the rest of the story. It was much harder for Jesus' followers on that first Good Friday. Let's gather to hear the story once again. Let us hold it in our hearts until we can receive the Good News of pure joy we will hear on Easter morning.
Lord Jesus,
Help us to walk the entire journey with you so that we are better prepared for the joy of Sunday. Thank you for your your love and your sacrifice and your work on the cross. Amen.
Joys: Wonderful Maundy Thursday worship; hardest work week of the year almost over; Daniel's excitement over preparing Cecelia's Easter basket.
Good Friday: the darkness before the light; the storm before the rainbow. The battle before the victory. How tempting it is to just skip John 19 and jump right to chapter 20... no torture, no thirsting, no emotional pain, no defeat. Many people do just that... they skip John 19 and go right to chapter 20. And what they get is a hollow Easter. What good is a victory without a struggle?
It would be great to skip the cancer diagnosis and go right to the clean PET scan, but there is so much more joy in good health when we've experienced sickness.
It would be great to go right from school to the "best job ever," but it is through the not-so-great-jobs and periods of unemployment that we discover what the "best job ever" looks like for us.
It would be great to skip the hurts and fights and almost-breaking-ups to celebrate 50 years of marriage, but it is the hurts and fights and almost-breaking-ups that make our love strong enough to endure those 50 years.
No Good Friday would take all the best stuff out of Easter Sunday. With no Good Friday there would have been no sacrifice. No sacrifice, no atonement. No atonement, no resurrection for us. No resurrection, no Easter.
Good Friday is a tough day to get through. But we know the rest of the story. It was much harder for Jesus' followers on that first Good Friday. Let's gather to hear the story once again. Let us hold it in our hearts until we can receive the Good News of pure joy we will hear on Easter morning.
Lord Jesus,
Help us to walk the entire journey with you so that we are better prepared for the joy of Sunday. Thank you for your your love and your sacrifice and your work on the cross. Amen.
Joys: Wonderful Maundy Thursday worship; hardest work week of the year almost over; Daniel's excitement over preparing Cecelia's Easter basket.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A New Commandment (NOT a New Suggustion)
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” -John 13:34-35
We will never win the world for Christ if we don't get this ONE commandment right.
Lord Jesus,
Forgive us. Daily we fail to love one another. We gossip and judge and reject. Help us Lord. Remind us of your new commandment each time we are faced with the decision to love or to belittle... to love or reject... to love or to hate. Thank you for loving us even though we will fail again and again. Amen.
Joys: a loving church family; good books; lunch with family
- A church is split apart by church politics after months of name-calling and mud-slinging. People on both sides of the issue feel betrayed, hurt and slandered. Jesus says, "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
- A couple enters church on Sunday, obviously not one of us. Piercings and tattoos set them apart and their ragged clothes prove that they probably could not contribute much to the church budget. They are not warmly welcomed as other visitors are. Jesus says, "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
- A church member is having a difficult time with her marriage. Whenever she is not around, she is the topic of vicious gossip. Jesus says, "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
- At a fellowship event, someone is left to eat at a table alone. Jesus says, "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
- A pastor at a funeral tells the grieving family, "It is too late for the deceased. Make sure you accept Jesus now before it is too late for you!" Jesus says, "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
- A pastor fails to meet all of the congregation's expectations. He/she and his/her family are treated poorly (sometimes horribly) until they feel they have no choice but to search for another call. Jesus says, "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
We will never win the world for Christ if we don't get this ONE commandment right.
Lord Jesus,
Forgive us. Daily we fail to love one another. We gossip and judge and reject. Help us Lord. Remind us of your new commandment each time we are faced with the decision to love or to belittle... to love or reject... to love or to hate. Thank you for loving us even though we will fail again and again. Amen.
Joys: a loving church family; good books; lunch with family
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Wisdom
12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” -John 16:12
-15
It certainly is true that the older we get, the more wisdom we have. We just can't learn wisdom. It is something that is born only of experience and trial and error. I sure wish I had even half the wisdom I have now when I was raising young children. I can see how I would have done many things differently. But now that I can impart wisdom to my adult children on the art of raising children, they view my "wisdom" as out-dated thinking. ... just can't win...
