Daily Lectionary Ponderings

The confidence faith can bring

2008-08-21T08:54:00.003-04:00

Job 1:1-22
Acts 8:26-40
John 6:16-27
Psalm 27:1-14

Today we leave struggling Danites to their devices and begin considering the saga of Job. We see his blessed life. We hear the heavenly conference. We witness his downfall. We hear evidence of his steadfast faith. So... if you think you're having a bad day... think on Job!

20Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." 22In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong-doing.

Philip meanwhile is having a great day in Acts, as we are given the account of the Eunuchs conversion. Who know what effect this had on the spread of the faith!

35Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?" 37, 38He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Following the walking on water in John, Jesus offers some instruction regarding our motives. Why do we do what we do? For the bread? For the glory? Or out of faithfulness?

25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal."

Snake River Mission Area in the Presbytery of Eastern Oregon is the focus of our YearBook.

The Presbytery of Eastern Oregon comprises an area of over 500 square miles and contains three major mountain ranges, the Wallowas, the Blues, and the Elkhorns. The 1,112 members worship in sixteen churches ranging from thirteen to almost 300. “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” describes their lives as a presbytery. When we follow our Savior, low numbers and large distances can be overcome. We pray that it may continue to be so, to God’s glory.

Our Catechism question almost throws us back to Job who is about to encounter those who have a differing understanding of faith then he posessed.

Question 52. How should I treat non-Christians and people of other religions?
As much as I can, I should meet friendship with friendship, hostility with kindness, generosity with gratitude, persecution with forbearance, truth with agreement, and error with truth. I should express my faith with humility and devotion as the occasion requires, whether silently or openly, boldly or meekly, by word or by deed. I should avoid compromising the truth on the one hand and being narrow-minded on the other. In short, I should always welcome and accept these others in a way that honors and reflects the Lord's welcome and acceptance of me.

Psalm 27 speaks of the confidence faith can bring.

1The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

Prayer: Lord, Today grant me to work with eternity in mind rather than the temporal, to pass through problems aware that You stand with me and not against me, to treat others with respect and honor and to discover Your light in unexpected places. In Jesus name. Amen.

Small, faithful actions that make a difference

2008-08-20T08:27:00.003-04:00

Judges 18:16-31
Acts 8:14-25
John 6:1-15
Psalm 4:1-8

Our reading from John gives us the accounmt of the miracoulous feeding of the thousands of hungry folk. The action is seen in John as a 'sign', initiated by an unnamed child, whose actions are at first greeted with an atitude of cynicism. So often our daily efforts can be similarly thwarted. "What have you got to offer when the needs are so great?"

9"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?"

The actions of others can leave us bruised and brooding. When our latest greatest plan is shot down in flames it causes us to doubt our abilities to bring about change. The Psalmist suggests 'waiting on God' as an antidote.

2How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame?
How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah
3But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself;
the LORD hears when I call to him.
4When you are disturbed, do not sin;
ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Acts gives us the account of Simon the magician, recognizing the power of the gospel but then seeking to purchase it... in effect to lay upon such power a claim of ownership. Such is always a temptation. 'This is my ministry... my calling'. Peter is unflinching in his exposure of such motives. Simon is suitably repentant.

21You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. 22Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness." 24Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me."

In our OT reading the Danites continue their conquests. This time they steal Micah's priest and idol, take away land from unsuspecting owners and maintain the idol as their own. The priest is told;

"Keep quiet! Put your hand over your mouth, and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one person, or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?" 20Then the priest accepted the offer. He took the ephod, the teraphim, and the idol, and went along with the people.

This tale doesn't get better as it unfolds. Maybe the only saving grace for the priest is that at least his sphere of influence had expanded. As we consider how to minister to others sometimes we are called to the individual, sometimes the community... but usually not one at the expense of the other! Returning though to the theme of the feeding... small, faithful actions that make a difference... our Mission YearBook furnishes an example of blessing in the midst of scarcity from The Presbytery of Boise Idaho, Nevada, Oregon;

Exciting things are happening in the outlying areas of the presbytery. Sterry Memorial Church in Roswell, surrounded by acres of hops and onion fields, has a dynamic midweek ministry that fills its family life center to overflowing. Dozens of children and youth come from near and far to be a part of a highly engaging ministry staffed entirely by volunteers.

Our catechism takes us a slightly different track. A much better track than the Danite one!

Question 51. How will God deal with the followers of other religions?
God has made salvation available to all human beings through Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. How God will deal with those who do not know or follow Christ, but who follow another tradition, we cannot finally say. We can say, however, that God is gracious and merciful, and that God will not deal with people in any other way than we see in Jesus Christ, who came as the Savior of the world.

Prayer: Lord, with individials and within community, through words and actions, through overcoming cynicism and planting seeds of faith, help me to embrace Your purposes this day. In Jesus name, whose power I never own but by whose grace I am constantly overwhelmed, I pray. Amen.

