pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Monthly Archives: April 2015


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Connections

As one part of God’s creation we are connected to all parts of His creation.  There is a special connection that exists between all living creatures.  At the same time we are also blessed to be able to sense a connection to God’s presence in nature and in the rhythms of nature.

Once in a while I am blessed by a moment of connection to an animal.  Sometimes while walking there will be a deer or a rabbit just off my path and for just a moment we look into each other’s eyes.  I can sense a connection between us that can only come from our common creator.

Nature can also create the same sense of overall connection.  It can be in the breeze that sways the leaves on the trees or in the movement of the grass.  It can be in the gentle rain or in the powerful thunder and lightning.  These are just a few examples of the many ways we can connect with God.

God wired us to be connected to and in relationship with Himself and all He created all of the time.  But the greatest desire of God is for us to be connected to each other.  In today’s reading it states: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony.”  It is pleasing to God and it is why He designed faith to be practiced in community.  Through our connections to each other we find love, support, encouragement, accountability, help, learning, and much more.

In the greater sense of being connected to all of God’s children, we are called to go out for the purpose of bringing the lost into our communities of faith.  Jesus named this as the second greatest command: to go and make disciples of all nations.  Let us make the most of our opportunities today!!

Scripture reference: Psalm 133


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Becoming Less

Could you eat today on just $4?  How about eating for a week on just $28?  I cannot imagine having only $28 to spend at the grocery store and being able to survive for a week, nevermind for weeks on end.  Yet this is roughly the amount people living at the poverty level has to eat on.  It is tough down there at the lowest economic end of society.  And it is hard to relate to from where most of us sit.  For the most part, those who live like this are not in our churches.

In the faith community described in Acts 4, it is a radical vision by today’s norms.  People gathered together daily, shared what they had, no one was in need.  Today, within some faith communities, there is help offered to one another.  Perhaps we bring meals over to a family during a difficult time or we help a single, older person move into a new apartment.  But when the need is a little greater, do we look around at our abundance and ask “what can I sell?” so that we can give some financial assistance to one in need?

Our society is titled so that the well-off gain more and more while those without continue to struggle.  As a universal church, could we together make a difference in society?  Could our voices united speak to correcting some of these issues on a systemic level?  Could our individual churches reach out into disadvantaged areas and partner with those who are struggling?  Can we mentor, teach, support, assist, and meet basic needs of life?

The answer to all of these questions is the same: yes.  If we follow Jesus we love all of creation, including all of our neighbors.  If we truly hear His call, we too are willing to become a little less so another can become more.

Scripture reference: Acts 4: 32-35


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The Caring Community

The goal of a church is to be a caring and loving community.  As the body of Christ, we are called to do what we can for one another and to be there in times of need.  In the days just after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the church was a small family.  There was a great sense of unity; the well-being of all was a central focus.  The sense of caring extended to giving to those in need, even selling land or houses to have the money to care for the community.

As a church body we find unity in Christ.  It is through His love for us that we are able to love one another.  As we seek to love neighbor as self we come to see others as more alike us than different from us.  At times one gives away care and at other times one receives care.  Relationships are developed and Christian love flourishes.

The example of the early church is still our model today.  No church is perfect but all should be striving to meet the Biblical example we have here in Acts 4.  God blesses us with what we have so that we can be that caring, loving community that every church is called to be.  In time the tithe came to replace the selling of land and houses.  But we cannot allow the tithe to become the means by which individuals offer care in the faith community.  Individual, personal relationships are still the core.

The basis of all churches and its strength is still found in the individual members.  What the people in the pews know about each other and their needs will always far exceed what the pastor and staff could ever know.  At times the staff certainly has a role in caring for the body, but the care and love are most complete when all of the parts of the body of Christ are caring for all of the other members of the body.  In your church, what is your role?  How are you a part of caring for the rest of the community of faith?

Scripture reference: Acts 4: 32-35


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In or Out?

People look like to be a part of things.  Even when we didn’t really want to go to something, we like to be invited.  Even when we are not a lead part of a conversation we still like to feel that our presence and input is welcomed.  When we go somewhere new we like to be greeted and made to feel at home.  We are social beings.

For some, simply being by oneself is hard.  At times, when we find ourselves alone, we feel compelled to turn on the TV or radio or to pick up a book or a device with a social media connection.  Instead of enjoying a little quiet, relaxed time or some extra time with God, we try to fill the space.

