Tag: give

Companion of Peace

“I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”
—John 16:33 (NRSV)

I think it’s interesting that we see the word “persecution” in this translation. Persecution at its base is ill treatment or harassment. We have seen this for many in our world and especially in the US this last year. Maybe you have even felt persecuted in some way or another in this last year or at some point in your life.

It’s not a great feeling. In fact it downright feels terrible. It feels pretty disheartening to see it happen to others as well. I’m betting, like me, over the last year you have wondered where the peace was in our world.

The reality? Our peace doesn’t come in or from this world. Our peace comes from Jesus. Even when our world is in shambles – our peace and the peace that everyone needs comes from Jesus. That is why it’s so important to tell everyone about the peace that Jesus can bring and already has brought us. That’s why it’s so important to tell everyone about Jesus. What He is doing in your life!

That’s right! Yes, Jesus can bring us peace. But we have to remember that Jesus has already brought the peace. Jesus conquered the world. Jesus defeated death. For us! For you, for me, for our neighbor. We don’t have to be afraid, or disheartened, or face persecution alone because of what Jesus did for us. And this brings peace.

Take courage. Find peace in the fact that Jesus came so that we might have life and have it to the full. So that we might have peace in the face of some really tough circumstances where we see persecution around us or in our own lives. Take courage. Take peace. And then give that peace to someone else that needs it just as much! We all need Jesus. We all need peace – especially now.

2020-12-11
In Peace We Trust

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
—John 14:27 (NRSV)

Okay. I am just going to say it. This has been a very hard year. A year filled with heartache, uncertainty, fear, and more. All the emotions have hit and have hit very hard. There have been moments where I didn’t know what to think and had no words. There have been moments where I have been frustrated and unsettled. Maybe you feel the same?

The world has given us, this year, a lot of crud. The world has not been kind to us this year. This has not been our year.

But. Thankfully Jesus does not give to us as the world gives. Jesus gives us so much more. We don’t have to be afraid or troubled because God sent Jesus to make it so we can have right relationship with Him. God sent Jesus to give us peace. I have not felt much peace this last year. Reading the news every day was hard and did not give me peace. Being a parent and making very hard decisions about my kids did not give me peace. Being a pastor—I have not felt peace.

But lately. I have been praying for peace. I know that because of Jesus I can have peace. And you know what? I have been starting to feel it! Slowly. But it’s there. The more I let Jesus in and pray for peace the more I am able to be at peace. And you know what else? I have been praying for peace for you too! Because peace was our gift from Jesus. He desires for us to have peace especially in the moments where it seems impossible to have it.

Do not let your heart be troubled, dear friend. Don’t be fearful of the things to come. Put your trust in Jesus knowing that He gives you the peace that you need.

2020-12-09
Have Hope; Give Hope

“The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.”
—Jeremiah 23:5 (NRSV)

Let’s be honest. This hasn’t been a very hope-filled year. No normal graduations, weddings, births, family vacations, holidays, etc. Probably the last word you would use to describe this last year was a year of hope. There didn’t seem to be much to hope for.

And yet. God still brings hope. Through Jesus Christ – God brings hope. This advent season as we anticipate the magical time with our families and the birth of our Branch – and in every season even when we have a hard time seeing that hope.

Sometime this week or in the coming week I am going to ask you to do two things:

Write down a list of things you hope for in the coming year. What do you hope in your relationship with God? What do you hope for your family? What do you hope for in your friendships? What do you hope for in work or in your personal life? What are the things you hope for in this coming year? Write that list down and hang it up somewhere you will see it often. Pray about those things. Allow God to be a part of it all because ultimately God brings the hope we desire and seek out in all areas of our life.

Figure out a way this advent season to bring someone hope. Maybe you know someone who needs a meal. Maybe you know someone who could use a bending ear and are lonely. Give them a call and just chat with them and pray with them. Maybe you know someone who is in desperate need of the hope of Jesus Christ. Invite them to church whether in person or to watch online with you in your home. Extend the same hope that God gives to you to someone else this month.

2020-12-04
Power to…

Jeremiah 31:10–14; John 5:19–40

If you had the power to change anything and everything, would you? If you could eliminate war, disease, hatred, bigotry, misogyny…would you?

If you could judge people perfectly…would you?

The structure of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is a conundrum. The Father is God; the Son (Jesus) is God; the Holy Spirit is God. The Father is neither the Son nor the Holy Spirit. The Son is neither the Father nor the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not the Father nor the Son. Yet, one God, three-in-one.

It might seem peculiar to bring up the Trinity, as the passage from John is about the Son (Jesus) and the Father. We see that Jesus says that he is not able to do anything apart from the Father, and that the Father gave all judgement to Jesus.

