“No good deed ever goes unpunished,” an acquaintance of mine recently informed me.
Do you ever feel that way? You go out of your way to help someone, and they stab you in the back.
Or maybe, you take a leap of faith and you end up with your face planted in the ground.
It really seems unfair.
Jeremiah was a very unpopular spokesman for God back in the sixth century B.C. He repeatedly warned the people living in Jerusalem that they were going to be invaded by the Babylonian Empire.
He claimed that the only way to survive would be to surrender to this superpower; otherwise the Babylonians would utterly destroy their city.
The leaders in Jerusalem didn’t like Jeremiah’s message (he wasn’t so thrilled about his calling either).
Sometimes, doing the “right thing” causes discomfort in ourselves and/or others.
But even in the midst of pain and sorrow, there is hope.
Romans 8:28 states “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Later on in that same passage of scripture we find:
“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”
Even though we may not know why things happen, we can know that God does love us, and He is somehow always at work around us.
He’s re-creating this world into what He has always envisioned it to be.
Someplace where we all can live together in peace and love.
God is the architect; His plans will one day unroll, and we’ll see where each of us has fit into His design.
Let us not give up hope.
Related Verses
Jeremiah 38:1-14, 20-22
Now Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malkijah heard what Jeremiah had been telling the people. He had been saying, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Everyone who stays in Jerusalem will die from war, famine, or disease, but those who surrender to the Babylonians will live. Their reward will be life. They will live!’ The LORD also says: ‘The city of Jerusalem will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon, who will capture it.’ ”
So these officials went to the king and said, “Sir, this man must die! That kind of talk will undermine the morale of the few fighting men we have left, as well as that of all the people. This man is a traitor!”
King Zedekiah agreed. “All right,” he said. “Do as you like. I can’t stop you.”
So the officials took Jeremiah from his cell and lowered him by ropes into an empty cistern in the prison yard. It belonged to Malkijah, a member of the royal family. There was no water in the cistern, but there was a thick layer of mud at the bottom, and Jeremiah sank down into it.
But Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, an important court official, heard that Jeremiah was in the cistern. At that time the king was holding court at the Benjamin Gate, so Ebed-melech rushed from the palace to speak with him. “My lord the king,” he said, “these men have done a very evil thing in putting Jeremiah the prophet into the cistern. He will soon die of hunger, for almost all the bread in the city is gone.”
So the king told Ebed-melech, “Take thirty of my men with you, and pull Jeremiah out of the cistern before he dies.”
So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to a room in the palace beneath the treasury, where he found some old rags and discarded clothing. He carried these to the cistern and lowered them to Jeremiah on a rope. Ebed-melech called down to Jeremiah, “Put these rags under your armpits to protect you from the ropes.” Then when Jeremiah was ready, they pulled him out. So Jeremiah was returned to the courtyard of the guard—the palace prison—where he remained.
Romans 8:31-39
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” * ) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Theme Park Utopia?
Even though I’m not a big fan of roller-coasters, I love theme parks.
At least, I think I do.
I have to remind myself of this fact every time I step into the swirling masses at the entrance gate and get sucked in to a land of “fun, food, and attractions”.
Kathy and I visited SeaWorld in Orlando last week. We had a great time, but we had one complaint. We felt there were far too many “human performers” at the shows. I came to see the majesty of Shamu, the giant killer whale, not a two hour (ok, ok, ok, five minute) video of a kid who yearns to be a SeaWorld trainer.
The last show we saw had trainers ( aka “human performers”) in brightly colored outfits bungee jumping off platforms, along with some token dolphins doing flips, and two squadrons of brightly colored parrots flying inches above our heads in the bleachers.
Simultaneously. No joke.
Talk about information overload. It was almost enough to push someone with ADD over the edge.
(For what it’s worth, I thought that having a trainer bungee cord OFF the pair of dolphins that she was surfing on top of was pretty darn impressive.)
