We will, at some point, get back to the daily lectionary, but not today. I have spent a good part of the day getting to hear stories that tell the story of the man from our church that died suddenly last week.
They were wonderful, even beautiful stories about a man that loved his family and took advantage of the time he had to spend with them. For obvious reasons, I won't get into any specifics of the stories here. But as I was listening to them I was convicted by the example his life was.
So often we get focused on 'what's next' or what some people have called the 'tyranny of the 'urgent'. Meaning that if you let it the thing that has to happen next, will take time, energy and focus away from the things that are important in the long term, not just for the next 5 minutes, the next 5 days or even the next 5 months. If we don't intentionally carve out time for the things that are important (really important, eternally important) in your life, other things (less important things) will quickly fill up all of the spaces on your calendar and take up all of your energy and focus.
I don't have much time but I feel like this is something important to share. If you are reading this, your 'real life' has already begun. The question is, are you living it like it is your real life? Are you living it like it is your one chance at this thing?
Every moment we have is an opportunity to live - and really live a full and whole life. And the harsh reality is that once passed, you can never get those moments back. It is true too that none of us is sure how much time we have, which is why Jesus called us to be ready, on watch and prepared.
So tonight I am going to figure out a way to spend some time where my wife and my children are my focus. I am going to try going forward to not let the urgent - but fleeting - concerns monopolize my time and energy and live each day to the fullest. This is what we are called to do as Christians, but living this way is not some sort of sacrifice - it is the fulfillment of the promise Jesus gives us of a whole and full life, living into the Kingdom of God even here and now.
Stop reading and go do something important or at least be with someone important.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
How can it be well?
Today I thought I would share the message that I gave at church yesterday at the strange confluence of Reformation Sunday and a tragic loss in our community, the thoughts were my best attempt at making sense of things we don't understand. The scriptures to go along with it are included as well.
Romans 3:19-28 (TNIV)
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in [a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, [b] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the "law" that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
John 8:31-36 (TNIV)
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 33 They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" 34 Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther--described as "a poor, emaciated monk"--nailed to the door of the castle church at Wittenberg, Germany ninety-five Latin theses. The theses condemned "indulgences" (the selling of pardons by the Catholic Church); made a plea for repentance; and invited sinners to salvation by grace.
Luther's theses were copied, translated, and spread throughout Europe--and the Protestant Reformation was born, lighting the way for John Calvin, John Knox, Karl Barth and us. At one point this week, I thought the paragraph I just read was going to be the focus of the entire message this morning. But, as we all know, this week didn’t go according to the plan and we are here this morning with a heavy heart and the Sutro family on our minds and in our prayers.
Earlier this week I shared on my blog some thoughts about how we respond to tragedy and difficult circumstances in our lives, and I want to share them again here. I highlighted a scripture passage from 2Kings, which I always find myself turning back to whenever these difficult times in life come up. The passage highlights what happens when we turn to God and trust in God in times of grief and sorrow.
2 Kings 4:8-36 (New International Version)
8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. 9 She said to her husband, "I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let's make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us." 11 One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. 12 He said to his servant Gehazi, "Call the Shunammite." So he called her, and she stood before him. 13 Elisha said to him, "Tell her, 'You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?' " She replied, "I have a home among my own people." 14 "What can be done for her?" Elisha asked.
Gehazi said, "Well, she has no son and her husband is old." 15 Then Elisha said, "Call her." So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16 "About this time next year," Elisha said, "you will hold a son in your arms." "No, my lord," she objected. "Don't mislead your servant, O man of God!" 17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her. 18 The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. 19 "My head! My head!" he said to his father. His father told a servant, "Carry him to his mother." 20 After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. 21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out. 22 She called her husband and said, "Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return." 23 "Why go to him today?" he asked. "It's not the New Moon or the Sabbath." "It's all right," she said. 24 She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, "Lead on; don't slow down for me unless I tell you." 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, "Look! There's the Shunammite! 26 Run to meet her and ask her, 'Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?' " "Everything is all right," she said. 27 When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, "Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me why."28 "Did I ask you for a son, my lord?" she said. "Didn't I tell you, 'Don't raise my hopes'?" 29 Elisha said to Gehazi, "Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand and run. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff on the boy's face." 30 But the child's mother said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So he got up and followed her. 31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the boy's face, but there was no sound or response. So Gehazi went back to meet Elisha and told him, "The boy has not awakened." 32 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. 33 He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the LORD. 34 Then he got on the bed and lay upon the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out upon him, the boy's body grew warm. 35 Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out upon him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. 36 Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, "Call the Shunammite." And he did. When she came, he said, "Take your son." 37 She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out.
Gehazi said, "Well, she has no son and her husband is old." 15 Then Elisha said, "Call her." So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16 "About this time next year," Elisha said, "you will hold a son in your arms." "No, my lord," she objected. "Don't mislead your servant, O man of God!" 17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her. 18 The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. 19 "My head! My head!" he said to his father. His father told a servant, "Carry him to his mother." 20 After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. 21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out. 22 She called her husband and said, "Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return." 23 "Why go to him today?" he asked. "It's not the New Moon or the Sabbath." "It's all right," she said. 24 She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, "Lead on; don't slow down for me unless I tell you." 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, "Look! There's the Shunammite! 26 Run to meet her and ask her, 'Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?' " "Everything is all right," she said. 27 When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, "Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me why."28 "Did I ask you for a son, my lord?" she said. "Didn't I tell you, 'Don't raise my hopes'?" 29 Elisha said to Gehazi, "Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand and run. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff on the boy's face." 30 But the child's mother said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So he got up and followed her. 31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the boy's face, but there was no sound or response. So Gehazi went back to meet Elisha and told him, "The boy has not awakened." 32 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. 33 He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the LORD. 34 Then he got on the bed and lay upon the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out upon him, the boy's body grew warm. 35 Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out upon him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. 36 Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, "Call the Shunammite." And he did. When she came, he said, "Take your son." 37 She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out.
