Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! (1 Corinthians 12:7 MSG)
My 20-month-old granddaughter is beginning to talk more and more... and more. And she also sings! Currently, like most other little girls these days, her favorite movie is "Frozen." It doesn't take much to set her off on her own rendition of, "Let It Go." She will run around the house playing and suddenly you will hear it... "Le' it go..... le' it go!' just as loudly as she can and remarkably close to being on pitch. Soooo sweet! I just want to pick her up and eat her!
If you don't know, the song is sung by Princess Elsa who has an amazing ability to turn the things around her into snow and ice. But she is unable to control her talent and after a near tragedy, she shuts herself up away from those she loves so that she does not lose control and hurt them. But, because she never uses this unique gift, she never has the opportunity to learn to control it.
How many of us hide our own unique gifts away, afraid to use them and show the world what we have because we can't do it perfectly yet? If we don't use our gift, how will we ever begin to perfect it? A gift is usually uncovered through a passion. What do we love? What do we want desperately to change in the world? What would we do if money was not an issue and nobody would laugh at us for trying? Therein probably lies your undeveloped gift.
Let it go! So what if it doesn't pay the bills! So what if you can't do it very well yet! If we don't try, we will never develop that skill. And the world will miss out on your passion. Let it go! The best things in the world are done by people who have a passion and just follow it.
I pray that little Emma will live up to her first song and follow her passions and I pray the same for you and me.
Creator God,
You have created each of us with the ability to also create. Stir up those passions you have seeded within our souls and help us to "let it go." Amen.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Kid of the Week
35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."
36"What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.
37They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." –Mark 10:35-37
When my boys were little they were like all siblings... they would fight--about just about everything. They would fight about who got to sit in the front seat, who got to pick the TV show, who got the bigger piece of... well... anything. If you are a parent of more than one child, you know exactly what I'm talking about!
It drove me absolutely crazy that they would fuss about such unimportant things! I tried everything... even removing the argument, such as not letting them watch TV at all if they couldn’t decide on a program peacefully or making them both sit in the back seat, but that only made matters worse. They would fight about whose fault it was!
I finally came up with the perfect solution that worked wonders for years and years to come. I instituted the “Kid of the Week” program at the House of Hayes. The boys would rotate weeks at being “kid of the week” and would get all the perks available that week. He got to sit in the front seat ALL week… he got to pick the TV programs ALL week… he got to choose first, go first, and be first at everything. Only Richard or I could overrule as long as we had a good reason. And it worked beautifully. At first it was tough for the other kid to humble themselves, but they knew if they wanted good treatment the next week, they had to.
Don’t we all want to be “kid of the week” ALL the time in our Father’s kingdom? We always want special treatment. We want our prayers answered even at the expense of another. We want to make sure our own rights are not violated even if it means trampling all over someone else’s rights in the process. We want prosperity to rain down on us even when we see our neighbor doing without basic necessities. We want to be honored, respected and loved even when we don’t honor respect and love others.
What we really ought to be doing is treating everyone else like “kid of the week” all the time. Offer someone else the best seat… the biggest portion… the first choice. It is a wonderful joy to do that… especially if we wanted it for ourselves.
I will never forget the time early on in our “kid of the week” program when Daniel asked me if just because he was “kid of the week” did he HAVE to sit in the front seat. I told him, of course not… the point was, he got to choose. He said, “okay, then I want to let Kevin sit in the front this time!” That led to occasional bursts of generosity from each of them every week when the kid of the week would give the other the honor of the best choice. They discovered that even though at first it was hard to give up what they wanted, they received even more joy by doing it when they didn’t have to.
What a great lesson for us all to learn!
Father,
We know that in your heart each one of us is ALWAYS “kid of the week” but you take special joy in watching us serve others first, because you know we are learning important lessons when we do that. Open our hearts to the generosity that lives in each of us. Amen.
Monday, March 24, 2014
The Good Stuff
I was searching for devotional material this morning and came across a great website. There are videos and activities and more... all devoted to helping you see the good side of life. For Lent, I gave up news on my Facebook newsfeed because I was getting this constant stream of bad stuff happening in my community and in the world, not to mention the often heartless comments under each of the news stories. In contract, this website is full of good stuff.
For today's devotion, just got to soulpancake.com and have a look around. Watch a couple of the videos. Click on the "activities" tab and maybe try one. If you have a facebook account, "like" them and get a steady stream of good each day.
Enjoy!
www.soulpancake.com
Gracious God,
Help us to find the good in this world, in our communities and in our own lives. And give us grateful hearts. Amen.
For today's devotion, just got to soulpancake.com and have a look around. Watch a couple of the videos. Click on the "activities" tab and maybe try one. If you have a facebook account, "like" them and get a steady stream of good each day.
Enjoy!
www.soulpancake.com
Gracious God,
Help us to find the good in this world, in our communities and in our own lives. And give us grateful hearts. Amen.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Life's Wrinkles
But you, Lord, do not be far from me.
You are my strength; come quickly to help me. (Psalm 22:19 NIV)
I remember my first attempt as a little girl to make my own bed. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t do it as neatly as my mother could. I worked for what seemed to me to be a very long time, trying to get the wrinkles out of the top sheet. Every time I moved one wrinkle out, more appeared somewhere else. I got so frustrated I began to cry and went to my mother for help. I wanted to watch exactly how she did it, so I could get the same results next time. I knew I could do it on my own… I just needed to know the correct steps. So I watched as mom flicked the sheet high over my head and let it fall to the bed without a wrinkle. Now I knew how she did it, but I also knew that I wasn’t physically able to do what she did. I knew that if I wanted my bed to look perfect, I was going to need my mom’s help.
Without God, our lives are as wrinkled as those bed sheets. We can take care of ourselves after a fashion, but no matter how hard we try, we can’t get the wrinkles out by ourselves. Maybe we even know the steps… we’ve seen God work before. We know what we must do. But there is just no possible way we can do it by ourselves. We have to have God’s help.
The question is… how long will it take us to figure it out? Will we just keep shifting the wrinkles around in our life? Will we fall to the floor in a crumpled heap crying and throwing a tantrum because we can’t get the right results? Or will we go to our Father and ask for his help? He’ll give us the results we seek but can’t get on our own.
Father,
We are so prideful. Help us to realize that we can’t do it all ourselves and that we only have to get your help when we find ourselves overcome with life’s wrinkles. Amen.
You are my strength; come quickly to help me. (Psalm 22:19 NIV)
I remember my first attempt as a little girl to make my own bed. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t do it as neatly as my mother could. I worked for what seemed to me to be a very long time, trying to get the wrinkles out of the top sheet. Every time I moved one wrinkle out, more appeared somewhere else. I got so frustrated I began to cry and went to my mother for help. I wanted to watch exactly how she did it, so I could get the same results next time. I knew I could do it on my own… I just needed to know the correct steps. So I watched as mom flicked the sheet high over my head and let it fall to the bed without a wrinkle. Now I knew how she did it, but I also knew that I wasn’t physically able to do what she did. I knew that if I wanted my bed to look perfect, I was going to need my mom’s help.
Without God, our lives are as wrinkled as those bed sheets. We can take care of ourselves after a fashion, but no matter how hard we try, we can’t get the wrinkles out by ourselves. Maybe we even know the steps… we’ve seen God work before. We know what we must do. But there is just no possible way we can do it by ourselves. We have to have God’s help.
The question is… how long will it take us to figure it out? Will we just keep shifting the wrinkles around in our life? Will we fall to the floor in a crumpled heap crying and throwing a tantrum because we can’t get the right results? Or will we go to our Father and ask for his help? He’ll give us the results we seek but can’t get on our own.
Father,
We are so prideful. Help us to realize that we can’t do it all ourselves and that we only have to get your help when we find ourselves overcome with life’s wrinkles. Amen.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Keeping the Rhythm
"It never occurs to them to say, ‘How can we honor our God with our lives, The God who gives rain in both spring and autumn and maintains the rhythm of the seasons, Who sets aside time each year for harvest and keeps everything running smoothly for us?’" (Jeremiah 5:20-25 MSG)
The older I get the harder these time changes are! Do I hear an "amen?" The trouble is, it breaks our rhythm. There is a rhythm to our daily living... waking, eating, working, giving, sleeping. Our bodies get accustom to it. Then comes the time change and our bodies are like... "whoa... you're doing everything at the wrong time!" We are out of rhythm.
Did you ever learn to play a musical instrument or read music for vocals? How do you keep rhythm? You count. Counting is THE most important thing in keeping the rhythm... especially if you are playing with others. If one person stops counting, it falls apart.
Ann VosKamp - one of my favorite Christian writers and author of 10,000 Gifts - suggests that we keep our rhythm in life by counting... counting our gifts. Keep a numbered list of things for which you are grateful. It will bring rhythm back to your life. It will help you keep in sync with others. I will begin by being thankful for the sun shining later in the day that this time change helps bring about!
Gracious God,
Help us keep the rhythm of our lives by remembering to count. Amen.
The older I get the harder these time changes are! Do I hear an "amen?" The trouble is, it breaks our rhythm. There is a rhythm to our daily living... waking, eating, working, giving, sleeping. Our bodies get accustom to it. Then comes the time change and our bodies are like... "whoa... you're doing everything at the wrong time!" We are out of rhythm.
Did you ever learn to play a musical instrument or read music for vocals? How do you keep rhythm? You count. Counting is THE most important thing in keeping the rhythm... especially if you are playing with others. If one person stops counting, it falls apart.
Ann VosKamp - one of my favorite Christian writers and author of 10,000 Gifts - suggests that we keep our rhythm in life by counting... counting our gifts. Keep a numbered list of things for which you are grateful. It will bring rhythm back to your life. It will help you keep in sync with others. I will begin by being thankful for the sun shining later in the day that this time change helps bring about!
Gracious God,
Help us keep the rhythm of our lives by remembering to count. Amen.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Good or Evil
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. (Matthew 25:31-33 NIV)
The choice between good and evil is easy. I choose good! See? Easy! Unfortunately, temptation doesn't present itself that clearly. If there was not some perceived good promised, there would be no temptation. Sometimes the evil is simply disguised as good.
This is a good thing to remember when we are tempted to get on our high horse to judge others. In the first place, we ourselves have somehow perceived judging another to be good. But in the second place and even more importantly, we must remember that the person we are judging most likely is acting out of the good he or she found in their own decision... not from the evil that we might see in it.
When we face temptation, it is easy to justify ourselves... like the person who justifies unfaithfulness in marriage by thinking, "God wants me to be happy!" Or the person who steals from their employer who thinks, "I didn't get a raise this year, so I am only taking what is due to me." It sounds ridiculous to those of us not tempted that way - we can clearly see the evil in the choices. But when the temptation comes, it is somehow not so clear. And our own choices may seem right to ourselves, while others can see how wrong we are.
I believe most people want to make good choices, not evil ones. I believe most people make more good choices than evil ones. I am reminded of a movie from several years ago, "Crash." It showed life as far more complicated than being able to separate people into sheep and goats. The sheep have so many goat tendencies and the goats have a lot of sheep in them. "Good" people do bad things and "bad" people do good things. And most of the time, those we would label as "goats" believe they are sheep.
Any time we use power or possession for anything less than God's purposes we have succombed to temptation and we have seen only the partial good for our own purposes. It is impossible for we humans to consistantly choose God's purpose. The best we can do is to try a little harder and not be so hard on our brothers and sisters when they fail.
Holy God,
Help me to be a sheep a little more often than a goat and help me to see the sheep in others. Amen.