I loved the book, "Tuesdays with Morrie." It is great to see wisdom imparted and accepted as such. If only we all could recognize true wisdom when we hear it. But sometimes we even have trouble recognizing our own wisdom as we develop it. It would be great if each one of us could leave behind a legacy of our own hard-earned wisdom in written form when we die.
Jesus did much more than that. He knew what was coming and knew also that he had so much more to teach... much too much to write down. Jesus had wisdom not only for that time, but wisdom for ages to come. How could he possibly write all that down?
Of course we have the Bible, but have you read the Bible?? It takes a great deal of wisdom to understand much of it as God intended it to be understood. Just look at all the different flavors of Christianity out there, each representing their own understanding of how God intended us to understand the Bible.
So Jesus left us with much better than the written word. He left us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit imparts God's wisdom to each of us.
So why do we still have so many religions and so many denominations and so many divisions of even the various denominations? I think it is part of that wisdom that is imparted to us by the Holy Spirit. We are all so different. We all tend to focus on different attributes of God that help us to worship Him truly in Spirit and in Truth. None of us have the whole truth, and all of us are wrong on some points. But the Holy Spirit allows our humanity even in our worship and guides us to the most important aspects of the truth. Some things, God will just show us later.
In the meantime, we should take full advantage of the Wisdom Jesus left for us in the gift of the Holy Spirit. It can't be done without prayer. If we have any wisdom of our own, it should be the wisdom to pray, pray, pray.
Thank you Jesus for not leaving us as orphans, but sending us the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us. Help us to take advantage of this wonderful gift through the discipline of regular and constant prayer. Amen.
Joys: "Help" writing my devotion from Cecelia; dancing, reading Dr. Suess books, making shadow puppets and all the other joys of being a small child through the eyes of a grandchild; Holy week.
-15
It certainly is true that the older we get, the more wisdom we have. We just can't learn wisdom. It is something that is born only of experience and trial and error. I sure wish I had even half the wisdom I have now when I was raising young children. I can see how I would have done many things differently. But now that I can impart wisdom to my adult children on the art of raising children, they view my "wisdom" as out-dated thinking. ... just can't win...
I loved the book, "Tuesdays with Morrie." It is great to see wisdom imparted and accepted as such. If only we all could recognize true wisdom when we hear it. But sometimes we even have trouble recognizing our own wisdom as we develop it. It would be great if each one of us could leave behind a legacy of our own hard-earned wisdom in written form when we die.
Jesus did much more than that. He knew what was coming and knew also that he had so much more to teach... much too much to write down. Jesus had wisdom not only for that time, but wisdom for ages to come. How could he possibly write all that down?
Of course we have the Bible, but have you read the Bible?? It takes a great deal of wisdom to understand much of it as God intended it to be understood. Just look at all the different flavors of Christianity out there, each representing their own understanding of how God intended us to understand the Bible.
So Jesus left us with much better than the written word. He left us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit imparts God's wisdom to each of us.
So why do we still have so many religions and so many denominations and so many divisions of even the various denominations? I think it is part of that wisdom that is imparted to us by the Holy Spirit. We are all so different. We all tend to focus on different attributes of God that help us to worship Him truly in Spirit and in Truth. None of us have the whole truth, and all of us are wrong on some points. But the Holy Spirit allows our humanity even in our worship and guides us to the most important aspects of the truth. Some things, God will just show us later.
In the meantime, we should take full advantage of the Wisdom Jesus left for us in the gift of the Holy Spirit. It can't be done without prayer. If we have any wisdom of our own, it should be the wisdom to pray, pray, pray.
Thank you Jesus for not leaving us as orphans, but sending us the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us. Help us to take advantage of this wonderful gift through the discipline of regular and constant prayer. Amen.
Joys: "Help" writing my devotion from Cecelia; dancing, reading Dr. Suess books, making shadow puppets and all the other joys of being a small child through the eyes of a grandchild; Holy week.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
The Proof of Experience
9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. -Galatians 4:9-11
Indeed, if we delve into the history of religion in general and Christianity in particular, we can find many things that might disturb us. Things that might make us question our faith a whole lot more than mere word etynmologies or timelines.