Apart from the miracles in the story, which are amazing, I want us to focus on the words – and the understanding, the faith of the mother. She repeats this phrase that summarizes her understanding of God’s providence and her example of truly, fully trusting in and on God: It is all right – or in earlier translations (and in the famous hymn): It is well.
After her son has died, as she is leaving to find Elisha – she tells her husband – it is alright – (her son is dead and her only words to her husband is ‘it is well’. When Elisha sees her and sends his servant to see if there is something wrong – if the boy is okay – her response ‘everything is alright’ – it is well
What happens after she finally tells Elisha about her son’s death is what we all recognize as the miracle – and it is miraculous how Elisha brings the child back to life. But there is a miracle to be found in the words and faith of the Shunammite woman as well.
For according to her – it was well and everything was alright before Elisha had brought her son back to life. The miracle is the perspective we can have; the peace we can feel when we are truly, really trusting in and on God. It is well – these are not the words of satisfaction after our wish has been granted, but they are words of faith, trust and hope meant to be spoken in the midst of pain, sorrow and grief. It is well.
Simply put, when we are able to let go of our fear and anxiety, when we are able to stop trying to ‘make it right’ on our own – and fully trust in God. It is well and everything is alright
Not after God has ‘fixed’ things – but right here, right now in the midst of our fear, our pain, our sickness, our grief – in the middle of this fallen and broken world. It is well because God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is present here with us in the midst of it – and God can do that which we cannot.
Everything is alright, because we can lean into and on the power, wisdom and peace of the Holy Spirit – power, wisdom and peace that is beyond our understanding. And that power, wisdom and peace is certainly beyond our ability to obtain it for ourselves.
And this is exactly what we are remembering today with Reformation Sunday. This was the heart of the reformation - and continues to be the heart of what it means to be ‘reformed’: Full reliance on and trust in God – with the knowledge and understanding that we are incapable of ‘getting it right’
There are times in this life where we simply can’t make it on our own. We weren’t designed to and we aren’t capable of it. In fact, our inability to make it through life and our inability to earn a place in God’s family on our own is the reason Jesus came to earth and choose to die on the cross.
The understanding that we can’t get to God by ourselves and we can’t make it through life on our own – that piece of knowledge, is a fundamental starting point of our faith.
And it is why Luther and others found the ‘indulgences’ that the church was selling as the tipping point at which they could no longer stay silent – the church is not the body of Christ is it is selling tickets to heaven. Our inability to ‘earn’ or gain salvation by ourselves, apart from the grace of God, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, is in fact The Truth that sets us free.
The truth that Jesus proclaimed over and over again (and in our Gospel passage today): None of us can be justified by the law – that is on our own merit or by our own means. But all of us can claim justification and salvation in relationship with Jesus Christ, which is freely offered to all of us.
Once we accept and believe in that truth, we are free of the burdens that come with trying to earn or – as was the case in the reformation, literally trying to buy your way into eternal life with God.
The acceptance of that truth opens the door to freedom. We are now Free to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. Free, through the Spirit, to be who God created us to be and who we are called to be.
Free to fully experience and appreciate the love God has for us –demonstrated in Jesus Christ.
The grace God has for us – given freely to us by Christ on the cross.
And the peace God has for us – present and active in our lives through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
It is by accepting the truth that we are hopeless and powerless to help ourselves and experiencing the freedom that comes with accepting the saving help of Jesus Christ that we can begin to say – it is well – because our wellness isn’t dependant on what we can do or handle – but on Jesus Christ.
It is this idea that Paul is speaking of in 2Corinthians 4:6-8
6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"[a]made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. . . .
8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
The freedom that we have in Christ does not promise us a life without despair, persecution or difficulty – those are unavoidable realities of this life. But what the freedom and salvation of Jesus Christ does promise is that when we trust in God, when we lean on God and lean into God’s will for our lives that we may be hard pressed on every side but we will not be crushed.
We may be perplexed, but not in despair.
We may be persecuted but we will never be abandoned.
And we may be struck down, but because we are in Christ we will not ever be destroyed.
And it is because of that truth and that assurance – that our fate does not lie in our own hands – is not up to our own skills or abilities, but instead rests on the saving love and grace of Jesus Christ that we are able to say, it is well.
Amen.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Why today matters for tomorrow or why I fail
So, I am thinking that maybe I should just breakdown and make Friday officially 'thoughts gleaned from running day' here at the leaky pulpit. It seems that every Friday something has occurred to me while on my long run that I think is worthy of sharing.