The choice between good and evil is easy. I choose good! See? Easy! Unfortunately, temptation doesn't present itself that clearly. If there was not some perceived good promised, there would be no temptation. Sometimes the evil is simply disguised as good.
This is a good thing to remember when we are tempted to get on our high horse to judge others. In the first place, we ourselves have somehow perceived judging another to be good. But in the second place and even more importantly, we must remember that the person we are judging most likely is acting out of the good he or she found in their own decision... not from the evil that we might see in it.
When we face temptation, it is easy to justify ourselves... like the person who justifies unfaithfulness in marriage by thinking, "God wants me to be happy!" Or the person who steals from their employer who thinks, "I didn't get a raise this year, so I am only taking what is due to me." It sounds ridiculous to those of us not tempted that way - we can clearly see the evil in the choices. But when the temptation comes, it is somehow not so clear. And our own choices may seem right to ourselves, while others can see how wrong we are.
I believe most people want to make good choices, not evil ones. I believe most people make more good choices than evil ones. I am reminded of a movie from several years ago, "Crash." It showed life as far more complicated than being able to separate people into sheep and goats. The sheep have so many goat tendencies and the goats have a lot of sheep in them. "Good" people do bad things and "bad" people do good things. And most of the time, those we would label as "goats" believe they are sheep.
Any time we use power or possession for anything less than God's purposes we have succombed to temptation and we have seen only the partial good for our own purposes. It is impossible for we humans to consistantly choose God's purpose. The best we can do is to try a little harder and not be so hard on our brothers and sisters when they fail.
Holy God,
Help me to be a sheep a little more often than a goat and help me to see the sheep in others. Amen.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Giving Up Judgment for Lent
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37 NIV)
So here we are... Lent. Did you give up something this year? Chocolate? Wine? Sodas? Fasting is good for the soul, but sometimes I think the things we choose to give up are more about trying to quit bad habits rather than to sacrifice in order to get closer to God. Quitting bad habits is good. But maybe we should reflect on the purpose of Lent. Is it about ourselves or about God?
There was an interesting Facebook "share" that went around this past week about "20 Things to Give Up for Lent." It suggests things like: guilt, fear, worry, shame, etc. These things are far more designed to bring us into a closer relationship with God, although, I was really surprised at one that wasn't included - judgment. We judge so quickly these days. We judge without thinking about what that person's life might be like. We never know if the rude cashier just found out her mother has breast cancer. The driver that flipped you off may have just been asked for a divorce. The beggar in the street may have spent all his money on medical bills for a sick child.
When we give up judging, we automatically take on compassion. When we are compassionate, we are able to forgive more easily. It takes practice. And we must start with these smaller examples like the cashier or driver or beggar above. Then we can move on to more serious things that hurt us or others. Compassion and forgiveness does not mean that a person must not face consequences. But it helps us to love them in spite of their actions and to maybe get involved in helping them through their consequences whatever they may be.
We are all in this life together and we are here to help each other through it.
Compassionate God,
Help us to give up judgment this Lent and forever. Amen.
So here we are... Lent. Did you give up something this year? Chocolate? Wine? Sodas? Fasting is good for the soul, but sometimes I think the things we choose to give up are more about trying to quit bad habits rather than to sacrifice in order to get closer to God. Quitting bad habits is good. But maybe we should reflect on the purpose of Lent. Is it about ourselves or about God?
There was an interesting Facebook "share" that went around this past week about "20 Things to Give Up for Lent." It suggests things like: guilt, fear, worry, shame, etc. These things are far more designed to bring us into a closer relationship with God, although, I was really surprised at one that wasn't included - judgment. We judge so quickly these days. We judge without thinking about what that person's life might be like. We never know if the rude cashier just found out her mother has breast cancer. The driver that flipped you off may have just been asked for a divorce. The beggar in the street may have spent all his money on medical bills for a sick child.
When we give up judging, we automatically take on compassion. When we are compassionate, we are able to forgive more easily. It takes practice. And we must start with these smaller examples like the cashier or driver or beggar above. Then we can move on to more serious things that hurt us or others. Compassion and forgiveness does not mean that a person must not face consequences. But it helps us to love them in spite of their actions and to maybe get involved in helping them through their consequences whatever they may be.
We are all in this life together and we are here to help each other through it.
Compassionate God,
Help us to give up judgment this Lent and forever. Amen.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Desires of Your Heart
Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalms 37:4 NKJV)
There are many places in the bible where God promises to give us "the desires of our hearts." ... if we just follow God, pray in Jesus' name, or "delight yourself in the Lord." So, then, why are not all Christians rich, healthy and successful in all they do? Aren't these some of our greatest desires? Maybe Christians that don't have all they want just are not good Christians... hmmmm... I guess that would make all of us.
The problem is what we believe "desires of your heart" actually means. For Lent, I am reading a devotional book by Richard Rohr. In today's reading, he tells us that "desires of your heart" are desires stirred up by the Holy Spirit. These are not our fleshly desires like the ones we have to win the lottery. They are God's desires, placed in us, in order that God's will be done on earth.
Unfortunately, most of us are so concerned about receiving the desires of our egos, we have no clue what the desires of our hearts are. God will reveal them if we really want to know what they are. But we have to be willing to empty ourselves so that we have room for these desires to grow. What better time to do that than Lent! Pray. Fast. Return. Find the desires of your heart and receive them.
Holy God,
Empty us during this season of Lent that we may connect to the true desires of our heart. Amen.
There are many places in the bible where God promises to give us "the desires of our hearts." ... if we just follow God, pray in Jesus' name, or "delight yourself in the Lord." So, then, why are not all Christians rich, healthy and successful in all they do? Aren't these some of our greatest desires? Maybe Christians that don't have all they want just are not good Christians... hmmmm... I guess that would make all of us.
The problem is what we believe "desires of your heart" actually means. For Lent, I am reading a devotional book by Richard Rohr. In today's reading, he tells us that "desires of your heart" are desires stirred up by the Holy Spirit. These are not our fleshly desires like the ones we have to win the lottery. They are God's desires, placed in us, in order that God's will be done on earth.
Unfortunately, most of us are so concerned about receiving the desires of our egos, we have no clue what the desires of our hearts are. God will reveal them if we really want to know what they are. But we have to be willing to empty ourselves so that we have room for these desires to grow. What better time to do that than Lent! Pray. Fast. Return. Find the desires of your heart and receive them.
Holy God,
Empty us during this season of Lent that we may connect to the true desires of our heart. Amen.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
A News-Free Lent
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:3, 4, 7 NIV)
We have come into an age of instant condemnation. Go ahead. Look at your Facebook feed. Undoubtably there is a news story on there about someone who was arrested for something. The comments below are horrible. They are filled with angry people suggesting punishment (most of which would be considered cruel and unusual). There are at least two things wrong with this. 1- The person was arrested, not tried and convicted. What ever happened to "innocent until proven guilty?" And 2 - There are all those stones being cast! Perhap those commenting should remember the sin in their own lives first.
Imagine being the one dragged in front of the angry mob. It can happen today. It wouldnt take much to find your name or face plastered on Facebook being condemned and not being able to share your side of the story. All those stones being flung.
Now be honest. Maybe you don't actually comment on these stories, but don't you form an opinion based - not even on the whole story that you have to click on to read - put just the posted few lines that are designed to get your attention? I know I have done it.
I'm giving up "fast food news" for Lent. I am taking them all off my news feed. I'm not sure yet where I will go for the news. Unfortunately I think it is all junk these days. My hope is that I will be a more compassionate person come Easter.
Father,
Remove this spirit of condemnation within me and within so many others that have instant access to incomplete news stories. Help us to remember that it could be us dragged in front of the people with stones next time. Amen.
We have come into an age of instant condemnation. Go ahead. Look at your Facebook feed. Undoubtably there is a news story on there about someone who was arrested for something. The comments below are horrible. They are filled with angry people suggesting punishment (most of which would be considered cruel and unusual). There are at least two things wrong with this. 1- The person was arrested, not tried and convicted. What ever happened to "innocent until proven guilty?" And 2 - There are all those stones being cast! Perhap those commenting should remember the sin in their own lives first.
Imagine being the one dragged in front of the angry mob. It can happen today. It wouldnt take much to find your name or face plastered on Facebook being condemned and not being able to share your side of the story. All those stones being flung.
Now be honest. Maybe you don't actually comment on these stories, but don't you form an opinion based - not even on the whole story that you have to click on to read - put just the posted few lines that are designed to get your attention? I know I have done it.
I'm giving up "fast food news" for Lent. I am taking them all off my news feed. I'm not sure yet where I will go for the news. Unfortunately I think it is all junk these days. My hope is that I will be a more compassionate person come Easter.
Father,
Remove this spirit of condemnation within me and within so many others that have instant access to incomplete news stories. Help us to remember that it could be us dragged in front of the people with stones next time. Amen.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Mouth AND Heart
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 NKJV)
Notice that the psalmist says "the words of my mouth AND the meditation of my heart," not "OR." How often do we say the things we know will be pleasing to God, all the while feeling quite the opposite? If you've ever substituted clean words for profanity, you have done it. Yes, most of us know what "shut the front door" REALLY means. The words of the mouth may be pleasing...but not the meditation of the heart.
We are never going to beat this kind of hypocrisy. If we all said what we really thought all the time, no one would ever get along with anyone else! And God is not surprised that our words and thoughts often don't match...and he forgives us over and over and over.
But what does it take to at least grow in this area? It takes drawing closer to God and loving him and loving his commandments. Anyone who knows me, knows I am way more about grace than law. But God's laws are a kind of grace in themselves. They help us to become the people God wants us to be. And when we love his law, our hearts change in such a way that more and more often, the heart matches the words.
We will never be perfect, and we shouldn't beat ourselves up when we fail, but we should take joy in the process of becoming ever more like him as we draw closer through worship, prayer and study.
On this day may the words of my mouth AND the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Amen.
Notice that the psalmist says "the words of my mouth AND the meditation of my heart," not "OR." How often do we say the things we know will be pleasing to God, all the while feeling quite the opposite? If you've ever substituted clean words for profanity, you have done it. Yes, most of us know what "shut the front door" REALLY means. The words of the mouth may be pleasing...but not the meditation of the heart.
We are never going to beat this kind of hypocrisy. If we all said what we really thought all the time, no one would ever get along with anyone else! And God is not surprised that our words and thoughts often don't match...and he forgives us over and over and over.
But what does it take to at least grow in this area? It takes drawing closer to God and loving him and loving his commandments. Anyone who knows me, knows I am way more about grace than law. But God's laws are a kind of grace in themselves. They help us to become the people God wants us to be. And when we love his law, our hearts change in such a way that more and more often, the heart matches the words.
We will never be perfect, and we shouldn't beat ourselves up when we fail, but we should take joy in the process of becoming ever more like him as we draw closer through worship, prayer and study.
On this day may the words of my mouth AND the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Amen.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Acceptance and Love
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3, 4 NIV)
I was in the fourth grade when I my family moved from Canada to South Florida. It was definitely a culture shock! It was also in the middle of the school year, so I had no time to adjust before being thrust in the midst of my new peers. It was difficult. I talked differentlly and had trouble understanding their accents. They laughed at me for standing at my desk whenever I was called on to speak in class. They played different games on the playgound.
For someone who just wanted to blend in, I stuck out like a sore thumb. Thank heaven for Tammy. Instead of being afraid of me for being different, she was curious. She walked home from school with me and asked me all kinds of questions. She sat beside me at lunch. She explained processes and rules as they came up. She helped me enter into the games and groups on the playgound.