Cultures and Conflicts

2008-08-19T07:38:00.003-04:00

Judges 18:1-15
Acts 8:1-13
John 5:30-47
Psalm 86:1-17

In our Judges reading 5 spies of the tribe of Dan search for a home for their tribe. Along the way they encounter the house of Micah, with it's Levite priest watching over a silver idol. How will things turn out? At this stage we don't know. Good and bad are in place. How like life! Uncertainty... yet the sense that somehow in our stumblings and strivings things are going to work out.

14Then the five men who had gone to spy out the land (that is, Laish) said to their comrades, "Do you know that in these buildings there are an ephod, teraphim, and an idol of cast metal? Now therefore consider what you will do." 15So they turned in that direction and came to the house of the young Levite, at the home of Micah, and greeted him.

Stockton Presbytery in California deals daily with the uncertainty of people movements as it seeks to minister to new immigrant populations. How do we find a home in a strange land?

St. John’s Assyrian Presbyterian Church, Turlock, is growing with the leadership of its new pastor, the Rev. Edward Eissabake, and ministers with the growing Assyrian population. Trinity Presbyterian Church, Stockton, is a multicultural church with a membership of Chinese Americans, Hispanics, Africans, Filipinos, and others. Trinity is growing into its calling as a church open to all people, one that is known for its members’ hospitality and witness to Christ’s all-encompassing love.

So their prayer; 'Merciful God, we thank You for the gathering of nations among us that seek to worship and glorify You. Make us faithful to Your high calling to love all our neighbors. Amen.' The Kingdom of God is an alien kingdom to the ways of those yet to experience the love of God in Christ. Following Stephens martyrdom, Philip becomes the evangelist making an impact in our Acts passage.

9Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. 10All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called Great." 11And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place.

As Jesus continues to discourse in John, it is clear that He is often misunderstood and wrongly interpreted. Yet He perstintently claims only to be doing the Father's will. This shapes His entire ministry.

30"I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

As cultures clash the debate about what constitutes true religion grows wider. In such a context maybe the best any can do is seek to do the perceived will of God in our differing situations. Yet still we need to hear the voices around us, for surely God is also active in their lives! Reflecting on our multi-faith situation, our catechism asks;

Question 50. Is Christianity the only true religion?
Religion is a complex matter. When used as a means to promote self-justification, war-mongering or prejudice, it is a form of sin. Too often all religions -- and not least Christianity -- have been twisted in this way. Nevertheless, by grace, despite all disobedience, Christianity offers the truth of the gospel. Although other religions may enshrine various truths, no other can or does affirm the name of Jesus Christ as the hope of the world.

I know not if the Psalmist would give such a definition a hearty 'Amen', but he does ask...

4Gladden the soul of Your servant,
for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5For You, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call on You.
6Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer;
listen to my cry of supplication.
7In the day of my trouble I call on You,
for You will answer me.
8There is none like You among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like Yours.

Prayer: Lord, Amidst the many voices I will today encounter, grant me the perserverance to hear Yours and the will to follow Your leadings. Amen

Who can be saved?

2008-08-18T08:47:00.002-04:00

Judges 17:1-13
Acts 7:44-8:1a
John 5:19-29
Psalm 112:1-10

Our Catechism throws us that interesting dilemma of salvation.

Question 49. Will all human beings be saved?
No one will be lost who can be saved. The limits to salvation, whatever they may be, are known only to God. Three truths above all are certain. God is a holy God who is not to be trifled with. No one will be saved except by grace alone. And no judge could possibly be more gracious than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Our OT reading is a tale of silver idols and Levitical priests. Maybe of significcance in the whole tale is the note that in the absence of clear leadership everybody did what was right in their own eyes. Reflecting on salvation the catechisms comment that 'No one will be saved except by grace alone' seems pertinent.

6In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes. 7Now there was a young man of Bethlehem in Judah, of the clan of Judah. He was a Levite residing there. 8This man left the town of Bethlehem in Judah, to live wherever he could find a place. He came to the house of Micah in the hill country of Ephraim to carry on his work. 9Micah said to him, "From where do you come?" He replied, "I am a Levite of Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to live wherever I can find a place." 10Then Micah said to him, "Stay with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, a set of clothes, and your living."

Acts 7 gives us the account of Stevens martydom. In his sermon he outlines God's plan of salvation and the ability of people to resist it! Again eflecting on salvation the catechisms comment that 'God is a holy God who is not to be trifled with.' seems relevant.

51"You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. 52Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. 53You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it."

The salvation perogative of God, outlined by the catechisms phrase 'The limits to salvation, whatever they may be, are known only to God.' is upheld by the words of Jesus in our John passage.

21Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes.

Turning to our Mission YearBook we are given an insight into the multi-cultural fellowships of Sacremento Presbytery. Such accounts speak of salvation in concrete terms.

These four Asian Presbyterian communities gather near the river on Sundays for worship, communion, and growing disciples. Each congregation is at a different stage of its development. The Indonesian fellowship is at the exciting beginning point. The Vietnamese congregation is experiencing growth. Capital Korean is at a high point in its ministry. Parkview’s predominantly Japanese American congregation is becoming more multicultural.

