Focus on Jesus

Lately I have been using “Jesus Always” by Sarah Young as my morning reading.  Today’s reading includes the following: “Many Christians are defeated by focusing mainly on less important things - the news, weather, economy, loved one’s problems, their own problems, and so on.  Granted, in this world you will have troubles, but don’t let troubles become your primary focus.  Remind yourself that I am with you and I have overcome the world. I am nearer than the air you breathe yet I am infinite God.”

—

Too many things compete for our attention in this world today, and way too often we do focus on the sensationalism spewed out by our ‘news’ outlets.  It’s too easy to shake our heads and allow our blood pressure to rise at the atrocities inflicted upon one another and pronounce judgments on others for their actions or beliefs or whatever captures our imagination.  

I’m not saying that people shouldn’t be held accountable for things they do or say, but we all too often allow ‘Satan’ to draw us away from focus on God’s goodness to an evil self-righteousness that only hurts ourselves more than others.  We forget that God does not want our anger.  He wants our compassion.  Micah 6:8 says, “What does God require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”   So I offer up the following prayer for the people of God:  

Come, Lord Jesus!  Be our guide and our focus.  Help us to find your way amid the maze of false paths laid out by those who would draw us away from your loving presence.  Send your Holy Spirit as our guide and your holy angels as our protection.   Amen.

A woman brought an alabaster jar of ointment - excerpt from today's sermon

A woman brought an alabaster jar of ointment and began to weep and wash his feet with her tears and anointed him with the oil.  The Pharisee who had invited Jesus thought if Jesus was a prophet, he should have known her sins and rebuked her. . .  From Luke 7

Pharisees get something of a raw deal in the gospels.  In truth, Simon is not really a bad person.  He has spent his whole life trying to live up to the laws handed down for generations - really trying to be the best Pharisee possible.  Remember that Pharisee wasn't a dirty word...  It's simply the name of a group of religious people.  Not much different from saying you are Episcopalian, or Baptist, or Catholic.  In that day the prominent groups were Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes.

But this attempt to be good has left Simon spiritually proud - unable to even imagine his need for God's forgiveness.  What Simon doesn't realize, is that God, who is perfect, sees all sin the same.  It is only on this earth, where no one is perfect, that we use comparisons to justify our actions, to elevate ourselves or to exclude certain others.

What we need to remember is that God's economy is based on mercy, not merit.  To God, we are all his children, all the same; some of us just need more forgiveness than others.  And Jesus is there for us - just like he was there for both Simon and for the woman.

How do we respond to Jesus?  Do we accept his invitation to lay our burdens at his feet?  Do we accept his forgiveness for our sins, both great and small?  Or do we take offense that he is generous with others whom we consider to be greater sinners?

Having a heart for God doesn't mean we will always get it right or do it right or be right, but it does mean we really do want to get it right, and when we figure out that we are wrong, we will acknowledge it, repent and try to turn our life around.

My brother or sister or mother.

Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”  Matthew 12:48b-50

I know that Jesus was not rejecting his family with this statement.  At the same time, I do believe that he was offering hope to those who are alone.  When family systems break down, regardless of the reason, God provides an alternative for us.  There are people in this world who find their hearts going out to those who have been abandoned.  These are the people that God has called to be family to those around them.

One of the greatest gifts I have learned in this life, is that I don't have to do it all myself.  But I do have to remain open to God's call to reach out at those times when I am the tool God chooses to use in a given situation.  I have to recognize those times when I can be mother, or sister, or friend to the person God places in my presence.  God, who would you have me reach out to today?

** The Rev, Dr, Rhoda Swanner Montgomery, rector of St Thomas in College Station died yesterday. May the Lord bring her into the greater family of his presence as he comforts those left behind.  Rhoda was a year behind me in seminary.

Adopted by God

All my life, I have felt like I was being judged against some plumb line and found wanting.  And just like Amos, God took me from teaching and set me a task to minister to his people.  Even then I have looked back to that plumb line wondering if I measure up.

But glory of glories, in our Epistle to the Ephesians, Paul says, “He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of his will.”  And I know what that means!

