It has been one of those days ... a day when you wonder if you have time to take a deep breath.
It has been one of those days ... a day when you are amazed at the end of the day how you completed more than you planned.
It has been one of those days ... a day when things just fell together to your pleasant surprise.
It has been one of those days ... a day of sorrow in the loss of a friend.
It has been one of those days ... a celebration for where you know that friend has gone ... that that friend is with God.
It has been one of those days ... a day when you felt in one area you could have done better.
It has been one of those days ... a day when in another area you did much better than you even thought possible.
It has been one of those days ... staff reports and supervision with purpose and hope.
It has been one of those days ... when as promised in the middle of it all you have sensed the presence of God.
It has been one of those days ...
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
With all that we are ...
One of my favorite hymns dates all the way back to my childhood. And coming from a musical family I will always remember in that little church which would hold just over one hundred people I would be constantly asked by Mrs. Slaughter, a senior adult church participant, to sing: "I want to be ready to walk in Jerusalem just like John". (The John in that hymn was the one in Jesus' generation who pointed to Jesus as the one whom everybody was awaiting...").
I was reminded of this hymn this morning as I read Luke 12:40 -- "You also must be ready, for the Son of Man (Jesus) is coming at an unexpected hour".
For me being ready to look Jesus in the eyes includes parts of living such as these:
loving God with all that we are;
loving our neighbor with all that we are;
loving ourselves with all that we are;
loving our enemies (including those who aggravate us) with all that we are.
This is the way that Jesus summed up all the requirements of God. And, by the mercy of God, he gives us the freedom to discern what that means to all that we are in each moment.
May you and I discern well today how to love with all that we are ...
I was reminded of this hymn this morning as I read Luke 12:40 -- "You also must be ready, for the Son of Man (Jesus) is coming at an unexpected hour".
For me being ready to look Jesus in the eyes includes parts of living such as these:
loving God with all that we are;
loving our neighbor with all that we are;
loving ourselves with all that we are;
loving our enemies (including those who aggravate us) with all that we are.
This is the way that Jesus summed up all the requirements of God. And, by the mercy of God, he gives us the freedom to discern what that means to all that we are in each moment.
May you and I discern well today how to love with all that we are ...
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday morning ...
Sunday morning is good to me. For me, it is both the opportunity for the big goal I have been shooting for in the previous week which is regardless of what happens to sense the always-present God. And, ultimately at its best, such is the purpose of worship -- to be hoping for and challenged by the presence of God.
And at the same time Sunday morning is the beginning of the next week in which I am reminded that all of the work I do in the coming week is to be a daily part of worshiping God. Such includes my time alone in the early morning hours, daily reading the Scriptures, pondering which works of my calling from God to schedule in today, which to delegate, which to leave out, and when I can only do so much today who will I see, phone, email, text-message, and write.
Life for me is worship. If you are like me every moment doesn't feel like worship but nevertheless so it is to be worship -- freely responding to the love of God.
And at the same time Sunday morning is the beginning of the next week in which I am reminded that all of the work I do in the coming week is to be a daily part of worshiping God. Such includes my time alone in the early morning hours, daily reading the Scriptures, pondering which works of my calling from God to schedule in today, which to delegate, which to leave out, and when I can only do so much today who will I see, phone, email, text-message, and write.
Life for me is worship. If you are like me every moment doesn't feel like worship but nevertheless so it is to be worship -- freely responding to the love of God.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Blessed ... happy
This morning I was continuing to read from the gospel of Luke. It is one of the four gospels in the Bible about Jesus ... the other three are Matthew, Mark and John. For me, each of these gospels is like a photograph of Jesus from a different angle because each of them have similar, but not exactly the same, themes about Jesus.
For me, Luke emphasizes a bit more heavily than the other gospels how Jesus connected well with the poor and powerless. He even calls them blessed.
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man (Jesus). Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets." (Luke 6:20-23).
The word "blessed" also means "to be happy". Happiness in difficult, impossible moments. May that happy blessedness be yours each day.
For me, Luke emphasizes a bit more heavily than the other gospels how Jesus connected well with the poor and powerless. He even calls them blessed.
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man (Jesus). Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets." (Luke 6:20-23).
The word "blessed" also means "to be happy". Happiness in difficult, impossible moments. May that happy blessedness be yours each day.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Things just seem to work out....
Last week we were on vacation and for the first time I brought my golf clubs with me. The intent was to play golf early for a couple of mornings. The first day went fine. The second day on the golf course was, let's say, different.