As you may have guessed, today is no different. So we are really coming down to the wire in our marathon training as we are actually just 3 weeks (and 2 days) away from the Philadelphia Marathon. Woot Woot. Anyway, that means that today was my next to the last 'long run' before the marathon. It was 18 miles. Lets just say that is a long way, and it takes a long time. This time around I have actually kind of enjoyed the long runs in training and have had pretty good experiences, especially my last two long runs (14 & 16 miles). Today was a much different experience.
It actually started out as a pretty good run, almost great. For almost the first half of the run, about 8 or so miles I was feeling pretty good and running comfortably at a pace a good 15-20 seconds faster than my target marathon pace. And both of my knees were feeling pretty good (my left knee is just bad and on my 14 mile run I fell hard on my right knee and it is still a little gimpy)
By the actual halfway point, however, I was really struggling. Not struggling to run so much, but just feeling really drained of energy. Now to give a little background when you are running any significant distance (for me anything more than 8 miles) you have to have a plan for replenishing your energy. I use FRS chews - which are awesome, but only taste okay, and GU energy gel. You simply have to do this because of the amount of calories that you are expending. So today, I was actually really prepared and did a slightly more aggressive than I usually do. So that wasn't the issue.
As I was struggling through the last 10 miles or so of my run, I had a lot of time to think about why I was so drained of energy. I came up with a lot of options: First, I thought I might just be emotionally drained - it has been a tough week. While this might have played a part, I was really physically tired.
So, moving on, as I said it has been a rough week and part of what that has meant is that I didn't get any training in between last weeks long run and today. I had dropped the ball as far as my training goes this week and my body, even after a week was a little bit out of shape. So that definitely played a part.
Third, yesterday I simply was a terrible eater. I had wings (lovely delicious, fatty and greasy wings) for lunch, not exactly healthy or full of the kind of nutrients that translate into long term energy. Dinner was okay, but then I spent all night snacking on yummy cookie pieces that came in the mail yesterday (thanks Grandma Barb!). Sugar and fat, exactly what you want to be stuffing yourself with because those two things are always recommended for long term energy, right?
So what is the point of all of this? Sometimes we are called to things in life that require that we are prepared. Sometimes that preparation has to start more than 10 minutes before the event. In faith terms, God can always accomplish His will through us. But I really do believe that we 'leave plays on the field' when we aren't prepared. It is hard to know exactly what God wants us to do in a certain situation when the only time we ask for God's direction is at a difficult moment or in times of crisis. We need to be training our mind and our hearts to listen to and for the 'still, small voice' of God.
If we really want to see what great and amazing things God has planned for us then we need to make a habit of preparing to be used by God and being ready to be used by God. That means, among other things: regularly being in conversation with God through prayer; regularly be spending time in the Word of God, so that we might have an idea of how God has acted in the past, how God has interacted with his people, how God has demonstrated his will for those that are listening for it.
I could keep going on, but I think (and I certainly hope) that you get the point. If you are wondering why you don't have the spiritual energy to do God's will today or to live up to what God is calling you to, don't look to God - as if God has somehow failed you - look instead to how you have prepared yesterday and the week before, etc.
Have you been filling your heart and soul with good spiritual food [Spiritual meat, interaction with God and God's Word that requires time and regularity, not just spiritual milk that tastes good, but as you grow doesn't have the nutrition you need]? Or are you filling your heart and soul with Spiritual junk food and things that not only don't fill you up or give you the energy that you need, but ultimately they are harmful to you.
How have you been preparing?
Have a great weekend.
As you may have guessed, today is no different. So we are really coming down to the wire in our marathon training as we are actually just 3 weeks (and 2 days) away from the Philadelphia Marathon. Woot Woot. Anyway, that means that today was my next to the last 'long run' before the marathon. It was 18 miles. Lets just say that is a long way, and it takes a long time. This time around I have actually kind of enjoyed the long runs in training and have had pretty good experiences, especially my last two long runs (14 & 16 miles). Today was a much different experience.
It actually started out as a pretty good run, almost great. For almost the first half of the run, about 8 or so miles I was feeling pretty good and running comfortably at a pace a good 15-20 seconds faster than my target marathon pace. And both of my knees were feeling pretty good (my left knee is just bad and on my 14 mile run I fell hard on my right knee and it is still a little gimpy)
By the actual halfway point, however, I was really struggling. Not struggling to run so much, but just feeling really drained of energy. Now to give a little background when you are running any significant distance (for me anything more than 8 miles) you have to have a plan for replenishing your energy. I use FRS chews - which are awesome, but only taste okay, and GU energy gel. You simply have to do this because of the amount of calories that you are expending. So today, I was actually really prepared and did a slightly more aggressive than I usually do. So that wasn't the issue.
As I was struggling through the last 10 miles or so of my run, I had a lot of time to think about why I was so drained of energy. I came up with a lot of options: First, I thought I might just be emotionally drained - it has been a tough week. While this might have played a part, I was really physically tired.
So, moving on, as I said it has been a rough week and part of what that has meant is that I didn't get any training in between last weeks long run and today. I had dropped the ball as far as my training goes this week and my body, even after a week was a little bit out of shape. So that definitely played a part.
Third, yesterday I simply was a terrible eater. I had wings (lovely delicious, fatty and greasy wings) for lunch, not exactly healthy or full of the kind of nutrients that translate into long term energy. Dinner was okay, but then I spent all night snacking on yummy cookie pieces that came in the mail yesterday (thanks Grandma Barb!). Sugar and fat, exactly what you want to be stuffing yourself with because those two things are always recommended for long term energy, right?