Why do theme parks feel like we have to be entertained to the point of nausea? Why do we pay (A LOT OF) money to end up burned out? Why do we put up with food that we would typically send back to a kitchen?
Because it’s supposed to be fun?
The most enjoyable part of the day for Kathy and I was when we were by ourselves looking at an ENORMOUS walrus in an enclosure. It swam up to where we were, looked at us, and began whistling.
Yes, walruses (walri?) whistle. (Ex. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-MZE0y_9bc )
We were spell-bound.
That moment, filled with wonder, was worth the price of admission. We didn’t plan it, and SeaWorld didn’t contrive it; we simply were blessed by it.
I guess what Disney and these other parks have yet to discover is that true joy cannot be packaged, marketed, and sold. I see lots of tired, stressed out, and generally unhappy people at these parks. Many come because they think they’ll get a boost or feel refreshed.
Me? I usually need a vacation after the vacation.
Maybe the answer is not found in theme parks, souvenirs, and lousy fast-food. Maybe true joy is found in relationships instead of “stuff”.
Where does your joy come from?
Relevant Verses
Psalm 4:7-8 You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.
Psalm 30:11-12 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!
Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
At least, I think I do.
I have to remind myself of this fact every time I step into the swirling masses at the entrance gate and get sucked in to a land of “fun, food, and attractions”.
Kathy and I visited SeaWorld in Orlando last week. We had a great time, but we had one complaint. We felt there were far too many “human performers” at the shows. I came to see the majesty of Shamu, the giant killer whale, not a two hour (ok, ok, ok, five minute) video of a kid who yearns to be a SeaWorld trainer.
The last show we saw had trainers ( aka “human performers”) in brightly colored outfits bungee jumping off platforms, along with some token dolphins doing flips, and two squadrons of brightly colored parrots flying inches above our heads in the bleachers.
Simultaneously. No joke.
Talk about information overload. It was almost enough to push someone with ADD over the edge.
(For what it’s worth, I thought that having a trainer bungee cord OFF the pair of dolphins that she was surfing on top of was pretty darn impressive.)
Why do theme parks feel like we have to be entertained to the point of nausea? Why do we pay (A LOT OF) money to end up burned out? Why do we put up with food that we would typically send back to a kitchen?
Because it’s supposed to be fun?
The most enjoyable part of the day for Kathy and I was when we were by ourselves looking at an ENORMOUS walrus in an enclosure. It swam up to where we were, looked at us, and began whistling.
Yes, walruses (walri?) whistle. (Ex. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-MZE0y_9bc )
We were spell-bound.
That moment, filled with wonder, was worth the price of admission. We didn’t plan it, and SeaWorld didn’t contrive it; we simply were blessed by it.
I guess what Disney and these other parks have yet to discover is that true joy cannot be packaged, marketed, and sold. I see lots of tired, stressed out, and generally unhappy people at these parks. Many come because they think they’ll get a boost or feel refreshed.
Me? I usually need a vacation after the vacation.
Maybe the answer is not found in theme parks, souvenirs, and lousy fast-food. Maybe true joy is found in relationships instead of “stuff”.
Where does your joy come from?
Relevant Verses
Psalm 4:7-8 You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.
Psalm 30:11-12 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!
Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Turn the Light On
“Mind and body don’t get along at all. It is the mind that says to the body, or to the hand, “Don’t turn that light on!” when you get up in the middle of the night and it’s pitch black. The hand says “What? Don’t turn that light on?! You should have more sense than that!” But the mind is really … egotistical. “I know my way around this house! Don’t turn the light on!” Meanwhile, the toe is saying, “No. Turn the light on. Turn the light on, will you please? I’m not going through this again!” -Bill Cosby
Light is not the absence of darkness.
Have you ever really thought about light? I mean, have you ever just pondered the miracle of what light is, what it does, how it works?
Look around you. At first glance, the world may seem static (unless you’re driving as you read this in which case I beg you to STOP READING).