 

I have been on a journey since Christmas.  A journey of discovery, to find my family of origin.  All my life I have cared nothing about history.  If you mentioned history to me, my mind shut down, didn’t want to go there.  It held nothing for me, didn’t exist for me.  I was adopted when I was 11 days old.  That is the day history began.

 

So I have a basis for understanding what Paul is talking about when he talks about “adoption as children of God.”  I was adopted into a new family and loved and cared for as if I was their own.  It wasn’t until after Mom died, that God plainly told me that He was my father and called me into his household.  He also told me if I wanted to know about my family to read the Bible.  It was only then that history began to be important to me – and then only Biblical history.

 

Over the last 30 years, I have grieved the loss of the mother who gave birth and who gave me away.  I went through various stages of grief: anger, guilt, depression and finally acceptance as I acknowledged the calling God had placed on my life.  It is only recently that God has placed a longing in my heart to find closure, and I began my search not knowing if my birth mother was alive or dead. 

 

Over the past two months, as I petitioned the court to unseal my records and as I searched through the DNA matches, my thirst for history – my history – came alive.  Knowing my mother’s name was Lillie, and finding a positive DNA match for an uncle, I was able to identify my mother and track my family history back several generations.

 

Using the information gathered through Ancestry.com and internet searches, Sam and I left Thursday to search for my mother.  We came up dry on Thursday – no luck at all.  So we went to Palestine and spent the night with some old friends.  We visited and laughed and prayed and enjoyed the fellowship and support and encouragement we found there.

 

We went back on Friday to begin our search anew.  This is when all my skills learned through teaching math and being a police officer and pastoral care all came together.

 

I had already decided that my mother must be in a nursing home somewhere.  The first place we visited gave me a clue – we went to a nursing home in a different town and that is where we found her.  I was trembling as the nurse took me back to where “Miss Lillie” was having lunch with a friend.  The moment I saw her, I had no doubt that she was my mother.  I visited with her for about 10 minutes.  I doubt that she would remember it the next day, but it was monumental for me.  To be able to gaze at her and say, “This is my mother” was simply amazing.  This was a gift from God

 

As adult beings, we are formed by more than our DNA and our environment.  We are also formed by the love God pours out on us and our response to that love.  Here in this letter to the Ephesians we are reminded that we have been adopted into the family of God.  We are reminded that Jesus Christ died to redeem our sins.  Wisdom and insight are given that we might know the depths of his love.

Sometimes we are fighting issues involving physical, emotional or spiritual pain, or disabilities, or inadequacies. Sometimes it is hard to remember that God has a plan, and that plan includes us.  Sometimes it is hard to wait for the fullness of time in God’s plan.  We want to bull right ahead and force issues instead of waiting for God’s timing and God’s plan. Just like this search for my mother…  I had considered doing a DNA test, but just never seemed to get around to ordering the kit – the time wasn’t right, or maybe I didn’t want to open up that Pandora’s box – but then I was given a DNA test kit as a Christmas present from my son and daughter-in-law – and it was God’s timing.

Our lesson says, “when you have heard the word of truth. . .”  The word of truth as I visited with my mother was that this woman had given me birth, and then unselfishly given me up, so that I might be adopted into a particular family to grow up in the knowledge and love of God as demonstrated through that adoptive family.  The environment I grew up in and the church family I called home were instrumental in bringing me to where I am today.  

Our Psalm today begins, “I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him. . .  Mercy and truth have met together.”  After the turmoil that has resided in my heart at times through the years, when truth was found, there was mercy also.  In the fullness of time, God has brought it together for me and I have seen his glory in the face of one who had the courage to bear a child and give her over to the Lord’s loving care.

I have believed in Jesus Christ and been sealed by the Holy Spirit and that’s all it takes.  God has a plan and a path for each of us to travel.  This is the pledge God gives us – we are redeemed by his blood, forgiven our sins, and adopted as full members of Christ’s body, co-heirs with Christ of the kingdom of heaven.

