pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: encounter


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Time, Time, Time

Reading: Psalm 31:15-16

Psalm 31:15a – “My future is in your hands.”

Returning to Psalm 31 today, the psalmist turns to time and to how we spend our days. In verse 15 he or she declares: “My future is in your hands.” Another way to say this idea is this: My life is in your hands. In both cases we are speaking of our being resting in God’s hands. But as humans, we can struggle with this way of being. Our humanity wants to measure time quantitatively. This is the way of the world. We will all one day live our last day. In this understanding of time, we strive to have “enough.” So we gather and store up and save. The felt need to do these things leads to wanting to cram more and more into each day so that we can accumulate more and more just to…

The other way to measure time is in moments, in experiences, in encounters with the holy. In this construct of time we are able to live into God’s plans for our lives. We can experience life this way when we slow down. Not rushing from thing to thing allows us to watch the sunrise, to linger in the conversation, to notice the smile of the stranger, to relish the flavor of the food. Not focusing on accumulating for self, one is freed to be generous with our resources and time. Living this way, we deepen relationships with God and with one another. We encounter God in the small things and in the large. We find meaning and purpose in life. And, somehow, as life slows down, it gets richer, fuller, more abundant. May this be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, our future and our days are really in your hands – whether one moment or one day or 100 years. Open our eyes and hearts to your presence and purpose in all of life. Make us fully aware of how and when and why your Spirit moves. Draw us in. Deepen our lives. Amen.


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Encounters

Reading: Luke 24:13-29

Luke 24:25 – “Then Jesus said to them, ‘You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about.'”

Photo credit: Josh Calabrese

Today and tomorrow we walk with the Emmaus road disciples. This story is found only in Luke’s gospel. This encounter takes place on that first Sunday, on the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Two of Jesus’ disciples are walking to Emmaus. It might be “home.” They were talking about recent events: Jesus’ arrest and all that followed. They share all of this with Jesus as he joins them, noting that they had hoped that this Jesus was the one to redeem Israel. They do not recognize this stranger that they walk with as Jesus.

Jesus admonishes them, saying, “You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about.” He reminds them that these recent events were necessary. Jesus then unpacks the scriptures for them, starting with Moses, working his way through the prophets. What a Bible lesson this must have been! Today’s reading ends with the disciples inviting Jesus to stay the night with them.

We might wonder how the disciples could walk with Jesus and not recognize him. Yet, how many times did I encounter Jesus yesterday and fail to recognize him? Was it in the words of that tour guide? Was it in the smile of that older woman? Was it in the welcome clearly present in that gathering spot? Jesus is present to us in so many ways. Where did you encounter Jesus yesterday?

Prayer: Lord God, first, thank you for the many ways that you are present to us. You come alive in the red letters. Your Spirit moves us and speaks into our hearts and minds. But we also miss you here and there, sometimes everywhere. So, Lord, open our eyes and hearts to see you in the world around us – in the people, in the signs, in the encounters. Eyes and hearts open, touch our lives. Amen.


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A Word to Share

Reading: 2nd Peter 1:19-21

2nd Peter 1:21 – “No prophecy ever came by human will. Instead, men and women led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

As we read the second half of this week’s 2nd Peter 1 passage, we first encounter an admonition from Peter. We recall from Wednesday’s reading that what he has to say is not some “crafty myth.” It is not something he heard from a friend of a friend of an acquaintance either. This is Peter’s personal eyewitness account of the experience and words that came from God. So, readers, “you would do well to pay attention to it.”

The transfiguration of Jesus was prophesied long ago. Both Daniel and Malachi foretold this moment. Both were speaking and then recording words that God gave them. Peter connects this to his experience on that mountaintop and to his life as he writes, “No prophecy ever came by human will. Instead, men and women led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” This remains true. We cannot generate a word from God on our own. A word from God is a gift revealed by and through God and the Spirit. As we are given the words (or nudges…) and are given divine direction or understanding, it is then that “the morning star [Jesus] rises in our hearts” too.