So what is the point of all of this? Sometimes we are called to things in life that require that we are prepared. Sometimes that preparation has to start more than 10 minutes before the event. In faith terms, God can always accomplish His will through us. But I really do believe that we 'leave plays on the field' when we aren't prepared. It is hard to know exactly what God wants us to do in a certain situation when the only time we ask for God's direction is at a difficult moment or in times of crisis. We need to be training our mind and our hearts to listen to and for the 'still, small voice' of God.
If we really want to see what great and amazing things God has planned for us then we need to make a habit of preparing to be used by God and being ready to be used by God. That means, among other things: regularly being in conversation with God through prayer; regularly be spending time in the Word of God, so that we might have an idea of how God has acted in the past, how God has interacted with his people, how God has demonstrated his will for those that are listening for it.
I could keep going on, but I think (and I certainly hope) that you get the point. If you are wondering why you don't have the spiritual energy to do God's will today or to live up to what God is calling you to, don't look to God - as if God has somehow failed you - look instead to how you have prepared yesterday and the week before, etc.
Have you been filling your heart and soul with good spiritual food [Spiritual meat, interaction with God and God's Word that requires time and regularity, not just spiritual milk that tastes good, but as you grow doesn't have the nutrition you need]? Or are you filling your heart and soul with Spiritual junk food and things that not only don't fill you up or give you the energy that you need, but ultimately they are harmful to you.
How have you been preparing?
Have a great weekend.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Is it well?
So toady I spent time with a woman from our church who lost her husband last night. She is still in shock and dealing with the realities that lie ahead for her and her two young daughters.
Every time I encounter a time like this of real tragedy. I am reminded of a story from 2Kings. Below I am sharing that passage and some thoughts I shared with Highland last year after our community there suffered several real tragedies in quick succession.
Before I get to that though, I wanted to share another quick thought. When we encounter times like this either personally or when we see others going through a tragedy, we often pray for God to give us strength or peace or comfort. I think it is good and right to do this, but I think it is important to understand what we are asking for and what God's Holy Spirit provides.
If we are asking God to provide us with enough of our own strength or our own peace - I think we are actually asking for the impossible. Simply put, I don't believe we can handle the worst that this life throws us on our own. What we should be asking for and what I believe we often receive is God's strength to carry us through. God's peace - that is beyond our understanding or comprehension - to allow us to make it in the most difficult of circumstances. There are things in this life - difficult, impossible things that all of us at one time or another face (to varying degrees) Being a Christian or following God does not excuse us from these difficult times. But it does mean that we know where we can turn to find the God that is faithful and has promised strength (God's strength) enough for the day, comfort for our tears (from a God that has himself suffered pain, tragedy and loss) and light for our way (even through the darkest days and times).
Now here is the passage from 2Kings and some of my thoughts:
Every time I encounter a time like this of real tragedy. I am reminded of a story from 2Kings. Below I am sharing that passage and some thoughts I shared with Highland last year after our community there suffered several real tragedies in quick succession.
Before I get to that though, I wanted to share another quick thought. When we encounter times like this either personally or when we see others going through a tragedy, we often pray for God to give us strength or peace or comfort. I think it is good and right to do this, but I think it is important to understand what we are asking for and what God's Holy Spirit provides.
If we are asking God to provide us with enough of our own strength or our own peace - I think we are actually asking for the impossible. Simply put, I don't believe we can handle the worst that this life throws us on our own. What we should be asking for and what I believe we often receive is God's strength to carry us through. God's peace - that is beyond our understanding or comprehension - to allow us to make it in the most difficult of circumstances. There are things in this life - difficult, impossible things that all of us at one time or another face (to varying degrees) Being a Christian or following God does not excuse us from these difficult times. But it does mean that we know where we can turn to find the God that is faithful and has promised strength (God's strength) enough for the day, comfort for our tears (from a God that has himself suffered pain, tragedy and loss) and light for our way (even through the darkest days and times).
Now here is the passage from 2Kings and some of my thoughts:
2 Kings 4:8-36 (New International Version)
The Shunammite's Son Restored to Life
8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. 9 She said to her husband, "I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let's make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us."
11 One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. 12 He said to his servant Gehazi, "Call the Shunammite." So he called her, and she stood before him. 13 Elisha said to him, "Tell her, 'You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?' "
She replied, "I have a home among my own people."
She replied, "I have a home among my own people."
14 "What can be done for her?" Elisha asked.
Gehazi said, "Well, she has no son and her husband is old."
Gehazi said, "Well, she has no son and her husband is old."
15 Then Elisha said, "Call her." So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16 "About this time next year," Elisha said, "you will hold a son in your arms."
"No, my lord," she objected. "Don't mislead your servant, O man of God!"
"No, my lord," she objected. "Don't mislead your servant, O man of God!"
17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.
18 The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. 19 "My head! My head!" he said to his father.
His father told a servant, "Carry him to his mother." 20 After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. 21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out.
His father told a servant, "Carry him to his mother." 20 After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. 21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out.
22 She called her husband and said, "Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return."
23 "Why go to him today?" he asked. "It's not the New Moon or the Sabbath."
"It's all right," she said.
