Lamenting

In you,  Lord  my God, I put my trust.    I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.    No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.    Show me your ways,  Lord , teach me your paths.    Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:1-5 NIV)

Many of the Psalms are psalms of lament.  Lamenting is something we tend to do while we are waiting for God to act in our lives.  Waiting for God to act is what Advent is all about.

I'm sure Elizabeth and Zechariah spend a lot of time lamenting the lack of a child in their life... no one to carry on the family name... no one to look after them in their elderly years.

Lamenting is no sin.  It doesn't mean we don't appreciate what we have.  Really, I think lamenting is part of the processs of putting our trust in God.  When we lament, we question God.  We question ourselves.  We ask ourselves important questions about our motives and our real needs.  If we are faithful in that process, we usually end up in the same place as Elizabeth and Zechariah... trustful, faithful acceptance... the knowledge that God is truly all we need.

Take some time to lament that unanswered prayer today.  God won't mind.

Father,
We don't know why you sometimes don't give us those things we believe would be good for us.  Help us to trust you and know that you are all we truly need.  Amen.

Joys;  Christmas shopping for my Florida nephews; Cecelia's excitement about going to Florida; baby Advil to soothe little Emma's sore teething gums

Aching Emptiness

But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. (Luke 1:7 NIV)

Traditionally, when we think of Advent we think of Mary, Joseph and the angel Gabriel and the stories surrounding them.  But Advent is the forerunner of Christmas just as John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus.  I found an Advent devotional book that focuses on the story of  Zechariah and Elizabeth.  Most of my devotions through Advent will focus on my readings from this book, "Silence and Other Suprising Invitations of Advent," by Enuma Orkoro.

Elizabeth and Zechariah were long past the expected age of parentage.  They had prayed and hoped and dreamed for a baby throughout their whole marriage.  They were good people.  Zechariah was a priest and often was priviliged to stand inside the curtain in the Holy of Holies and offer sacrifices.  They both followed God's law as closely as possible.  But this one yearning of their hearts was denied them.

I wonder if each of us doesn't have something... one thing that we pray for over and over and over and no matter how good of a Christian we are, our prayer is still unanswered.  Why?  What do we have to do to get this deep desire of our soul granted by our Father who supposedly loves us?  Why are good community and religeous leaders like Elizabeth and Zechariah left with an aching emptiness in their arms and their hearts?  What about the aching emptiness of our own unanswered prayer?  Are we just not "good" enough?

There could be so many answers... Maybe what we think we need would ultimately be bad for us.  Maybe we have not grown up enough in our faith yet and God is waiting.  Maybe God just has something so much better in mind.

How does God's silence affect us?  Does it make us doubt our faith?  Does it make us angry with God?  Elizabeth and Zechariah continued to be faithful servants even though they continued to go childless.  How does God's apparent silence make you feel?

Today, pray that prayer again.  Ponder it.  Wonder about why God has not answered it.  Live with it and let it live in you today.  Feel what Elizabeth and Zecchariah might have felt about their own unanswered prayer for a child.  Mourn the ache in your heart.  Once again ask God, "Why??" And listen to see if you hear an answer.  You may not, but listen anyway.  Just fully experience your deepest unanswered prayer today.

Father,
Sometimes we don't see the answers to our most longed-for prayer requests.  We don't know why.  Help us to live faithfully even when we think you have turned away from us.  Help us to trust you.  Amen.

Joys:   My whole family at Advent service last night and helping to put up the tree and decorate for Advent; a day at home alone with Richard today; one more week until vacation!

Have a Merry Christmas

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14 NIV)

Here we are in the Christmas Season again!  Mostly I love it.  I love the generosity, the joy, the fun, the fellowship and the wonderful, wonderful food... yummm!  But there are some things I don't look forward to... the unreasonable expectations we have for others and even ourselves; the crass consumerism that arouses our sense of greed and always wanting more, more, more; and the so-called "war" on Christmas.

I find it very unChristianlike that some Christians refuse to recognize other religious holidays of the season, but insist that all recognize Christmas.  They do this when they insist on businesses saying "merry Christmas" instead of "happy holidays" or when they participate in fight over "Christmas trees" vs. "holiday trees."  Individually, we are free to use whatever word we choose when we greet others, but how can we insist that businesses assume that every person is a Christian?  How can we demand respect for our beliefs when we don't do the same for others?

A couple of things to remember if you ever feel drawn into this war:  The word "holidays" is derived from the phrase "holy days."  Why wouldn't we feel blessed to have some one wish us happy holy days?