How compelling a message for a whole generation of children who have been "cut loose" by parents through adoption or divorce or misfortune, or simply those who have sprouted their wings and flown away! How amazing to remind ourselves that no matter what our family system may be, we are not alone – never alone, but have been adopted as precious children of the Creator of the universe, our gracious heavenly Father!   Amen

 

They have no wine

The steward called the bridegroom and said, "Everyone serves the good wine first... but you have kept the good wine until now..."  Jesus did this, his first sign in Cana of Galilee.  John 2:9-11

I love this reading.  I connect with it on a number of levels, but one thing stood out this morning when I read the passage.  Jesus never did anything half-way.  He didn't make just a little wine, but had six stone jars filled - each holding 20 to 30 gallons.  That's a lot of wine - 120-180 gallons of wine,   This party could go on for days.  The other thing was the quality of the wine - it wasn't just wine, it was very good wine.  The steward was appalled that it had been saved for last when people were drunk and couldn't appreciate it.  Jesus shows an extravagance in providing for this couple whose party was about to come to an abrupt end.

Likewise our God is an extravagant God who delights in his creation and in those whom he has made.  He delights in providing for his children and in showing them mercy.  I occasionally thank God for a parking space or a green light and I remember a seminary professor who did not believe in "the God of the parking space."  I don't want to belittle God, or make us seem like puppets where every action is controlled by God.  That's not the way life is.  But occasionally, when something breaks your way, it doesn't hurt to remember that if God clothes the birds of the air (Luke 12:24), then He cares about the details of your life, too. 

Most loving Father, I give you thanks for the small ways you enter into my life.  Help me remember your loving presence in those times when life is tough, when things don't always go right.  The pat on the shoulder, the green light, the sudden awareness of time or place are daily reminders of your love.  Grant us the grace to be a blessing to others so that they, too, may become aware of Your presence in their life.  Amen.   

Life and God

You lift me up on the wind, you make me ride on it, and you toss me about in the roar of the storm.  Job 30:22

Job is talking about his experience of life - in my experience, life can be a lot like a rollercoaster ride. You ride up to the heights, and then you often tumble down to the lowest of the low and after you bottom out you may be on your way up again.  The people of old, biblical people, saw everything that happened to them to be a direct result of God messing in their life.  A very subjective or egotistical view.  Often in the Bible, God is portrayed as a puppet master pulling the strings of various people to make them do certain things or behave in certain ways. 

As an Episcopalian I believe in the doctrine of freewill - we along with everyone else are allowed to make our own choices in and about life.  This means that things might happen to us that are not the direct result of God's action.  It also means that we can be affected by the choices of others - i.e. drunk drivers.  But that doesn't mean that God does not know what happens to us and it doesn't mean that God doesn't care.  One philosophy of life is that God is a "clockmaker" - that he set thing in motion in the beginning and has not interfered since.  I don't believe that either. 

I believe that God knows what happens to us and that he cares.  I believe that he has a general plan for our life and encourages us along the way.  I also believe that God is active - at work behind the scenes to bring about opportunities for us to experience and know him.  I believe that he brings about encounters that can be life changing. God is Lord of All and if he sent Jesus Christ to offer the ultimate sacrifice, then he can and will help be available to aid us as we walk through life.

Lord God, most loving Father, help us as we struggle through this life and make yourself known to us at all times - even in the hour of our greatest need.  Amen.

Bringing good news

'Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God.  Acts 14:15

Paul and Barnabas have been sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the people in Lystra.  Because God worked through them to show signs and wonders such as healing, the people thought they were their Greek gods come down to earth.  We got into a discussion last week and the statistic was thrown out that God heals miraculously through prayer about 3% of the time.  I believe from my experience that this statistic is probably pretty accurate.  I've prayed for many people over the years and I've seen one healing, one (temporary) healing, and several times when symptoms were eased.  I don't know why God chooses to heal some and not others, but what I've learned is that when it happens, it isn't me that heals, but it is my faithfulness to pray that allows God to work.

A discussion came up on a website about why so many people are afraid to pray out loud for healing.  I don't think it's a problem of thinking 'what happens if the person isn't healed,'  We're much more likely to be worried about what happens if they are healed.  The silent prayer before we begin should always be, "Lord, lead my prayer to be what you will and what you want for this person."

We are mortals and if we are faithful to share the good news of Jesus Christ, God can and will use our faithfulness to accomplish his purpose on earth.  The flip side is that if we never step out in faith and risk failure, then we will never see success; we may never see God's hand at work in us, through us, or around us.