"It's all right," she said.
24 She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, "Lead on; don't slow down for me unless I tell you." 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.
When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, "Look! There's the Shunammite! 26 Run to meet her and ask her, 'Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?' "
"Everything is all right," she said.
When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, "Look! There's the Shunammite! 26 Run to meet her and ask her, 'Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?' "
"Everything is all right," she said.
27 When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, "Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me why."
28 "Did I ask you for a son, my lord?" she said. "Didn't I tell you, 'Don't raise my hopes'?"
29 Elisha said to Gehazi, "Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand and run. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff on the boy's face."
30 But the child's mother said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So he got up and followed her.
31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the boy's face, but there was no sound or response. So Gehazi went back to meet Elisha and told him, "The boy has not awakened."
32 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. 33 He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the LORD. 34 Then he got on the bed and lay upon the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out upon him, the boy's body grew warm. 35 Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out upon him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.
36 Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, "Call the Shunammite." And he did. When she came, he said, "Take your son." 37 She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out.
While it is certainly an interesting story – and any story of resurrection is worth knowing (even if it is a little strange). It is not the obvious miracle, the resurrection of the boy, that I want us to remember or think about. What I want us to remember – to take from this story is the words – and the understanding, the faith of the Shunammite woman.
There one phrase that she repeats that summarizes her understanding of God’s providence and her example of truly, fully trusting in and on God. The phrase that she repeats – It is all right – or in previous versions of the passage – IT IS WELL
After her son has died, as she is leaving to find Elisha – she tells her husband – it is alright – (her son is dead and her only words to her husband is ‘it is well’.
When Elisha sees her and sends his servant to see if there is something wrong – if the boy is okay – her response ‘everything is alright’ – it is well
What happens after she finally tells Elisha about her son’s death is what we all recognize as the miracle – and it is miraculous how Elisha brings the child back to life – but there is another miracle that is all to easy to miss.
The miracle is found in the words and faith of the Shunammite woman. For according to her – it was well and everything was alright before Elisha had brought her son back to life.
The miracle is the perspective we can have; the peace we can feel when we are truly, really trusting in and on God.
It is well – these are not the words of satisfaction after our wish has been granted, but they are words of faith, trust and hope meant to be spoken in the midst of pain, sorrow and grief.
It is well.
Simply put, when we are able to let go of our fear and anxiety – and fully trust in God
It is well and everything is alright
Not after God has ‘fixed’ things – but right here, right now in the midst of our fear, our pain, our sickness our grief.
It is well because God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is present here with us in the midst of it. Everything is alright, because we can lean into and on the power, wisdom and peace of the Holy Spirit.
In a world seemingly gone mad, full of hurt, pain and grief – it is well.
In our sickness, sorrow and brokenness the Holy Spirit joins with us and everything is alright.
So now, in light of God’s ability through the power of the Holy Spirit can we begin to say – it is well
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Starting and the beginning or first things first
Today's thoughts are at least loosely related to today's gospel passage from the daily lectionary (which can be found here: http://gamc.pcusa.org/devotion/daily/2010/10/27/ )
In the passage from Luke 11, Jesus is railing against the Pharisee's and the Lawyers (who were not akin to lawyers today, but rather religious teachers - like seminary professors) And basically what is going on is that Jesus is accusing them of using their knowledge of the Scripture as a weight to drag people down instead of helping them. He is accusing them of keeping all the laws and regulations except the most important one(s) - Love and Justice. Essentially he is accusing them of missing the point.
Before I go any further, I think it is important to point something out because I feel like a lot of people either miss it or intentionally ignore it. When it comes to following the rules, rules of faith or laws or whatever, many Christians point to Jesus emphasis on love as an excuse for not following the rules or as license to dismiss the rules.
I truly believe this misses the point, albeit in the opposite direction, as well. People making these arguments (and I have often been one of these 'people') usually say something like, ' I would rather err on the side of love'. The point, I think, is that Jesus would rather you not err at all. Jesus isn't saying love - especially love however we choose to define it - is the only thing to be concerned with. Rather, Jesus is saying that love is the first step.
In following Christ and living into the lives that God has called us too, love is the essential first step. It is the beginning.
It is not where we are supposed to stop, however. Right there in Luke 11, Jesus makes this point clear, in his claim against the Pharisee's: 42"But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others.
It seems to me that 'without neglecting the others' is a pretty important part of what Jesus is saying here.
Love of God and the concern for God's justice that organically flows from that love is the starting point for our life with God, because without loving God then we can't begin to actually follow God or God's commands for our lives.
It is so disheartening to me when Jesus and 'love' get used as a reason for ignoring the way God is calling us to live. Why? Because I think when we do that - and I know I certainly do it sometimes. We come dangerously close to missing the 'point' completely. If we try to appropriate God's love as a license for approving any and all of our actions I don't think we have an understanding of that love at all.
If our love of God does not at least lead us to a desire to live a life more in line with the call and commandments of God, then maybe we don't really love God at all and maybe we are just rebelling against the Pharisee's rules and looking to replace them with our own.
That isn't just ''missing the point' it is not following God and exactly what Jesus was urging the Pharisee's and lawyers to repent from.