The scene was hole seven on a golf course in Gulf Shores, Alabama. My drive sliced off the the right between two groups of trees. I stepped out of the cart and my right foot went into a hole in the ground. Although I didn't know it at the time, my right fibula had broken right at its very bottom.
But things still worked out. I had rented a cart to take less family time when I usually walk while golfing alone. And once I drove the cart to the clubhouse, an employee helped me into the car. On a humorous side, the medical doctor in an emergency clinic had an obvious Irish accent and we wonder if we may be distant kin for our families went to Ireland from France at about the same time as he said "to fight against King Billy". And the orthopedic doctor I saw in Nashville yesterday said, 'Surgery is not necessary'.
My family and church has been loving and caring during this. And even though I cannot walk and golf, the crutches are giving me a different form of exercise so God is still at work for me.
Did God want me to fall? Of course not. But God was in the midst of it all. And from my own experience of small and large tragedies (such as the death of family and friends) God is always near even in those times I do not sense his presence.
If you have one small thing troubling you (as I do), it troubles God. And whether what is troubling you is small or gigantic God is as near as your breath. Just talk to him. Voice out where you are for the moment and God will listen. And if need be find a friend who listens well for there are times when God listens through them as well. Well, thanks for listening.
The scene was hole seven on a golf course in Gulf Shores, Alabama. My drive sliced off the the right between two groups of trees. I stepped out of the cart and my right foot went into a hole in the ground. Although I didn't know it at the time, my right fibula had broken right at its very bottom.
But things still worked out. I had rented a cart to take less family time when I usually walk while golfing alone. And once I drove the cart to the clubhouse, an employee helped me into the car. On a humorous side, the medical doctor in an emergency clinic had an obvious Irish accent and we wonder if we may be distant kin for our families went to Ireland from France at about the same time as he said "to fight against King Billy". And the orthopedic doctor I saw in Nashville yesterday said, 'Surgery is not necessary'.
My family and church has been loving and caring during this. And even though I cannot walk and golf, the crutches are giving me a different form of exercise so God is still at work for me.
Did God want me to fall? Of course not. But God was in the midst of it all. And from my own experience of small and large tragedies (such as the death of family and friends) God is always near even in those times I do not sense his presence.
If you have one small thing troubling you (as I do), it troubles God. And whether what is troubling you is small or gigantic God is as near as your breath. Just talk to him. Voice out where you are for the moment and God will listen. And if need be find a friend who listens well for there are times when God listens through them as well. Well, thanks for listening.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Just courage ...
I do love to read so while we were on vacation last week I read three works ... and a couple of them I would recommend. For now, one of them was Just Courage: God's Great Expedition for the Restless Christian.
The author is Gary A. Haugen and he tells of his walk with God that was, and continues to be, a struggle for justice. That is, in 1997 he singularly formed a new organization entitled the International Justice Mission (IJM). It has become a group of Christian lawyers, criminal investigators, social workers and advocates. In different parts of the world they seek to rescue people from violence such as slavery, sexual exploitation, and oppression. The book is developed to be either read individually or in small groups with discussion questions provided. For me, the title of chapter six summarizes the work: "Loving God and Your Neighbor".
On page 77 of this work he writes: "While the Bible does not teach that we will prevail in every battle against injustice on this earth, it does teach us that God will prevail in the ultimate war, that he goes with us into every battle, that he brings his power and protection to bear on our behalf, and he will prevail in all battles necessary to the ultimate triumph of his kingdom. In a world of groaning injustice, these are the truths that Jesus invites his followers to believe--and act on."
As we seek to follow Jesus may you and I have God's wisdom to know how and when to love through listening, speaking and acting and may we also have as well just courage ...
The author is Gary A. Haugen and he tells of his walk with God that was, and continues to be, a struggle for justice. That is, in 1997 he singularly formed a new organization entitled the International Justice Mission (IJM). It has become a group of Christian lawyers, criminal investigators, social workers and advocates. In different parts of the world they seek to rescue people from violence such as slavery, sexual exploitation, and oppression. The book is developed to be either read individually or in small groups with discussion questions provided. For me, the title of chapter six summarizes the work: "Loving God and Your Neighbor".
On page 77 of this work he writes: "While the Bible does not teach that we will prevail in every battle against injustice on this earth, it does teach us that God will prevail in the ultimate war, that he goes with us into every battle, that he brings his power and protection to bear on our behalf, and he will prevail in all battles necessary to the ultimate triumph of his kingdom. In a world of groaning injustice, these are the truths that Jesus invites his followers to believe--and act on."
As we seek to follow Jesus may you and I have God's wisdom to know how and when to love through listening, speaking and acting and may we also have as well just courage ...