Gathered under his wing

From today's reading:  How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!  Matt 23:37

How often does God call us and we are not willing....?  Like the father of the prodigal son, he did not pursue, but the left the gate open - ready for the son's return.  But I believe that God, in his own way does pursue us - subtly - ever calling us back, giving us gentle reminders that he is indeed waiting for our return and he gives us every opportunity to return.  Still - it is up to us to take that first step.  

For whatever reason this morning, as I was waking, I remembered Jane in her last days - I remembered reading scripture to her - she would tell me what to read and a beautiful smile adorned her face as I read and she rested in the words of faith.  God was gathering her under his wing, and she gladly sheltered in his love.

As we prepare to make our summer trip to Idaho to visit with Sam's brother who has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, I can't help but remember Jane's last long car trip was up to visit Danny.  What a gift that they were able to do that before she died.

One of my favorite song, as I think on these things...

There's a family gathering, and it won't be long,

There's a family gathering, can you hear my song.

I'm calling my children from the ends of the earth,

They're coming on home, they're my sons of new birth,

And there's a gathering, they're gonna feast at my table!

 

In the end, God does gather his family and shelters them under his wing, in his new Jerusalem.  It's never too late to open your eyes and see the glory of God's kingdom and to find rest in his presence.

Rejoicing in the face of struggle

From today's reading:  Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines;
though the produce of the olive fails, and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the God of my salvation.  Habakkuk 3:17-18

Once a month there is a Friday night celebration service at Fr. Jim's house in Huntsville.  The person in charge of the music would often pick a song called "I will rejoice in the Lord always" based on these verses from Habakkuk and it always drove Fr. Jim crazy.  I think he questioned the reason for such rejoicing when everything was obviously going wrong.  But the truth is, that even when things go wrong, and maybe especially when they go wrong, that is the time when we often draw closer to God. 

There are so many things that happen to us that we have no control over, and those are the times that we feel helpless.  When we are helpless to do anything ourselves, it helps to know that there is a God who is in control - even when things don't go the way we want them to go.  My sister-in-law Jane died three weeks ago.  That was a hard loss for the whole family.  When we first learned that she was dying, she told me, "I don't like God's plan.". She had so much she wanted to do and to accomplish before leaving this earth and no time to do it.  And yet, God was so present at her bedside.  I saw an acceptance come over her and a smile on her face as she listen to her favorite scriptures being read.  I was not there as she died, but I understand from those who were that she began to get glimpses of heaven and those who were waiting for her to cross over.

Those of us who are left behind take comfort that she is in the arms of a loving God who has taken away the cancer and the pain and raised her to new life.  I will rejoice in the Lord always.  And we live in the promise that we will be with her when our time has come.  I will exult in God my Savior.

God works through our weaknesses

Elijah was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, . . Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat. . . otherwise the journey will be too much for you."  1 Kings 19:3,5,7

 

Elijah has run away, fearing for his life because Jezebel has threatened to kill him.  He has gone into the wilderness and asked God to allow him to die.  Instead, the Lord prepares him for a journey to the mountain where he hears the still small voice of God.

 

When the Lord calls us to some task or journey, he will use whatever means necessary to get us to the place where he wants us to be.  In this case, God used Elijah’s fear of Jezebel to start him on journey to the place where he (Elijah) could hear the voice of God.  I can recount several occasions where God has used my fear or weakness to put me in a place where I could hear the voice of God or where I could do ministry in his name. 

 

The other part of this is that when God calls you to a place of ministry or instruction, He will provide the means for you to make that journey or accomplish that ministry, to survive as you seek His face.  Just as the Lord provided food for Elijah’s journey, he will also provide for you as he calls you out to accomplish his purpose.

 

Almighty God, open my eyes to behold you as I stumble through this life.  Allow me to see your face in the people around me and to hear your voice in the stillness that sometimes surrounds me. Use me, Lord, to do your work and to grow closer to you especially when I feel furthest from you.  Help me, Lord, to climb the mountain that I may remain close to you in this life.  Amen.

