pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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God Can Bring Life

Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-10

Verse 6: “I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”

We begin this week with one of my favorite passages. The valley of dry bones is symbolic. Israel is in exile in Babylon. Ezekiel is a priest of the Lord, also living in exile. In this foreign land, hope had dwindled away; their faith had become dry. I love this passage because we all get to this place now and then in life. We can have a hard time clinging to hope and to God when we find ourselves too long in the valley.

This valley full of bones that Ezekiel finds himself in is extreme – there were “a great many bones” and they were all “very dry.” They had been there a long time. The time in exile had been long. God asks Ezekiel, “Son of man, can these bones live?” Ezekiel does not judge by what he sees. He chooses instead to be open to the possibility of what God is seeing. He acknowledges that God alone knows. Ezekiel trusts into this.

In those moments when we are in the valley, when we are wondering if there can be life after “this” – may we too try to see as God sees. May we too seek to see into the possibilities of what God might be up to. May we too remember to trust into God, even though our faith may feel dry.

Yes, God can bring life. God directs Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones. He does and the bones come together and are covered in tendons and flesh. Then God directs Ezekiel to call for breath to enter them. As the breath of God, the Spirit, enters these corpses, they rise and stand, “a vast army.” God brings life, even to that which is dry and without hope. May we cling to this hope and to these promises: God brings life, God restores, God makes a way in the valley. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, what good news! No matter how dry and far away we feel, you can always restore and give new life. What great news! In times or seasons in the valley, O God, remind us of these dry bones that came to life. Amen.


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May We Too Seek

Reading: John 9:24-41

Verse 36: “‘Who is he, sir?’ the man asked. ‘Tell me so that I may believe in him.’”

Photo credit: Diego Gennaro

As our passage in John 9 continues today, the formerly blind man is once again brought before the Pharisees. He reveals great insight and understanding about what has happened to him and about the one who healed him. The man states that God does not listen to sinners, so Jesus cannot be a sinner. He adds, “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” The Pharisees refuse to see or understand. In anger they drive the man out.

Sometimes it is hard to see things in a new way or to wrap our heads around the way that the Holy Spirit might be working. As individuals and as churches we can get stuck in our way of doing things. We can cling to the old traditions that we have even though they are worn thin. We can hold fast to our way of reading and understanding the scriptures. In these situations and more we too could sometimes be called ‘blind.’ Young people or older people with new ideas can feel rejected, unheard, or unwanted by us and by our churches. It is the Pharisees’ refusal to consider or see or understand the new thing that God is doing in and through Jesus that drives what he says in verses 39-41.

Jesus seeks out the man who was insulted and then thrown out by the Pharisees. We might not be that blatant about it, but there are lessons here for us and our churches: be aware of how we can do this, be willing to hear or see or understand the new or different, AND be sure to seek out and offer words of reconciliation when necessary. The man welcomes Jesus’ invitation to know the Son of Man. He says to Jesus, “Lord I believe” and he worships Jesus. May we too seek those who are blind or lost or rejected, for they too are dearly beloved by God.

Prayer: Lord God, open my eyes fully so that I may really see you are your workings in the world. Open my eyes to see all people clearly as your beloved – those inside the church and those outside the church. Open my heart to truly love, value, and serve all people – those inside the church and those outside the church. Use my life to draw others to Jesus Christ, our hope and our redeemer. Amen.


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Reflect the Light of the World

Reading: John 9:1-23

Verse 5: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Photo credit: Savvas Kalimeris

In this week’s gospel passage we continue with the themes of light and dark, of good and evil. The disciples notice a blind man and they ask Jesus, ‘Who sinned?’ Going against the Jewish understanding Jesus says that no one sinned. The man is here to display the power of God. Jesus proclaims that “the night is coming.” He is alluding to the evil that will rise up to orchestrate his crucifixion. It will be a time when his disciples and followers will go into hiding. It will feel as if darkness has won. Continuing on, Jesus says, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Right now, Jesus is alive. It is time for the light to shine.

