Pastor Rich's Page

Morning Devotions: 4/18/10

2010-06-01T15:43:00.001-05:00

Exodus chapter 33

What was the last big mistake that you made?
Who was hurt?
What did you learn from it?

Israel made a terrible mistake. God's first commandment is that they have no other gods before Him. Then, they lose patience and make for themselves a golden calf that they bow before and worship. God is hurt, and He is furious. Moses intercedes for Israel in a compassionate prayer to God. God remembers that He isn't finished with Israel yet. They have much to learn, but He has promised to remain faithful to them and to direct them to the promised land. God keeps his promise and returns to gide them to the promised land.

Because of Jesus, God has promised all his baptized children that we will one day enter the eternal kingdom of heaven. We struggle every day with tendencies to make mistakes. Some mistakes we aren't even aware of. We are not worthy of the gift of heaven, yet God promises to give it as a result of Jesus' love for us. God remains faithful with us. He is faithful that we will learn from our mistakes. God is also faithful that, because of Jesus' love for us, we will begin to see how precious we are in God's sight.

God isn't finished with you yet. Remember that!
When you mess things up: "God isn't finished with me yet."
When you hurt others by your sinful actions, and you're down on yourself: "God isn't finished with me yet."
When people try to bring you down with their self-righteous, judgment: "God isn't finished with me yet."

Lord God, your work with me is never finished, and you remain faithful that I will learn and grow from every mistake. Thank you, Lord, for your grace. You do not ask me to be perfect in anything, so make me faithful through everything. Remind me that even though I am a work in progress, I am YOUR work in progress and that's all that matters. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 4/17/10

2010-06-01T15:40:00.002-05:00

Exodus chapter 32

Have you ever prayed this prayer: Lord, give me patience, and I give it RIGHT NOW! :-)

I know I have prayed that prayer, many times. We are fast-paced "I need it right now" people. In our world, patience is in short supply, speed is a commodity, and instant gratification is supreme. But, where does this leave us. We are working longer, faster, and devoting more and more of ourselves to the challenge of keeping pace. Once upon a time, we tried to keep up with the Jones', now we are trying to keep pace with everyone. The typical rituals that used to hold a family together, like dinner routines, have been sacrificed on the altar of speed and competitiveness. Things like prayer, and worship are given up in an attempt to gain an hour or two of Sunday morning for necessary chores or just the proverbial "me" time. More and more we are emotionally and physically exhausted, and spiritually bankrupt. We eat fast food; multi-task our friendships friendships with the internet; speed-date; save nothing and buy on credit; consume energy drinks to keep awake. Where does this stop? How do we get off the treadmill? We are moving so fast that we are ill. Speed kills, and we have the disease.

Fortunately, though, there is a vaccine for this disease. It is patience. It seems that there has never been a time when patience was more necessary. Imagine how much better you would feel with just a small dose of this medicine. Imagine being able to sleep better, being able to catch your breath, being able to wait for the right timing with people, being able to save money. What a difference just a small amount of patience can make.

The Israelites lost patience with Moses. He was on the mountain with God, while the words of the covenant were being grafted upon stone. Moses came down with the tablets, but found that the people had lost patience and had already crafted a God of their own making, a golden calf. The resulting consequence of their actions? The covenant between them and God is broken, and they are inflicted with a disease. Sound familiar?

But, God does not desire for any of us to suffer. With faith, God promises that eternity is ours. We may die in this world, but we will rise again in the next. We are promised more time than any of us can count. With this gift of a surplus of time, maybe we don't have to be so desperate for speed. We can be patient with others, with our world, and with ourselves.

Because of Jesus, God is patient with us. He desires that all of us would pursue His will. But, we don't. Nevertheless, he waits. He waits for us to draw near to Him. He waits for us to learn from our mistakes. He waits for us grow in faith. We are impatient with God, but God remains eternally patient with us.

Today, try to be a little more patient, and maybe realize how much better you feel at the end of the day.

Lord God, I am impatient. Forgive me for allowing my own haste to make such a waste of so much of my life. Thank you for your promise of eternity. Help me to remember that I don't have to be in a hurry with everything. I don't have to be so urgent. Encourage me to be as patient with you and others as you are with me. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 4/16/10

2010-06-01T15:36:00.002-05:00

Exodus chapters 30-31

When's the last time you travelled to visit family?

Fewer of us are fortunate enough these days to have family who live within an hour's drive. To drive two hours or more turns into a travelling event. Travelling, as opposed to just visiting, requires packing and preparing. The distance between me and my family is about 5 hours, so when I make a visit I have to plan and prepare to stay at least one night. It's a lot of work to make quality time with family, but it's necessary and worth it.

Imagine planning and preparing to visit your family. You do what you need to do in order to get yourself into their presence. You do all the work in order to spend a little bit of quality time with them. You leave early in the morning so that you have the entire day to spend with them. You make the trip, you arrive at about 9:30am and you're enthusiastic about spending enjoying quality time with your family. Now, imagine your reaction if when you arrive your family doesn't really share your enthusiasm. Imagine a situation where you've travelled and endured through the preparations, and they act like they really done even care to visit. As a matter of fact, most of them don't even bother to get out of bed to greet you.

If this happened to you, how would you respond? Would you turn, angrily, get back in the car and leave? Would you scold your family for their apathy and lack of appreciation for all the planning and preparations that you endured in order to be with them? What would you do? I dont expect that we would simply forgive everyone and head into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the family.

What do you think Jesus would do, if it happened to him?

Well, it does....every Sunday.

I think if we're honest about the way we treat our Sunday morning worship service, we would have to confess that we treat Jesus with the same lack luster enthusiasm. We have this church building that we treasure. In it we make a spiritual home for ourselves and we become a part of God's family, Jesus' brothers and sisters. Jesus promises to come and be with us every Sunday for worship. He promises to be with us in our Sabbath. He promises to travel all the way from heaven to spend a little quality time in and through all that we do in worship. The preparations he has endured, the cross he has had to bear, the distance he has had to travel; the man literally had to go through hell in order to be with us in worship. And how to we receive this gift of his presence? Most of us don't even get out of bed to greet him. When we do show up, we are often unenthusiastic at our best, and harbor our personal agendas for even being there. Songs are prepared, the house of worship is decorated with flowers and colors, scriptures and prayers are read all to offer him a spirited welcome, but most of us just go through the motions.

How does Jesus respond? Does he angrily turn and leave? NO. Does he stay and scold his family for their lack of appreciation for all that he has endured to be with us? NO. He does what he has always done, he forgives us, assumes his role in the house as the host, and makes us breakfast (Holy Communion).

In today's text from Exodus, we hear the conclusion of all that God desired for the creation of the tabernacle (church, or house of worship). But, then the final verses remind us that building the church is not an end in itself. It is merely the means toward the end of honoring the Sabbath. Sabbath is not simply a day each week when we do no work. That completely misses the point. Sabbath is the devotion of quality time with God. God built the Tabernacle so that he could spend quality time with his people, Israel. Likewise, Jesus encourages the construction of the church so that he can spend quality time with us.

We understand the importance of spending quality time with our family. But, we forget that we have a spiritual family as well. Worship is the place where Jesus promises to be so that his family may receive him and spend some quality time with him.

When's the last time you really worshiped; not the last time you attended a service and went through the motions. When's the last time you REALLY worshiped? Do you remember how good it felt, how refreshing it was, to spend some REAL quality Sabbath time with Jesus? That is offered to us every week. What a gift!

Lord Jesus, I often forget how far you have travelled to be with us. I often forget how much you have endured to be with us. Forgive me...forgive all of us... for the ambivalence and apathy with which you are greeted on Sunday mornings. May I remember your saving acts of love on the cross and worship you always with an enthusiastic, and thankful heart. In your name. Amen.

Morning Devotions: 4/15/10

2010-06-01T15:33:00.002-05:00

Exodus chapters 28-29

What are you wearing today?

Our clothing says certain things about us. The business man wears a power suit. The teacher wears something casual, conservative. The doctor wears a white lab coat. The construction worker wears boots and jeans. Some of us wear uniforms, clothing that is very specific and according to our employer's request. Some of us have to wear certain credentials like an ID card, a police badge, or some other visual representation of a specific, and professional right of passage.

In today's text, God directs the making of a special uniform for the priesthood. The text goes to great detail about it's beauty, design, and quality. This was to be crafted of the finest materials, woven by the best weaver, sewn by the best seamstress. Anything second-rate was unacceptable. Israel would consider it a blessing just to be permitted to wear it. This uniform would be an outward statement of the honor, glory, and praise of which only God was worthy.

Do we honor God today by what we wear?

Some of us might be picturing the teenager who shows up on Sunday morning with worn out jeans, a t-shirt and flip-flops. Or, the employee with all the tattoos who shows up at work all disheveled from the ride in on his Harley. Or, the woman at work who chooses to "go goth" by coloring her hair, nails and makeup all black. With those images in our mind, some of us at this moment can feel the righteous indignation stir within us. But, before we act on that visceral sensation, let's keep in mind that we wear more than just our clothing. We wear our attitudes as well.

Consider your attitude as if it is an accessory. A self-confident, joyful attitude can change the appearance of whatever we are wearing. A room full of gloomy, cranky, complaining people is still a very dark place no matter how well they're dressed. But, if your attitude is the one that's positive, you're going to light up the entire room. Even more, your attitude is going to be the thing that get's noticed more so than your clothing. With a positive, self-confident, joyful attitude you can get away with wearing just about what ever you want, and people will simply appreciate you for being you.

When we wear self-confidence, or joy, or any of these other positive attributes, we are also giving honor and praise to God. Just like the priestly uniform was designed to be a visible, outward sign of glory and honor to God, our attitude can be the same. God loves to see His children live and demonstrate their faith in Him by way of a cheerful, hopeful, positive attitude. So, what are you wearing today? Is your faith a positive accessory?

Lord God, you once desired that your priests be adorned with garments that gave honor and glory to you. regardless of my clothing or my style, may you be honored and glorified by my attitude, and may I be a positive light for people in darkness. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 4/14/10

2010-06-01T15:31:00.001-05:00

Exodus chapters 25-27

This morning, as I was reading today's selected bible chapters, my son woke up a little earlier than usual. I was sitting in my favorite reading chair, and he came and crawled up into my lap. Yawning and rubbing his eyes he made himself comfortable while asking a long list of questions about what I was doing. What a joyful distraction it was to have him in my lap while I attempted to devote some time to God in prayer.

Today's reading is a long list of rules and limitations that God establishes in an effort to create a safe place for his people to be able to approach Him, and for God to be able to dwell among His people. The tabernacle is essentially a means by which this accomplished. God comes down from heaven to establish His kingdom on earth, among us. However, at this point in the bible story the holiness of God must be kept safely guarded from the ungodliness of people. The Tabernacle allows God to dwell among His people, but only within the Tabernacle, and the people may approach God, but only through the mediation of the priesthood. God cannot actually be among His people, but the Tabernacle is a big step toward that end, and it brings God down from Heaven to be among His people for the first time in a very unique way. The Tabernacle is a major step toward understanding the gift of Holy Communion given to us through Jesus.

With Jesus, we have direct access to God. Jesus' forgiveness of our sins allows us to approach God like my son approached me this morning. This is why Jesus teaches us to pray, "Our Father, who is in Heaven...." Only Jesus can refer to God in such intimate terms. The actual word used in the gospels in the context of the Lord's prayer is Abba. The literal interpretation of Abba is daddy. Our traditional interpretation is "Father", but this is actually a bit more formal than Jesus offered. Abba is more intimate, personal. It's my son climbing into my arms, saying, "Daddy". All of the work and specifics that God put into the building of the Tabernacle is a foreshadowing of the intimacy in Christ which God wants to share with His people. But, for us, we already have Christ, we are privileged to be able to run to God and climb into His arms anytime we wish. Even more, God desires that we do just that.

Has it been a while since you climbed into the arms of God?
Prayer, worship, and even this devotion you're reading now are ways in which you can do just that.

Heavenly Father, Abba, I am just a child in your arms. I need to trust you for everything. When I am vulnerable, shelter me. When I am weak, strengthen me. When I am frightened, comfort me. When I am guilty, forgive me. When I am hungry, feed me. I am yours, Abba, save me. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 4/13/10

2010-06-01T15:28:00.002-05:00

Exodus chapters 23-24

Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon?

I have not, but one of these days I want to get there. I have seen various other canyons, and there is one thing that captivates my attention every time. Standing at the summit of one peak and looking across the canyon to the next side there is an overwhelming sense of distance, an almost impassible distance. Remember when Evil Kenevil attempted to jump the Grand Canyon, and failed? I remember feeling kind of satisfied that he failed. It's as if something inside me interpreted his inability to jump across this great boundary as some sort of validation for the Grand Canyon remaining pure in its refusal to be crossed. It's as if the Grand Canyon were saying to us that God had created a visual reminder that there are boundaries which we humans are simply incapable of passing without God's help. The Grand Canyon is not only an impressive work of nature. I have also heard it described as a spiritual experience. As we stand on one side of the canyon, looking across to the other side, there is a spiritual sense of the distance between us and God. The great chasm of sin, that cuts through rock and humanity scarring everything as it digs deeper and deeper, separates us from God's righteous purpose on the other side.

I have heard the Grand Canyon described as an illustration of one man's distance from his wife and family. His sin, devoting all of his life and time to his work, had become the great chasm that had cut and dug so deep that there seemed to be no way to bridge the gap between he and his family. The canyon illustration is equally demonstrative to other sins as well. Sin causes separation and alienation between people. It isolates and abandons. It leaves us lonely and disconnected. God has created us for community, for love. God does not desire for us to be alienated from him or others, but reconciled. But, we are incapable of reconciling ourselves to God, and therefore we are incapable of reconciling with others. God, however, is capable of this, because God is capable of forgiving our sins.

God can bridge the canyon. Jesus' cross is planted in the ground, picture it planted deep into the chasm of sin. Meanwhile, his arms reach out across the great divide connecting one side to the other. With one hand reaching to God, and the other reaching to us, his death to sin and simultaneous forgiveness of us bridges across the great divide. Jesus' is God's bridge for us, and it is built on love and forgiveness. Today's text from Exodus offers to us a glimpse of what will later be the final sacrifice, the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. But, keeping with this text alone, we see God's deep desire, not for angry hostile vengeance, but to overcome the great chasm of sin, and create a means by which people can find forgiveness.

God is an amazing bridge builder. His Son, built a bridge across the grandest canyon known to us. He bridged between us and God, by offering forgiveness and love to us in the free gift of his sacrifice. Jesus built this bridge with only two pieces of wood and three nails. :-)

Today, consider the way your sinful actions cut deep into the relationships around you. Consider the way in which you and your spouse, you and your children, you and your ___________________ may be getting further and further apart as a result of sinfulness. Before slipping into the typical tendency of blaming and shaming, which is only more sin in a disguise, consider instead ways in which God's grace, forgiveness, and love, might help you to bridge across these sinful divisions.

Heavenly Father, my sin cuts and digs great chasms between me and those I love the most. Help me today to see this, and encourage me by the sacrificial love of Jesus to be willing to make the necessary sacrifices to my life that I might be a bridge of grace and healing where it is necessary. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Morning Devotions: 4/12/10

2010-06-01T15:23:00.002-05:00

Exodus 21:1-22:31

Have you ever had to cope with someone who was inconsistent with their expectations of you?

If you have, then you know it is truly exhausting. Like when you were a child, and in the middle of a game, your playmate would try to change the rules to benefit him, and then if you disagreed he would threaten to leave and take his game with him. How are you supposed to play a game when you aren't sure of the rules of the game because they change each time the owner of the game takes his turn? In the game of life, behavior like this, in its subtlest form, results in strained or burnt out relationships. In its most extreme form this behavior results in tyranny. Whether extreme or subtle this is an unjust abuse of power and places people in situations where individual freedom is diminished.

The Israelites had lived for 400+ years as slaves in Egypt. Pharaoh thought of himself as a kind of incarnation of the gods. Therefore, he believed he had the power to change the rules whenever or however he saw fitting for the empire. The Israelites became subjects of tyranny. The laws of the land were the opinion of the sovereign power and authority of Pharaoh, and he was above the law. For the Israelites, slaves to Pharaoh, there was no freedom, because they were not given the authority to govern themselves. They were merely subjects of Pharaoh. This context is a necessity as we look at today's text. Without it, we miss interpreting the gift of God's Law.

In today's text, the underlying message is that God is laying out the law for the people and is giving it to them. God is not tyrannically holding the power to govern them over their heads. God is declaring up front, these are the ways you shall live, and then he commissions them to go and do. God is not holding onto power, He's giving it away. God gives the Law to the people and then empowers them to live freely within it. God wants them to take the Law and learn to govern themselves as a sovereign nation under His care and guidance, not as a tyrannized group of slaves. God uses the Law to enter into a covenant with His people whereby they would be free to self-regulate. He doesn't use the Law to dictate power over them. He gives his power to them in the form of a covenantal agreement. What God does with the Law is the extreme opposite of the tyranny they had experienced in Egypt.

With this in mind, we can hear this text more clearly. For instance, even though today's text speaks of slavery to the point of condoning it, what's more important is that we hear it as God's will in a specific historical context to protect the slaves, to provide laws that allow the people to treat them fairly and humanely. Also, with this understanding in mind, we are free to allow the historical context to speak God's will for slavery then, but not use the bible to contort God's will into condoning slavery today.

God's will---the Law, His expectations (particularly the Ten Commandments)---is made clear, remains steadfast over the generations and is given away with God's covenantal agreement so as to empower His people to live freely within the constraints of the law.

This is a bit more cerebral of a devotional topic than you may have become accustomed to with me, but it's an important one to grasp. It's important because it reminds us that freedom still requires laws that are clear and consistent. Where there are no laws, or where the one who makes the laws is above the law, there can be no freedom. God is sovereign to the law, but covenants with us to remain accountable to them as well. Within this relationship, the laws of God are what guide us in our relationship that are based in love, freedom, joy, and peace.

This is true in any relationship. Consider your most beloved relationships. Now think about all the laws that bind you together. Some are the written down kind, like possibly your marriage certificate, or a birth certificate. These come with obligations and commitments--covenants. Now, think about the unwritten laws that guide your relationships. All those little things that establish routines, boundaries, just simply knowing each other. Without these laws, we have no freedom to love and maintain peace, or find joy. Without these laws we do not know how to love or maintain love.

God gives to us His law, so that we would be free to love; free to prosper, free to just be.

Lord God, thank you for your Law. Like rebellious children we often think we can live without your restraint, but you know us better than we know ourselves. You restrain us by your Law and in doing so you free us to truly live and live abundantly. Help me this day, to recognize how much I depend upon you for guidance and protection from my own sinfully rebellious nature. Bring me to sense the peacefulness that is found only in your covenantal embrace. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 4/11/10

2010-06-01T15:17:00.002-05:00

John 20:19-31
2nd Sunday of Easter

Do you have a brain? :-)
How do you know for sure? You can't see it. Those in medical school get to see someone else's, but you can not see your own. Even an MRI is just a magnetic image of the real thing, but not the actual thing. We come to believe that we have a brain because we learn how to recognize the benefit the brain gives to us.

Is there oxygen in the air we're breathing, right now? :-)
How do we know for sure? We can't see it. Again, we come to believe there's oxygen in the air because we learn to recognize the benefit that oxygen gives to us.

Our brains, and oxygen are two examples of things we believe without seeing, because we come to learn how to recognize the benefits they provide us. In today's text, Jesus blesses Thomas with the opportunity to believe by seeing and touching his resurrected body. But, then Jesus immediately turns the attention away from himself and from Thomas toward all of us today who come to believe without the benefit of seeing. Jesus says, "Blessed are those who do not see, and yet believe."

We are those who have come to believe without seeing. It's not easy for us. I think sometimes we would all prefer to have our own personal Thomas experience, where we get the opportunity to actually see the risen body of Jesus. But, Jesus has ascended to the Father. We do not get to see, but Jesus did leave behind the Holy Spirit. His risen body may be in heaven, but his Spirit lives among us. It's the Holy Spirit that we encounter. And, by the Spirit we come to believe in the resurrection of Jesus---something we can not see.

I once worked with a man named Dave. Dave was blind. He was a truly remarkable inspiration to anyone with capable eyes to see. His blindness didn't stop him, or even slow him down from most things. His talent to interpret the world around him was jaw-dropping. He made use of his sense of touch, and hearing in ways that astounded we sighted people. The enhancements made to his other senses in order to compensate for his lack of sight seemed at times unbelievable. Dave could not see, but he became a blessing and an inspiration to everyone around him. "Blessed are those who do not see, and yet believe."

Faith in Jesus makes all of us who believe like Dave. Our faith is blind. We do not get to see Jesus, and yet with enhancements to our other senses we come to believe without seeing. We come to see, without the need for actually seeing. We do not get the privilege of seeing the risen Jesus. But, that does not mean we are incapable of believing in the resurrection. It simply means that our other senses need to be enhanced so that we learn to recognize the resurrection by its benefits.

Let's start with the sense of touch. We do not get to actually touch the body of the risen Jesus. But, that doesn't mean we are incapable of recognizing how we feel when His presence is near to us. Now, let me be clear, I am not referring to feeling some sort of strange movement of air as if the Holy Spirit were to behave merely as some sort of ghost or apparition. While there are stories of these sorts of theophanies in the bible, I'm mainly referring to our emotions. The work of Jesus is the same now as it was when he lived before the resurrection. His work among us is the work of compassion, love, friendship, sacrifice, forgiveness, generosity, etc. The first words the risen Jesus says to the apostles is "Peace be with you." When we feel that sense of peacefulness--shalom--this is the risen Jesus. Also, when we are passionate for justice, for righteous causes we are feeling the risen Lord's passion.

Hearing is enhanced when faith is blind as well. With our ears we hear the Word of God in scripture, worship, and prayer. But, as we grow in faith so grows our hearing. We become capable of hearing Christ's Word in art, music, literature, stories of love, sacrifice, and courage. By studying scripture, growing in faith, we enhance our hearing to compensate for our lack of sight.

Even our sense of taste is enhanced. "Taste and see that the Lord is good" the Psalmist says. Taste and SEE! Our sense of taste receives Holy Communion and believes that here in this moment the very presence of Christ is with me, and our faith is enhanced to believe and even taste a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven.

We may not be able to see the risen Jesus. But, by practicing our faith; studying scripture together, attending worship regularly, prayer, charity, etc., we enhance our other senses to be able to recognize the resurrection without ever seeing it. We come to believe in the resurrected Jesus in the same way we come to believe that we have a brain, or that there is oxygen in the air. We learn to recognize the benefits. In other words, we come to believe in the resurrected Christ, because we learn to recognize the works of the risen Christ.
We learn to recognize what forgiveness looks like,
what love looks like,
what joy looks like,
what grace looks like.
We may not see Jesus, but we know what his work looks like.

Finally, we may not see Jesus, but we know that he was a human like us. Jesus may not have a body that lives among us any more. But, when we come together as the church, we are his body. When the church works together, worships together, prays together, we can see Jesus, alive and well, in the hearts and passions of each other.

Do you have a brain; is there oxygen in this room? Of course!
Has Jesus been raised from the dead? Of course!
And all who believe without seeing are blessed. We are blessed not just for our own spiritual encouragement, but we are blessed like my friend Dave; blessed to be a blessing for others.

Lord God, open the eyes of my heart, that I may see you and believe that you are with me always, and that you are in charge and have secured my future with you eternally. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 4/10/10

2010-06-01T15:14:00.001-05:00

Exodus 19:1-20:26
The Ten Commandments

Of all the references made to the bible, this one is probably the most widely known. Folks may not know where the Ten Commandments can be found in the bible, but they recognize the list of "thou shall nots". However, being widely recognizable can also lend itself being widely misunderstood. This is most certainly the case with the ten commandments. Also known as the decalogue, the list of ten laws is one of my favorite bible passages to teach, primarily because it is so widely misunderstood.

If you're like most people in our world who can recognize the decalogue with the first "thou shall not...", then you probably share the same commonly accepted understanding of the commandments as well. Ask just about anyone to tell you what they believe to be true about the commandments and they are likely to say that they are a list of things that people are supposed to do if they want to get into heaven. Live your life according to these ten and all will go well for you. Live your life otherwise, and God is likely to punish you. Often when political debates ensue over whether or not it is legal for the decalogue to be displayed or referenced in public places, this belief is what gets thrown up as a "common Judeo-Christian belief" in association with the reasons why non-believers find them a violation of their rights. The tragically comical truth, however, is that this commonly held belief about the ten commandments couldn't be any further from the truth.

Consider the characterization of God that comes from believing this about the decalogue. If this belief were true then God is nothing more than a vindictive tyrant. One who does not love his people at all, but instead holds a very high bar in front of them and demands that they jump over it, or He will punish them, possibly even kill them. This depicts God with no more empathy, compassion, or devotion to His creation than that of other ancient false gods. With this belief as the common understanding of the most commonly associated scripture of our faith, it's truly no wonder non-believers run away as fast they can from Christianity. Who would, or even should, worship a God like this?

The truth about the Ten Commandments is a very different characterization of God. When we look closely at the decalogue, we find that before God speaks any of His laws to the people he claims them as as His own. In verse one, God says "I am the Lord, your God. I brought you up out of Egypt." My favorite way of teaching this text is to refer to the way in which my grandmother would offer her household "commandments". When I was a boy, my grandmother had a very powerful way of enforcing her rules of the house. Particularly when I would misbehave in public, she would, as I call it, snatch me up by the back of the neck. make me face her, and she would say, "Richie, no child of mine behaves like that!" She was swift and forceful, but also very clear whose I was. I was her's, and nothing was ever going to separate her from me.....even if, as a boy, there were times when I wished I could get away. "No child of mine..." She loved me, and wanted what was best for me, therefore she had rules to guide my actions accordingly. Her laws were never merely that of a vindictive tyrant, but rather that of a loving grandmother; one would never let me stray too far from what was best for me.

The same is true of God. God is not the vindictive tyrant depicted by the the common held misunderstanding. God loves us, and wants what is best for us, therefore he offers commandments to us, so that we might live according to His loving intentions for our lives.

Lord God, thank you for guiding my life. Thank you for claiming me as your own. Thank you for never allowing me to stray too far from your loving, and forgiving embrace. Encourage me to see that your laws are good. Enable me to trust that nothing I do can ever separate me from your love. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 4/9/10

2010-06-01T14:51:00.001-05:00

Exodus chapter 18

When's the last time you attended a family reunion?

Not long ago these were a popular way to maintain the ties that bind within families. But, if your family is like most others, then you have given up on this idea and in it's place have learned to rely on technology to stay connected.

We now have the capability to connect with people, share pictures, daily life stories, etc. and never leave our house. As spread out as families have become, the use of technology has offered a way for us to remain somewhat connected without having to use those valuable vacation days, without the expense of travelling, and without the hassle of organizing around everyone's busy calendars. My family stopped having reunions when I was a boy. Now, we rely upon free long distance cell phone services, Facebook, email, texting, and the obligatory holiday visits to maintain those ties that bind. What do you do? Does anyone sill have an actual annual family reunion?

In today's text, Moses had a family reunion. Jethro, his father-in-law came to visit him, and brought with him his wife and two children. We're a little unsure, at this point in the text, how long it has been since Moses has seen his family, but by the reading we recognize that it has been a long enough time to evoke a very joyous reunion.

Reunions are good for the soul. Of course, if the reunion lingers, the memories of why we left in the first place may indeed begin to creep into the joy of the occasion, but maintaining the ties that bind us to friends and family is important work. I find that every family has at least one person who is really good at this. For me, it's my mother. One hearty phone call to my mother will yield all the information I need to stay abreast of my entire family. Now, that doesn't negate the necessity to still stay in touch with them, but usually by the time I contact my siblings or my neices, I already know what's going on because of my contact with my mom. My family doesn't have annual family reunions, but it is noticeable that the family relies upon my mom and technology to keep everyone connected. There's probably someone in your family who does that. If it's you, recognize the valuable role you play within the family. Do it well, and avoid gossip. If it's not you, then identify who this person is. Today would be a good day to thank him/her for the role he/she plays within the family.

You are part of a spiritual family too. You are an adopted child of God, and personal friend of Jesus, God's son. God's family gathers together for a spiritual reunion every time we share Holy Communion. It's not quite the same as an annual picnic, but there's food and there's a strengthening of the ties that bind us together as one holy church. In this family Jesus is the one who plays the role of holding the family together. We may not find Jesus on Facebook, and he doesn't carry a cell phone, but he has given us the gift of faith and the freedom to pray. When we pray, we are connecting to God, Jesus, and all the saints. It's like one giant, spiritual teleconference. :-)

Sometimes we think of prayer too narrowly. We think of it as something we need to do in order to get God to listen to our needs. God already knows what we need before we even ask. But, when we pray we allow our faith to connect us together. It's like when I call my mom. I may already know most of what she's going to say, and she is probably aware of most of what I'm going to say. But, sharing that moment connected, communicating with each other, is more important for the relationship than the things we actually say. The same is true about prayer. Whether or not God answers our prayers the way we want Him to isn't what is of primary importance. What's important is just that we stay connected. God has given us two very easy ways to do that: prayer, and weekly Holy Communion.

Lord God, thank you for my family. They are a precious glimpse of your love for your Church. Help me to maintain the ties that bind us together. Thank you for adopting me, through baptism, into your holy and eternal family. Thank you as well, for giving me the gift of faith, the freedom to pray, and the reunion of Holy Communion. Encourage me to make good use of these gifts in order remain connected to you. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 4/8/10

2010-06-01T14:49:00.002-05:00

Exodus 16:1-17:16

Practice makes perfect! So, we should be careful about what we're practicing.

The Israelites have just been freed from Egyptian slavery. They have witnessed God's saving work on their behalf. Just yesterday we read and reflected upon their song of thanksgiving. Now, only days after they sung their thankful song to God, their tune has dramatically changed to that of grumbling and complaining. They complained about the lack of adequate food and water. While those are indeed issues that would cause deep concern among a nation of people, it is their way of dealing with these issues that is becoming a problem. God has proven Himself to be worthy of their faith and trust. Yet, when the people are faced with a lack of food, do they pray to God a prayer of trust that God will provide? No. They complain. Next, when the people are faced with a lack of water, do they pray to God a prayer of trust that God will provide? Again, the answer is no. They complain. The Israelites are beginning to practice a pattern of behavior that is not healthy for them or their relationship with God.

So, if practice makes perfect, then what are you practicing?

If you're practicing the behaviors of complaining and grumbling the way the Israelites did, then be careful, you might get very good at it. We all know people who have perfected the art of complaining. They can't seem to be thankful or appreciative for anything. They are miserable to be around, and it seems as though there is never anything positive to talk about when in their presence.

There are other behaviors like complaining that we should be careful not to practice because we might just get very good at them. Here's a few examples. There are some who just cant resist gossiping. There are others who constantly practice self-righteous judgment of others. Most of us know at least one person who cant seem to show any genuine care or empathy toward others.

Practice makes perfect, so be careful what you practice.
Christ died so that we would come to believe that God does not desire to cause us to suffer. Instead, God desires to forgive us and provide for us the freedom to change. By practicing the disciplines of our faith, (prayer, worship, charity, love, compassion etc.), we get better and better at the behaviors that God uses to mold us into the people that He created us to become.

God doesn't ask us to be perfect, but He does ask us to practice!

Lord God, no matter how good the Israelites became at grumbling, you did not abandon them. You provided for their every basic need, and encouraged them to grow in faith along their journey with you. Today, give me grace sufficient enough to make an honest assessment of what I'm practicing. And, provide for me the clarity and the courage to practice the necessary changes that will allow me to follow more closely behind your Son, Jesus. In his name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 4/7/10

2010-06-01T14:47:00.001-05:00

Exodus chapter 15

I often sing in the car. I also tend to sing when I'm when I'm doing chores around the house. When I'm singing I do so by singing along with some of my favorite music.

When do you sing?

Just as there are lots of different kinds of songs, there are just as many reasons to sing. There are sad songs; songs that help us to lament about loss and grief. There are happy songs; songs that allow us to let out joy and love. What have you been singing lately?

Songs that are sung with God in mind can be all of these, but they differ in one way. No matter whether they are songs of sad times of of happy times, songs about God are always thankful. Think about some of your favorite Christian hymns or songs. They are all thankful to God for something. Amazing grace, for instance, is thankful to God for "saving a wretch like me". Or, How Great Thou Art is a song that literally is about singing to God with thankfulness. Whatever the song, if it's a song directed toward God then its going to be a song that is thankful in substance.

So, what are you thankful for these days? Remember in the story Peter Pan, when Peter taught the kids to fly by telling them to think a happy thought? Well, Make a short list of the things that make you say thank you to God, and you'll have a list of happy thoughts. They may not make you fly, but singing might just allow your soul to defy a little bit of the gravity in your life. Your reasons to be thankful to God are reasons worth singing.

In our reading for today, the Israelites have just made it safely across the Red Sea. God has saved them from Pharaoh's army and has freed them from slavery. With thankful hearts for all that God has done, they sing. Having lived through the miraculous events of their freedom and having received such amazing grace as this, how could they keep from singing.

Likewise, the reasons in which you are thankful to God today; these are the reasons for which Jesus died for you. Jesus died so that you would have life, and have it abundantly both now and into eternity. With Jesus' gift of life and grace given freely to us by faith, how can we keep from singing.

Lord God, when trouble comes my way remind me of the many things for which I am thankful to you. With your grace and promise of eternal life, may I sing with a thankful heart through everything. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 4/6/10

2010-06-01T14:44:00.001-05:00

Exodus chapter 14

Is there a more dramatic event in the bible than the parting of the Red Sea?
The drama of this event is heightened in the hindsight of realizing that the Israelites did not see this coming. They saw the trap they were in; the Egyptian army advancing on one side, and the water of the sea on the other. They did not see with eyes of faith. Without eyes of faith the Israelites were only able to see two possibilities: return to slavery in Egypt or death in the wilderness. They did not consider the possibility that God would open a new way; one that would dramatically save them from the trap they were in.

What are the most dramatic events of your life?
In hindsight can you see what God was doing with you? Try to remember back to the moments before God acted on your behalf, were you able to see beyond the trap you were in?

Sometimes the problems we face require eyes of faith to be able to see the possibility of a solution that is beyond the problem itself. To look upon problems with eyes of faith is to look with an attempt to see God's perspective. We are often far too close to the problems we face to be able to see with eyes of faith. God's perspective requires a kind of zoom lens, which allows us to zoom out and view the course that God has kept us on over a long period of time. When we do this, we begin to see the ways in which God has rescued us from ourselves through our past. To see the times in which God has rescued us in the past encourages our faith in the present moment, and opens our eyes to new possibilities for solutions.

With eyes of faith, we find the hope and the courage to look at our problems with less despair and more possibility. With God, there is always a solution, we are never trapped. But, we may need to take a dramatic act of faith to overcome certain things.

Lord God, when my eyes can see only the problems before me, open them to see with eyes of faith; and give me courage to act upon the possibilities you present. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 4/5/10

2010-05-27T13:45:00.002-05:00

Exodus chapter 13

When's the last time you set out on an adventure to someplace you've never been before?
Who were your travelling companions?

Adventures to foreign places offer a host of intrigue and excitement. It might be a vacation, or just a day-trip, but whatever the case an adventure is usually an event in which we would we prefer to have a companion or two. When discovering new places, we want to create new memories that we'll share with others, and remember with our travelling companions for years to come. There is also an added sense of security to exploring new places with someone else. Being alone in a strange place can be a bit threatening. By travelling with loved ones we actually find the freedom to explore a bit further because we feel a bit more secure.

