Luke 1:30 has always been puzzling to me. The words are pretty straightforward. "But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid! You have found favor with God.'" But the context in which she hears these words is not peaceful, good or even joyful. Mary lives in an occupied nation ... she is given disturbing news ... she is afraid. Yet, the message of the angel Gabriel is clear ... "You have found favor with God."
When we are tired from preparing the meal at CR, weary from taking food to a grieving family, sweating after working to clear trees brought down by the storm, inundated by calls for assistance, turned-on by friends you have helped (all recent actual conditions of doing work in ministry) ... when you are in a nation where Christians and even the name "Christmas" are by-words for all the wrong things ... when you see hostility, disunity and you get the feeling that evil is winning over good ... the angel still says ... "You have found favor with God." We look past what we see to a supernatural realm of hope from God because His plan always works!
Are you into a supernatural God? Do you sift God's activity through your mindset of logic? Do you miss the awesome settling for the normal? Or, do you have a supernatural hope that God's actions and plans are really big?
Mary ponders and then accepts the hope the angel gives her. She sees the normal, the obvious and the situational context of her life ... and then she dreams. Those dreams make their way into a beautiful song expressing the greatness and supernatural hope of a God who has big plans! "My soul glorifies the Lord and my heart rejoices in the Lord my savior!" (Luke 1:46). Mary is through with the normal, mundane and the possible ... she is ready to jump into the impossible, the glorious, and the plans of a mighty God! Are you? Randy
Monday, November 26, 2018
Monday, November 19, 2018
Who We Are
In the sometimes bewildering events of each week it is easy to be drawn into the negative. Fires, violence, wars, rumors of wars, disunity with our elected leadership (I could go on) all draw us into a negative mindset that is dark and defeating. Isaiah had similar things happening in his world around 700 B.C. His book of prophesy, telling us what the Lord said, is very specific about one thing ... who we are.
Most of us read Scripture to find a verse of help through our daily journey. But we often forget that one purpose of the Bible is to give us a clear picture of who we are and our interaction with a holy God. Here are Isaiah's words from 9:2 ... "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.
Most of us read Scripture to find a verse of help through our daily journey. But we often forget that one purpose of the Bible is to give us a clear picture of who we are and our interaction with a holy God. Here are Isaiah's words from 9:2 ... "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness a light will shine." These words describe the people of Isaiah's time as they wait to see if Assyria's Tiglath-Pileser will become powerful enough to invade. And these words describe us as we watch our world and wonder what will come of us.
Here is the wisdom and hope of Isaiah's words. We do walk in darkness, mostly by choice. We allow the negative events and nasty politics to occupy our thoughts and conversations. We submit to the darkness of "affluenza" as we buy into the consumer mentality. We allow prejudice to cloud our view of others, seeing ourselves as better. We also live in a land of deep darkness, mostly by geography. Much that happens in our land is beyond our control. This is who we are when we allow the negative to lead us. We raise our noses above the water as we swim through the rivers of circumstance and wonder, "What do we do?" Glad you asked!
Isaiah reminds us to not be brought down by our choices or our circumstances. He encourages us to open our eyes and see the great light we have been given by the advent and presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ. That wonderful choice is before us right now! And when we see this light we are given a new view of our surroundings. We are able to see paths that are good. We can see and follow those paths that move toward God who has revealed them in His Word. There is an old Petra song that says, "there is a road that leads to life, the few that find it never die." The song describes the road as a rocky struggle at times, just like the road God has laid out for us. But His road leads us out of darkness, out of the land of deep darkness and toward the light that illumines, reveals, warms and heals. For unto those who are His a light has come ... and that light is Jesus ... the way, the truth and the life. Randy
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Slow, See, Sense
These are three things I have to make myself do. They are hard for me at times. They require intentionality. They require effort. But they are vital to the spiritual life.
I find it difficult to slow down. I am either going full steam or I am asleep. There is very little in between. Luke 5:16 says "Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness to pray." I believe this is an example to us.
First, this spiritual practice should happen often. Most of us would think that Jesus would be "doing ministry" 24/7. We have trouble thinking of this practice as action-oriented. But here it is ... Jesus 'often' withdrew and prayed. I wonder if this time was devoted to just telling God the Father what He wanted? Or, maybe, Jesus was onto something deeper. Maybe He spent this time of slowing down to listen to the Father ... see clearly and reflectively what was happening around Him ... sensing His situation.
