pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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The Questions of Lent

Readings: Genesis 2:15-17 and Genesis 3:1-7

Genesis 3:1b – “Did God really say that you shouldn’t eat from any tree in the garden?”

Our passage today begins with God giving Adam a purpose: to farm and take care of the garden. In this place of great abundance, Adam is given all that he needs. Of all the abundance, he is denied just one thing: “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” This scene made me wonder, how many “one thing” moments have I had? I quickly run out of fingers as I recall times when I’ve had all I needed yet chased after or at least really longed for that one thing I didn’t have. Almost always this was from a place or greed or lust or insecurity… How about you? How many moments can you recall?

As we turn to chapter 3, the serpent enters the picture. Viewed as Satan since the time of the earliest Jewish writers, the evil one says to Eve, “Did God really say that you shouldn’t eat from any tree in the garden?” Satan begins by planting a seed of doubt. Can you hear the emphasis on the word “really?” The seed is watered with half-truths until it grows into desire. Eve takes and eats the fruit that looks beautiful and delicious. Adam partakes too. Eyes opened, they see as Satan saw them. They felt vulnerable and naked and ashamed and they try to cover all this up. This scene feels too familiar.

The season of Lent is about looking within and honestly assessing that which must die within us so that we can live for Christ instead of for self. What looks beautiful and delicious that brings ugliness and bitterness instead? What do I long for or lust after that will never truly satisfy? These are the questions of Lent. In turn, what honest questions do you need to ask yourself?

Prayer: Lord God, Adam and Eve’s story is my story. It is the story of humanity, of us all. There is always a part of us that desires that which harms us or lessens us or leaves us empty. When Satan whispers into our ears or hearts, remind us that you are all we need. Your love, your care, your provision – all we need and more. Strengthen and encourage us to trust in these truths. Turn us to your Spirit when temptation rises. Guide us to place our whole self in your hands. Amen.


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Completely Loved

Reading: Matthew 4:1-7

Matthew 4:3 – “Since you are God’s Son…”

Photo credit: Robert Linder

As we stand on the edge of Lent, we begin to lean into the themes of this season. We begin and end the week in Matthew 4, with Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Today we spend time with the first two temptations. Each of the two begin with the same phrase: “Since you are God’s Son…” The tempter is very well aware of who Jesus is. The devil seeks to test Jesus’ own sense of identity in these first two temptations. This is often where Satan attacks you and me in our moments of weakness.

After fasting for forty days, Jesus is “starving.” We can often find ourselves wrestling with hunters and wants, although not often physical. Satan invites Jesus to command stones to become bread. ‘Satisfy your hunger,’ Satan says. Jesus has the power to do this. Jesus instead centers himself on the word of God – that which truly satisfies every hunger. In moments when we really want that new phone or outfit or… may we too remember that our true identity comes not from the world but from the word of God.

Satan then takes Jesus to the top of the temple and invites him to test God’s love and care for him by throwing himself down. Jesus again quotes scripture, saying, “It is written, Don’t test the Lord your God.” The devil is testing Jesus’ sense of his belovedness. Satan invites Jesus to test the depth of God’s love. We can fall into this temptation. In a dark valley, we can question if God really, really loves us. In a season of unanswered prayer, we can question if God really cares. In these moments of trial and weakness, may we too remember the truth that even Satan knows: you are God’s son or daughter. You are completely loved. May it ever be so.

Prayer: Lord God, when the voices of discontent or doubt begin to rise up, may the voice of your Holy Spirit be clearer and stronger. When we’re tempted to chase after happiness or status outside of our relationship with you, whisper into our hearts the truths about our true purpose and about our place of belonging. And when we question your love in our times of trial or suffering, draw us into your abiding presence, ground us in your unconditional love for each and every one of us, your sons and daughters. Lord, we need you. Amen.


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Imagine…

Reading: Isaiah 65:20-25

Isaiah 65:23 – “They won’t labor in vain, nor bear children to a world of horrors, because they will be people blessed by the Lord.”

The themes of yesterday’s reading from Isaiah 65 get fleshed out today as we continue reading. We see what the new heaven and earth will be like. We see the reasons for joy and gladness. Infants will live to see old age. Good health and long life will be enjoyed by all people. All will be housed and have enough to eat. Imagine what this would be like! Sadly, though, this could be a reality right now if we just loved and cared for one another as God created us to do.