Maybe the Psalmist speaks of salvation in the clearest terms.

Praise the LORD!
Happy are those who fear the LORD,
who greatly delight in his commandments.

They are not afraid of evil tidings;
their hearts are firm, secure in the LORD.
Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.

Salvation = Wholeness, Security, Boldness, Hopefulness, Love.
It is not individualistic but something we nurture as we gather to worship God.
The prayer is based on that in the YearBook .

Prayer: God, we gather at the river and thank You for Your faithfulness. May we live Your calling to make disciples of the many who call on Your name. Amen.

Hope

2008-07-24T08:37:00.001-04:00

Joshua 9:3-21
Romans 15:1-13
Matthew 26:69-75
Psalm 27:1-14

From the Mission YearBook comes a hope story .

One hit hard was an 85-year-old gentleman who spent two days in his attic waiting to be rescued. The presbytery’s actions helped to restore his home and his faith. After years away from the church he recently confessed his faith by joining Conklin Presbyterian. While the physical help offered after the flood will long be remembered, more people have said that it was the hope offered that has helped them the most. When they didn’t know where to turn, the Presbyterians were there for them. The love of Jesus Christ became real and tangible through the presence of the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley, its 6,233 members and 51 churches.

Hope also is a focus of our Catechism question. As I personally struggle with some of the things that have come my way recently I recognise a strong temptation towards bitterness... manifested mostly in thoughts of revenge or ill-will towards those I feel are responsible. Such is not the way of Christ. This question creates a larger framework through which to work things out.

Question 24. What difference does your faith in God's providence make when you struggle against bitterness and despair?
When I suffer harm or adversity, my faith in God's providence upholds me against bitterness and despair. It reminds me when hope disappears that my heartache and pain are contained by a larger purpose and a higher power than I can presently discern. Even in grief, shame and loss, I can still cry out to God in lament, waiting on God to supply my needs, and to bring me healing and comfort.

Our Joshua passge speaks of the cunning of the inhabitants of Gibeon in fooling Johsua to enter into an ill-advised treaty. Be careful what you sign off on! When livelihoods are threatened, folk are not always truthful.

Then all the congregation murmured against the leaders. 19But all the leaders said to all the congregation, "We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we must not touch them. 20This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that wrath may not come upon us, because of the oath that we swore to them."

Paul speaks of his hopes for unity in the body of Christ. Such a unity he percieves comes into being when we are prepared to put aside our rights for the benefit of building up the faith of those weaker than ourselves. In this passage his pastoral outshines his doctrine.

5May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew offers the sobering account of Peter's betrayals. As a Brit living in WV the passge where Peter's 'accent' betrays him has a certain resonance to it :-) Yet I think it is true that we all live by 'accents' ... in terms of cultural identities and ways of being... some of which can be at odds with the requirements of the Kingdom lifestyle. The cock crows for us all.

73After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you." 74Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, "I do not know the man!" At that moment the cock crowed. 75Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

Pulling us back to the center again is the Psalmist. Though we face conflicts, within and without, our hope remains in God. His light converts our darkness. His love converts our bitterness into charcter formation. His hope is our best and usuall only true hope. Despite our failings... we have nothing to fear.

1The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2When evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
they shall stumble and fall.
3Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.

Prayer: Lord as today we may face certain tasks with anxiety or even bitterness, help us to seek the best for others, to find our confidence in Your providence and embrace a new day with hope in our hearts. Amen.

Community is Costly

2008-07-23T15:48:00.005-04:00

Have not been posting for a while. Conversations with Mr. Bolt revitalised me. It's hard when you are away a great deal! No guilt. We do what we can.. And I know I'm going to be out again for another week by Saturday! C'est la vie.

Joshua 8:30-35
Romans 14:13-23
Matthew 26:57-68
Evening: Psalm 4:1-8

Began the day with the Mission YearBook which focuses on a topic dera to my heart of campous ministry. As I consider the failure and success of our own efforts in my own church it is an incentive to read:-

Newly ordained minister Karen Sloan gave an impassioned plea for a New Campus Ministry Development at Quinnipiac University in New Haven. Tom Fisher, a retired minister, told of the spiritual quests of Presbyterian students in the five-college area of southern Massachusetts. “If we do not see Presbyterian campus ministries as a mission priority, there won’t be a Presbyterian church in the future!”

Our Catechism question today hits me head on. Currently there is considerable conflict in one area of my local church. Wow!

Question 23. What comfort do you receive by trusting in God's providence?
The eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ watches over me each day of my life, blessing and guiding me wherever I may be. God strengthens me when I am faithful, comforts me when discouraged or sorrowful, raises me up if I fall, and brings me at last to eternal life. Entrusting myself wholly to God's care, I receive the grace to be patient in adversity, thankful in the midst of blessing, courageous against injustice, and confident that no evil afflicts me that God will not turn to my good.