As for the phrase X-mas at which some Christians take offense, saying that we "cross out Christ,"  nothing could be further from the truth.  The X stands for Christ.  It is the first letter of the Chi Rho which are the first two Greek letters of Christ.  The Chi Rho has been a symbol of Christ since AD 33.  Nothing could be more traditionally Christian.

Have a truly merry Christmas this year by refusing to take part in this imaginary war.  Christmas is safe as long as big business makes money from it!!  But above all, take time this year to remember why we celebrate.  Seek out Advent services and attend them.  They can really help keep us centered during the chaotic rush of this time of year.

Lord God,
Help us to keep you centered in all of our celebrations and keep us from being overly sensitive as others celebrate their love for you in different ways.  Amen.

Joys:  The life of my sister-in-law Angela.  We will miss her; Emma's abundant smiles; having Richard at home

A Prayer For Our Homes

Unless the  Lord  builds the house, the builders labor in vain.  (Psalm 127:1a  NIV)

We hear it a lot from th mouths of Christians... "The world is going to hell because they took prayer out of schools!"... or "The world is going to hell because they took prayer out of the local city council meetings!"... or The world is going to hell because they took prayer out of graduations... or sporting events or ... whatever your favorite secular activity is.

But here is the question... have "they" taken prayer out of your home?  Do you pray with your children before you load them onto the school bus?  Do you and your spouse pray together before you begin your day out in the secular world?  Prayer cannot be taken out of schools if our children have truly been taught to pray.

That is the amazing thing about the gift of prayer.  It cannot be taken away.  Our thoughts cannot be monitored except by God who hears every prayer we pray whether it is prayed aloud in a group or in the privacy of our own hearts.  If we do not pray regularly with our children, it is not "they" who have taken prayer out of schools, but "us."  If we do not set a good example for our families by praying regularly, it is not "they" who take prayer out of every secular activity, but "us."

A few weeks ago I shared a prayer for the workplace.  This morning I saw a lovely prayer for the home on Facebook that I want to share with you here:

Heavenly Father,
Walk through my house and take away all the worries and illnesses and please watch over and heal my family and friends.  Bring quiet where there is chaos, bring light where there is darkness and put love in our hearts.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

Perhaps you would like to add a line or two or use it as a basic prayer each morning and add specifics as necessary.  But don't you agree that there would be a lot more prayer in the secular world if there were a lot more prayer in our homes?  Instead of blaming government and atheists and whoever else we can think of, let's get our own houses in order first.  Let's fill our homes with prayer.  If we do, our own hearts will be filled to overflowing with prayer and there will indeed be plenty of prayer in schools, political meetings, sporting events, and everywhere else that Christians go.

Father,
Thank you for the powerful and amazing gift of prayer.  No matter what, it can never really be taken away from us.  Help us to teach our children and grandchildren to pray... especially be example.  Amen.

Joys:  A truly wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with my family; a warm home; Cecelia's help decorating the Christmas tree

The Least of These

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, (Matthew 25:35 NIV)

Holy Cross does a lot for "the least of these."  It makes me so happy to be a part of a church that spends more time helping people than condemning or blaming people.  We know that it is not about WHY they are in their situations, only that they ARE in that situation and that we must meet them where they are.

My favorite of these ministries is Project Matthew.  For weeks, church members bring different food items to church and donate money for turkeys so that we can give about 125 families the groceries to prepare their own Thanksgiving meal.  Many churches do many good things like this, but the thing I like most about how Holy Cross does it is that each person is treated with dignity and with love.  They are invited in to share fellowship, prayer and refreshments.  If I didn't know our own folks so well, it would be hard to tell the volunteers from those being helped.

This is what a church should be.  More than that, it is what each of us should be in our lives everyday.   No judgment.  No making people feel guilty and stupid and worthless.  Just meeting people where they are and loving them and doing what they can to bring a little joy into their lives.  Sociologist and pastor, Tony Campolo couldn't have said it better than he did in this story.  It is about 8 minutes long, but fully worth the time.  This is the kind of church we should all want:

http://m.youtube.com/#/results?q=tony%20compolo%20birthday%20party

Father,
Thank you for Holy Cross and people who love others right where they are.  Amen.

Birth Pains

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.    Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. (Mark 13:7, 8 NIV)

Most churches throughout the world that follow the Common Lectionary readings had to deal with this Gospel of Mark yesterday.  With   !!!!DECEMBER 21!!!!  just around the corner, that's just what we needed, right? ... end times scripture.  Okay, though, we know Jesus said no one will know the hour, and we can take comfort in that, plus the fact that maybe the Mayans just figured they had gone far enough with their calendars and decided to stop numbering!