As adults, we still often fear those who are different and sometimes even label them as outcasts. And when they enter our churches, it can even create conflict. The best thing to do when someone we perceive as different comes into our church is to take them under our wing. Be curious. Ask them about themselves. Take them to lunch after worship. Explain worship (especially if they don't come from a liturgical background!). Invite them into ministries and groups.
People usually seek out others like themselves. It's not always the best thing to do, but we are comfortable that way, and we like comfort. But sometimes circumstances thrust us into group of very different folks. When someone different comes your way, whether in church or work or your neighborhood, try to remember a time when you felt different and someone mad you feel more welcome... and do the same.
Father,
You have made us all so different, and yet we are so much the same in our desire to be accepted and loved. Help us to be accepting and loving in the same way we would want to be accepted and loved. Amen.
I was in the fourth grade when I my family moved from Canada to South Florida. It was definitely a culture shock! It was also in the middle of the school year, so I had no time to adjust before being thrust in the midst of my new peers. It was difficult. I talked differentlly and had trouble understanding their accents. They laughed at me for standing at my desk whenever I was called on to speak in class. They played different games on the playgound.
For someone who just wanted to blend in, I stuck out like a sore thumb. Thank heaven for Tammy. Instead of being afraid of me for being different, she was curious. She walked home from school with me and asked me all kinds of questions. She sat beside me at lunch. She explained processes and rules as they came up. She helped me enter into the games and groups on the playgound.
As adults, we still often fear those who are different and sometimes even label them as outcasts. And when they enter our churches, it can even create conflict. The best thing to do when someone we perceive as different comes into our church is to take them under our wing. Be curious. Ask them about themselves. Take them to lunch after worship. Explain worship (especially if they don't come from a liturgical background!). Invite them into ministries and groups.
People usually seek out others like themselves. It's not always the best thing to do, but we are comfortable that way, and we like comfort. But sometimes circumstances thrust us into group of very different folks. When someone different comes your way, whether in church or work or your neighborhood, try to remember a time when you felt different and someone mad you feel more welcome... and do the same.
Father,
You have made us all so different, and yet we are so much the same in our desire to be accepted and loved. Help us to be accepting and loving in the same way we would want to be accepted and loved. Amen.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Sunshine
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV)
One of my favorite things to do at the beach is to gather seashells. I have tons of them at home in pretty glass vases and bowls, displaying the prettiest and most unique. The type of shells I find often depends upon what beach I am visiting or what time of year I happen to be there. Richard has found some of our best shells, star fish and sand dollars by trekking out to more deserted areas or - in his National Guard days - by being among the first to arrive after a hurricane.
I usually do my seashell hunting in the early morning sunshine. When the sun shines down on the wet shells just washed up by the surf, they all look so beautiful! They look like little jewels in the sand. I tend to pick up so many and bring them all back inside, where the sun is no longer shining on them and I see them for what they are. Nice, maybe... but not unique and certainly no different from all the ones I already have at home. Without the light shining on them, they are no longer jewels of the sea, but just your ordinary seashell.
God's light works the same way on us. With His light, we become more than what we are without it. We become more beautiful. More valuable. More.....everything. And when we let that light shine on others, we do the same for them. It is so easy to get swept up into this wonderful light.
Unfortunately, it is also easy to live with clouds over us, never letting the sunshine through. And that is contagious as well. When we share negativity, the world around us becomes a negative place and it seems like the sunshine will never appear again.
It's up to each of us each day to shine. Connect with the Source of all light each morning and carry it out to the world each day. Oh, the jewels we will find!
Father,
Help us to be and reflect you light each and every day. When the clouds threaten to overcome us, help us to reach through them to your constant, ever-shining light. Amen.
One of my favorite things to do at the beach is to gather seashells. I have tons of them at home in pretty glass vases and bowls, displaying the prettiest and most unique. The type of shells I find often depends upon what beach I am visiting or what time of year I happen to be there. Richard has found some of our best shells, star fish and sand dollars by trekking out to more deserted areas or - in his National Guard days - by being among the first to arrive after a hurricane.
I usually do my seashell hunting in the early morning sunshine. When the sun shines down on the wet shells just washed up by the surf, they all look so beautiful! They look like little jewels in the sand. I tend to pick up so many and bring them all back inside, where the sun is no longer shining on them and I see them for what they are. Nice, maybe... but not unique and certainly no different from all the ones I already have at home. Without the light shining on them, they are no longer jewels of the sea, but just your ordinary seashell.
God's light works the same way on us. With His light, we become more than what we are without it. We become more beautiful. More valuable. More.....everything. And when we let that light shine on others, we do the same for them. It is so easy to get swept up into this wonderful light.
Unfortunately, it is also easy to live with clouds over us, never letting the sunshine through. And that is contagious as well. When we share negativity, the world around us becomes a negative place and it seems like the sunshine will never appear again.
It's up to each of us each day to shine. Connect with the Source of all light each morning and carry it out to the world each day. Oh, the jewels we will find!
Father,
Help us to be and reflect you light each and every day. When the clouds threaten to overcome us, help us to reach through them to your constant, ever-shining light. Amen.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Authentic Love
This is my command: Love each other. (John 15:17 NIV)
How would you feel if your spouse told you that they love you because they HAVE TO? What if your parents said, "God said I must love my children, and that is why I love you." What if your children only "honored" you because it is in the Ten Commandments? It just wouldn't feel like the real thing, would it?
And yet Christians go around all the time saying, "Well, being a Christian, I HAVE to love even him." Or ... "I should hate the sin, but love the sinner." I think that is just another way of saying I HAVE to love someone I don't really want to love. It's like trying to legislate morality... it can't be done.
Authentic Christian love, like morality cannot be instilled in us through law... God's or man's. This love we are SUPPOSED to feel for everyone can only be transformed into authentic love through the transformation that comes to all of those who daily live as Christ's disciples. It comes through daily prayer, worship, study and action. We cannot have authentic Christian love in our hearts simply by attending church once a week.
It is the "supposed to love" Christians that are labeled "judgmental" and "hypocritical." It is the "authentic love" Christians that turn the world upside down and truly win people to Christ. If we only had more "authentic love" Christians! Think of what the world might be today! Think of the problems that could be solved in this very scary economy! Think of how the world might begin to view Christianity!... not as hypocritical, self-righteous judges, but as the hands, feet and lips of a loving Savior.
Don't HAVE to love your neighbor... LOVE your neighbor. Not with feelings, but with action.
Lord Jesus,
You don't love us because you HAVE to, you love us because you just do... with everything you are. Help us to love you and one another with that kind of pure, authentic love. Amen.
How would you feel if your spouse told you that they love you because they HAVE TO? What if your parents said, "God said I must love my children, and that is why I love you." What if your children only "honored" you because it is in the Ten Commandments? It just wouldn't feel like the real thing, would it?
And yet Christians go around all the time saying, "Well, being a Christian, I HAVE to love even him." Or ... "I should hate the sin, but love the sinner." I think that is just another way of saying I HAVE to love someone I don't really want to love. It's like trying to legislate morality... it can't be done.
Authentic Christian love, like morality cannot be instilled in us through law... God's or man's. This love we are SUPPOSED to feel for everyone can only be transformed into authentic love through the transformation that comes to all of those who daily live as Christ's disciples. It comes through daily prayer, worship, study and action. We cannot have authentic Christian love in our hearts simply by attending church once a week.
It is the "supposed to love" Christians that are labeled "judgmental" and "hypocritical." It is the "authentic love" Christians that turn the world upside down and truly win people to Christ. If we only had more "authentic love" Christians! Think of what the world might be today! Think of the problems that could be solved in this very scary economy! Think of how the world might begin to view Christianity!... not as hypocritical, self-righteous judges, but as the hands, feet and lips of a loving Savior.
Don't HAVE to love your neighbor... LOVE your neighbor. Not with feelings, but with action.
Lord Jesus,
You don't love us because you HAVE to, you love us because you just do... with everything you are. Help us to love you and one another with that kind of pure, authentic love. Amen.
Monday, February 24, 2014
The Call
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength. -Ephesians 1:17-19
When the Holy Spirit calls us, it is an entirely different feeling from simply wanting to do something. In fact, often we DON'T want to do what we are being called to do, but the idea simply will not go away.
Some of the things the Holy Spirit has called me to:
A call doesn't necessarily mean you are supposed to do that thing for the rest of your life. On the contrary... many times a call is just for a season or for a particular purpose God has in mind. We can tell when a call is over when the feeling changes. Suddenly we find we are doing the work on our own and it is just not bearing the fruit it did when God was surely working through us. Many times we keep trying to continue to do it on our own and become frustrated with the sudden lack of inspiration for something that once came so easily. Maybe we want to recapture that wonderful feeling of God working through us. Or maybe we want to live up to the expectations of others. Whatever the reason we try to continue, it is better to accept the fact that God has finished that work and wait for our new call.
In what ways has the Holy Spirit called you over the years? Are you still holding on to old calls? If you are, you might be missing something new and exciting. Pay attention to the nudgings of the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit,
Thank you for your guidance and call over the years. Help me to stay tuned in to how you want to work through me that I may bless others and be blessed. Amen.
When the Holy Spirit calls us, it is an entirely different feeling from simply wanting to do something. In fact, often we DON'T want to do what we are being called to do, but the idea simply will not go away.
Some of the things the Holy Spirit has called me to:
- attending Holy Cross for the first time
- teaching Sunday school
- chairing the Christian Education committee and heading up VBS for several years
- attending Via de Cristo
- writing skits for clown ministry
- working at Holy Cross
- writing these devotions
A call doesn't necessarily mean you are supposed to do that thing for the rest of your life. On the contrary... many times a call is just for a season or for a particular purpose God has in mind. We can tell when a call is over when the feeling changes. Suddenly we find we are doing the work on our own and it is just not bearing the fruit it did when God was surely working through us. Many times we keep trying to continue to do it on our own and become frustrated with the sudden lack of inspiration for something that once came so easily. Maybe we want to recapture that wonderful feeling of God working through us. Or maybe we want to live up to the expectations of others. Whatever the reason we try to continue, it is better to accept the fact that God has finished that work and wait for our new call.
In what ways has the Holy Spirit called you over the years? Are you still holding on to old calls? If you are, you might be missing something new and exciting. Pay attention to the nudgings of the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit,
Thank you for your guidance and call over the years. Help me to stay tuned in to how you want to work through me that I may bless others and be blessed. Amen.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
One-Upping
Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? (1 Corinthians 5:6 NIV)
Have you ever known anyone who always had to "one up" everyone else? If you talked about the fish you caught, he caught a bigger one. If you talked about being in labor for 20 hours, she was in labor for 40. If you pulled a 4.0 GPA in college.. Well... He'll tell you he tested out of college and they just gave him a degree. We all know someone like this... And perhaps we are even like this ourselves from time to time.
The thing is, when we are one-upped in our stories, we are rarely impressed with that person. We are only annoyed. They stole our thunder. They made our accomplishment look small. They tried to make themselves look good, but only succeeded in making themselves look petty. So why do we ever do that?
We crave recognition. We want people to admire us. But bragging always backfires. No one admires a braggart. And the only recognition the habitual braggart gets is eye rolls as she approaches a group in conversation.
Paradoxically, the way to win admiration is by being humble. When we live our lives the way we should, people are naturally drawn to us and even want to imitate us. That is what being yeast is all about. Instead of trying to be better than someone else, we merely do our OWN best and encourage others to be their best. Sometimes we will get the biggest fish and sometimes someone else will. But the point is, the fish are being caught and we should be happy for every person's success, big or small.