Two promises for All Saints Day

Luke reminded us in his gospel that in order to follow Christ we must  - Love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who abuse us.  That is a tall order - very counter-cultural - and one that is (if we are honest with ourselves) sometimes very hard to follow.  The world around us tells us that we don't have to put up with bull from anyone - and it almost sounds like Jesus wants us to become victims.  But that is not at all what this means.  In this lesson, we are given a way to approach the world around us, and the unpleasant things that sometimes happen, with a positive attitude and gives us a response that keeps us connected to God and prevents us from being victimized.

In this life, we are not promised happiness, riches, health, love, or any other thing that many people desire in this life.  The promise we have from God is that regardless of what happens to us, regardless of what state we find ourselves in – God will be there with us!  That is his promise for this life – our life on earth.  God will be with us – to encourage us, to strengthen us, to comfort us, to fill us, to love us.  That is his promise for our life here on earth.  When we are going through tough times – when we are in pain, when we are alone, when we grieve, God is there with us.  He is there with us in both the good times and the bad times - because through the life and suffering of Jesus, he understands.  He laughs with us, he cries with us, he rejoices with us, and he grieves with us.  He is there to share with us.  We don’t see him, but we can feel his presence.  His Spirit lives within us and we are never alone.

God's first promise to us is that in this life, God will be will us - we will never be alone.   The second promise that is given to us is this… in death, we will be with God.  In Genesis we are told that we are made in the image of God and when the "ruah," the breath of God was breathed into us, Spirit of God came to live within us.  We are connected, now and always.

Becoming the "me" that God wants me to be

From today's reading:  For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye,   his favor for a lifetime.  Psalm 30:5

I can understand this verse very well.  I know how mad I could get at my kids when they were growing up.  And I also know that those transgressions that riled my anger so much at the time are no longer remembered.   But regardless of those incidents, my love for my children will never wane.  Thank you, Lord, that you are a loving father whose anger does not last.  

As a parent myself, I know that anger stems from disappointment - disappointment in my children's choices - and a deep desire to see them succeed and become all that they can be.  God feels the same about each of us - a desire to see us become the best person that we can possibly be.  

Lord, help me to overcome those desires and stumbling blocks that keep me from being the very best image of you that I can be.  Inspire me and encourage me by setting the goal of my heart firmly before me that I may become the very best me that is possible.  Amen.

Kittens, Lazarus and the Rich Man

From Sunday's gospel:  Jesus said, "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table;  Luke 16:19-20

This story of Lazarus and the rich man is the story of a man who ignores a problem that God has placed on his door step.  We want to take his to task, but how many of us often ignore the man or woman who stands on the street corner begging for what few coins might come their way?

Last week was a difficult week.  We started the week facing Sam's pending heart cath getting blood work and doing the pre-admittance work.  On Tuesday, I received a letter from the insurance company telling me that certain work needed to be done on the house and the completion date they gave me was Sunday 9/29. I managed to contact a contractor who came to submit a bid. In the midst of all this, a feral cat moved her kittens into our garage during a rain storm.

So on Thursday we left the house at 5 am and I didn't come home until 9 pm.  Sam's day procedure had turned into a two day procedure and they kept him overnight.  Got a few hours sleep, cleaned up and was back at the hospital by 6 am on Friday.  The procedure on Friday was longer.  I went back to the house mid-afternoon and was confronted by the unmistakable stench of dead animal.  I got our son, Andy, to go look for it as I headed back to the hospital.  He didn't find anything. Ii started going in and out the front door  to avoid the stench while i looked for someone to come to take care of the problem.

I brought Sam home about noon on Saturday and finally had time to pay attention.  When i finally got out to find out what has going on, I found two live gray kittens laying on the body of their dead sibling.  I rescued them and then found another kitten in another part of the garage.  My friend, Leah, came and took the kittens to mother them a bit.  One died later, but the other two are doing well.  When Chris from GuardTech came on Sunday, he found the mother cat dead under the house.

The thing is, I should have twigged a lot earlier to the cat problem, but I was distracted by the many things going on around me.  I ignored a potential problem even to the point on going in and out another door to avoid it.  I understand how easy it can be to ignore a need that is at your gate.  I was preaching on Sunday and found this all to be very pertinent to the gospel lesson and therefore excellent sermon material.

I'm glad to say this week is looking much better.  Sam is up and moving around very well, at least two kittens survived, and the contractors are supposed to begin work today (weather permitting.)  God does provide, even when we flounder around, - - and life goes on.