Anyways, at this very moment, particles of light (photons) are zipping all around you at a fantastic rate of speed. Innumerable photons are bouncing off everything around you, and then hitting your retina, allowing you to “see”.
Light is not static. It is fluid and constantly in motion.
Light might as well be a verb instead of a noun.
Jesus often used the analogy of light when He described His Identity:
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” -John 8:12
“Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” -John 12:44-46
For those who are followers of Jesus, there is no brighter moment in history than Easter morning.
He turned the lights up. Way up.
Easter is a time of celebration because Christ-followers believe that the power of death (darkness) was defeated by Jesus at the cross, and then utterly destroyed by His resurrection from the dead three days later.
His light continues to shine as those who follow His path continue to fix their gaze on Him.
This Easter, may we choose to walk in the light, and may His light and love reflect off us into a darkened world that hungers for Peace, Hope, and Joy.
HE IS RISEN!
Related Verses
John 20:1-10
Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. Then they went home.
John 1:1-18
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ ”
From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the one and only Son is himself God and is near to the Father’s heart.
He has revealed God to us.
Light is not the absence of darkness.
Have you ever really thought about light? I mean, have you ever just pondered the miracle of what light is, what it does, how it works?
Look around you. At first glance, the world may seem static (unless you’re driving as you read this in which case I beg you to STOP READING).
Anyways, at this very moment, particles of light (photons) are zipping all around you at a fantastic rate of speed. Innumerable photons are bouncing off everything around you, and then hitting your retina, allowing you to “see”.
Light is not static. It is fluid and constantly in motion.
Light might as well be a verb instead of a noun.
Jesus often used the analogy of light when He described His Identity:
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” -John 8:12
“Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” -John 12:44-46
For those who are followers of Jesus, there is no brighter moment in history than Easter morning.
He turned the lights up. Way up.
Easter is a time of celebration because Christ-followers believe that the power of death (darkness) was defeated by Jesus at the cross, and then utterly destroyed by His resurrection from the dead three days later.
His light continues to shine as those who follow His path continue to fix their gaze on Him.
This Easter, may we choose to walk in the light, and may His light and love reflect off us into a darkened world that hungers for Peace, Hope, and Joy.
HE IS RISEN!
Related Verses
John 20:1-10
Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. Then they went home.
John 1:1-18
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ ”
From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the one and only Son is himself God and is near to the Father’s heart.
He has revealed God to us.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
When Jesus is a Stranger
I heard a lot about Jesus growing up, but it wasn’t until one day during my senior year of high school that I actually invited Him to walk with me on my journey.
Oh boy.
I thought at first that He must have misunderstood me. You see, I just wanted someone cool to hang out with.
He had other ideas.
He said, “Let’s go THIS way.”
And my life has never been the same.
I’ll be the first to admit that the reason I have joy, hope and peace in my life is because of my relationship with Jesus.
But I’ll also admit that while getting “saved” is the easiest thing for someone to do (for us at least; it cost Jesus His life), actually living as a follower of Jesus is utterly impossible without divine intervention.
It takes the miraculous work of God to begin to untwist our selfish hearts so that we can truly love Him and others.
It’s not easy to follow Jesus.
The first disciples lived and worked alongside Jesus, and yet at times He seemed a stranger to them.
Peter even rebuked Jesus when Jesus shared the full extent of His mission; That He would be killed and then raised from the dead.
Jesus’ reply?
Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” (Matthew 16:23 NLTse)
That’s sometimes how I have felt about Jesus as I have travelled this journey of life.
I have this idea of who Jesus is, and then He comes in and turns it up on its head.
As my friend Matt puts it, “We build this house of cards and proudly show it to God. He nods, and says, “That’s very nice.” He then takes a deep breath and says “Watch this …”
Is that what many of the first disciples felt during the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Morning?
Does Jesus appear a stranger for a while because we simply cannot wrap our minds around what He is doing? Or maybe we just don’t want to know?
Maybe we sometimes want to say “Lord, please just leave me alone.”