We're all in this life together and working together we make much better yeast than when we try to get all the recognition for ourselves.
Father,
Help us to remain humble...and silent...even when we have a "better" story. Help us to take more joy in recognizing others rather than craving recognition for ourselves. Amen.
Have you ever known anyone who always had to "one up" everyone else? If you talked about the fish you caught, he caught a bigger one. If you talked about being in labor for 20 hours, she was in labor for 40. If you pulled a 4.0 GPA in college.. Well... He'll tell you he tested out of college and they just gave him a degree. We all know someone like this... And perhaps we are even like this ourselves from time to time.
The thing is, when we are one-upped in our stories, we are rarely impressed with that person. We are only annoyed. They stole our thunder. They made our accomplishment look small. They tried to make themselves look good, but only succeeded in making themselves look petty. So why do we ever do that?
We crave recognition. We want people to admire us. But bragging always backfires. No one admires a braggart. And the only recognition the habitual braggart gets is eye rolls as she approaches a group in conversation.
Paradoxically, the way to win admiration is by being humble. When we live our lives the way we should, people are naturally drawn to us and even want to imitate us. That is what being yeast is all about. Instead of trying to be better than someone else, we merely do our OWN best and encourage others to be their best. Sometimes we will get the biggest fish and sometimes someone else will. But the point is, the fish are being caught and we should be happy for every person's success, big or small.
We're all in this life together and working together we make much better yeast than when we try to get all the recognition for ourselves.
Father,
Help us to remain humble...and silent...even when we have a "better" story. Help us to take more joy in recognizing others rather than craving recognition for ourselves. Amen.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Improve the World
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (Romans 7:15 NIV)
The writer E.B. White once commented, "I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." I'm sure this is a struggle all of us have to one extent or another. Even Paul talks about the trouble this phenomena gives him when he says,"I don't do what I want, but I do what I hate."
Now most of us will not have holidays named after us for improving the world in any significant ways, and human nature will always be after us to please ourselves rather than others. But with each decision we make during the course of each day we have a choice of improving the world or simply enjoying the world.
It is the choice we make between serving a home-cooked meal at a homeless shelter or going out to eat...again. It is the choice between giving your spare change to the Christian Ministry collection at the supermarket or tossing it in your own overflowing change jar at home. It is a choice between taking offense or letting it go... Holding a grudge or forgiving. It is the choice between wearing a scowl all day or smiling at each person you encounter.
Improving the world doesn't always mean solving world hunger or balancing the national budget. If everyone always made the decision to improve the world in the these smaller ways, the bigger problems would practically take care of themselves. The wonderful paradox God offers is that when we decide to improve the world rather than enjoy the world, we actually enjoy the world a whole lot more than we would have.
Father,
Guide us in every choice we make today. Amen.
The writer E.B. White once commented, "I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." I'm sure this is a struggle all of us have to one extent or another. Even Paul talks about the trouble this phenomena gives him when he says,"I don't do what I want, but I do what I hate."
Now most of us will not have holidays named after us for improving the world in any significant ways, and human nature will always be after us to please ourselves rather than others. But with each decision we make during the course of each day we have a choice of improving the world or simply enjoying the world.
It is the choice we make between serving a home-cooked meal at a homeless shelter or going out to eat...again. It is the choice between giving your spare change to the Christian Ministry collection at the supermarket or tossing it in your own overflowing change jar at home. It is a choice between taking offense or letting it go... Holding a grudge or forgiving. It is the choice between wearing a scowl all day or smiling at each person you encounter.
Improving the world doesn't always mean solving world hunger or balancing the national budget. If everyone always made the decision to improve the world in the these smaller ways, the bigger problems would practically take care of themselves. The wonderful paradox God offers is that when we decide to improve the world rather than enjoy the world, we actually enjoy the world a whole lot more than we would have.
Father,
Guide us in every choice we make today. Amen.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Thou Shall
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17 NIV)
I find the commandment to not covet to be the hardest commandment to keep. This one is not a commandment about behavior and action, but about attitude and intention. I don't find it difficult to refrain from killing... or even the less obvious meaning of the commandment - killing someone's spirit. But I do find it difficult to refrain from feeling envy over another's ability to sing well or play an instrument. I find it difficult to refrain from envy over another's ability to manage money well or keep healthy habits. And I sometimes even find it difficult to refrain from envy over some else's car or home or clothes or vacations.
There is always someone who has talents or gifts or wealth that we don't... and that we wish we did. So how do we refrain from envy? How can we change how we feel? I wonder if the commandments shouldn't have been made into a list of "Thou Shalls" instead of "Thou Shall Nots."
Instead of "Thou shall not murder," what if it was, "Thou shall seek to make the lives of all others worth living." Instead of "Thou shall not commit adultry," what if it was, "Thou shall seek always to bring the greatest joy to your spouse." And then instead of "You shall not covet," it was "You shall count your talents, gifts and material goods and give thanks for them every day."
True gratitude sends envy running. When we are focused on the incredible abundance of what we have, we have no room to wish for what others have. Gratitude is the safeguard against covetness. Count your blessings today and every day.
Father,
You have given me more than I could count in a lifetime. Thank you. Amen.
I find the commandment to not covet to be the hardest commandment to keep. This one is not a commandment about behavior and action, but about attitude and intention. I don't find it difficult to refrain from killing... or even the less obvious meaning of the commandment - killing someone's spirit. But I do find it difficult to refrain from feeling envy over another's ability to sing well or play an instrument. I find it difficult to refrain from envy over another's ability to manage money well or keep healthy habits. And I sometimes even find it difficult to refrain from envy over some else's car or home or clothes or vacations.
There is always someone who has talents or gifts or wealth that we don't... and that we wish we did. So how do we refrain from envy? How can we change how we feel? I wonder if the commandments shouldn't have been made into a list of "Thou Shalls" instead of "Thou Shall Nots."
Instead of "Thou shall not murder," what if it was, "Thou shall seek to make the lives of all others worth living." Instead of "Thou shall not commit adultry," what if it was, "Thou shall seek always to bring the greatest joy to your spouse." And then instead of "You shall not covet," it was "You shall count your talents, gifts and material goods and give thanks for them every day."
True gratitude sends envy running. When we are focused on the incredible abundance of what we have, we have no room to wish for what others have. Gratitude is the safeguard against covetness. Count your blessings today and every day.
Father,
You have given me more than I could count in a lifetime. Thank you. Amen.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
The Joy of Skipping
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox. (Psalm 29:5, 6 NIV)
Have you ever been part of a cardio class? It usually looks a lot more fun than it feels! You can tell just by watching the participants. They may be dancing, but their expressions don't look as joyful as their movements. Their expressions are often downright grim.
I once (a LONG time ago) participated in a class that had us all wearing those same grim looks through all the dancing and hopping and running in place. But then the instructor had us skip in a big circle around the room! Did you ever try to NOT smile while you skip? There is a childlike joy in the very action! Most of us were grinning from ear to ear, but amazingly, there were still some who managed to scowl through it.
It kind of reminds me of communion. What could be more joyful than being in the very presence of Christ? And yet mostly I see grim faces. I understand there is a certain amount of solemnity in the occasion. It took the crucifixion to provide this Body and Blood, and our sin makes it necessary. But... the act of taking communion unites us with Christ and forgives our sin... so JOY! JOY! JOY!
So maybe we will never all take communion sporting ear-to-ear grins. But let's at least work on getting rid of the scowl. Or maybe we can talk Pastor Chad into having us all skip up to the altar!
Lord Jesus,
Help us to feel the joy of Your Meal when we partake. Amen.
Have you ever been part of a cardio class? It usually looks a lot more fun than it feels! You can tell just by watching the participants. They may be dancing, but their expressions don't look as joyful as their movements. Their expressions are often downright grim.
I once (a LONG time ago) participated in a class that had us all wearing those same grim looks through all the dancing and hopping and running in place. But then the instructor had us skip in a big circle around the room! Did you ever try to NOT smile while you skip? There is a childlike joy in the very action! Most of us were grinning from ear to ear, but amazingly, there were still some who managed to scowl through it.
It kind of reminds me of communion. What could be more joyful than being in the very presence of Christ? And yet mostly I see grim faces. I understand there is a certain amount of solemnity in the occasion. It took the crucifixion to provide this Body and Blood, and our sin makes it necessary. But... the act of taking communion unites us with Christ and forgives our sin... so JOY! JOY! JOY!
So maybe we will never all take communion sporting ear-to-ear grins. But let's at least work on getting rid of the scowl. Or maybe we can talk Pastor Chad into having us all skip up to the altar!
Lord Jesus,
Help us to feel the joy of Your Meal when we partake. Amen.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Making Choices
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him. -Deuteronomy 30:19-20a
Every day we make hundreds, if not thousands, of choices. From them moment we choose whether to hit the snooze alarm or just get up, until the the choice of one more chapter or put the book down and sleep, we make choice after choice after choice....
What to wear; what to eat; gas up now or after work; let the driver into your crowded lane or pretend you don't see his blinker; listen to the gossip or walk away; accept the criticism or argue your side; bless your lunch or just eat... and the list goes on and on and on.
Our choices say a lot about who we are. And most of our choices can boil down to whether or not we are choosing to be that "salt" and "light" we've been hearing about in church lately. So maybe God doesn't care about whether we wear the blue shirt or the green shirt today and I don't think God would want us to obsess about each and every little choice. Hopefully our love for God and for one another will make our choices to be salt and light come quite naturally.
But sometimes we do need to just stop and think. Too often we let our own needs and wants get in the way. We're late or work, so we don't take the time to be courteous to other drivers. We participate in gossip to feel a little superior for a while. And if we did just stop and think... most of us would choose better.
Stop and think today... life or death... blessings or curses... salt and light or rude and thoughtless?
Holy God,
Help us to choose wisely, that the we spend our days may giv us life in you. Amen.
Every day we make hundreds, if not thousands, of choices. From them moment we choose whether to hit the snooze alarm or just get up, until the the choice of one more chapter or put the book down and sleep, we make choice after choice after choice....
What to wear; what to eat; gas up now or after work; let the driver into your crowded lane or pretend you don't see his blinker; listen to the gossip or walk away; accept the criticism or argue your side; bless your lunch or just eat... and the list goes on and on and on.
Our choices say a lot about who we are. And most of our choices can boil down to whether or not we are choosing to be that "salt" and "light" we've been hearing about in church lately. So maybe God doesn't care about whether we wear the blue shirt or the green shirt today and I don't think God would want us to obsess about each and every little choice. Hopefully our love for God and for one another will make our choices to be salt and light come quite naturally.
But sometimes we do need to just stop and think. Too often we let our own needs and wants get in the way. We're late or work, so we don't take the time to be courteous to other drivers. We participate in gossip to feel a little superior for a while. And if we did just stop and think... most of us would choose better.
Stop and think today... life or death... blessings or curses... salt and light or rude and thoughtless?
Holy God,
Help us to choose wisely, that the we spend our days may giv us life in you. Amen.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Let It Shine
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV)
In our moments of prayer, devotions or worship we are all for being "the light of the world." But as soon as we get up off our knees or leave the sanctuary, we forget to take that light with us... That light we just agreed to share with the world... That light that reflects the love of Christ... That light of which no darkness can penetrate. We leave it there and don't even think of it again until we are next on our knees.
We carry our credit cards, debit cards, money and customer bonus cards wherever we go. We are reminded every minute of every day that we are consumers and we are programmed to buy, buy, buy. What if we were equally attached to a candle to remind us that we are to bring the light of Christ into the world?