The interesting thing about the Pharisee's and the lawyers that Jesus indicts is that it isn't that they were wrong in trying to follow the rules they were upholding - its that they were vigilant for those laws for the wrong reason. God calls us to be vigorous in following him and his commandments because of our love for him and our desire to be faithful to him. The Pharisee's were vigorous in upholding the laws because it was a means to gaining and retaining power in the social construct of the time.
So 2000 years later we still have Pharisee's and lawyers and we still have those rebelling against their laws. The question for those on both sides of whatever issue is what are you after and what is your motivation? Are you looking to gain power or retain power in the social constructs of our day (either in our churches, our communities or our country) or are you actively seeking after God's love and the justice that flow from it?
Jesus calls us to love first. But the love that Jesus calls us to must naturally lead us to a desire and active attempt to be faithful in living a life according to God's call and commands.
In the passage from Luke 11, Jesus is railing against the Pharisee's and the Lawyers (who were not akin to lawyers today, but rather religious teachers - like seminary professors) And basically what is going on is that Jesus is accusing them of using their knowledge of the Scripture as a weight to drag people down instead of helping them. He is accusing them of keeping all the laws and regulations except the most important one(s) - Love and Justice. Essentially he is accusing them of missing the point.
Before I go any further, I think it is important to point something out because I feel like a lot of people either miss it or intentionally ignore it. When it comes to following the rules, rules of faith or laws or whatever, many Christians point to Jesus emphasis on love as an excuse for not following the rules or as license to dismiss the rules.
I truly believe this misses the point, albeit in the opposite direction, as well. People making these arguments (and I have often been one of these 'people') usually say something like, ' I would rather err on the side of love'. The point, I think, is that Jesus would rather you not err at all. Jesus isn't saying love - especially love however we choose to define it - is the only thing to be concerned with. Rather, Jesus is saying that love is the first step.
In following Christ and living into the lives that God has called us too, love is the essential first step. It is the beginning.
It is not where we are supposed to stop, however. Right there in Luke 11, Jesus makes this point clear, in his claim against the Pharisee's: 42"But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others.
It seems to me that 'without neglecting the others' is a pretty important part of what Jesus is saying here.
Love of God and the concern for God's justice that organically flows from that love is the starting point for our life with God, because without loving God then we can't begin to actually follow God or God's commands for our lives.
It is so disheartening to me when Jesus and 'love' get used as a reason for ignoring the way God is calling us to live. Why? Because I think when we do that - and I know I certainly do it sometimes. We come dangerously close to missing the 'point' completely. If we try to appropriate God's love as a license for approving any and all of our actions I don't think we have an understanding of that love at all.
If our love of God does not at least lead us to a desire to live a life more in line with the call and commandments of God, then maybe we don't really love God at all and maybe we are just rebelling against the Pharisee's rules and looking to replace them with our own.
That isn't just ''missing the point' it is not following God and exactly what Jesus was urging the Pharisee's and lawyers to repent from.
The interesting thing about the Pharisee's and the lawyers that Jesus indicts is that it isn't that they were wrong in trying to follow the rules they were upholding - its that they were vigilant for those laws for the wrong reason. God calls us to be vigorous in following him and his commandments because of our love for him and our desire to be faithful to him. The Pharisee's were vigorous in upholding the laws because it was a means to gaining and retaining power in the social construct of the time.
So 2000 years later we still have Pharisee's and lawyers and we still have those rebelling against their laws. The question for those on both sides of whatever issue is what are you after and what is your motivation? Are you looking to gain power or retain power in the social constructs of our day (either in our churches, our communities or our country) or are you actively seeking after God's love and the justice that flow from it?
Jesus calls us to love first. But the love that Jesus calls us to must naturally lead us to a desire and active attempt to be faithful in living a life according to God's call and commands.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Beware of large fish and shady trees . . .
Today we dive back into the daily lectionary (which can be found here: http://gamc.pcusa.org/devotion/daily/2010/10/26/ ) and look at a passage from the book of Jonah.
Jonah, is in some ways the most interesting of prophets we have in the Old Testament because he is - at least for me - the one that it is easiest to relate to. Some of the prophets, like Isaiah or Jeremiah, are so good and so devout that I certainly look up to them, but I don't relate to them. I can't imagine myself being like one of them.
Jonah, on the other hand, is just like me. In the passage we have today. Jonah has already tried to run from God, been swallowed and spit out by a whale and is now at the gates of Nineveh, where God commands him to preach a warning and call for repentance. A call the inhabitants Nineveh heed. This greatly displeases Jonah - this is exactly what he expected to happen and why he ran from God's call in the first place. He knew God was gracious and forgiving and didn't want to see the Nineveh receive forgiveness.
[A little cultural/historical background here is helpful. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian empire. The Assyrians were, to put it mildly really not nice. Not only were they a vicious and brutal people they aggressively attacked their neighbors at every opportunity. They had been enemies - bitter, hated enemies of the Israelites for centuries at this point. If you are having trouble finding a reference point for the Assyrians, try thinking of them as terrorists living in Iraq or Afghanistan.]
Understanding the historical and political context helps us understand where Jonah is coming from and helps us - or at least helps me - to identify with where he is coming from even more. Most of us really don't want anything for the terrorists that have attacked this and other countries that for them to 'get what they deserve'. Which is logical and understandable.
But the lesson God tries to teach Jonah is a lesson for us to learn as well. God uses the bush that gives Jonah shade as an object to teach that lesson.