But what if....  I don't know, maybe the people of every age have said the same things, but there are an awful lot of end time "signs" out there.  What if the wars and rumors of war and earthquakes and famines that this world is experiencing today are really part of those beginninng birth pains that Jesus was talking about?  

The very idea of "birth pains" is scary.  I remember my first pregnancy.  I spent a lot of time wondering (with a good bit of anxiety) what the birth pains would feel like.  And more recently, so did Emma's mom, Chelsea.  And those of us with childbirth experience can't take any of that worry away from moms-to-be... because we know... birth pains are painful!  

But even though just about every mother since Eve has experienced some kind of birth pains, we still have babies!  You'd think once the word got out about how painful childbirth was, we'd quit having them, wouldn't you?  But we know... we know from watching other mothers and their tenderness with their babies and their joy in their children that the pain is worth it.  What marvolous wonders come from that pain!  

It is no mistake that Jesus refered to end time events as birth pains.  He knows what happens as the result of birth pains... something new and miraculous and beautiful.  Something that brings us joy and peace and happiness... something that makes the pain so worthwhile we would be willing to do it again!  

No matter what happens... or doesn't happen... on December 21, put your trust in God.  God is good... all the time... and has nothing but the very best in store for us.  Depend on it!

Here we go again, Father, worrying about the future and what it holds or doesn't hold for us.  Help us to trust in your love and grace.  Amen.

Joys:  a short workweek; Cecelia's excitement to see my boxes of Christmas stuff up from the basement; time with my happy and curious Emma.

Fear or Faith?

He said to his disciples,  “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40 NIV)

Notice in the scripture verse above that Jesus did not say, "Why are you DOUBTING?  Do you still have no faith?"  No, he asked why they were afraid.  Doubt is not the opposite of faith, fear is.

All who have faith find themselves in periods of doubt.  Faith is difficult.  We don't trust our spiritual senses the way we trust our physical senses, so doubt is natural.  I am convinced that God wants his faithful to have doubts.  It encourages us to seek truth.  And when our hearts are truly open to truth, we will find it.

Fear, on the other hand, destroys our faith.  Fear makes us blindly tighten our grip on tradition rather than true faith.  Fear keeps us from trying new things.  It keeps us from listening when God is trying to instruct our hearts in new ways of thinking.  Fear keeps us bound to the past, doomed to keep repeating the errors and sins inherent in man-made traditions and beliefs.

Faith keeps us alert to God's movements in our world and in our own lives.  Faith makes us more generous.  Faith frees us from our prejudices.  Faith inspires us to do more and be more and produce abundant, sweet fruit.  Fear feeds our greed and judgment.  Fear keeps us locked into shallow lives that are all about ourselves.   Fruit produced in fear falls scantily around our own feet.

What do you fear?  How can faith remove it?

Father,
When will we have faith enough to believe that you really are in charge and that no matter what, it is all going to be okay.  You have already won.  Give us more faith today so that we may do great things in your name.  Amen.

Joys:  Having grandchildren so that I can enjoy animated movies too!; book-reading weather;  Faith

Love is Eternal

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these  is  love. (I Corinthians 13:13 NKJV)

Shakespeare said, "Time is very slow for those who wait; very fast for those who are scared; very long for those who lament; very short for those who celebrate.  But for those who love... time is eternal."

Our book club is reading the newest book by Mitch Album, "The Time Keeper."  It really gives one a different prospective of time and our need to measure it and save it and extend it and control it and even conquer it.

Within time we can wait, fear, grieve and celebrate.  But love is not experienced within time.  It is outside of it.  Love is so very different from every other emotion or experience we have.  Who sets aside time to love?  Who measures out the time we can portion out loving our spouse, our children, our friends?  What do we give up when we choose to love?  How is our time adversely affected if we love even those who are unlovable?

Love is different from everything else, because God IS Love.  God is eternal and cannot be measured by our calendars and clocks any more than love can.  Our lives are run by time, but our love is not.  We don't give up one second by loving.  However, it may change the way we choose to spend our time.  But that was God's plan all along!

Our Love,
We know that life is all about love and yet we still wait and fear and grieve.  Change our lives by challenging us to love first, last and always.  Amen.

Joys:  a very noisy house... what a wonderful blessing to have grandchildren!; homemade chicken pie; watching my boys love their daughters

Gospel of Abundance

Now  to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly  above all that we ask or think,  according to the power that works in us,  to Him  be  glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20, 21 NKJV)

I did a search on the word "abundant" in the Bible and came up with 46 verses that included the word.  There are many more verses that talk about God's abundance in different words... "more" "exceeding"  "multiply" ... and others.  It is clear that God has told us we have more than enough of everything we need in this world.