Second, Jesus withdrew to the wilderness. Isn't the wilderness a place of lostness? Isn't a wilderness a place where you are deprived of comfort? Isn't a wilderness a place we avoid? Not Jesus. I wonder if He did this to place Himself intentionally in a state/place of need for God? I wonder if this wasn't intentional discomfort so that He could see and feel the things that were really important?
Finally, Jesus was in a state and posture of prayer. Martin Luther said, "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than than to be alive without breathing." I believe prayer, for Jesus, was breathing in God the Father ... taking in the refreshment, guidance, goodness, provision and power of God. In it's most basic sense, prayer is all about us telling God we need Him and love Him.
I hope you will stop, look and listen today. Stop running ... look to God ... listen to what He says. Jesus gave us the model ... we should follow our leader. Randy
I find it difficult to slow down. I am either going full steam or I am asleep. There is very little in between. Luke 5:16 says "Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness to pray." I believe this is an example to us.
First, this spiritual practice should happen often. Most of us would think that Jesus would be "doing ministry" 24/7. We have trouble thinking of this practice as action-oriented. But here it is ... Jesus 'often' withdrew and prayed. I wonder if this time was devoted to just telling God the Father what He wanted? Or, maybe, Jesus was onto something deeper. Maybe He spent this time of slowing down to listen to the Father ... see clearly and reflectively what was happening around Him ... sensing His situation.
Second, Jesus withdrew to the wilderness. Isn't the wilderness a place of lostness? Isn't a wilderness a place where you are deprived of comfort? Isn't a wilderness a place we avoid? Not Jesus. I wonder if He did this to place Himself intentionally in a state/place of need for God? I wonder if this wasn't intentional discomfort so that He could see and feel the things that were really important?
Finally, Jesus was in a state and posture of prayer. Martin Luther said, "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than than to be alive without breathing." I believe prayer, for Jesus, was breathing in God the Father ... taking in the refreshment, guidance, goodness, provision and power of God. In it's most basic sense, prayer is all about us telling God we need Him and love Him.
I hope you will stop, look and listen today. Stop running ... look to God ... listen to what He says. Jesus gave us the model ... we should follow our leader. Randy
Monday, November 5, 2018
Party On!
I don't know if you have ever studied the festivals of the Jewish faith. I had friends in Florida who gave far too much relevance to them and they were under the impression that Jesus would somehow reinstate the old Jewish system when He was in charge. While I would never go close to that far, there is a part of the festival mentality that I would love to see us retain/address. That is the idea of "party."
The Jews never needed much reason to party. If you read the stories in Scripture you will see a multitude of festivals intertwining the Gospels. The same is true in the Old Testament. And we all remember the return of the prodigal son when the father did what was natural in the Jewish culture ... he threw a party!
John Ortburg's book, The Life You Always Wanted , describes both Spiritual Disciplines and how those disciplines manifest themselves in abundant life for Christians. Over the past 2 weeks we have talked about starting the journey to spiritual discipline and realizing that our journey may make us look peculiar to everyone else. This week we will address a spiritual discipline that I have not been very good at celebrating. That is the discipline of celebration.
In The Message Philippians 4:4-5 says, "Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!" Paul is both right and asking us to do something very healthy to our faith, our attitudes and our lives. He says to revel in God ... be immersed in Him ... dive into life with Him ... take God in completely!
When I read Paul's words here I think about our plans for the Christmas season. We will have a tree-lighting party on November 28th ... mark the date and come to the party! We will have several community music events including special musicians at AUMC and our own Cantata on December 2nd (11am) ... please make plans to come party! On December the 5th (our last Wednesday night meal and Bible Study for 2018) we will have a Christmas party to celebrate the Salvation brought to each of us by Jesus Christ. On Christmas Eve (December 24th) we will enjoy both come-and-go Communion and a Candlelight Communion Service. It will be a beautiful party all about the birth of our Savior!
I hope you will embrace the attitude of celebration and the altitude of joy. For joy lifts us above our cares and worries and allows us to have perspective about life (James 1:2-3). Joy gives us strength (Nehemiah 8:10)! And joy brings hope in times when hope is needed and scarce (Romans 15:13). And joy is a party, holy to our Lord (Isaiah 12:6). Party on! Randy
The Jews never needed much reason to party. If you read the stories in Scripture you will see a multitude of festivals intertwining the Gospels. The same is true in the Old Testament. And we all remember the return of the prodigal son when the father did what was natural in the Jewish culture ... he threw a party!