God has just freed Israel from slavery in Egypt. They had been held captive in Egypt for more than 400 years. Even though their faith in God is informed by the promise of a land that is their own, they have never travelled outside of Egypt. Now they set off on an adventure to a very foreign place. But, they have one very important travelling companion, God. After witnessing the miracles that God did to free them, they are beginning to realize that God has been with them for a long time, as matter of fact they are beginning to believe that God was always there with them. Now, with Moses as intercessor, God is communicating to the Israelites that he intends to lead them into a very grand adventure that will end in the promised land. God did not only free His people. He now travels with them. God is their traveling companion, and he knows the way to the promised land.

Life can be an adventure. Too often we remain enslaved to the sinful tendencies of treating life as if it is only worth the work we do and the money we make. This kind of lifestyle isolates us by fear from exploring and enjoying all that God puts before us to appreciate and share. God offers His Son's forgiveness to free us from the sins of spending our lives on things that are not eternal, so that we can explore the things which are; love, charity, creativity, peace, joy etc. Life becomes an adventure when we allow Jesus to free us from our sinful lifestyles of slavery, and we begin to appreciate the travelling companions we have on the adventure of life. Spending quality time with loved ones can be an extraordinary adventure, especially if its something you haven't done in a long time. If you already spend good quality time with your loved ones, then try planning something creative, something adventurous.

We are all on an adventure. It leads us through all sorts of peaks and valleys of life. Along the way, we need companions with which to share it. God provides us with loved ones, and then He frees us from our sins by the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is his innocent death that helps us realize that life is precious, and that sin only destroys it and cuts it short of it's Godly intended purpose. The resurrection promises us forgiveness, and gives to us the power to try again. We get a re-do with God. This means we can give ourselves and the ones we love a re-do as well. As long as we have breath in this life, we have a travelling companion in God who continues to put opportunities for a new life adventure before us. Even more, God promises to travel with us our guide.

You have a travelling companion in God. He loves you and will never leave you no matter what you face in life.Who are your other travelling companions? Consider making today the beginning of a new adventure, one in which you will find new ways to enjoy and appreciate your loved ones.

Lord God, thank you for the adventure of life. Thank you for the companions you have given me to enjoy through life. Be my travelling companion and keep me heading in the direction that leads to the fulfillment of your promised land; your intended purpose for my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Morning Devotions: 4/4/10

2010-05-27T13:42:00.001-05:00

Luke 24:1-12

Easter Sunday It's too good to be true!
When's the last time you said that?

Chances are, you've said it several times recently. Better yet, chances are that you've said it even a half-dozen times this week. You may not even realize you're saying it. We are inundated with propositions on a daily basis for products and ideas, and whatever else is the latest and greatest. Most of them present to us a proposal that is too good to be true. Ever watch an infomercial? How about most of that junk mail that fills our mail boxes and inboxes daily? So, you may not actually say it, but even without saying it, every time you drop that jump mail in the recycling bin, or turn the channel to something on the infomercial, you're saying it---"That's too good to be true" Such a daily, even constant filtering of information makes us pretty savvy at detecting what is worth paying attention to and what isn't.

On that first Easter morning, the women were presented with a proposition that seemed way too good to be true.They arrive at the tomb and find that the stone has been rolled away, essentially the tomb is standing wide open. They investigate and find not the body of Jesus, but two angels who say that Jesus is not here. He is risen and is alive! The women hear this, but at first they don't believe it. This sounds way too good to be true.

The Easter proclamation, "Christ is risen", means that the consequences of our sinful destructive behavior can no longer destroy us. It means that out of all the ugliness of our world, beauty will still rise again. It means that nothing, truly nothing, not even death, can separate us from the forgiving love of God. "Christ is risen"---not even death can keep God from us. "Christ is risen" means we Christians are never without a living, breathing image of an eternal hope. Too often, though, we fail to believe this proclamation, because it seems just too good to be true.

However, when we do believe it, it changes our world. There are times in life when the only thing we have left that keeps us moving forward is the eternal hope that Christ offers to us.

Steven Curtis Chapman, a very popular Contemporary Christian musician, wrote some of the most honest and beautiful lyrics a couple of years ago that speak about the power of this Easter hope. But, to appreciate the music, you have to know the story behind it. The Chapman's 5-year old daughter was tragically killed in an auto accident. The driver of the car that killed their little girl was their oldest son, he was 17 at the time. In the wake of such a devastating loss, Steven Curtis Chapman composed the music for the album "Beauty Will Rise". Each song on this album is written as a response to his grief, and it is powerfully hopeful. One particular song, entitled "See", is written from the perspective of his 5 year old daughter who is now in Heaven. The refrain echoes his pain as well as his joy and hope, as he sings about his daughter reminding him about the beauty of heaven, "Daddy, it's just the way you said it would be, just you wait and see."

The freedom to lament to God, and know that one day we will rise again, that is the power behind this proclamation, "Christ is risen!" And that message is certainly not junk mail. Its the best news the world could receive, and it is a gift from God to all of us who follow Christ.

Lord God, thank you for raising your Son from the grave so that we would be given the ability to believe that you offer an eternal hope to us. May this hope guide my life, shape my life, and give me a reason to carry on. Lord, you make beauty to rise out of ugliness. Make your beauty rise like your Son out of the ugly tomb of my heart. On this Easter day, let me proclaim and believe, "Christ is risen", and he is alive for me. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 4/3/10

2010-05-27T13:40:00.002-05:00

Exodus chapters 11-12

Are you a morning person or a night person?

Science has proven that there are times of the day when we are at our peak, and times when we are off-peak. The tricky thing is that we are all different. I have learned that, even though I enjoy night-time activities, I am not very productive at night. I am at my best somewhere between the hours of 8 and 11am. I also think that I am at my worst between 2 and 5pm. Science suggests that if we were able to schedule our daily activities according to our peak and off-peak times we would become more productive, and generally less stressed about life.

We are made in the image of God. Do you think God has a peak time? It's kind of odd to consider, since we would naturally assume that God's omnipotence would preclude any possibility of a peak or off-peak time. But, if for no other reason than for fun, let's consider it for a moment.

Based upon scripture, I think we would have to say that God is at His peak in the night. Think about it. In Genesis, God creates all things out of darkness. In today's text, God sends the mightiest, and the final plague upon Egypt in the middle of the night. God establishes the tradition of Passover for His people and the Exodus begins in the middle of the night. Fast forward now, to the occasion of this day. Today is Holy Saturday. It is the day in which we remember that Jesus was dead in the darkness of a tomb as all of heaven awaited the miraculous event of his resurrection; witnessed in the dawn of Easter morning. This means that the resurrection of Jesus was also a night-time, or darkness event of God's power. The most significant things that God did, the things that still form the very identity of our faith, all happened when God acted in the darkness of night. God must be a night person. He is at his peak in the darkness of night. :-)

God still makes miracles happen in the darkness. Think about the darkest periods of your life. What kept you going, kept you hoping? It was God, doing His most miraculous work for you in your darkest time. God works through all sorts of ways; a friend, a book, a song, a prayer. Most importantly, so that all who seek Him may know where to find Him, He promises to work through his Word in scripture, and in the bread and wine of Holy Communion. I can tell you from my own personal experience that the darkest periods of my life were also times when I had neglected my own faith; when scripture reading, prayer, and genuine worship were taken for granted. On the other hand, I can tell you with equal experiential reference, that in those times the one thing that always brought me out of the darkness and into the light was when I would stop neglecting my faith; return to God through prayer, confession and most importantly, the disciplines of devotion to the Word and sacrament.

Is there a darkness you're enduring right now?

Here's the greatest news of all....God is at His very best when we give up trying to control the darkness and trust it to Him. God turns the darkness of a lonely painful night into the joy of a friendly morning. God turns the darkness of slavery to sins into the grace or forgiveness in the morning. God turns the darkness of grief and sorrow into the hope of eternal life in the morning. No matter how dark life becomes, with trust in God, the Son will rise to bring about the dawn of new life in our hearts.

Lord God, you reserve your greatest work for the darkness of our lives. Thank you for being present in my darkest times. Thank you for this new day. Thank you for your Son, who is our Passover lamb. Let me never take for granted your desire to guide my steps with your Word and sacrament, for your path is one of light, love and peace. Most of all, give me courage to let go of my darkness, give up control, and let you create a new day for me. Let your Son rise within me as I celebrate Easter. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 4/2/10

2010-05-27T13:36:00.001-05:00

Exodus chapter 10

Have you ever apologized for something when you knew inside that you weren't really sorry for what you did?
If you just said no to that question, go back and think about it a bit more. :-)

Pharaoh comes to Moses and seeks to confess his sinfulness. He wants a reprieve from God's plagues. But, his confession is more of a bargaining tool than a demonstration of sincere contrition. Confession is meant to be from a state of contrition, an honest feeling of remorse and guilt for a sin or a short-coming. A contrite person desires to correct his behaviors, "turn from his sinful ways". Without contrition our confessions are meaningless. Pharaoh makes no effort to change his ways, or to demonstrate any kind of true remorse. If so, he would have come to Moses and said something like this. "You're people can go, I am so sorry for the treatment you've received here in Egypt under my reign. I need to learn to use power without oppressing others." No, he just begs for Moses to ask God to make the plague stop. There are consequences to our sinful actions. Trying to bargain with God through false apologies does not work to remove even a moment of the suffering we cause ourselves. God knows what's in our hearts, and if we're honest, so do we.

We've all seen children, when learning to apologize, say their sorry merely because their parents forced to do so. Then, they often go right back to the same behavior. They confessed, but they weren't contrite about it. Furthermore, the very act of the apology becomes a means by which the child can continue to get his way. Early on, we learn the art of using an apology as a form of bargaining or compromising. As we get older, particularly in our teens, the act of apologizing as a tool for bargaining becomes a perfected craft. We've all seen the teenager apology with grand dramas of remorse; making promise after promise to never do it again...IF mom or dad let her have or do this one thing that she wants. As adults we're supposed to know better, but if we're honest with ourselves we all must confess that we've been rewarded for this little trick far too many times to ever let go of this tool in our bargaining/compromising tool belt.

Today is Good Friday. On this day, through the church, we are called upon to confess our sins. Granted, we are called to do this every day. But, Good Friday is a gift to us in that it is the one day when we are called upon to dig a little deeper, try to be a bit more honest with ourselves and God. The truth is, the ugliness and the sinfulness of the cross is all inside of each of us. It is only by the grace of God that it doesn't come out and destroy us. On this day, we can intentionally approach the cross, and boldly confess the truth. At Living God Church, we are given the opportunity to to physically do this very thing, by writing your sins down on a piece of paper and then literally nailing them into the cross. Each painful thrust of the hammer against the nail is a solemn reminder that Jesus is still willing to accept our piercing agony with the hope that we will leave our destructive sinful ways with him, and strive to sin no more. Today, on this solemn day, confess your sins with a state of contrition, not as a form of bargaining with yourself or God, but with a sincere desire to change and begin a new life, one without those sinful ways.

The first verse of a well known Good Friday hymn, which we will sing tonight is appropriate for this devotion.
"Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended that we to judge thee have in hate pretended?"

Ah, Holy Jesus, how can I thank you? You died so that I may live. Today, I offer my confession. I look upon your suffering, your shame, your agony, your dying, and I know that I am the one who should be up there on the cross....not you. But, you take this, my pain, my shame, my agony, and you put it to death with your dying, and you do this for me. Let my confession be sincere, no more bargaining for my own agenda, let me desire nothing more than to turn from my ways and live as you call me to live....as you call me to live......Lord.....I want to live! Amen

Morning Devotions: 4/1/10

2010-05-27T13:32:00.002-05:00

Exodus Chapters 8-9

Remember that first time at the public pool when you jumped off the high dive?I remember looking at it from the ground with this deep kind of unavoidable will to do this logic-defying thing. It was as if I knew that one day I would, and the only question was how long could I hold out before I absolutely had to. Then, one hot summer day, I mounted the ladder to make the terrifying climb to the top. I remember how each rung of that ladder intensified my anguish inside. Then, I remember standing on that perilously high board looking out over all the people. It seemed as though all eyes were on me. Suddenly, the fear I felt from the ground, and the anguish that intensified up the ladder turned into something worse---despair. All alone on the high dive; nothing below to catch me (or so it seemed), and nothing but humiliation to pay if I climb back down. Then, in my moment of despair, I remember a kind of calm courage---then I jumped. Looking back I realize that before I came up out of the water, something had washed over me that was more refreshing than the pool, faith.

Despair is the worst. It is what fear and anguish intensify into. Despair is a state of total hopelessness. It's that moment when everything you've tried, all of your best efforts still cant overcome what you face. Its that moment when all you have left to do is pray. So, you do, possibly for the first time in a long time. Despair leads us to faith.

Remember the last time you were in despair?
Remember how your despair caused you to turn towards God and and pray Jesus' Gethsemane Prayer "Not my will, but thine be done"?

That's what is happening with these plagues in Egypt that we are working through for the next few days. Yesterday we read about the Nile turning to blood (plague 1). Today we read about frogs and gnats (plagues 2 and 3). When Moses returned to Egypt and announced to Pharaoh that God is determined to free the Israelites, and that He requests that Pharaoh let His people go, that was the moment of fear, like that of realizing you must go off the high dive. Now, the plagues are coming, and Pharaoh has begun climbing up the ladder. With each plague the anguish of Egypt will intensify as the plagues reach higher and higher into God's authority over all things. The last plague is God's power over death. This one will finally break Pharaoh's heart from anguish into despair. Then, out of despair, Pharaoh will finally find the courage---even faith---to take the jump of believing in the God of Moses and the Israelites. So, while this story is clearly one about the deliverance of God's people. Can we not also see the other side, the untold story, of when Pharaoh first came to believe? There is even a bit of historical proof of this, for there is a brief period of Egyptian history when they turned away from paganism and believed in only one great and mighty God.

On this Holy Thursday, when we remember the way in which Jesus gave himself humbly away in service and sacrifice to us as he did to his disciples, we also remember Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane after sharing his last supper. There in the garden, we remember Jesus' despair as he prayed this most faithful prayer to the Father, "Not my will, but thine be done."

Let Jesus' faith in his moment of despair be an inspiration to you this day, and in every moment of despair that comes to you.

Lord Jesus, you were there when the Israelites cried out for deliverance, and you were also there when Pharaoh was in despair. Finally, you felt despair yourself in the Garden of Gethsemane. When despair brings us to faith, you are the saving arms that catch us when we leap. Thank you! In your name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/31/10

2010-05-26T11:21:00.002-05:00

Exodus chapter 7

Moses and his miraculous staff.

When the primary mode of transportation was walking, I can imagine people making good use of walking sticks. I enjoy hiking, and I used to have this walking stick that I made myself from a tree branch. After selecting a stick that was just the right length, I used a pocket knife to remove the bark, and carve my initials in the side. It was my staff. It was uniquely mine. I can imagine a similar kind of particularity that would be given to each person's walking stick back in Moses' time. Moses' staff would have been a unique kind of extension of his identity.

When God blesses Moses' staff with various miraculous traits, his staff took on an additional unique identity. It was the identity of God. When Moses would raise his staff or throw it down God's miracles would happen. Moses' identity was intertwined with God's when he used his staff. People learned to recognize the work of God when ever Moses would use his staff.

Today, people don't use walking sticks as much, but neither does God. :-) Today, God has given us different kinds of gifts that help us to intertwine our identity with God's. For instance, Moses didn't have the bible. We do. Bibles are very personalized. Like a walking stick, the more they are used the more they take on the unique particularity of their owners. Consider how your bible communicates your identity. Consider as well how people recognize the work of God when you use it.

There are other staff-like gifts that God has given us as well. There are ways in which each of us are very uniquely equipped with qualities and characteristics that are particular to our identity. When we use them for God's purposes, people begin to recognize the work of God when we do.

How are you uniquely talented?
How do you use this for God's purposes?

Jesus was raised with a unique talent that was part of his identity. He was a carpenter. Interesting, isn't it, that his crowning moment of glory came when he was hung on a cross--the handy work of some unknown carpenter. Like Moses, when he raised his (wooden) staff people recognized the work of God in him, Jesus was raised up on a wooden cross (staff) and people still recognize the work of God in Jesus.

Lord God, thank you for the ways you have uniquely created me. Thank you for the gift of the bible. Motivate me to make use of these special gifts for your purposes that my identity might become more closely intertwined with yours. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/30/10

2010-05-26T11:19:00.000-05:00

Exodus chapter 5-6

Family--they can be our saving grace in times of trouble. Or, they can become an additional source of trouble. They can be our strongest supporters. Or, they can hold us back and give us their fears.

Moses, as a Levite, has deep connections among the Israelites through his family name. But, his family offered no support to him and his brother Aaron. In the end his family did more to hurt the cause of freedom that Moses presented to them. Unable to see beyond their own fears, they actually rallied the Israelites to turn against Moses and Aaron.

Not all of us are born into healthy family systems where good and supportive roles models help to shape our lives positively as we mature. Nevertheless, all of us need to find a healthy support system. Many of us have had to find other role models. Sometimes we find them by learning to rely more heavily on one or two positive ones within our family. Other times we may look outside the family to find the support we need.

Whatever the case, as we grow and mature, we come to understand our families and the systems of support or the lack thereof with a sense of grace. After all, they are our family.

Jesus' connection to God, and his friendships with the disciples provide for us a window through which we might see the hope of heaven for all of our families. Like the way Jesus loves his friends; may our families find long-suffering, joy-filled abiding love. Like the way Jesus gives himself to God the Father's will, even when it means dying on the cross; may our families find true security in loyal, sacrificial, selfless service.

Lord Jesus you are a role model that we can trust. Today, I give thanks for all those positive role models of love and hope that I look to as a source of inspiration. I pray for my family, and for families everywhere. Send your holy angels to watch over the little ones who are born into destructively dysfunctional homes. Awaken my awareness to the destructive things I do, and wash me with your grace to correct my ways. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/29/10

2010-05-26T11:17:00.002-05:00

This morning's bible reading: Exodus chapters 3-4

Moses has a holy ground experience.

For many of us, I think, holy ground refers to a physical, temporal place; a church, or a special place at the ocean or on a mountain top. For some it is possibly even a specific geography such as Jerusalem, or Mt. Sinai. I've come to believe that holy ground has far less to do with locations, and for more to do with spiritual experiences. Today's text confirms that with me. In the holy ground experience of Moses we find far less emphasis on the temporal location than on the spiritual ascent of Moses to God's purpose for him.

Moses begins his day as if it was like any other. He was a shepherd, and essentially he was at work. But, his holy ground experience makes a dramatic change in his life, one that will altar his existence from that of shepherding sheep to shepherding people. He begins the day with certain expectations, but by the end of the day he has a renewed sense of vision and expectation of a challenge before him that he must face. There is a challenging new path before him, but he is inspired and determined to see it through. His motivation comes from his faith that God will provide for him and lead him to the completion of this daunting challenge.

I've had moments like that in my life. They are few, but they are powerful. They are moments of clarity like that of finally finding the missing clue to a puzzle you've worked for a long time. Then, realizing it's that very piece which let's you see where everything else is supposed to go. These are holy ground moments. They are spiritual moments when God's passionate, life sustaining fire intervenes to provide renewed clarity to our very existence. They are often moments that are so profound and empowering that you can remember the details of the location, the weather, even the sounds and smells you were hearing at the moment.

There are a few of life's experiences that are common locations where holy ground often occurs. Falling in love, the birth of children, the loss of loved ones; these are all points within life when we might expect God to intervene with holy ground influence. But, I have found that the holy ground moments that occur when we least expect them can be the most profound.

When's the last time you sensed that you were standing on holy ground?

O God, thank you for intervening in my life over all these years. Thank you for those holy ground moments that leave me speechless at your amazing grace for me. Intervene in my life today, Lord, and set me on the path of your will. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/28/10

2010-05-26T11:12:00.002-05:00

Palm Sunday
Luke 19:28-40

Jesus enters Jerusalem.....on a donkey?

This is certainly not the grand entrance we would have expected.

By this point in Jesus' life he had risen in status to that of a high ranking political figure. The rumors had spread that he was to be crowned the king of the Jews; that he was the long-awaited Messiah. His reputation preceded him to Jerusalem. The people surely would have expected a grand entrance. Pontius Pilate would have been seen traveling to and from Jerusalem on a mighty horse; one that would have been adorned with hints of armor and decorated with images of Caesar, the seal of Roman authority. Pilate would likely have been flanked by fully armed soldiers as security, communicating a sense of untouchable power. Surely if the Jews were anticipating their next king to make his first ever grand entrance into the most important city of all Judea, they would have been expecting some sort of similar show of power or a demonstration of royal stature. They would not have expected a donkey and a band of singing sinners.

Seldom is Jesus who or what we expect him to be.
We expect him to be the right arm of God, power, majesty etc. But then our most profound encounters with him, when we sense that we might just be standing on holy ground, are most often moments of humility, grace, love, peace.
We expect to see him in displays of power over our enemies. Yet, this very power is realized when we are on our knees encountering strength, courage and faith in our weakest moments.
We expect that he would be powerfully present with those "Christians"--you know the ones. They are always way better than everyone else around them because they like to put on air of righteousness. But, then he makes himself present even to the likes of you and me in small and unthreatening ways, like the subtlety of a message heard in church; a friendly greeting, in the water of a baptism, or in the bread and the wine.

Jesus enters on a donkey; humble, graceful, unthreatening; with subtle inward strength, courage, and faith.

Kings, presidents and all sorts of other political figures will come and go with grand displays of power and security for all the world to see. Meanwhile, we will continue to recognize Jesus' presence coming and going from us with subtle demonstrations of humility, grace, peace, love...the kinds of things that make us stronger, and better human beings on the inside where no one can see his profound power. Kings, presidents and others like them demonstrate their power on the outside because it is necessary to save themselves and secure the power of the office they hold.Jesus, on the other hand, isn't interested in saving himself or securing his own authority. He wants to save us, and keep us secure for all eternity.

Lord God, save me and secure me with your authority. Keep me within your humble, loving presence. Encourage me, and strengthen me to grow and change according to your will. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/27/10

2010-05-26T11:10:00.002-05:00

Exodus 2

God has invisible hands.

We don't see God's name mentioned anywhere in today's reading until the very end. But, the work of God's hands is very noticeable, because God's fingerprints are all over it.

Fingerprint 1: The text begins just following Pharaoh's orders to kill Hebrew children in an effort to thwart the prosperity of the Israelites. You might expect chapter two to begin with a description of the cries of fear, grief and anger at the death of innocent children. Instead, the chapter begins with the description of a marriage and the birth of a boy. Like a potter, God's hands mold and shape fear, grief and anger into the gifts of faith, hope and love.

Fingerprint 2: The rescue of Moses' from the river and his sister's suggestion of a woman to nurse him is simply miraculous. Such sacrificial love and faithfulness are quite noticeably the handy work of God.

Fingerprint 3: Moses grows up as an entitled, sovereign prince of Egypt. Once he realizes his roots, he takes pity on his people, but he is arrogant and foolish. He kills a man, and then must flee in desperation for his life into the desert. It's from despair that God so often molds his most beautiful work. In Moses' desperation God introduces him to Jethro. Jethro is a Midian priest. As descendants of Abraham, but not Jacob, the Midianites were relatives of the Israelites. They believed in the God of Abraham. Jethro was a priest. Jethro, like Abraham and his descendants, was also a shepherd. It was no coincidence that Moses winds up with Jethro in the desert. It was the work of God's leading and guiding hand. God took this arrogant, entitled Egyptian prince and with Jethro's mentoring, molded Moses into a humble Hebrew shepherd.

God's fingerprints are all over your life too. You may not be able to see Him, but he is there with you. Like a potter, with a loving, gentle touch he has been molding and shaping your life all along. You cant see his hands, but he does leave his fingerprints behind. Can you spot them in your life?

O Lord, my God, you are so awesome! The works of your hands are simply miraculous. Help me to trust you through all the events of my life. Lead me. Guide me. Mold me. Use me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Morning Devotions: 3/26/10

2010-05-26T11:07:00.001-05:00

Exodus 1

Remember the Boogie-Man?
Who frightens you now?

Pharaoh is frightened by the Israelites. The text says that he was afraid because they have grown too numerous and might over-power Egypt and leave. But, this sounds more like an outward expression of the truth rather than the truth itself. It seems that the truth lies in the statement, "[He] did not know Joseph". What does Pharaoh have to fear if the people of Israel (Joseph's people) are well known and therefore are treated with the same dignity and grace as any other Egyptian? If the Israelites were welcomed, treated kindly, and "known" by the Egyptians would not the scenario of war that Pharaoh fears be a non-issue? Wouldn't the Israelites go to war with Pharaoh's army, not against them? After all, if the Israelites were living with dignity and grace in Egypt a threat of war to Egypt would be a threat to them as well. But, if the truth is that Egypt is not treating the Israelites kindly, then Egypt's very own actions have isolated the Israelites into a people that have become foreign to Egypt. These unknown people, these strangers, these Israelites are now clearly not Egyptians and they threaten Pharaoh's power. But, underneath it all is that same fear we all had when we were children of the Boogie-Man, it's a very basic fear of the unknown---the stranger.

My generation might have been the last to be taught at a very young age by our parents to say hello and be polite to strangers. Our culture has completely changed. Now, we raise our kids to be afraid of strangers. We teach them to never speak to strangers. We find good reason for this all over the news and TV. But, doesn't a question rise from within us as we do this? Is the stranger really dangerous? Or, can we adults say that we have some special talent that helps us determine which strangers are dangerous and which ones aren't? Or, thinking a bit more deeply, what if the stranger we avoid this day is actually someone harmless and lonely who could benefit greatly by a simple act of kindness?

Jesus didn't teach the fear of strangers. As a matter of fact he taught just the opposite. "Do to others what you would have them do to you." In other words, treat others the same way you wish to be treated. I don't think I'm going too far out on a limb here when I assume that none of us wants to be avoided, ignored, or feared by children? Nevertheless the seeds we sow become the harvest we reap. Walk into the grocery store and take notice of how many folks are willing to actually make eye contact with you, or who are willing to offer some sort of friendly greeting. It's funny how a busy grocery store can become such a lonely place. Meanwhile the number of people who are clinically depressed or even suicidal are higher here than any place else in the world.

Pharaoh feared the Israelites because he didn't know them. Had he gotten to know them he would have realized that they were gentle, kind, godly people. Instead, his fear of them turned the Israelites into a threat for him--they became his Boogie-Man. But, what we sow becomes what we reap. As he acted with fear toward them, he turned himself into the Boogie-Man in their eyes. As we treat others with a lack of kindness, as if the stranger is the Boogie-Man, we receive the same lack of kindness in return, and we become the Boogie-Man.

It's risky to reach out with kindness to strangers. It seems even more risky in our world. But, in small ways we can change the world around us. By sowing kindness we reap kindness.

Lord God, because of my sin I was once a stranger to you, and you were once a stranger to me. But you sent Jesus to reach out with kindness and on the cross you reached out with love. You risked everything to welcome me into your kingdom. You brought me in, and I am no longer a stranger to you, nor are you to me. Give me courage today to greet others with warmth and kindness. Protect me, and shield me from danger that by my faith in you I would be free from the fear of others so that I might act kindly to strangers rather than fearfully. Let me sow kindness, that kindness may be what I reap. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/25/10

2010-05-26T11:05:00.002-05:00

Genesis 49-50

Endings are new beginnings.

The book of Genesis ends with a new beginning. Here we read of the death of the two main patriarchal characters at this point in the story, Jacob and Joseph, as well as their burial in the promised land. While those are indeed sad events, the reading of these final two chapters of Genesis are anything but sad. They are actually filled with anticipation and hope for God is about to do next. We don't close the book of Genesis with any sense of closure at all. On the contrary, it seems as though the book of Genesis was only the beginning of the story. Genesis closes with an enthusiasm to open the book of Exodus.

There's a saying: Whenever God closes one door, He'll open another. The book of Genesis closes in such a way that certainly affirms that saying. In times when doors are closing all around us, a statement such as this can help us muster up the faith to remain hopeful in what God has promised to do next. This is important because it is often in these times of transition when we lose patience with God, and wind up behaving unfaithfully.

When doors are closing, we can feel claustrophobic. Feelings of loss, failure, grief, shame, loneliness can close in upon us. Our own personal demons begin to close in and torment us in a way that brings to mind some of our nightmares. When things all around us are closing in like this, it can be very difficult to wait on the Lord to open a new door. We become more vulnerable than ever to giving up our faith and pushing open a door of our own choosing. Times like these are not times to act desperately, hastily. They are not times to bust open a new hole in the wall. They are times to be patient, and wait for the Lord. Rather than trying to force your own new opening, wait, and let God bring the right one to you. He will make a way.

When the book of Genesis ends we are eager to turn to the book of Exodus and find out how God will get Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. But, when we turn the page, the opening words of Exodus remind us that many generations passed before the time of the Exodus. Israel waited on the Lord, and the Lord made a way for them.

Are there doors that have closed around you? If so, wait for the Lord. Times of transition are not times for desperate, life changing decisions. They are times to wait for the Lord. This waiting time is a good time to take on those demons of yours that try to frighten you and make you anxious to behave unfaithfully. The fellowship of believers can be your support. Invite others to pray for you. Devote yourself more regularly to prayer than ever. Then wait, and watch for the new beginning that God will open up. He will make a way. Every ending is indeed a new beginning.

On Good Friday it seemed by all rationality that the doors of Jesus' mission had all been closed. As Jesus' body lay dead in a tomb, the disciples huddled in fear behind the locked doors of a closed room. But, then on that first Easter morning, God opened the tomb, and then Jesus opened the doors on the disciples.

Lord God, thank you for opening doors for me that I might never have dreamed possible. Thank you for opening the tomb on that first Easter morning. When endings come and doors are closed to me, help me gird up my faith so that I might wait patiently for you to make for me a new beginning. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/24/10

2010-05-26T11:03:00.001-05:00

Genesis 47-48

Powerful, wealthy Pharaoh humbly receives a blessing from Jacob, a lowly Hebrew shepherd.

This must have been a very moving scene. The ruler of Egypt, the earth's super-power nation, Pharaoh, is humbled by an old man's blessing whose son is responsible for saving Egypt from the famine. What a humbling event for Pharaoh. He is a man of tremendous temporal blessings already. He has massive power, wealth, and thanks to Joseph his kingdom is growing larger and stronger through this share-cropping idea. A man of such stature kneeling to receive a blessing from a lowly Hebrew shepherd demonstrates one thing about Pharaoh that is worth lifting up. He is able to recognize the value of a spiritual blessing over that of all the temporal ones he already has. Spiritual blessings are the gifts of the soul, such as friendship, love, generosity etc. Pharaoh's actions before lowly Jacob is an example of a man who places greater value on spiritual blessings than he does on temporal blessings. The result is humbling.

What humbles you?
Think about that for a moment. Possibly, if you have time, make a list of 10-20 things. For example, you might list certain attributes of children, or possibly an act of charity from someone who is poor. Make your own list and then notice how many are moments in which you have been able to place spiritual blessings in higher regard than the temporal ones.

Like Pharaoh, we should realize that spiritual blessings take precedence over temporal ones. When we put earthly security and temporal blessings first, we end up taking desperate measures to keep things that death will ultimately take from us.

Just as spiritual blessing came to powerful, wealthy Pharaoh through a Hebrew shepherd, so also the Kingdom of God and His righteousness come to us in humble events--an infant in a manger--a man dying on a cross; words, water, bread, wine.

Lord of all, you humble me with your grace and mercy every day. Keep me, this day, from placing too great of an emphasis on temporal blessings. Instead, open my eyes to the many spiritual blessings you have given me, that I may not dread the loss of things temporal, but rejoice in things which are eternal. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/23/10

2010-05-26T11:01:00.001-05:00

Genesis 45-46

Doing the right thing is often not the popular thing. Have you ever done something that was against the popular opinion, but you just knew in your soul that it was the right thing to do?

Jacob went to Egypt. His entire life he has heard about the blessing which God promised to the descendants of his grandfather, Abraham. This blessing is actually a promise to make from the descendants of Abraham a mighty nation as numerous as the stars that will one day inhabit the land of Canaan--the promised land. God has spoken to Jacob and assured him that this blessing was his. God even sealed it with him by renaming him Israel. God showed his grandfather Abraham a vision of the promised land. His grandparents and his parents are all buried in the promised land as a sign of the family's faith that this dream of God will one day come to fulfillment. All of Jacob's family, his servants, and everyone in his clan; they were all surely aware that they were meant to dwell in the promised land where God would bless them with prosperity and fruitfulness as their numbers grew. When Jacob's son, Joseph, invites him to bring his clan and settle in Egypt where there will be plenty of food and security, this presented a dilemma. Should he leave the promised land, or stay? Surely the popular opinion would have been for him to stay. Everything he has known to be right and proper has been associated with remaining in the land of his father's father. But, on the other hand, his beloved son, Joseph, was in Egypt. In his confusion, Jacob finds the comfort he needs from God's Word. God speaks to Jacob and tells him that He will go with him to Egypt, and that there in Egypt God will make the Israelites prosper until the time is right to leave. Jacob went to Egypt, because God promised to remain with him.

God is not limited by geography. Many people in Jacob's period of time thought that gods' powers were limited to certain locations. God tells Jacob that He is not like these other Gods; He is not limited to certain locations. God is also not bound by the limits of our world. God is not bound by anything that forms our cultural popular popular opinion. God is not a Republican, or a Democrat. He is not a conservative or a liberal. God is not even, dare I say it, a Christian. God is not by any of our popular opinions. God is God.

The blessing for all of us in this, is that God is capable of being with us, "Emmanuel", wherever we are and calling us toward the fulfillment of His dream rather than the fulfillment of the popular dream. Whether we are embroiled in a political dilemma over healthcare, or we're struggling to make sense of our teenager's choice of music, God is able to be with us, and at the same time transcend all of it for us.

When we are faced with difficult decisions, decisions that are not popular, we can cal upon God in prayer, listen for God's Word in Scripture and worship, and find the comfort and shelter we seek from God to do what we believe is right. If you're worn out from trying to satisfy the popular opinions all around you, maybe today is a good day to turn back to God for the comfort to do what is right.

Oh God, you are an awesome God! You are able to be with me in everything, but you are also able to remain above it all so that you might continue to guide me toward you. Thank You for promising to me that I will one day join you in the promised land of your eternal kingdom. Until then, watch over all of my days. Lead me, guide me, and and encourage me to do what is right in your sight. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/22/10

2010-05-26T10:59:00.001-05:00

Genesis 42-44

When's the last time you were in one of those "I told you so" moments?

For Joseph, when his brothers bow before him begging for permission to buy food, this is one of those moments. Many years ago, when he was just a boy, he shared a dream with his brothers. The interpretation of his dream was that his brothers would one day bow before him. It was this dream that infuriated his brothers so much so that they sold him into slavery and told their father, Jacob, that his favored son had been killed by a wild animal. Now, after years of struggle, and God's continual divine intervention, Joseph has become the governor of Egypt's financial affairs during a long famine period, and his brothers are bowing before him. It's an "I told you so" moment.

Moments like these are moments when the balance of power is lost between people. If you're the person in the power position it feels really good, even victorious, to be proven right. But, if you're the person in the subordinate position you are powerless, humbled. Situations like these can become critical moments in relationships. How we manage through them can be the difference between making or breaking the bonds that hold us together. It's one thing to be right, but it's an altogether different thing to behave self-righteously. It's one thing to be wrong, even humbled, but its an altogether different thing to be humiliated. How the person in position to say "I told you so" handles this power makes all the difference.

