pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Author Archives: pastorjohnb


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Baptism and the Holy Spirit

Baptism is both an individual and a communal experience.  Whether it is the parents during an infant baptism or the individual in a believer’s baptism, when on is baptized there is a claiming of the personal connection to God through His son Jesus.  At the same time, in both baptisms, there is a communal component as well.  With baptism one is welcomed into the community of faith.  As a community we love, care for, and encourage one another as well as guiding, correcting, teaching, and holding each other accountable.

In Acts 19, when Paul offered Christ’s baptism to some new believers, the Holy Spirit came upon them.  The Holy Spirit is also part of the communal and individual aspects of entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ through our baptism.  The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in each of us and begins to lead and guide us in many ways as we live out our day to day lives.  The Holy Spirit is also present in community as well.  The presence of the Holy Spirit can be felt in worship, in times of prayer, in the sharing of the message, and in the singing of songs.

Through our baptism we connect to Jesus and we become connected to our community of faith.  The Holy Spirit enters and works in our lives to develop and grow our faith and to deepen our relationships with Christ and with our fellow believers.  May we allow and seek the Spirit’s presence in our lives.  May we be sensitive to the presence of the Holy Spirit as it seeks to live in, to breathe through, and to gently guide us day by day.

Scripture reference: Acts 19: 1-7


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Connecting to God

When the storm clouds begin to build I like to sit on the front steps or out back on the deck.  As the storm builds I can sense God’s energy and presence.  When the lightning flashes and the thunder claps, God’s power is at hand.  Sometimes when it is raining, I like to open the window or sliding door and just listen to the raindrops landing.  It reminds me that God is watering and nourishing the earth.

At other times I like to go out in the sun in the quiet of midday and listen to the birds singing.  Late at night I like to go out in the stillness and stare at the stars.  Sometimes He even treats me to a shooting star.  God can be found in many way sin our created world.

In all these things I sense God’s presence still working in our world.  The voice that created all we know with just a word continues to be involved in our world.  I awe at the sense of God’s power, majesty, and strength in the world all around us.

And what is my response?  Experiencing God in the world around me often leads me to pray a prayer of thanksgiving and love.  Sometimes it causes me to lift my voice in song.  Sometimes I simply stand amazed and take it in, allowing His presence to envelop and fill me.  Connecting to God in such ways renews and refreshes me.  Take some time to be in connection.  Allow His majesty and power to awe you.  Feel His presence.

Scripture reference: Psalm 29


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Praise His Holy Name!

There are many ways to worship God.  It can be in song, lifting our voices in praise and adoration.  It can be found in reading and meditating on His Word.  It can be found in our prayers to our God.  It can be found in dance or a movement offered to God.

There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to worship our creator.  Music, for example, can vary widely.  It can be a pure and simple as a group of monks chanting a psalm.  It can be a wonderful hymn sung only with voices.  It can be a talented choir accompanied by a powerful organ.  It can be a praise team with guitars, drums, keyboards, and vocals.  It can be a single person walking along the beach humming a tune.

All of our worship is pleasing to the Almighty.  In tune or out of tune, in rhythm or not – when we connect with God and offer Him our praise and adoration, He is pleased.

Worship also lifts us up.  There are physical and emotional benefits to singing.  We are made stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually when we worship our heavenly Father.  So, today sing a song.  Hum a tune.  Draw close to our Lord and He will draw close to you.

Scripture reference: Psalm 29: 1-2 and 11


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Allowed to Choose

In the beginning God pushed back the darkness and chaos to usher in the light.  He spoke the word and it was so.  Each day of creation that unfolded followed the same pattern of God speaking and it being so.
In the beginning of our lives we are all creations of God’s hand.  But for many of us, at some point we lose that connection and find ourselves separated from God.  This is through the choices we make.  It is not God’s doing.  For those who did not grow up in the faith, they feel that hole that cannot be filled on their own.  All feel a pull towards the divine.
So why doesn’t God simply speak and make each of us a faithful and constant follower of Christ?  Why doesn’t God speak and have it be so?  Life would be do much simpler!
Although we are created in the image of God and are all loved by God, He does not force himself upon us.  We are given a free will to make our own choices.  When we are allowed to choose for ourselves, we are so much more invested in the outcome.
A forced faith is not true faith.  We must each choose to enter into a relationship with Christ and then daily continue to walk in that relationship.  He loves us enough to let us choose.  This day may we choose the Lord.
Scripture reference: Genesis 1: 1-5


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Daily Pursuit

One of my devotionals today spoke of a man who for almost forty years has made a 10″ by 20″ sketch of the sun’s surface each day.  Scientists use his sketches to predict solar flares.  The artist had this quote: “The value… is in the daily record.”

God began his recording with these word: “In the beginning…”  Genesis 1 tells the story of God’s creation of the earth and all that lives on the earth.  Ever since that day, God has been in the creation business.  There is a real constancy to God.  Our God was and is and always will be the same.