John Ortburg's book, The Life You Always Wanted , describes both Spiritual Disciplines and how those disciplines manifest themselves in abundant life for Christians. Over the past 2 weeks we have talked about starting the journey to spiritual discipline and realizing that our journey may make us look peculiar to everyone else. This week we will address a spiritual discipline that I have not been very good at celebrating. That is the discipline of celebration.
In The Message Philippians 4:4-5 says, "Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!" Paul is both right and asking us to do something very healthy to our faith, our attitudes and our lives. He says to revel in God ... be immersed in Him ... dive into life with Him ... take God in completely!
When I read Paul's words here I think about our plans for the Christmas season. We will have a tree-lighting party on November 28th ... mark the date and come to the party! We will have several community music events including special musicians at AUMC and our own Cantata on December 2nd (11am) ... please make plans to come party! On December the 5th (our last Wednesday night meal and Bible Study for 2018) we will have a Christmas party to celebrate the Salvation brought to each of us by Jesus Christ. On Christmas Eve (December 24th) we will enjoy both come-and-go Communion and a Candlelight Communion Service. It will be a beautiful party all about the birth of our Savior!
I hope you will embrace the attitude of celebration and the altitude of joy. For joy lifts us above our cares and worries and allows us to have perspective about life (James 1:2-3). Joy gives us strength (Nehemiah 8:10)! And joy brings hope in times when hope is needed and scarce (Romans 15:13). And joy is a party, holy to our Lord (Isaiah 12:6). Party on! Randy
Monday, October 29, 2018
Peculiar
1 Peter 2:9 says "but you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people: that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (KJV)." There is a lot said in those few verses. But the word I will hang on today is "peculiar."
When we use this word I think it has a negative connotation. If I am 'peculiar' there is something not quite right with me. If I have 'peculiar' mannerisms you might look at me sideways or avoid me altogether. So ... why does God seem to like this designation? "you are a ... peculiar people."
Maybe the answer to the above question is simple. This passage is reflective on many descriptions of God's people in the Old Testament. God reminds the people they are not called to conform to society ... they are called to be different from their neighbors. Because of 'peculiar' dietary laws followed by the Hebrews, they lived longer and more healthy lives than their pagan neighbors. The neighbors thought this was odd but they probably longed for what they saw as the blessing of long life. In fact, this was exactly what God said would happen when they obeyed Him, stating "if you love and obey the Lord you will live long in the land (Deuteronomy 30:20)." But even more vital God tells the Hebrew people that their peculiarity will not just bless them but it will spread out to bless the whole world. So ... our peculiar nature is so we can become a blessing to the world ... a high calling indeed!
But this passage describes another calling. It is a calling of gratitude. It is a calling of enlightened realization. It is a calling of greatest blessing. It is a command to realize who and what we are by worshiping the God who is worthy of all praises! The NRSV (1 Peter 2:9) says it this way ... we are all these things "in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of Him who has called you out of darkness into His glorious light!" We are peculiar because we have changed addresses. We no longer have to live in the dark. We no longer function in what Anthony Evans calls "the economy of the world." We are not slaves ... and we are not in bondage to the whims of the world. We live in the light of God's grace and truth! Psalm 27 said ... "The Lord is my light and salvation ... what shall I fear?" Fearless people filled with light are strange, weird and peculiar. I want to be one of those people! Randy
When we use this word I think it has a negative connotation. If I am 'peculiar' there is something not quite right with me. If I have 'peculiar' mannerisms you might look at me sideways or avoid me altogether. So ... why does God seem to like this designation? "you are a ... peculiar people."
Maybe the answer to the above question is simple. This passage is reflective on many descriptions of God's people in the Old Testament. God reminds the people they are not called to conform to society ... they are called to be different from their neighbors. Because of 'peculiar' dietary laws followed by the Hebrews, they lived longer and more healthy lives than their pagan neighbors. The neighbors thought this was odd but they probably longed for what they saw as the blessing of long life. In fact, this was exactly what God said would happen when they obeyed Him, stating "if you love and obey the Lord you will live long in the land (Deuteronomy 30:20)." But even more vital God tells the Hebrew people that their peculiarity will not just bless them but it will spread out to bless the whole world. So ... our peculiar nature is so we can become a blessing to the world ... a high calling indeed!