When the bush withers and dies because of the worm Jonah is beside himself and bitterly upset. God asks Jonah why - he had nothing to do with the bush, he neither created it or caused it to grow, but yet he cares for it?
The point is that God did create the bush and cause it to grow, just as he created the Assyrians living in Nineveh. Just as he created each and everyone of us. Even the terrorists and those that consider us enemies and those we consider our enemies. God has created each and everyone of us and desires a reconciled relationship with each of his children.
That was a hard pill for Jonah to swallow, I think it is a hard pill for many of us to swallow as well. But it is a truth that we have to wrestle with and eventually submit to - God loves us and calls us into relationship with himself. If we accept that relationship and accept adoption into the family of God we take on the responsibilities of being a part of that family. The primary one being spreading and sharing God's love to all of God's children - even the ones we disagree with, even the ones that don't like us - even the ones we hate or that have hurt us.
If we want to live into the light of God's love, grace and acceptance then we must understand and accept that it isn't just for us and those that look like, think like or act like us. God's love is for everyone. God's grace is for everyone. God's acceptance is for everyone.
The story of Jonah doesn't really have an ending. The book ends with us not knowing how Jonah eventually decides to proceed. It is an open question or better yet, it is a story with a . . . to be continued at the 'end' We are the ones with the chance to continue the story. With a chance to be the next to reach out to those around us -all of those around us with the Good News of God's love and grace - or we can sit on the sidelines angry that God might extend to someone else the vary grace that we ourselves received and needed.
How will you continue the story?
Jonah, is in some ways the most interesting of prophets we have in the Old Testament because he is - at least for me - the one that it is easiest to relate to. Some of the prophets, like Isaiah or Jeremiah, are so good and so devout that I certainly look up to them, but I don't relate to them. I can't imagine myself being like one of them.
Jonah, on the other hand, is just like me. In the passage we have today. Jonah has already tried to run from God, been swallowed and spit out by a whale and is now at the gates of Nineveh, where God commands him to preach a warning and call for repentance. A call the inhabitants Nineveh heed. This greatly displeases Jonah - this is exactly what he expected to happen and why he ran from God's call in the first place. He knew God was gracious and forgiving and didn't want to see the Nineveh receive forgiveness.
[A little cultural/historical background here is helpful. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian empire. The Assyrians were, to put it mildly really not nice. Not only were they a vicious and brutal people they aggressively attacked their neighbors at every opportunity. They had been enemies - bitter, hated enemies of the Israelites for centuries at this point. If you are having trouble finding a reference point for the Assyrians, try thinking of them as terrorists living in Iraq or Afghanistan.]
Understanding the historical and political context helps us understand where Jonah is coming from and helps us - or at least helps me - to identify with where he is coming from even more. Most of us really don't want anything for the terrorists that have attacked this and other countries that for them to 'get what they deserve'. Which is logical and understandable.
But the lesson God tries to teach Jonah is a lesson for us to learn as well. God uses the bush that gives Jonah shade as an object to teach that lesson.
When the bush withers and dies because of the worm Jonah is beside himself and bitterly upset. God asks Jonah why - he had nothing to do with the bush, he neither created it or caused it to grow, but yet he cares for it?
The point is that God did create the bush and cause it to grow, just as he created the Assyrians living in Nineveh. Just as he created each and everyone of us. Even the terrorists and those that consider us enemies and those we consider our enemies. God has created each and everyone of us and desires a reconciled relationship with each of his children.
That was a hard pill for Jonah to swallow, I think it is a hard pill for many of us to swallow as well. But it is a truth that we have to wrestle with and eventually submit to - God loves us and calls us into relationship with himself. If we accept that relationship and accept adoption into the family of God we take on the responsibilities of being a part of that family. The primary one being spreading and sharing God's love to all of God's children - even the ones we disagree with, even the ones that don't like us - even the ones we hate or that have hurt us.
If we want to live into the light of God's love, grace and acceptance then we must understand and accept that it isn't just for us and those that look like, think like or act like us. God's love is for everyone. God's grace is for everyone. God's acceptance is for everyone.
The story of Jonah doesn't really have an ending. The book ends with us not knowing how Jonah eventually decides to proceed. It is an open question or better yet, it is a story with a . . . to be continued at the 'end' We are the ones with the chance to continue the story. With a chance to be the next to reach out to those around us -all of those around us with the Good News of God's love and grace - or we can sit on the sidelines angry that God might extend to someone else the vary grace that we ourselves received and needed.
How will you continue the story?
Monday, October 25, 2010
Walking on Water and other churchy activities
Happy Monday! Here is the manuscript from the message I gave yesterday in church. It is a pretty personal one and, I think, a really important one.
Matthew 14:22-33 (Today's New International Version)
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29 "Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Prayer: God we ask that you would come and be present with us know. Help us to turn our hearts, minds, ears and eyes towards you. Help us grow in faith and trust in you as we seek your will. And now, Lord I ask that you would hide me behind your cross, so you are what’s seen and speak through me so you are what’s heard. Amen.
I have Spent the last two weeks talking about ‘Stewardship’ and how God is calling each of us to respond to the gifts of time, talent and money that he has given each of us. Per the message calendar this is supposed to be the 3rd week with that same message. It is an important message and one that is worthy of at least three weeks – certainly more than the one week it often gets.