Often in these times we feel we must be missing some event or some “thing”.  And if we come to realize we are missing “it” for some reason, we become agitated, upset, moody, hurt.

Such is the case with Thomas today.  For whatever reason he was not there when Jesus first visited the disciples.  And Thomas is not happy about it.  I can see him with hands on hips, stomping his foot as he says, “Unless I see…”. We too can react this way.  When we miss out we can become defensive, angry, hurt.

But Jesus visits a second time, and Thomas is there.  After Jesus says, “Peace be with you” I can imagine a soft smile on His face as He warmly, lovingly looks upon Thomas.  Thomas is invited to come see, to touch.  In a sense they are the only ones in the room, alone in a crowd.  Thomas connects to Jesus and declares, “My Lord and my God”.  Today may we too connect whether in prayer, reading, or word.  Connect often today.

Scripture reference: John 20: 24-31


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Resurrection Faith

It was said billions of times in churches and posted trillions of times on social media yesterday: “He is Risen!”  And after most times it was said or read, it was followed by, “He is Risen, indeed!” or “Amen.” Easter Sunday is full of celebration and joy over the resurrected Christ.  It is a wonderful day when we celebrate God’s gift of salvation.

On the day after Easter and each day forward the question is: how do I live out my resurrection faith?  Each day how do I experience and share the incarnation of God in Jesus and the resurrection that leads to eternal life?  On the first day of the week, Jesus appeared to His disciples and showed them His hands and side.  He gave them the Holy Spirit and sent them out into the world to continue His work.  In resurrection faith the disciples went out and rocked the world.

We too are empowered by the same Holy Spirit, called to share the good news of Jesus Christ so that all may come to know Him as Lord and Savior.  This is done in mostly small, personal ways: talking with our neighbor, listening to a co-worker at lunch, taking time to get to know the stranger in need.  It is about hearing another’s story and sharing our faith story.  It is all about developing a relationship with another so that we can share the relationship we have with Jesus Christ.

We are called and sent out by the same Christ that called and sent out the disciples.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit we too can rock the world.  This day and in the days ahead, may we each find ways to live out our resurrection faith.

Scripture reference: John 20: 19-23


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He Is Risen!

Let us rejoice – He is risen!  All hope seemed lost but hope has returned forever.  Mary Magdalene found the tomb empty and went to tell the disciples.  Peter and John found the tomb empty as well.  Mary returned and stood outside weeping.  No one knew Jesus was alive.

When Jesus calls her name, saying “Mary”, she recognizes Him through her tears.  In an instant she knows – He is alive!  Tears turn to joy!  Jesus calls her by name and instructs Mary to go and tell the disciples.  Mary is the messenger and she tells them that Jesus is alive.  There is resurrection after death.  What seemed lost has new life.

Jesus called Mary by name and He calls each of us by name.  His call is the same to us as it was to Mary: go forth and share the good news.  He is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Hallelujah!!

Scripture references: Psalm 118: 24 and John 20: 1-18


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We Know the Answer

Tomorrow is Easter.  Tomorrow we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ – we praise Him for our deliverance from sin and death.  We are grateful for the freedom He offers as a gift, generously poured out upon us by God.

But today, let us step back.  Let us ‘pretend’ if you will.  Today may we enter into the day the disciples and followers of Jesus must have experienced.  I imagine some did not sleep that night – the shock of Jesus’ death was simply too much to bear.  Some probably awoke in disbelief, not totally sure what happened yesterday and culminated at Golgotha.  Other woke in a daze, totally confused and searching for answers.

As the sleepiness wore off and the true reality set in, some began to pray.  Some of the prayers begged God to roll back the clock, to return Jesus to them as He was.  Other prayers sought a different return, to see Christ come again in glory and in final victory.  some prayed for strength, peace, comfort, presence.  Others surely sang praises and were thankful for their time with this man Jesus.  Some thought back on His teachings and miracles, wondering how they would continue to affect and change lives now that He was gone.  A handful probably pondered when the authorities would come for the rest of the believers.  And all, at some point or another, wrestled with the big question of “What now?”

We know the answer to that question.  We know what the morning will bring.  But today, today, may we step into the shoes of the disciples and followers.  May we feel the sadness of the day, may we seek God’s presence, may we remember what Jesus did and taught.  Remembering and experiencing is important.  Tomorrow will come soon enough.