If I have my candle with me, I wonder how much more patience I would have with others. I wonder if I would be as quick to pass up someone I know is in need. I wonder if I wouldn't be a bit kinder, a bit more loving and more ready to pass on a little more grace.
At Holy Cross we are encouraged to use little star stickers in various places to remind us to pray throughout the day. Perhaps we can find something that will remind us to shine our light throughout the day as well.
Lord Jesus,
Help us to remember to shine, even after we've said amen. Amen.
In our moments of prayer, devotions or worship we are all for being "the light of the world." But as soon as we get up off our knees or leave the sanctuary, we forget to take that light with us... That light we just agreed to share with the world... That light that reflects the love of Christ... That light of which no darkness can penetrate. We leave it there and don't even think of it again until we are next on our knees.
We carry our credit cards, debit cards, money and customer bonus cards wherever we go. We are reminded every minute of every day that we are consumers and we are programmed to buy, buy, buy. What if we were equally attached to a candle to remind us that we are to bring the light of Christ into the world?
If I have my candle with me, I wonder how much more patience I would have with others. I wonder if I would be as quick to pass up someone I know is in need. I wonder if I wouldn't be a bit kinder, a bit more loving and more ready to pass on a little more grace.
At Holy Cross we are encouraged to use little star stickers in various places to remind us to pray throughout the day. Perhaps we can find something that will remind us to shine our light throughout the day as well.
Lord Jesus,
Help us to remember to shine, even after we've said amen. Amen.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Sharing the Experience
Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.
"Come and see," said Philip. (John 1:45, 46 NIV)
I love Nathaniel's response to Phillip: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" It's the type of response I feel from people I know who don't "do" religion. They don't usually say it, but I can see it in there body language... "Can anything good come out of religion?" Some have been hurt by the church. Some have been turned off by the in-fighting. Some just see it as a waste of a perfectly good weekend morning.
Philip told Nathaniel who Jesus was, but it wasn't until Nathaniel experienced Jesus himself that he was won over. That is our challenge. We can talk about Jesus until we are blue in the face... That will not convince anybody. We need to help people experience Christ for themselves. We do that by drawing them into our own experiences.
If you only experience Christ at church, you will have a hard time drawing non-church goers into your experience. Once you have Christ at the very center of your own life, then you are in a position to allow others to experience him through you.
Lord Jesus,
May our lives reflect you, so that others may see. Amen.
"Come and see," said Philip. (John 1:45, 46 NIV)
I love Nathaniel's response to Phillip: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" It's the type of response I feel from people I know who don't "do" religion. They don't usually say it, but I can see it in there body language... "Can anything good come out of religion?" Some have been hurt by the church. Some have been turned off by the in-fighting. Some just see it as a waste of a perfectly good weekend morning.
Philip told Nathaniel who Jesus was, but it wasn't until Nathaniel experienced Jesus himself that he was won over. That is our challenge. We can talk about Jesus until we are blue in the face... That will not convince anybody. We need to help people experience Christ for themselves. We do that by drawing them into our own experiences.
If you only experience Christ at church, you will have a hard time drawing non-church goers into your experience. Once you have Christ at the very center of your own life, then you are in a position to allow others to experience him through you.
Lord Jesus,
May our lives reflect you, so that others may see. Amen.
Monday, February 3, 2014
The Ocean and the Map
Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God. (Deuteronomy 7:21 NIV)
When I first moved to North Carolina with my husband in 1985, one of the first questions I was often asked upon meeting someone new was, "Where do you go to church?" Not so much anymore. And that is probably because it is no longer assumed that everyone is a member of a church... and that is probably because fewer and fewer people are church members. But I don't think that necessarily means we have more and more unbelievers.
C.S. Lewis tells about a time when after he gave a talk to a group of military, an old army sergeant said, "I’ve no use for all that stuff. But, mind you, I’m a religious man too. I know there’s a God. I’ve felt Him: out alone in the desert at night: the tremendous mystery. And that’s just why I don’t believe all your neat little dogmas and formulas about Him. To anyone who’s met the real thing they all seem so petty and pedantic and unreal!" Once we have truly experienced God's presence, we know he is so much bigger than any of those boxes in which we try to put him. And I think that is what the "spiritual, but not religious" folks are trying to tell us.
But Lewis puts it all into perspective by comparing it to our experience of the ocean. A map of the Atlantic just doesn't do it the way standing on the shore with our feet in the surf does. The experience really makes us feel the greatness and majesty and power of the ocean. A map is just... paper. BUT, the map is the result of hundreds of thousands of acutal experiences of the ocean that come together to share that accumulation of experiences with others. If you are content to walk on your own beach, well then that will be more fun than looking at a map. But if you ever want to get to Europe or Africa, you are going to need the map.
If our churches are so stuck in dogmas and creeds (the experiences of others) that we are not experiencing God for ourselves, then maybe we need to set our maps down for a while and let God guide us. We need the unity of the church with all the shared experiences of the saints, past and present to help us grow; but we also need to experience the tremendous mystery of God, for that is the whole point of it, isn't it? We need to experience that he is so much bigger than our boxes and our rules and our creeds. If our churches could be the map AND the actual ocean, maybe people will start asking again, "Where do you go to church?"
Amazing and Mysterious God,
Help us to put down our "maps" and experience you for real. Amen.
When I first moved to North Carolina with my husband in 1985, one of the first questions I was often asked upon meeting someone new was, "Where do you go to church?" Not so much anymore. And that is probably because it is no longer assumed that everyone is a member of a church... and that is probably because fewer and fewer people are church members. But I don't think that necessarily means we have more and more unbelievers.
C.S. Lewis tells about a time when after he gave a talk to a group of military, an old army sergeant said, "I’ve no use for all that stuff. But, mind you, I’m a religious man too. I know there’s a God. I’ve felt Him: out alone in the desert at night: the tremendous mystery. And that’s just why I don’t believe all your neat little dogmas and formulas about Him. To anyone who’s met the real thing they all seem so petty and pedantic and unreal!" Once we have truly experienced God's presence, we know he is so much bigger than any of those boxes in which we try to put him. And I think that is what the "spiritual, but not religious" folks are trying to tell us.
But Lewis puts it all into perspective by comparing it to our experience of the ocean. A map of the Atlantic just doesn't do it the way standing on the shore with our feet in the surf does. The experience really makes us feel the greatness and majesty and power of the ocean. A map is just... paper. BUT, the map is the result of hundreds of thousands of acutal experiences of the ocean that come together to share that accumulation of experiences with others. If you are content to walk on your own beach, well then that will be more fun than looking at a map. But if you ever want to get to Europe or Africa, you are going to need the map.
If our churches are so stuck in dogmas and creeds (the experiences of others) that we are not experiencing God for ourselves, then maybe we need to set our maps down for a while and let God guide us. We need the unity of the church with all the shared experiences of the saints, past and present to help us grow; but we also need to experience the tremendous mystery of God, for that is the whole point of it, isn't it? We need to experience that he is so much bigger than our boxes and our rules and our creeds. If our churches could be the map AND the actual ocean, maybe people will start asking again, "Where do you go to church?"
Amazing and Mysterious God,
Help us to put down our "maps" and experience you for real. Amen.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Fear
The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 NIV)
There is more to be afraid of in this world than ever before in my lifetime: sending our kids to school, going to work at a job where anybody has ever been fired or treated (in their mind) unfaily, letting our children play outside unsupervised, going to any event that draws large crowds, going to the mall, driving in this age where drivers are paying more attention to their phones than their driving, going to an airport. There are even churches where members come armed for fear of a random shooter storming into worship.
I have had people try to instill fear in me by telling me I should carry pepper spray, or I shouldn't hike alone, or I should get a flu shot, or I shouldn't get a flu shot. The media makes us afraid to drink our water or eat vegetables that come from a supermarket or eat meat or eat carbs or drink coffee or soda.
It's all enough to make you want to stay in bed with the covers pulled up over your head, but I'll bet there is something dangerous about that too. Life is risky. We never know when something bad is going to happen and none of us are immune. We should all procede with a certain amount of caution in our lives, but the only way to protect ourselves completely is to stop living.
In over half a century of life, I've lived through my share of scary things. I know people who have lived through much worse than I have and others who haven't known half the pain I have. It all seems very random and unfair. But these things I've learned: Life goes on. God provides.
God provides what we need, rather than what we think we need. Sometimes, God simply provides another person with whom to share our pain. And in the midst of whatever scary stuff we've found ourselves, we discover that, even though it is painful, it was never anything to be afraid of. Pain is a part of living. Fear keeps us from living. I've heard it said that fear is simply an absence of faith.
Don't be so afraid of life that you don't live. God never meant for us to be afraid, even in times like these. Will bad things happen? Yes. But God will be there too.
Father,
There is so much to be afraid of in our world today. Give us courage. Give us faith. Amen.
There is more to be afraid of in this world than ever before in my lifetime: sending our kids to school, going to work at a job where anybody has ever been fired or treated (in their mind) unfaily, letting our children play outside unsupervised, going to any event that draws large crowds, going to the mall, driving in this age where drivers are paying more attention to their phones than their driving, going to an airport. There are even churches where members come armed for fear of a random shooter storming into worship.
I have had people try to instill fear in me by telling me I should carry pepper spray, or I shouldn't hike alone, or I should get a flu shot, or I shouldn't get a flu shot. The media makes us afraid to drink our water or eat vegetables that come from a supermarket or eat meat or eat carbs or drink coffee or soda.
It's all enough to make you want to stay in bed with the covers pulled up over your head, but I'll bet there is something dangerous about that too. Life is risky. We never know when something bad is going to happen and none of us are immune. We should all procede with a certain amount of caution in our lives, but the only way to protect ourselves completely is to stop living.
In over half a century of life, I've lived through my share of scary things. I know people who have lived through much worse than I have and others who haven't known half the pain I have. It all seems very random and unfair. But these things I've learned: Life goes on. God provides.
God provides what we need, rather than what we think we need. Sometimes, God simply provides another person with whom to share our pain. And in the midst of whatever scary stuff we've found ourselves, we discover that, even though it is painful, it was never anything to be afraid of. Pain is a part of living. Fear keeps us from living. I've heard it said that fear is simply an absence of faith.
Don't be so afraid of life that you don't live. God never meant for us to be afraid, even in times like these. Will bad things happen? Yes. But God will be there too.
Father,
There is so much to be afraid of in our world today. Give us courage. Give us faith. Amen.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Turn Around
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:1, 2 NIV)
Have you ever gotten lost in a big city? I sure have! Before the advent of the GPS, I got lost a lot! I've been lost in Miami and lost in Jacksonville. I've been lost in New London, Connecticut (not a very big city... but I got lost just the same!) I've been lost in Atlanta and Charlotte (who hasn't?) I even got lost in Hickory once. But now I have GPS! What a wonderful invention! I admit that occasionally I will still wander off in the wrong direction, but Siri will set me straight by telling me to turn around or "make a u-turn as soon as it is safe to do so."
When we are lost, sometimes we don't even realize it. I know plenty of guys --- even with a GPS that keeps yelling at them to turn around ---- will never admit that they are lost. Part of getting back on track is to realize and admit that we are, indeed, lost. If we don't, then why in the world would we turn around? Sometimes, we eventually wind up at our destination even if we don't turn around. We might have to take a lot of twisty, windy roads and it will take us a lot longer, but, hey... the world is round, so....