The reading from Joshua seems to speak of a community united by covenant. This community embraces both the young and the alien. All gather around the Word God has spoken. A picture maybe of the hopes for the church to come.

34And afterwards he read all the words of the law, blessings and curses, according to all that is written in the book of the law. 35There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the aliens who resided among them.

Our Romans passage speaks of not passing judgment on others, but watching more to our own conduct. I am sure that Pauls words have to be taken into the context of church fellowship rather than church disciplne. John Knox's 3 edicts of a true Church... right preeaching, sacraments and faithful discipline... are not here negated but stengthened by a desire for unity. The overarching incentive is that we 'walk in love'.

13Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another. 14I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15If your brother or sister is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died.

Matthew offers us a stark reminder that just because we do right does not mean we get treated right! We should expect that sometimes things get pear-shaped.. and maybe rejoice when they don't.

He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66What is your verdict?" They answered, "He deserves death." 67Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, 68saying, "Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?"

The Psalmist draws us back to a true focus. Our help is in the Lord our God. It is by centering our lives in Him that we sleep peacefuuly at night when the world around us gets crazy!

7You have put gladness in my heart
more than when their grain and wine abound.
8I will both lie down and sleep in peace;
for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.

Prayer: Lord, You call us to be communities, built upon the notion of walking together in Your love. Forgive me for times when that vision has become dim because the problems of the day have obscured the light. Remind me that seeking to do the right thing does not equate to being treated fairly! Point me again to events surrounding Crosses. Replace any fear with the gladness of Your Presence. Amen.

A Rock amidst storms of temptation and desperation

2008-05-22T08:59:00.003-04:00

Proverbs 7:1-27
1 John 5:13-21
Matthew 11:25-30
Psalm 62:1-12

Proverbs warns against the seductive attraction of temptation.

24And now, my children, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. 25Do not let your hearts turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths. 26for many are those she has laid low, and numerous are her victims. 27Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.

1 John counsels us to avoid sin and stay in Christ.

18We know that those who are born of God do not sin, but the one who was born of God protects them, and the evil one does not touch them. 19We know that we are God's children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one. 20And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

That last verse takes us to our study catechium question.

Question 95. What is the second commandment?
"You shall not make for yourself an idol" (Ex. 20:4; Deut. 5:8).

Matthew bids us come to Jesus and take upon ourselves the yoke of service.

28"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

God is indeed our refuge.

6He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
8Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.

From John Calvin Presbytery, Kansas, Missouri, comes this account.

On Sunday night, December 10, 2006, a few hours after the children’s Christmas Eve pageant concluded, fire destroyed the 100-year-old sanctuary of the 90-member Crane Missouri Presbyterian Church. Bill Hackley, a 70-year church member, summed up the congregation’s response when he said, “We’re still under God’s plan.”

Members of the Crane session soon found new opportunities arising from the sanctuary’s destruction. Sale of their small corner lot alleviated a traffic hazard and afforded a neighboring funeral home additional parking. A new location, close to the public school, will allow the church to develop after-school outreach programs.

Prayer: Lord, Amidst temptations and discouragements help me offer Your encouraging Word to others. You are the Rock upon which we need to stand, the One who carries us through, the redeemer who makes good out of all our vain wanderings. Help us through this day. Amen.

Mission is hard work. Worth it. But hard work.

2008-05-21T08:26:00.003-04:00

Proverbs 6:1-19
1 John 5:1-12
Matthew 11:16-24
Psalm 33:1-22

Advice to the lazy.

6Go to the ant, you lazybones; consider its ways, and be wise. 7Without having any chief or officer or ruler, 8it prepares its food in summer, and gathers its sustenance in harvest. 9How long will you lie there, O lazybones? When will you rise from your sleep? 10A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want, like an armed warrior.

Victory comes through doing and obeying.

3For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. 5Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

The fickleness of folk!

16"But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 17'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon'; 19the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."

The permanance of God's Word.

11The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

What do we learn from loving God first?

Question 94. What do you learn from this commandment?
No loyalty comes before my loyalty to God. I should worship and serve only God, expect all good from God alone, and love, fear and honor God with all my heart.

Matt. 10:37 "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."

Mission is hard work and takes action. Examples from Heartland PresbyteryKansas, Missouri;

At its start in 2004 with forty Lutherans in an elementary school, evangelist Dan McKnight and others spent the summer knocking on doors and marching with the worship band in area parades.

Kaw Prairie lowers the barriers for seekers looking for Jesus while raising the bar for disciples serving him. One of the church’s primary outreach tools is a Christmas Eve Family Barn service. In 2004, members found a barn they could use and turned Christmas Eve into an outreach event. With an average attendance at worship of eighty a week, they planned for about one hundred at the barn. As it turned out, 325 people—and the Kansas City NBC affiliate—showed up. It was too crowded to have Communion or even to take an offering! Each year attendance has doubled, reaching 1,300 over four services in 2006. As with all Kaw Prairie ministries, it’s lots of work, but the goal—changing lives with Jesus’ love—is worth it.