This idea may lead some to think you only need to read the Bible once or only need to pray or worship once in a while.  But one must also remember how big our God is.  There is so much to learn from Him and to know about Him that it must be a daily pursuit.

Many people say they love their spouse more than they did when they first got married, yet when they first fell in love they couldn’t imagine how they could ever be more in love.  As we spend time each day reading His Word, being in prayer, and worshipping our Lord, we too fall more and more in love with Him.  Like the sun sketcher, there is much value in the daily pursuit.

Scripture reference: Genesis 1: 1-5


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Imagine a World

Isaiah calls us to rise and shine our light.  Imagine a world with all Christians shining their light!  What a beautiful sight that would be.

Too many people do not feel they can shine.  For some, they simply do not know the Word.  But for others, society and the people in their lives have worn them down, told them for too long that they are worthless.  But this is so untrue.  Each and every person is a child of God.  Each is loved by God.  Each is as important as the next.

Every person also has a small light burning within their heart.  God’s presence is undeniable – although some try.  As believers it is our call to fan the flame, to help it grow in all we know.  It is our call to build each other up to see each’s value in God’s eyes.

Imagine a world with all Christians shining their light!  Oh how the darkness will flee!!

Scripture reference: Isaiah 60: 1-6


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Praise

Psalm 148 is joyous and makes me smile as I read it.  It is about how all of nature praises God and about how we too praise God and extol His holy name.  Sometimes it is good to just step back and catch a full glimpse of His glory.

In the early winter of this post-Christmas time it can be hard to praise God.  The joy of the holidays are past and sometimes we just feel like we are done celebrating for a bit.

It is precisely this situation which calls us to sit down and spend some time with a good psalm.  It refreshes the spirit and renews the soul.  It connects us to a larger faith as we join nature and other souls in praising God.  In our praise we are never alone.

Praise be to God today!!  Praise be to God.

Scripture reference: Psalm 148


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Truly the Family

Usually we read the story of the sheep and the goats from the perspective of the sheep and the goats.  We think Jesus is talking to us as we mentally note which poor person we may have helped or what orphan or widow we may have visited.  And often I think we ponder the missed opportunities and wonder if we are doing enough to be a sheep.  No one wants to be a goat.

But what if we read this parable from the other side – what if we are the opportunity?  What if we are the ones that others are sheep and goats to?  In this case I’d rather meet a sheep than a goat.  In need, I’d take sheep hands down.

Yet many people would not.  They would rather cross a goat when they are in need because some people just do not accept help well.  For some it is pride, for some a deep rooted individualism.  But this limits our community.  And it is important to minister to each other.  This builds up the bonds of faith and strengthens our fellowship as children of God.  At times, we must all allow others to see our inner self and to know our vulnerable spots if we are to truly be the family of God.

Scripture reference: Matthew 25: 31-46


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As We Begin

Psalm 8 is both humbling and empowering.  It poses the question, “what is man that you are mindful of him?” amidst the reflections on all that God has amazingly created.  Yet the psalm also acknowledges that God made man “ruler over the works of your hands.”  Within the setting of this psalm though it is a ruling full of love, respect, honor, and care.

“Turn, turn, turn…”  Ecclesiastes 3 is also a great passage to start off 2015.  ‘To everything there is a season.’  Yes, remember the great Simon and Garfunkel song – a time to be born, a time to die, a time to…  This passage (and song) is such a great reminder of the natural give and take that life really requires and that is a part of God’s plan.

As we begin a new year, may we take a moment to consider where we fit in and contribute to this masterpiece that God has created.  To contribute we must be attuned to the world and people around us.  Our common experiences combined with our common faith connects us together in one huge family.  May God grant us eyes to see His world from His perspective and hearts to live and love as He loves.

Scripture references: Psalm 8 and Ecclesiastes 3: 1-13


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In the Times and Places

The Gospel of John opens so beautifully.  The words evoke past through future.  “In the beginning” takes us all the way back to Genesis and reminds us that Christ was there too.  John also provides the feel of the eternal in his vision of Christ’s glory “at His father’s side”.

Yet this morning the present tense is what resounds within me.  John writes that He came in the flesh and dwelt among us.  As much as we are still present in this world, so too is Jesus.  Christ, the light, came and lived amongst the darkness.  He stepped into the pain, injustice, suffering and brought light, hope, healing, love.  Jesus continues to be present in this world, still full of grace and mercy.  He comes each time a Christian acts on His behalf.

Today’s Upper Room had a touching story about a woman who brushed away a man out collecting for a mission on a rainy day.  She was too busy with her knitting.  But her nine-year-old daughter innocently asked the question that needed asked: “Why? Why did we give nothing?”  The mother had no good answer, only a lifelong reminder from the faith of a child.  Jesus came and loved.  This day may we offer all the love we can in the times and places that He calls us to today.

Scripture reference: John 1: 1-18