Scripture references: Psalm 114 and Mark 16: 1-8


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In the Pain, Suffering… Love

On the cross Jesus cries out, “My God, my god, why have you forsaken me?”  In His anguish and pain Jesus is using the psalms as a prayer to God the Father.  Most of this psalm is a song of lament – full of pain, anger, suffering.  Surely on the cross Jesus felt all of these emotions.  Today, as we remember what He did for us on that cross, may we too allow ourselves to feel the pain, the suffering, the loneliness.

We all have experiences that were painful.  There are and will be times in our lives when we hurt physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  There will be times when we cry out the same prayer, “My God, my god, why?”  In these moments, know Jesus is interceding for you.  IN those times and places, allow Him to come and minister to your hurts, your pains, your suffering.

Sometimes we want to remain in the hurt.  Sometimes it is hard to get past it.  Because He died, He was able to rise.  Because He rose there is always hope.  The psalm goes on.  In the last third we are reminded of that hope and the promises and our call.  We are called back out of our hurts to praise His name, for in the praise we connect back to God.  We are called to care for others, for the poor and the afflicted, for in caring we are also connected back to God.

We are called to praise Him, to cry out to Him, to walk in the hurt with Him, to remain confident in His abiding love, to trust in Him.  Our creator and sustainer is always near, always present.  In the pain, suffering, and loneliness of today, remember His promises.  Remember His love.  The next psalm has some familiar words as well.  “The Lord is my shepherd..” and “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”  It too concludes with hope: “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Thanks be to God for his abiding love and presence.

Scripture reference: Psalms 22 and 23


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Each and Every

Imagine for a moment what it would be like to wash someone else’s feet.  Imagine doing it in a time when people wore sandals at best, all roads were made out of dirt, and animals shared the roads with people.  The washing of feet was usually something you did for yourself.

Yet on this day of Holy Week Jesus knelt at each disciple’s feet and washed their feet.  And I bet He did it slowly and carefully.  It was no “drip a little water and dab with the towel” kind of washing.  He wanted them to see how invested He was in this activity.

It must have been awkward for th disciples.  It must have seemed odd to have their leader and teacher kneel down to cleanse their feet of the dirt and crud of the day.  His messages were clear: this cleansing makes them even more of a part of Him and it sets them an example of what it means to truly serve one another in love.  And take note: there is no mention of Jesus skipping over Judas’ feet.  Jesus mentions earlier in the passage that one among them is unclean, so He knows the betrayal in Judas.  Knowing Jesus, He probably took extra care with cleaning Judas’ feet.

Jesus’ teaching here in John 13 is two-fold for us.  First, we are to be willing to serve one another in whatever way we can.  It may be washing feet or offering a warm meal or being on the committee or simply being there to listen.  Second, we are to offer Christ’s love to any and all.  He did not skip over Judas.  We are not to skip over anyone either.  Each and every person is child of God, worthy of His and our love.  And maybe, just maybe, those we are least inclined to serve and those who need it most.

Scripture reference: John 13: 1-17and 31b-35


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Counted?

At the end of a log day Jesus and the disciples are gathered around the table for a meal.  The evening had begun with Jesus, their teacher and leader, washing their feet.  He set for them the example of how to follow.  In this humble gesture, He illustrated that being a follower of Christ must include a willingness to serve.

As they are relaxing and taking this teaching in, Jesus announces that one of them reclining there at the table will betray Him.  Can you hear the awkward silence fall over the group?  I imagine some looking down and inwardly questioning if it will be them.  They honestly face their doubts.  Others at the table would be quick to dismiss such a thought and would begin looking around the table, wondering who else it could be, sure of themselves that it would not be they who betrays Christ.

Jesus quickly identifies Judas Iscariot and he slips off into the night to do the deed.  But the conversation quickly turns to Peter – the bold one, the one willing to step out on the water, one of the inner three.  Jesus tells Peter that soon even he will deny Christ – not once but three times!  At this all of their minds must have been swimming.  All must have questioned themselves and their faith in this Jesus if Peter, the rock-solid one, would deny Jesus.

On this day of betrayal and denial, may we too honestly look within and examine the strength of our own faith.  Each of us will probably have an opportunity today to identify ourselves publicly with Christ.  Will we boldly stand for Him or will we let the opportunity quietly slip by?  If not today, then surely tomorrow.  May we be prepared to stand and be counted as one ready to bring glory to our Lord and Savior.

Scripture reference: John 12: 21-32