How do you handle those "I told you so" moments?

Joseph handled his particular moment of righteousness with care for his family and with discretion for God's plan. In a climactic conclusion to a long story of justice and reconciliation, Joseph's choices opened up an opportunity for him and his brothers to be reunited. Joseph had faith in God's plan. He was able to see that God was using every event, both good and bad, to bring him and his brothers to this moment when he had the power and they were humbled before him. His faith enabled him to remain humble while in power, and trust in God to ultimately make all things come out right. Had he misused this moment, he would have seized it for his own vindication, and humiliated his brothers. This would have destroyed the chance to reconcile with them. But, in a demonstration of God's love, he remained humble while in power, and trusted God to make things work out right, and they did.

Likewise, on that first Easter morning, Jesus appeared to the disciples and could easily have humiliated them for their lack of faith. He told them numerous times that he would be crucified and on the third day rise again. But, in their unbelief, they were hiding with the door locked. Jesus' first words from his position of power to say "I told you so" was instead, "Peace be with you." His use of power offered peace, not self-righteous vindication, and instead of humiliation, reconciliation is the result.

Does your use of power tend to build up relationships, or do you find that it tends to tear them down?

Lord God, when I am right, keep the temptation to become self-righteous at bay for me. When I am in a position of power or authority use my faith in you to keep me humble that I may trust only in you to make things turn out right. When I am humiliated by others in power over me, be my courage, my patience, and my hope. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/21/10

2010-05-26T10:55:00.002-05:00

Philippians 3:4b-14

New Beginnings

Spring is a time of new beginnings. Everywhere we look God is revealing His true nature, in nature. Winter must come like that of grief, sorrow, shame, and darkness. None of us can avoid the harshness of sin. But, God is a gracious God, full of love and kindness. He does not permit us to remain in the winter of life. As sure as new beginnings are breaking forth all around us in nature, God's Word, and Holy Spirit are working to break forth new beginnings in our hearts and minds.

In the reading for today, Paul envisions a kind of Spring-time event of new beginnings for the Christians in Phillippi. In chapter 1, Paul new life itself. He says in 1:21, "To live is Christ." Consider that for a moment. Paul is not saying that be alive is Christ. But, that to truly live is an expression of the very person of Christ. Are you truly alive? Are you truly living?

If you said no, don't be upset. When Paul brings this up in chapter one, he means to shake up his readers so that they are able to hear his appeal that they make for themselves a new beginning in Christ. Because the truth is, none of us can honestly admit that we are truly living as Christ would have us live. So, this brings us to the third chapter then where Paul encourages us to "forget what lies behind, and strain forward to what lies ahead." What is it that lies ahead?......Truly living, being truly alive, living in such a way that we are living examples of the very person of Christ.

Forgetting what lies behind.

Our past is filled with all sorts of things that hold us back. Like having a giant bungee chord attached to our backs, when we try to run forward our past continues to pull us back with increasing strength to harder we try. The pain and sorrowful events of our past can hold us back with the chords of fear. Our pedigree, or the way in which we were brought up can hold us back with the chords of self-righteousness. Our patterns of behaviors can hold us back with the chords of ignorance. There are lots of things behind us that can act as the chords that hold us back from making a new beginning. What's holding you back?

Straining forward to what lies ahead. Jesus' strained forward to secure for us the promise of new life. He strained forward against all that held him back. Against the fears of cross' pain and suffering he strained for what lies ahead. Against the self-righteousness of claiming his own authority, his own pedigree-earned glory he strained for what lies ahead. Against the poor choices of all humanity, the patterns of generations of destructive behaviors he strained for what lies ahead.

When we were baptized, we were baptized into Christ's death and life. His death was for us, so that His life might be ours. With him, in him, and through him, we can strain forward to seize a new beginning, a new life in Christ.

Our challenge will always be to let go of the past; past experiences, past lifestyles, past expectations. But, with the forgiveness of Christ, we are promised that each moment is secured for us an opportunity for forget what lies behind. With grace, then, each time we strain forward against the past for the life in Christ which lies ahead, we encounter our living Lord. He strains with us, in us, and through us. With Jesus, we never run out of new beginnings.

One day, we will break free of all that holds us back, and our Lord will welcome us home. Until then, we continue to strain forward for the promise of what lies ahead.

Lord Jesus, thank you for straining forward to secure the promise of new beginnings for all of us. Encourage me today to assess what it is of my past that is holding me back from seizing a life that is more like you. And, help me strain forward to the new life in you that lies ahead. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/20/10

2010-05-26T10:52:00.001-05:00

Genesis 41:41-57

Joseph is put in charge of the financial affairs of Egypt. Anticipating a famine, Joseph stores away 20% from each of Egypt's 7 years of abundance, so that Egypt is financially prepared to face the famine years.

This text offfers to us a very practical lesson about good stewardship. The word "stewardship" refers to a very special kind of call that God gives to all us. The root word for stewardship, steward, means care-taker. From the very beginning of the bible, in the Garden of Eden, we hear that God desires to be in partnership with us as care-takers of all the gifts of His divine provision. We are called to be good stewards of the earth and all creation, of time and boundaries, of the talents that make us unique, and of the finanial treasures that provide our "daily bread". God encourages us toward better stewardship practices by forgiving our sins, (our debt to Him), and through His Word, in which we learn that God will always provide more than enough of all that we need for life, love, and happiness. God has already provided an abundance of all that is needed for every human being to be given their daily bread. On the macro level, world hunger is not a providence problem. It is a stewardship problem. Likewise, on the micro level, a poor retirement plan is not a providence problem, but a stewardship problem.

Joseph was chosen by the king to serve as his personal steward of all the gifts of the kingdom. What an honor! Likewise, when you were baptized, you were chosen by God to serve as His personal steward of all the gifts of His Kingdom. What an honor!

So, how well are you doing?
Do you share your abundance with those who have none?
Are you saving now to prepare for your famine years (retirement, disability, etc.)?

If you're feeling a little discouraged after assessing your own financial stewardship, you're not alone. Statistics show that most of us in this culture struggle with good stewardship practices. We live beyond our means, and we have little left at the end of the month to share with others who really need it. Fortunately, God is a good steward. His forgiveness is never in short supply, nor is His gift of daily bread.

If you'd like to be a better steward, then today is a good day to consider making some changes. Start by confessing to God your particular struggles with good stewardship, then ask Him for help and guidance to make some changes.

Heavenly Father, give us this day our daily bread, and deliver us from evil, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

Morning Devotions: 3/19/10

2010-05-26T10:49:00.002-05:00

Genesis 41:1-40

Many years have passed since Joseph was first sharing his dreams with his brothers. Now, he's interpreting dreams for the king of Egypt, and it seems that he has been humbled a bit by the envents of his life. Way back when he was sharing his dreams with his brothers one couldn't miss at least a twinge of arrogance or entitlement. I imagine him standing before them wearing his father's gifted, multi-colored coat as he tells his brothers his dream that one day they will all bow before him. Given the rivalry between he and his brothers, fostered by their father's favoritism, had Joseph behaved with a bit more humility back then his dreams might not have fanned the flames of jealousy and envy the way they did.

Now, we see Joseph much more mature in his faith, and much more humble in his emotion. He is summoned to interpret the King's troubling dreams. Humbly and faithfully, Joseph claims no power to do anything, but that God will reveal to the king what is meant by the dreams. The arrogance, and the sense of entitlement are gone from Joseph. In it's place are humility and faithfulness.

Life has a way of humbling us. When we look upon our lives and see all the mistakes we have made over time, we can become pretty discouraged with ourselves. Too much humilty and we become pretty down-trodden people. When life gets us down, we need the intervention of God to pick us back up. God works through His Word, the sacraments, prayer, and the gifts and talents of other people.

Think about all the times when you've been down on yourself, and the hand of God reached out to lift you up in some way.

God gives to us the gift of faith. With faith, we begin to see our lives in the light of what God has been doing with us throughout our lifetime. When we look at our lives through the lens of faith we see that God was with us offering much needed mercy, direction, and encouragement through everything. With faith, humility is buffetted by hope. However, faith without humility can becme intollerable. It comes across as arrogant, flighty and even judgmental. The two together, humility and faithfulness, provide balance to our lives as we mature.

Joseph demonstrates maturity by his humble, yet faithful response to the King's request.

Today, think about all the times in your life when God has been with you teaching humility, but all the while working through faith to keep you hopeful.

O God, you have been there with me through every poor decision, every act of poor judgment, every consequence I've had to endure. Thank you for your faithfulness in me. Keep me humble, but also keep me faithful that through all of life's challenges I will remain hopeful. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/18/10

2010-05-26T10:44:00.002-05:00

Genesis 40:1-23

While in prison, Joseph offers to help two other inmates by interpreting their dreams. The cupbearer's dream was interpreted very favorably, and the baker's dream was not so favorable. In three days the cupbearer would be removed from prison and restored to his place at the service of the king. But, also in three days the baker would be hanged. You can imagine the joy of the one, and the sorrow of the other. One is given life, the other sentenced to death. Still, Joseph did a favor for both. Its easy to see why the cupbearer would be thankful to hear the news, but its not easy to see any reason for thankfulness from the baker. However, there is a good reason for thankfulness from both the cupbearer and the baker. For even the baker now has three days with which he might prepare himself, make his peace, and say his goodbyes. The interpretation of his dismal dream is still a gift from Joseph. On the third day he will now be expecting the horrible truth. In any case, only the cupbearer will be around to tell the king of Joseph's ability to interpret dreams. So, Joseph offers both of them his gift of dream interpretation, and then asks the one who will live beyond the next three days to remember him. However, after the third day, once Joseph's prophecy is proven true, the text says the cupbearer did not remember Joseph.

Like the cupbearer, we often find ourselves forgetting the people who have been helpful to us.

In today's world it seems we are losing the social skill of maintaining friendships. Friends, once, were people to whom we had maintained a close enough relationship that they could be stop over uninvited and be treated like family. They could bear your joy and your sorrow with you and you would offer the same in return. Friends were once an extension of the family. Now, when I turn on Facebook, I learn that I have 178 "friends"---many of whom I barely know, or I know them through my work or some other shared special interest. I know that I do not have 178 friends, and I do not need to sign onto Facebook in order to maintain my friendships. Besides what kind of a friendship would that be, if indeed the only sharing of anything between us was that which is shared on Facebook....not much of one. It seems to me that Facebook should more appropriately call its relationships acquaintances, rather than friends. Don't rely on things such as Facebook to maintain good healthy friendships--they take much more work and effort than that.

Who are your friends?
Who has been there for you, and could trust that you'll be there for them?
Who are the people to whom you can tell your hurts, share your joys?
Who is welcome to just stop by your house anytime, as if they are family?
How well do you remember them?
Do you remember their birthdays, anniversaries?
When's the last time you thanked them?
Do you take them for granted?

You have a friend in Jesus---You know the song---
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and grief to bear!
What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit;
Oh, what needless pain we bear--all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

One of Jesus' final requests was when he said from the Last Supper, "Do this in remembrance of me." Jesus asks for us to remember him, remember what he has done for us. This remembrance is like the request from Joseph to the cupbearer. Once you are free and the Lord has saved you, remember....so that you don't take for granted what your friend, Jesus, has done for you. And, remember with thankfulness that you always have this friend in Jesus---and you wont find him on Facebook. :-)

There's another song that I'd like to quote here. It's by Michael W. Smith, and its called Friends.
Friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them,
And a friend will not say never"cause" the welcome will not end.
Now it's hard to let you go,
But, in the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends.

Lord Jesus, I have been given so many blessings from so many people. Let me never forget the people who passed in and out of my life with a bond of friendship. Likewise, help me to maintain good and healthy friendships today. Let me be thankful, helpful, and kind. Lord, you have befriended me with the most sincere and eternal friendship possible. You have promised to not forget me in your kingdom, let me never forget you. In Jesus' name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/17/10

2010-05-26T10:39:00.002-05:00

Genesis 38-39

Filled with incest, death, prostitution, sexual temptation, betrayal and a near execution these two chapters in Genesis are two of the most sordid in the whole bible. For those who think the bible is just a big boring book, these two chapters are about as spicy and dramatic as a TV sit-com.

Using a very broad stroke, these two chapters bring to mind the struggle we all share with trying to "be good". The reading puts four characters at opposing ends of a continuum of "goodness", and then throws at us, the readers, a dilemma. What is good? Those characters are: Judah, Tamar, Joseph, and Potiphar's wife. Here's how this is set up. On the one side we have Judah and Tamar. Judah's wife has died, and he seeks "comfort" in the form of sex from a prostitute. However, the prostitute is no prostitute. She is Judah's widowed daughter-in-law. Judah has broken a promise to her of marriage to his younger son, and she means to expose his betrayal and force the issue of delivering a male heir to redeem herself within Judah's household. So she poses as a prostitute and tempts the grieving Judah. Judah gives in. Tamar becomes pregnant and exposes Judah's immorality, while delivering to him a male heir, named Perez. Meanwhile, on the other side of the continuum, Joseph has become Potiphar's slave. Potiphar has a wife who behaves like that of a prostitute and tempts Joseph with sex. Joseph manages to say no, but then in her anger and to save her status as Potiphar's wife she accuses Joseph of attempting to rape her. Joseph lands in prison as a result.

Two women posing as prostitutes, one in an effort to deliver justice, and the other because she is promiscuous. Two men dealing with temptation, one gives in and justice comes to him, one resists and injustice comes to him. In the end, what is good? You could say Joseph is good, I suppose, but look what "good" that got him. He's accused of attempting to rape a man's wife and is thrown into prison. That's not good. So, what is good?

God is good! God brings goodness out of us and the events that unfold around us. We may not feel good, or our situation in life may seem far from good, but with faith and hope in God, goodness comes from God's work in the world and through us.

I read an interesting article about the dilemma that women face to "be good" in our society. While the article was specific to women and even a wee bit hostile toward men, I think the gist of the article is one that applies to all people. The message of the article was that being good can create a crisis of the self. In other words, when we try to be "good" all the time we end up simply trying to please all people, because that seems to us to the "good" thing to do. We can become too good for our own good. We can sacrifice too much, and fail to maintain boundaries around what is "good" for us in the attempt to be "good" for others. Essentially, in order to maintain a healthy balance of what is good for us and good for others we have to realize that sometimes others may not think so "good" of us when we say NO to their demand upon us.

Joseph said NO to Potiphar's wife. We could also say that Tamar said NO to the injustice of Judah. These two NOs bring about great risk for both characters. Joseph is thrown into prison, and Tamar is nearly executed. But, in the end, they both retain their honor. Furthermore, God rewards their NO. God turns Joseph's prison sentence into an opportunity for him to interpret Pharoah's dreams, which elevates him to a place of high regard and eventually positions him to rescue his family. Meanwhile, God turns the NO of Tamar into the birth of Perez, who would become the very bloodline which leads to King David and eventually to Jesus.

Are you trying to please everyone, unable to say NO even when you feel guilty for giving in to the demands of others?
Are you being too good for your own good?

Maybe its time to trust that God is the only real judge of what is good. When you say NO for good reasons, you are saying YES to God. Let God be your only judge.

In the end of Jesus' life on earth, as he died on the cross, his actions announced a resounding NO to sin, even the sins his disciples would tempt him toward. Judas would end up betraying him because Jesus said NO to his way of violence. Jesus said NO to sin in order to say YES to God.

Lord God, your goodness is revealed even in the most sordid parts of the bible. Thank you for inspiring goodness in me. Thank you for the courage of Jesus to say NO to my ways, and YES to your ways. Give me courage today to say NO for goodness sake. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Here is a link to the article mentioned above:http://socyberty.com/relationships/every-relationship-needs-a-limit/

Morning Devotions: 3/16/10

2010-05-26T10:38:00.001-05:00

Genesis 36-37

Joseph was known as a dreamer. He had the ability to decipher the will of God by interpreting dreams. Now, before any of us go wondering if we can do the same thing, it's important to remember that, in the end, Joseph credits God's intervention for this gift of his. He is wise enough to recognize that God was communicating His will to him for a special purpose; to rescue his family from the famine into the security of Egypt. Today, God no longer intervenes through our dreams. Now, God intervenes through the Holy Spirit and the Bible. With these, we are able to discern God's Word for our lives today, and interpret God's promise for the future.

So, what about our dreams of today. Well, those confusing stories of entangled images of fear and mystery are probably best left alone, since God has given the much more trustworthy gifts of scripture and the Holy Spirit. But, the dreams that form out of our hope for the future can be very powerful inspirations of the Holy Spirit. Who can deny the power behind Martin Luther King's "I have a dream..." speech?

Some of our dreams encourage us to hope for a fairy tale ending, "And they lived happily ever after". This dream is likely for ourselves, or our children, or someone else we are close to. Other dreams might be for professional success, and prosperity...the American Dream.

What are your dreams?

One of mine is surely not unlike any other fathers' dream for his kids. I want to see my son grow up to find a genuine faith, hope, and love. With that in mind, let's turn to God's dream. That's right, God has a dream too. His dream is shared with us within the Bible. Essentially His dream is like that of any father, God dreams about a day when his children will find faith, hope and love. It is to restore and reconcile all of us back to Him, because He is the source of genuine faith, hope, and love. Jesus is God's "first fruit" of that dream coming true. Following Jesus is to share God's dream for ourselves and for everyone.

Do you dream God's dream?

Lord God, thank you for revealing your will for me in the Bible, and thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to intervene into my life to help me discern your will. Father, you have a beautiful dream for me; one of life filled eternally with genuine faith, hope, and love. Lord, where my dreams become selfish, or misguided in any way intervene to bend my dreams toward yours. Impassion me to dream your dream for my life as well as for all people. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Morning Devotions: 3/15/10

2010-05-26T10:35:00.002-05:00

Genesis 34-35

I love roller coasters. Unfortunately, the older I become the more my body tells me that it's a bit wiser to keep my feet on the ground. Similarly, there's a maturity of faith that comes upon us in time as we grow with God. This mature faith keeps us grounded in the security of God when everything seems to be rushing dangerously through the more dramatic ups and downs of life.

This text for today has all the elements of a roller coaster. From Jacob's perspective, in just two chapters he has learned of the following dramatic lows:
The rape of his daughter, Dinah
The foolish retaliatory vengeance upon Shechem from his sons
The incest committed by his oldest son, Reuben
The death of his beloved wife, Rachel
The death of his father, Isaac

At the same time, however, this text has revealed to Jacob the following dramatic highs:
God speaks directly to Jacob for the first time.
God's protection from further retaliation from Shechem
God speaks to Jacob a second time
God passes to Jacob His most sacred blessing.
God renames Jacob and calls him Israel
The birth of his 12th son, Benjamin

As we read this text, we get the feeling that Jacob has moved through all these highs and lows at such a pace that our heads are dizzy at the end of reading it. But, there's one thing from beginning to end that keeps Jacob grounded---his faith in God. Jacob's faith, if you recall, has come a long way. He was once the opportunistic, self-centered, insecure youth that was flying through life by the seat of his pants. Now, we see him as the father who has learned much about himself and God from his past mistakes. He is older, wiser, more secure and his faith in God has grown much more mature. Now, it is his mature faith that keeps him grounded through all of these dramatic highs and lows.

Consider the highs and lows that you're facing right now, how is your faith keeping you grounded in God?

Lord God, thank you for remaining with me through all the highs and lows. Thank you for using the mistakes of my past to help grow my faith into something more mature today. Empower me to respond to life with the same patient security with which you have responded to me over the years. Let me face this day's high and lows with your grace. In Jesus' name...Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/14/10

2010-05-26T10:32:00.001-05:00

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Prodigal--An adjective that is used to characterize behavior that is lavishly wasteful, or extravagant.

Clearly, the younger of the two sons fits this characterization in Jesus' parable. He takes his father's financial gift (and I do mean gift here; just because it's an inheritance does not mean he was entitled to it--especially since his father hasn't yet died) and he goes off and lavishly wastes it in what the text calls dissolute living. Clearly this man is about as wasteful as they come with his father's financial gift. Notice, however, the text does not condemn him for wasting money on prostitutes--that's the older brother's statement of judgment against his brother. The text says that he wasted it in dissolute living. In other words, he lived indulgently beyond his means, without adequate maturity of restraint. So, if you are eager to condemn the younger brother, be prepared to face the same condemnation yourself. How's your credit card debt looking these days? Maybe it's time to return to the Father and pray for a little maturity of restraint.

But, then there's the older brother--the so-called good son, the one who stays away from dissolute living. In the parable his prodigal behavior is actually more insidious than his brother. Upon learning that his father is throwing a celebratory feast for his younger brother he is furious. His self-righteous judgment condemns his younger brother in a fit of anger that refuses to forgive his brother and declines his father's invitation to the feast. This brother is also a prodigal son. His younger brother may have been wasteful with the father's finances, but he is wasteful with the father's love. This action breaks the father's heart. The father desires that both of his sons reconcile and celebrate the feast with him. Instead, his elder son refuses to come. So, which of the two prodigals did the most damage? The one who wasted the Father's inheritance, or the one who wasted the Father's love?

Is there someone to whom you need to say "I'm sorry"?
Is there someone with whom you are so angry that you feel like you simply cant forgive them?

In what ways are you a prodigal?

Fortunately, there's a third prodigal character in this parable. It's the prodigal father. His lavish, even extravagant, offering of love and forgiveness--even before the son could say his rehearsed apology--is easily seen as wasteful. The prodigal father offers forgiveness and a feast of love without hearing his son even promise to change. When the older son becomes angry his father reminds him that he desires for him to come, and that the gifts of the father's house are always his. Neither of these sons deserve the feast, nor do they deserve the forgiveness that is showered upon them from the father.

In Twila Paris' song "Lamb of God" the second verse goes like this "Your gift of love we crucified. We laughed and scorned him as he died. The humble king we named a fraud and sacrificed the Lamb of God." Jesus is the Father's gift of amazing grace that we too often take for granted, and waste. But, to us and for us, he died. Because with Easter morning, our Father comes running back to us. Before we can utter our confessions, He embraces us with the undeserved renewing grace of his love that will not die. Then, he invites us to an eternal feast of celebration.

We are all prodigals in one way or another---but thanks be to our prodigal God, who continues to offer his grace even to the likes of us.

Lord God, thank you for your abundant grace. Help me to forgive others. Make me to see the err of my ways. Humble me, that I may apologize to those whom I have offended. Most of all, Lord, thank you for inviting me to join you in your eternal feast of celebration over sin and death. Through Jesus Christ I pray. Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/13/10

2010-05-26T10:31:00.002-05:00

Genesis 31-33

Inevitably our sins always come back to us. We can never truly escape them. No matter how far away we go from them in time, emotion or even actual geography there will always come a time when we have to face the truth. Time can be an amazing healer. It can provide enough distance that our perspective changes, allowing us to see the truth more clearly and possibly even come to accept the truth for what it is, but in the end that truth must still be faced. In the end, there really is no place for us to hide from our sins----except beneath the shelter of grace that God provides.Jacob deceived his brother, cheating him out of his birth-right. After running away to hide for 14 years away from his brother's wrath, he now realizes that he must face his brother in order to truly be at peace within himself. On the eve before this long awaited meeting, Jacob worries himself to sleep and ends up in a dream that turns to be much more than the usual dream. In this dream Jacob faces the truth of the very sin he used to deceive his brother. In a wrestling match with an angelic figure, Jacob essentially wrestles with God over the guilt and shame he feels of having deceived his brother. Jacob's sin was to lie about his identity. Jacob disguised himself as his brother in order to steal Esau's birth-right from their dying father. Jacob's sin was to say to his father, "I am Esau." Now, that sin has returned to him. In his wrestling match with God, Jacob begs for God's blessing. Just as he had wanted his father's blessing, he now begs for God's blessing. Only this time, Jacob must tell the truth. The angelic figure asks him, "What is your name?" The very question confronts Jacob with the truth about his sinful act, which has separated him from his brother and family for 14 years. This time, though, its not his father's patriarchal blessing, its God's blessing. God will not be deceived. Instead God uses the wrestling match with Jacob to bring Jacob to declare his true identity. Jacob answers, "I am Jacob." With this confession, Jacob's sin is forgiven, the wrestling with God ceases, and Jacob is blessed by God and claimed with a new name. He will be called Israel. His new name literally means "one who wrestles with God". As followers of Christ we are inheritors of a legacy in which wrestling with God is embedded within our very name. We are the ones who wrestle with God. We all have sins of our past, sins that have placed us on certain paths of life, sins which we've tried to hide from, sins that altar our very identity. Do you trust God enough that you could allow yourself to be completely vulnerable and exposed before Him? Have you ever really wrestled with God about who you are, and why you exist? If not, maybe its time to try. God is the only one who can take all the pain, all the shame, all the wounds from our past sins and point us toward a new articulation of what difference all that makes to our identity today. God is the only one who can help us make sense of our past, and at the same time present to us a perspective of how all of it fits into His extraordinary plan for the future. God is the only one who can take your past, and show you how all of it--even the sinful stuff--as the means with which God has re-created you and given you a purpose for today. God takes all of our actions, and gives it meaning and purpose. But, to see God's purpose for your life requires a bit of wrestling with God. Ask yourself---and then ask God, "Who am I?" What you'll hear, no matter how great or small are your sins of the past, is God respond, "You are my beloved in whom I am well pleased."

Lord God, thank you for helping me make sense of the sins of my past. Thank you for helping me reconcile with you and with others. Thank you for loving me and claiming me no matter what I've done in the past. Strengthen me today to trust you with my deepest, most difficult pain. Give me the grace necessary to wrestle with you when things make no sense, and encourage me trust in your sovereign ability to take all of my life and re-make it this day for your purposes. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Morning Devotions: 3/12/10

2010-05-26T10:31:00.001-05:00

Genesis 29-30

Sibling rivalries and power struggles mark the theme of this text. Beginning with the struggle for power between Jacob and Esau, then the sibling rivalry between Rachel and Leah, and finally the power struggle between Jacob and Laban. Back and forth the flow of power moves as each opposing side schemes and contrives to find new ways to outdo their rival. The competition for power and control will carry into the next generation as well, where the sons of Jacob will plot to kill their rival Joseph.

If we listen closely to this text, there is one thing we do not hear; one thing that has gone silent. It is the voice of God. Nowhere do we hear the characters call upon the Lord for guidance or support. Consequently, nowhere do we hear of God's intervention. And, consequently, the behaviors of these biblical characters is about is far from ideal that we can imagine. From dishonest business deals between Laban and Jacob, to brother's plotting to kill brothers, to women competing over who can have the most babies, to Jacob yielding to the Canaanite tradition of Polygamy this text is filled with misguided sinful attempts to live without regard to God's divine authority.

Imagine.... What might have been different about this text if any of these characters would have stopped just for one moment of prayer and asked for God to help and guide them before they reacted to their circumstances purely of their own perceived authority?

Our lives, our families, our work environments are not any different. Consider the flow of power and control within the dynamics of people all around you. Consider the people with whom you compete for power. Consider the list of mistakes you've made, the people you've offended, the times when you've gone too far. Imagine...what might have been different if you had paused for a moment of prayer and asked for God's help and guidance before you reacted to the circumstances purely out of your perceived authority?

Fortunately, God does not enter into our dynamics of power and control. God does not compete with us, and therefore we cannot compete with Him. God is in control of all things, and therefore is able to be our rock in times of trouble, our strength when times are weak. He is able to bring justice to those who push us too far. He is able to differentiate Himself from the perceived power of people, and the real power which is His and only His. Jesus broke the cycle of power by dying to the sinful misuse of power. In doing so, he brings to us the gift of forgiveness, grace sufficient enough for us to let go of our desire for power over others.

Lord God, thank you for dying for me. Thank you for all the times you have helped me and guided me, and been there for me as my rock in troubled times. Thank you for never forgetting me, even when I've gone off on my own away from you. As I go about my day, let me see with clear and open eyes the truth behind all of the power struggles that tempt me to betray my trust in you. Let me look upon others with the same forgiveness and grace that you look upon me from the cross. Give me grace sufficient enough to let go of my desire to win and secure power over others, and give me moments to pause and seek your help and guidance before I react. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Morning Devotions: 3/11/10

2010-05-26T10:30:00.000-05:00

Genesis 27 - 28

What a dysfunctional family! Consider the characters. You've got Rebekah the manipulative mom who shows so little regard for her dying husband that she uses her son to literally blind side him just before his dies. You've got Isaac, the pushover, gullible dad who is so distant from his two sons that he cant even tell the difference between one son and the other wearing a disguise. Then, there's the twin sons. Jacob is a heartless, selfish, opportunist who will cheat and deceive his brother and his father out of birth-right and blessing. Esau, the underachieving elder son who thinks he's entitled to something just for being the first-born son. Yikes! What a mess.

I cant help but look at this story and compare these characters with that of my own family, my own up-bringing, my own relationships over the past. I had all of these charcters in my house, and even a few more. While each situation is different and unique with each household harboring its own unique characters and flaws, there's a kind of hope that this text gives to us. This crazy, mixed up, dysfunctional family is in the bible---even more, this family carries with it God's blessing of hope for all people. Jacob will later be blessed by God and re-named Israel, from which Jesus will come. The hope for all of us came out of this dysfunctional family.

God is so amazing like that! :-)

He takes sinfulness, pain, hurt, all the junk of dysfunctional families and weaves it into the tapestry of His eternal plan, giving us hope that is beyond our capacity to comprehend.

Today, let's consider all the junk inside us from our dysfunctional families. Then, let us commend these things into God's amazing grace; trusting that God has the ability to weave it into his eternal plan.

Lord God, thank you for this work you have done with me and my life. With practically nothing you have raised up gifts and talents from within me for your purpose and joy. You have blessed me and set me on the sure foundation of hope in the saving grace of your Son, my savior. Bless my family, bless all families with your sure confidence that comes from your love alone. As I go about my day, remind me that you have brought me to this day with all that I need to face whatever is in front of me, and keep me humble and hopeful in the faith that you are not yet finished with me. In Jesus name. Amen

Morning Devotions: 3/10/10

2010-05-26T10:28:00.001-05:00

Genesis 25-26

Isaac heard God promise to bless his second son, Jacob, while his twin sons were still in the womb. God prepared Isaac for the role revearsal his twin sons would endure. Even so, Isaac prepared and intended to give his sacred blessing to Esau. For Isaac, this would have been perfectly normal. The ways of the world dictated to Isaac that the oldest son was to be the blessed one, and the younger son or sons would live in service to their older sibling. But, this was not God's plan. God's plan was to pass the sacred blessing onto Jacob, the second son.

Meanwhile, Jacob grew to become a man who would lie and cheat his own father. Esau was the first born, and by our ways of judgment, was much more deserving of God's blessing than his brother. Jacob didnt deserve this sacred blessing by birth-right or by virtue. Yet, God planned to give it to him before he was even born.

God's ways are not our ways.

Sometimes we look at the events of life unfolding around us and we ask the age-old question, "Why, God?"

I like to joke that one day when I get to heaven I am going to march up to God with my list of questions and demand answers. LOL All of these questions of mine are of this type: Why, Lord...?

If you think about it, we all have our list of questions.

To which our Lord Jesus, before we can even pull our list out of our pocket, reaches out to us with a loving, comforting embrace and as he reaches we see the holes from the nails. Then, in a flash of countless reminders of God's promises for us, the still small voice of God speaks His own rhetorical question, "Why did my only son have to die on the cross?" And the answer washes away the questions....."FOR ME!" He died this undeserving death, for us, so that we would recieve an undeserved life.

There is much that we do not understand about the ways of God. We are not asked to understand, only to trust. Jacob didn't deserve God's blessing. Yet, God wanted to give it, and by doing so, God raises up the man who would later become Father Israel. Like Jacob, we do not deserve the gift of Christ's life. Yet, God wants to give it to us. Who knows what God is up to, but let us be thankful that his ways are not our ways. If they were, we would all perish.

Lord God, you have chosen to bless us. Like Jacob, we dont deserve it. May our thankful hearts always respond to your call with an eagerness and appreciation for the gift you have given us. When you invite us to follow you into places where we would otherwise not prefer to go let us respond not with "Why me", but instead with "Why not me", because you have indeed blessed us with the life of your Son. Amen

Matters of the Heart

2008-08-13T05:10:00.002-05:00

In my previous church there was a married couple whose professions were in some ways considered opposites. They both worked in the field of medicine. But, one was in brain surgery, the other cardiology. It was common to those who knew the couple to find them debating from time to time over which of their two fields were more important in their contributions to medical science. One would argue that the brain mattered most, and the other would counter that the heart was more important.

Medical science aside, the debate over head vs. heart is one that continues on in many circles of conversation, and indeed within ourselves. Given just about any situation we are confronted with this debate, do I trust my head, which then metaphorically refers to the center of our being which gleans from evidence or personal experience; or do I trust my heart, which relies on intuition and emotion? The head is understood as the place which believes that truth is derived from things that can be proven, measured, and evaluated. The heart is understood as the place which believes that truth is derived from feelings, gut-instinct. The head is at work seeking to understand, endeavoring to be proven right or wrong. The heart is at work falling in love, reaching out with compassion, going deep into conversation. The head is the seat of wisdom. The heart is the seat of love.

Psychologists Jung, along with Myers-Briggs found great success with their theory on the universal typology of personalities. In their work the well known Myers-Briggs test has been used in a variety of ways to highlight the differences and encourage understanding between 16 primary personality types. Built into their conclusions is an acceptance of a fundamental difference between people who might be called “head” people verses “heart” people. The “head” people tend to be more grounded, stoic, and realistic. The “heart” people tend to be more flighty, emotional, and imaginative. However, while modern Psychology may indeed recognize that there are “head” people and “heart” people, there is also widespread acceptance that we all make choices somewhere within a continuum from head to heart, and every circumstance is addressed a little bit differently than the last. None of us are 100% head, or heart. We are a blend of the two, and personality tests such as the Myers-Briggs simply point out our tendencies.

The point is, there are times when we need to trust our heads, and there are times when we need to trust our hearts. And, every situation is potentially a battle ground. Internally, a storm rages as we struggle with decisions between the head and the heart. And, sometimes, the storm rages outside us, in the world around us. It is in the external arena that we start to see individual leanings of heart or head arise as we make use of politics and various subtleties of personal influence to try to win others to trust in our viewpoints. Both the internal and the external struggles between the head vs. heart have the potential for destructive results if we are not careful and forgiving of both our self and others.

Today’s bible readings seem to be lifting up the heart over the head as a manor of virtue and faith. In the gospel, Peter responds with his heart to Jesus’ call to get out and walk on water. Walking on water is, without a doubt, a response of the heart overruling the head. The head sees the water, not a solid surface upon which one can walk. The head sees the boat as the only source of salvation. But, the heart wonders if it’s possible and realizes he’ll never know if he doesn’t try. Peter’s heart wins the internal struggle and for a moment he is walking on water.

In Paul’s letter to the Romans we hear him teach us that one must learn to believe with their hearts to be saved. Paul makes a statement such as this simply out of an assumption that we already recognize that there is a kind of faith that is not of the heart—namely faith of the head.