In this light, verse 23 hits hard: “They won’t labor in vain, nor bear children to a world of horrors, because they will be people blessed by the Lord.” Many will go to work today wondering when they will earn a living wage, making enough to not have to live paycheck to paycheck. Many will wake their children and wonder if they can feed them another day or if the bills might somehow get paid so that they can still have a roof over their heads. Talk about horrors. What would it take for such as these to be “blessed by the Lord?”

To be blessed, the current people of God must be so intimately connected to God that God would hear and answer before we call or speak. Such an intimate relationship would first require that we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. When we love God this way, we find that we love others in the same way. With eyes of love we would see the vulnerable. And as we see them and are moved by the Spirit, God would hear and answer, leading us to be a part of making the new heaven and earth more of a present reality. Imagine what this would be like…

Prayer: Lord God, we have so much more than enough. Because of your great love, we have great abundance. But we also have great greed and an inward focus. Lord, loosen our grip on things. Bend our focus outward, away from self. Send us to the people and places of need. Use us to bring wholeness to our world. Create around us communities where all flourish, where all are blessed. Connect us to one another, spreading hope and grace. Amen.


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Power and Presence

Reading: Psalm 65:1-8

Psalm 65:5 – “In righteousness you answer us, by your awesome deeds, God of our salvation.”

Photo credit: Diego Gennaro

Psalm 65 is a song of praise for all of God’s works. The psalmist intertwines and connects God’s works in creation and in our lives. In the first two verses we are reminded that God is the God of all living things. God is in the created world just as much as God is in you and me and in all of humanity. In response we praise God by being faithful in our living and in our praying. And, the psalmist reminds us, when we fall short, God forgives our sins. For David and for us, in drawing close to God we encounter happiness, goodness, and holiness. These traits of God become ours when we choose to enter God’s presence.

The focus shifts to God’s acts in verses 5-8. In verse 5 we read, “In righteousness you answer us, by your awesome deeds, God of our salvation.” God’s power and presence is evident in many ways. God holds all things, even to the “far edges of the sea.” In strength God established the mountains. In power God calms the storms and will calm the “waves” and “noise” of the nations. God’s power brings the morning and evening, day after day, giving us more reasons to praise God.

These are David’s observations and experiences of God’s power and presence in his life and in the world. We certainly experience some of these. In what other ways have you and do you see and feel God’s power and presence in your life and in the world? May these be a source of praise today.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your love and care. It is all around us. Open our eyes and hearts to see you in both the wonders of creation and in the daily ways that you work in our lives and in the world. For all of this we praise you! Amen.


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Learn Their Names

Reading: Luke 16:19-26

Luke 16:23 – “While being tormented in the place of the dead, he looked up and saw Abraham at a distance with Lazarus at his side.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

Reflecting on this passage, John Wesley wrote, “It is no more sinful to be rich than to be poor. But it is dangerous beyond expression.” Wesley lived in England during the start of the industrial revolution. The focus of his ministry was upon the poor – the uneducated, the poorly housed, the miners and factory workers, and others who were being exploited and oppressed by the wealthy. The poverty level was high in the places that Wesley preached, started schools and orphanages, and offered basic but free medical care.

Today’s parable features Lazarus, a poor, sick beggar who is overlooked each day by a rich man. The rich man has more than enough to care for Lazarus but he chooses to not even acknowledge Lazarus’ existence. Perhaps to know him would lead one to care about and for him. As it happens, both die. Lazarus goes to heaven and the rich man goes to hell. In verse 23 we read, “While being tormented in the place of the dead, he looked up and saw Abraham at a distance with Lazarus at his side.” By Abraham’s side, Lazarus has good things. The rich man is tormented in hell. It is only then that the rich man sees and acknowledges Lazarus – but only because he wants something from him. Alas, says Abraham, fates are now fixed. Judgment has come. There is no going from heaven to hell or vice versa.