What Kingdom is that? If a human had all the power to judge (perfectly), why would they give that up? At best, a human has the power to judge okay, but with far too many errors. The Father gave it to Jesus.

The Judge (Jesus) will raise each person, whether good or bad, to answer for their life. How this works, who knows? Will a person watch a movie of their life and condemn or justify it? Is our soul weighed on some sort of scale? Many such questions have been asked; many answers have been given.

The underlying truth is that each and every person, even those who think of Jesus as nothing more than a nice guy in history, only want to imagine being accepted by Jesus.

According to Jeremiah, the Kingdom will redeem, refresh, and water (with the Living Water) people. As a result, they will be strong, joy-filled, and satisfied.

These verses declare God’s kingdom. However, one verse later foreshadows the evil that happens after the Messiah, the harbinger of the Kingdom, is born. No great (or even mediocre) kingdom avoids the evil in the hearts of men, unless it is the Kingdom of Heaven.

※Prayer※

God, may our hearts love and accept you, that we are your children, and that we have a place with you. Amen.

2020-11-24
Whose King

Psalm 95:1–7a; Ezekiel 34:11–24; Matthew 25:31–46; Ephesians 1:15–23

Christ is King. We often say that to ourselves and to others. The real question that we need to ask is, do we believe it?

As the 2020 US political season wraps up, the victors and the losers each have their speeches to give, and much to reflect upon. We, too, have much to reflect upon. This isn’t just a need for the US. The entire world was watching this election.

The harsh truth is political parties are not Christian. This is by definition. Political parties’ very nature is that of the kingdom of earth. Too many people have tried to put the Heavenly mission into the earthly basket and are disappointed when it fails.

When Ezekiel talks about God rescuing the flock from the darkness, it certainly seems politics is part of the darkness. Despite often wedding ourselves to a political party, God still talks about bringing us back, healing us, and strengthening us.

“Isn’t it enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Or isn’t it enough that you drink the clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?” (Ezekiel 34:18, CSB)

How much of that sounds like Christians have been treating each other? Far too much.

Probably the biggest reason why politics don’t mesh with the Kingdom of Heaven is what motivates each of them. Politics are about power (yes, it should be more). The Kingdom of Heaven is about love.

One cannot bring about the Kingdom of Heaven through politics. One either loves and has power of influence, or one has power and loves little. It would be nice if the two could work together, but humanity seems incapable. Humanity certainly is incapable of any cohesion of the two without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

The Kingdom of Heaven and Jesus, the King of Heaven, should overwhelm our human earthly politics with love.

※Reflection※

What does it say about the depth of our faith when politics often overrides our faith? How does your faith inform your politics? Have you ever had the experience of choosing a candidate from “the wrong party” because they appeared more closely aligned with your faith than the candidate from “the right party”? If not, can you imagine what it would be like, and what might drive that?

※Prayer※

Lord, we declare you our king. Help us live it out. Amen.

2020-11-21
A Promise

Isaiah 44:21–28; Ezekiel 34:25–31; Mark 14:22–26

Remember. We are called on to remember things every day. Some have become so ingrained (putting undergarments, I hope) that we don’t actually remember them; we just do them.

Like many things that are ingrained, relationships aren’t. We might take them for granted, but that doesn’t make them ingrained.

Isaiah’s call to the descendants of Jacob was REMEMBER! Remember God, who formed them, called them and redeemed them. They needed to be reminded…again.

This time, they are called to celebrate. Celebrate freedom. Celebrate redemption. Celebrate a relationship with God.

The unfolding of their redemption, eventually, results in a new covenant of peace. This new covenant was to change the very face of the Promised Land.

The promise of this covenant was delivered while talking about their return from captivity and exile. This makes the promise sure, as they were indeed delivered. So, where was the fulfillment of this new covenant?

We Christians say that of course, it is Jesus. Jesus’ life and death personified the concepts of relationship and redemption. The Resurrection is the exclamation point of the promise in Ezekiel.

In the Kingdom of God, the lion and the lamb lie down together.

※Reflection※

For you, what is the most important fact about God’s promises? Why?

※Prayer※

God, you have been faithful to us, even when we wander. We give you praise, glory, and thanks for your grace-filled love. Amen.

2020-11-20
Yieldingly Strong

Malachi 1:6–14; 1 Peter 2:1–10

Many years ago, there was a Star Trek show called Voyager. Overall, I don’t remember much about it, but I do recall this scene between Neelix (guest alien onboard) and Tuvok (i.e., Vulcan, humorless, emotionless, kind of like a robot):

NEELIX: These are Keela flowers. Beautiful, and remarkably strong. The stem is flexible, impossible to break. But occasionally on the same plant there’s a bloom whose stem is not so flexible. Ah, here’s one. And when the stem is brittle, it breaks.