But I think, I believe, that many if not most of us know and understand that all that we have is a gift from God and we have a responsibility to respond to that gift by sharing generously what we have been made stewards of. I also spend a lot of time this past week reflecting on what we have talked about the last few weeks and all of the information that was shared during our Bread and Soup luncheon.
We talked about stewardship and its importance, but we also talked about the financial situation of our church. As I have been thinking about all of that information, I realized that it was a year ago – almost exactly – when I began having conversations with the Pastor Nominating Committee of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church. Good Shepherd has been on a journey for 20+ years now; a new leg of that journey began a year ago when God began to draw us together.
I believe that I am not here accidentally. I believe that we have been called together for a special purpose. I believe that God has called us – and is equipping us – to play a role in his Mission and Plan for this world that only we can fill and that we have been uniquely gifted and brought together to fill.
From the very first conversation with the PNC, and several times from this pulpit I have shared the general vision of what I believe we are being called to do and who we are being called to be. The word that captures what I believe God is calling us to is Missional. It is a relatively new word that describes a call that God has been placing on the lives of the people of God from the beginning of time.
Simply, being Missional means opening all of yourself up to the work and will of God’s Holy Spirit and accepting God’s invitation and call to become a part of God’s mission in the world.
It involves having eyes to see:
First, to see the things in and around our communities and our world that are breaking the heart of God.
Second, to see the ways in which God’s work and mission are already being done & to see where there are places of need that are not yet being addressed.
Third, to see how we (as individuals and as a congregation) might be uniquely gifted to participate in that mission or how our unique gifts, abilities and interests have equipped us to reach out into our communities and the world in new ways to fulfill the call and mission of God.
It involves being willing to really put Jesus Christ at the center of your life – your whole life. We are really good in our world today at compartmentalizing every aspect of our lives. We put school or work in one box and our family in another. We put our friends in another box – or maybe a couple. We put our hobbies and our interests in yet another. And then there is the ‘God’ box.
Jesus is not asking to be the box at the center of our lives or even the biggest box. Instead God asks to be in, connected to and at the center of every ‘box’ of your life. Even more than that God asks you to get rid of all your boxes and reorder your life with him at the center, connected to each and every aspect of our life.
With Jesus centered in your life it allows God to open your eyes to see the world through his eyes. It allows your heart and mind to be tuned to the heart, mind and will of God. And that, at the heart is what it means to be Missional. There isn’t a blueprint or a step by step process for becoming a Missional person or a Missional church because God calls each of us to different and unique parts of the mission of God.
How each of us lives into God’s call to be a part of his mission in the world will determine what it looks like for Good Shepherd to be the Missional church God is calling it to be.
[now I am not supposed to do this – I am going to talk about myself – I was told several times in seminary not to do this. But, I think it is important to share how these beliefs and thoughts are manifesting themselves in my life] For me the particular places God has opened my eyes and my heart and mind to are: Orphans, the world water crisis, hunger (especially in children) and modern-day slavery.
How does that translate into change in my life:
Marathon for Living Water International
Beginning the process of looking into adoption
Giving too and talking about in IJM
Regular work and giving to combat hunger (through World Vision – including child sponsorship)
How might this translate into our life together as a church (if these interests/concerns are shared by others in the congregation:
Focus on ‘the least of these’ and how we can share our blessings: through giving, through organizations like ‘Trade as one’, World Vision, LVI and IJM
Increased hands-on involvement in combating hunger locally
Beginning to explore what we as a congregation can do to care for the orphans among us and around us.
Focus on mission in these areas
While there is no ‘step by step’ process. There are a few key elements that must be present for us to live into this call of being the Missional church that God intends us to be.
Trusting in God:
Gideon – as we heard, God winnowed down and already numerically overmatched army and used this small group of soldiers to win a great and amazing victory – with no doubt as to who was responsible
Sending out of the 70 Disciples – In Luke 10 Jesus sends out the 70 disciples in pairs and intentionally has them leave everything behind that they could use or rely on to help them succeed or even survive – even their shoes – again so that they would have no choice but to trust in and rely on God – and in turn be clear in pointing to God in all that they did.
Keeping our eyes on Christ
Peter walking on the water:
Remember Peter DID walk on the water. It was only once he took his eyes off of Jesus that he began to sink. If we are focused on Jesus, if we are focused on what Jesus is concerned with then we will be able to do amazing and impossible things through the strength and power of God’s Holy Spirit available to us because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
These two things, trusting in God and focusing on Jesus Christ are the key for us as we face difficult and trying times invididually and as families. They are the key for us as we focus difficult and daunting times as a church, financially or otherwise.
We didn’t spend much time on the miracle that was Peter walking on the water, but I want us to hold on to the truth for us in that story –
Nothing is too hard for God. Nothing, when done in Christ’s name for the glory of God is impossible. Difficult times, stacked odds and great challenges are merely opportunities for God’s glory to shine through.
Peter was distracted by real danger: a strong whipping wind, rolling, rollicking waves, and the sheer impossibility of what was happening. The same is true for us – there is real danger all around on the path that we are being called to, legitimate concerns that seen to demand our focus and attention.
But by trusting in God and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ we get the opportunity to be a part of the amazing and even impossible work of God in our lives and through us in the world.
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