"Repent" is from the Greek, "metanoia" which literally means, "to turn around." But first we have to reaalize and admit that we have wandered off track. Our GPS can be the Bible or an Order of Confession or an Examination of Conscience or even the Lord's Prayer. As we listen to that GPS we can hear Siri (or is it the Holy Spirit) saying, "turn around!" "You're going in the wrong direction!" If we listen and turn around, we are sure to save ourselves a lot of trouble. If we are too busy trying to find our way on our own to listen, God will still love us. And he will follow us down the windy, twisty paths - still trying to get our attention to turn around. And we might arrive at our destination late and weary and beaten, but we will arrive.
God just wants our trip to be the best trip it can be. He's mapped it out for us in the Bible. He sent the Holy Spirit as our GPS. It's our choice to listen and enjoy the ride or ignore it all and keep running into dead ends.
Father,
Help us pay better attention as you guide us through life. Amen.
Have you ever gotten lost in a big city? I sure have! Before the advent of the GPS, I got lost a lot! I've been lost in Miami and lost in Jacksonville. I've been lost in New London, Connecticut (not a very big city... but I got lost just the same!) I've been lost in Atlanta and Charlotte (who hasn't?) I even got lost in Hickory once. But now I have GPS! What a wonderful invention! I admit that occasionally I will still wander off in the wrong direction, but Siri will set me straight by telling me to turn around or "make a u-turn as soon as it is safe to do so."
When we are lost, sometimes we don't even realize it. I know plenty of guys --- even with a GPS that keeps yelling at them to turn around ---- will never admit that they are lost. Part of getting back on track is to realize and admit that we are, indeed, lost. If we don't, then why in the world would we turn around? Sometimes, we eventually wind up at our destination even if we don't turn around. We might have to take a lot of twisty, windy roads and it will take us a lot longer, but, hey... the world is round, so....
"Repent" is from the Greek, "metanoia" which literally means, "to turn around." But first we have to reaalize and admit that we have wandered off track. Our GPS can be the Bible or an Order of Confession or an Examination of Conscience or even the Lord's Prayer. As we listen to that GPS we can hear Siri (or is it the Holy Spirit) saying, "turn around!" "You're going in the wrong direction!" If we listen and turn around, we are sure to save ourselves a lot of trouble. If we are too busy trying to find our way on our own to listen, God will still love us. And he will follow us down the windy, twisty paths - still trying to get our attention to turn around. And we might arrive at our destination late and weary and beaten, but we will arrive.
God just wants our trip to be the best trip it can be. He's mapped it out for us in the Bible. He sent the Holy Spirit as our GPS. It's our choice to listen and enjoy the ride or ignore it all and keep running into dead ends.
Father,
Help us pay better attention as you guide us through life. Amen.
Monday, January 27, 2014
God's Net of Grace
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19 NIV)
Yesterday's children's sermon was cute. Pastor Chad took a couple of kids to form a "net" and then "captured" small groups of other kids in it. But even though Chad tried to make it look fun to be a part of the net, Cecelia and one of her friends wanted no part of being captured and ran from the group that came towards them.
It made me think about reasons some people might have for running from the invitation of God's grace.
Yesterday's children's sermon was cute. Pastor Chad took a couple of kids to form a "net" and then "captured" small groups of other kids in it. But even though Chad tried to make it look fun to be a part of the net, Cecelia and one of her friends wanted no part of being captured and ran from the group that came towards them.
It made me think about reasons some people might have for running from the invitation of God's grace.
- Some may not like the feeling of being "chased." Sometimes our attempts at evangelizing can be off-putting... even if we feel like we're using a soft approach. It can be overwhelming for people to be relentless in their invitations to church and church functions.
- Some people have been part of the net before and have had bad experiences... being treated unkindly by so-called Christians, or even being abused.
- Some feel like they are not good enough to accept the invitation. They want to "get their life right" first. Sadly, many have learned this from other Christians too.
- Some feel they need to have proof positive about God's existance. They can't commit to something they can't see, touch and feel.
I believe the remedy for most, if not all, of these reasons for running from the Net of Grace is for us to be real. Our evangelism should spring naturally as we form friendships with others. As we share our lives, we share what Christ has done for us. No bibles need to be used as sledge hammers.
Being real means letting others be real as well. When others see that even church people aren't perfect, they might be more willing to see what this grace stuff is all about. Being real will also help us to see hypocracy and abuse in the church, expose it and get rid of it.
Being real means allowing ourselves to talk about our doubts and questions and share those moments when we know God was present with us. If we present ourselves as people who often struggle with our faith, maybe those who think they need proof positive will see that proof is not really necessary to receive the joy and peace that come with faith.
God's grace net is not insistant, but it is persistant. We should make it look like the wonderful thing that it is, and we can do that by being real, even when... no, especially when... it makes us feel vulnerable.
Father,
I pray for those who are searching, but avoiding your net of grace. Help us to allow them to find you through us. Amen.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
The Middle of a Miracle
However, this is no excuse, because if they possessed the ability to examine the universe, why did it take them so long to find you, the Lord of the universe? (Wisdom of Solomon 13:8, 9) (This verse comes from the Apocrapha - a collection of scripture that can be found in Roman Catholic Bibles)
One of the best things about having grandchildren is getting to see the world anew through their eyes. The beach, snow, geese flying in formation. I will never forget the first time Cecelia noticed a firefly. She lit up as brightly as they did with her laughter at the astounding wonder of these tiny creatures.
As adults, we forget that we are living in the middle of a miracle. What excites us? A touchdown? I rise in the stock market? An unexpected bonus? A new car? This is what the world tells us we should be excited about. But the real excitement is all around us, if we will just look with new eyes... if we would just get out there where the real excitement is. Not in the middle of where all the crowds are. They are following the world. Take the road less traveled, and you will be astounded at what you find. Creation. And when you get close to creation, you find it impossible not to feel close to God. And you find it impossible not to believe that only God could create such things.
Look at what these women found when they took a road less traveled... amazing!
http://goodmenproject.com/bits-and-pieces/video-real-natural-bird-women-canoe-event-will-stun-megasahd/
Father,
Help us to see that we live in the middle of a miracle. Amen.
One of the best things about having grandchildren is getting to see the world anew through their eyes. The beach, snow, geese flying in formation. I will never forget the first time Cecelia noticed a firefly. She lit up as brightly as they did with her laughter at the astounding wonder of these tiny creatures.
As adults, we forget that we are living in the middle of a miracle. What excites us? A touchdown? I rise in the stock market? An unexpected bonus? A new car? This is what the world tells us we should be excited about. But the real excitement is all around us, if we will just look with new eyes... if we would just get out there where the real excitement is. Not in the middle of where all the crowds are. They are following the world. Take the road less traveled, and you will be astounded at what you find. Creation. And when you get close to creation, you find it impossible not to feel close to God. And you find it impossible not to believe that only God could create such things.
Look at what these women found when they took a road less traveled... amazing!
http://goodmenproject.com/bits-and-pieces/video-real-natural-bird-women-canoe-event-will-stun-megasahd/
Father,
Help us to see that we live in the middle of a miracle. Amen.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Stream of Blessings
They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. (Psalm 36:8, 9 NIV)
We have a tendency to view God's blessings as if they come from some heavenly faucet. Sometimes, the faucet seems to be on full blast and we bask in all of the delightful blessings pouring down upon us. Most of the time, we only see a trickle. A blessing here. A blessing there. And then sometimes it seems like God just turns off the faucet faced in our own direction. Nothing seems to go right and it is just one bad thing after another. In those times of trickle or complete drought, we try to find ways to get God to turn on that faucet again... maybe if I pray more... maybe if I do more good works... maybe if I give more money.
But so many of the writers of scripture tell us that God's blessings are a never-ending stream. They just keep coming and coming. There is never just a trickle and certainly no off button. God's blessings keep coming. It's our perception that needs work. When we suffer loss or failure or when we feel anything less than happy, we think God has been turning down our blessing faucet, when really, we have simply walked too far away from the stream.
So many people can witness to the fact that in their most difficult trials, the blessings of God have been unstoppable. They are the folks who know how to stay close to the blessing stream, instead of wandering away. It's a matter of perspective. And it's a matter of asking ourselves, "Who or what has God sent my way to turn this perceived disaster into a blessing?"
Get a little closer to the stream today. If you dare, jump in and get drenched in God's blessings.
Father,
We wander away, but blame you for our lack of blessings. Open our eyes to the constant stream that beckons. Amen.
We have a tendency to view God's blessings as if they come from some heavenly faucet. Sometimes, the faucet seems to be on full blast and we bask in all of the delightful blessings pouring down upon us. Most of the time, we only see a trickle. A blessing here. A blessing there. And then sometimes it seems like God just turns off the faucet faced in our own direction. Nothing seems to go right and it is just one bad thing after another. In those times of trickle or complete drought, we try to find ways to get God to turn on that faucet again... maybe if I pray more... maybe if I do more good works... maybe if I give more money.
But so many of the writers of scripture tell us that God's blessings are a never-ending stream. They just keep coming and coming. There is never just a trickle and certainly no off button. God's blessings keep coming. It's our perception that needs work. When we suffer loss or failure or when we feel anything less than happy, we think God has been turning down our blessing faucet, when really, we have simply walked too far away from the stream.
So many people can witness to the fact that in their most difficult trials, the blessings of God have been unstoppable. They are the folks who know how to stay close to the blessing stream, instead of wandering away. It's a matter of perspective. And it's a matter of asking ourselves, "Who or what has God sent my way to turn this perceived disaster into a blessing?"
Get a little closer to the stream today. If you dare, jump in and get drenched in God's blessings.
Father,
We wander away, but blame you for our lack of blessings. Open our eyes to the constant stream that beckons. Amen.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Bible Study
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV)
Bible study. It is a vitally important part of our faith. How can we worship God if we don't know anything about him? The bible is the best tool we have to try to figure out who God is and what he expects of us. Unfortunately, the bible can also be very confusing. We can find scripture that seems to contradict other scripture. We have to figure out what is supposed to be taken literally and what is to be taken figuratively. We find the "God who never changes" to be very different from Old to New Testament. We see God forgive an adulterous, murderous, lying David and even calling him a "man after God's own heart," but in the Book of Acts, he strikes dead a man and his wife for lying about how much they gave to the church.
I think the most important part of bible study is studying how the Bible - as it is today - has come into being. When was each book written? By whom were they written? Why were certain books included and others not? How have translations affected the original words? How might the historical context affect how we should understand specific scripture today?
The bible is not a magical book that floated down from heaven directly from the hand of God. Is it divinely inspired? I certainly believe so. Is it useful for teaching, correcting and training in righteousness? Absolutely, if used carefully. But I don't believe God ever meant us to worship the bible or use it to subjugate others or as a tool to control the masses.
Serious study of the background of the bible can be quite eye-opening and very difficult for those who have been led to believe that the bible has magical qualities. It's hard to hear that maybe some of those that have books of the bible named for them probably didn't write them at all. It's hard to learn that there were many gospel stories about Jesus that were written that "didn't make the cut." It is eye-opening to learn how the Jewish people read the different books that are included in our Old Testement and how they interpret them.
Honestly, it can really shake one's faith when we learn some of these things, but in the long run, I also think it makes our faith stronger.... to know that God is bigger than these words... to know that we can still find God in those words and feel Him speak to our hearts in amazing and miraculous ways. The bible IS a miracle, but it is not magic. Really studying the bible from its beginnings might remove the magic, but it will also compound the miracle.
Holy God,
Help us to study not only your word given in scripture, but the process you used to bring it to us. Deepen our faith even as we question it. Amen.