The simple way to preach or teach these texts is merely to proclaim that God requires faith of the heart over faith of the head. The trouble is that if we are really honest with God, the scripture and ourselves, then we must confess that nothing in life is ever truly that simple. In fact, while this text today lifts up the necessity for the faith of the heart over that of the head, this text also speaks just the opposite. For instance, while Paul declares that we are to believe in the heart to be save, he says further in the verse that follow a list of "head" things that are necessary to bring us to that belief. He says, "How can a person believe if they do not hear, and how can a person hear if someone doesn't proclaim..." Furthermore, if we do not recognize the significance of both head and heart in Paul's teaching, then he contradicts himself in chapter 12. Just as Paul declares today his message of belief in the heart from chapter 10 of his letter to the Romans, if we skip over to chapter 12, verse 2 he seems to be saying just the opposite. There he exhorts us to be “transformed by the renewing of the mind.” Likewise, Peter's walk on the water shows his heart for Jesus as he is willing to get out of the boat during a storm. But, how would Peter be able to call to him, or go to him on the water if he didn't first know him --head stuff-- and be able to recognize him. The others see a ghost on the water. Peter recognizes Jesus because he knows him.

The same is true of us. We may want to follow Christ (do what is right), and we may even be willing to try something radiucally new and different (walk on water), but if we don't go to church, if we aren't listening to scripture, if we aren't given the "head stuff" how can we even begin to know how to redognize Jesus in the midst of our storms.

So, what we find in scripture is an affirmation of our suspicion that both the head and the heart have their place within matters of faith. Therefore, the more allow this text is to be honest about this suspicion, and take in the whole message of the scripture. These texts clearly lift up scriptural examples of the efficacy of allowing our heart to ascend over our heads from time to time. But, it is irresponsible and contradictory to the fuller message of this text for me to preach that matters of faith can only be fulfilled by the heart.

There are times when we need to respond with our hearts. And, there are times when we need to respond with our heads. The challenge for us is to do what is right. This means finding balance between the both, and allowing our heads and our hearts to respond appropriately under the appropriate circumstances.

But, there will be times when we allow our hearts to squelch our heads. In times like these, common sense will give way to an emotional decision that will likely fail but hopefully offer to us a learning example that will lead to things being done differently next time. There will also be times when our head squelches our heart. In times like these, passion and enthusiasm for something will be overcome for reasons that are just unfounded. Emotional decisions made like these lead to destructiveness for everyone involved. And, they increase feelings of burnout and exhaustion depreciating the morale of an organization.

Striking a balance between the head and heart is actually the heart of the paradox of our Christian faith. This is the true heart of the matter. We are called to give our lives to Christ, and to give our lives to our neighbor simultaneously. We are called to be in the world, yet at the same time to remain not of the world. We are both saint and sinner simultaneously. And, we follow a Lord who is both human and divine. The heart of the matter is that we are always in a boat of trouble on a stormy sea. But, to our boat, and in the middle of this stormy paradox our Lord Jesus comes to calm our fears and be with us.

The blessing for us today from this message is found when we recognize that God is not one who demands that we get every decision right. He simply asks us to do our best, and as we do to entrust everything to God. If you’re a head person, recognize that there are times when you must let your heart win. Emotion, passion, idealism are good for the soul. If you’re a heart person, recognize that there are times when you must let your head win. Evidence, reality, common sense are also good for the soul.

Jesus may indeed have called Peter out of the boat to walk on the water with him. But, the truth that we need to hear from this text is the message that often gets overlooked. The storm that rages all around the boat of Peter and the others is not calmed by Peter getting out of the boat, but by Jesus climbing in. There is a storm of head vs. heart that rages inside us and all around us. But, the blessing for us all is found when we recognize that God--in our baptisms, in the Word, in the fellowship of believers, in the bread and the wine—climbs in and takes charge of the storm for us. He wants to be our God over all things, both the head things and the heart things.

God understands our struggle. Is it any wonder that Jesus says at one time, “Take up your own cross , then at another time, “Take my yoke upon you, the burden is light.” Jesus knows the weightiness with which each faithful decision we struggle through is made. Yet, simultaneously he offers his yoke to guide us through each of them.

God knows there are times when we will struggle and fail. He also knows there are times when we will struggle and succeed. God doesn’t ask perfection of us. He only asks us to trust him with the end result of all things. In the end perfection is God’s work—not ours.

Letting God be Lord of both our head and our heart, our full self---This is true freedom. This is what it means to live by faith. This is what it means to walk with Jesus.

When the storm rages within and without, take a moment to pray, to listen, and to watch. Because it is in the middle of the storm when our Lord comes to us and says, "Don't be afraid, I am with you even to the end."

Amen

Newsletter Aug '08

2008-08-13T04:47:00.002-05:00

Think again, you fools!
When will you finally catch on?
Is the one who made your ears deaf?
Is the one who formed your eyes blind?
He punishes the nations—won’t he also punish you?
He knows everything—doesn’t he also know what you are doing?
The Lord knows people’s thoughts, that they are worthless!
Happy are those whom you discipline, Lord,
And those whom you teach from your law.
You give them relief from troubled times until a pit is dug for the wicked.
The Lord will not reject his people;
He will not abandon his own special possession.
Judgment will come again for the righteous,
And those who are upright will have a reward.
Psalm 94:8-15

Do you know what the word “gospel” means? It means Good News!

Today we have technology’s mixed blessing of finding out about events more quickly and in greater detail than ever before. Unfortunately, most of what we see or hear in the news is the negative. When negative information fills our minds, it’s hard not to be cynical.

In the Psalm I have quoted above, it seems as if the psalmist could think of nothing but bad news. He saw evil people prospering and oppressing others, corrupt governments, and the condemnation of the innocent, much like what we see in our world today. But, by the end of the Psalm we learn that in spite of all the bad news he remains hopeful and expectant of God. The psalmist resists the temptation to become cynical even though it seems that there is nothing but bad news to report everywhere he looks. He takes comfort in remaining faithful to the promise that God would never allow evil to continue forever. The psalmist takes comfort and refuge in God’s promise, rather become cynical.

If you’ve ever been around a cynical person, you know how maddening such company can be. Saturday Night Live used to do a skit called “Debbie Downer”. Each skit presented a context that was lively and celebrative, like a birthday party, or office party. Then, just as everyone began enjoying the moment, Debbie would announce some cynical remark and bring the party to a screeching halt. And, in no time at all, completely turn the atmosphere from positive to negative. It was funny on Saturday Night Live, but it’s not funny in real life. A cynical outlook on life has two problems: 1. Negative attitudes are rarely necessary, and rarely appreciated. It may indeed be necessary to speak the truth. Even so, if done with love even negative news can be communicated with a positive attitude. 2. A cynical attitude makes every situation look bleak and hopeless, even when it’s not.

So, what’s the cure for the cynic, or the potential to become a cynic in all of us? Into a world that seems fraught with bad news—we have been given the Good News—the gospel of Jesus Christ! The “good news” of Jesus Christ overpowers the bad news because it sheds the light of God upon every bad news situation and promises new life. It is this “gospel” power that turns the bleakest day in human history—when Jesus was crucified—into what we know as “Good” Friday. The power of the gospel is God’s gift to us, and with it believers are never without hope.

The cynic looks upon the world and declares something to the effect of, “It’s all going to hell!” But, the faithful are never without hope. They express trust in God and commit themselves to taking responsibility for this life as a sign of God’s gift of the gospel.

When overwhelmed by bad news, we can resist the temptation to become cynical. Instead, we can take guidance from the psalm. We can give our anger and frustration to God, and allow the gospel to reassure our hope. With God’s good news to strengthen and encourage, we can then carry on in a course of action that faces the bad news with hope and security.

There’s a bluegrass gospel song that is sung regularly in our church that declares this same message. I’d like to close this month’s devotion with it. It’s called Keep On the Sunny Side.

There's a dark and a troubled side of life
There's a bright and a sunny side too
Though we meet with the darkness and strife
The sunny side we also may view

Refrain
Keep on the sunny side always on the sunny side
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us every day
It will brighten all our way
If we keep on the sunny side of life

Oh the storm and its fury broke today
Crushing hopes that we cherish so dear
The clouds and storm will in time pass away
The sun again will shine bright and clear
Refrain

Let us greet with a song of hope each day
Though the moment be cloudy or fair
Let us trust in our Savior always
To keep us every one in His care
Refrain

Newsletter July '08

2008-08-13T04:45:00.000-05:00

Elijah has been home now for three months. I have shared many stories with you already, and I expect that more are to come. As I reflect upon this fondness we all have of telling and hearing stories of parenthood I realize that there is something common in all of our stories. Each of our stories, whether they be about learning to walk, talk, or drive a car are stories about growth. There’s a certain fondness we all have to these stories of how we grow. Whether they are stories of children, teens, or even the glib remarks we make about growing old, we are quite fond of growth.

Over the last month the necessity arose for looking back over the history of our congregational meetings. With the help of Bob Williams and Donna Lewis, the minutes from every congregational meeting were dug up and read. This was an arduous task. But, as Bob and Donna periodically informed me of the things they found it was as if they were telling stories of how this congregation grew in faith, as well as in number over the years.

Often, the topic of growth is spoken of in the language of change. Contrary to the language of growth, change is not usually received with fondness (unless your Barack Obama as of late J). Yet, we all know that growth doesn’t happen without change. Since 1993 there have been many changes at Living God. Even though these changes have yielded positive things for our congregation, one thing is noticeable from reading the meeting minutes from the past 15 years. Change frightens us.

Maybe we need to speak more of growth than of change. This may seem like mere semantics, but there is something very real about the way certain words infer certain things. For instance, I am thrilled to see Elijah grow. He’s 2 inches taller, and 2 pounds heavier since we brought him home. I am equally thrilled to see him walking, and to hear him learn certain words. But, even though I know that growth cannot happen without change, I am very much aware that I am resistant to the notion that he is going to change. I don’t want him to change. But, I want him to grow.

The truth is we can’t have both at the same time. We can’t grow and not change. To grow is to change. Likewise, to resist change is to resist growth. So, we must keep an open mind and an open spirit about things if we want to enjoy seeing them grow. This is true of our selves, our relationships, as it is true about our church.

This is the season of growth for the church. It is officially called the season of Pentecost. The lessons we hear on Sunday and the thrust of all the thematic material of this portion of the church year is on the growth of the church. As the world around is growing green with summer, the church celebrates the ways in which our faith has grown, and how our relationship to Jesus has grown over the centuries and throughout our lives.

God has done marvelous things with us as we have grown in our faith over the years. It may be helpful to recognize how our growth in faith has resulted in very wonderful changes in us. But, it is also important for us to realize that God isn’t finished with us yet. There are still many more stories of growth yet to be lived and told in the years to come. What will our children tell theirs about us, about our church, about God? I look forward to hearing those stories some day. I hope you do too.

Faithfully,
+Pastor Rich

Foundational Things

2008-05-30T08:53:00.002-05:00

Matthew 7:21-29

Good News: God has given us the sure foundation to build our lives upon. The Rock of Christ will not give way to the storms of life.

An elderly woman walked up to a little old man rocking in a chair on his porch. Though he looked weathered and feeble, he had a content smile on his face. “I couldn’t help noticing how happy you look,” she said. “What’s your secret for a happy life?” “Well, I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day,” he said, waving a wrinkled hand through the air, with a smoldering cigarette between his thumb and finger. “I also drink a case of whiskey a week, eat fatty foods, and never exercise.” “That’s amazing!” said the woman. “So, how old are you?” “Thirty six,” he answered.

If you were going to build a healthy body, you would not follow this young man’s example, would you? How about building a healthy marriage, a loyal family, or a faithful church?
Where in our world would you look for a model to build upon?

There are foundations upon which we build the things of life. The strength and virtue of the foundation determines the strength and virtue of the building. You can have the greatest looking piece of architecture above ground for all the world to see, but if beneath the surface the foundation is structurally unsound, then this beautiful building is not going to last.

How about building a meaningful satisfied life, a loyal family, or a faithful church? Where would you look for guidance? Let me give you a hint. Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

This text is the final statement of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has been teaching his disciples how to live according to God’s will instead of according to the will of the Pharisees, or the will of other worldly models. The teachings of Jesus keep us building upon the rock. They are the foundation for a meaningful and satisfying life. So then, what exactly did Jesus teach? Essentially he taught what we Christians have come to hear as the virtues of discipleship living. He taught Love for God, love for neighbor, love for self. He taught about the virtues of a good marriage. He taught about the necessity for generosity and compassion. He taught forgiveness, acceptance, humility, peace. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught the total package of Christian living. Then, at the end he taught about wisdom. He said that the wise man builds upon the rock. It is significant, I think, that the text says specifically that we are to build upon THE rock, and not A rock. For there is only one rock, and it is Christ, and his way of life. Many people are drawn to other ways of life. But Christ’s way cannot be improved upon.

A pastor was asked to counsel a woman who was quite depressed. He went by her home. During the visit he noticed three well cared for African violets. Each was a different color and next to them was an empty pot in which this woman was clearly going to plant and nurture another. This lady was a talented gardener. The pastor said he wanted to recommend something for her feelings of depression, but before he did so, he wanted her word that she would follow through with what he asked of her. She agreed. The pastor then said, “Depression isn’t your problem. Your problem is that you aren’t being a very good Christian!” The woman was startled. “What do you mean?” she responded. Then he pointed out her talent for growing African violets. “You have a gift for growing beautiful flowers,” he said as he pointed out the African Violets, “but you are keeping this gift all to your self.” He told her to purchase pots and grow more of these beautiful plants. When she had an adequate supply he wanted her to put an African violet in each of the pots and send one to the mother of every baby born to a member of the church. Then she was to send one to every member of her church who was hospitalized. After he left, she was angry with him for a little while for telling her she was not a very good Christian, but then she began to think about what he had said. She decided to give it a try. She took an African violet to a friend who had recently lost her husband. Then another to a family who just had a new baby. Soon this became a regular part of her life. About ten years later, an article appeared in the local paper. It was titled, “African Violet Queen Dies--Mourned by Thousands.”
Evidently, by living out her Christian faith and sharing her talent with others, this woman’s depression faded away as she discovered a meaningful and satisfying life.

Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock . . .” And it’s true. The teachings of Jesus are the foundation for a meaningful and satisfying life. That’s why people have found so much meaning in Christ’s teachings for these past two thousand years.

But please note: to reap the benefits of Jesus’ teachings, we must act upon them. It’s not enough to say, “Oh, yes, I believe in Christ’s teaching,” but never put those teachings into practice. Jesus says it quite vividly in today’s lesson: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

We can’t try to slip through simply by claiming to believe in Christ’s teachings, and then never allowing those teachings to absorb into our souls--change our lives. If Christ is going to be THE ROCK upon which we are built, we must allow Christ's teachings to inform the practice of our every action. “Everyone who hears these words of mine,” says Jesus, “and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock . . .”

There’s another creed that offers its teachings to us as foundational in our world. It’s the teaching that is expressed by the sentiment “If it feels good, it must be good, so do it.” The cross of Jesus keeps the Christian corrected from this false teaching. For, the cross is every bit the fullness of Christ’s teaching about where to find meaning and satisfaction in life and the way in which we should all live. At the same time, it reminds us that living a life that is pleasing to God, and therefore meaningful and satisfying is not always going to feel good. We all know it’s true, don’t we? Yet, we see and hear stories of people everywhere who live by the “If it feels good, do it” credo, and their lives are a mess. The ones that make the news, of course, are the celebrities. Think Britney or Lindsay or a host of other troubled celebrities. But, we all know friends, family members, neighbors, and others whose lives are a mess because of the shiftiness of the sand beneath this false teaching.

Another false foundation that is given to us is the teaching "If everyone is doing it, it must be good." We all know this foundation to be built upon sand. Just ask the smokers in the room how much this credo has benefited their life. Yet, even thought we know this to be an unstable foundation to build a life upon, we still see people friends, even our church become swayed by the sands of public opinion. My friends, Jesus stands firm on his teaching, and asks to do the same. Just because everyone's doing it, doesn't make it right. But, many in our world still have trouble avoiding this one or saying no to it. This is the one with the most peer pressure attached. This is the one that will challenge the company you keep. Yet, Jesus is clear. Build your life upon this, and its like building upon something that has no foundation. Just doing whatever everyone esle is doing leads us to building upon nothing. By trying to please everyone all the time, we end up pleaseing no one--and most importantly we do not lead lives that are pleasing to God.

Meanwhile I stare out into this congregation every week into the faces of some who have lived by the teachings of Jesus most of their lives and who will tell you they have found a rock--the Rock--upon which to build their lives, and they do not have a moment of regret. Their adherence to Christ’s teachings has helped them have healthy bodies, happy marriages, loving families and an enduring sense of well-being. It doesn’t always happen, of course. There are forces that can mess with our bodies, mess with our marriages, mess with our children--regardless of how devoted we are to Christ. But, all things being equal, the Christ life is the best life possible. The teachings of Jesus are the foundation for a meaningful and satisfying life. To live according to those teachings, however, we must act upon them.

So the message of the day is to be wise. Build your life upon the foundation of THE ROCK. The way of Jesus is the way that leads to Life NOW, and Life Everlasting!

The sad thing in this world is not that many of us are bad people, or that we have some sinister plan to selfishly do everything our way. We aren’t, and we don’t. The truth is that most all of us have good and well meaning intentions. We try, and yet we end up frustrated and unsatisfied with the gift of life. No, the sad thing is one of principals, and priorities. The sad thing is that too many of us in this world spend our lives building upon the wrong foundation. The sad thing is that God has given this world the most secure foundation upon which life can be built, and we go through life half-hearted about our faith in God.

There is a foundation upon which to model and build our lives, our families, our church. It is the teachings of Christ.
Love God
Love neighbor as you love yourself
Show Compassion, Generosity, Hospitality, Mercy,
Live by Faith, Hope and Wisdom of God.

The virtues of discipleship, these are the building blocks of the sure foundation found in the rock of Jesus Christ

Have you been building upon something else?
Let today be the day you turn to faith in Christ instead.

Amen

Newsletter June '08

2008-05-30T08:49:00.000-05:00

Newsletter: June ‘08

Dear Living God,

One day recently, Donna and I were working at the church when we noticed a turtle that had walked up to the front door. It was a funny situation because it seemed to want to come inside. Curious, we opened the door to invite it in. Then, in a reflex, the turtle’s head and legs were gone; hidden inside its shell. We meant no harm, but the thing perceived us as a threat. Whatever desire it had to come inside the church vanished as quickly as his head and limbs were tucked inside his shell. Donna and I left it alone, and eventually it got up the nerve to stick out its head and limbs and investigate some other portion of the world.

Do you ever feel like a turtle?

Sometimes we are afraid to poke our head out and move forward. We are taught to perceive all sorts of threats. Then, when we sense a threat approaching we tuck in our head and limbs and pray that it goes away. We feel safe within our shell, but that which we perceive to be a threat might actually have been a great invitation. Of course, how would we know whether it is or it isn’t when our head is inside a shell.

Christian faith has no relationship with this kind of fear. To have faith is to stick our heads [necks] out expecting God to be there inviting us into something new. We are not called to be people who hide inside our shell. Rather, we are called to be people who stick out necks out for Christ’s mission and message to be shared in the world. This means sticking our necks out for others, for righteousness, for justice, for peace—for Christ. Too often many of God’s invitations get rejected out of fear. We know what is right, yet for some reason we have been taught to be afraid. So, we retreat back into our shells. And, unlike the turtle, we humans have many different shells. Some do not even look like shells from the outside. For instance, a welcoming Sunday worship service can become a shell in which the members hide from change. From the outside this looks like what it is, and many are drawn to it. But from the inside, the place that once nurtured our faith and encouraged us forward can turn into a place where we hide and hope that the threats of change just go away.

For the last year, we have been behaving a lot like frightened turtles. But, if you remember back over the past year, you will find that every time we did stuck our necks out God has been there to guide us and encourage us. If you remember, a year ago, we were afraid of increasing our budget from $6500 to $20000 to afford a musician with the same level of talent to which we had grown accustomed. In September, we realized a budget deficit of nearly $9000, which called us to increase our giving and organize some fund raising post-haste. In the winter, church council was threatened by the loss of our treasurer and the need to find someone for this post. Meanwhile, there was the constant threat of change humming in the background as the pastor promoted a strange new worship service.

Throughout the past year, we faced many threatening invitations from God. And, in each one we promptly behaved like turtles—sticking our heads inside our shells of comfort and praying that the threats just pass away. But, by the grace of God, only one or two at first, but then many more in the end, began to poke their heads out and look around. We began to find out that these things were not as threatening as we thought. We might also say we realized that God was with us each time we were willing to stick our neck out.

Today, the results of overcoming last year’s threats are remarkable. We hired a new music director. We overcame last year’s budget deficit. We found a new treasurer. We stabilized our church council leadership after a mass changeover. Our average weekly attendance has never been higher. Our average weekly giving has never been higher. We received more than 30 new members. And, unlike last year at this time, we are enjoying the blessings of a $6000 budget surplus.

One year ago we were anxious over the cost of a new music director, our financial outlook was very weak, and our worship attendance was starting to slump. But, today, after sticking our necks out on faith just a little, God has done wonderful things. The bible says that God can do big miracles with even a mustard seed amount of faith. And, that is what we have seen God do with us over the past year.

Yet, our annual meeting in May brought out the turtle in us again. The odd worship service that the pastor has been promoting has gained momentum. Now it calls us to endorse it wholly and completely as a legitimate worship service of this congregation by adding the costs of the program into our annual budget. Again, the same concerns about money and integrity are brought forward, and again many of us duck our heads inside our shells and pray that this threat will just go away. But, if there’s anything at all that the events of the last year have taught us. It is that when we stick our necks out, take a risk, we give God a chance to work with us. God refuses to work without us, and God can’t work with us so long as we remain hidden in fear. But, it only takes a tiny amount of faith—an ever so slight peek outside of our shell for God to show us miraculous things. Our church’s current health is a testament to this.

Now, let’s be clear. I’m not referring to sheer blind faith. No. This evening worship service has already proven itself to be a growing ministry for our congregation. Week after week it overcomes its own expenses by $200 or more. Week after week it produces a vibrant congregation of 40+. And, it has already helped to lead more than 9 people into active membership. Why would we want to eliminate funding from a program that is already doing such a great job? Unless, perhaps, there is something about it that threatens us.

Now, I know that there are all sorts of rumors floating around our congregation about this. One disrespects our bluegrass musicians’ integrity. Another suggests that I have been secretly plotting some sort of subversive scheme all along. Still another, claims that I have been trying to circumvent the congregational authority to force my own agenda. My friends, these are all not true and the more they are spread, the more damage the one who spreads them is doing to our congregation. These lies are slanderous and belittling. They communicate a lack of trust in me as a pastor and lack of faith in God for our church. It’s time we put all of this nonsense behind us once and for all.

Over the last year God revealed his wonders to us over and over again each time we were willing to trust him just a little. There’s a great African Spiritual titled, “We’ve Come This Far By Faith.” I think the words are fitting for us as we attempt to move forward from here. The refrain goes like this.
We’ve come this far by faith,
Leaning on the Lord;
Trusting in his holy word,
He’s never failed us yet.
Oh, can’t turn around,
We’ve come this far by faith.
We’ve come this far by faith.

The turtle that visited Donna and me has never returned. But, we keep looking for him. Maybe the next time, when we invite him in for a visit, he’ll show a little courage and stick his head out for us.

Faithfully,
+Pastor Rich

Newsletter May '08

2008-05-30T08:34:00.005-05:00

Newsletter: May ‘08

Dear Living God,

This month’s newsletter is merely a letter of thanks and appreciation. Thanks to your graciousness, Amy and I were able to spend two weeks away from all church duties while we retrieved our adopted son from Ethiopia. Since returning Amy and I are settling in nicely with Elijah. He is truly a joyous addition to our home. Already, Amy and I cannot imagine life without him. Also, we cannot thank you enough for the way Living God has welcomed our adoption plans since the beginning of what became nearly a two year process. During that time Amy and I went through a roller coaster ride of emotions from fear to exuberance. Meanwhile, the members of Living God remained steadfastly supportive. We are deeply grateful to be members of Living God Lutheran Church.

The month of May will be for me a tale of two months; I will begin the month very much the way I did April; spending as much time as possible away from church matters in order to focus on continuing to build a very necessary bond with Elijah. During the first part of the month we will be integrating Joyce, Elijah’s nanny, into the dynamics of our home. If all goes smoothly, and we expect that it will, by the end of the month I will have transitioned back into some resemblance of the same routine as your pastor that was discontinued while I adjusted to parenthood during April.

Please accept our warmest and deepest thanks for your support, your prayers, and your graciousness.

Below is a couple of our favorite pictures from Ethiopia. Soon we hope to be able to make some room clear in our schedule to offer you a presentation of pictures and videos from our trip.

Faithfully,
+Pastor Rich

Newsletter April '08

2008-05-30T08:33:00.000-05:00

Newsletter: April ‘08

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Ephesians 2:13, 19-20

OK, in November of 2006 Amy and I traveled to Ireland, and while Ireland is indeed a foreign land, it is nothing like Ethiopia. Ethiopia is more foreign to you and me than any other place I can imagine. Yikes! If my assumptions about the timing of things are accurate then as you are reading this, Amy and I are in Ethiopia retrieving our adopted son. Therefore, at this moment in time, I suspect that most of my fears about traveling to a place that is sooo foreign have subsided. I suspect that those fears have at least begun to subside because somebody, in some way will have welcomed us by now. Thanks be to God!

Have you ever traveled to a really foreign place? Do you remember how intimidated you were? Most of all do you remember the relief you felt when just one person native to that foreign place welcomed you in some way?

You know, we don’t have to go to a foreign land to feel like foreigners. There are times when we feel like outsiders right here in our own country. Some of us may still remember the fear and worry associated with that very first day of school, or the summer when you went away to camp without your friends or family, or that first day on the new job. Or, how about those first days at your new church? For me, some of the most lasting friendships were formed in those moments. Looking back I realize that into them God sent someone who was bold enough to reach out and welcome me in each of these places. My guess is that your experiences in these foreign places have been similar to mine.

In the bible passage quoted above St. Paul speaks about the feelings associated with being a foreigner. Only, he isn’t referring to being new to a “place”. He is referring to being made new by Christ through his forgiving grace. Because we are sinners, we are all foreigners to God’s Kingdom. But, because of Christ’s death for us, we are made new in his mercy and love. Because of Christ, God welcomes us into his Kingdom. Therefore we live! But, we do not live to ourselves. We now live for Christ. Therefore, we live in the resurrection of Easter even now. We are no longer foreigners to God’s Kingdom, we have been welcomed by God, and invited to join the living Jesus on his mission in the world now. We are not only welcomed into the presence of God, but we are welcomed into the daily mission of our Lord. Even now, today, our own resurrection renews us to begin eternity with God in God’s Kingdom this day. Our resurrection need not wait until we die. We are called to live into this Easter promise now. What better way to do that than to welcome the foreigner among us, just as we have already been welcomed by God through the mercy and love of Christ.

This brings me to something very wonderful that is happening at Living God. At this moment, there are more than 30 “foreigners” (including children) who are coming to Living God and participating in membership classes. Those who finish the 5 classes will be installed as active new members on Pentecost Sunday, May 11th. Three of these adults are coming to know Jesus for the first time and will be baptized on Easter Sunday; the others are in various different stations along their lifelong journey with Christ. Some are steeped in their relationship with Christ, while others see this moment as a miraculous renewal of faith. All of them are hopeful and excited about joining Living God in its mission to “build a church for all people.” Therefore, if we are listening to the call of our Lord, the other 300+ of us might hear our call to reach out and welcome them. So, don’t be afraid of introducing yourself to those who are new among us. You never know, your next best friend might just be among them.

Amy and I look forward to telling you all about this foreign land of Ethiopia when we return. Possibly, we can make even Ethiopia seem a little less foreign. We also look forward to introducing our newest member (Elijah) into the church. His baptism is scheduled for April 27th.

In the resurrection of Christ,

Seek and You Will Find

2008-05-30T08:24:00.002-05:00

Seek and You Will Find
Matthew 6:24-34
Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, then all these things will be added to you.

“Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” That question is as timely today as it was when Jesus asked it 2,000 years ago.
Does worrying do us any good?It would be good to know that, because, Lord knows, we’ve put huge amounts of time and energy into worrying about all sorts of things. And what’s more, it seems that life has been generous in providing us with what seems like an unlimited supply of possible problems in which we can invest our anxiety.But having burned through all that anxiety, what do we have to show for it?
Have we, as Jesus asked, added even a single hour to our lives?
Certainly, since Jesus asked that question rhetorically, he intended for his audience to answer it in their minds with a resounding “No!”

Now, I would like to make a connection that worry and pessimism are linked. Pessimism is an outlook on life that lieads to much of the worrying that we do. The pessimist looks for every little thing that could go wrong, every little detail that could possibly become something worth worrying about.

My grandfather was a pessimist—we called him a grumpy old man. It didn’t matter how positive the outlook of something was for every one else in the room, he would always find something to worry about—be grumpy about.
For instance, he loved the Pittsburgh Steelers. But, you’d never figure that out by listening to him as he watched a game. The Steelers could be up by 20 points in the 4th quarter, and if you asked him how the Steelers were doing, he'd say something like, “Ahhh, there’s still plenty of time. They’ll screw this up somehow.”

Do you know anyone like that?
Are you like that?

When Jesus posed this question about adding to our life through worry, he went on to make it clear that what he was calling for instead was for us to see God’s divine optimism, God’s promise of life and providence all around us. He pointed to the birds that do not sow or reap the fields but are fed by the heavenly Father nonetheless. He pointed to the flowers that do not toil or spin but are clothed in beauty by the heavenly Father anyway.
Jesus is saying, look around, if when you look at the world around you, or even your own life all you see is the bird, or the flower, then you’re not looking for the good stuff.
You’re not looking for God in your world.
You are not seeking with divine optimism.

It’s critical to understand that Jesus’ words were directed to people who did have to work, to toil, to plan, to care. He wasn’t telling them to stop doing those tasks. The exhortation to not worry is not an excuse for lethargy or any form of neglect of responsibilities. Actually, it’s quite the contrary. Jesus is saying that we need to be more responsible to the things that matter.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all these things will be added to you.
In other words, be responsible Christians, and God will add life to your life.
To be a responsible Christian, then the text exhorts us to see the world around us first for what God is doing, and respond according to that reality instead.

Let’s push this a bit further:
If all we see is our wife, or husband, then we’re not seeing the goodness of God in our marriages holding things together with forgiveness and a divine purpose for marriage as the foundation for any community.
If all we see is our children, then we’re not seeing the goodness of God in the wonder of how a child grows and becomes an adult as we and God are participating together in a miraculous partnership of creation.
If all we see is our jobs, then we’re not seeing the blessing of God providing resources for our household and for ministry, and we’re not seeing the opportunities that God has given us just to find fulfillment in work.
If all we see are more and more people moving into the neighborhood, then we’re not seeing the way God is bringing people to us so that we might reveal His glory by our love and hospitality.
On this Memorial Day, if all we see is a war that’s gone bad, then we’re not seeing the passion of a God that brings courage to every soldier who is willing to fight and die so that others may live in freedom.

Nothing we do, nothing we worry about can add even a moment to our life.
Only God can add to life to our life.

That's the gift of God--We all live, but only God can add life to life. And, God wants to do so for all of us.

He promises to all who seek him first, that they will find the kingdom of God, and life will be added their life
We know there is truth in this promise from God because we can prove it by our own experience.
What you seek is indeed what you find.
If you’re seeking trouble, no good—you’re going to find it.
If you’re seeking nothing but negative things---that’s what you’re going to find.

Jesus says, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness
Seek for God in all that you see and all that you do—and you’ll find Him.
You will also find that the day to day things we worry about are added,
so that we cease to worry about them.

So, in the end we are left with a choice. We can continue seeing the world through the same old grumpy pessimistic lenses that can see only the need to worry more and more for all sorts of things that, in the end, don’t matter.
Or, we can trust in this promise from Jesus of eternal life—life added to life—and then put on new lenses, his lenses, the ones that see the world the way Jesus saw it—with divine optimism.
Such divine optimism that enabled him to see God’s amazing grace flowing through his actions for us even as he died a horrible death on a cross.
That’s divine optimism!

And that’s the definition of “hope.”
My friends, I am yet to meet a hopeful Christian who was at the same time a pessimist.
To live with a daily dose of hope is to live trusting that Jesus Christ has died for you and that now life is spent as his disciple in a state of endless promise.
To live as Christ’s disciple is to add life to life.
that is not just a promise—that’s divine optimism.

And it goes a long way toward reducing worry.

Amen.

God's Chaos Theory

2008-05-30T08:23:00.001-05:00

God’s Chaos Theory
Genesis 1:1-2:4a

Ever feel as if your life is pure chaos?
In a condition of complete confusion?
Disordered and formless, sort of like the condition of the universe before Creation?
Ever feel like things just aren’t going the way you planned?

Most of us feel like that from time to time. Some of us feel that way every day.

Well, science has an explanation for all this chaos in life.
It’s called Chaos Theory, and it suggests that chaos is normal, and it asks us just to accept it.

Chaos Theory is the study of forever-changing complex systems.
Chaos Theory has been used to model biological systems, some of the most complex systems in the universe. Chaos Theory has also been used to model everything from population growth to arrhythmic heart palpitations, and from the spread of epidemics to the sounds of dripping faucets.

Now, if that made absolutely no sense. And, it doesn’t to me. Here’s a more simplified version. Chaos Theory claims that things which appear chaotic and unpredictable, like the weather, are actually very dynamic systems that are put together by elements that are extremely sensitive to the slightest change in the system.
In other words, Chaos Theory is The Butterfly Effect, which says that the change in air current caused by the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Honey Brook, could produce a large enough variation in the atmospheric system to set off a chain of events causing a tornado in Kansas.
Bottom Line—Chaos Theory is an effort to show how and why all things happen, or come to be.

Long story short: According to Chaos Theory, chaos is the force which determines the future of the systems that are behind the life in everything.
In other words, Chaos rules the universe.
Therefore, according to Chaos Theory, if your life isn’t going the way you planned, just accept it because it is the result of chaos.

Well, my friends, I have come today with a word from the One who has created all things and is the source of all life. And, God does not just sit back and allow chaos to rule the universe.

My friends, Chaos Theory is a poor excuse for a cop out if I’ve ever heard one.
Chaos rules the universe—just accept it? NO!
Chaos is the new normal—just accept it? NO!
We are Christians. We follow Christ, the Word of life himself.
We refuse to accept that millions of people in poverty is just normal.
We refuse to accept that hatred and war are just components in the system.
We refuse to accept that grief, pain, and despair are just emotions-get over it.
We refuse to accept that it’s just fine and OK that more than 60% of our neighbors here in Honey Brook remain unaffiliated with any form of organized religion.

We are also not willing to accept that chaos in and of itself is evil, or even the source of that which causes all things to go bad in this universe.

You see, we follow Christ, the king of the universe; the Word of God that when spoken at the dawn of creation caused all things to come to be.
Therefore, we refuse to give chaos any authority at all!
When God gets to work, chaos is the very raw material that He puts to use. God speaks and chaos must listen and get its act together. Contrary to several popular perspectives, chaos is not an evil reality that persists beyond God's authority, providing a negative backdrop and potential threat to God's world. No, God speaks, and chaos is turned into order.
With a word God commands chaos to become ordered, God flips on the lights, separates light from darkness, and there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

This does not mean that chaos does not exist in the life of the Christian. Oh no! Quite the contrary. God’s vision of creation is one that actually includes chaos as if it is a raw material built in. Consider this. When God goes to work bringing shape out of the formless chaos, he then creates opposites that are held together by God’s laws of attraction and companionship. Light and dark. land and plants. Sea and air. Sun and moon, male and female. God’s plan for order involves the chaos imbedded in expecting opposites to live together in peace and harmony, held together only by God’s laws of attraction and companionship.
Men, ever wonder why God made women so crazy different than us?
Women, ever wonder the same?
Now, have you ever wondered why God commands that men and women, who are soooo different live together in marriage for a life-time?
I mean you only have to be married a short while to begin realizing that this invention was imbedded with a certain amount of chaos from the start.
You see, God has inserted a certain amount of chaos into our lives.
Why is that?
Well, one reason might be that we are made in the image of God. If God is able to do his most amazing creative work with nothing more than a little bit of chaos, then maybe our lives require a gentle dose from time to time as well.
Think about it. What good creative innovative things have you ever dreamt up when you were completely satisfied with everything just as they are?
What has challenged your faith to struggle more actively than the chaos within your life?