But this passage describes another calling. It is a calling of gratitude. It is a calling of enlightened realization. It is a calling of greatest blessing. It is a command to realize who and what we are by worshiping the God who is worthy of all praises! The NRSV (1 Peter 2:9) says it this way ... we are all these things "in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of Him who has called you out of darkness into His glorious light!" We are peculiar because we have changed addresses. We no longer have to live in the dark. We no longer function in what Anthony Evans calls "the economy of the world." We are not slaves ... and we are not in bondage to the whims of the world. We live in the light of God's grace and truth! Psalm 27 said ... "The Lord is my light and salvation ... what shall I fear?" Fearless people filled with light are strange, weird and peculiar. I want to be one of those people! Randy
Monday, October 22, 2018
Starting
John Ortberg's book The Life You've Always Wanted is a great start to something we all need ... resetting, rethinking, reexamining and renewing. These are things that God's Word draws us to magnetically. Every mistake is a teaching moment. Every victory is a lesson in seeing God's hand in the triumph. Ortberg rightfully points out that spiritual disciplines are paths to the vast universe of good things God is doing and will do in our lives. These 'rules of life' allow us to become the living trees that bear the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control). So ... how do we start?
I believe we start by a means of sorting the things that are worthwhile and the things that should be a lesser priority in our lives. I like the way The Message states Mark 8:35-36. "Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself ... your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you ... the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?" That passage is a great starting point for sorting out the things in life that are healthy and unhealthy. I think on this passage often, especially when I am confused by my reactions, my intentions and my inclinations. It is a resetting, rethinking, reexamining and renewing passage because it gets me off my stuff and onto God's stuff (always a healthy thing). It starts my day in a good direction.
There is a theme in this passage. It is the theme of asking yourself what God wants. It is all about trusting God's purpose of leading you a life that would bring out your true self and your true design. In the song So Will I one of the lines says "If creation still obeys You, so will I." I sing the lyrics and forget that obedience. Because obeying God is beginning a new life of following His order, not mine. Obeying God's plan means learning to see and follow Him. Obeying God's plan means seeing past discomfort and my feelings so I can see His greater and more perfect purpose. Obeying God's plan means I see the snare and trap described in Mark 8:35-36. That snare is 'want' ... a little word among other words. Some versions say 'gain the whole world.' But it means the same thing ... that I can't begin living the life I always wanted until I allow God's 'wants' to trump 'my wants.' Because direction is important. There is a huge tree down across the back yard of the parsonage. It is exactly parallel to the house. The tree fell in a SSE direction. If the tree had fallen directly south it would have fallen on the back of the house where Lee was sleeping (or trying to sleep) during Michael's pass through Abbeville. Direction made a huge difference for us, but that difference is magnified in life. Every time I read Mark 8 I am reminded that the beautiful fruit of life ... the good things God plans for me ... are bound up in words that Jesus used often ... "Follow me!" Not tradition. Not what makes me feel good. Not what gets me excited and riled-up. Not eloquent speeches. Not my political party. To start my journey with Jesus I must examine my own motives, alter my errant direction, follow my Savior and put aside my wants in favor of God's wants. It will be a great place to start. Randy
I believe we start by a means of sorting the things that are worthwhile and the things that should be a lesser priority in our lives. I like the way The Message states Mark 8:35-36. "Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself ... your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you ... the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?" That passage is a great starting point for sorting out the things in life that are healthy and unhealthy. I think on this passage often, especially when I am confused by my reactions, my intentions and my inclinations. It is a resetting, rethinking, reexamining and renewing passage because it gets me off my stuff and onto God's stuff (always a healthy thing). It starts my day in a good direction.