God is generous, but generally speaking, people are not.  We are always afraid there won't be enough for ourselves... for today, for tomorrow and for our future.  We stockpile our riches.  We bottle up the manna.  We need to know there is enough for "me."

This isn't just about individual though.  We have the same problem with our governments and even our churches.  Grain sits rotting in silos while people starve.  Churches build bigger sanctuaries, and fancy family life centers while families nearby are having their power turned off or are being evicted from their homes.

I am so proud of Holy Cross and Project Matthew.  I suppose if we collected the money represented by all that food all year long, we could have a pretty nice family life center in a few years.  Instead, we prove God's abundance.  There is always enough to go around if we unclench our fists.  Do all of the people receiving the boxes "deserve" free food?  Probably not.  There are probably a few that choose to take charity rather than work.  There might even be those who can afford their own food but are "cheating the system" to get something for nothing.  Maybe some families have found a way to apply twice and will have a box for Thanksgiving AND one for Christmas.

But God did not give abundance to go around to only those who "deserve" it.  If he had, then we would all be beggars, wouldn't we?  There IS enough for everyone.  God says so!  And if we open up our hands and our hearts in genorosity, he will prove it over and over and over again.

A B.C. comic fom many years ago showed 2 cave men talking.  The first one said, "I was going to ask God why he let so many people in this word go hungy, endure poverty, and suffer injustices."  The other asked, "Why didn't you?"  The first replied, "I was afraid he would ask me the same thing."

We must stop living the false gospel of scarcity and start living the truth of abundance.

God of Abundance,
Increase our faith in your word.  The word that tells us there is enough for all.  Help us to stop fearing  that there won't be enough for "me" if we give it away.  Amen.

Joys:  a little quiet time; a small break in my workday to discuss the Bible with a friend (it reminds me what my work is ultimately about); sweet, juicy oranges

No Charge

 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:15-17 NIV)

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." -Melody Beattie American Author 

Gratitude just may be THE most important thing about our faith and our lives.  In the passage from Colossians above, we see references to being grateful three times... "be thankful"... "with gratitude"... "giving thanks."  In the quote just below that, the author describes how this simple change of attitude can completely make over our entire lives.

Lately, I have noticed that many of my Facebook friends have been using this month of Thanksgiving to post one thing each day that they are grateful for.  I love reading these.  And I have noticed that none of them mention the expensive things in their lives like their homes, cars, jewely, vacations, etc.  No, we who are truly thankful are thankful for the much more important things in life... mostly relationships.  And isn't that what our lives here on earth are really about?... relationships.

Yesterday's sermon was about gratitude and Pastor Chad pointed out that the things we are most grateful for are usually given by God with "no charge."  We know that the best things in life are free, but adding that little phrase, "no charge," just seems to make my heart even more grateful.

Here is a list of things God has given me in recent days for "no charge.":

• A baby sleeping peacefully in my arms -no charge!
• Big baby smiles from Emma-no charge!
• Cecelia telling me I'm her BFF-no charge!
• A hard-working husband who loves me, loves his family and loves God-no charge!
• Watching my boys become good fathers-no charge!
• Loving relationships with the beautiful women my boys chose to marry-no charge!
• The beauty of the North Carolina mountains in the Fall-no charge!
• Perfectly blue skies-no charge!
• Friends who drive for an hour and a half to be supportive-no charge!
• Amazing church family of folks who embrace truly Christian values of love, grace and non-judgment-no charge!
• A special moment during Communion-no charge!
• Spectacular sunsets-no charge!
• Quiet moments to pray-no charge!

Who needs money??  These relationships, moments and observations are what life is really all about. Even if we lost our jobs, cars, homes and had to beg on the streets for food, we would still have these things.  All we really have to have is gratitude.  It is only then that we notice how truly blessed we are.

Giving God,

Your hand is continually outstretched and open.  We need only accept with gratitude.  Help us to always, always count what we have instead of what we want.  For if we do, we will find we really want for nothing.  Thank you, Father!  Amen.

Unfinished Sentences

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— (Ephesians 2:8 NIV)

Hell and damnation Christians are "Christians" who quote unfinished sentences from the Bible.  They like to scare their listeners with the law verses, but never follow up with the next verse that brings grace, love and forgiveness.

