Tag: serve

Throne Encirclement
Psalm 95; 1 Chronicles 11:1–9; Revelation 7:13–17

Thrones are attractive. The concept of a throne involves power, wealth, and influence. Depending on “the throne”, it might also have religious and cultural ramifications as well.

Thrones, or their facsimiles, often draw those who are weak, yet seek strength. Thrones also draw those who crave power and control over others. There, too, are those that seek to use the throne for their own wealth.

King Saul was dead. The man all these elders surrounded Saul and likely helped keep David away from the throne that God had bestowed upon David. To their credit, they recognized that God had indeed bestowed the seat of Israel to David. However, based upon their remarks, they had understood prior to this moment that David was God’s choice, yet it was only now that they approached David.

We can see similar behavior in our state (or provincial) capitals and our national capitols. While the US (for example) has no throne, Congress and Executive branches have plenty of people surrounding them, brown-nosing and seeking favor. Washington, D.C., has become the throne.

This is not to say that all who are around the throne (whether David’s or Washington, D.C.) are bad. In fact, there are more positive, effective, well-meaning, and loyal people than bad ones. It’s just that the bad ones are more capable of doing harm, solely because those that are good don’t even think that way.

The “throne” of God also attracts many of the same bad kind. Many of these will see their gain through God, but not recognize that their gain is nothing but vapor.

On the other hand, those shown in the vision to John were not that kind. Some were likely martyrs. Some had hard lives that brought glory to God through blood sweat and tears. Others did work where they saw no glory at all, but were faithful and trusted God with their endeavors.

※Reflection※
- What are good reasons to surround the throne of God?
- What are good reasons to surround the thrones of humanity?
※Prayer※

Lord, may we view your throne with hearts of righteousness, and may we surrender the thrones of our hearts, souls, and minds to you. Amen.
2021 04 27
No One Can
Psalm 133; Daniel 2:1–23; Acts 4:23–31

“If ____ can’t do it, then no one can!”

I’ve heard that phrase somewhere. The implication within the phrase that whoever goes in the blank is the deciding factor as to whether something can get done. Sometimes I really wish the blank could be filled. “If _______ can’t get the Democrat and Republican parties to look beyond their respective party for the betterment of the country, then no one can!” So, no one can.

My personal one…”If _______ can’t get me to like tomatoes and button mushrooms, then no one can.” So, no one can (Yuck!).

The same concept sort of applies to this story in Daniel. “If you won’t tell us the dream, then no one can interpret it.” Yep, no one can. That is until Daniel. Daniel is in the same theoretical danger as the magicians and wise men of the court. He doesn’t know the dream. They are all doomed.

Until Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah approached God. God answers them (after today’s verses). No (human) one can. God can.

Peter and John were not the most educated (from verses prior to today). Eloquence was neither trained nor initial gifting. They faced the learned leaders. They faced those that wanted them to fail. They faced those that had something to do with crucifying Jesus. Human eloquence and persuasion, or God’s?Through us, God often does amazing things. This is beyond the systematic amazing things (breathing, the sun, the moon, rain, etc.). Often it seems that God does things through us in such a way that it can only be God who does it. Whether people recognize it (including us) or not, those amazing things are still a testimony of God.

Sometimes it is because we yield our hearts to God. Sometimes it’s because we don’t (think Pharaoh from Exodus or the book of Judges). God still does things that only God can. Humans may claim similar things (like the Egyptian magicians in Exodus), but eventually, God wins.

Often it is human frailties and weaknesses, or the contrast to them, that truly “make” God’s glory shine. It may be through our weakness that God draws people to him. That does not, of course, mean that we can continue on our merry way without conforming to God’s will (at least as Christians). It just means that sometimes God isn’t waiting for us to reach a certain point in our transformation before God acts.

※Reflection※
- Have you ever had an experience of the “If not then no one”? What was that like? If not, what situations can you think of where that might happen?
- We often focus on Daniel in this particular story. Why are Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah important, too? What is their role? Can you think of people in your life that are Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah who surround a Daniel?
- How does it feel to know that God will work through you, even if you are not “there” yet? What is the freeing part of that? What is the responsibility part of that?
※Prayer※

Almighty Father, who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give us grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve you in purity of life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. [Easter Friday Collect, Book of Common Prayer 2019]
2021 04 09
Serve and Sit

Psalm 51:1–12; Habakkuk 3:2–13; John 12:1–11

That household is a problem. That’s pretty much the description for the household of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. One dies, is buried for 3 days, and then lives again (and will die again). Another takes some really expensive stuff and washes feet with it!

At least one was normal, right? Martha at least understood proper propriety when hosting a guest (even though it was Jesus). Oh, except at the tomb of Lazarus she declared Jesus the Messiah (before Lazarus was raised from the dead). Nevermind. She’s just slightly better. Barely.

If you had had Jesus at your house, would you have been Lazarus, Mary, or Martha? All of us would have tendencies to be all of them. For most of us, we would not be solely any of them. Even I would be sorely tempted to start cleaning house (and that’s not my thing). Perhaps I would be like Lazarus who would recline almost as an equal (but still with the “this guy raised me from the dead” look). Maybe I would be like Mary who didn’t care about propriety or place and sit at the feet of Jesus.