Without any prompting, Jesus makes mud and applies it to the man’s eyes. He is sent to wash in the Pool of Siloam and he emerges with clear vision. The man shares his good news with all who ask – “the man they call Jesus… mud… wash… then I could see.” He tells neighbors and acquaintances and he tells the Pharisees. All are divided but the evidence speaks for itself. The man who was healed now reflects the light of the world to one and all.

Today I ask: How has Jesus healed you? Did he heal some blindness that hindered you? Did he root out some sin that held you captive? Did he heal a hurt in your heart? Did he restore a relationship or situation? What did Jesus do for you?

The blind man encountered Jesus Christ, the light of the world. He was forever changed. His good news was, ‘I was blind but now I see.’ Mine is, ‘I was lost but now I am found.’ Others may be, ‘I was broken but now I am whole.’ We who have encountered Jesus all have good news to share. May we too reflect the light of the world with all that we meet.

Prayer: Lord God, oh how you have changed my life. You’ve shifted my focus from me to you and to others. You’ve turned my greed to generosity, my pride to humility. Now, I’m far from who you want me to be. So I ask that you would continue to love me anyway, that you would continue to shape and form me into who you want me to be. All for your glory, O Lord. Amen.


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Come and See

Reading: John 1:35-42

Verse 41: “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah.'”

As we turn again to John’s gospel today we see that two of John the Baptist’s disciples leave him to follow Jesus. After hearing John declare Jesus “the Lamb of God,” Andrew and another disciple follow Jesus down the road. Noticing someone is tailing him, Jesus asks them what they want. They ask where he is heading – this is a polite way to ask if they can join him. Jesus responds by saying, “Come and you will see.” Jesus invites them to join him – and not just for the day.

Andrew then exhibits a practice that we all should emulate. Knowing in his heart that Jesus is the Messiah, he goes and finds his brother. Simon comes and sees Jesus too. Without introduction, Jesus identifies Simon by name and informs him that he will be called Cephas (or Peter in Greek).

A few questions come to my heart as I reflect on this passage. First, how regularly do I come and see Jesus? This can be going to church, reading the Bible, praying, fasting… Second, who is our Simon? Who is our brother or sister, our neighbor or friend, stranger, or relative that needs to come and see Jesus too? And, third, how will we connect the two? We can pick them up and bring them to church or Bible study. We can take them to coffee or to lunch…

In our hearts we know that Jesus is the Messiah. May we invite and help others to come and see the Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, you are my all in all, my rock and my redeemer, my Savior and my friend. This day use me so that others may come and see the Christ. Amen.


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Great Things

Reading: Psalm 29

Verses 3 and 7: “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders… The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning.”

Photo credit: Luka Savcic

In Psalm 29 David describes the voice of the Lord. In his words we get a sense of God that is powerful, majestic, and forceful. It is in contrast to the words that God spoke over Jesus at his baptism in Matthew 3. As we read those words earlier in the week, God was compassionate, encouraging, and engaged. Yes, there is power in the words of God in Matthew 3, but they also reveal a God who is personal and intimate. As we consider these ‘sides’ of God, we gain a fuller and a better understanding of God.

David writes, “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders… The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning.” Just as it does with David in our Psalm, the voice of God draws us to worship God. The voice of God brings us strength. For me, the power in the flashes and rolls of thunder reminds me of how big our God is. In a storm I can sense God’s presence. There are, of course, other ways that one can “see” or “hear” God’s voice and presence – in a sunset or sunrise, in the waves crashing on the shore, in the birds singing, in the gently moving clouds… It is important for us to see and hear God, to be reminded of God’s power and presence.

The words of the Psalm also remind us that we can and do see and hear God in personal ways too. As God did with David and Israel, so too does God give us strength and peace. God reassures us with signs of power and majesty that are more than sufficient for our needs and desires. When we find ourselves struggling or hurting or broken, it is important to remember that God is near us, that God is all around us, and that God is able to do great things. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, your name is great and you are worthy of our praise. Your majesty and power surround us, your glory is revealed to us. This day also be personal and intimate. Draw near to those on our hearts who need you today. Pour out your love and healing so that they too may praise your name. Amen.