Now, do not hear me saying that chaos is simply something that we all just have to live with, therefore get over it. NO! That contradicts my first point.
Chaos is never something that we are just to ignore or abandon.
But, chaos that is entrusted to God brings about creative ways to restore order, and therefore peace, and life.
This is a second reason why God has embedded all of creation with a gentle dose of divine chaos. Because for most of us, it is when we are facing the troubling stuff of life that we finally entrust our chaotic lives to God.

Contrary to chaos theory, chaos does not rule this universe: God does!
Therefore, in our chaotic lives, in our chaotic world, in our chaotic church, God reigns!
When we entrust Him with the chaos we find direction and hope to bring shape and form out of what looks to us like a hopeless mess.

This brings me back to my earlier question about the human experience with chaos:
Ever feel like things just aren’t going the way you planned?
My friends, the scripture is clear on this.
Life ain’t our plan. It’s God’s plan, and it has always been God’s plan.
If you’re life is guided by nothing more than your plan, then there’s a warning in scripture—Read Job, Read Ecclesiastes, Read Proverbs etc. etc.-LIVE LIFE ACCORDING TO YOUR PLAN, AND YOU WILL CREATE EVEN MORE UNNECESARY CHAOS FOR YOURSELF.

Today’s scripture offers us a promise from God—LET GOD LEAD YOUR LIFE, AND CHAOS BECOMES THE VERY PLACE WHERE LIFE AND ORDER BEGIN TO TAKE SHAPE.

Its like putting the pieces of a puzzle together.
There are all these pieces scattered around in no order, it’s a mess.
Our lives are a lot like that.
When putting a puzzle together, the picture on the box is our guide.
But, it’s like we lost the box top somewhere along the course of life.
But, recognizing that we need it, we go in search of one. Then, when we find one that is appealing to us, one that we like, we assume that it will do.
Trying to live without God, is like trying to build a puzzle without the picture on the box!
However, since life is God’s puzzle, when the image we are using to put the pieces together is God’s image, then we start to make an even bigger mess of life than that which is before us.
We force pieces together that don’t belong.
We ignore the proper boundaries of the puzzle, selecting the wrong pieces to serve as the edge.
The puzzle of life only gets harder the more we continue to work it.

My friends, this is God’s creation, God’s image of life that we are puzzling with.
Its not ours!
And, God didn’t, nor does He ever create without a plan to overcome the chaos. Out of love for you and me, and all of creation, God has provided for us the picture on the box of the puzzle of all creation.
This picture is the mercy, love and promise given by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus, the Word of God is the image God provides to put our lives together.
His life and teaching instruct and guide us.
His death on the cross corrects us of our sin, and reminds us of God’s love and mercy for us.
His resurrection restores us, and renews us.
When we entrust our lives to God, we find that the pieces come together, they fit the way they are supposed to.
And with God’s help, the chaos begins to fade beneath the rising of a new creative idea to try.

With God, chaos has no authority. Chaos is actually, the very stuff that God uses to create all things beneficial for you and me.
So, when life seems to be ruled by a daily dose of chaos—ask yourself if you’ve been living according to your plan, or if it’s God’s?

Because God’s theory of Chaos is that Chaos has no power.

And whenever life becomes ruled by chaos—remember, chaos is just the stuff that God uses to begin something new.

Today, give your chaos to God, let go of your control, and entrust Him with it.
Then, listen, watch and follow as God begins to use your chaos to bring you to new life.

Amen

Catching the Wind

2008-05-30T08:21:00.001-05:00

Catching the Wind (Outline)
Acts 2:1-21 Pentecost Sunday

This is the day of Pentecost.
It is the day we celebrate the birth of our church.
Without the Holy Spirit, the Good News of the Gospel ends with those apostles in that room.
Without the Holy Spirit, we have no church.
Without the Holy Spirit, we have no ministry
The Holy Spirit is the power source of the church. It is the power of God.

Now there are many forms of power. Think about it. What would life be like without power?
What would your day be like without power?
We need power to do everything.
We are dependent upon power.
So, is the church!
The church’s power is the Spirit of God.
And, the text says that Holy Spirit Power comes like a mighty wind.
The Holy Spirit is wind power.

My friends, the power of God doesn’t just come upon us as we often say, it is blown through us!
“Like the rush of a mighty wind” the Holy Spirit came.

Friends, have you ever tried to catch the wind?
I like flying kites.
If there’s one thing we learn about catching the power of wind, it is that we can’t expect the wind to come to us. We have to be willing to go to the wind. We have to go where the wind is blowing.

My friends, there is a might wind blowing in our church today.
1. Its blowing through a class of new members, with nine new members coming from our new Bluegrass Service. These folks bring their own unique hopes and dreams and enthusiasm for God’s ministry.
2. Its blowing through our children’s Sunday School program where Mary Wallett along with Joyce, and Kayley have inspired us all by their decorations and their excitement for this summer’s VBS program.
3. It’s blowing in our Columbarium program where financial gifts have been received to promote the improvement of the grounds around our Columbarium.
4. It’s blowing in our adult education program where this Spring class of new members has made a commitment to foster the critical mass necessary for a new mid-week adult bible study that begins this Wednesday.
5. It’s blowing in our Relay for Life effort, where, again a member of our new members class has caught the power of God’s Holy wind by leading the way to organize our church to raise money for Cancer Research.
6. Its blowing in our Bluegrass worship service, where average attendance has grown to 40+ in under a year, the giving exceeds the program expenses by an average of $200 every week, and where a steady flow of new faces continue to come, hear music that inspires them and receive the Word of God.
7. And the wind blows among us
a. when we welcome the stranger,
b. when we lead someone distant from God back through our preaching, teaching, singing, praying, and caring.
c. When we volunteer to be a part of what God is doing.
d. When we give generously to support what God is doing.

The Spirit’s wind is blowing in many places in our church today. God has given the Holy Spirit, just as he promised. The only question remains for you and me. Are you willing to go where the wind is blowing to catch the wind?

If you want to fly with the Holy Spirit, you gotta catch the wind.

Isn't it time we went to where the Spirit if God is blowing.

Amen

Koinonia

2008-05-30T08:18:00.001-05:00

Koinonia (outline)
Acts 2:42-47

Good News: God adds to Koinonia-- “Haves and Have-Nots” creates a negative sum. Koinonia breaks from the “Haves and Have-Nots” perspective of living, and offers a worldview in which God adds. Koinonia is a positive end for all.

Haves and Have Nots
► Story from trip to Ethiopia: “We had to roll the windows up.”
► A world of “Haves and Have Nots” creates a negative sum.
o The poor multiply producing a negative experience of life desperately insecure of food, shelter, clothing, medical care, education.
o The wealthy become few producing a negative experience of life as they isolate themselves into loneliness behind a false sense of security of walls, as they desperately try to maintain wealth and secure it away from those who are poor.
► In America
o In America we have in place anti-trust laws, federal social welfare programs, and non-profit organizations. We also have the freedom of speech, which gives any of us permission to blow the whistle on cultural injustices in our world. These serve a vital role in the fabric of America, and are blessings worth fighting for that we so often take for granted. These work systemically to protect the American dream by restraining capitalism from spinning our culture out of control into nothing more than the “Haves and Have Nots”.
o This is why the vital sign of our country’s life and the livelihood of the American Dream is the strength of the Middle Class. It’s a strong middle class that offsets the “Have and the Have Nots”. In Africa there are two classes of citizens the rich and the poor, with the majority of the population made of the poor, who have little or no power or influence over the government. But, in America the majority of the population is made of satisfied American dreamers who are not the wealthy or the poor. They are us, the middle class, and it’s the middle class that serve as a powerful block of influence against the creation of a “Haves and Have Nots” culture. Working together we form a powerful block of influence that keeps the wheels of democracy and capitalism functioning properly. This is why a measure of our country’s strength is not necessarily a measure of its GDP, or its approval rating of the president. The most vital statistic of our country’s health is the size and vitality of the middle class. This is why you may have heard and will likely hear more from politicians during this campaign year talking about the problem of a shrinking Middle Class. A study by Brookings Institution in June 2006 revealed that middle-income neighborhoods have dropped 17% from over the last 30 years. When the middle class shrinks, it means the numbers of those living in poverty is increasing, and the amount of wealth that the wealthy are amassing has gone up. As housing costs increase, the middle class is squeezed and forced to live in less desirable areas making upward mobility more difficult.
o Meanwhile the middle class is divided in two over values such as marriage, family, and religion. Values that were once the cornerstone of the middle class and the glue which helped to build community among neighbors are now the very reasons that segregate communities and turn neighborhoods into just “hoods”.
► Story: “We should all be as lucky as those adopted who get to go to America.”

We are very fortunate in America. But, we should be careful not to neglect the fragility of what makes this country strong. It is a middle class of people who share certain rights and values and are willing to defend them for the sake of the whole. It is a worldview that begins in the bible. It starts with the church, but it is meant to spread out affecting the ways and means of the culture and government in which we live. The biblical word for this way of living is Koinonia.
Koinonia
► Acts 2:42-47 describe this way of living.
► While the world offers nothing more than the “Haves and Have Nots” way of life, God offers through Christ a new way of envisioning how life and living ought to be. “Haves and Have Nots” is a negative sum as was described so far. But, Koinonia is just the opposite. With Koinonia living the people within the community share what they’ve been given for the benefit of the whole. With Koinonia living nobody has too little, and nobody hoards too much. There is a positive result of life for the community. And, finally, God blesses this community by adding yet more to it. Koinonia is positive living.
► It is God’s dream that all of his people would live this way. So, while it is meant to be a world view it must begin with us in the church.

God's Kitchen Sink Strategy

2008-05-30T08:15:00.000-05:00

God’s Kitchen Sink Strategy

John 11 The Raising of Lazarus

Gospel: God uses the kitchen sink strategy. He gives up everything for us; sending Jesus to be for us His very Word of hope and life.

Have you been following this year’s political race? I must confess that I have become a political junkie this year. What a historic race, at least on the Democratic side of the fence that is. This year’s primaries will either deliver a woman or an African American to the General election. This makes for unprecedented political drama, and as of late the contest between Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama has become quite heated as the two of them remain in a virtual dead heat after slugging it out through the first 15 rounds of state primaries.

Most recently, the story line in this drama was of Hillary’s response to Barak’s 11 state win streak. Up until last week, Barak not only held the lead in number of delegates but he was also leading in the most essential category of momentum. The entire hype heading into the Texas and Ohio primaries last week focused on Hillary’s strategy. She needed to not only win these two states, but she needed to win big with hope that she could turn momentum in her favor. But, what could she do? Up to this point her campaign wasn’t working. She needed a different strategy. Would she turn to negative advertising for the first time? Would she begin a series of appearances of TV shows, and radio spots? Up to this point she hadn’t tried this either. There’s good reason why she hadn’t tried these. They’re risky. The press was watching closely. What would she do?

Well, what she did turned out to be a selection of everything possible that she could do. She tried everything from negative ads, to fear mongering, to an appearances on TV, even appearing on Saturday Night Live. She threw everything she had into an attempt to win Texas and Ohio voters away from her opponent and over to her side. And it worked. She won both key states, and regained, at least for now, the momentum. Media has called it her “Kitchen Sink strategy”, because she threw everything out—leaving not even the kitchen sink behind. And now, the next battleground is set for our state of Pennsylvania. So, get ready fellow Pennsylvanians because these two candidates will both be throwing out the kitchen sink over the next few weeks to win our support in this upcoming Primary. Now, you might think this only concerns the registered Democrats among us. But, the Republicans need to pay attention as well, because even though John McCain has already won the Republican nomination, its one of these two who he will be up against. So, even though this is a Democrat only contest right the kitchen sink strategy will still be trying to win votes over to the Democrat side for next November.

So, get ready folks, pay attention, because the political battle for your vote is coming here to Pennsylvania. And on the battleground the weapon of choice will be the words they use. Any political campaign is a war of words. Each candidate will be making their case why they should win, and they will use their words to make a list of promises.

My friends, God has a kitchen sink strategy as well. God gave up everything for us, when he sent his son Jesus into the world. God, desperately wanting to win our hearts away from sin and the enemy of heaven, gave up his son to the curse of this sinful world while offering an eternal promise to us. God offers his own version of the kitchen sink strategy while using the power of his almighty word to promise life beyond death to al who would believe and turn to him.
That word, my friends, is a word we can trust. Let’s take a look at the word of God at work in today’s bible readings.

First, we have the wonderful prophetic word from Ezekiel. Ezekiel comes and sees before him a valley of dry bones. It is literally a valley of death. Now, this is not some sort of burial ground gone bad that Ezekiel has stumbled upon. The dead that lie there are the dead of Israel having been defeated in battle by the Babylonians. These dry bones are the death of a dream. Israel dreamed that they would be a sovereign nation that would shine the life and love of God for all to see. But, they had sinned against God. They did not remain faithful. They did not trust in God. Instead they put their trust in human kings and they worshiped idols instead of God. So, after years, generations, of ignoring God’s plea for them to change their ways and return to him, God gave them up to the Babylonians. Israel had sinned against God, and the curse of sin is death. These dry bones were the image of the death of a dream, Israel’s dream and God’s dream.

Do you ever feel that way? Do you remember back to when you were younger and your life was filled with the dream of doing something significant, something with purpose? That’s God’s dream for you as well. When we are young we are free from so many things, that we are enabled to dream God’s dream for our lives. It’s an exciting dream, and we feel it deep down in our bones. But, then something happens. We grow up. We mature. We begin to assimilate the ways of this world, and we begin to make the ways of the world our God. We trade God’s dream for something else—the American dream. This dream tells us that we will be accepted, loved, powerful etc. if only we prove it to others by the things we do. But, you know, as enticing as this dream is, it is still a lie, because we trade in God’s dream for it. God’s dream is no longer the main priority in our lives. Instead this long laundry list of tasks that lead nowhere becomes our main priority. This new dream becomes our new God. When we do this we sin against God and ourselves. And, the curse of sin is death. There are a lot of us here today who are running ourselves to death trying to keep up with the demands of this pop-culture American God. Some of us are run so thin, our souls are dry dead bones. God’s dream for us is dead.

But, look at what this God does. Our God is one who cannot remain angry. Our God is one of forgiveness, and love. Our God is one of new life in the place of death. He says to Ezekiel, “Prophesy to these bones!” In other words, God commands Ezekiel to speak God’s dream once again to them. Then as Ezekiel is speaking, God takes Ezekiel’s words and turns them into his almighty Word. God breaths upon the dry and dead bones and the Word of God bring them to life. The Word of God restores the dream.

Let’s turn now to the gospel lesson. These two readings echo one another. This is the miraculous raising of Lazarus. Notice that John finds it significant to inform us that Jesus was informed of Lazarus’ plight when we has ill, but that Jesus still lingered in his responsiveness to Lazarus’ aid. This is not because Jesus didn’t love Lazarus, he actually did very much. The text tells us that Jesus lingered so that Jesus’ miraculous work might finally convince everyone to believe in him. Had Jesus showed up when Lazarus was ill, then Jesus’ miracle would have been like any other miraculous healing. But, this time Jesus was going to bring life to the dead. The text goes on to give us specific detail about the length of time that Jesus lingered—4 days. This is very significant because the ancient Jewish belief was that the soul of a dead man lingered around the body for three days, so by the fourth day the soul of Lazarus was gone. In other words, by telling us that it was the fourth day, John wants us to know that there was absolutely no question—Lazarus was dead and gone. As a matter of fact, John wants us to know that he was too far gone to remain hopeful.

My friends, do you ever feel that way? Do you ever feel like things are just too far gone to remain hopeful? I had a conversation with someone recently, another Christian actually, and they were talking with me about a situation they were praying for and how it seemed as though there was no use in praying anymore. This Christian friend said to me, “Pastor, there’s no hope.” Really!? No hope!? I thought to myself, “Wait a minute, you’re a Christian?” My friends, in the bonds of a relationship with Christ there is always hope. That is the very gift of Christ’s resurrection. That is the gift of Easter. We are never without hope. Remain in relationship with Christ, and there is always hope.

Jesus comes to this Lazarus who is too far gone, this scene of death and hopelessness. And notice what he does. Notice he does not enter the tomb and lay hands on Lazarus. Jesus stands outside the tomb, and echoing the scene from Ezekiel he prophesies to the dead. Jesus, the incarnate Word of God commands that life would return to the dead; that hope return to the hopeless. The Word of God restores Lazarus. The Word of God restores life, and hope.

My friends, God uses the kitchen sink strategy. He gives up everything for us, sending Jesus, to be for us His very Word of hope and life in the flesh. And, we have the gift of His Word in the words of the Bible. In the bible we encounter the same incarnate Word of God for our lives.
For our dry bones and our dried up dreams, God’s incarnate Word breaths new life into us through the reading and studying of scripture. For our dead and gone hope and life, God’s incarnate Word restores our faith in him, raising us up to new life in relationship with Christ.

So, then, for all of us. For you whose soul is feeling dried up like the bones in the valley, when was it that you last read from the scriptures and genuinely took in the breath of God as the words prophesied to you? For you whose hope is dead and gone like Lazarus in a tomb, when was it that you last turned to scripture and allowed your heart to listen openly to gospel message. Read the bible, listen to the Word of God. Let your hearts hear once again the call to rise up and come out of your tomb.

Amen.

Diamonds in the Rough

2008-05-30T08:13:00.001-05:00

Diamonds in the Rough (Outline)
Ephesians 5:8-14

Good News: God sees the diamond hidden beneath the rough.

Diamonds in the rough are popular.
—Wall Street Journal article
Lately, a number of us have been feeling pretty rough.
—Flu is going around.
—Cabin Fever
—Gas prices, economic crunches.
Paul, speaking to some very rough people, the Ephesians encourages them to look deeper than the rough exterior to what Christ’s love is gradually doing to them from the inside out. He reassures their faith by reminding them that even though they are struggling to stay together as a congregation they already have the love of Christ among them.
Therefore, he reminds them that:
“once you were darkness (rough), but now you are light (dia.)
Diamonds are not precious because of the hardness of their chemical composition. They are precious because they have this rare ability to shine the beauty of the light back to others.
We may feel, behave, and even look pretty rough from time to time. But, from God’s perspective, we are diamonds—precious gems.
We are not diamonds because deep down we possess some rare quality to be truly good and righteous. NO!. We are remade, faceted, hand-cut by the forgiveness and mercy of Christ. We are diamonds because our hearts have said YES to let the light of Christ in.
So, how do we live, then as children of the light? How do we continue to shed this rough exterior?
To shine for all the world to see, all a diamond needs is to remain in the light.
We do this, Paul says, by seeking first what is pleasing to God.
It’s just a basic, Christian ethical question.
In all that we do, through all the decisions we make, all the
dilemmas we suffer, ask ourselves this one question:
Are my actions pleasing to God?
By doing this we are exposing ourselves to the light.
It’s not always easy to ask this question, or to live by the answer. But, its with this question that God’s love facets our roughness and darkness away to reveal that diamond of Christ’s love that God has placed inside from the moment we first believed, from the moment we were baptized.
By coming into the light we will begin to see what God already sees in us. —That we are precious diamonds.
Not just any rough stone—we are HIS diamonds!
And, we are called to shine the light of his son’s love.

We may indeed be diamonds in the rough, but God has an answer for that darkness, that roughness. It’s the grace and mercy found in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Paul said it best, “You once were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light.”
Live in the light.
Amen

Easter Clothes

2008-05-30T08:10:00.001-05:00

Easter Clothes

Easter clothes—Our Sunday best. What a great tradition to keep.
St. Paul says in Galatians “all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Easter clothes, or our Sunday best—are signs to the people around us that we are either on our way or we just came from church.
Easter clothes are signs and symbols of the resurrection.

We hear in today’s gospel story about Jesus’ Easter clothes. His Easter clothes were his burial clothes.
The Resurrection story tells us that there are two kinds of burial clothes for Jesus. One was for the body and the other for the head. Now, this cloth over his head was much more the size of, well, a napkin. John’s gospel to go to great length to tell us that this burial napkin over Jesus face and head was treated differently than the linens over his body. The linens, it seems were just thrown aside at the point of resurrection. But, for some reason great care was given to this napkin. Why? What’s the significance that John seems to be taking great care to tell us about this burial napkin?

Some would say that this is a sign from Jesus that the body was not stolen, that Jesus body is not in the tomb simply because of grave robbers. But, this seems a bit off the mark since there were guards at the tomb, and it would have made quite a disturbance for grave robbers to move that enormous stone in front.

Another possibility was offered to me by way of an email from one of you. And even though it too is a bit of a stretch, it is at least plausible. It goes like this.

It has to do with understanding some of the subtleties of ancient Hebrew customs. In Jesus day, a folded napkin was a form of unspoken communication between the master of a house and the servant. When the servant set the table for his master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table until the master was finished. Now if the master was finished, he would wipe his fingers and mouth with the napkin and then toss it down in a heap. The napkin in disarray was a sign to the servant that the master is finished and it is time to clean up. But if the master left the table, but left behind the folded napkin neatly at his place, then the servant knew that the Master was coming back. The folded napkin was a sign to the servant that the Master wasn’t finished yet!

This, my friends is the message of Easter. The disciples came to that tomb after that dreadful Friday and they were convinced that all hope was lost. After watching their leader, their teacher, and their beloved friend die a gruesome, humiliating death, they were convinced that their hope was lost. But, what they came to believe by the resurrection was that God wasn’t finished yet.

Jesus’ Easter clothes were a sign and symbol of the resurrection.

There are some other Easter clothes I’d like to talk about.
Easter is about new life—and for me and Amy there is a new life awaiting us in Ethiopia today---[Quilt from Elijah’s room.]

Quilts are wonderful, because of the way they are made.
1. Unwanted pieces are sewn together with love and hope to form something beautiful, and warm.
2. The backside of the quilt is often a mess, like our lives, but meanwhile the other side of life is what the quilter sees, and it is beautiful and perfect.
Quilts are a beautiful metaphor of the love, the warmth, the grace and the promise of resurrection hope given to us in our baptisms.

This is why I like the way we give out a quilt, or at least a garment of some type in a baptism. [show a baptismal garment] These quilts or baptismal garments are essentially Easter clothes.

This robe I wear is meant to be a sign of my baptism. I am clothed in Christ when I wear this.

This is why there is yet another piece of our Easter wardrobe that I’d like to draw your attention to. [Display the pall] When someone dies we clothe them with Christ. We literally cover them with a garment of baptism. This, too, is a piece of clothing for our Easter wardrobe.

These Easter clothes, the baptismal garments of resurrected promise are also meant to be a way of living. Like a quilt, we are called to wrap each other up with the warmth and promise of Christ. By doing so, we become living signs and symbols of the resurrection to a world that desperately needs it.

So, when it seems that hope is lost, or that life has come to a dead ending, remember that you are baptized, “you have been clothed with Christ”. So, put on your Easter clothes, put on Christ, and know that with Christ, even death is just a point in time when God isn’t yet finished.

Oh, and BTW-this Easter clothing can be worn everyday. We don’t have to wait until next Easter to put on faith, hope and love---We can wear this everyday.

Amen

Spiritual Double Talk

2008-03-18T18:20:00.002-05:00

Spiritual Double Talk
Luke 6: 17-26

Opening:
Church Blooper Announcements [Best read by a leader from the church in the manner of making genuine announcements in church.]

1. The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
2. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church.
3. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery.
4. Tuesday at 4:00 PM there will be an ice cream social, featuring homemade ice-cream. All ladies giving milk will please come early.
5. With Easter Sunday approaching, we will be asking volunteers to come forward and lay eggs on the alter.
6. Next Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the carpet please do so on your way out.
7. The ladies of the church have given up their clothing for this year’s fund raiser. Members of the church may get a sneak peek at them on the Friday prior to the event.
8. Sandy is still in the hospital. She asked me to announce that she is having trouble sleeping and requests recordings of Pastor Rich’s sermons.
9. Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
10. The stewardship committee unveiled the church's new giving campaign slogan: "I Upped My Pledge--Now Up Yours."
11. 8 new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
12. Please don't forget this year’s rummage sale. Ladies, It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands.
13. The confirmation class will be presenting a dramatic Passion Play this year during Lent. The congregation is invited to come and see this tragedy.

Clearly by this list of church bulletin bloopers there is often a difference between what is said and what is heard. In fact much of what we say often has multiple meanings. Our English language is filled with idioms and expressions that mean different things in different contexts. Take the expression “getting ahead”. We use this expression often in our language, but its meaning is dependent upon context? In a conversation about financial matters, this means trying to pay off credit cards, or put more money in a savings account. In a conversation about professional success it has to do with advancing one’s self to a higher place within the company. But, when used by a person behind the wheel of a car it means to pass a slower moving vehicle. Often what we say has multiple meanings, and each different meaning is contingent upon the context. Within the context, we understand quite clearly the meaning behind what is being said, but from the outside looking/listening in, the meaning can be lost or confused.

The church often times struggles with this contextual confusion as well. Within the context of the church, couched in the language and the teaching, we have little problem understanding the message behind the words that are spoken in worship. But, to a person who is not part of the church, this may not be the case. Take for instance the words, “Take and eat, this is my body given for you.” Historically there is evidence to believe that in the early formation of the church, Roman unbelievers made claims that those Christians are cannibals.

So, as we continue to live into the mission of being a church for people who have no church, we need to be mindful in this day of how people hear what we insiders are saying.
But, this contextual understanding of things is not only for the language of worship. We might also want to be mindful of creating our own bulletin bloopers by assuming that newer members are aware of what is being announced. For instance; announcing an annual event with little explanation of what its for, or what’s expected from the volunteers leaves new people floundering to get involved because they do not have the needed insider information to translate the announcement.
Within the context, we understand quite clearly the message behind the words, but from outside the context we often can’t and this leads to confusion. This is true of God’s Word as well.

Gospel:
Jesus speaks God’s Word to a diverse crowd of people. Some came from Jerusalem [Jews], and some came from as far as Tyre and Sidon [Gentiles]. By Jesus’ message to them we can surmise that some were poor and hungry, while others were more affluent and well fed. Some were hated and excluded, while others were loved and received social praise. Some were grieving, while others were joyful. People of various different backgrounds, different religions, different stations in life. Of this motley crowd of different people, they all had one thing in common. Verse 18 says they all came to hear him and to be healed. And so, he spoke to them words of healing.
To the poor, the hungry, the broken-hearted, the outcast his words were like salve on their wounded souls.
Blessed are you .
But to the affluent and well fed, the socially acceptable, and those
currently experiencing joy, Jesus’ words would have sounded more like a bitter pill.
Woe to you.
So that there is no confusion, even though Jesus delivers his message in two parts (blessings and woes) the Word of God remains the same.
Beneath the surface of the list of blessings and woes is the same
Message—God’s love is for all.
It has been said that God’s Word, when properly proclaimed, will do two things. It will comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable. Those who heard God’s Word on that day as comfort probably remained as Jesus’ disciples. But, I wonder, what of the people who heard it as affliction? Did they hear it all? Or, did they ignore Jesus call to change their ways? Did they change their ways and follow him onward? The text doesn’t tell us.

Connection:
How do we hear God’s word? When we are in need, when we are threatened, when we are crying, when we are rejected, we hear God’s Word loud and clear. It comforts us, and we join the church, and we continue coming to church just as those who were in the crowd came to Jesus because they wanted to hear him and be healed. And we learn to believe and trust that whenever we are afflicted we can count on God to comfort us by His Word. In bad times, God’s Word is clear and we listen and we follow.
But, what about when times are good, when we are comfortable? Do we hear God challenging us to grow in discipleship, to remain faithful, to change our ways so that others less fortunate may be blessed?
Closing:
Fortunately, God’s Word comes to us in the life promised through the love of Jesus. Such that all of us who believe and are baptized are given freely this promise of God’s eternity.
Its important for us to remember then, that no matter if it challenges us or comforts us, God’s Word for us is always one of God’s love and care for His chosen people.

Therefore, no matter if we are comforted or afflicted by God’s Word we want to be listening and following.

I remember the person I once was. But, because of God’s love—both tough and tender— today I am thankful that I no longer recognize the person in those memories.
My guess is that you might be able to say the same thing about your relationship with God.
Words may mean different things to those who listen in from outside the context of the message, but to those of us within the context, the meaning of the words is most often very clear.
Remain then in relationship to God through Jesus, and when God’s Word is spoken to you, there will be no confusion.
God’s Word is not a blooper.

Let us pray…
Lord God, by your mercy keep us in relationship with you, that your Word would always be our guidance and comfort.
Amen

The One For All

2008-03-18T17:57:00.002-05:00

The One For All

[Begin with a puzzle ball. Demonstrate how one piece holds it together.]

I have been asked to offer teaching and preaching on the question of whether or not the ELCA believes in universal salvation. The quick answer is yes. But, so that there is no confusion this belief in universal salvation is not the same as universalism. Universalism holds that all people will eventually be saved. Put another way; that all paths lead to God. This we do not hold to be true. There is only one path which leads to God, it is the path of Christ. There may be many twists and turns in this path, and we may encounter people who appear to be walking in the opposite direction as we are. Still, there is only one path. What we hold to be true is that God will judge us all. But, because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we believe that his judgment will be with grace and mercy, which is more powerful than his wrath. In the end, like the puzzle ball, we believe that this one single piece—the Good News of Jesus Christ—is what has the power to hold us all together in this world and in the next.

In today’s Gospel lesson, did you catch that one little moment in the text when God’s grace comes out? It’s very subtle, but its there. The disciples look at Jesus with Moses and Elijah, and they quickly want to build something. Then, God addresses them. “This is my Son. Listen to him!”

Since its beginning, based on New Testament texts, Christianity has made an exclusive claim: Jesus Christ is God’s only Son, sent to redeem the world. This claim has fueled, throughout history, innumerable mission endeavors aimed at proclaiming the Gospel message in order to "save" human beings who have not heard the story of salvation. In turn, these efforts have raised questions such as, "What about those who never heard, did not believe, weren’t reached, had no opportunity to hear the Gospel?" and "Will only Christians be saved?"
The traditional medieval Roman Catholic response was, "There is no salvation outside the Church." Protestants later rejected that claim and substituted their revised version of exclusiveness. Which was, "Apart from faith there is no salvation." Of course, this faith would come only from being baptized into the Christian faith upon hearing the claims of the preached Gospel. However, both Roman Catholics and Protestants provided various "loophole" theologies. There were second chances for those of "invincible ignorance" (Roman Catholic), or those "not accountable," e.g. infants, mentally retarded, etc. (Protestants). Others would assert that Jesus – the valid avenue for Christians – is only one of many ways that lead to the God of the universe, and that other religions possess equally valid paths to God.

Today, Lutheran theology asserts that all of these views are based on a defective understanding of the New Testament. Today, limiting God’s redemption by exclusivity or loopholes, or placing Christ in a pantheon of world saviors, demonstrates that, "Our thinking about Christ is too small." The ELCA acknowledges that, "In answer to John the Baptist’s question, 'Are you the one who is to come?' the Good News answer is 'yes, and we need not look for another.'" Nothing is more certain in the New Testament than its intention to picture Jesus in an utterly exclusive way, making this claim the heart of the Gospel, itself.

However, we understand the exclusivity of this claim in the way ELCA Lutherans approach all theological questions – by understanding God’s grace, God’s action in Christ.

The Christian hope for salvation, whether for the believing few or the unbelieving many, is grounded in the person and meaning of Christ alone, not in the potential of the world’s religions to save, nor in the moral seriousness of people of good will, not even in the good works of pious Christians and church people. ... There is a universalist thrust in the New Testament, particularly in Paul’s theology. How else can we read passages such as 'for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ'.

ELCA Lutherans hold that, Salvation in the New Testament is what God has done to death in the resurrection of Jesus. Salvation is what God has in store for you and me and the whole world in spite of death, solely on account of the living risen Christ. ... The universal scope of salvation in Christ includes the destiny of our bodies together with the whole earth and the whole of creation. This cosmic hope is based on the promise of eternal life sealed by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Through raising Jesus from the dead, God put death to death, overcoming the deadliest enemy of life at loose in the world. This hope for the final salvation of humanity and the eternal universal redemption of all things in heaven and on earth ... is drawn from the unlimited promise of the Gospel and the magnitude of God’s grace made known to the world through Christ."

But what of faith? Isn’t faith necessary for salvation? ELCA Lutherans proclaim, "To say we are saved by faith alone means we let God-in-Christ do all the saving that needs to be done, apart from any works we can perform. ... If I confess that God has saved me, a lost and condemned sinner, whom else can he not save? Faith is precisely awareness that God’s accepting love reaches out to all sinners, even to me. Faith is the opening of heart and mind to the universal grace and goodness of God." Therefore, to answer the frequestly asked question, "Are you saved?" The Lutheran can faithfuly proclaim with boldness, "Yes! Because Jesus died for me!"

For ELCA Lutherans, The special quality of Jesus’ uniqueness is best grasped in terms of his universal meaning. This concrete person, Jesus of Nazareth, is unique because of his unequaled universal significance. The point of his uniqueness underlines his universality. If Jesus is the Lord and Savior, he is the universal Lord and Savior, not merely my personal Lord and Savior. Because Jesus is the unique and universal Savior, there is a large hope for salvation, not only for me and others with the proper credentials of believing and belonging to the church, but for all people whenever or wherever they might have lived and no matter how religious or irreligious they may have proved to be themselves. This grace of God, given freely is offered to all.

The New Testament is full of warnings about substituting right words and doctrines as religious screens against the living word and will of God. Still, these warnings are not God’s last word. The final word is that God came to the world in Christ in order to redeem the world, and that nothing can come between God’s creation and God’s all-encompassing love. That is precisely how ELCA Lutherans understand Jesus' claim that, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me." (John 14:6) What God has done in Christ is done for all; God’s act in Christ is the way that all come to God. This Good News we are compelled to joyously share with all people: "God has acted in Christ, and you are the recipient of this loving act."
To those who often passionately argue that "while God offers grace and salvation to all, humans must accept it with deep repentance and a change of life," the ELCA cautions against making salvation into a work that we accomplish by our response to God’s offer. Rather, in our telling the Good News we pray that those who hear "will present" themselves "to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present their lives to God as instruments of righteousness".

Will, then, all people be saved in the end? We must say quite honestly, "We do not know the answer. That is stored up in the mystery of God’s own future. All God has let us know in advance is that he will judge the world according to the measure of his grace and love made known in Jesus Christ. What I can tell you with the assurance given to one of faith and trust in what God has done in Christ is that I am saved. My friends, you can claim this in faith as well. Furthermore, this invitation of the heart is given to all people because of what Christ has done. None of can know what God has in store for the other. But, we can and do know what God has in store for us.

Like the puzzle, there is One who was given for all. This One has the power to hold us all together. One who came to make known to all that God’s judgment is not of wrath and vengeance, but of grace, mercy and love. Therefore we can trust in him, and follow the path of his son, Jesus.