Poverty continues to be a reality for many people today. Most of us as individuals and certainly we as a nation have more than enough to care well for the Lazarus’ of our day. God’s will and way called for the rich man to care for Lazarus just as God calls out to us today. To be the hands and feet of Jesus requires that we engage those living in poverty, with illness, and in need. This begins with knowing their names. May we learn their names.

Prayer: Lord God, when our relationships with the least of these gets personal, it gets so much more real. So guide us, O Lord, to invest in the lives of those with needs that we can meet. Open our hearts to compassion and love and care. Use us to minister in your name. Amen.


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Take Hold of True Life

Reading: 1st Timothy 6:17-19

1st Timothy 6:17-18 – “Tell people who are rich… to do good, to be rich in the good things they do, to be generous, and to share with others.”

Photo credit: Shane

Continuing in 1st Timothy 6 today, Paul instructs Timothy on how to minister to those Christians who do have wealth, power, status… There were and are people that God has blessed with gifts and talents and legacies that has and have allowed them to be rich in the things of this world. Paul first addresses the dangers of this place in life. One can easily become prideful and arrogant. This often leads to isolating oneself from those who are seen as “less than.” From this place of heart and mind one can place their hope in their worldly riches instead of in God. Some falsely think, “Who needs God when I have all of this?”

Paul’s instruction to Timothy is this: “Tell people who are rich… to do good, to be rich in the good things they do, to be generous, and to share with others.” To do good and to be rich in good works is to engage the world around you. This counters the choices to isolate and to look down on those without wealth, power, status… To do good for others draws us into relationship and here we find our commonality, which leads to unity. To be generous and to share what we have lifts up those without and it grows one’s compassion and empathy, deepening one’s desire to practice generosity. To do good and to be generous draws us closer to God and to one another.

In verse 19 Paul states that these actions lay a “good foundation for the future.” This foundation is an ever-growing compassion and love for neighbor and a continual growth in one’s relationship with God. Living out our faith in these ways allows us to “take hold of what is truly life.” This is loving God and neighbor with all that we have and are. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, lead us to be people of love and compassion. Guide us to people and places that need to experience these things. Open our hearts and hands to serve you through serving those in need. In these ways, use us to draw others closer to you. Amen.


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God at Work

Reading: Jeremiah 4:11-12 and 22-28

Jeremiah 4:22 – “My people are foolish. They don’t even know me!… they are skilled at doing wrong, inept at doing good.”

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God tells Judah that “a blistering wind” is coming from the north. God is speaking of the Babylonians – a wind that will not winnow the wheat or cleanse their sins, but one that will bring devestation to the land. This coming empire will fall heavily upon Judah and Jerusalem, taking the city in 586 BCE. In verse 12, God pronounces this sentence upon Judah.

Jumping to verses 22-28 the conversation begins with God, shifts to Jeremiah, and then goes back to God. In verse 22 God says, “My people are foolish. They don’t even know me!… they are skilled at doing wrong, inept at doing good.” God’s people have wandered far away from God, for a long time. This is a sad indictment. It may be tempting this was or is a “then” problem, as in “back then things were awful.” When one looks at the homelessness and poverty on our reservations and in our cities, when one sees the division in our society, when one sees the oppression and mistreatment of vulnerable populations, one could argue that the people of God are still inept at doing good. After all, we live in a “Christian” nation.

In verses 23-26 Jeremiah shares his observations of the devestation. The earth itself shakes, the birds have fled, the cities lie in ruins. While it feels like there is little hope in what the prophet sees, God is still present. In verse 27 God declares that the devestation will not be complete. There will be grieving and darkness, yes. But God will remain at work.

The same is true today. At times we can feel helpless and hopeless. At times it feels like we are near the end. But if one pushes past the headlines and sound bites, there is good being done in the name of Christ: people being fed and clothed, grievers being comforted, widows being cared for. God is at work. There is still hope for God’s people and for our world.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your consistent walk with us. Thank you for loving us always in spite of who and what we are at times. And thank you for moving us out into the world, into places of hurt and grief and need, being your light and love in the world. Lord, continue to use us, your people, to shine your light and love into the world. Amen.


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Mighty King

Reading: 1st Peter 5:6-11

1st Peter 5:10 – “The God of all graces, the one who called you into eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, empower, strengthen, and establish you.”