Bible study. It is a vitally important part of our faith. How can we worship God if we don't know anything about him? The bible is the best tool we have to try to figure out who God is and what he expects of us. Unfortunately, the bible can also be very confusing. We can find scripture that seems to contradict other scripture. We have to figure out what is supposed to be taken literally and what is to be taken figuratively. We find the "God who never changes" to be very different from Old to New Testament. We see God forgive an adulterous, murderous, lying David and even calling him a "man after God's own heart," but in the Book of Acts, he strikes dead a man and his wife for lying about how much they gave to the church.
I think the most important part of bible study is studying how the Bible - as it is today - has come into being. When was each book written? By whom were they written? Why were certain books included and others not? How have translations affected the original words? How might the historical context affect how we should understand specific scripture today?
The bible is not a magical book that floated down from heaven directly from the hand of God. Is it divinely inspired? I certainly believe so. Is it useful for teaching, correcting and training in righteousness? Absolutely, if used carefully. But I don't believe God ever meant us to worship the bible or use it to subjugate others or as a tool to control the masses.
Serious study of the background of the bible can be quite eye-opening and very difficult for those who have been led to believe that the bible has magical qualities. It's hard to hear that maybe some of those that have books of the bible named for them probably didn't write them at all. It's hard to learn that there were many gospel stories about Jesus that were written that "didn't make the cut." It is eye-opening to learn how the Jewish people read the different books that are included in our Old Testement and how they interpret them.
Honestly, it can really shake one's faith when we learn some of these things, but in the long run, I also think it makes our faith stronger.... to know that God is bigger than these words... to know that we can still find God in those words and feel Him speak to our hearts in amazing and miraculous ways. The bible IS a miracle, but it is not magic. Really studying the bible from its beginnings might remove the magic, but it will also compound the miracle.
Holy God,
Help us to study not only your word given in scripture, but the process you used to bring it to us. Deepen our faith even as we question it. Amen.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Sibling Rivalry
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him. (Genesis 49:28 NIV)
I grew up in a large family... two brothers and three sisters. To put it rather mildly, there was a lot of sibling rivalry! We would even form "alliances" and they were different all the time. Girls against boys, older against younger, the twins against everyone else.
Like Jacob, parents sometimes play an unintentional part in this rivalry by comparing their children to each other.... "Jane, why can't you eat all your vegetables like Johnny does?" "Johnny, why can't your make good grades like your sister?" Instead of making us want to improve ourselves, it makes us want to point out the flaws in the other. And there it is.... sibling rivalry.
As children of God we tend to do the same thing. God does not compare us to one another, but many of us pick out things from the Bible that we are good at to show what good Christians we are, and then pick out things our brothers and sisters are bad at to show how bad they are and how our Father certainly must love us more.
If we were to quit comparing and just use our own unique gifts and talents to glorify God, how glorious and wonderful this world would be! But we are so afraid that a brother's or sister's success is going to reflect badly on us. But if we all did the same things well, so many things would be left undone. And they ARE being left undone, because we are too busy comparing ourselves and trying to prove that someone else's success isn't really all that great.
God isn't fooled. And he isn't moved to love me one bit more than anyone else just because I might think I deserve it. We just need to learn to shine our own lights and delight in the lights of our brothers and sisters. Sibling rivalry seems to be a part of our DNA, but maybe if we can recognize it as it happens, we can change it into sibling support.
Father,
Help us to support one another in using our unique gifts and talents instead of tearing each other down. Help us to love our brothers and sisters as you love them. Amen
I grew up in a large family... two brothers and three sisters. To put it rather mildly, there was a lot of sibling rivalry! We would even form "alliances" and they were different all the time. Girls against boys, older against younger, the twins against everyone else.
Like Jacob, parents sometimes play an unintentional part in this rivalry by comparing their children to each other.... "Jane, why can't you eat all your vegetables like Johnny does?" "Johnny, why can't your make good grades like your sister?" Instead of making us want to improve ourselves, it makes us want to point out the flaws in the other. And there it is.... sibling rivalry.
As children of God we tend to do the same thing. God does not compare us to one another, but many of us pick out things from the Bible that we are good at to show what good Christians we are, and then pick out things our brothers and sisters are bad at to show how bad they are and how our Father certainly must love us more.
If we were to quit comparing and just use our own unique gifts and talents to glorify God, how glorious and wonderful this world would be! But we are so afraid that a brother's or sister's success is going to reflect badly on us. But if we all did the same things well, so many things would be left undone. And they ARE being left undone, because we are too busy comparing ourselves and trying to prove that someone else's success isn't really all that great.
God isn't fooled. And he isn't moved to love me one bit more than anyone else just because I might think I deserve it. We just need to learn to shine our own lights and delight in the lights of our brothers and sisters. Sibling rivalry seems to be a part of our DNA, but maybe if we can recognize it as it happens, we can change it into sibling support.
Father,
Help us to support one another in using our unique gifts and talents instead of tearing each other down. Help us to love our brothers and sisters as you love them. Amen
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Mother God
Mothering God, you gave me birth
in the bright morning of this world.
Creator, Source of every breath,you are my rain, my wind, my sun.
(-Hymn from the book of Evangelical Lutheran Worship)
Few would argue if it were suggested to them that God is genderless. A slightly less popular notion, but also widely accepted is that God has both masculine and feminine characteristics. But if I were to start a prayer, "Our Mother, who art in heaven..." there are many who would cast me out as an heretic. Why do so many of us have a problem with God as both Father and Mother? Even in the Bible that was penned by a patriarchal society (inspired by God) there are many mentions of God's nurturing, mothering side. Here are some that I found:
in the bright morning of this world.
Creator, Source of every breath,you are my rain, my wind, my sun.
(-Hymn from the book of Evangelical Lutheran Worship)
Few would argue if it were suggested to them that God is genderless. A slightly less popular notion, but also widely accepted is that God has both masculine and feminine characteristics. But if I were to start a prayer, "Our Mother, who art in heaven..." there are many who would cast me out as an heretic. Why do so many of us have a problem with God as both Father and Mother? Even in the Bible that was penned by a patriarchal society (inspired by God) there are many mentions of God's nurturing, mothering side. Here are some that I found:
- God comforts his people like a mother comforts her child (Isaiah 66:13)
- Like a woman would never forget her nursing child, God will not forget his children (Isaiah 49:15)
- God is like a mother eagle hovering over her young (Deuteronomy 32:11)
- God seeks the lost like a housekeeper, trying to find her lost coin (Luke 15:8-10)
- God cares for his people like a midwife that cares for the child she just delivered (Ps 22:9-10, Ps 71:6, Isa 66:9)
- God experiences the fury of a mother bear robbed of her cubs (Hosea 13:8)
- Jesus longed for the people of Jerusalem, like a mother hen longs to gather her chicks under her wings (Luke 13:34)
- In Proverbs, Wisdom is only referred to as "she."
So why should we flip out if God is referred to as "she" or "Mother?" Though the Holy Spirit is typically referred to as "He," I have always felt the Holy Spirit to be more feminine and personally prefer "Her." I think when we let go of our tradtion of calling everything about God in the masculine, we let God out of the box and begin to see the Almighty in the much bigger, most powerful and completely omnipotent way She deserves. We cannot keep Him limited to our puny imaginations and strictures.
Pray to God, our Mother today. It will feel different, but in a good way.
Mother God,
Help us not to put limits on you that are designed simply from our own traditions and narrow ways of thinking. Hold us close to your heart and let us feel your nurturing care. Amen.
Monday, January 13, 2014
What's Your Name?
God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel. ” So he named him Israel. (Genesis 35:10 NIV)
Names meant a lot in biblical times. They were the identity of the person, not simply what they were called by. "Jacob" meant "one who follows" or "one who comes behind" because he was born right behind his twin brother, Esau. Later, God changed Jacob's name to Israel. meaning "one who prevails with God."
There are several name changes in the Bible... Abram to Abraham; Sarai to Sarah, Simon to Peter (the Rock), Saul to Paul... to name the most memorable. But Jesus changed names in another way too... he changed "adultress" to "fresh start"; "outcast" to "daughter"; "broken" to "healed"; "sinful" to "forgiven."
We too have picked up our names that lable us: unlovable, shameful, worthless. They are distortions, but we come to believe them, especially if we have been labled by people we trusted. But God renames us! He names us "beloved," "precious child." To whom should we listen?
When God changes your name, it is changed indeed. Listen to this song that will help you hear the new name God has given you: "I Will Change Your Name"
Father,
Help me to reject the negative names I have received in this world and embrace only the special, loving name you have given me. Amen.
Names meant a lot in biblical times. They were the identity of the person, not simply what they were called by. "Jacob" meant "one who follows" or "one who comes behind" because he was born right behind his twin brother, Esau. Later, God changed Jacob's name to Israel. meaning "one who prevails with God."
There are several name changes in the Bible... Abram to Abraham; Sarai to Sarah, Simon to Peter (the Rock), Saul to Paul... to name the most memorable. But Jesus changed names in another way too... he changed "adultress" to "fresh start"; "outcast" to "daughter"; "broken" to "healed"; "sinful" to "forgiven."
We too have picked up our names that lable us: unlovable, shameful, worthless. They are distortions, but we come to believe them, especially if we have been labled by people we trusted. But God renames us! He names us "beloved," "precious child." To whom should we listen?
When God changes your name, it is changed indeed. Listen to this song that will help you hear the new name God has given you: "I Will Change Your Name"
Father,
Help me to reject the negative names I have received in this world and embrace only the special, loving name you have given me. Amen.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
The Truth Will Make You Mad
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 NIV)
This is one of the most loved verses in the Gospels. But do we know the context? This statement by Jesus set off an argument with the Jews who were listening. They were so not having it. They told Jesus, "We are children of Abraham. We are not slaves, so we need no one to set us free." They got mad.
We hate the truth, because usually it does make us mad. It points out our flaws and our sin. It makes us realize that, yes, we are slaves.... slaves to sin.... slaves to the world... slaves to wanting our own way. And the truth of our sinfulness makes us mad.
Pastor Chad has often told me that when someone criticizes him, he does get mad, but then he looks to see what he can learn from it. And he has given me the same advice when I get mad. I know he's right, and it seldom makes me any happier with the critic, but every one of us has room for improvement and listening to the truth as someone else might see it can help set us free from the image of perfection we might hold of ourselves and allow us to find ways to improve.
And then there is the deeper, examining, piercing, pruning truth that we find in God's word. We have taught ourselves to see only the truths that we are good with. We can point our fingers at others to tell the "the truth will set you free!" But we neglect the truth that will set ourselves free. We overlook the truth that we are as sinful as those at whom we point our fingers. We need to be set free too. Unfortunately, we will probably get mad first. It makes us mad when our imperfections show. But if we get mad and then step back a look to see why, we will learn from it. And maybe improve ourselves a bit.
Father,
When your Word convicts us, it may make us angry. Help us to use that anger to dig deeper to find the changes we need to make in our lives. Amen.
This is one of the most loved verses in the Gospels. But do we know the context? This statement by Jesus set off an argument with the Jews who were listening. They were so not having it. They told Jesus, "We are children of Abraham. We are not slaves, so we need no one to set us free." They got mad.
We hate the truth, because usually it does make us mad. It points out our flaws and our sin. It makes us realize that, yes, we are slaves.... slaves to sin.... slaves to the world... slaves to wanting our own way. And the truth of our sinfulness makes us mad.
Pastor Chad has often told me that when someone criticizes him, he does get mad, but then he looks to see what he can learn from it. And he has given me the same advice when I get mad. I know he's right, and it seldom makes me any happier with the critic, but every one of us has room for improvement and listening to the truth as someone else might see it can help set us free from the image of perfection we might hold of ourselves and allow us to find ways to improve.