This message challenges us to live likewise in this pluralistic world; to judge not with wrath or vengeance, but with the same grace, mercy and love that God has already shown us by the death and resurrection of the One who is for all.

Amen

Christmas Eve 2007

2008-03-18T17:39:00.002-05:00

This Holy Moment
Christmas Eve: Luke 2:1-20

I think I was 6 years old when I first participated in a Christmas Pageant at church. I was a shepherd. I remember my part as if it were yesterday. When the angel appeared I was to act terrified. When the angel finished speaking I was to act joyful, then go and kneel next to Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. It was a simple little pageant that my church put on. My costume wasn’t much more than a bathrobe. But, what an impression that particular Christmas made on one little person’s faith.

I was very excited to be a part of this pageant. So much so that the manger scene caught my imagination, possibly for the first time that Christmas. Among the many traditions that were part of the Christmas season in our home was this little nativity scene that my grandmother brought out each year. It was a little wooden barn filled with ceramic figurines of shepherds and sheep, Wise Men and camels, parents and Child. And, my grandmother would place it prominently under the Christmas Tree. This little manger scene captured my child-like imagination for the first time that year. I remember lying on my belly on the floor in front of the tree moving the figurines around to reenact the story. I still vividly remember climbing clear under the tree to position my face right behind each of the wise men and each of the shepherds in order to imagine what they must have seen that night. Since then my child-like imagination has changed, and I have seen many more depictions of that nativity scene. Each time, the scene is basically the same: the manger in the middle, Joseph and Mary nearby, and the shepherds, magi, angels, and animals flanking the scene.

We've all seen it, probably thousands of times on Christmas cards, in churches, on front yards, in pageants, and in plays. And every time, the scene is essentially the same: the manger in the middle, surrounded by the parents and all the familiar visitors. But, I have yet to see a pageant, or a play, that really and truly depicts the whole Christmas story. Actually, I have never yet seen a card, a painting, or a even a stage that is big enough to depict the whole Christmas story. It would require a stage the size of, well, Honey Brook. And then, the nativity scene would actually be this tiny little non-event happening off in the woods somewhere unnoticed by the normal activity of life in Honey Brook. In other words, to truly pull off a depiction of the whole nativity story, the stage would need to be enormous, so that the proportions would be correct. For, you see, to tell the whole story, the nativity scene itself would have to be made tiny. Very tiny. Unnoticeably tiny.

Luke tells us the whole Christmas story, and he sets for us the stage -- the whole stage of that very first pageant. He begins with the headline of the day: "In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered." If there had been newspapers in the ancient world, this would have been the front page headline on every one of them. It would have been the lead story on every news broadcast and the hot topic of every contemporary discussion. This decree meant higher taxes. Higher taxes meant more hardship, more poverty. This decree meant an increase Roman domination through war and oppression. This decree forced people into motion all over the Empire, including a certain newly married couple from Nazareth. Luke begins to set the stage for the Christmas story by telling us that Rome, not a manger in Bethlehem, is at the center of the stage. The Roman Emperor, not a baby, is the character with the top billing of the show. And the prospect of an Empire-wide tax, not some anonymous birth, is the headline. Luke goes on to tell how the decree from Caesar Augustus prompted Joseph to travel from Nazareth, where he lived, to Bethlehem, which was his ancestral home. A traditional nativity scene puts the Bethlehem manger in the center, under the spotlight. But, Luke's account reminds us, that Bethlehem was not only far from the center of the world's stage, it was not even at the center of Joseph's stage. Joseph’s home was Nazareth, and going to Bethlehem was a long way from home, not a journey one chooses to make with a pregnant wife on a donkey. Joseph went because he was forced to do so under the oppressive foot of the empirical decree. Next, Joseph and Mary arrive in Bethlehem, only to find that there is no room for them in the inn. This couple and this birth were not even big news in the small village of Bethlehem. They were pushed off to the side of a town that was itself off to the side of a province that was off to the side of the empire.

We’ve never seen the whole Christmas story depicted because we’ve only ever seen the manger at center stage. But the birth of Jesus was not center stage. In reality, if we were to climb under the Christmas tree and peer over the shoulders of the real characters and see through the eyes of those who were actually there, this Holy moment, when God first broke through time and space to enter creation in a child, happened so far from the center of the stage that it was practically backstage. Yet, from backstage, with the center stage players completely unaware, God steals the show.

So let's reset the whole nativity scene in our imagination. At the center is not a manger but a throne. It's Caesar's throne -- the seat of the world's power -- and it's in Rome. Off to the far side of the stage is a bit of background scenery -- that represents the rather unimportant Roman province of Palestine. Painted on the edge of that scenery is a tiny village, barely even noticeable to the audience. The tiny village is Bethlehem. And somewhere behind the scenes, away from the main events even of that tiny town, is where we find the manger. It is not center stage at all. It’s actually barely noticeable, off in the margins of life and existence. Yet, miraculously, wondrously, perfectly, that is where God came into the world. God came in the margins of life; on the edges of things where the world least expected it. The truth of the Christmas story is that God came into the world backstage, behind the main scene. He came practically unnoticed by the entire world. No headlines. No politics. No Banners. No Guns. He came in the silence of a night, in a manger, in a barn. He came to an unknown and unimportant place, and he came to unknown and unimportant people. He snuck in! While the big news of the day was so many other seemingly important historical events, God was behind the scenes re-creating history itself.

It is mind boggling to consider how God could have made his entrance onto this world's stage: the awe-striking spectacle, the unmistakable glory, and the unfathomable power. Shock and Awe, that is likely how we might have expected the scene. But that is not how God came down from heaven and began a new life among us. The truth is that while the domination of the world’s powers seemed to be the drama on center stage, God came into the world backstage through the weak, the poor, and the ordinary. And, what a difference this backstage act has made.

Consider these tidbits of how God has stolen the show away from the Empire by working backstage. At that time in the world in which Jesus was born, dates were set according to the Roman Emperor -- what year of his particular reign it was. But now, most of the nations of the world set time according to this singular baby's birth -- December 24th, 2007 A.D., anno domini, the year of the Lord. At that time, Caesar Augustus, Quirinius, and Herod were big names, important men. Now they are just the supporting cast in the bigger story of what God was doing with Jesus’ birth. At that time, Rome was the most important city in the world, and Bethlehem was just a backwater village in a conquered country. Now, Bethlehem is one of the most famous, most visited places on earth. And Rome's greatest claim to fame today and through much of Western history is, arguably, the role it plays in Christ's church. This singular moment in time—This Holy Moment—changed all of history, even our understanding of time and place. And God did all this, from behind the stage. God didn't come with power or prominence, with influence or importance. God didn't come into the spotlight of center stage. God came into the world through the world’s back door. God snuck in through backstage, and then stole the show.

My friends, on this Christmas Eve and every Christmas, and even every moment, that continues to be God’s divine strategy for entering our lives. He continues to come into the world, into our lives, through moments and events that seem completely benign and unimportant. Think about it—-Stores, banks, and malls that would never play "Amazing Grace" or "A Mighty Fortress" over their sound systems during the rest of the year will, at Christmas time, routinely play songs that say, "Let earth receive her King," "God and sinner reconciled," "Let every heart prepare him room.". God sneaks into banks, stores and malls. We Christians often lament the commercialization of Christmas. I wonder, though, if we have underestimated God. For I suspect that the effect may actually be flowing in the other direction: it is not Christmas that is being commercialized, but rather it is our already over-commercialized culture that is annually, routinely, and unwittingly overrun by God’s good news for the world. Christmas was -- and continues to be -- God's Holy Moment—when God shows up in the most unsuspecting of times. And by God’s entering this tiny moment, it becomes a moment of holiness through which all moments thereafter are transformed by God’s presence within it.

Ever since, God has continued to come to us every December in tiny seemingly unnoticeable and fleeting moments through songs, traditions, and sentiment. He comes through even the tiniest measures of generosity, good will, and just the sheer festivity of the season. God comes through the excitement that children feel as Christmas approaches, and he comes through the longing, and even the hurt that adults feel at this time of the year. God brings joy, wonder, and magic into our lives in ways that none of us can produce—not even Disney World can produce the true magic of Christmas. But, God can, and he does every year and he does it out of what seems like nothing to us. God turns our mere moments into Holy Moments—giving us these tiny glimpses of the eternity with Him that He has promised to all who believe. It are these tiny moments, that fill us every December with a renewed sense of holiness that encourages us to respond to God with faith, hope and love. It is God sneaking in upon our hearts that turns us toward charity, forgiveness, and grace for all of our brothers and sisters on the earth, and instilling in our souls the hope of a world where peace reigns.

Christmas was nothing for history to write about, a mere moment in the ticking of all of time—But, it was a moment into which God came to this world—and through it the world has found that every moment in time offers the opportunity for holiness. Christmas gives us a glimpse of what God is like and what he continues to do. God didn't come marching in through the front door, flexing his muscles, and demanding the spotlight. He could have, but he didn’t. The king of the universe arrived in swaddling cloths, mostly ignored by the world he had created. And, still today, God does not barge into our lives. He waits for tiny fleeting moments, when we least expect it, and when our hearts are made vulnerable, to inspire within us just a moment’s worth of true faith, true joy, true hope, true love. And through that moment—and the memory of a host of others like it—God turns our tiny, unnoticeable lives into a sign of the eternal presence of his Son for others to see. God’s most precious gift for all the world—the child born in a manger—is now the child born again and again in and through us.

At that first Christmas, God came into the lives of insignificant, common people, and the angels announced to shepherds that this was good news of great joy. And it is! For we are assured that God willingly comes into our lives too. In that first Holy Moment, God came into a place that seemed small and unimportant. That’s good news of great joy for all of us, for our life and our homes seem so small and unimportant. Yet, God comes to be born in us. In that first Holy Moment, God came into a place that was messy and unworthy of him. And that's good news which brings great joy because our hearts, our lives, and our world are messy and unworthy. Yet God comes to be born in us.

I have yet to see the whole Christmas story depicted on a stage. But I have seen the whole Christmas story played out again and again in individual lives. It is the story of this God who could come bursting in, but does not. It is the story of this God who comes in gently and unassumingly, perhaps even unnoticed at first. And it is the story of this God who, bit by gracious bit, comes into your life and mine backstage, by his mercy, and becomes the star of our show in lived out moments of holiness.

I was 6 years old when the nativity scene first caught my imagination, I first got to play a part in a Christmas pageant, and that was my privilege. But it is today our greater privilege -- to live every day as if we are players in God’s continual nativity scene. Tonight, here into this tiny moment, God comes to you and me reminding us that:
just as he entered in and provided the grace for a young mother,
just as he entered in and encouraged a confused adopting father,
just as he entered in and brought hope to overworked and lonely shepherds,
just as he entered in and provided a sense of wonder and adventure to three wise old men—-God once again comes to us.
Best of all, he promises to come and be accessible to every moment of life—turning our lives of uneventful moments into lives filled with the same love, peace and joy found in the child born in that first Holy Moment.

Amen. Merry Christmas!

Holy Interruptions

2008-03-18T17:33:00.002-05:00

Holy Interruptions
Matthew 3:1-12

Have you noticed that the forms you fill out for membership in things keeps getting longer? Email address, beeper number, cell phone, fax number, then they want to know all the same information about your spouse. A nice safe feeling isn’t it—to know that the organization you are signing up for feels so secure that they need to be able to contact you in multiple ways, as if there might just be some sort of emergency that would cause them to need all this information. But, we are people who are wired and available at all times. At any time, or in the middle of anything we can be contacted. How many of you have had this happen to you. You’re at home watching a movie with your family—sharing a rare quality moment—when the phone rings. OK, no problem—the answering machine will get it, right? Then, about 30 seconds after the phone stops ringing, your cell phone rings? I had this happen to me once, and when I did answer the cell phone the person wanted to know if I had gotten the email he sent just a few minutes ago.

One of the hottest techno-gadgets this Christmas is the new I-Phone. This thing allows you to have your phone, email, and any other form of contact with the outside world all rolled up into one neat package that fits ion your pocket. —-I’m enticed—I must admit.

There is much that is positive and exciting about all this access. Amy and I have been in contact with Elijah’s agency workers half way around the world. The latest pictures we received of him show him looking so much healthier than he did back a month or two ago. Email access to our son’s agency worker is great. These types of things are the blessings of having such access.
But there is a price for being so wired: sometimes our houses sounds like a hospital ICU, and the once relative impermeable walls of our home that offered space for sanctuary and protection from the worries of other places have now been made very much permeable.

In an article titled “The Age of Interruption,” author Michael Ventura observed:
Interruption is increasingly taken for granted—both the right to interrupt others and the expectation that one will be interrupted in turn. The individual’s time, already experienced as a cross between a labyrinth, a cage and a treadmill, is now vulnerable to fragmentation without warning from any direction. All of this makes for efficient communication and contact but it also allows the outside world of work into our homes at all hours.

During Sunday morning worship, we practice a kind of boundary support that is otherwise not available on any other kind of routine. We all have been taught to turn off our cell phones in the theatres or at certain other special events. But, for most of us I would assume, there really isn’t any other time in our weeks when we are given permission to not be contacted for at least a few hours on Sunday morning. If you are new to coming to church on a regular basis, you may have begun to realize that after a while your friends and associates accept that you don’t answer the phone on Sunday morning. Every once in a while they may try to test this though, just to see if maybe the boundary is down. Amy gets a call every once in a while on Sunday morning from her neurotic boss. She doesn’t answer it, and then later returns the call with a friendly reminder that she does not answer the phone on Sunday mornings. It’s like having holy permission to not be available for at least a few hours during each week. You’ll still be enslaved during the rest of your week, but at least for these hours the church provides a kind of sanctuary away from the world of complete access.

Without this, or possibly other self-imposed boundaries on interruptions we don’t have a chance to be nourished by God or to nourish the other members of our family, or someone else we care about.

Today’s gospel lesson confronts us with a bit of an interruption itself. Right in the middle of our Christmas busy-ness, just when we are all sort of breaking stride with the increased pace of our Christmas preparation sprint to the finish—-God sends us John the Baptist with a message that is like a holy interruption. It goes something lie this.
[Skit]
“You brood of vipers. Bear fruit worthy of repentance.”
Bear fruit worthy of repentance? No I’m not listening—-I’m not answering his call—it will make me focus attention on my sinfulness. You know, all that selfishness that we get so wrapped up with during December. I want this —- I want that. So, like I said—-I am not answering the Baptist’s call. But, denial doesn't work—-I’ve already heard God’s Word. The ringing of those words are already in my head.
Bear fruit worthy of repentance!
Go away!
Bear fruit worthy of repentance!
Oh why must God torment me like this—-and just when I was starting to get into the Christmas Spirit.
Oh OK fine, maybe if I heed this for just a moment he’ll stop bugging me—Lord forgive me for my sinfulness. There, I repented. Now let me go back to my Christmas feeling.
(Pause)
Bear fruit worthy of repentance!
UUUGGGHH!
Lord, forgive me for my selfishness, forgive me for , forgive me, forgive me, forgive me……(silence)
[Now relieved]
Hey, that wasn’t so bad. No, as a matter fact. It was pretty good. Thank you Lord, for reminding me of what Christmas is truly about. —
Lord, you can interrupt me anytime.
I will..

John the Baptist is the one who was sent to prepare the way for Jesus. He did that by telling those first disciples that they needed to repent.
Still today, while we are busy preparing our homes, and our schedules for Christmas—God sends John the Baptist to prepare us—to prepare our hearts and souls for the coming of Jesus. God interrupts with an interruption that calls us to repent—it is a Holy interruption. When he heed it we encounter the true spirit of Christmas—-The gift of new life found in the forgiving grace of the crucified one, Jesus.

Meanwhile, as difficult as true repentance can be, we encounter a God who is not only accessible at all times, but he has given us the gift of prayer in the name of Jesus. That’s why we pray in the name of Jesus. In the cacophony of heavenly prayers going up to God. We have been promised that when we ask in the name of Jesus—we will not be put on hold.
God wants us to interrupt him. God wants to be accessible to us at all times.

In this world when we are trying, somewhat poorly, to be accessible to all at all times. Its good to know that God has made himself accessible to us at all times. And when we call upon him whether for repentance or in the joy of thanksgiving—we are given the permission for a holy interruption.

Amen .

Fish Stick Jesus

2008-03-18T17:23:00.002-05:00

Fish Stick Jesus
Psalm 98

Jesus in a fish stick. Mary on a grilled cheese sandwich.

Increasingly, God has been foregoing traditional theophanies, or conventional methods of communication, and has instead been revealing himself in kitchen mistakes. In November of 2004, Fred Whan, an Ontario man in Kingston, after burning a fish stick at dinner, found the face of Jesus on his fish stick. A year later he took it out of the freezer and put it up for auction on eBay.Earlier that year, Diana Duyser of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, declared she had found an image of the Virgin Mary on her burnt grilled cheese sandwich. She, too, auctioned it off, selling it for $28,000. In her eBay ad, she wrote: “I would like all people to know that I do believe that this is the Virgin Mary Mother of God. That is my solemn belief, but you are free to believe that she is whomever you like.”

What do we make of this? Has God abandoned his usual means of revelation and finally come to us in what we all really understand ... food? Or have our imaginations run away with us?

Reactions to the images have been mixed. Some have poked fun at the images found especially in the “miraculous” food items. Ken Schram of Seattle with some aluminum foil made a number of other images on grilled cheese sandwiches. These he hoped to sell, the proceeds to benefit Toys for Tots. Among his creations were a sandwich with his own image, one with Elvis, and another with the image of President Bush burned across its surface. Dan French of The Examiner, also commenting on the images, writes that it seems that “God has a plan for me, and that plan is to sell you his mug in my beer mug for four grand!”

No matter what you think about these “miraculous” images, these latter-day theophanies do point to a yearning in our culture to find Christ in everyday, ordinary things. We’re all looking for the same thing, some faith-worthy sign to give us at least a fleeting clue on how to live our best lives and be our best selves in a confused and disoriented world. The problem here is that these cheesy images also pose a real danger to our faith. How in the world do you lift up a God worthy of praise and thanksgiving when you’ve just found him on a fish stick? Where are my faith and my praise for a transcendent God when that God is not much more than a commodity on eBay? After all, a God we have to save from the garbage disposal or that emerged from a mistake in the kitchen does nothing worthy of praise. Thanking a God we can sell or own or that we can reproduce with cleverly wrapped tin foil is a waste of our time.

Psalm 98 calls us back to worship, thanksgiving and praise. In this Psalm there’s not even a hint that we should look for God any further than the songs of praise and thanksgiving that God has given us to sing. This Psalm tells us we should praise God because God does not forget his love and faithfulness. We are loved by God!

We as people love many things that do not love us back. We love our cars and our homes. We love food or entertainment. None of these things can return our love. We love a God who loved us first. Scripture tells us: “In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). God’s steadfast love and faithfulness last through all generations. It is no accident that the psalmist ends the psalm, “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” We give God thanks and praise for the sole reason that God loves us so much. God went into death itself to claim us as his own. God loved us before we even began to love him and for this he deserves our thanks and praise. God is all around us!

Finally, we give God thanks and praise because Jesus Christ’s face is found, not on the burn marks of a baked piece of fish, but in the marks of life in the faces around us. “We are his people” and as his people, we discover Christ’s presence in the faces of the people with whom we live and work, and those with whom we don’t live and work — the needy, the marginalized, the less fortunate, those in prison, those on welfare, those who live in rich houses or cardboard shacks, those who are different from us, those who live in freedom and those who live in the shadow of tyranny. This is most significant. For in this the baked fish stick challenges us. We need not look for Christ in a piece of baked fish! It should not be easier to see Christ in a fish stick than it is to see him in the faces of our neighbors. If we long to see Christ, we need only to look around us. Christ is with us in the faces of our neighbors. In the people who do what Christ does for us as they care, provide, love and keep us safe. And in the people we are called to be Christ to, doing the same for them.

God asks for our song of thanks and praise. And God deserves it. Because God has defeated the sting of sin and death for us! Because God has not and will not forget his love and faithfulness to us. And God surrounds us with people who reflect his face and presence! So don’t be looking for God in these foolish places like fish sticks and grilled cheese. Find God in the faces of those around you. And, on this day when we celebrate our music ministry, listen for God in the song upon our hearts.
Amen!

Weight With Jesus

2007-09-12T16:15:00.001-05:00

Weight With Jesus

Luke 14:25-33
Good News: Cross carrying is a prerequisite for the Kingdom of God. Fortunately, God has provided Jesus. He shows us the cross carrying way of life by carrying the cross for us.

When we study the gospels, one particular characteristic about Jesus becomes noticeable. Throughout the three years of Jesus’ ministry he seems to have all the patience in the world with people, and even crowds. But.......

once he realizes what he must do for them...

once he makes the shift from minister, teacher, healer to savior of the world for them...

once he sets his sites on the cross he will bear in Jerusalem for them...

Then, his patience for them begins to wane. This tells us as much about the crowd as it does about Jesus.

It tells us that Jesus knew what he had to do. He knew from Herod's threat that he could end up beheaded just like John the Baptist if he went to Jerusalem. He knew from the Pharisees' treatment of blasphemers, prostitutes, and others that he could be stoned to death if he went to Jerusalem. And, he knew from Pilates' treatment of other troublesome Jews that he could be crucified if he went to Jerusalem. He knew, and yet he went...for them. He knew the heavy load he would have to bear once he got to Jeruslamem. But, he also knew that if he were to do it, if he were to bear it, then maybe...just maybe, the people would see the folly in their sinful ways. Just maybe, if one innocent, Kingdom seeking, son of God were to be killed beneath the weight of the world's sinful trappings, then maybe...just maybe, the world would begin to see the truth and change its ways. He loved his disciples so much, that he was willing to die so that they would see, and then spend their lives pursuing, the Kingdom of God.

It tells us that the crowd was not in favor of Jesus’ direction. It tells us that they couldn't see beyond the destructive, frightening forces that awaited Jesus in Jerusalem. It tells us that they didn't trust him, and thought they knew a better, safer, more comfortable way by avoiding Jerusalem. By avoiding Jerusalem, they were avoiding the mission. By avoiding Jerusalem they were avoiding the truth about the sin of the world. By avoiding the truth, they were perpetuating and advocating for sin. This was not going to help matters. This was not going to heal the world of its sinful ways. This was only going to make things worse.

The crowds were following with their feet, but they were not following with their lives. Jesu shad changed. His mission was now focussed and it was passionate for them. But, they were not willing to change. They wanted the easy road. So, Jesus turns around to the crowd and shares some rather matter-of-fact words with them. This isn’t your cuddly, warm, buddy Jesus who’s reminding you of grace. This is straight-shooting Jesus who’s telling you exactly how it is. Jesus could have been easy on the disciples and our us by saying, “It’s pretty painless being a disciple. Show up on Sundays. Love your wife. Love your kids. Make it to work on time. Be nice to your neighbors.” But he didn’t. He actually calls people out, reminding them that discipleship takes blood, sweat and tears. If it’s the Kingdom of God you seek, then the weight of carrying a cross is your prerequisite.

Wow! That's heavy. Jesus lays the cross upon their shoulders--makes them feel the weight, the pain of it. Why would he do such a thing? Where's the love?

The answers to those two questions is in believing the mission he was on. In this moment, he was hard on them, because he loved them.

My doctor, now don't hear me saying that my doctor loves me, cause I don't think so. But, I wouldn't go to this doctor--better, wouldn't trust my doctor if I didn't believe in him, and believe that he cared, at least, about what's best for me. Now, in order for my doctor to do his job, and to do it a way that is worthy of my trust is for him to tell me the truth about my condition. My doctor tells me that if I need to start preparing myself for the inevitable truth about all the cholesterol I add to my bloodstream. That's not good news. At least not at first. He told me the truth. And with that, I have an invitation to change my ways and be prepared for the inevitable.

My friends, spiritual preparation is no different. We need Jesus to tell us the truth, refuse to permit us to avoid it, and then command us to do something about it--PICK UP YOU CROSS!

So, what do we know about the crosses we carry?
Well, we can identify ours because we know about the one Jesus carried. From Jesus, we learn that crosses are the weight of sin. Either the weight of sin that we have committed, or they are the weight of sins that were committed to you. One is the weight of shame and guilt. The other is the weight of the inability to forgive. We also know from Jesus’ cross that crosses are the weight of fear, anxiety, despair. And finally we know from Jesus cross that crosses are the weight of compassion for the lonely, the broken, the unloved.

So, what crosses are you carrying?

Maybe Jesus was hard on the disciples that time because in truth, he knew very well the weight they had upon their shoulders. Maybe he knew, and even felt their weight. Maybe he saw in their attempts to avoid the mission as just their attempt to avoid the truth they ---and we--must all face--the inevitable truth that lays like a cross before us waiting for us to pick up and carry it. But, day in and ay out we try to avoid it.

Not with Jesus--He will not permit us to avoid the truth. PICK UP YOUR CROSS!

You see, Jesus knows that if we would only trust him, even just for a moment enough to pick up our cross--to face the truth of our sinfulness, our shame, our pain, that in that very same moment, the grace of the Lord would come rushing in--we would realize that the innocent one, the Son of God, is once again carrying the cross that is meant for us. If only we would pick up our cross, we would find that we can--and then we would find that our Lord takes it from us

And then---and only then---do we know the truth about what freedom is, what grace is, who Christ is. And we know because we are free! Free from all that shame. Free from all that guilt. Free from all that pain. Free from the weight of our cross!

And once we are free, truly free---why now we have a new purpose in life. Freed from the weight of our own cross, we can carry someone elses. And that's when we become the church. The church is nothing more, nor less, than a group of people who are free to carry crosses for others.

Jesus has already carried the cross of the world.
So, all we’re asked is to trust him, and pick up ours and follow. The moment we do, we find that Jesus is right there lifting with us.
When our weight is on Jesus’ shoulders, we walk beside him through life more joyfully.
This is the blessing of the church—the body of Christ.
Because Christ is the one who lifts the weight from off our shoulders, when someone else has the weight of their cross upon their backs—we are able to be Christ for them. We are able to carry a cross for others, because Christ is carrying ours.

Amen.

Mother Theresa is STILL a Saint

2007-09-07T09:24:00.000-05:00

Luke 14:1, 7-14

There seems to be some confusion in the air lately about what a saint is. In a recent article from Time Magazine it seems that the exposure of Mother Theresa’s private faith, and the doubt therein, seems to have cast a pall upon the question of her upcoming canonization—otherwise known as sainthood.

[Read the following excerpt:]
[On Dec. 11, 1979, Mother Teresa, the "Saint of the Gutters," went to Oslo. Dressed in her signature blue-bordered sari and shod in sandals despite below-zero temperatures, the former Agnes Bojaxhiu received that ultimate worldly accolade, the Nobel Peace Prize. In her acceptance lecture, Teresa, whose Missionaries of Charity had grown from a one-woman folly in Calcutta in 1948 into a global beacon of self-abnegating care, delivered the kind of message the world had come to expect from her. "It is not enough for us to say, 'I love God, but I do not love my neighbor,'" she said, since in dying on the Cross, God had "[made] himself the hungry one — the naked one — the homeless one." Jesus' hunger, she said, is what "you and I must find" and alleviate. She condemned abortion and bemoaned youthful drug addiction in the West. Finally, she suggested that the upcoming Christmas holiday should remind the world "that radiating joy is real" because Christ is everywhere — "Christ in our hearts, Christ in the poor we meet, Christ in the smile we give and in the smile that we receive." Yet less than three months earlier, in a letter to a spiritual confidant, the Rev. Michael van der Peet, that is only now being made public, she wrote with weary familiarity of a different Christ, an absent one. "Jesus has a very special love for you," she assured Van der Peet. "[But] as for me, the silence and the emptiness is so great, that I look and do not see, — Listen and do not hear — the tongue moves [in prayer] but does not speak ... I want you to pray for me — that I let Him have [a] free hand." The two statements, 11 weeks apart, are extravagantly dissonant. The first is typical of the woman the world thought it knew. The second sounds as though it had wandered in from some 1950s existentialist drama. Together they suggest a startling portrait in self- contradiction — that one of the great human icons of the past 100 years, whose remarkable deeds seemed inextricably
connected to her closeness to God and who was routinely observed in silent and seemingly peaceful prayer by her associates as well as the television camera, was living out a very different spiritual reality privately, an arid landscape from which the deity had disappeared.]

Now, I must confess this is the kind of stuff that makes me cranky. :-)
Leave it to the US media to scandalize even Mother Theresa for the sake of increasing sales.

It seems that our world cannot handle the possibility that a saint could be, at the same time a sinner—-a human being—faced with the same human condition that the rest of us are faced with. This leaves my sermon for today begging to address the question: What is a saint?

So, what is a saint? What does one look like? What’s their story? Are they people born with halos? Are they people who continually make the right choices. As if in cartoon-like fashion they are the ones who are forever saying NO to the little devil on their shoulder and YES to the little angel? It seems that Time Magazine, as well as the general public thinks so.

Well, in today’s Gospel lesson Jesus gives us a very different description of a saint. Jesus actually gives us a definition of sainthood. Jesus says, “He who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Now, what does it mean to be exalted? To be exalted is to be lifted up to a higher regard among others. However, the point of clarity from Jesus' definition here is that exaltation is not something that we can do for ourselves. Jesus says, "He who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." We can not exalt ourselves, because to do that is to bring about humiliation—not true exaltation. Rather, true exaltation, is a gift given only by God to those who humble themselves for the sake of others. To be exalted is to be lifted up by God. To be lifted up by God is to be a saint. To be a saint, then, is to be a humble servant to others.
Contrary to public opinion, sainthood has nothing to do with personal doubt, faith, or piety. Sainthood is to do with humble service to others.

So, listen to this brief biography of Mother Theresa and you tell me if you hear a story of humble service to others. This is an excerpt from EWTN.COM
[Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia, in the former Yugoslavia, she was the youngest of three children. In her teens, Agnes became a member of a youth group in her local pairsh called Sodality. Through her involvement with their activities guided by a Jesuit priest, Agnes became interested in missionaries. At age 17, she responded to her first call of a vocation as a Catholic missionary nun. She joined an Irish order, the Sisters of Loretto, a community known for their missionary work in India. When she took her vows as a Sister of Loretto, she chose the name Teresa after Saint Theresa of Lisieux.
In Calcutta, Sister Teresa taught geography and catechism at St. Mary's High School. In 1944, she became the principal of St. Mary's. Soon Sister Teresa contracted tuberculosis, was unable to continue teaching and was sent to Darjeeling for rest and recuperation. It was on the train to Darjeeling that she received her second call -- "the call within the call". Mother Teresa recalled later, "I was to leave the convent and work with the poor, living among them. It was an order. I knew where I belonged but I did not know how to get there."
In 1948, the Vatican granted Sister Teresa permission to leave the Sisters of Loretto and pursue her calling under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Calcutta. Mother Teresa started with a school in the slums to teach the children of the poor. She also learned basic medicine and went into the homes of the sick to treat them. In 1949, some of her former pupils joined her. They found men, women, and children dying on the streets who were rejected by local hospitals. The group rented a room so they could care for helpless people other wise condemned to die in the gutter. In 1950, the group was established by the Church as a Diocesan Congregation of the Calcutta Diocese. It was known as the Missionaries of Charity.
In 1952 the first Home for the Dying was opened in space made available by the City of Calcutta. Over the years, Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity grew from 12 to thousands serving the "poorest of the poor" in 450 centers around the world. Mother Teresa created many homes for the dying and the unwanted from Calcutta to New York to Albania. She was one of the pioneers of establishing homes for AIDS victims. For more than 45 years, Mother Teresa comforted the poor, the dying, and the unwanted around the world.
In 1966, the Missionaries of Charity Brothers was founded. Homes began to open in Rome, Tanzania, and Australia. In 1971, the first home in the United States was established in the South Bronx, New York. Mother Teresa gained worldwide acclaim with her tireless efforts on behalf of world peace. Her work brought her numerous humanitarian awards, including : the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. In receiving this award, Mother Teresa revolutionized the award ceremony. She insisted on a departure from the ceremonial banquet and asked that the funds, $6,000 be donated to the poor in Calcutta. This money would permit her to feed hundreds for a year. She is stated to have said that earthly rewards were important only if they helped her help the world’s needy.
Beginning in 1980, homes began to spring-up for drug addicts, prostitutes, battered women, and more orphanages and schools for poor children around the world. In 1985, Mother Teresa
established the first hospice for AIDS victims in New York. Later homes were added in San Francisco and Atlanta. Mother Teresa was awarded Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. civilian award.
In 1991, Mother Teresa returned for the first time to her native Albania (know known as Serbia) and opened a home in Tirana. By this year, there were 168 homes established in India.
On February 3, 1994 at a National Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, in Washington, DC, Mother Teresa challenged the audience on such topics as family life and abortion. She said, "Please don’t kill the child. I want the child. Give the child to me." Mother Teresa traveled to help the hungry in Ethiopia, radiation victims at Chernobyl, and earthquake victims in Armenia. Her zeal and works of mercy knew no boundaries.

Based upon Jesus definition of sainthood, does that sound like a saint to you?

Here’s the true test of sainthood—-Jesus gives us a definition today that is very clear—the exalted are those who humble themselves to serve others. So, rather than asking the readers of Time Magazine, or even the high ranking officials of the church if they believe Mother Theresa is a saint, why not ask the poor in Calcutta? Ask the people she humbly served. Ask the children who died in her arms with AIDS if she was saint? Ask the poor who received care at the hospitals built upon her sweat and devotion if she is a saint? Don't ask the readers of Time magazine or church officials. Ask the people she humbly served. They will most surely tell you, She was and still is a saint to them.

Now then, to answer the question of what is a saint—-a more appropriate question is Who is a saint? For then the answer becomes plain. The saint is the one who by following the model of our Lord Jesus offered humble service.

My grandmother was and still is a saint. Time magazine wont be writing any articles about her, but I tell with all measure of truth my faith can muster that she was and still is a saint.

Who has been a saint for you?

More importantly--For whom have you been a saint?

A saint is someone who humbles himself in service to others. Today, you all have at least one opportunity that I know of to be saints. An invitation that is most obvious before us all today.
Today, you are given the opportunity to humble yourselves and offer the service of hospitality and welcome to our new friend and music director, Christian Tagoe.

In the end, there is one who models a living sainthood to all of us.
Jesus shows us the way. For by his death on the cross he humbled himself in obedience to God’s mission. And by doing so has opened the way of sainthood for all of us.

Mother Theresa’s memory lives on as an example of humble service for all.
For those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, her example is that of what any mere human does when their life is modeled after Christ’s. With Christ’s love and passion for others in our hearts, any old sinner like you or even me can be a saint.

Amen

Newsletter September 2007

2007-08-26T06:14:00.000-05:00

Exodus 32—The Golden Calf
"When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, 'Come, make us gods who will go before us.'"

“Are we there yet?!” the little boy beckoned to his mother from the back seat. “No, son, a little bit further yet”, she replied.

Patience! It is a mark and sign of faithfulness. St. Paul lists patience among the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Galatians. And he exhorts his listeners in Colossians to clothe themselves with the characteristics of faith; naming patience among the defining traits of a Christian.

The Bible is filled with stories of God’s people losing their patience with God, and thereby losing their faith in God. The story of the Golden Calf is a good example. The Israelites lost patience and decided to do things their own way. They built an idol in the form of a golden calf. Then they worshipped this idol instead of the God who rescued them from Egypt. Losing their patience with God was a sign that they had lost faith in God.