Many of us would like to immediately say we should be like Mary, however, is that really the case? Jesus didn’t tell Martha to come sit. Was it Martha’s place to sit at Jesus’ feet? There are a great many people in the church (and in the world) whose particular gifting is service. They feel more connected to Jesus when serving.

That doesn’t mean that they should never sit at the feet of Jesus, but always sitting at the feet of Jesus is not good either. Sitting and learning only is good when it is applied to life.

※Reflection※

Do you know what your spiritual gift/calling is? How do you use it for Jesus?

2021 03 20
Joy in the Questions

“Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.”
—Luke 1:38 (NRSV)

When it comes time for the Advent season and thinking about the story of Christmas—Jesus coming to earth for all humankind…I often think of Mary and Joseph. I think about what it must have been like to be these young teenage kids seeing an angel and getting this crazy, but amazing news. I think about Mary. She had to have known that by saying yes to this plan that God had for her was going to make Joseph question everything in their relationship. She had to have known that this would have ostracized them both from their community and there would be whispers. All the whispers.

She had to have known the repercussions and probably had so many questions for the angel. I mean—wouldn’t you? And yet. She said yes. She said that she would serve the Lord in this way. In this crazy unforeseen way she would follow through with what the angel was proposing to her. She could have said no. She could have! But, she knew (somehow) that God had a bigger plan and purpose here and for her. So she said yes. Yes to serving the Lord in this amazing way. She said yes in the face of potentially losing her fiance, dealing with all the whispers and questions, to caring for the Son of God.

God asks us all to serve. God asks us to serve those around us for the Kingdom so that all might know Jesus. Ultimately this is what I think of when I think of Mary saying yes. When we invite Jesus into our lives we say yes to Him, but also to serving Him. We are to make disciples of all nations.

This Christmas may not look normal. We won’t be in the building like we typically would be for the candlelight Christmas Eve service. But! You can still invite someone to church and to experience the love and light of Jesus. You can invite them to your home to do circle church or you could invite them to watch with their own families. Tell someone about Jesus this year. Bring joy to someone else the way that God has brought joy to you.

2020 12 14
Unplanned Joy

“The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you will name him Jesus.”
—Luke 1:30-31 (NRSV)

I was thinking about Mary as I read this passage and her journey after she found out she was pregnant with Jesus. I was thinking of my own pregnancies. Each were different and none of them went exactly as I had planned. I had planned to be super healthy each one. But inevitably I had cravings. I had planned to not get sick each one (not that I am remotely in control of this). Each one I got sick and the last one was the worst! I had plans for how I would give birth. Not one of those went as planned as well and were all very different from each other. Adam, my husband, also had plans. He had planned to not get grossed out each time I got sick. He had planned to not break his wrist a week before we had our last baby.

I wonder if Mary’s pregnancy went as she had planned. Certainly it was not in her plans to have a baby out of wedlock. Certainly it was probably not in her plans to have her first baby be the Son of God who she would eventually watch be put to death for all human kind so that we might have life to the full. So I would imagine her pregnancy didn’t go as planned as well. I assume, also, that having this baby in a manger was not in Mary and Joseph’s plans.

I am a planner. I really am. And so when things don’t go as planned, it throws me off.

But. God had a plan for Mary. That’s why God sent the angel. To tell her of His plan. Thankfully she said yes! I am so sure that this plan gave Mary a lot of joy. Babies bring joy. Watching our children grow up gives us joy. Probably watching Jesus serve others, teach, and love gave her joy. Ultimately knowing that God had a plan through it all gives joy.

I am a planner. Lately it’s been really hard to do that. I know you all can relate. I basically didn’t use my fancy planner I bought at the end of 2019 for 2020 for 8 or 9 months. I didn’t like that.

But. I find a sense of peace, yes, but joy in the fact that God has a plan here. God didn’t will all of what was 2020 to happen. But God brings good out of bad and hardships. God has a plan here. In that we can find joy. In God you can have joy.

2020 12 12
Can God Get A Witness?

Deuteronomy 9:25–9:29; Titus 2:1–15

wit·ness: One who can give a firsthand account of something seen, heard, or experienced.

Deuteronomy is, in effect, the “Last Will and Testament of Moses”. Moses provides a contrasting snapshot of the Israelite witness and the Mosaic witness. The Israelite witness was unimpressive at best, worth destroying(?) at worse.

What was their witness? Stubbornness, wickedness, and sin.

The Mosaic witness? Yep, they are stubborn, wicked, and sinful. Please love them, be gracious to them, and have mercy on them anyway. Do this for the glory of your holy name and to fulfill the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Paul admonished Titus to teach those in his care “…so that God’s word will not be slandered.” Paul continues, “Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us.” Even slaves were to be “demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything.”