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Jesus stayed focused upon his clear mission and purpose
Jesus states his purpose as he reads from Isaiah at the synagogue in Nazareth in Luke 4:18-19. It goes like this ...
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord's favor."
Before Luke 4, good news to the poor has already been coming. Some examples are Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus, who more than likely lived in poverty at the time of Jesus' birth. The gifts that they offered celebrating his birth in the Temple were less expensive -- "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons" (Luke 2:24).
Release to the captives came to Zechariah and Elizabeth, a senior adult couple who were "held captive" to being childless were given a child in John (Luke 1:5-25).
In a sense, recovery of sight to the blind comes to a man named Simeon who was told by the Spirit of God that he would not taste death until he saw the Messiah ... the one for whom Israel was waiting. And when Jesus is brought to the Temple he walks and takes up Jesus into his arms praising God, saying, "for my eyes have seen your salvation, a light for ..." every human being (Luke 2:25-32).
The oppressed that are set free are the shepherds who go to see the newborn Jesus. In their day, if you couldn't do anything else you became a shepherd. Yet they are the first ones who hear of Jesus' birth outside of Joseph and Mary! (Luke 2:1-20).
The acceptable year of the Lord's favor refers to a time when all debts are forgiven. Such is a radical change in life as it is. Such is Jesus! A man named John points to this radical life when he talks about valleys, hills, and mountains being leveled out, the crooked being made straight and the rough places a plane! (Luke 3:1-6).
Jesus stays focused upon his purpose as is clearly seen in Luke 4:42-44. There the crowds were approaching him asking him to stay. But to them he gave his 'edited' purpose: "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose".
His words of confidence cause me to take a deep breath of relief that he stayed true to his purpose or mission. May we all do so as well!
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord's favor."
Before Luke 4, good news to the poor has already been coming. Some examples are Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus, who more than likely lived in poverty at the time of Jesus' birth. The gifts that they offered celebrating his birth in the Temple were less expensive -- "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons" (Luke 2:24).
Release to the captives came to Zechariah and Elizabeth, a senior adult couple who were "held captive" to being childless were given a child in John (Luke 1:5-25).
In a sense, recovery of sight to the blind comes to a man named Simeon who was told by the Spirit of God that he would not taste death until he saw the Messiah ... the one for whom Israel was waiting. And when Jesus is brought to the Temple he walks and takes up Jesus into his arms praising God, saying, "for my eyes have seen your salvation, a light for ..." every human being (Luke 2:25-32).
The oppressed that are set free are the shepherds who go to see the newborn Jesus. In their day, if you couldn't do anything else you became a shepherd. Yet they are the first ones who hear of Jesus' birth outside of Joseph and Mary! (Luke 2:1-20).
The acceptable year of the Lord's favor refers to a time when all debts are forgiven. Such is a radical change in life as it is. Such is Jesus! A man named John points to this radical life when he talks about valleys, hills, and mountains being leveled out, the crooked being made straight and the rough places a plane! (Luke 3:1-6).
Jesus stays focused upon his purpose as is clearly seen in Luke 4:42-44. There the crowds were approaching him asking him to stay. But to them he gave his 'edited' purpose: "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose".
His words of confidence cause me to take a deep breath of relief that he stayed true to his purpose or mission. May we all do so as well!
Monday, September 22, 2008
My purpose, my mission
I confess up front that I have been a preacher since 1976. And, as a preacher, I have often jokingly said, "I wish that Jesus would just email me the sermon". And, in addition to that, I wish he would send me a "things to do today" list each morning. But that is not the way of Jesus.
It really amazes me that he trusts me so deeply to allow me to make the choices of how I spend my time. For that reason, in my own eyes it is so much more crucial for me to "outline" my plans as I strive for them to be Jesus-centered. I begin with the central purpose that I believe Jesus has for my life and move from that to quarterly, weekly and daily plans. At least I continually hope that each day I hit closer to what God wants done .
My purpose, my mission that I seek to live by is this:
I strive to let this God-given purpose guide all my decisions.
It really amazes me that he trusts me so deeply to allow me to make the choices of how I spend my time. For that reason, in my own eyes it is so much more crucial for me to "outline" my plans as I strive for them to be Jesus-centered. I begin with the central purpose that I believe Jesus has for my life and move from that to quarterly, weekly and daily plans. At least I continually hope that each day I hit closer to what God wants done .
My purpose, my mission that I seek to live by is this:
Walking with the Lord Jesus every day, I will seek to win people over to him, and to teach them how to follow Jesus and win people over to him as well.
I strive to let this God-given purpose guide all my decisions.
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