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Blessed with an Epiphany

Reading: Matthew 2:9-12

Verse 9: “They went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them.”

Today, on Epiphany, we return to the story of the Magi. In this time and space we will focus on the revelations of God and why we see them at times and miss them at other times. In the passage the Magi see the star that is the sign of a newborn king of the Jews. Herod cannot see the star. Yes, he claims to want to go and “worship” this new king. In reality he wants to go and eliminate a potential competitor.

What allowed the Magi to see the sign? And what kept it ever before then? The Magi were attuned to the prophecies and to what they meant for humankind. They were not Jewish but they did understand that the Messiah was not a king in the earthly sense. If it were so, they would not have come that far to worship a future king of a tiny, insignificant nation. They came to worship one who would transform the world. The Magi brought gifts of great wealth. The Magi were focused upward. At the opposite end was Herod. He was focused only on self and on earthly power and control. The star bright enough to follow for hundreds of miles was well outside of Herod’s vision.

I’ve experienced what Herod did. I’ve been around people with a vision, with a God-driven purpose in sight but have failed to see what they could see. My doubts or selfish concerns kept me from seeing the signs of God’s hand at work. Maybe you’ve been there too. Maybe you too have been inwardly focused or prideful or unsure. Only when our heart is tuned to God will we be blessed with an epiphany of what God is doing or wants to do in our lives or community or world. So may we choose to live with a heart turned toward God. Then we will be in a place to see and experience the power and glory of God. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the times that you’ve opened my eyes and heart to your presence, plan, and purpose. When I start to turn inward, when I begin to get selfish, pry open my faith and trust in you. Remind me again that you are the God who moves mountains, who heals the hurting, who rescues the lost, who mends the broken, and who redeems the wayward. Amen.


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Step Outside, See

Reading: Jeremiah 29:1 and 4-7

Verses 4 and 5: “Build houses and settle down… Marry and have sons and daughters.”

Photo credit: Josh Calabrese

In this week’s Old Testament reading, Jeremiah brings news to the people. When I think of the news today, we tend to curate the news we hear or see. We do it by the channel we choose to watch (or not), by the feeds we pay attention to on social media (or don’t), and by the places and people that we choose to interact with (or not). When we are selective in these ways, we tend to get a shewed or biased news. This was the choice that those living in exile wanted to make. Some yet in Jerusalem were saying that the exile would be short-lived, that God will restore them soon. This was the news they wanted to tell and that the exiles wanted to hear.

But the great truth-teller, God, had much different news. It was not the news the people wanted to hear. Through Jeremiah, God says, “Build houses and settle down… Marry and have sons and daughters.” Settle in. Get used to this place. This is going to be a while. The exiles just want to go home. Not so fast, God says. Like their forefathers in the wilderness, there are lessons to learn, reshaping to be done. I too am this same way. When I find myself in a place of discomfort or refining, I just want it to end. I want to go back to “normal” as soon as possible.

Even though this news of an extended stay had to be startling, the implications of God’s instructions and what God says next is even more shocking. God is instructing them to become a part of their new home and in a good way. It was a radical shift from the old draw the circle tight, don’t interact with the Gentiles mentality. And God says to pray here and to pray for their new home – but not just for yourselves. Pray for Babylon and its people. Not for God’s wrath to fall but for God to prosper the nation and the people. This is an invitation to step outside their small circle and to see God as the God of all people. How might God be challenging you and me to do this same thing?

Prayer: Lord God, reveal to me the uncomfortable but needed steps that I need to take. Help me to go where or to whom you’d have me go. Give me eyes to see as you see and a heart to love as you love. Amen.


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See, Hear, Feel

Reading: Luke 16:19-31

Verse 26: “Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed.”