Prayer: Lord, we are called to work for You. We must not expect anything to result without effort and planning and endeavour. Forgive our lack of trying! Continue to inspire and move us forward in Jesus name. Amen.

Students of the Word

2008-05-19T10:28:00.003-04:00

Proverbs 3:11-20
1 John 3:18-4:6
Matthew 11:1-6
Psalm 29:1-11

From the Synod of Mid-America comes some thoughts about helping students discern their call to ministry.

The students design the worship using the congregation’s traditional order of service. Each service includes some form of proclamation. The students plan and lead the service music, which often is special music and praise songs. As it plans the worship, the team tries to accommodate the needs of the host congregation.
The Rev. David Jones, Ecumenical Campus Ministries’ pastor, says that in addition to introducing congregations to campus ministry, “The team helps young adults discern a call to ministry. Even those who choose not to enter the ministry learn ways to serve as lay leaders in the future.”

Our Catechism speaks of the usefulness of being a student of God's ways.

Question 92. What are the uses of God's law?
God's law has three uses. First, it shows me how grievously I fail to live according to God's will, driving me to pray for God's mercy. Second, it functions to restrain even the worst of sinners through the fear of punishment. Finally, it teaches me how to live a life which bears witness to the gospel, and spurs me on to do so.

Proverbs stays on a studious theme, speaking of the benefit of wisdom.

13Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding, 14for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold. 15She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

1 John reminds us that study of God's word needs to be put into actions.

18Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him

Matthews gospel points to the instructing ministry of Jesus Christ.

1Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities.

The Psalmist speaks of the voice of God, a voice to be heard and responded to.

9The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl,
and strips the forest bare;
and in his temple all say, "Glory!"
10The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
11May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Our calling is to be doers, not just hearers of God.

Prayer: Lord, As I seek to hear Your Word, enable me through Your Holy Spirit to translate what I learn with my mind into actions I take through my life. Amen.

Trinitarian Musings

2008-05-18T07:35:00.004-04:00

Job 38:1-11; 42:1-5
Revelation 19:4-16
John 1:29-34
Psalm 139:1-24

Trinity Sunday and we begin with a reflection from the Yearbook, that outlines a threefold path of service: to call people to repentance, to lead with a vision of the future, and to minister to people in need.

The key to leadership lies in God’s calling and the response of those chosen by God. God’s given mission for leaders is threefold and is clearly stated: to call people to repentance, to lead with a vision of the future, and to minister to people in need.
Today we need leaders of a high spiritual, psychological, social, and cultural caliber, particularly those who are able to demonstrate passion without compromising reason; those who are flexible, tolerant, open to dialogue, and most important, willing to depend and trust in God both in defeat and in triumph. At Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico, we pray that such leaders will be called forth to serve the people of God.

Our catechism reflects on why we should follow God's commands and leadings; with an atitude of Gratitude

Question 91. Why should you obey this law?
Not to win God's love, for God already loves me. Not to earn my salvation, for Christ has earned it for me. Not to avoid being punished, for then I would obey out of fear. With gladness in my heart I should obey God's law out of gratitude, for God has blessed me by it and given it for my well-being.

Job realises that God was way beyond what he had ever dreamed. Getting to know God was the answer to his deepest longings.

1Then Job answered the LORD: 2"I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4'Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.' 5I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;

Johns weird visions speak of the glorified Christ as the focus of our worship. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." We are getting a little Trinitarian now!

9And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are true words of God." 10Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your comrades who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

At the baptism of Jesus, John also drops Trinitarian hints, using language that can only rightly be understood in the light of such a doctrine. Such as...

'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God."

The knowledge of God is to wonderful to comprehend, the presence of God to intimate to fathom, the wisdom of God way beyond what our minds can contain. Join with the Psalmist...

6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it.
7Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?
8If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
9If I take the wings of the morning
and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
10even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me fast.

Prayer: Lord, truly on this day of mystery we claim You are the God so much greater than our comprehension. Help us to accept what we can and trust You for the rest. Speak of Your love to others through my actions this day. Amen.

Dancing in the river of life.

2008-05-17T07:18:00.003-04:00

Psalm 149:1-9
Ezekiel 47:1-12
1 John 3:11-18
Matthew 10:34-42

The Psalmist begins with praise.

1Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
2Let Israel be glad in its Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.

Our catechism gioves a praise reason...the liberty of God's people.

Question 90. Why did God give this law?
After rescuing the people of Israel from their slavery in Egypt, God led them to Mount Sinai, where they received the law through Moses. It was the great charter of liberty for Israel, a people chosen to live in covenant with God and to serve as a light to the nations. It remains the charter of liberty for all who would love, know and serve the Lord today.

Ezekial is dancing in the river of life!

3Going on eastwards with a cord in his hand, the man measured one thousand cubits, and then led me through the water; and it was ankle-deep. 4Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was knee-deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was up to the waist. 5Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. 6He said to me, ‘Mortal, have you seen this?’ Then he led me back along the bank of the river. 7As I came back, I saw on the bank of the river a great many trees on one side and on the other. 8He said to me, ‘This water flows towards the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh.
9Wherever the river goes,* every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes.