It is hard to follow Jesus when He leads us into unfamiliar territory.
We can take comfort, however, in the fact that He DOES indeed know where He is going, and that He really does want us to be with Him.
Even though the road is hard.
Especially because the road is hard.
As Palm Sunday approaches, we will touch on these thoughts of when Jesus seems a stranger.
Relevant Verses
Matthew 16:21-27
From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.
But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”
Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.
John 12:12-36
Jesus’ Triumphant Entry
The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted,
“Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Hail to the King of Israel!”
Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:
“Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.”
His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.
Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!”
Jesus Predicts His Death
Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.
Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to your name.”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.
Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” He said this to indicate how he was going to die.
The crowd responded, “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?”
Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”
After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.
Oh boy.
I thought at first that He must have misunderstood me. You see, I just wanted someone cool to hang out with.
He had other ideas.
He said, “Let’s go THIS way.”
And my life has never been the same.
I’ll be the first to admit that the reason I have joy, hope and peace in my life is because of my relationship with Jesus.
But I’ll also admit that while getting “saved” is the easiest thing for someone to do (for us at least; it cost Jesus His life), actually living as a follower of Jesus is utterly impossible without divine intervention.
It takes the miraculous work of God to begin to untwist our selfish hearts so that we can truly love Him and others.
It’s not easy to follow Jesus.
The first disciples lived and worked alongside Jesus, and yet at times He seemed a stranger to them.
Peter even rebuked Jesus when Jesus shared the full extent of His mission; That He would be killed and then raised from the dead.
Jesus’ reply?
Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” (Matthew 16:23 NLTse)
That’s sometimes how I have felt about Jesus as I have travelled this journey of life.
I have this idea of who Jesus is, and then He comes in and turns it up on its head.
As my friend Matt puts it, “We build this house of cards and proudly show it to God. He nods, and says, “That’s very nice.” He then takes a deep breath and says “Watch this …”
Is that what many of the first disciples felt during the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Morning?
Does Jesus appear a stranger for a while because we simply cannot wrap our minds around what He is doing? Or maybe we just don’t want to know?
Maybe we sometimes want to say “Lord, please just leave me alone.”
It is hard to follow Jesus when He leads us into unfamiliar territory.
We can take comfort, however, in the fact that He DOES indeed know where He is going, and that He really does want us to be with Him.
Even though the road is hard.
Especially because the road is hard.
As Palm Sunday approaches, we will touch on these thoughts of when Jesus seems a stranger.
Relevant Verses
Matthew 16:21-27
From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.
But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”
Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.
John 12:12-36
Jesus’ Triumphant Entry
The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted,
“Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Hail to the King of Israel!”
Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:
“Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.”
His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.
Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!”
Jesus Predicts His Death
Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.
Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to your name.”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.
Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” He said this to indicate how he was going to die.
The crowd responded, “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?”
Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”
After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Turkey Pot Pie Love
I dearly love turkey pot pies.
There’s just something especially delicious about getting a steaming hot pot pie and using your fork like a can opener to carefully remove the lid. Ahhhhhh. Next, you take white bread and scoop up the insides (careful or you’ll get burned!). Yummy! Then, eat the crust, and finally, the piez de la resistance; a tall glass of cold milk.
I love my wife, too. But words escape me when I try to describe what my heart feels when I see her. I simply see her and tell her “I love you.” Kathy doesn’t need a string of adjectives, because she can (hopefully) hear the tone in my voice.
Humanity is at a loss for words when it comes to adequately describing truly important things.
Like the word “love”. How can I love turkey pot pies and love my wife?
Maybe volume plays a part. No, I’m not recommending a bullhorn to read valentines. Maybe we just need to constantly hear something in order for us to begin to believe it.
I think maybe the reason that the word “love” pops up so often in the Bible (five hundred and nine times in the NIV translation) is that we tend to forget that God loves us. Maybe we’re so simple-minded that God thought, “If I don’t tell them at least five hundred times, they’re gonna miss the whole point.”