In the journey of life, we often beckon from the back seat up to our Heavenly Father, “Are we there yet?!” And the response is always the same, “No, my child, a little bit further yet.”

I must confess. I am sooooo often the child in the backseat. I am always eager to see things come to be. I am always in a hurry to accomplish things and move on. Patience is God’s constant reminder to me.

This time of transition at our church leaves us, together, beckoning, “Are we there yet!?” Just as the trek from Egypt to the Promised Land tested the Israelite’s patience and faithfulness, our trek through these transitions is a test of ours.

In the difficult times, times when the Israelites lost patience with God and with each other, God would remind his chosen people of the larger relevance of the journey they were on. This would help to normalize the periods of discontent and in doing so discourage the discontented and impatient Israelites from returning to Egypt. Likewise, for us, it seems wise at this time to remind us of the transitions that we are facing together.

We are traversing through the wilderness of three very difficult transitions. First, you have changed pastors. Second, we are changing the ministry model from pastor-centered to program. Third, we are already talking about changes to the building and grounds. Any one of these three transitions would be a challenge to even the healthiest of congregations. But, God has invited us to be faithful through all three at the same time. This will require patience with God as well as patience with others. But, it may help to recognize that a swirl of discontent and impatience is very normal through such a difficult series of transitions as these.

Finally, it may also help to remember that in the Exodus story God did finally deliver the people to where He had promised. Likewise, God will do with us. As we are beckoning our cries of discontent and impatience from the back seat, remember it is God who is in the front seat. God is the driving. We are His children along for the ride.

Blessings,

+Rich

Liberation from the Lilliputians

2007-08-26T06:13:00.000-05:00

Luke 13:10-17

This morning I would like to begin with a fable. This is a very famous fable from Jonathon Swift. I would like to take this fable and slightly alter it to meet the needs of our day.

Gulliver and the Lilliputians:
Gulliver needed to be set free from the thousands upon thousands of little ties and knots, strings and threads, that were holding him down, killing him and his freedom.

The meaning: It is the nature of human institutions, whether they be government, schools, churches, social conventions to put thousands of little regulations on people in order to hold them down, tie them down and control them.

Examples:
Apply for welfare or food stamps, or whatever you apply for to the
Federal government, and you will quickly find that there are Lilliputians involved in the system. The strings they use are miles of red tape, a myriad of rules and regulations.

Now, I know what some of you are probably thinking. You’re thinking, “Pastor, those rules and regulations are important. Without them, people would take advantage.
And you are correct. The point of this message is not to criticize government rules and regulations. Rules and regulations are indeed a necessity of any institution. God is keenly aware of this, hence the 10 commandments.
However, the point of this message is to make clear that sin has a way of convincing us that the rules and regulations within the institution are more important than the original purpose of institution itself. With tongue firmly in cheek, the point of this message is to give us someone to blame for this institutional sin. The Lilliputians did it! :-)

It is the nature of sin within our institutions, whether they are governments, schools, or even churches to start with rules and regulations that serve to support and make viable the very good purposes behind the institution, but then cause the institution to drift asleep to the original purpose allowing the Lilliputians to take over. When we wake up, we find that a very subtle shift has been made, where the original purpose of the institution was to serve people, but instead, the people are now forced to serve the institution. It happens again and again. When this happens serving the legal needs of the institution become more important than the real needs of the people. Sin turns the institution into a god and then holds the people hostage to the system.
This is what Lilliputians do.

Gospel:
It is precisely the attitude of Gulliver awaking to find that he has been strapped down by the Lilliputians with thousands of little strings (regulations) that the Gospel lesson speaks to us about today. In the Judaism of that time in history, their religion had become an institution of a thousand rules and regulations. The original purpose was to help people praise God and compassionately serve one another. But instead, the Lilliputians snuck in somewhere along the course of history and took over. They convinced the Jewish people that all the traditions, the rules and regulations, were more important than a genuine faith in God or compassionate service to the neighbor. The Lilliputians made the people become preoccupied with rules and traditions and they began to serve the institution as if it were god. Like Gulliver, the people were held down like prisoners; powerless and dying beneath the constraints of an institution that God had intended for the purpose of freeing people for worship and compassion.
Believe it or not, on of those Jewish regulations in Jesus’ day was that a person could not be healed on the Sabbath day of rest. Can you imagine such thoughts today? All hospitals will care for patients six days a week but not care for them on Sunday? Fortunately, such thoughts would not fly in our society. Fortunately, our society has come to realize that Sabbath Rest has little to do with a list of prohibitive blue laws.

The Church:
Now, I know that many of you, like myself, miss the days when Sunday was set aside for church. We long for the day when the church might return to its place within our society of dominion over the activities of Sunday. But, in truth, we must confess that this period of blue laws was not genuinely about praising God and serving our neighbor. It was actually about placing societal rules and regulations in place that would maintain a certain level of power and control over people. These regulations benefitted our institution, but they did not encourage faith in God. They did not allow for the freedom to Worship, and serve our neighbor.

Far too often, the primary purpose of the church becomes misguided by Lilliputians. Sometimes, it begins to feel like the purpose of the church is to preserve our religious customs, rules, regulations and rituals, more so than doing the compassion of God. The rules, regulations and rituals take on a life of their own, and preserving them becomes more important than doing and being the compassion of God.

Jesus offers liberation
By healing a woman on the Sabbath, Jesus reveals to us a new vision for what Sabbath truly means. Sabbath Rest is not found through a list of prohibitions placed upon us one day of the week. Sabbath Rest is to be set free from the labors of sin. When Jesus broke from tradition in order to heal the woman on the Sabbath, he offered liberation for all of us. Jesus liberated us from the Lilliputians– freedom from those religious customs that we think are somehow God-given but are not.

I would like to give you a couple of examples. These are based on true stories, but are easily applicable to just about any church institution from around 1975.

Examples #1
I grew up on Appalachian WV Lutheran legalism. I have come to learn that this is very much like the Midwest. Garrison Keillor describes this most succinctly on the side of a coffee mug I have at home: "I’m a Lutheran. We are modest people and we don’t make a fuss. And it sure would be a better world if they were all as modest as us. We do not go for whooping it up, or a lot of yikkety-yak. When we say hello, we avert our eyes and we always sit in the back. We sit in the pew where we always sit, and we do not shout Amen. And if anyone yells or waves their hands, they’re not invited back again."
One day, Susan, the musician and choir director at my church caused quite a stir. She even provoked the pastor to pay a special visit to straighten things out. Everyone came home from church that day talking about it. For the anthem on this one dreadful morning, Susan, had given a choir member permission to play a tambourine.

Example #2
In my church it was deemed that certain people were more religious than others by the depth of their knowledge of the bible and their ability to recite passages from memory. This obviously meant that some people were more Christian than other people. The more Christian people were those who especially loved their church traditions. They were given positions of authority and influence. They came to worship more often, and were the first to tell you if you were behaving somewhat less Christian than them. Those who didn’t come to church, or those who came visiting had to prove themselves to the authorities that they were worthy before those with influence would truly accept them and invite them into the active ministry.
I remember the year that Sally was elected to church council. She was a relatively new member. She had moved to the area about five years prior and had quickly gotten involved in the church. But, what’s five years of membership compared to those who spent their lifetime in that congregation. Sally wanted to run for church council. But, there were three strikes immediately against her. First, she was a woman. The people of my church said, “Women were not to be leading the church. This was simply unheard of. Women were meant to be taking care of the children. There must be something wrong with a woman who wants to do such a thing.” Second, she was “too new” some said. She had been a member only five years. Third, others didn’t like her because she was divorced. They said, “Divorced people shouldn't be allowed to serve on the church council because they won’t be good role models for our children.” Sally was not elected and left the church soon after that. We never heard from her again. But, I don’t think many people went looking for her either.

Example #3
I also remember the time when a black man and white woman came visiting my church together. They were married and it seemed like everybody in the congregation had a problem with that. There was something unnatural about it they said. It violated God’s laws of nature they said. Needless to say, this couple didn’t stay too long at my church either.

All of these rules and a myriad of others are traditional interpretations of the Bible and ever so subtly, those religious interpretations and traditions became more important than living out the compassion of Christ. This subtle shift in the rules, from people serving the institution rather than the institution serving people, is the work of those sinful Lilliputians.

Jesus is our liberator from the Lilliputians.
Jesus liberates Christianity from our biblical interpretations, traditions and from what we think Christianity ought to be. Liberated from this institutional sinfulness we are set free. Free to truly worship God. Prohibitive Blue laws are not the way to Sabbath freedom. Think about it. You all had a variety of options that you could have done on this beautiful Sunday morning. You were free this morning to Worship God, and you listened to call of the one you pray to, the one you call Lord, and you came to church. That’s Sabbath freedom! We are free for genuine compassion to our neighbor. There are no laws demanding that you volunteer in ministries—no prohibitive guilt forcing you to do this or that or you’re going to Hell. NO! Jesus has saved you by his death and resurrection. Those who believe this ""Good News" are liberated from guilt and despair—the labors of sin. This means you have the freedom to serve your neighbor. Therefore, you have heard the call of the one who has freed you and you have come here, made yourselves a part of this church, committed yourselves to the work of this church. This is the freedom given to you by Christ. We are liberated from all the societal rules and regulations that hold us back from worshiping freely and serving our neighbor freely.

Jesus liberated us all when he broke the rules to heal that woman on the Sabbath. Now, as Paul says, there is nothing that separates you from the love of God. NOTHING! Therefore, come one come all. Let every mixed up, sinful wretch of a person come. Let everyone who the Lilliputians have put down, held down, or imprisoned come to meet this Jesus and be set free. Let all of us "holier than thou Christians" come seeking forgiveness and be set free as well. Let this place be for all a place of welcome — and let that welcome be the healing touch of Jesus — just as his touch healed a woman on one Sabbath long ago.
Amen

The Faithless Impala

2007-08-26T05:59:00.000-05:00

Hebrews 11:29--12:2

In unsure times, God gives us the assurance of faith.
Jesus is on a holy tear in today’s gospel reading. He is setting the earth on fire, bringing division. This is not the pastoral, good shepherd Jesus. This is a glimpse of a more firm Jesus. This is Jesus on a mission. And he will not be deterred by any of the false securities of this world. He is pursuing the assurance of eternal security for all, and nothing, not even the relationships of family are going to stop him. In the end, this is the Jesus the world desperately needs. This is the Jesus that sacrifices all, goes to the cross, with faith that God will say Yes to him and redeem all of us.

Jesus’ fire is against all those things that we put our trust and faith in ahead of him.
Likewise, the author of Hebrews exhorts his listeners to have faith, persevere and continue to move forward. Do not let the false securities of this world hold you back from accomplishing what God has put before you. Listing all the biblical stories of people who moved forward in faith, Hebrews calls us then to move forward in the presence of this great cloud of witnesses—pursuing not our own goals but God’s.

There’s a bit of animal trivia I want to share with you. How many of you know what an Impala is? It’s a deer-like creature that roams the grassy Serengeti of Africa. It is said that this creature is capable of leaping 10-feet in the air, and bounding 30-feet in distance. It’s amazing what this creature can do. And it needs to do this in order to have any chance of escape from predators like Lions and Tigers.

Well, upon studying this creature it was observed that when being chased by a predator it would be running and bounding through the grass, but when it came to a thick bush or tree, that it could easily have leaped over, it would instead halt its running and try to find a way around it—often to its own demise. Why would this creature, capable of easily bounding over the obstacle before it, choose to go around it and run the risk of being caught by its predator?

With this curious information, a theory surface, and was tested. They built a pen for the Impala that was nothing more than a 3-foot wall. Just high enough that the Impala could not see over it as it approached it. And sure enough, no matter how provoked, the Impala would not leap over this 3-foot wall to freedom. This study revealed something interesting. The Impala, with its great leaping capability, will only leap if it can first see where its feet are going to land.
If the Impala had just a little bit of faith that when it leaped beyond where it could see, it would avoid the predators that devour it so much more often.

How often do we behave like the Impala? How often are we caught; wanting to be sure of the outcome of our actions before we act?

The writer of Hebrews gives us a list of stories that involve tremendous obstacles that were overcome by faith in God. We are not like the Impala, even though we often behave as if we are. No! We have been given the gift of faith. This gift, when used, seperates us from all other creatures and enables us to respond to difficulty, threats, and fear in ways that reveal God's image in place of our own.

With Jesus in the lead of our lives, we are empowered by his faith to remain faithful ourselves. Rather becoming like trapped animals, we are set free. Free to worship God! Free to serve our neighbor joyfully.

In the end, even the giant obstacle of death itself is overcome. Just as Jesus leaped over it on the cross and landed on his feet on the other side. So, we too, are asked to follow. When we face our final obstacle, with faith in Jesus, we will leap right over that wall and land on our feet with Jesus in heaven.

Amen

Making Peace with Boredom

2007-08-26T05:57:00.000-05:00

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23

A certain amount of boredom is simply a fact of life, but involving ourselves in helping others is one way to make peace with it.

So there’s this guy — we’ll call him Barry. Barry has an important position as a manager at a major corporation, and lately, he’s been going full steam on a major project. He’s even devoted weekends and evenings to it, but finally it’s finished and it’s a great success. Barry receives all kinds of praise and his boss insists that Barry take some time off. Make up for all that time you spent away from your wife, his boss says, so Barry books a vacation for two. The first few days they take in some terrific shows, eat some great meals, even drive out to see the extended family. Barry’s wife enjoys every moment, and so does Barry, at first. By the fourth day, while his wife is doing a little shopping, Barry sits by the pool at the hotel and wonders what else there is to do. With nothing immediately on the agenda, Barry cracks open his laptop computer and logs on to the Internet. He browses a few news and business sites but finds nothing to capture his interest. He logs off, and begins to look forward to returning back to work the following Monday. Barry is bored. The guy’s more bored than a lumber mill. Somewhere else there’s this woman we’ll call Annie. She has always loved to cook, and had long dreamed of opening a catering business, and finally her dream came true. She’s been in business now for five years, and all things considered, it’s gone very well. She’s making money, catering interesting events and loving being her own boss. But for the last several months, the excitement she felt at the start has evaporated, and she moves mechanically through her days, doing her work, but without any joy. Her American Dream has come true. She works everyday at it and all of a sudden she wakes up one morning, looks into the mirror and she’s bored with it. There is no more personal thrill of achievement. She has already reached her goals. Then, at that moment, the despair, and the worry begin.

Barry and Annie are both suffering from boredom, but in different forms. Barry has “everyday boredom.” It’s the grown-up version of what a kid is feeling when he comes up to his parents and moans, “I’m bored! There’s nothing to doooo.” Parents sometimes respond by saying, “Well, why don’t you play with ...” and then reel off a list of all the toys and games the kid has in his room. Of course, that seldom works, because at that moment, he’s looking for new stimulation. We adults too, have our toys and games. We can go to the movies, the theater, the mall, the gym, the stadium or the entertainment complex set up in our own family room. But like Barry, some days, none of that is enough. Annie’s boredom, however, is not from lack of momentary stimulation. Hers is “existential boredom,” where meaning and purpose seem to have been drained out of her life. She does her work each day, and does it well, but inside, it all feels futile. The fact is, whether we are talking about everyday boredom or the existential variety, it’s a fact of life. Boredom is part of life.

The writer of Ecclesiastes has come to realize this as well. “Vanity of vanities!” he says. “All is vanity.” Those are the sentiments of a man suffering the boredom of existence. “I ... applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.” Those are the words of a troubled man. He’s disturbed by the inability to find meaning in his daily life. He feels that nothing he has done or achieved makes any real difference, and he fears that he’ll go to his grave without discovering specific meaning and purpose to his existence. If life were simple and tidy, the author of Ecclesiastes would have gone on in his book to tell us how he discovered the key to overcoming boredom, and this sermon on his book would be titled something like “Three Easy Steps to an Exciting Life.” At the very least, he would tell us that by trusting God, all boredom would dissolve. But life isn’t simple and tidy, and if you read Ecclesiastes all the way through, you discover that the author doesn’t “conquer” boredom. Rather, he accommodates it as a part of his existence. Before he gets there, though, he tries several remedies, including self-indulgence, lavish spending and sensual pleasures. While he does find some immediate gratification, he also concludes that such is all the reward there is. But in the end, he makes peace his boredeom. And he comes to a few conclusions: Go your way, appreciate your family and passing pleasures, value wisdom and learning, and then this: “Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’”. In other words, start with God, because God provides a baseline of meaning and purpose in life. Here’s a story that illustrates this point. A woman drove an armored vehicle that picked up and delivered money. Driving and stopping at stores and banks and waiting for the pickup or drop-off is what she did 10 hours a day, always covering the same route day after day. Talk about boredom! She struggled with her desire to quit and find another job but held on because of the medical insurance benefit and her fear of not finding a job that paid what she was currently making. She grew more and more bored, and before long, bitterness at her life circumstances began to set in. A life-changing turning point for her was the day she decided to give God her day and ask that it be used to accomplish God’s purposes. Instead of mindless existence, she began to use her time while she was waiting to pray — at first for her family and friends, then for concerns raised at church, and eventually she began to pray for the people she met and/or saw from the armored truck. Giving her boredom to God allowed God to transform it into meaning and purpose.”

There’s one more thing we can glean from boredom, but it’s something the author of Ecclesiastes never seemed to grasp. For all his experiments, he never tried helping others. It’s counterintuitive, but time and again, those who find an outlet for their lives that involves caring for others discover that whatever else life is, it isn’t boring. A certain amount of boredom is simply a fact of life, but involving ourselves in helping others is one way to make peace with it.
Of course, whatever our circumstances, God never promised us freedom from boredom. God promised to be with us through all things. And as we trust God and go faithfully about our daily tasks, God goes with us, giving us the opportunity to be at peace even when we’re bored.

Amen

Sermon: Spiritual Double Talk

2007-08-26T05:53:00.000-05:00

Opening:
Church Blooper Announcements [Best read by a leader from the church in the manner of making genuine announcements.]

1. The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
2. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church.
3. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery.
4. Tuesday at 4:00 PM there will be an ice cream social, featuring homemade ice-cream. All ladies giving milk will please come early.
5. With Easter Sunday approaching, we will be asking volunteers to come forward and lay eggs on the alter.
6. Next Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the carpet please do so on your way out.
7. The ladies of the church have given up their clothing for this year’s fund raiser. Members of the church may get a sneak peek at them on the Friday prior to the event.
8. Sandy is still in the hospital. She asked me to announce that she is having trouble sleeping and requests recordings of Pastor Rich’s sermons.
9. Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
10. The stewardship committee unveiled the church's new giving campaign slogan: "I Upped My Pledge--Now Up Yours."
11. 8 new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
12. Please don't forget this year’s rummage sale. Ladies, It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands.
13. The confirmation class will be presenting a dramatic Passion Play this year during Lent. The congregation is invited to come and see this tragedy.

Clearly by this list of church bulletin bloopers there is often a difference between what is said and what is heard. In fact much of what we say often has multiple meanings. Our English language is filled with idioms and expressions that mean different things in different contexts. Take the expression “getting ahead”. We use this expression often in our language, but its meaning is dependent upon context? In a conversation about financial matters, this means trying to pay off credit cards, or put more money in a savings account. In a conversation about professional success it has to do with advancing one’s self to a higher place within the company. But, when used by a person behind the wheel of a car it means to pass a slower moving vehicle. Often what we say has multiple meanings, and each different meaning is contingent upon the context. Within the context, we understand quite clearly the meaning behind what is being said, but from the outside looking/listening in, the meaning can be lost or confused.

The church often times struggles with this contextual confusion as well. Within the context of the church, couched in the language and the teaching, we have little problem understanding the message behind the words that are spoken in worship. But, to a person who is not part of the church, this may not be the case. Take for instance the words, “Take and eat, this is my body given for you.” Historically there is evidence to believe that in the early formation of the church, Roman unbelievers made claims that those Christians are cannibals.
So, as we continue to live into the mission of being a church for people who have no church, we need to be mindful in this day of how people hear what we insiders are saying.
But, this contextual understanding of things is not only for the language of worship. We might also want to be mindful of creating our own bulletin bloopers by assuming that newer members are aware of what is being announced. For instance; announcing an annual event with little explanation of what its for, or what’s expected from the volunteers leaves new people floundering to get involved because they do not have the needed insider information to translate the announcement.
Within the context, we understand quite clearly the message behind the words, but from outside the context we often can’t and this leads to confusion. This is true of God’s Word as well.

Gospel:
Jesus speaks God’s Word to a diverse crowd of people. Some came from Jerusalem [Jews], and some came from as far as Tyre and Sidon [Gentiles]. By Jesus’ message to them we can surmise that some were poor and hungry, while others were more affluent and well fed. Some were hated and excluded, while others were loved and received social praise. Some were grieving, while others were joyful. People of various different backgrounds, different religions, different stations in life. Of this motley crowd of different people, they all had one thing in common. Verse 18 says they all came to hear him and to be healed. And so, he spoke to them words of healing.
To the poor, the hungry, the broken-hearted, the outcast his words were like salve on their wounded souls.
Blessed are you .
But to the affluent and well fed, the socially acceptable, and those
currently experiencing joy, Jesus’ words would have sounded more like a bitter pill.
Woe to you.
So that there is no confusion, even though Jesus delivers his message in two parts (blessings and woes) the Word of God remains the same.
Beneath the surface of the list of blessings and woes is the same
Message—God’s love is for all.
It has been said that God’s Word, when properly proclaimed, will do two things. It will comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable. Those who heard God’s Word on that day as comfort probably remained as Jesus’ disciples. But, I wonder, what of the people who heard it as affliction? Did they hear it all? Or, did they ignore Jesus call to change their ways? Did they change their ways and follow him onward? The text doesn’t tell us.

Connection:
How do we hear God’s word? When we are in need, when we are threatened, when we are crying, when we are rejected, we hear God’s Word loud and clear. It comforts us, and we join the church, and we continue coming to church just as those who were in the crowd came to Jesus because they wanted to hear him and be healed. And we learn to believe and trust that whenever we are afflicted we can count on God to comfort us by His Word. In bad times, God’s Word is clear and we listen and we follow.
But, what about when times are good, when we are comfortable? Do we hear God challenging us to grow in discipleship, to remain faithful, to change our ways so that others less fortunate may be blessed?
Closing:
Fortunately, God’s Word comes to us in the life promised through the love of Jesus. Such that all of us who believe and are baptized are given freely this promise of God’s eternity.
Its important for us to remember then, that no matter if it challenges us or comforts us, God’s Word for us is always one of God’s love and care for His chosen people.

Therefore, no matter if we are comforted or afflicted by God’s Word we want to be listening and following.

I remember the person I once was. But, because of God’s love—both tough and tender— today I am thankful that I no longer recognize the person in those memories.
My guess is that you might be able to say the same thing about your relationship with God.
Words may mean different things to those who listen in from outside the context of the message, but to those of us within the context, the meaning of the words is most often very clear.
Remain then in relationship to God through Jesus, and when God’s Word is spoken to you, there will be no confusion.
God’s Word is not a blooper.

Let us pray…
Lord God, by your mercy keep us in relationship with you, that your Word would always be our guidance and comfort. Amen

Newsletter June

2007-08-26T05:51:00.000-05:00

Did you know that Pennsylvania made recycling the law in July of 1988? My guess is that most people don’t know that. But, it’s true. With Act 101, the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Pennsylvania became the largest state in the nation to require recycling.

However, if you ask the folks in Caernarvon Township, where Amy and I live, if they recycle do you know what they’ll tell you? Here’s what they’ll tell you. We don’t recycle! However, they probably won't tell you this in such a blunt way as this. They will say that the residents are welcome to recycle on their own. Yea sure, who wants to load up recyclables in the trunk of their car and drive them yourself to the local dump every week? Not I. And, my guess is, not you either. In other words the answer to the question remains. We don't recycle!

I have learned that in Honey Brook Township the circumstance isn’t much different. Everyone is welcome to recycle, even encouraged to recycle—if they want to. Well, who WANTS to sort their garbage into differentiating containers? Who WANTS to wash out bottles, jars and cans? Who WANTS to stack up, and possibly even bundle up their paper? Who WANTS to recycle? Most don’t. Therefore, even though our state boasts about becoming the largest state in the nation to REQUIRE recycling, in the end the state is doing very little to enforce their recycling law. As a result most people in the state of Pennsylvania, as is the case here in our area, choose to not recycle.

But, we are believers in God. Because our faith is that which guides us, we are asked by God to live according to God’s law first and civil laws second. This means God asks us to try to live according to His law in all aspects of life. God calls us to be good stewards of creation. We all know that recycling saves resources, saves energy, and saves the environment. We all know that recycling is one way to be a good steward of creation. The stewardship of God's creation is an issue important enough to prompt us to find a way to recycle. "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." You may have heard that before. It's in the bible, in the book of Joshua. In other words, as it pertains to this message, "For me and my house, we will recycle." This means that for you and me, contrary to the township, RECYCLING IS NOT AN OPTION. This is why I was so pleased to see large recycling receptacles placed all around the church property during the Spring Fling in May.

The question for us is not IF we will recycle, but HOW. The recycling options are dependent upon the area in which you live. For Amy and me, we can load up our recyclables in the car once a week and take them to Lanchester ourselves, or we can pay $25/month for a local trash hauler to make a special stop at our house each week. Given those two options, I gladly pay the $25/month to not have to "truck" them myself in the trunk of my car.

Our township does not enforce the state’s requirement for recycling. But this law is in consort with God’s law of good stewardship. So, even though the civil authorities do not enforce this we ought to do so anyway. If your home is already a recycling home, GREAT! For the rest of us, maybe this summer is a good time to start taking recycling more seriously. After all, God has given us the beauty of the earth to appreciate and protect, not consume and throw away. So, let’s offer to God our best effort at keeping it beautiful and rich with natural resources.

A Blessed Summer to all of you,

+Rich

Annual Report

2007-05-07T15:07:00.000-05:00

Dear Living God,

When was the last time you watched a bird fly—no, a hawk soar? When we are children we marvel at such things. Then, we grow up and become consumed with so many different things that we take simple things such as this for granted. Recently I was driving home at the end of my day and above me, through the sun-roof, I noticed a hawk soaring. Taken by the sunshine, the arrival of the long anticipated warmth of spring, and now this hawk I pulled over just to let my soul soak up the brief moment. It’s amazing what these birds can do. They can fly! What a gift God has given them. It occurred to me that for centuries humans have marveled at the flight of the bird. Up until 1903, we had not the capability to do what the bird makes look effortless. Now, we have flown as far as the moon, and have come to realize that we could go further if it was necessary to put our energy into doing so. Many have claimed that the greatest invention of the 20th century was the computer. But, one could make a valid argument for the Wright brothers’ discovery of flight. Before this discovery it was determined that flying was simply one of those things that we who are created without wings are not meant to do. But, this discovery changed that. We had learned to defy the laws of gravity. This discovery altered the course of technology, and inspired us to dream of things that were forever thought to be impossible. Within 60 years of this discovery our nation heard its president announce that going to the moon, the stuff of dreams, was now possible. It was the science and technology coming out of the pursuit to fly that led to the invention of the computer. These things, of course, have changed the world. But, it was learning to fly, defying gravity that spirited the momentum which yielded the inventions that have changed our world. Still today, as we stop to let our soul soak up the majesty and wonder of a bird in flight, we are inspired to defy gravity.
Ever since Abraham first looked to the heavens seeking the One True God, we have been a people with faith in a God who invites us to defy the gravity of life. Actually, with tongue in cheek, we could declare that Christians were the first to truly discover how to fly, that is, to defy gravity. There is nothing more gravity defying than believing that Jesus has made it possible for you and me to defy our own grave. From the moment we first believed that Jesus has secured for us life beyond death we have been forming and reforming a religion around the pursuit of flight with the Holy Spirit. As Christians who stand beneath a banner called Lutheran we carry with us the legacy of a man whose faith enabled him to defy the gravity of Roman tyranny. Still today, God calls us to dream for things that seem impossible, defy gravity, and fly with the Holy Spirit.
Today, the gravity of our world weighs heavy upon the church. Global issues such as poverty, war, and climate coupled with our cultural issues such as a widening gap between the wealthy and the poor, declining public schools, struggling healthcare, and homeland insecurity make up a portion of gravity’s weight upon all of us. Locally, we here in Honey Brook add the weight of urban sprawl, and a variety of issues pertaining to middle-class survival. Add to these a host of issues before our national church such as human sexuality, an increasing disparity between available clergy and churches without clergy, a loss of perceived relevance in our society and we begin to feel the weight upon our denomination in America. Beneath this gravity, our national church saw the loss of 200,000 people just over the last 5 years1. Here in Southeastern Pennsylvania, our synod faces similar drop offs. According to Dr. Gemechis Buba, assistant to the bishop for mission development, 80% of the Lutheran churches in our synod are either in a state of plateau or decline, most are in decline. Our congregation bears this weight as well. We may be growing, but most of our growth is not due to missionary work that yields new Christians. Our growth is primarily due to the migration of people out of other churches and into ours as people relocate here. Our church’s growth is not so much a sign of growth in the kingdom of God as it is a shuffling of the deck. It is important for us to recognize this as it helps us to understand some of the dynamics of the gravity which impacts our congregation.
This year I have made use of this annual report to share with you my reflection of the gravity we bear together as we learn to fly together in ministry here at Living God. As I see it, beneath the gravity of issues we are given two options. One is to let ourselves be blown about by the winds of fear, which lead to a variety of destructive responses ranging from ambivalence to hostility. The other is to follow the lead of all the faithful people who have striven to do God’s holy will. We can look to the heavens for the One True God to guide us. For the church today, and indeed for our congregation, now is a good time to stop for a moment and let our souls soak up the majesty and wonder of the Holy Spirit in flight, so that we are inspired to defy the gravity of our world and learn to fly to the heights of God’s calling.
Before the Wright brothers’ discovered the means of flight, they were first and foremost very aware of the gravity they had to overcome. So, let’s recognize the gravity in our church for what it is. For matters pertaining to this report, I’ll be using the word gravity to indicate the forces which push against the church’s movement forward. By understanding the gravity of our situation, with God’s help we can muster up the faith to defy it, and learn to fly in spite of it.

Gravity #1: The honeymoon is over.
Last year, at the writing of my annual report, I had served among you for only about 5 months. It is safe, and honest, to say that we were in a honeymoon period together. I was still very enthusiastic to get started with things, and you, the congregation, were enthusiastic as well. Like two people anxious to get to know one another the very air in our Sunday mornings was charged with expectation. Now, we’ve come to learn a bit about what to expect from one another. You have learned that I am different from that which you expected at first, and I have learned likewise about you. As is true of any relationship, once the initial infatuation wears off, the warts and blemishes of our true selves begin to show.
A year ago average attendance in worship saw a general increase during the honeymoon period to a peak of 177. During this time there seemed to be more than enough energy to move forward with necessary changes. Therefore, last year I wrote about the need to move swiftly from a Pastor-Centered model of ministry to one that lifted up the church’s programs as central. I also wrote about the need to begin plans toward a larger church building. We can not grow in programs without having a place for those programs to carry out their work. A year ago there seemed to be plenty of support and enthusiasm to move us through this transition. But, that was a year ago. This year, attendance has stabilized at about 160. That’s still above the threshold of 150 for moving from Pastor-Centered ministry to Program ministry2. However, this year the enthusiasm to make this transition appears to be waning. Among the leaders within the church there is confusion over the pastor’s direction, and over who is responsible for what. It is fair to say that a certain measure of frustration and burnout accompanies this confusion. Church council members, on occasion, have left meetings angry and disheartened, as did the parents of our youth group after one particular meeting. The Visioneering Team (name given to the strategic planning team), after getting off to an enthusiastic start have since lost a great deal of momentum. They now find it increasingly more difficult to get the members of the group together for a meeting. Our Sunday School program, which was lifted up a year ago as one of the reasons we need to build larger, now struggles to manage the critical mass necessary to justify the teacher’s time and the costs of the curriculum. And last but not least, a small number of members have cared enough to share confidentially their discontent with me personally as well as professionally.

Defying Gravity #1: Normalize and remain patient.
Sometimes it helps just to state the obvious. We are a church in transition. As a matter of fact, we are a church in the middle of two very BIG transitions. You’ve had to change pastors and our growth has brought about the need to change the way we do ministry together. My style of leadership is primarily to help you lead yourselves. From my perspective, this style is quite the opposite from that which you’ve grown accustomed. Therefore, we are not even enduring a typical change of pastors; we are enduring a full swing of the pendulum from one side to the other. This will take patience and lots of forgiveness. And it’s also very helpful to remember that a certain measure of frustration, burnout, even drop-out is quite normal and even healthy during times of transition. When we finally get through this, Living God will be healthier and stronger as a result. I like to say at weddings that the real marriage doesn’t truly begin until after the honeymoon. This is true of ministry as well. Now that the honeymoon is over, the real ministry that God has in store for us together can begin.

Gravity #2: Centralized Authority
As a church grows it goes through stages. At infancy, it is a small group of less than 50 centered around an idea, a dream, and a hope—Christ. Then, it grows to a stage when there needs to be a central figure to organize and authorize the movement forward. In most cases this figure becomes the pastor. When a congregation is gathering between 50 and 150 regularly, this centralized authority figure can manage to keep the plates of ministry spinning. But, when a congregation moves beyond 150, the centralized authority can no longer spin all the plates and one by one the new plates added are not given enough attention and they fall and crash. In other words, in our congregation, centralized authority is squelching the spirit of growth forcing us to settle for the status quo. This problem is seen and felt in a variety of ways at our church. It is common for me to hear, in one way or another, the expression “It’s your church, pastor.” Church council regularly finds itself micro-managing the work of the ministry teams. Leaders often do not make decisions without seeking permission from the pastor. There are complaints that point to this common problem as well, such as poor communication, not enough volunteers, and people not receiving enough personal attention. Among those who have been a part of this church for a while, there is a feeling of loss for the church of the recent past. I often hear the lament, “I miss the days when we used to worship in the school. Back then we all knew one another.”

Defying Gravity #2: Decentralize Authority
Church council has heard me preach this over and over to them, but it is necessary that this message be shared with the whole church. Church council needs to be free to council, and leaders need to be free to lead. We are in the process of rising up and equipping leaders in six key areas of ministry: Worship, Education, Outreach, Fellowship, Support, and Stewardship. In time these leaders will act as shepherds to the flock. On one level they will be given the authority to make most of the decisions for the ministry team. But, on a much deeper and much more necessary level they will serve as shepherds. They will pray with and for those who are in their ministry team. They will care to the spiritual welfare of their team members. They will provide comfort and support, as well as celebration for the individuals in their team. And, when necessary, they will refer members to the pastor for care and attention. These leaders will be active in recruiting by routinely introducing themselves and welcoming all people into the work of the ministry. By doing these things, the team leaders will be modeling a way of living together in Christian community where all are shepherds for each other.
This decentralization is a process of transformation. Over time this will transform our congregation. Communication channels will be much clearer than they are now. New members’ ideas and enthusiasm will quickly receive a welcome into the ministry through personal invitations by the ministry leaders, rather than wait for the pastor. And, most importantly, Christ will be encountered in the relationships formed along the common journey of ministry together. But, the only way for this transformation to take place is from the inside first. The members, especially those who are leaders, must begin to let their own views and expectations be transformed. The transformation of a church begins with people who are transformed. A Christian transforms the lives of those around him only in so much as he is first transformed by Christ.
An easy place to start this personal transformation is just to become more aware of the language you use. For instance, recently a member came up to me and said, “Pastor, how much money has YOUR youth group raised so far?” It’s not MY youth group. It’s not MY church. Pastors come and go; it’s the congregation that remains. So you might say it’s YOUR church. But, actually it’s ours. Better yet, it’s God’s. We are in ministry together. Another place to start is to recognize that we are all shepherds of and for one another. Don’t come up to the pastor on Sunday and ask, “Pastor, who is that person over there?” Go over to that person and introduce yourself. Take an active role in making sure that you’ve personally welcomed every person into the ministries of our church. We do a great job of welcoming people into the worship service. Now, we need to take the next step. Take an active role in being aware of the church calendar and personally inviting people into the life of the church. Also, don’t wait for the pastor to meet with new members in their home to talk about the church, or about joining the church. Invite them to your house. Ask them if they would mind you pray for them while they are considering active participation in the ministry of Living God.
Transformation is a time and painstaking process. Over time we will begin to see how decentralizing the authority of our church opens up the possibility for a spiritual transformation of the whole congregation.