There is a theme in this passage. It is the theme of asking yourself what God wants. It is all about trusting God's purpose of leading you a life that would bring out your true self and your true design. In the song So Will I one of the lines says "If creation still obeys You, so will I." I sing the lyrics and forget that obedience. Because obeying God is beginning a new life of following His order, not mine. Obeying God's plan means learning to see and follow Him. Obeying God's plan means seeing past discomfort and my feelings so I can see His greater and more perfect purpose. Obeying God's plan means I see the snare and trap described in Mark 8:35-36. That snare is 'want' ... a little word among other words. Some versions say 'gain the whole world.' But it means the same thing ... that I can't begin living the life I always wanted until I allow God's 'wants' to trump 'my wants.' Because direction is important. There is a huge tree down across the back yard of the parsonage. It is exactly parallel to the house. The tree fell in a SSE direction. If the tree had fallen directly south it would have fallen on the back of the house where Lee was sleeping (or trying to sleep) during Michael's pass through Abbeville. Direction made a huge difference for us, but that difference is magnified in life. Every time I read Mark 8 I am reminded that the beautiful fruit of life ... the good things God plans for me ... are bound up in words that Jesus used often ... "Follow me!" Not tradition. Not what makes me feel good. Not what gets me excited and riled-up. Not eloquent speeches. Not my political party. To start my journey with Jesus I must examine my own motives, alter my errant direction, follow my Savior and put aside my wants in favor of God's wants. It will be a great place to start. Randy
Monday, October 15, 2018
Six Things About Storms
I hope this blog finds all of you in a time of getting things sorted out after the storm called Michael. Michael was a tangible, touchable and evident storm that is now embedded in our memory and in our history. People will talk about Michael and where they were, what they were doing and how they coped. For some it will be about the near miss. For some it will be about how they survived. For some it will be about the hard work in the aftermath. Almost all of us will quickly place Michael in our past and move forward. It is clear Michael has passed and we are all glad!
Isaiah has a great passage about the storms of life. It is verses 43:1-3a. Here is what it says. "listen to the Lord who created you! O Israel, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name and you are mine. When you go through deep waters I will be with you. When you go through the rivers of difficulty you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression you will not be burned up ... the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." WOW ... lots said!
Now ... six things about storms:
1. God says ... don't be afraid. And He tells us why. We are ransomed, purchased ... the Bible would say 'redeemed.' We are a possession named by God Himself. And God cares about His treasured possession, the people who are His!
2. We will go through deep water. The verse says 'when you go.' This and several following passages remind us that the condition of life includes those floods that come our way.
3. We will have difficulty. I hope you know and realize this. God promises the ability for us to have peace in all circumstances but He does not promise peaceful circumstances.
4. We will experience the fire of oppression. Again, 'when' is used. We cannot expect a life without oppression and if we follow Jesus. John 15:20 says, "Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you."
5. God is our God. In Leviticus 26:12 God says "I will walk among you. I will be your God and you will be My people." The Hebrew word used for 'walk' only refers to human perambulation. God is saying that He will walk among us as a person. Jesus did just that!
6. God is our Savior. God is the only thing/person/entity that will be our salvation when the storms come. Paul said it perfectly in Romans 8:38-39. "I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. No power int he sky above or in the earth below, indeed nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love if God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
An that's the truth! Randy
Isaiah has a great passage about the storms of life. It is verses 43:1-3a. Here is what it says. "listen to the Lord who created you! O Israel, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name and you are mine. When you go through deep waters I will be with you. When you go through the rivers of difficulty you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression you will not be burned up ... the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." WOW ... lots said!
Now ... six things about storms:
1. God says ... don't be afraid. And He tells us why. We are ransomed, purchased ... the Bible would say 'redeemed.' We are a possession named by God Himself. And God cares about His treasured possession, the people who are His!
2. We will go through deep water. The verse says 'when you go.' This and several following passages remind us that the condition of life includes those floods that come our way.
3. We will have difficulty. I hope you know and realize this. God promises the ability for us to have peace in all circumstances but He does not promise peaceful circumstances.
4. We will experience the fire of oppression. Again, 'when' is used. We cannot expect a life without oppression and if we follow Jesus. John 15:20 says, "Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you."
5. God is our God. In Leviticus 26:12 God says "I will walk among you. I will be your God and you will be My people." The Hebrew word used for 'walk' only refers to human perambulation. God is saying that He will walk among us as a person. Jesus did just that!
6. God is our Savior. God is the only thing/person/entity that will be our salvation when the storms come. Paul said it perfectly in Romans 8:38-39. "I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. No power int he sky above or in the earth below, indeed nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love if God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
An that's the truth! Randy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)