These encounters with the divine hold great power. Often we do not fully understand or see how God was speaking or working in the moment. Only with a bit of time do we comprehend how God’s spirit gave us the words or guided the event, the conversation, the journey. On Tuesday morning a women shared her story with me and two friends at a coffee shop. She lost most of her roof in a 100+ mph wind storm one night – all but the roof over her bedroom. She then recounted piece by piece the ways that God has been present that night and in the days that followed. The Spirit opened her eyes to see God’s hand at work. There was joy and power in her story. Her faith was alive and bursting forth. What story or word of God do you have to share?

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your word spoken in scripture and for your presence in our lives yet today. Continue to reveal your glory to us in powerful ways, fueling our witness to the world. Open our eyes and hearts to these moments, big and small, when you become present in our lives and in our world. Open our minds to understand and to share our faith stories and encounters. Amen.


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Point to Christ

Reading: John 1:35-42

John 1:41-42 – “He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah.’ He led him to Jesus.”

As we continue in John 1, John the Baptist continues to do what he has done since going out into the wilderness: he points people to Jesus. He declares to anyone who will listen: this is the “Lamb of God.” Two of John’s disciples listen and they follow along behind Jesus. He notices and asks them what they’re looking for. It’s a ‘who’ really. So Jesus invites them to “Come and see.” Spending some time with Jesus, they know that he is the one who has come to save Israel.

Andrew then goes and finds Simon, his brother. He proclaims Jesus as the Messiah to Simon and “He leads him to Jesus.” Andrew witnesses and then walks alongside, bringing Simon Peter to the Christ. From John the Baptist’s simple proclamation, three disciples are made, three souls start on the road to salvation. In these simple steps we have a model to follow. Following these steps we can accomplish the main task of our faith. We too are called to tell others about Jesus and to walk with them so that they can know the Messiah. In these ways, we too point others to Christ, Savior and Lord. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, put us to work today. In the encounters we have with others, may our words and actions reveal the Christ in us. Revealed, use our witness to draw others so they too may know the Savior. In all we do and say, may we bring you all the glory. Amen.


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This Jesus

Reading: Luke 19:1-6

Luke 19:6 – “So Zacchaeus came down at once, happy to welcome Jesus.”

“Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he.” Did your brain jump to the next line? The children’s song and the story are familiar to most followers of Jesus. While we only read the first part of the story in today’s text, we know what happens when Zacchaeus comes down out of that sycamore tree.

One day Jesus was passing through town. The chief tax collector is curious. He wants to see this man that lots of people are talking about. Wild stories of healings and of profound teachings circulate amongst the Jews in Galilee and beyond. Zacchaeus was short – both physically and in statute amongst the local people. Collecting the burdensome taxes for the hated occupying force did not win him any friends. So he has to resort to climbing a tree so that he can simply see this Jesus as he walks through Jericho.

We will encounter people like Zacchaeus – sinned and flawed like us, curious about this man they’ve heard about. We are other believers are the stories the curious have heard and seen. The abnormal kindness, the ever present grace and peace, the contentment, the care and concern for those others ignore or shun – there is something attractional about this Jesus we follow and strive to emulate. This Jesus noticed, stopped, and talked with Zacchaeus. In verse 6 we read about the results: “So Zacchaeus came down at once, happy to welcome Jesus.” May we too be willing to engage those seeking, opening the door of their hearts to welcome this Jesus home.

Prayer: Lord God, first, walk with us daily, filling us with your Spirit and your presence, empowering us to be a good example of your love, grace, compassion… Second, prepare us for the conversations that come with living our lives for you and for others. By the power of your Holy Spirit, give us the words to say to those seeking, drawing them deeper in their curiosity about this Jesus, the life changer. Amen.


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What Are Your Moments?