Gravity #3: Mission Accomplished
It may be that many of you who remember meeting for worship prior to the existence of 3200 Horseshoe Pike remember a kind of enthusiasm for building a new church that permeated all that you did together. You may recall the way the energy of planning and expecting to build a church fused you together as a congregation and gave you a sense of vision. Now, it may be that after building the church you feel a sense of accomplishment. You may feel as if your work is finished. I hear a common expression that resonates from this sentiment, “Let some of the new people do the work now.” As if, somehow, modeling a lack of effort and enthusiasm will motivate others to give effort and enthusiasm. My friends, we can’t expect the 200 new people to serve with any more or less enthusiasm than that which the original 100 model to them.
It may be that you’re new to Living God and you really don’t know where your place is just yet. Hang in there, you’re very much needed and there is a place for you. It may be that you really just want to be left alone. Well, here’s my apology up front. The church is not going to leave you alone. Our faith in a God who creates out of love is a God who has created us for relationship. We don’t know how to be church and allow our members to sit idle outside the bonds formed by the work we do together in relationship.

Denying gravity #3: Vision Accomplished
In truth our mission is not accomplished. As a matter of fact, it will not ever be until one of two things occurs, our death or Christ’s return. This means our mission is not about the building, even though we can become so caught up in this task as if it were. We need to expand our building, but not because doing so would somehow bring to completion our mission. Instead we need to expand our building because God’s vision for ministry in Honey Brook includes people we haven’t yet met. God’s vision is being accomplished. He has gathered all 300+ of us together into this one community of faith so that we might build His church. The exciting part of this is that all of us are needed; nobody gets left out, not the young or the old, the rich or the poor, the strong or the weak. Everyone has a part to play, and the spirit has given to us gifts to use for this purpose. God’s vision is being accomplished. He wants to do miraculous wonders through the people here in Honey Brook, and this vision includes us. God has come to personally invite you and me to be a part of this. Wow!
My friends, we are not just planting a building here in Honey Brook, or even the Lutheran faith. We are planting God’s vision of hope, the church, the body of Christ, here in Honey Brook. And, we’re not just doing it for this generation, but for our grandchildren’s grandchildren. The things we do today, the work we do to follow God’s vision will set this church on a course of action, and faithfulness that will define it and equip it for the generations to come. It is the story of our faith together now that will be told and retold through the history of this congregation. So, our mission is definitely not yet accomplished. But, oh what marvelous wonders God’s vision has in store for us as we faithfully follow God’s direction here in Honey Brook.

My friends, gravity is all around us. It has always been and it will always be. But, God has given us the gift of faith. And not just any faith, we have faith in the One who died and was resurrected. This faith of ours has the power to move mountains, roll away stones, walk on water, and defy gravity. It’s time we defy the gravity that is holding us down. Indeed, now is a good time to set our sights on the majesty and wonder of the Holy Spirit in flight, defy gravity and learn to fly to the heights of God’s calling.

Your servant in Christ,

1 ELCA Statistics complied by the Office of the Secretary,

2Alice Mann, Raising the Roof, The Pastoral-to-Program Size Transition, p. 7.

Sermon: April 15, 2007

2007-04-17T06:39:00.000-05:00

Sanjayah and Thomas
John 20:19-31

Raise your hand if you watch the TV series "American Idol". [hands go up] Well, for those who are not familiar with this show here's how it goes. First there's this gathering of contestants from around the nation. The contestants are individuals who are hoping for a chance at fame and fortune as a singer. From around the country the contestants come. They come and, at least in the first couple of rounds, the TV viewers get to watch three judges publicly humiliate them. There are a few who make it through the judge's wrath somewhat unharmed. They are the ones who are invited back to move onward in the contest. Then, once they make it through this gathering round. The final contestants are voted upon each week by the American public. At the end of each week the contestant with the fewest of America's votes must leave the contest. Its an exercise in the same contest we all must participate in with our daily lives. Its the survival of the fittest contest. Its the reward of the greatest and best, and to hell with the rest event that consumes most of our lives and leaves us drained by the end of the day. So, now we can come home from a hard day in this contest of real life and participate vicariously through the TV in a kind of ritualistic hazing experiment on other unworthy and weaker condidates who are just like us. And when the show is over we are secretly gitty at the way Simon (the judge we all love to hate) really stuck it to so and so.

We are a culture who loves to put down--no--trample, destroy, humiliate, pulverize--the ones who are the weakest among us. Oh, we would never come to church and admit that. But, the success of this show speaks otherwise. That is--until Sanjayah came.

Among this season's contestants is this 17 year old kid named Sanjayah. He is clearly and most evidently not of the same caliber of talent as the other contestants. Yet, at the same time, he is not as abhorrent to watch or listen as some either. Meanwhile, he has a kind of charm and charisma that demonstrates a character that is just thrilled to be competing. Sanjayah has captured the votes of those who want to reward the underdog, the weakest, the least. The American public has grown tired of voting for the best. There is now a compaign to vote for the worst, and Sanjayah is the recipient of these votes. Sanjayah's survival in this game represents a refreshing swing of the pendulum of American public opinion. A vote for Sanjayah is a vote for the underdog, the underpriviledged, the regular person who is just trying to do their best in a world that is never satisfied.

Now, church, this spirit among the American viewers to lift up the lowly, put down the mighty, defend the weakest, and overthrow the systems of injustice---does this sound familiar to you? It should. This is the same spirit that comes upon the virgin Mary and gives this lowly peasant girl a reason to sing. The same spirit that brings new life to Israel when it is held captive by Babylonia. The same spirit that inspired Peter and the apostles in that first day of Pentecost, and the same spirit that drove Jesus out into ministry after his baptism. The Holy Spirit is moving among the American people. But, you say, where is the church in all this? If the Holy Spirit is doing this work, then why isn't the church involved in organizing this effort. This is being done without any connection to the church. How can this be?

God gives to the church the Holy Spirit. But, if the church is not going to make use of the Holy Spirit's gifts of faith to follow God and do God's will then God will not be restrained by the church's lack of action. When the chuirch is slow to faithfully act on behalf of God's will--God will act without the church. Each week we come here together and we recite the Lord's Prayer. In it we pray that "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven". Well, the truth is that God is God. He's in charge. His will gets done with or without us. Therefore in the Lord's prayer we are not praying simply for God's will to be done. We are praying that God's will gets done through us, that we do not make choices that lead us away from being a part of what God is doing in the world. We are thannkful of thr faith that we have been given, but we all too often forget that God has given us this faith for a reason and a purpose.

This brings me to the point of this sermon and the theme I am preaching under through this season of Easter--Faith may indeed be a personal matter, but it is never a private matter.

We each may have our own personal experience with the Almighty; our own personal faith in God. However, contrary to public opinion in our world today, faith is not truly faith if it does not call us to act on behlaf of God's will for the world. Faith must move us to act in love for our neighbor or creation. Faith that sits and does nothing isn't faith at all. God's will is that the lowly, the underdog, the unjustly treated be given a fair vote in this world.

This brings me to Thomas, the doubter, because here in this story we find that even those who doubt are welcomed by Jesus, and given the opportunity to believe so that God's will be done.

Tossing out Judas as an anomaly, if I were to ask you which of the disciples was the worst one, who would you say it is? That's a rhetorical question of course, because anyone with even a small amount of biblical awareness would answer Thomas. Why? Because he is the one who doubted the resurrection. It's because of him that when ever someone doubts the obvious they are likely labeled a "doubting Thomas". But, let's take a closer look at this doubter's story.

Thomas was not among the disciples when Jesus appears to them. Why? Where was he? Well, the truth is we don't know. But, what we do know is that the disciples were all hiding, afraid that what happened to Jesus would happen to them. They were all hiding---that is, except for Thomas, obviously, because he wasn't there. So, while the others are hiding, he isn't. Yet, we dont call him "Courageous Thomas", do we? OK, what else can we say about Thomas's story? Let's take a closer look at this whole doubting incident. Thomas says to the others that if he cannot touch the wounds of Jesus then he will not believe. A week later, Jesus appears to them as he did the previous week. He says to Thomas, "Put your fingers here. Put hand in my side. Do not doubt, but believe." Immediately, Thomas declares, "My Lord and my God!" There are two things we must lift up about this brief moment in time. First, notice that even though he said he would not believe without touching the wounds, Thomas never touched the wounds of Jesus. Jesus offered it to him, but he did not take him up on it. In the end Thomas believed without needing to physically touch the flesh and bone of Jesus. Secondly, and of most necessity, is Thomas's declaration of faith. Thomas declares something that no other disciple says. Thomas recognizes this Jesus to be his Lord, which meant master, teacher, or one with authority over him in some sort of way. This was a very common label given in those days to those with some measure of authority over your life, such as teachers, government leaders, caregivers etc. It is common in the scriptures for the disciples to refer to Jesus as Lord. But, no one called him God. Some suggested that he was the Son of God. But, in all the bible there is not one single statement that goes so far as to claim that Jesus is both Lord and God simultaneously. Its from Thomas that we begin to see Trinitarian thought surface in the church. Its from Thomas that the church makes its most profound statement of faith--that this man was at the same time human and divine--both God and man simultaneously. In the end where would the church be without Thomas' statement of faith. yet, we don't call him Thomas the faithful. We call him Thomas the doubter.

Like Sanjaya, Thomas is perceived as the weakest contestant. Yet, it is from Thomas that the deepest, and most profound statement of faith comes. Even more significant to us today; it is for Thomas' benefit that Jesus returns for that second resurrection sighting. While the church considers Thomas the doubter--the worst disciple--Jesus saw the depth of faith that was possible in him. Jesus didn't see the label we had given him, Jesus saw Thomas for who he was. And it was to Thomas that Jesus went on that first Sunday after Easter. Jesus welcomed Thomas--the worst of disciples--and he lifted him up, even though he doubted. And the result was the stuff that only God can orchestrate by his amazing grace.

Today, we the church have a similar call before us. There are millions out in our world who doubt the resurrection. Even we who sit here today must confess that there are times when we doubt--there are times when our faith is weak, times when we need someone else to be faithful for us. Into this world that is filled with fear and doubt there are many who, like Thomas, want to believe that there is hope, and the possibility of new life still remaining, but, also like Thomas, just can't get over their own doubt. Will we, the church see these people as folks just like us who have our doubts, or will we label them as doubters and not welcome them here?

Jesus calls us to welcome the doubter, as well as the doubt, because it is when our doubt is given the permission to be offered to Jesus with honesty and humility, that the depth of faith is plumbed for righteousness. It is when Jesus welcomed Thomas' doubt that Thomas was able to truly believe.

My friends, we all doubt. I doubt. Even the great Martin Luther doubted. One of his prayers was, "Lord I believe. Save me from my unbelief." We are doubters and yet we remain believers of God's vision for a new, resurrected humanity--a heaven here on earth; where the lowly and the weak are lifted up, where the broken are made whole again, where the unjustly treated are given freedom. We are saints with a vision like this and we are sinners in our doubt. It is the great paradox of our faith. The question before us is whether we will allow our doubt to have the final say in our lives. Will we allow doubt to be the label upon us and our neighors? Or, will we welcome the doubt and the doubter, offering the opportunity for doubt to be given to our God who transforms doubt into the faith that moves mountains?

One day we will enter Heaven will and be given our moment when Jesus offers to us the opportunity to bring our doubt to him and touch his wounds. In that moment all doubt will be gone from us. But, until then, while we live here with faith provided by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we have these moments remaining with our neighbors. As we welcome all people here to this place, and as we reach out to lift up the lowly and the weak, the underdog, the unjustly treated, we do so as if Jesus himself is in the flesh before us. And, in those moments when we risk to believe in God's vision and that faith moves us to respond likewise we encounter moments of grace that are as if our Lord Christ was standing before us here and now.

When Jesus welcomed the doubter, he welcomed the one we call "the worst". When the church follows the lead of our Lord and God, we particpate in God's will for the world. God's will gets done here on earth with or without us, Sanjayah knows this, but lets not miss out on witnessing God's goodness personally. When we pray "They Kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven", let us mean to say that it will be through us that the kingdom comes.

Amen

Easter Message

2007-04-10T09:18:00.001-05:00

“I Believe”
John 20:1-18

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

That is known as the Paschal Greeting. Paschal, which means Passover, refers to the way in which we Christians believe that Christ has assured a way for us to pass over death into eternal life. And, during the Easter celebration instead of "hello" or its equivalent, one is to greet another person with "Christ is risen!", and the response is "He is risen indeed!" During the turn of the 20th century, particularly in Eastern Orthodox, this greeting was a way of identifying with others who were also believers.

Well, a story is told of a moment in time when this Paschal Greeting was once used to its fullest effect. The story takes place in Russia in 1930. The story begins with a man well known in Communist history. His name is Nikolai Bukharin. Now, that name may not ring any bells for us, but during his day he was as powerful a man as there was. As a Russian Communist leader he took part in the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, was editor of the Soviet newspaper Pravda, and was a full member of the Politburo. His works on economics and political science are still read today in academic classrooms. Well, to refresh our memory of communism; one of its characteristic philosophies held that religion was merely a mode of false consciousness that the capitalists have instilled in order to make people more docile and easier to exploit. There is a story told about a journey that Nikolai Bukharin took from Moscow to Kiev to address a huge assembly on the authority of atheism. Addressing the crowd he aimed his heaviest artillery at Christianity hurling insults, arguments, and proofs against it. After an hour long barrage he was finished. He looked out at what seemed to be the smoldering ashes of the people’s destroyed faith and Bukharin thundered his final remark, “What do you have to say now?” Deafening silence filled the auditorium, but then one man motioned for permission to speak. Bukharin, convinced this little peasant man’s comments would surely be the community's ascent to atheism that would finally put an end to Christianity, yielded the podium to the man. The man surveyed the disheartened, dejected crowd for a moment. Finally, with all the passion his faith could muster, he shouted out the ancient Paschal Greeting "CHRIST IS RISEN!" In mass the crowd arose as one body and the response came crashing like the sound of a mighty wind from heaven: "HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!"

I say to you this morning: CHRIST IS RISEN!

I am convinced! I have faith that this man , this Christ, died for me. Oh, I don’t believe he actually knew me at that point. But I do believe that this man, this Christ, looked upon the world with God’s eyes. He saw the world with God’s perspective. And with such perspective he saw the way in which people just like you and me have destroyed God’s vision for all of humanity. And, this man, this Christ, this innocent Jesus believed with every fabric of his being that God had put him on this earth to die for the sake of the world. I believe that this man, this Christ, believed that if humanity could see by the way he died even the slightest glimpse of how deeply God loved them that it would turn their hearts to place their faith in God over all things. As a member of this human race—this God construct— I believe that Jesus’ death was for my sake. But, there’s something else I believe as well. Because over the centuries there have been many a martyr to die for a good cause. I do not believe this Jesus, this Christ, was a mere martyr. I believe that on the third day—on Sunday—this Jesus, this man, this Christ rose from the dead and walked out of his tomb. CHRIST IS RISEN! (Response)

In doing so, Jesus the Christ, has claimed my death for himself, and in exchange for my sin and death he has offered to me His resurrection. This more than mere man has offered to me the promise of life eternal. CHRIST IS RISEN! (Response)

This is Easter. And today I stand here on this day in this pulpit and proclaim this word. . . I cannot begin to tell you how this defines all that I am. Today, I humbly come before you as a fellow doubter, one who shares with you the same challenge of believing that you have endured. And, it is with as much faith that one humble man can muster that I joyfully announce to you these words that Christians have been proclaiming since Mary left the empty tomb and went to Jesus’ brothers. CHRIST IS RISEN! (Response)

But, you will say to me, how do you know that the resurrection is real? How do you know for sure? How can you believe such a thing?

And the only response I have to offer you is my own witness. My own testimony. There is no other evidence. Just as Mary, and every encounter with God in scripture and history; God meets us in very personal ways. Mary doesn’t recognize Jesus until he says her name. So it is with my own faith. Yet, even while God’s communication to us is very personal. It is never private. Mary meets the risen Christ when he says her name. Yet, afterward she is sent to tell the others. A witness of the risen Lord is a very personal story. But, it is not a story that can be kept private. Even though there is a distinct possibility that you will claim, just as the disciples claimed of Mary’s witness, that my faith is my own delusion, my own creation, the culmination of my own searching for answers to questions. Nevertheless, it is Easter, and I must proclaim. CHRIST IS RISEN! (Response)

So, humbly I will attempt to answer your question.
First I would say I believe in Christ’s resurrection simply because somebody told me. For generations people have been handing down this faith. This faith which is encased in the story of the bible. This story that is given to us from others who love us or at least have our best interest in mind. Sunday School Teachers, Parents, Grandparents, Pastors, and friends—they are the ones who share this story with us. And for 2000 years we have been sharing and telling.

Yet, even so, you may say to me, “Pastor, how can you believe those people? What do they know? How can you trust them?”

Look, people, we believe stories without evidence all the time. Raise your hand if you believe Columbus discovered America in 1492? [Hands go up] How can you believe this? Were you there? Did you see this? Where’s your evidence? Where did you hear this? Sailing across an ocean—sailing even off the map—that’s crazy. Yet we believe it. Why? Because someone who loves us, or at least wants us to know the truth told us. That’s why. How many of you believe the US landed on the moon? What, a man walking on the moon—that’s crazy?! Yet, we believe it, even in spite of the many claims of how Hollywood produced the TV footage in a studio. Why do we believe this? Because someone who loves us, or wants what's best for us told us. I would like for you to believe that I have a brain, but I can’t take it out of my head and prove that to you. Yet, we all believe that I have brain—right?! :-) We believe lots of things without evidence. We believe because someone who loves us or wants what’s best for us told us and invited us to believe it as well.

Second I would say I believe in Christ’s resurrection because the story became real in me. This crazy story about a man who died and came back to life has become my own story about my own death and the promise of life beyond it for me. I believe this story because it is my hope, it is my peace, it is my healing. I believe this story because it is my story.

As you have gotten to know me, you have also gotten to know my grandmother. She remains for me an image of Godliness in this world. She is my role model; the saint to which I pray, and the one who, most profoundly, passed on her faith to me. Therefore it is imperative for me to tell you about her if I am going to have any integrity at all when I share with you what I believe. Not an Easter goes by that I am not reminded of her. You see, I was in my first year of seminary when she died. She was so very proud of her grandson. Looking back on that first year of seminary, I'm not sure if I went to seminary for God’s purposes or simply to please this woman I so deeply loved. Thankfully, I have come to learn that those two are one in the same. But, in that first year of seminary, I remained with many of the same doubts and hesitations that I assume most people endure through in Christianity—many which you may sit with here today. I wasn’t sure of the resurrection. I had hoped that somewhere in seminary I would find the answers to my deepest questions. My grandmother was not in good health, but we all comforted ourselves by the fact that she was 93. Her years were fruitful and overflowing with the blessings of God. Even so, this excuse was revealed as just that —and empty excuse— in the face of the truth of this woman’s mortality. I’ll never forget that dreaded phone call at 6:00am, on Easter Sunday. I was supposed to read the lessons and offer the prayers at my field education site—that’s what seminarians do on Easter. Never did I know how this one phone call would change forever the way that I read and heard those Easter words. I’ll never forget the pain in my heart, the pit in my soul, of hearing my father’s tears as he told me the news of his mother’s death. My grandmother, this icon of Godliness to me, died on Easter morning. And, every Easter, I remember that day during seminary—-that phone call. Every Easter I remember the way all the life inside me died that day. But, at the same time, I remember something else. I remember reading those Easter lessons, and offering those prayers in church like never before. I remember that Easter proclamation, and I heard as if it was for the first time I had ever truly heard it. That announcement of the new life, became the hope upon which I could cling forever. That Easter proclamation became my hope, my life, my healing. The only thing that could give that woman back to me was God’s promise to raise me with her some day. But, this resurrection was not just for the after life. It was for me, here and now. My grandmother’s faith, her hope, her life was not her own—someone had given it to her. Someone had told her. And the trace of that faith goes back to the one who first gave all of us this gift. It was first the faith, the hope, the promise of life from this man who died and came back—this Christ. Today, my faith, my life, my love is my grandmother’s, which was first Christ’s. It is Christ who lived through my grandmother—and now it is Christ who lives through me. You see, I believe this story because it has changed me from the inside out. I believe this story because it is my story, and it is my promise. CHRIST IS RISEN! (Response)

Finally, I believe in Christ’s resurrection because I can’t stop myself from telling others. If you find no other reason to believe in the resurrection, consider it at least plausible on these terms. It has stood the test of time. People have been proclaiming crazy things forever. But, crazy things said do not stand the test of time. No matter how true they seem for one generation, the next generation comes along and claims a new teaching to be true. The Baby-Boomers said, “Hell no, we wont go!” But, today as the reality of the end of life seems more and more self-evident—the Baby-Boomers themselves are changing their version of the truth. Now, realizing that the end of life is some place that we all must go. The new truism is sounding a lot like, “If we must go, then we’ll go our way.” How long will it be before the Boomers realize that they have no power over that either. Whatever the case, over the generations, for 2000 years people have been proclaiming this crazy story to be true. While 2 millennia of strange and momentary good ideas have passed away, this proclamation has remained. CHRIST IS RISEN! (Response)

For 2000 years nothing has managed to silence the Paschal Greeting. Think about the way that those forst belivers proclaimed it. Nothing was going to stop them, not even their own death.
What was it that turned Peter from a denier into a preacher?
What was it that changed the frightened disciples into fearless leaders of this new found faith?
What was it over the following 300 years that caused men and women to risk their own lives for the sake of passing on this new found faith of theirs?
What is it about this 2000 year old story that continues to inspire us still today?
Maybe its not as crazy as we thought. Maybe we CAN believe this.
CHRIST IS RISEN! (Response)

I believe. Not because I think it’s a good idea, or because I have some sort of faith that others do not have. I believe because someone who loved me, and wanted what's best for me, told me. I believe because this message has changed me, and has become my story. I believe because, like those first disciples, I can’t stop telling others even if it means facing public ridicule.
And, my hope and my prayer for all of you is that you would also believe.
CHRIST IS RISEN! (Response)

Today, we do not have Communist Leaders preaching atheism to us. We are also free in this country to worship God as we choose. We may not face death as those who have gone before us had to. For them we are indebted for the faith that we have been given. But, that does not mean that our message is without challenge. There are just as many who want to silence our Paschal Greeting today as there have been in any age.

But, we are part of a legacy that has been proclaiming this Paschal Greeting for 2000 years. And, we have a responsibility to the next 2000 years. We do not proclaim this message because we expect to get something in return. We don’t proclaim it because we are special and want the world to know it. We proclaim it because the world is dying, and we know it. Yet, in the face of this truth—we proclaim another more significant truth. CHRIST IS RISEN! (Response)

This truth; nothing, no one, not even death can take away from us. Therefore we proclaim this message because we want our children, and their children, and their children, and their children to claim the same hope, love, peace and promise of eternal life that has been passed on to us.

Why do I believe in resurrection?
I believe it because it is my hope, my love, my peace, and my promise of eternal life.
I believe it, finally, because it is why I can stand here this morning and, with all the passion my meager faith can muster, shout out this ancient Paschal Greeting "CHRIST IS RISEN!"

Amen.

South Dakota Fund Raising Plans

2007-03-30T08:56:00.000-05:00

March 25th 2:30pm @ LaPiazza

Those present:
Pastor Rich Moore
Amy Gursky
Tim Ergler
Dana Kegerreis
Chuck Kegerreis
Sue Fessenbecker

Items Discussed:
Pastors Meeting w/ Youth - Pastor met with most of the Youth Sunday Morning and items discussed for fundraising were:

- Spaghetti Dinner to Kick off Selling of Stock Certificates
- Spring Fling (name might be changed)
- Car Wash
- Movie Night

Spaghetti Dinner
Spaghetti Dinner will be held on Sunday April 15th at 5:30pm. The format of this dinner will be somewhat different than those in the past as we are asking everyone to be there at 5:30 so that we can, in theory, all sit down around the same to eat so that that a program by Pastor Moore can begin after dinner introducing the idea of Stock Certificates to help fund the South Dakota in July.

Each Youth going on the trip will be asked to serve and sit with the table they are assigned and promote the trip. The idea is that they will talk w/ those dining at their table about the up coming trip. Center Pieces will be some sort of conversation piece, (2 per table) to help initiate conversation.
Pastor Moore will then present the idea of the stock certificates to those present and then Blue grass entertainment and dessert to follow.

We will ask the congregation to make some special desserts for us.

Sharon Andrienne and Ed & Kay Turner have volunteered to help serve that night. Any youth going to the 10:30 service that day will be asked to stay and help arrange the tables for the evening dinner. Youth will be asked to then return to the church no later than 4:45pm.

Youth are asked to please wear Khaki/or dress pants (no jeans if possible), and a polo shirt or something similar.
Actions required:
- Dana and Chuck will be purchasing items needed for the dinner.
- Centerpieces (conversation pieces- Lakotatrip ) need to be made, any ideas or if you would like to help with this, please email Dana.
- Desserts will be requested at the next few services.

Stock Certificates
After the Spaghetti dinner Stock Certificates will be on sale after all services. Cost will be $50/share. Each Share purchased entitles the owner of the certificate to:

- Immediate call from the youth assigned their stock certificate (day of purchase) to thank them for purchasing the certificate
- Upon arrival in South Dakota- post cards/letters are to be sent to their
Stock holders.
- Mid trip, a second round of postcards/letters is to be sent.
- A Thank You/Stock holders dinner /picnic (one person per certificate) to be held upon return of the group on Saturday July 21, 2007. Youth can share, pictures/stories/ souvenirs etc. with their stock holders. All youth that went on trip are to be present for this dinner.

A schedule will be made up and Youth will be asked to sell the certificates after all services. If someone cannot make their scheduled time for selling they need to find someone else to fill in their slot.

Spring Fling
Tentatively set the date for the Spring Fling to be May 19th. Items discussed were Chicken BBQ and or Pig Roast, Yard Sale, bake sale and Car Wash.
Action Required:
- Amy to investigate the pro’s and cons of Chicken BBQ/ verses a pig roast.
- Dana to organize the Yard Sale
- Sue to organize Bake Table

Car Wash
Kids want to do a car wash perhaps while the congregation is having service.
No date set.
- Pastor Moore to see if a Car Wash is possible at the church

Movie Night
This idea was also presented; we think there might be copy right issues.
Action:
Deb Key will be contacted to see if she knows anything about Movie nights since she has been involved with the parents group at Twin Valley.

Newsletter April

2007-03-29T11:07:00.000-05:00

Isn’t the aroma of fresh baked bread just magical? It is said that our sense of smell is the one most deeply attached to our memories. I guess that’s why certain smells can transport us to completely different moments in time. The aroma of fresh baked bread does that to me. One whiff and I am once again a child in my grandmother’s lap anticipating some celebratory feast with the whole family. One whiff and I am home.

I am often asked, “Pastor, what kind of bread should we use for Communion?” So, I thought I would make this third installment of “Why do we do that?” a message that addressed this question.

It is common for people to refer to Jesus’ Last Supper as the biblical point of reference for the kind of bread we ought to use for Communion. From this event we might quickly come to the conclusion that the bread for Communion ought to be some sort of unleavened bread, or matzo. After all, that is the proper bread that would be found on any table celebrating Passover, otherwise known as the feast of unleavened bread, which, technically speaking, is what the Last Supper was. According to the Exodus story, when the Children of Israel were leaving Egypt, they had no time to wait until their bread rose, so they baked it before it had a chance to rise (Exodus 12:39). Therefore the people celebrated the Passover with unleavened bread, and still do, to remember God’s deliverance for them from Egypt.

Our celebration of Holy Communion, however, is not a remembrance of Passover. Holy Communion is a present-tense partaking of our promised eternity in the Kingdom of Heaven. As we remember the mighty ways in which God has delivered His people through the events of ancient days, we remember as well the way that God has saved us now and continues to do so through the life, death and new life of Jesus. St. John wrote, “Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’’” Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “from now on give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:31-35).

Holy Communion is so much more than merely a remembrance of Jesus’ Last Supper. It is the bread that came down from heaven. It is the bread which gives life to the world such that all who eat it will never go hungry. Holy Communion is, for the believer, a spiritual feast where we take in, quite literally, the grace of God. Therefore, we may want the loaf upon our worship table to reflect more than a memory of the Last Supper. We may want a fully leavened loaf of bread on our Communion table that reflects the fullness of life promised to us through faith in Jesus.

Such bread to us may seem like ordinary bread. It may not seem special enough. The flat matzo-like bread is so out of the ordinary that it may seem like it makes it more special to us. But, what’s really special about Communion? Is it that we use extra-ordinary bread? Or, is it that God changes the ordinary in us into something extraordinary for Jesus’ ministry? Through Communion God changes us, and for Jesus’ sake, prepares us for His eternal home.

This brings me back to where I began this letter. There’s really only one question to ask ourselves when considering what kind of bread we should use for Communion. It is this: Does this bread, this aroma, this taste, this texture--does it remind us of home? Not just any home, though, our eternal home, our home with Christ.

Sermon: March 4, 2007

2007-03-07T14:34:00.000-05:00

“The Road of Danger”
Luke 13:31-35

Two roads diverged in a wood and I—
I chose the road less traveled by.
And that has made all the difference.
—Robert Frost

This area of the world is one that, in my opinion, has two wonderful traits that drew me and Amy here to live. 1. The Amish provide a reminder of the blessings in living a more simple life. 2. Beautiful rural scenery. In my opinion the best way to enjoy this area, whether as a tourist or local, is to get off the main roads and get lost in the back roads. Just a couple of weeks ago Amy and took a drive. We didn’t take a map, we just drove looking for things off the beaten path. It’s a bit risky to do such a thing. But, maybe it’s the risk that makes the drive seem more adventurous. Maybe it’s the danger of getting lost or stranded alone that somehow makes a drive in the car seem much less monotonous like the usual commute and more like the fun of exploring new ground. Amy and I did this when we were in Ireland. We had a car and we were in a land that we had not ever set foot on. We drove hundreds of mile every day. We drove looking for the back roads. Along the back roads, the less traveled roads, there are sights that can not be seen, experiences that remain hidden, along the main roads. But, there are very good, very safe, reasons for staying on the main roads. The main roads offer much better signage. If on the main roads, you don’t have to travel blind for long before you come to another sign telling you where you are or what to expect on the road ahead. Also, along the main roads there is much higher volume of travelers, traffic. We may not like traffic, but we must admit that there is a certain level of security we all feel from the numbers of people we travel along side on the busy roads.

The road less traveled may indeed be the one that offers much more for us to appreciate God’s creative and adventurous spirit, but it is a bit more risky and dangerous to travel that road. So, to overcome this we now have GPS navigation, Global Positioning Satellite navigation. Now, we can travel the back roads all we want and a little voice in the dash board of our car talks to us about the pertinent information regarding our whereabouts.

While we have GPS to give us the security needed to empower us to take the roads less traveled in our physical world, what about our spiritual world? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a sort of GPS to help us navigate the decisions of life?

God invites us to choose the roads that are less traveled. On Ash Wednesday, I spoke of the road of humility. Last Sunday it was the road of truth. Next Sunday is the road of judgment. These are all back roads that we know lead to beautiful, wonderful scenery along God’s terrain of righteous living. But, they are also very dangerous roads as well. Today, we hear that Jesus’ way, the way in which we are asked to follow, is the less traveled road of danger.

Jesus is warned by a Pharisee that Herod is out to get him. These Pharisees do not offer the voice of concerned friends. The Pharisees were not interested in protecting Jesus from danger. They were trying to trap him themselves. The Pharisees urged Jesus to leave because they wanted to stop him. But, Jesus’ life, work, and death were not to be determined by Herod or the Pharisees, or anyone else for that matter. Jesus’ life was planned and directed by God.

This is a very important piece for we who are believers today to grasp. The less traveled road of danger that Jesus faced, was not of God’s doing. But, because the path of Jesus' life, work, and even his death were determined by God, it was inevitable that danger would come. Also, and equally important, is the point that Jesus was not going to be stopped by the threat of danger along his road. Oh, its not that he wasn’t afraid, or that he didn’t fear the cross that awaited him in the road up ahead. But, Jesus’ actions—every move he made—was being guided by the Holy Spirit. Just last week we read the text that immediately followed Jesus baptism where it says that Jesus was “filled with the Holy Spirit and driven into the wilderness.” Every step Jesus took was in step with God’s direction. So, when the Pharisees came warning Jesus to go another way. His response is not one of arrogance or ignorance. It is one of the truth. He is going to continue along the path he is on regardless of Herod’s threat.

This, my friends, is true for us today. When God is the one determining our path, danger will come. Why? Because, in so much as we are following Jesus, we too are on the road less traveled. There are far too many Christians today who have gotten the wrong idea about Christianity. They assume that if the follow Jesus, and become a Christian then all their troubles and worries will go away. WRONG! If anything becoming a Christian, following our Lord, will bring more danger your way. Why? Because to follow Jesus puts you on the road less traveled. You see, the road most traveled is the road that most people are on. Its risky turns, and unseen bumps are all very well known and documented. Therefore, the minute you turn off this road and venture down the path that Jesus invites you upon, you can bet that the people around you are going to say you’re going the wrong way.

Amy and I have experienced this over the past several months. Ever since announcing that we are adopting a child from Ethiopia there have been some who can think of only the same threats of the Pharisees. Their warning comes to us like this: Are you sure you want to raise a black child in this neighborhood? Why are you adopting from Ethiopia, isn’t there a risk that your child will have some sort of disease? These threats are sincere. The dangers are real. But, Amy and I must stay the course. To do otherwise would be to abandon the way in which our Lord has invited us to follow. It may be the dangerous road less traveled, but to do otherwise would be unfaithful.

You see, my friends, to remain faithful there are times when we must take risks and face danger. To choose a path that avoids risk and danger is to abandon our Lord, and that’s more foolish than the risk of following our Lord.

The Good News however, is that with Jesus we have a GPS. Oh, it’s not a voice inside a gadget on your dashboard. That speaks to you when you push a button. Its much more. It’s a voice from our Lord. It’s the presence of Christ among us. You don’t have to push a button. You just need to pray. Our GPS is God’s Promised Son. He guides us and shows us the way. And, we can trust him because he has already been down every road of danger we can think of. He’s been through pain, rejection, abandonment, torture, death. He’s even been to hell. And, after going through all of that he came back from the grave to meet us once again, forgive us once again, and invite us once again to trust him and follow him.

Yes, the road that Jesus calls us upon to follow him is one filled danger.
But, we have GPS, Gods Promised Son with us to guide us, and as far as the road of danger—-He’s already been down that road. So, we can follow boldly. We can face our fears. We can take the necessary risks for the sake of others.

Amen.