What does it mean that God truly loves us? That He dearly loves us? That He loves us?
Brennan Manning, an author and speaker, once stated, "The God of so many Christians I meet is a God who is too small for me. Because He is not the God of the Word. He is not the God revealed by and in Jesus Christ who this moment comes right to your seat and says “I have a word for you. I know your whole life story. I know every skeleton in your closet. I know every moment of sin, shame, dishonesty and degraded love that has darkened your past. Right now I know your shallow faith, your feeble prayer life, your inconsistent discipleship, and my word is this, I dare you to trust that I love you just as you are and not as you should be, because you’re never gonna be as you should be.”
I spent years of my life trying to appease an angry god. A deity who wanted to see me fail so that I could grovel for forgiveness at its feet. A deity who tolerated me when I did all the right things, but punished me when I didn’t quite make the cut.
It wasn’t until I started reading the Bible for myself that I began to hear God tell me, “I love you, Joe.”
And the longer I read, the louder those words became.
There came a point in time where I finally believed it.
My life has never been the same.
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Psalm 13:5-6
But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the LORD because he is good to me.
Psalm 42:7-8
I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.
John 3:16-17
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
There’s just something especially delicious about getting a steaming hot pot pie and using your fork like a can opener to carefully remove the lid. Ahhhhhh. Next, you take white bread and scoop up the insides (careful or you’ll get burned!). Yummy! Then, eat the crust, and finally, the piez de la resistance; a tall glass of cold milk.
I love my wife, too. But words escape me when I try to describe what my heart feels when I see her. I simply see her and tell her “I love you.” Kathy doesn’t need a string of adjectives, because she can (hopefully) hear the tone in my voice.
Humanity is at a loss for words when it comes to adequately describing truly important things.
Like the word “love”. How can I love turkey pot pies and love my wife?
Maybe volume plays a part. No, I’m not recommending a bullhorn to read valentines. Maybe we just need to constantly hear something in order for us to begin to believe it.
I think maybe the reason that the word “love” pops up so often in the Bible (five hundred and nine times in the NIV translation) is that we tend to forget that God loves us. Maybe we’re so simple-minded that God thought, “If I don’t tell them at least five hundred times, they’re gonna miss the whole point.”
What does it mean that God truly loves us? That He dearly loves us? That He loves us?
Brennan Manning, an author and speaker, once stated, "The God of so many Christians I meet is a God who is too small for me. Because He is not the God of the Word. He is not the God revealed by and in Jesus Christ who this moment comes right to your seat and says “I have a word for you. I know your whole life story. I know every skeleton in your closet. I know every moment of sin, shame, dishonesty and degraded love that has darkened your past. Right now I know your shallow faith, your feeble prayer life, your inconsistent discipleship, and my word is this, I dare you to trust that I love you just as you are and not as you should be, because you’re never gonna be as you should be.”
I spent years of my life trying to appease an angry god. A deity who wanted to see me fail so that I could grovel for forgiveness at its feet. A deity who tolerated me when I did all the right things, but punished me when I didn’t quite make the cut.
It wasn’t until I started reading the Bible for myself that I began to hear God tell me, “I love you, Joe.”
And the longer I read, the louder those words became.
There came a point in time where I finally believed it.
My life has never been the same.
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Psalm 13:5-6
But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the LORD because he is good to me.
Psalm 42:7-8
I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.
John 3:16-17
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
A Community of Connections Part 2
When people find out that I'm a pastor, they inevitably ask me the question, "Where is your church?"
I respond, "Well, we meet all over the place."
Then I grin.
I get a variety of reactions from this statement, and I'm still working on not getting defensive when I have to explain how a church of small-groups works.
Our church meets in small groups in coffeehouses, homes, bars, libraries, bowling alleys, etc. We share life together and learn from each other. We honor God through our relationships with each other as well as through meeting needs in the community around us; no strings attached. And, the leaders of these various groups get together on a weekly basis to share, pray, celebrate and learn.