TUVOK: You’re saying that the Maquis crew is rigid and inflexible. That they will never adjust to Starfleet rules.

NEELIX: No, Mister Vulcan, I’m saying that you are rigid and inflexible, but maybe if you’d learn to bend a little, you might have better luck with your class. Those Maquis aren’t Starfleet cadets. You can’t treat them the same way. Get to know them, try to find out what they’re like inside. You might discover a better teaching method.
“Learning Curve”, Original Airdate: May 22, 1995 (Stardate -327613). Thanks to www.chakoteya.net for the transcript.

The Maquis were an insurrection/guerilla group. Their methods of instruction and obedience were not the military-style of Starfleet. Tuvok learned one way. He taught one way. Rigidly.

However, the Maquis were just as rigid. It was just that they rigidly didn’t want to be like Starfleet

What on earth (or in space) does this have to do with these passages?

According to Peter, we are the priesthood of all believers. I may have a certain role within that priesthood (as an ordained person). You have one too.

The ultimate purpose of the priests is the be the intercessors between “the people” and God. For Christians, “the people” are the world that does not yet believe in Jesus Christ.

The priests, however, have their own relationship with God. In our case (the collective Christian case), we are called to give of ourselves: money, time, talent, and so on. It’s too rigid to say it is “required”. On the other hand, it is a spiritual discipline.

When we do not give of ourselves, or we do it grudgingly, we are the ones called out by Malachi giving deformed useless sacrifice for the sake of a check box.

In regard to our Christian life, there is a rigidity in sacrifice. That is one of the aspects of a mature Christian, self-sacrifice. It’s odd to say it is not required; on the other hand, it is essential.

The flexibility, however, is in how it works out. You could be gifted with teaching, encouragement, prayer, or something else. Freedom from the Law is how we are free to respond to God and to others through love.

※Reflection※

The question for you isn’t, are you gifted? The question is, what are you gifted in? The next question is like it; how will you use that gift for the community of believers around you?

※Prayer※

Creator, you have made each of us different so that only together can reflect your infinite love. Amen.

2020-11-10
Clear the Earth

Exodus 10:3–15; Joel 1:2–4; Mark 1:4–8

We read the Little House on the Prairie series to our kids. Ingalls relates how locusts one annihilated their crops. A family that barely lived on a shoestring certainly couldn’t afford that loss. That same swarm swept much of the United States, causing horrendous loss of crops and farms.

When we read the story of the plague of locusts in Exodus, we can be very clinical in our reading of it. We can also be judgmental (they got what they deserved). Most of the Egyptians were probably not as anti-Hebrew as the leadership, certainly Pharaoh. Many innocent people suffered as a result of disobedience to God.

The story of the plagues was a story of victory to the Israelites for Generations. Even today, for both Jews and Christians, this story is still told as a victory for the glory of God.

We must remember, though, that one of the biggest issues for the pharaoh (and the Egyptians) was pride. Pharaoh’s pride (with and without God’s hardening) was a key factor of the whole story. It was a person’s pride against God.

By the time of Joel, the pride of Israel/Judah was the issue. It was their pride against God. Like other prophets, Joel was warning the descendants of Israel to turn to God. In Christian parlance, we’d say “REPENT!”

The devastation of locusts would directly affect any harvest festivals and worship. It threatens the lives of the people. It might well drive them to go outside of the lands of Israel to survive. It threatened the destruction of Israel by abandonment.

Through advanced agricultural science (and serendipity, supposedly), locust swarms like that from the late 1800s are no more in the US. It seems, then, that it is pointless to talk about locusts. Except that there are two major things to reflect upon.

The first thing is that the locusts are no longer six-legged creatures, but two-legged. Some are blatant despoilers of Creation. Others take advantage of others through perceived needs (politics and corporations both practice this). The locusts of being like the Jones (or, I guess, the Kardashians) despoil families and futures by over-consuming the money, time, and energy of people.

The second thing, and that which is, even more, the issue, is pride. Humans are full of pride. We are all too full of pride. Often the locusts are just the result of human pride, seeking to consume everything at others’ expense.

Often, we are unaware of our own pride and so sometimes become the locusts. We are quick to see such behavior in others; we always find it difficult to see in ourselves. As our culture (and the world’s) becomes more of a “throw-away” society, whether for convenience or the ability to reasonably fix something, the locust-effect increases in both potential and actual.

As convenience and throw-away become a way of thinking, it doesn’t take that long before we start to think that way about people or God.

※Questions※

1) How does pride “clear the earth” similar to locust swarms?

2) How does this behavior damage or hinder our relationship with God and with others?