In this world, Satan seeks to steal our faith, to destroy our love of God and neighbor, to separate us from the peace, the contentment, the joy that we find in Christ. The evil one uses many tricks, traps, snares, lies, and half-truths to lead us into sin. In 1st Peter 5, Peter offers some thoughts on how to combat these attacks of the devil.

First, Peter encourages us to humble ourselves under God’s power. This means submitting our will to God’s will and surrendering having our way to living by God’s ways. Second, Peter invites us to throw our anxieties up on God, as well as our doubts, fears, worries… We can do so because God cares for us and wants to help us, bringing relief, assurance, confidence, and presence, easing our negative thoughts.

Peter calls us to be alert and clear-headed. The devil is always on the “prowl,” ever seeking to “devour” us with our own sin. We are encouraged to “resist him, standing firm in the faith.” We can do so with the God of love and power on our side. Yes, Peter acknowledges, we may suffer for a time or even for a season, but, “The God of all graces, the one who called you into eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, empower, strengthen, and establish you.”

Prayer: Lord God, as we seek to walk faithfully with you, we face so many challenges, so many tests. The voices of this world are so loud and so convincing, so tempting. As darkness rises or even begins to creep into our hearts, shine your light into our hearts, guide our steps, protect our hearts. Thank you, O mighty king. Amen.


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Praise – Our Response

Reading: Psalm 147:1-11

Psalm 147:11 – “The Lord treasures the people who honor him, the people who wait for his faithful love.”

Psalm 147 is a song of praise for God’s grace, care, sustenance, and love. In today’s reading, the first six verses focus on praising God for God’s gracious care for those in need. In verses 7-11 the praise shifts towards God’s care for all of creation.

Our reading opens with an invitation to sing to the Lord. The psalmist correctly identified why: it is good to do so and it brings pleasure – to God and to our spirits. The focus then shifts to God’s care for the people’s needs. It is post-exile. God is rebuilding Jerusalem and is bringing the exiles home. God heals their wounds, both physical and emotional/spiritual. This care and attention is just as careful and complete as God’s counting and naming all of the stars. So great and strong is God’s love and care, it cannot be truly grasped.

Verse 7 again invites us to praise God. Continuing we again receive why: for the rains and for the green grass that care for creation itself. God’s love extends to all of creation. There is no one excluded; there is no favoritism. Strength or speed (or anything else humankind may value) are not favored. No, God’s favor goes to those who walk with the Lord, to those who honor God by trusting in God’s faithful and steadfast love and care.

So here is our question: How will we praise God today for the love and care that we receive? What words – spoken, sung, prayed – will praise God today? What acts of heart and hands will honor the Lord today?

Prayer: Lord God, mighty are you and great is your love and care for us! From the smallest need to the greatest suffering, you are present to us and to our world. This day we ask that you would use us to minister to others, offering love and care in your name. Amen.


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A Good, Good Plan

Reading: Genesis 1:1, 27-28, 31

Genesis 1:31 – “God saw everything he had made; it was supremely good.”

As we consider and ponder this week’s theme of being restored and made new, we turn back to the beginning of it all. Because God is good, all that was created was good. As the creation process unfolds – water, light, land, plants, animals – God’s goodness can be seen in the order. Each next step dependant and built upon the step before. Turning to verse 27, God creates humanity. Humankind is created in the divine image of God. Connecting the dots, God’s goodness can be seen in humanity. We are born good. We have to be taught hate, prejudice, jealousy, pride…

God blesses the humans and then tasks them with caring for the creation. A good God charging good humans to care for a good creation – the plan as God designed creation. As the sixth ‘day’ of creation draws to a close, we read, “God saw everything he had made; it was supremely good.” In its original state, all of creation was simply good. One element provided for and cared for another, all in a good and healthy balance.

We turn here today because this was and is the vision for our world. One day this will again be the reality as God restored and makes all things new at the second coming of Christ. It is good to remember the plan of God, to know both the promise and the hope that we find in our good, good God. May this plan and vision ever guide our way.

Prayer: Lord God, your goodness is revealed to us in so many ways, but especially in creation. In the order and beauty and goodness of creation we see your plan for our lives. Lead and guide us to live into who and what you created us to be. Use us to begin the restoration process. Amen.