   

Prayers for Everyone

From Sunday's reading:  First of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.  1 Tim. 2:1-2

I don't stick my nose into politics very often, but I truly believe this is where a lot of "Christians" get it so wrong.  Instead of praying for the politicians in power that they don't like, they complain about the poor job they perceive that they are doing.  Those people who do nothing but complain and rile up others need to read these two verses.  Instead of bashing Obama or Rick Perry or whoever, pray for them, that they may make the right decisions to keep us safe and for the benefit of the nation.  Prayer is a much more powerful force than complaining ever could be, because in God's economy, the positive influence of prayer will always trump the negative complaining spirit.  Let the light shine in the darkness to overcome it.

Lord God, I pray that you guide and direct those in authority over this nation so they may make right decisions and just actions for the peace and welfare for us all.  Amen. 

Proper 18 - Psalm 139

Psalm 139

1   LORD, you have searched me out and known me; *

     you know my sitting down and my rising up; 

     you discern my thoughts from afar.

2   You trace my journeys and my resting-places *

     and are acquainted with all my ways.

3   Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *

     but you, O LORD, know it altogether.

There are people who live a secret life - one they find hard to share with others - not because it's a bad thing, it just is.  My mother was a very private person and I tend to take after her because that's the way I was raised.  But it probably has more with my insecurities than anything else.  I used to say that I was shy and then I learned about being introverted and I latched onto that concept.  It is true, I am introverted, but that's not the whole story.  It is fear that keeps me bound - I'm afraid that I don't have anything to say that anyone wants to hear.  That might seem to be an oxymoron because I can get up and preach without that fear.  But when I'm preaching I'm delivering God's word, not my own.  Anytime I see it as "my words," I fall flat on my face, and that happens more times than I want to remember.

Lord, you have searched me out and known me - So, Lord, since you know me so well, abide with me in all my ways.  You know when I've fallen and been less than you desire.  You know when I have failed to listen and failed to respond.  You know when I have strayed from your ways and blundered into an un-charted path or muddled around in a swamp.  But still you love me and hold me.  So guide me and direct me that you may be the guiding light that I follow - free from fear, free to be myself, just the way you made me.  Amen.

The Lord is my Shepherd

If we look at today’s psalm, we get an idea of what a shepherd is expected to do – God’s expectation/promise – not our own desires.  

1    The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.  --  this doesn’t mean that God is going to give us what we desire – but he will provide for our needs.

2     He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.   --  Sheep can’t drink from running water – they need a still pool of water - so God provides for both our physical and spiritual thirst.  

3     He revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.   --  the barren hills outside Jerusalem are crisscrossed with paths, many of which lead nowhere, so God leads us to the correct paths where he wants us to go.

4     Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.   --  we can trust the Lord even in times of dire need.  His promise is true, He will be with us in times of our greatest need as well as in times of joy. 

5    You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil,  and my cup is running over.   --  God's promise was not that I would have a perfect life or that no trouble would befall me, but that God would be with me and would provide for me even in times of need.

6     Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.  --  We can trust in God's goodness and mercy, and through that trust, God will bring us at last into the fullness of His joy and His presence.

We wish to see Jesus

From today's reading:  Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.  John 12:20-=22

In this reading, even the Gentiles are seeking out Jesus.  That is the sign for Jesus, that his ministry on earth is coming to an end.  It is poised, ready to spread once his death and resurrection is accomplished.

In almost every example of Andrew that we find in the Bible, he is bringing someone to meet Jesus.  A great example of what we are to be about.  Can we, like Andrew and Philip, Bring before Jesus those who are searching and in need of grace and mercy?  

In Imitation of Paul and Christ

Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.  Phil. 3:17

The children were outside playing and the proud mother noticed that they were playing ‘church.’ A little while later they came in soaking wet and all scratched up.  She asked, “I thought you were playing church.  What happened to you?”  Little Jill answered, “We were, and it was great until Jack decided to baptize the cat.”

 
We’ve often heard it said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. There are all kinds of imitation products on the market and there are people who live imitation lives – sometimes movie stars or popular musicians.  Their life might seem exciting and glamorous, but in reality it is more often a road to destruction. 
 