1 John reminds us again of love in action.

16We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?
18Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.

Matthew speaks of our little things being the big things.

40"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; 42and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."

From Western Kentucky comes a mission tale of clean water.

More than 150 people crowded into the church to celebrate the availability of clean water. Pastor Wimmer Avias spoke of the Living Water, Jesus Christ, and the Living Waters for the World project, which brought the town the water of life. The week in Aquiles Serdán ended with the project team and the congregation joyfully enjoying the taste of pure water.

Prayer: Lord help me today to dance in the river, serve others and enable Your purposes to be done. In Jesus name. Amen.

Happiness, Restoration and Service!

2008-05-16T09:01:00.003-04:00

Ezekiel 39:21-29
1 John 3:1-10
Matthew 10:24-33
Psalm 40:1-17

Today we start with Transylvania. Nothing to do with Dracula... but ministries such as teaching kids computers. in this Kentucky region.

When two or more gather in the Presbytery of Transylvania, mission happens! Over forty years ago, Eastern Kentuckians addressed the devastation of poverty by establishing Christian Service Ministry (CSM). The CSM in Drift offers personal hygiene items to teens as rewards for school attendance. In Peter Creek, seed packets allow families to grow their own vegetables. Interfaith of Breathitt County in Jackson sponsors a Christmas store where parents can select gifts for their children. Ashland Area Presbyterian Ministries partners with other charities to provide one-stop assistance for homeless folks. In Lexington, Westminster Village Apartments serves families on welfare. A newly appointed county attorney is one of many success stories.

Ezekial speaks of the restoring work of God.

25Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for my holy name. 26They shall forget their shame, and all the treachery they have practiced against me, when they live securely in their land with no one to make them afraid, 27when I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them from their enemies' lands, and through them have displayed my holiness in the sight of many nations.

1 John reminds us of the primacy of love.

10The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters.

Jesus in John reminds us of the care God has for all creation... and what to worry about!

28Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

it's good to have guidelines. Moses gave us the TEN big ones!

Question 89. What are the Ten Commandments?
The Ten Commandments give a summary of God's law for our lives. They teach us how to live rightly with God and one another.
Deut. 10:4 "Then he wrote on the tablets the same words as before, the ten commandments that the Lord had spoken to you on the mountain out of the fire on the day of the assembly; and the Lord gave them to me."
Matt. 19:17 "And he said to him, 'Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.'"

So where is happiness found? In pursuing love, in seeking others good, in service of God and understanding He cares for us more than we care for ourselves! The Psalmist seems to agree.

4Happy are those who make
the LORD their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after false gods.

Prayer: help me Lord today to make You my trust. To serve, to love and to learn. In this happiness will be found. Amen

I can only imagine

2008-05-15T09:48:00.003-04:00

NOTE: You may notice that every day is not posted. I seem to be away from computers or have days when time is stretched. Lest I fall into legalism and it's corresponding guilt... posts will be posted when they are posted. And that's the way it is!

Ezekiel 34:21b-28
1 John 2:18-29
Matthew 10:16-23
Psalm 130:1-8

We begin with a passage from The Presbytery of South Alabama in the Mission year Book.

The history of the Presbytery of South Alabama and of its churches bears out the words of the Lord. At the inception of every church and the presbytery itself, a small group of people found themselves inspired by the risen Christ in their midst to do things greater than they imagined.

Imagine the vision of Ezekial... the One people of God, free from error and sin!

21I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from every quarter, and bring them to their own land. 22I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all. Never again shall they be two nations, and never again shall they be divided into two kingdoms. 23They shall never again defile themselves with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions. I will save them from all the apostasies into which they have fallen,* and will cleanse them. Then they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

Imagine actualising the livng presence of Christ's anointing, on all occasions and at all times!

27As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him.
28And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming. 29If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who does right has been born of him.

Imagine if ones witness were so clear that you were persecuted for it, rather than being a victim mostlyof peoples personal agendas!

But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Imagine... a God who redeems and in whom you can wait for with all the anticipation of waitng for the dawn.

6my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
7O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.

Imagine how exciting heaven will be!

Question 88. Won't heaven be a boring place?
No. Heaven is our true home, a world of love. There the Spirit shall be poured out into every heart in perfect love. There the Father and the Son are united in the loving bond of the Spirit. There we shall be united with them and one another. There we shall at last see face to face what we now only glimpse as through a distant mirror. Our deepest, truest delights in this life are only a dim foreshadowing of the delights that await us in heaven. "You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Ps. 16:11).

Prayer: Lord, Your ways go beyond imagining. Help me not hold Your ways far off as some distant dream, but seek to make them the qualities that shape my life. Amen.