3) How does John’s eating locusts give us an image of God’s actions in the world?

※Prayer※

Creator, you have created all things. Help us to look at all things to learn more deeply about you and your love. Amen.

2020-11-08
The Tax Man Comes

Mark 2:13–17; Luke 19:1–11

Zacchaeus has been a staple in Children’s church for years…♫♪“Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he.”♪♫ His stature makes him identifiable for children. They understand being too short to see things that all the adults get to see.

What gets lost for the children is Zacchaeus’ place in society. Most lessons that I am aware of avoid that reality. Oddly enough, we actually have a similar situation today.

It may be dressed differently, but perhaps in our technological entrepreneurs, we have the new tax collectors. Many people want to be them, if only for the wealth. Others poke at them saying that they are exploiters. Others say that they must not be paying their fair share. Others still feel trapped by them, yet still use the technology that has been developed.

There is a major difference in that the technological entrepreneurs are not the “scum” of the earth for everyone; not like Zacchaeus and the other tax collectors.

However, people don’t know what to do with them. Politicians in various capitals (state or national capitals) don’t know how to deal with them. The politicians need them, hate that need, and want to control them.

“Normal” people appreciate the tech, but now are beginning to question the trade-off. They admire the technologists, but they fear them.

The tax collectors were just hated; Jesus chose one as a follower. Tax collectors were hated; Jesus dined with them. Tax collectors were cast out from the community; Jesus came to save them.

We all now are in an interesting place. We need technology to connect with one another. We are, in many ways, more dependent upon the technologists than we used to be.

If we are not careful, we will despise them because of our dependence, and because of the control over our lives that we may perceive them to have. This is, in many respects, the same situation as the tax collectors.

The tax collectors lived well. However, they were the ones that were the first line of defense against the Romans. Give the Romans money, and they leave.

※Questions※

1) Who else might be the “tax collectors” in your life?

2) Are you the “righteous” or the “sinner”? Which do you act like?

※Prayer※

Jesus, may we not act like the “righteous” and be humble and thank-filled as the “sinners”. Amen.

2020-11-02
Dripping Prayer

Proverbs 27:15–16; Luke 11:5–14; Luke 18:1–8

Persistence is often a good thing. However, blind persistence can also be incredibly limiting. As my younger children are about to begin their college journey (yes, still a few months to go), I look back to my time in college. I chose a major I wasn’t skilled at. I chose a major that I would not be successful at.

I chose the wrong major for a dream. For 4 years I pursued that major. The result? Another school, another (bad) major, and finally dropping out of college.

But I was persistent, and I was a fool.*

There is no doubt that some people find great success in being persistent. What is often not recognized in that is their innate skill, passion, or support, which can make all the difference.

Sometimes the persistence can be like a drip on a rainy day. You can’t get the sound out of your head, even though you “know” your roof is good. It beats on your head and in your heart. Sometimes it tricks you into thinking that your roof really is leaking.

While the nagging wife could be considered persistent. That kind of persistence (whether it be wife, husband, mother, father, whomever) is generally destructive. It destroys hearts, souls, minds, relationships, lives. That’s not good persistence.

Persistent prayer is different. Whether it’s the story of the friend or the story of the widow, the goal may originate with the self, but there are positive forces at play. In the case of the friend, hospitality is actually center stage. In the case of the widow, justice is at the center.

We often focus on the people in the stories, and not the greater “ethos” that the story surrounds.

Persistent prayer is not nagging prayer. Nagging God to get you a Rolls Royce would not be positive persistence. Persistent prayer for justice for our neighbors? Persistent prayer for their finances and spiritual health?

Often, we will dress up our persistent prayer in “Godly” language, such as, “give me wealth that I may be more generous.” This can be positive. It is often quite negative, as the person is operating from a scarcity mindset, rather than generosity mindset

Other times it could be, “Lord, let them get a speeding ticket.” The justice might be correct; the heart motivation might well be revenge or desire for their punishment.

Persistent prayer may involve the self. Jesus even tells us that we are to bring our cares and needs to the Father.

※Questions※

1) How would you define the difference between stubbornness, nagging, and persistence? How do you know when you are being one or the other?

2) What are some signs or language that you can use to determine the intent behind our prayer (i.e., justice versus vengeance)?

3) If God is faithful in answering prayer, why do we not always get what we want?

※Prayer※

Lord, may our prayers be full of your life-giving water rather than torrential waters of destruction; to lift up your people and the world to you. Amen.

*Just for clarity, the fool part is my stubbornness regarding my major pursuit. Without that second college, I wouldn’t have found my wife; so, that part is a win. I did eventually go back to college and complete a degree. It just took a bit longer.

2020-11-01