Children pretended – they play act – they emulated the adults around them, or made up stories based on their favorite heroes.  I used to pretend I was Jane (of Tarzan and Jane).  There were three trees in my back yard than made a perfect tree home and I would gather “food” – the berries from the Chinese tallow tree and the seed stems from the grass to make dinner for Tarzan when he came home.  Sometimes I would line my dolls up in my room and play school – I always wanted to be a teacher.  I usually didn’t have anyone else to play with so I could just make it up and do what I wanted to do, imitating heros and adults I knew. 
 
So when Paul invites the people of Philippi to imitate him, he means that they should try to pattern their lives after what they see him doing.  When some of the Thessalonians quit working and just hung around waiting for Christ to come back, Paul reminds them that when he came among them, he earned his own way by working as a tent maker.  He encourages them to imitate that.
 
I think maybe where we miss out is in not imitating Paul, but imitating what we think he should be like.  In his first letter to the Corinthians – Paul says:   “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.  To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law . . . so as to win those under the law.  To those not having the law I became like one not having the law . . . so as to win those not having the law.  To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel that I may share in its blessings.” 1Cor 9:19-23
 
Paul didn’t set himself apart from others – he didn’t hold himself above others.  He put himself in the middle of whatever situation he found himself in – so that he could talk to people without them taking offense - so that he could talk to people, and have them listen and to open up and talk back freely.
 
When you sit above others, and never put yourself on their level, how are they going to relate to you?  I read a scenario of people in a bar once – one there trying to drown his sorrows of a broken relationship, one walked through handing out Christian pamphlets, one of a woman looking for her lost sister, one looking for a drug connection, one was a young enthusiastic missionary telling people of the evils of alcohol and trying to get them to leave. 
 
To tell you the truth, I envisioned another person at the bar, one who would sit with the man with the broken relationship, and listen to him without condemnation, and become his friend, and gain his confidence, and then lead him out of there.  “I become all things to all people, so that by all possible means, I might save some.”  You can preach to hordes of people, but I believe that lives are transformed one at a time in particular circumstances. 
 
When God is ready to begin the process of transformation in a person, God will send the right person to the right place to light that spark and get the fire going.  It is a personal relationship on a level that can be heard, whether it's in a bar, on a basketball court, at the park or in your office. 
 
Paul invites us to not simply behave, but to look at the meaning of all we do in relationship to a much larger power and reality.  Transformation is the faith life in process.  No, we are not there yet – but we are invited to continue in the process.  We are invited to be real people, in real life situations, so that we might be able to win some for Christ. 
 
I think we also have to remember that it is Christ – through the Holy Spirit – who does the transformation.  We are at best a conduit – but more often simply the vehicle that brings the person into the presence of Christ. To Him be all glory, now and forever.  Amen.

 

 

What does God require?

From today's reading:  So now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? Only to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD your God . . . for your own well-being.  Deuteronomy 10:12-13

This passage from Deuteronomy is one that I have repeated several times during the past week.  It starts off sounding so much like Micah 6:8 and it says much the same thing.  And then I remember that Micah is simply reminding the people of what God has already said.  It is essentially the same message that Jesus Christ brings; it is our relationship with God and with his people that counts.  I was listening to the Renovare conference last night and they talked about making disciples by teaching people to live their life for today, not for when they die. 

The ten commandments are not to keep us out of hell, but to help us live our life here on earth to the fullest.  The first four commandments teach us how to live with God: love God, don't worship idols, don't take his name in vain and spend time with God.   The last six commandments teach us how to live with the people around us: honor your parents, don't murder, steal or be unfaithful, don't get others in trouble by lying about them and don't desire what others have.  It's even easier than that - treat others the way you want to be treated and honor God is all things.  That is what God requires of you; today and always.

Not to condemn, but to save

From today's reading: 'Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  John 3:17

So - I skipped right over the most famous verse in the Bible in order to look at the next verse.  He did not come to condemn the world, but to save it.  Even the name of Jesus says it, "Ye'shua" - "God saves."  Those things that condemn us come from the "prince of lies."  When we step out of God's will and way, the Holy Spirit will convict and correct, but never condemn.  It is always God's purpose to save.

Lord, thank you for your love and your grace and your mercy and your Son, Jesus Christ.