Pentecostal Life

2008-05-11T07:22:00.002-04:00

Deuteronomy 16:9-12
Acts 4:18-21, 23-33
John 4:19-26
Psalm 33:1-22

Pentecist Sunday... 5 young ladies being confirmed and a youth offering taken

As a congregation you can make a tangible contribution to the youth, young adults, and children at risk in our church and our world. By receiving the Pentecost Offering, you and your congregation can support life-changing and church-changing events such as the Presbyterian Youth Triennium. Remember that a portion of the Offering you receive remains with your congregation for use in projects supporting youth, young adults, and children at risk.

Pentecost is partly about the ressurection hope. All about life!!!

Question 84. What do you mean when you speak of "the resurrection of the body"?
Because Christ lives, we will live also. The resurrection of the body celebrates our eternal value to God as living persons, each one with a unique and distinctive identity. Indeed, the living Savior who goes before us was once heard, seen and touched in person, after the discovery of his empty tomb. The resurrection of the body means hope for the whole person, because it is in the unity of body and soul, not in soul alone, that I belong in life and in death to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.

Moses bids us rejoice.

11Rejoice before the LORD your God—you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female slaves, the Levites resident in your towns, as well as the strangers, the orphans, and the widows who are among you—at the place that the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his name.

Acts tells us of those early day of the church... shaking and awakening.

31When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

In John Jesus speaks of spirit and truth interwoven with genuine worship.

23But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

The Psalmist echoes such thoughts;

3Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
4For the word of the LORD is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.

Lord, on this Pentecost Day, help me to worship in Spirit and truth and with rejoicing... particularly over those today confirming their faith in You. Send Your Holy Spirit to our worship and our hearts. In Jesu name. Amen.

... healing, cleansing, renewing, strenghtening...

2008-05-10T10:25:00.003-04:00

Psalm 149:1-9
Ezekiel 36:22-27
Ephesians 6:1-24
Matthew 9:18-26

We begin with devestation, and the Presbtyery of Mississippi speaking of Katrina.

In the first year after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, the Presbytery of Mississippi was in a crisis phase. The eleven churches of the presbytery that were struck by the winds and waters suffered varied degrees of damage, ranging from slight to significant. The homes of many pastors and church members were severely damaged or destroyed, and some are still living in FEMA trailers. For weeks following Katrina there was no electricity, no clean water, and no telephone service. Medical services were stretched, and many roads were impassable. Many people were so overwhelmed by the physical damage and emotional trauma that they moved away.

Katrina brought waters of suffering. Ezekial speaks of waters of cleansing.

25I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances.

Matthew tells of the woman who touches Christs garment being made clean.

22Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well.

Paul speaks of spiritual life as a battle and urges us to put on the whole armour of God.

11Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

We face many battles. Cleansing. Forgiving. Heakling. Our Catechism continues on the theme of forgiveness.

Question 83. How can you forgive those who have really hurt you?
I cannot love my enemies, I cannot pray for those who persecute me, I cannot even be ready to forgive those who have really hurt me, without the grace that comes from above. I cannot be conformed to the image of God's Son, apart from the power of God's Word and Spirit. Yet I am promised that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

The Psalmist reminds us of God's provision.

4For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with victory.
5Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their couches.

Prayer: Lord, all these things ... healing, cleansing, renewing, strenghtening... all these I need to see me through. Thank You for such precious gifts of grace. Help me to wear them like armour that ny faith will be strengthened by facing the challenges of the day with the love You will provide. Amen.

Careful how we live

2008-05-09T09:17:00.003-04:00

Jeremiah 31:27-34
Ephesians 5:1-32
Matthew 9:9-17
Psalm 138:1-8

The morning began with basketball, and a program from the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee;

The gym is open two hours a day, three afternoons a week. Unlocked doors, lights, and word of mouth have been the only advertising. Though there is adult supervision, the teenagers are required to govern themselves. They pick their own teams each day and call their own fouls and rule infractions. Pastor Todd Jenkins says, “This isn’t an ordinary basketball league. It is a place where teenagers can play and safely express themselves. It is also a place where participants learn how to function as a community, how to compete with integrity. Players are required to respect themselves, one another, the game of basketball, and the property. We hope this will give them social tools to use in all their interpersonal relationships.”

Inner respect, integrity and spirituality are signs of new covenant love. Jeremiah speaks of this.

33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the LORD," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

Forgiveness features again in our Catechism.

Question 82. Does your forgiveness of those who have harmed you depend on their repentance?
No. I am to forgive as I have been forgiven. The gospel is the astonishing good news that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Just as God's forgiveness of me is unconditional, and so precedes my confession of sin and repentance, so my forgiveness of those who have harmed me does not depend on their confessing and repenting of their sin. However, when I forgive the person who has done me harm, giving up any resentment or desire to retaliate, I do not condone the harm that was done or excuse the evil of the sin.

Ephesians cautions us to take care of our way of living.

15Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The call to follow Christ is sometimes complex, yet at others the call (and response) seems breathtakingly simple!

9As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.

Echoes of call and rejoicing return in the Psalmists words.