It is not wrong, however to question. It's not some terrible sin to study exactly how Christianity today has received its shape. God is not afraid of our questions and it is a weak faith that fears knowledge. As faithful followers of Christ, we have something more than history to rely on for our assurance. We have experience.
I cannot deny what my spiritual senses have proved to me are true. As surely as I can touch my granddaughter with my fingertips to prove she is real, I can touch my Lord with my fingers of faith. As surely as I can hear Cecelia say, "I love you, Kaymee" I can hear God speak to my heart when I pray. I have experienced God in so many ways over my lifetime that no matter what I learn about the history of Christianity, it doesn't shake the foundation of my faith.
Who cares whether the last supper was on Wednesday or Thursday? Who cares where the word Easter came from? The fact is, God loves us so much that he became flesh and died and rose again so that we can get on with the happy business of loving God and loving one another without being distracted by having to earn brownie points for heaven.
Father,
Thank you for those experiences in my life that I may remember when my faith feels weak. Help us to recognize those experiences so we may hold on to them. Amen.
Joys: gorgeous weather; another Cecelia day; sleeping late
Monday, April 18, 2011
Don't Worry About Heaven
2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? - John 14:2
Why believe? Is faith all about death? Is it only about what happens after we die or is it about life now? Is faith nothing more than "fire insurance"... heaven or hell? Or is it something more? If faith was simply about where we spend eternity, what would the point of life on earth be? Why not skip the whole thing and just start our eternity at birth? It sure would have saved Jesus a lot of pain and grief!
When we live our life with too much concern about what comes next, we miss the whole point of life. We miss life itself. The whole point in God becoming flesh and living with us and being reviled and crucified... the whole point... was so that we no longer had to worry about eternity. He has prepared our place for us! We don't have to think about it, we just need to live life... abundantly!
If it was simply about where we are going next, Jesus could have died for our sins without taking so much time to teach us about life. Jesus talked about social justice and loving one another way more than he talked about the life to come. He wants us to get busy living now.
If our works are all about racking up brownie points for heaven, or if we go to church simply to make sure we aren't going to hell.... even if our evangelism is about heaven or hell for others instead of peace and joy in the here and now... we are negating Jesus' work on the cross. He has gone ahead in order to prepare a place for us! Don't worry about that! It's done! Worry about people and relationships and social justice. Teach the world about Christ... not to save them from hell... but to bring them freedom and peace and joy and abundant life.
When Jesus ascended after his resurrection, the disciples stood looking up at the sky. Angels or "men in white clothes" appeared and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” In other words... don't worry about heaven; instead, be about life!
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for taking away the worry and preparing a place for us. Help us keep focused on the here and now and bringing the joy and peace of knowing you to others. Help us and guide us as we work for justice in the world. Amen.
Joys: Spending time with Cecelia this weekend; being home; my own brand of coffee
Why believe? Is faith all about death? Is it only about what happens after we die or is it about life now? Is faith nothing more than "fire insurance"... heaven or hell? Or is it something more? If faith was simply about where we spend eternity, what would the point of life on earth be? Why not skip the whole thing and just start our eternity at birth? It sure would have saved Jesus a lot of pain and grief!
When we live our life with too much concern about what comes next, we miss the whole point of life. We miss life itself. The whole point in God becoming flesh and living with us and being reviled and crucified... the whole point... was so that we no longer had to worry about eternity. He has prepared our place for us! We don't have to think about it, we just need to live life... abundantly!
If it was simply about where we are going next, Jesus could have died for our sins without taking so much time to teach us about life. Jesus talked about social justice and loving one another way more than he talked about the life to come. He wants us to get busy living now.
If our works are all about racking up brownie points for heaven, or if we go to church simply to make sure we aren't going to hell.... even if our evangelism is about heaven or hell for others instead of peace and joy in the here and now... we are negating Jesus' work on the cross. He has gone ahead in order to prepare a place for us! Don't worry about that! It's done! Worry about people and relationships and social justice. Teach the world about Christ... not to save them from hell... but to bring them freedom and peace and joy and abundant life.
When Jesus ascended after his resurrection, the disciples stood looking up at the sky. Angels or "men in white clothes" appeared and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” In other words... don't worry about heaven; instead, be about life!