Reading: Exodus 12:1-14

Verse 14: “For the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord — a lasting ordinance.”

a handful of many…

This week’s Old Testament reading is one of the core stories of the Jewish faith. The Passover is an event celebrated and remembered each year – much like Easter and Christmas for the Christian church. As we would not ever make a decision to skip one of these key events of the Christian faith, so too are the Israelites committed to this “lasting ordinance” of God. Ever since the day that the Lord passed over their homes, sparing the firstborn from death, the Jewish people have celebrated and remembered this event, this act of God.

To mark, to remember, to celebrate – these are part of our faith story. Whether Passover or Christmas or Easter or holy communion, people of faith are strengthened and encouraged when we remember what the Lord has done for us. While these are corporate remembrances, I believe that it is at least as important for us to personally remember the stories of what God has done for us.

For me there’s that time in the Promise Keeper’s prayer room, that time in the church balcony, that time on that mission trip… These are some of the key moments in my life when God drew near, when God acted in my life. What are your moments, your encounters?

Prayer: Lord, help us to remember the core events of our faith journeys and to regularly celebrate these divine encounters. By remembering we are strengthened and built up in our faith and in our relationship with you. By offering our thanks to you, we are humbly bowing before you in praise and adoration. To God be the glory! Amen.


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Revival

Reading: Romans 9:1-5

Verses 4b and 5a: “Theirs is the adoption… Theirs are the patriarchs…”

Paul himself had a very radical and powerful conversion experience. He encountered the living Christ and was struck blind. Three days later he experienced a miraculous restoration of his sight. His life changed forever as he now saw with fresh eyes. Most of us do not have a “lightning” type conversion experience. For most of us, faith comes slowly, over time, with many small steps leading to our intentional choice to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.

In the last two verses of our Epistle reading Paul speaks of his people, of “the people of Israel.” He lists the many things that they have that could lead them to also accept Jesus as Messiah: adopted as God’s chosen people, receivers of the Law and covenants and promises, worshippers in the temple. He adds that they also have the patriarchs. These are the greats of the faith – Abraham, Moses, Elijah… From Paul’s perspective and new understanding all of this points to Jesus as the Messiah. It all adds up for Paul. But for most of the Jews, it does not. They do not have an encounter or experience that has moved them across the line of belief.

Today there are many people who were raised in the church as children and youth but are not part of a church anymore. This is not to say that they don’t believe in Jesus Christ. Many do. Yet active participation in a church community does not add up for a lot of people. They have the Bible, they know Jesus’ teachings and promises… Just as it did for Paul, my heart and soul aches for these folks. We long for a revival in our communities and in our nation. May it begin with you and me as we seek to minister to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Prayer: Lord, use my hunger and hurt for the disconnected, for the hurt, for the disenfranchised to rebuild connections, to rekindle fires for you. In love use me to help folks re-cross the line of active belief. Show me the way to rebuild this part of your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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When God Calls…

Reading: Genesis 24:58-67

Verse 58: “I will go.”

After hearing the servant’s account of God’s leading and guiding, Rebekah’s brothers ask her if she will go with the servant. Without hesitation she says, “I will go.” The evidence of God’s hand at work must’ve been strong. She was leaving almost everything and everyone behind to go with a man she’d just met to marry a man she’s never met to live in a place she’d never been. This was a really big “I will go.”

We make choices and decisions all the time. Some are big and important – to marry, to move, to switch jobs, to have kids… We too experience God’s guiding and leading. This often helps in our decision-making. When “doors” open or close we perceive God at work. When the Holy Spirit whispers or nudges or speaks, we sense God at work. In the big decisions we often seek God through prayer or by studying the Bible. Because of this we are open to God’s presence and direction.