This passage in Titus can be used inappropriately. Paul’s focus isn’t explicitly behavior, but how God’s word, teaching, and message comes across to others. All the behaviors weren’t a list of dos and don’ts so much as a be aware of the witness you are giving to others about God.

※Questions※

What is your witness? How do you witness? Why do you witness?

※Part of the Post-Communion Prayer, 2019 Book of Common Prayer※

And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

2020 10 22
A Small Project

2 Samuel 12:13–23; Ezra 8:21–23; Mark 2:18–22

Fasting is an age-old spiritual practice that has mostly lost its place in American Evangelical Christianity. Yes, there are some that practice it. Fasting remains strongly part of the Orthodox church and somewhat the Roman Catholic church.

As American Evangelical Christianity has discovered Advent and Lent, fasting has become more prevalent. Fasting was originally fasting from life-giving things like water and food. American fasting is no internet, no Facebook, no chocolate, or other things that are of questionable faith value.

This is not to trivialize what people choose to fast from, but more as a check against our desire to avoid significant self-sacrifice.

You might be wondering why fasting, today? It’s not yet Advent (but it’s coming!), nor is it Lent. We are in a season of fasting right now, and it hasn’t been one of choice.

This all comes to mind as the church as a body struggles with what it means to be the family of God without the building. The building served its purpose and will serve again. It has been like the kitchen of many homes, the focus of family life. The church building has been the focus of church life. Yet, the church “kitchen” is now under serious remodeling.

We are only starting to figure out what exactly the post-remodel might look like, and the plans keep getting revised. First, there was going to be a bar…now there’s not. There was going to be a pantry, but that didn’t work either. The double-sink was coming along…then…

That’s pretty much what it feels like right now.

Most fasts are self-directed, but this one isn’t. That doesn’t mean that it can’t and won’t be used by God to shape us.

One of the biggest take-a-ways is that it really isn’t the building that is the church. It’s been said for a number of years. Yes, the building has been a place at which we have focused on gathering. Now, not only are we being encouraged to be at each other’s homes, we have to have church!

We’re all tired of the “remodeling”. We want it to be over.

※Questions※

1) What is changing about your view of church?

2) How are you living and “doing” church with the kitchen closed?

3) Place is important. How can we make the places we are in now be holy and be church?

※Prayer※

Holy Spirit, guide us through these trying times. May we be stirred to fulfill the mission in whatever new way you call us to. Amen.

2020 10 09
Discipl…

Psalm 94; Proverbs 13:18; Matthew 18:15–17; 2 Corinthians 13:1–4

Discipleship is a buzzword these days. In church circles, digital and physical, there are regular (and worthwhile) conversations about discipleship. There are fancy names such as “discipleship pathway” or “growth tracks” or any number of others. All of them are one of many ways to think about and to name the daily work of becoming more like Jesus.

Sunday School was quite the thing at many points in church history. John Wesley, the “grandfather” of the Church of the Nazarene denomination, was a great proponent of it. Some would claim that John Wesley’s desire to serve and educate the poor led to the opportunity (with failures and success) of public schools to educate all the children, not just the rich and powerful ones.

As the cultural seasons have changed, however, the weakness of the knowledge imparted has become apparent. In following the Enlightenment’s path, knowledge of facts began to override relationship with Jesus. This led to intellectual assent of the Savior with hearts that were cold.

The Holiness tradition has long held that the true path of the Christian life is to become more like Christ. Yes, that is a high standard. One doesn’t do much if one aims low. The focus on discipleship would seem to fix the missing pieces. Except…

Discipline comes from the same root as disciple. This is not coincidental. To be a disciple requires discipline. We often think Jesus’ 12 Disciples weren’t that disciplined (impetuous Peter and corrupt Judas Iscariot often come to mind). They walk with Jesus for as long as 3 years. That simple action is one of discipline.

Often, we “soften” discipline by saying “spiritual disciplines”, being prayer, reading scripture, worship, fasting, fellowship, giving, and other depending on whose list you read. The spiritual disciplines are good and helpful to build up your Christian walk. They should not be ignored or dismissed. However, there is one aspect of being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ that we, especially we individualistic Americans, don’t like…the other discipline.

This is a hard topic in many churches. Pastors don’t really want to talk about it. Most people don’t want to hear about it. Individualistic tendencies have created a monster that the people of the church will have to fight. Of course, they/we are the monster we have to fight.

Church discipline, that of correcting a member, is not something ever done lightly or without love and discernment. We have all heard horror stories of church discipline gone wrong, emotionally harming and spiritually devastating people. None of us want that.

The true depth of discipline is among fellow believers who hold one another accountable, not to shame or guilt them, but to be the tools by which a person is transformed into the likeness of Christ.

※Questions※

1) What disciplines are you following to become more like Jesus?

2) Who is involved in your sharpening and discipline? Whose walk are you involved in to sharpen and be a tool of discipline?

3) Why do you think discipline and disciplines (i.e., “spiritual”) have been separated from being a disciple?

※Prayer※

Jesus, let your Holy Spirit guide us and shape to be followers and do-ers of your will. Amen.

2020 09 17