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for taking away the worry and preparing a place for us. Help us keep focused on the here and now and bringing the joy and peace of knowing you to others. Help us and guide us as we work for justice in the world. Amen.
Joys: Spending time with Cecelia this weekend; being home; my own brand of coffee
Thursday, April 14, 2011
And It Was Very Good...
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. -Genesis 1:31
It's been a beautiful week on our vacation here on Marco Island, Florida. The sunsets over the Gulf are spectacular. It's as if the sun is actually melting into the water.
Yesterday we went on a cruise to an uninhabited island for shell-gathering. On the way there we were entertained by dolphin hitching a ride in the boat's wake. Dolphins are complex mammels who communicate with extensive vocabularies.
We were also priviliged to see baby osprey in their nests. Ospreys mate for life. Their nests are quite well-made and are often handed down from generation to generation. They are built to even resist hurricane winds. These nests are protected by environmental laws. It was quite amusing to see that a nest had been built on the boat hoist on the deck of a multimillion dollar home on the waterfront. They will have to find a way to build a new deck without disturbing that nest... which will remain there for generations of birds!
Also on this island was the ruins of a home that had been built there in 1891 by an architect who was sure that he was way ahead of his time in design and was quite sure that by the 21st century, most homes would look much like his futuristic design. But unfortunately, he wasn't much ahead of his time in his knowledge of erosion. A hurricane took out many of the trees on the island and his home was soon damaged by the surf.
On the other hand, man in his arrogance, believes he can build his house upon the sand and it will last for future generations, only to find out that God does indeed have the last word. Humans are capable of many wondrous things... many of which do survive generation after generation. But we must never be so arrogant as to take credit for it. It is only through the gifts that God has given us that we are able to do great things. It is only through God's will that any of our work survives.
God created the heavens and the earth and it is indeed good. May we commit our lives to the good stewardship of creation.
Father,
Thank you for this beautiful world you have given us. Help us to be better stewards. Amen.
Joys: watching dolphin jump and play in the boat's wake; learning about ospreys; finding shells... God's free gifts to those who walk on beaches.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
What's In a Name?
To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. -Revelation 2:17
What's in a name? I used to believe that names didn't mean a whole lot any more. In biblical times... yes... they were important, but not today. In biblical days a name told who the person was by more than a mere lablel. One's name reached inside to tell something about the person. Names had meanings. And when God changed a person's name... Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Simon to Peter, or Saul to Paul... you can bet it was because the person was going to be different from their old self from there on out!
But it's not the same today is it? I wouldn't think so. But I'm getting some great beach reading time on Marco Island and I have been reading a thought-provoking novel in which the main character is a woman who has her name stripped from her and is given a name which only identifies her as the property of someone else. She describes missing her original name like this:
"My name isn't Offred, I have another name, which nobody uses now because it's forbidden. I tell myself it doesn't matter, your name is like your telephone number, useful only to others; but what I tell myself is wrong, it does matter. I keep the knowledge of this name like something hidden, some treasure I'll come back to dig up, one day. I think of this name as buried. This name has an aura around it, like an amulet, some charm that's survived from an unimaginably distant past. I lie in my single bed at night, with my eyes closed, and the name floats there behind my eyes, not quite within reach, shining in the dark." -From A Handmaid's Tale: A Novel, by Margaret Atwood
It made me think about my own name. I have been Karen for 53 years. It is more a part of me than anything I have and even though there are thousands (maybe hundreds of thousands) of Karens throughout the world, in my mind, my "Karen" is different from any other Karen. My name somehow encompasses my personality and life experiences and talents and family and other relationships. Yes, a name really does have a lot of meaning.
Now imagine that there is a name that is is completely unique to the person God created you to be. A person that sums up your very essence and is different from any other name. It is your name alone and describes you alone and would never fit any other person ever created. It will be a name given by God... the one who created us and knows us even better than we know ourselves. What a name that will be!
Father,
What a day it will be when you give us our new and real name! Thank you for knowing us and loving us. Amen.