I admit it. This is very different from what many people think “church” is.
It takes a while to get comfortable with the concept that a faith community can regularly connect with other believers (as well as those who are not Christians) outside the confines of a "church service".
After all, Jesus DID say that whenever two or three were gathered in His name, that He would be present. This has been one of the guiding forces behind our community of small groups, our community of connections.
We believe that you can live in fellowship with others, that you can honor God with your life, and that you can change your community by living your faith out in the world as opposed to trying to get the community to hear about your faith in a service.
Now, this isn’t a knock on churches that have buildings and large services. Many faith communities continue to grow God’s Kingdom through these tools. What makes me shudder, though, is all the people who won’t come to a service or church event. Who’s going to reach out and tell the good news to them? Who’s going to share their lives with the disconnected? Who’s going to patiently love others as they struggle (as we all do!) on this journey?
May we all be faithful to God’s call on us and our faith communities as we wrestle with these questions.
Related Scriptures
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.
Ecclesiastes 4:7-10
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
John 4:19-24
“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, * where our ancestors worshiped?”
Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Acts 2:42
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
I respond, "Well, we meet all over the place."
Then I grin.
I get a variety of reactions from this statement, and I'm still working on not getting defensive when I have to explain how a church of small-groups works.
Our church meets in small groups in coffeehouses, homes, bars, libraries, bowling alleys, etc. We share life together and learn from each other. We honor God through our relationships with each other as well as through meeting needs in the community around us; no strings attached. And, the leaders of these various groups get together on a weekly basis to share, pray, celebrate and learn.
I admit it. This is very different from what many people think “church” is.
It takes a while to get comfortable with the concept that a faith community can regularly connect with other believers (as well as those who are not Christians) outside the confines of a "church service".
After all, Jesus DID say that whenever two or three were gathered in His name, that He would be present. This has been one of the guiding forces behind our community of small groups, our community of connections.
We believe that you can live in fellowship with others, that you can honor God with your life, and that you can change your community by living your faith out in the world as opposed to trying to get the community to hear about your faith in a service.
Now, this isn’t a knock on churches that have buildings and large services. Many faith communities continue to grow God’s Kingdom through these tools. What makes me shudder, though, is all the people who won’t come to a service or church event. Who’s going to reach out and tell the good news to them? Who’s going to share their lives with the disconnected? Who’s going to patiently love others as they struggle (as we all do!) on this journey?
May we all be faithful to God’s call on us and our faith communities as we wrestle with these questions.
Related Scriptures
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.
Ecclesiastes 4:7-10
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
John 4:19-24
“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, * where our ancestors worshiped?”
Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Acts 2:42
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
A Community of Connections
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be reviewing our vision of what we are called to be as a faith community.
This is important, because our vision serves as a window into what we believe our church should look like. A vision isn’t a snapshot; it’s more like a symphony. When we are playing the right notes, and in step with the Lord, we will hear the music. The vision helps us to keep playing in tune.
Our first paragraph of our vision reads as follows:
“Small groups of people are where it’s at. When asked where our church meets, we laugh. “All over the place,” is our response. The church is about people, not buildings. Our small groups ARE the church. They meet regularly to share life; both its joys and struggles. You’ll find them meeting in bars, malls, coffee houses and diners. You’ll see them serving others in our community and beyond. And you’ll hear about them starting new groups. There are people all over the place who need to reconnect with God and with others; without new groups we’d never get to share this journey with them. All kinds of friends are invited to walk along with us. They come because here they discover acceptance and love.”
Questions to Discuss
o Do we see our church as a place/time or as people as we gather together?
o Where does our church meet?
o How have we been sharing life with each other?
o How have we been serving? How do we continue to serve?
o Where might new groups begin?
o How do we live out a life of acceptance and love?
Relevant Scriptures
Ecclesiastes 4:7-10
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.
Luke 21:5-6
Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”
Acts 2:42
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Revelations 21:22-27
I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty - but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
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