They quote:
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23 NIV)
But they fail to add:
and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:24 NIV) 

They quote:
For the wages of sin is death,  (Romans 6:23a NIV)
But they fail to add:
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23b NIV) 

They quote:
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, (Hebrews 9:27 NIV)
But fail to add:
so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28 NIV)

We must be "Sentence-Finisher" Christians.  When we tell others about our faith, we must tell the whole story.  People are leaving the Christian faith because they never hear the rest of the sentences.  Though they may even read them themselves, the emphasis has been so strongly placed on the first part that their hearts don't pick up that second part.

The world needs God's love and grace more than ever.  So many are sure we are all condemned.  And don't we all act out what we believe ourselves to be?  What would the world be like if we all truly believed that we are loved and cherished by the Ruler and Creator of the universe?  What would the world be like if we really believed that "God SO loved the world (me... and you... and even that neighbor who sins in ways you or I have never been tempted to) that he gave his only Son... NOT to condemn the world, but to save the world?"  What would the world be like if we ALL knew the entire sentences of key Bible verses?

Father,
Help us to share the whole story with those who are hurting; with those who are so consumed by their sin that they don't believe you could love them.  Help us to actually love those who need love the most... the unlovable.  Amen.

Joys:  discussing politics and social issues with Daniel and easily "rattling his chains" :) ; a warm home on a cold morning; a church that always finishes the sentences

Trust in God Alone

Do not put your trust in princes,
in human beings, who cannot save. (Psalm 146:3 NIV)

Election Day... finally!!!  After all the rhetoric, propaganda and impossible promises of the last several months, you would think we were voting for the savior of the world.  The candidates (for all offices) would have us believe that they are going to usher us into paradise... "on day one!"

The truth is, no matter who is elected, some things will improve and other things will worsen.  Some of it will be as a direct result of our elected leaders and some of it will just happen no matter who our leaders are.  The effects (good or bad) of much of their work won't even be felt until a year or two after they leave office.  Lasting change just doesn't happen on day one.

The psalmist tells us not to put our trust in human leaders.  They cannot save us.  We should respect them and help them as much as we can, but they are not our saviors.  We already have one of those and need no other.  What we need to understand is that no matter what happens - in the world, our country, our state, our community - it's all ultimately going to be okay!  The battle has been won.  Our eternities are sealed.

Leaders will come and go... do good and not so good... make us happy and angry.  But our Almighty God is forever and never changes.  Trust in him alone.

Almighty and never-changing God,
No matter who wins in our elections today, remind us that you alone are in charge... and that's a GOOD thing!  Amen.

Joys:  my yoga buddy; talking with Richard on his own cell phone again; knowing that God is really in charge

Voting with Passion and Humility

I often get ideas for my devotionals by reading other devotionals, using their ideas and writing about them from  a different angle.  But I read one from one of my favorite sources this morning that just says it so well that I will simply share the link today:

http://act.ucc.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=47347.0&dlv_id=62266

Let us spend today in prayer for Election Day tomorrow.  Because of my citizenship status
I will not be voting, but I will be praying for those of you who will be voting.  

Father, 
I pray that each person voting tomorrow will do so with both passion and humility.
Amen.

Joys: Richard will be home in a few days; Having Emma at church;  morning coffee

We Are All Saints

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)

When I hear the word saint, even though I know better, the images that come to mind are the truly great men and women of God throughout the centuries; those that spent their lives selflessly giving and working for others.  Those that were martyred.

The truth is, every member of the church is a saint, no matter what we have done... or haven't done.  Even those of us who struggle with sin; who speak ill of our neighbors; who frequently fail to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit the sick and imprisoned; who let our minds wander during prayer and worship instead of staying focused on the moment; who yell at our kids and cuss when we have problems at work; who maybe have a divorce or even two in our past; who sometimes don't feel like getting out of bed; who spend too much time trying to make more money and not enough time on relationships.

Think about those who we celebrate today (All Saints Day).  I know those I am remembering were not perfect.  They were not famous.  They did not spend all their time dedicated to bringing God's kingdom to earth.  But they are part of that cloud of witnesses.  They have been here and done this.  It wasn't easy for them and they know it is not easy for us.  They made plenty of wrong choices and they know we have and will do the same.  But they are there to remind us that it's all okay.  Even if the worst things we worry about actually happen, it is still okay.

When I think of my mom and the difficult life she led, I can't help but remember the lyrics of one of the songs we played at her funeral:  "My chains are gone; I've been set free.  My God, my Savior has ransomed me!"  One day, we will truly be free of every chain... and we will be a part of that cloud of witnesses encouraging the saints on earth.

Father,
I thank you for the loved ones who have gone on before me, especially my dad, mom and brother.  Thank you for setting them free.  Amen.

Joys: Trick or treating with Cecelia last night; time with Daniel and Tracy yesterday; remembering the saints from my life