And then there is the deeper, examining, piercing, pruning truth that we find in God's word. We have taught ourselves to see only the truths that we are good with. We can point our fingers at others to tell the "the truth will set you free!" But we neglect the truth that will set ourselves free. We overlook the truth that we are as sinful as those at whom we point our fingers. We need to be set free too. Unfortunately, we will probably get mad first. It makes us mad when our imperfections show. But if we get mad and then step back a look to see why, we will learn from it. And maybe improve ourselves a bit.
Father,
When your Word convicts us, it may make us angry. Help us to use that anger to dig deeper to find the changes we need to make in our lives. Amen.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Satisfied
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15 NIV)
There is something about the freshness of a new year that makes us want to clean up and clear out. Organize! You can even see it in Walmart and Target. Gone are the special toy sections and Christmas decoration isles. They have been replaced with things to help you organize... containers, shelves, log books and organizing computer software.
The idea of cleaning out closets, drawers and storage rooms can be overwhelming. We sure do accumulate! How much of the stuff on the high shelf in your closet do you use often? Or even yearly? Could you even name everything that's up there without looking?
There is a Bible study out call "Satisfied" and it is about learning to be content. It's not about condemning owning a lot of things, but about knowing you don't need those things to make you happy. One good suggestion they make is to divide your "stuff" into 3 categories:
Things you use often: your car, a bed, a microwave, a pair of jeans, etc.
Keepsakes: photos, a piece of china handed down the generations, a yearbook, etc
Everything else: Stuff you really never use
(I would add another catagory: Seasonal. I don't use my Christmas tree often, but I use it once a year!)
The Bible study suggests assigning a percentage to how much of your stuff fits into each category. For most of us it would go something like this: Use often-30% Keepsakes-15% Everything else-55%. What would happen if the "everything else" disappeared overnight? Would you feel a sense of loss? Or a sense of relief?
I guess it really all boils down to the question: Why do we have all these things we never use? Just in case? In case of what?
The comedian, George Carlin, once said, "A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it. We place our stuff in the house and leave it there while we go out and get more stuff." hmmmmmm......
If you would like to dig a little deeper into this study, there's more food for thought here: Satisfied
Father,
Help us to be content when we have plenty or when we are in need. All we really need is you. Amen.
There is something about the freshness of a new year that makes us want to clean up and clear out. Organize! You can even see it in Walmart and Target. Gone are the special toy sections and Christmas decoration isles. They have been replaced with things to help you organize... containers, shelves, log books and organizing computer software.
The idea of cleaning out closets, drawers and storage rooms can be overwhelming. We sure do accumulate! How much of the stuff on the high shelf in your closet do you use often? Or even yearly? Could you even name everything that's up there without looking?
There is a Bible study out call "Satisfied" and it is about learning to be content. It's not about condemning owning a lot of things, but about knowing you don't need those things to make you happy. One good suggestion they make is to divide your "stuff" into 3 categories:
Things you use often: your car, a bed, a microwave, a pair of jeans, etc.
Keepsakes: photos, a piece of china handed down the generations, a yearbook, etc
Everything else: Stuff you really never use
(I would add another catagory: Seasonal. I don't use my Christmas tree often, but I use it once a year!)
The Bible study suggests assigning a percentage to how much of your stuff fits into each category. For most of us it would go something like this: Use often-30% Keepsakes-15% Everything else-55%. What would happen if the "everything else" disappeared overnight? Would you feel a sense of loss? Or a sense of relief?
I guess it really all boils down to the question: Why do we have all these things we never use? Just in case? In case of what?
The comedian, George Carlin, once said, "A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it. We place our stuff in the house and leave it there while we go out and get more stuff." hmmmmmm......
If you would like to dig a little deeper into this study, there's more food for thought here: Satisfied
Father,
Help us to be content when we have plenty or when we are in need. All we really need is you. Amen.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Happy Epiphany!
He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light. (Job 12:22 NIV)
Happy Epiphany! One definition of the word "epiphany" is, "a revealing scene or moment." So it is very appropriate that I will be going to Tracy and Daniel's first ultrasound today! We won't be able to find out if it is a boy or a girl today, but we will have our first glimpse of my newest grandchild. I'm very excited!
Another recent epiphany or "revealing" moment: Cecelia received a pretty little locking box for Christmas and was told that was where she could keep her secret treasures. The other day, she brought the box to me and asked me if I wanted to see them. Curious, of course, I said yes. She opened the box and - to my eyes - it was empty. When I pointed that fact out to Cecelia she said, "Kaymee, they are SECRET treasures, so they are invisible!" Even though I could not name those treasures, the box - in a way - filled before my eyes with secrets that would delight a five-year-old girl.
A daily "revealing" we should look for was explained by Pastor Chad in his sermon yesterday. He pointed out that when we bring a candle into the darkness it is easily and readily noticed. However, candles burning in the light often go unnoticed. Candles in our worship space represent the presence of God. How often does the presence of God go unnoticed in our daily lives? We should live each day as an Epiphany by noticing how God reveals himself to us all day, every day if we would just notice.
Epiphany is so under-celebrated. Celebrate today by noticing. Find revealing moments in your life. See how God is revealing himself to you and in the world today. Look for all the things that typically go unnoticed in your day.
Father,
You reveal yourself and your gifts in so many ways, but they often go unnoticed in our daily struggles. Help us to see and appreciate all you are and all you do. Amen.
Happy Epiphany! One definition of the word "epiphany" is, "a revealing scene or moment." So it is very appropriate that I will be going to Tracy and Daniel's first ultrasound today! We won't be able to find out if it is a boy or a girl today, but we will have our first glimpse of my newest grandchild. I'm very excited!
Another recent epiphany or "revealing" moment: Cecelia received a pretty little locking box for Christmas and was told that was where she could keep her secret treasures. The other day, she brought the box to me and asked me if I wanted to see them. Curious, of course, I said yes. She opened the box and - to my eyes - it was empty. When I pointed that fact out to Cecelia she said, "Kaymee, they are SECRET treasures, so they are invisible!" Even though I could not name those treasures, the box - in a way - filled before my eyes with secrets that would delight a five-year-old girl.
A daily "revealing" we should look for was explained by Pastor Chad in his sermon yesterday. He pointed out that when we bring a candle into the darkness it is easily and readily noticed. However, candles burning in the light often go unnoticed. Candles in our worship space represent the presence of God. How often does the presence of God go unnoticed in our daily lives? We should live each day as an Epiphany by noticing how God reveals himself to us all day, every day if we would just notice.
Epiphany is so under-celebrated. Celebrate today by noticing. Find revealing moments in your life. See how God is revealing himself to you and in the world today. Look for all the things that typically go unnoticed in your day.
Father,
You reveal yourself and your gifts in so many ways, but they often go unnoticed in our daily struggles. Help us to see and appreciate all you are and all you do. Amen.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Wibbly-Wobbly Timey-Wimey
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV)
Wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey. That is the "Dr Who" phrase that has been going through my mind since Advent. No, I'm not a Dr Who fan, but several of my family members are so it's really easy to pick up on the popular phrase.
We humans tend to see time as linear: yesterday, today, tomorrow... seperate and solid and unmovable. We think of eternity as an endless line of time. But I think that is wrong. I think eternity is not endless time, but is outside of time... we walk completely off and away from the line. It's hard to even imagine. And I think that even that mortal line of yesterday, today and tomorrow is much more wibbly-wobbly than straight.
We begin to feel that wibbly-wobblyness when we worship with liturgy... All the saints, past, present and future coming together to praise God with "Holy, holy, holy..."
I wobble off the line a bit when a get a whiff of almond scent and the memory of my mom slathering Jergens Lotion on her hands is so real I can almost touch her.
I wibble into the future as I anticipate the birth of another grandchild and imagine what he or she will look and be like. I also wibble and wobble back and forth, past and present as I nurture my first grandchild, Cecelia, who reminds me so very much of me as a small child that I sometimes think I am nurturing myself as a child.
Many of us have watched loved ones with Alzheimer's wobble a little too far off the line and away from our grasp as we helplessly try to call them back.
Looking up at a starry night sky can draw you away from the line and absorb you into timelessness for as long as you wish to stay.
It's wibbly-wobbly to think of God, the great I Am, who was and is and is to come... The Alpha and Omega who knows our days to come and could be on earth as a man and yet still on His heavenly throne.
This wibbly-wobblyness also helps us understand some of the confusing timey-wimey things in the Bible:
Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah on the mountaintop.
The notion that we wait in our graves until Jesus calls us but Jesus telling the thief on the cross that he will be with him in paradise "this very day."
The idea that our loved ones are happy in heaven though they are parted from us. Perhaps they are not parted from us because since they have stepped outside of time, in a sense, we are already with them.
Yep. It's enough to rattle our brains. But it's also a whole different way of looking at our life here on planet earth and the life to come (or already is!). Maybe it can make our grief easier to bear and our joys even more joyful. We are already part of eternity... We even tune in to snippets of it once in a while if we let ourselves be sensitive to it.
Wibble-wobble frequently this year! Don't let time rule you... It's not really even real.
Father,
The more we figure out, the more mystery we find. We give you praise for the mystery of eternity. Amen
Wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey. That is the "Dr Who" phrase that has been going through my mind since Advent. No, I'm not a Dr Who fan, but several of my family members are so it's really easy to pick up on the popular phrase.
We humans tend to see time as linear: yesterday, today, tomorrow... seperate and solid and unmovable. We think of eternity as an endless line of time. But I think that is wrong. I think eternity is not endless time, but is outside of time... we walk completely off and away from the line. It's hard to even imagine. And I think that even that mortal line of yesterday, today and tomorrow is much more wibbly-wobbly than straight.
We begin to feel that wibbly-wobblyness when we worship with liturgy... All the saints, past, present and future coming together to praise God with "Holy, holy, holy..."
I wobble off the line a bit when a get a whiff of almond scent and the memory of my mom slathering Jergens Lotion on her hands is so real I can almost touch her.
I wibble into the future as I anticipate the birth of another grandchild and imagine what he or she will look and be like. I also wibble and wobble back and forth, past and present as I nurture my first grandchild, Cecelia, who reminds me so very much of me as a small child that I sometimes think I am nurturing myself as a child.
Many of us have watched loved ones with Alzheimer's wobble a little too far off the line and away from our grasp as we helplessly try to call them back.
Looking up at a starry night sky can draw you away from the line and absorb you into timelessness for as long as you wish to stay.
It's wibbly-wobbly to think of God, the great I Am, who was and is and is to come... The Alpha and Omega who knows our days to come and could be on earth as a man and yet still on His heavenly throne.
This wibbly-wobblyness also helps us understand some of the confusing timey-wimey things in the Bible:
Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah on the mountaintop.
The notion that we wait in our graves until Jesus calls us but Jesus telling the thief on the cross that he will be with him in paradise "this very day."
The idea that our loved ones are happy in heaven though they are parted from us. Perhaps they are not parted from us because since they have stepped outside of time, in a sense, we are already with them.
Yep. It's enough to rattle our brains. But it's also a whole different way of looking at our life here on planet earth and the life to come (or already is!). Maybe it can make our grief easier to bear and our joys even more joyful. We are already part of eternity... We even tune in to snippets of it once in a while if we let ourselves be sensitive to it.
Wibble-wobble frequently this year! Don't let time rule you... It's not really even real.
Father,
The more we figure out, the more mystery we find. We give you praise for the mystery of eternity. Amen