We can struggle, though, to sense God at work or to listen to or feel the Spirit in the ordinary. A young woman went to fetch water – for cooking, for cleaning, for the animals? It was for some task that she needed to do. How often do we ignore or put off the prompting because we have a meeting to get to or because we are focused on our task? She paused what she was doing to encounter the stranger and to meet his needs. It was a simple act of welcome and hospitality and generosity. And look where God took it from there!

In those moments when God calls or when the Holy Spirit rises in our hearts or minds, may we be as willing to respond, stepping into a role in God’s kingdom building. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, you are there in the small, everyday just as much as you are in the big and important. Help me to understand that I’m not as big and important as I tend to think. Help me to realize that all opportunities matter, that you are in all things. Amen.


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Where and How?

Reading: Genesis 18:1-15

Verse 12: “Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, ‘After I am worn out and my Lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?’”

We continue this week with the story of Abram and Sarai, who have now become Abraham and Sarah. 25 years have passed since God asked them to go from Haran. 25 years have passed since God promised to make them into a great nation. They’ve recently taken matters into their own hands, creating an heir with Sarah’s slave girl Haggar. And now the Lord comes calling, telling them that Sarah will have a son within the year. Listening from behind the entrance to their tent, Sarah hears this news. In verse 12 we see her reaction: “Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, ‘After I am worn out and my Lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?’”

Have you ever laughed at God? Not in the making fun sense but in the “I’ll be” sense. That was Sarah’s laugh – well I’ll be. It is a “who’d ever have thought it?” laugh. It is the laugh that we sometimes share with God when God does something totally unexpected and often unimagined. Once in a while – if we’re really, really paying attention – we might see a glimpse of what God is up to. But more often it is something that we never saw coming. We’re left to laugh and smile, to marvel at God and at what God has done.

As call and discipleship have been our focus lately, this story leads me to 2 questions. First, where do you sense that God is up to something in your life? And second, how and where could you be a part of someone else experiencing an unexpected and surprising encounter with God?

Prayer: Lord God, where are you at work? What are you up to in my life or in our church? Where might you be calling me to be a part of someone else’s encounter with you? Holy Spirit speak! Open my eyes and my heart to see and know how you call me, to discern how I can be used by you. Amen.


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Seeking Presence, Seeking to Hear

Reading: Matthew 17:4-9

Verse 5: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Photo credit: Uta Scholl

Returning once again to the mountaintop we are present with the disciples as they experience the transfiguration of Jesus. The physical change in Jesus and witnessing his conversation with Moses and Elijah – life-changing. Peter, James, and John would never be the same. This was an experience that they could draw upon again and again. We too can have these experiences. We are not the same afterwards. My first experience with the presence of the divine happened in a church balcony my junior year of high school during an overnight event at the church. Two others were praying with me for a friend who has been in an awful car accident. As we cried and prayed I felt tangible arms around us. A holy presence surrounded us in that time of need. Suddenly I knew that God was real.

In Peter, James, and John’s experience, they saw and felt something that they had never seen or felt before. Peter wants to build dwellings, perhaps to hold onto the moment. But it could not last forever. From an even brighter cloud God says, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” These words, from this voice, they validate Jesus, they define the holy relationship, they give Jesus all authority. These words prolong the disciples’ experience. In moments of fear or doubt or trial how these words must’ve echoed in their minds, giving them courage or assurance or strength.

The Holy Spirit offers the same to you and to me. If we turn to God, whether in prayer or meditation, coming to God with our need or worry or concern, then we open ourselves up to God’s presence. As we surrender our will, our way, our desires to God, we invite the holy presence to open our ears and minds and hearts to hear what God speaks. In that balcony long ago, I did not tangibly hear God speak but there was an overwhelming feeling that Keith would be okay. There was no doubt.

When we seek God’s presence, when we humble ourselves to hear, then the Lord our God will lead, guide, direct, comfort, strengthen, assure… Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord, I am grateful for each of my encounters with you – those on the mountaintop, those in the valley, those that came upon me unexpectedly. Each has grown our relationship. Thank you, Lord. Amen.