While this parable is partly about eternity, it is really more concerned with how we live this life. The rich man enjoyed the things of this world and had no time for the things of God. Lazarus had little in this world, suffering much. Yet he knew God. He was content with God’s presence. In eternity there is a “great chasm” that cannot be crossed.

The life of the rich man was filled – with success, with wealth, with fine clothes and food. There was no need or place for God. He had no time for God. Therefore he did not have eyes to see Lazarus or ears to hear the dogs coming around or a heart to feel compassion for this poor beggar. The transformation that God offers was nowhere to be found in the rich man. Therefore he never crossed the gulf between himself and Lazarus.

We, like the rich man, can become consumed with the things of this world. We can strive for all the had plus power, popularity, beauty, status, and more. We can find ourselves feeling as if we had no time or need for God. The voices of this world and the voices inside our heads can lead us away from God and the transformation God offers.

May we instead heed the warnings today from Jesus. May we not just enjoy and consume our blessings. May we share them generously and abundantly. May we not simply focus on self and our narrow place in life. May we see and hear and feel those that God has given us to love, bridging the chasm between us, creating one humanity. Doing so all will live and love abundantly here and now. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, open my heart to your love for all of creation. With a heart filled with love may I see and hear and feel as you do, with empathy and compassion for all, as I seek to build the kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Walk by Faith

Reading: Hebrews 11:1-3

Verse 1: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Chapter 11 of Hebrews is one of my favorites. Read in it’s entirety it is a small list of the early heroes of the faith. It is a reminder of those who first walked faithfully and served as a call for us to join them in that walk. It is also a reminder that walking in faith isn’t always easy. To me it feels as if the last few years have challenged our walks of faith.

The pandemic that continues has led many to question or at least to evaluate their faith. This has impacted all communities of faith as well as the personal faith of many individuals. The pandemic accelerated the trend away from church or religion for some and also drew others into a deeper faith in God. The pandemic also accelerated another trend. Over the last decade we have become increasingly polarized. Unity and striving for the common good have been replaced with personal and/or political agendas. The isolation necessitated by the pandemic and the feelings of being captive to something that we could not control opened the way for more polarization. And then for me and others like me, the splintering of our denomination has added layers of grief and sadness and fear as well.

Hebrews 11 begins with this statement: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Faith is being sure that God has us no matter how big the grief, no matter how long the isolation, no matter how great the divide… We hope and trust in the God who not only created the universe but also has a plan for it. We remain certain of God’s plan not only for us, but for all of creation. Choosing faith, we lean into a God who is loving and good and merciful and compassionate and forgiving. We choose to walk day by day as people of faith. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you are far bigger than anything that the world can throw our way. You are the way in times of darkness. You are the truth in times of doubt. You are life in times of loss. Lead and guide me, comfort and strengthen me, O God. Amen.


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Tell Us Plainly

Reading: John 10:22-24

Verse 24: “How long will you keep us in suspense?”

In our passage from John 10, Jesus is walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. It is an enclosed area in the temple. Many Jews gather around Jesus, seeking to know more about him. I can imagine this question blurted out, part in curiosity, part in frustration, part in release: “How long will you keep us in suspense?” Do the Jews long to know better the mystery of who Jesus is? From the gospels, which are accounts of Jesus’ life and teachings, we get an excellent idea of who Jesus is. Taken together they paint a great picture of who and what Jesus was and is. Yet they pale in comparison to actually living with Jesus.

Jesus walked and talked and lived among these people. For 3 years. They had much greater access to Jesus and his teachings than we do. Yet they ask, “How long…?” Do they really want to know who and what Jesus is? Or do they want him to conform to their idea of a Messiah? Their statement, also in verse 24, reveals the answer to their question: “If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus has told and told all with ears to hear that he is the Christ. He has shown and shown all with eyes to see that he is the Christ. Jesus has entered into relationship with all who have open hearts. And yet they do not believe.

So today I ask: In what ways have you come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the world?

Prayer: Lord God, this day may you use me to open ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to receive. Doing so, may others come to believe in the only one who can save. Amen.