Joys: Perfect weather all vacation week; time to spend with my sister Kathy; Palm trees
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Becoming Less
30 He must become greater; I must become less."-John 3:30
When you boil the gospels down, these words from John the baptist are what our response is all about... "He (Christ in me) must become greater; I must become less."
This is why our salvation is not about how "good" we are or about how many good things we do. It isn't about some cosmic balance sheet that must end up with more good than bad. And this is why it is faith alone.
It is in FAITH that we can allow our selves to decrease as we allow Christ to increase. As Christ increases we find that those good works that we worry so much about flow from us quite naturally. But Christ cannot increase in us simply by attending church on Sunday. Our faith life cannot simply be a slice of our pie called life. It must be the flavor of the whole pie. Our faith must permeate our family life, work life and social life. That flavor is a blend of worship, prayer, study and fellowship with other Christians. We must continue to grow in our faith throughout our lives if we are to let Christ increase in us.
Our "selves" will never completely disappear and Christ will not completely take over. God doesn't want that. Our selves are what make us unique and useful to God in our own ways with our own gifts and talents. But we are to let him grow and flourish by our own spiritual growth.
If you're spiritual passion is lacking, perhaps you simply need to spend more time with God so that Christ will increase in you and renew that passion.
Lord Jesus,
Show me how to become less that you will show forth your love from within me. Amen.
Joys: Being with family and meeting my precious new nephew; watching the sun melt into the Gulf; the incredible beauty of creation
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Too Late
21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died." -John 11:21
It's too late. You know that feeling, don't you? Nothing can be done. It is completely out of your hands. Death is the most profound "too late" of all. It brings us to our knees both figuratively and literally. When a loved one dies, they take part of our own lives with them. We die a little too. And there is nothing we can do about it.
But someone can. He proved it with Lazarus! God can bring life out of death, and I'm not just talkin' heaven, baby! He can bring life out of death right here on earth! Ask a transplant recipient and the donor family. Both sides feel that life from death experience.
It's never too late for God. Like Mary and Martha we may have closed the door to life. But God can surprise us in the most unexpected ways. We believe our mourning could never, never be turned to dancing. But one day we find our foot tapping and before long we're doing leaps and pirouettes with the best of them.
There is nothing better than watching God do a "Lazarus" in the life of a grieving family.
Father,
Thank you for your wonderful miracles even after we think it's too late. You are an awesome God! Amen.
Joys: VACATION!!; Seeing God at work doing a "Lazarus"; Starting a blog!
*I will be on vacation over the next week. If I have internet access, I may do a few devotions if the Spirit moves me, but I will be back to a regular schedule by April 18. Please pray for safe travel for me and Richard.
Welcome to My Blog!
So after over 10 years of writing daily devotions, I finally decided to put them on a blog. I sometimes worry that people who have been on my distribution list for years that maybe they don't want to receive my devotions any more but just don't want to hurt my feelings by asking to be taken off. This way, they have control.
I try to write every day of the week except for Sunday, although there are times when it just doesn't work out for me. When I go on vacation or I am away from home for another reason, I don't usually do them unless I have something I just HAVE to write about.
Writing devotions is most of all a good discipline for me. It keeps me studying, questioning, and curious about God and his word. The fact that some people like to read my ramblings is icing on the cake to me and as I begin this blog, I look forward to your comments, questions and ideas any time they occur to you.
At the end of each devotion I have a JOY or GRATITUDE list... those things big or small that I feel particularly thankful to God for that day. Sometimes they will not make sense to you because they are often personal, but it is a good practice for me and makes me remember to count my blessings.
So here I go....
I try to write every day of the week except for Sunday, although there are times when it just doesn't work out for me. When I go on vacation or I am away from home for another reason, I don't usually do them unless I have something I just HAVE to write about.
Writing devotions is most of all a good discipline for me. It keeps me studying, questioning, and curious about God and his word. The fact that some people like to read my ramblings is icing on the cake to me and as I begin this blog, I look forward to your comments, questions and ideas any time they occur to you.
At the end of each devotion I have a JOY or GRATITUDE list... those things big or small that I feel particularly thankful to God for that day. Sometimes they will not make sense to you because they are often personal, but it is a good practice for me and makes me remember to count my blessings.
So here I go....
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)