3On the day I called, you answered me,
you increased my strength of soul.
4All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD,
for they have heard the words of your mouth.
5They shall sing of the ways of the LORD,
for great is the glory of the LORD

Prayer. Lord, I have heard Your call to follow. I am aware that I need to do so with both care and integrity. Write your love on my heart in such a way as that love is expressed to those with whom I will share the day. Thank You for another opportunity to live! Amen.

Big hearted forgiveness

2008-05-08T15:42:00.002-04:00

Zechariah 4:1-14
Ephesians 4:17-32
Matthew 9:1-8
Psalm 113:1-9

As our Bible study here at church was last night about nurturing a habit of forgiveness, the catechism question is a good place to start.

Question 81. Does forgiveness mean that God condones sin?
No. God does not cease to be God. Although God is merciful, God does not condone what God forgives. In the death and resurrection of Christ, God judges what God abhors -- everything hostile to love -- by abolishing it at the very roots. In this judgment the unexpected occurs: good is brought out of evil, hope out of hopelessness, and life out of death. God spares sinners, and turns them from enemies into friends. The uncompromising judgment of God is revealed in the suffering love of the cross.

Ephesians also encourages us to practice forgiveness.

31Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

Matthew gives us an account of a parlysed man, who is both forgiven and restored.

2And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." 3Then some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." 4But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'?

Our Old Testament takes us to the wonderfully named Zerubbabel. How do we forgive when others hurt and offend us? The Holy Spirit is both the leveller and the empowerer.

This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts. 7What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain; and he shall bring out the top stone amid shouts of 'Grace, grace to it!'"

Our Mission YearBook , from the Presbytery of the Mid-SouthTennessee, Arkansas, Missouri reminds us that small can be beautiful.

At First Presbyterian Church of Piggott, Arkansas, remote from the center of the presbytery, staying connected to the larger church is a priority. “Years ago,” comments Pam Wayer, the clerk, “our session decided that we would take part in most of the denominational offerings, like Christmas Joy and the Peacemaking Offering and One Great Hour of Sharing. Before each special offering, someone studies and then presents a minute for mission based on that good work.” With just twenty-four members, they’re also involved at the presbytery level. Their intentional presence at presbytery meetings reminds larger bodies of the unique ministries of smaller churches such as First Church, Piggott, which has an active Presbyterian Women with seven members, holds bimonthly, visitor-friendly fellowship dinners, and is energetically searching for a full-time minister.

The Psalmist rejoices in the God who forgives and restores, in ways we can only imagine.

5Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,
6who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
7He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.

Prayer: Lord as I have been forgiven, so I need to forgive others. hen I feel unable to do so, remind me that Your Holy Spirit can grant such gifts. In Jesus namne I pray. Amen.

Mission of Forgiveness and Deliverance

2008-05-07T07:28:00.003-04:00

Isaiah 4:2-6
Ephesians 4:1-16
Matthew 8:28-34
Psalm 118:1-29

We begin with mission thoughts from the Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky

Buechel Presbyterian Church took a bold step in 2006 when it voted to sell its building and donate the proceeds to mission. The Louisville congregation had lost members and no longer had the income it needed to improve or even support the church building. So the members agreed to sell it and hold weekly services at Westminster Terrace, an independent living home across the street.

We move on to think about forgiveness.

Question 80. What do you mean when you speak of "the forgiveness of sins"?
That because of Jesus Christ, God no longer holds my sins against me. Christ alone is my righteousness and my life; Christ is my only hope. Grace alone, not my merits, is the basis on which God has forgiven me in him. Faith alone, not my works, is the means by which I receive Christ into my heart, and with him the forgiveness that makes me whole. Christ alone, grace alone, and faith alone bring the forgiveness I receive through the gospel.

Isaiah also speaks of cleansing.

2On that day the branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel. 3Whoever is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, 4once the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning.

Matthew gives us a differnt kind of deliverance.

31The demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine." 32And he said to them, "Go!" So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water.

Our Ephesians passage speaks of differing gifts. Some like the Beuchel Church are able to give themselves in mission. others work in minstries of forgicveness and deliverance. But it's all for God's glory.

4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. 7But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

The Psalmist rejoices!

1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever!
2Let Israel say,
"His steadfast love endures for ever."
3Let the house of Aaron say,
"His steadfast love endures for ever."
4Let those who fear the LORD say,
"His steadfast love endures for ever."

Prayer: Lord, As today I seek to do your will, may I be able to allow Your forgiving Spirit to rest with me and may I work to deliver others from the things that hold them back from experiencing Your love. help me discover with the psalmist that Your steadfast love truly does endure through all things and all times. Amen.

The Mystery that compels us to Serve.

2008-05-05T07:49:00.003-04:00

Joshua 1:1-9
Ephesians 3:1-13
Matthew 8:5-17
Psalm 115:1-18

YearBook and community hospitality.

Nine member churches in the Presbytery of East Tennessee serve as host congregations or provide support by cooking meals, doing laundry, visiting with guests, and setting up and taking down sleeping accommodations. For members of those churches, being a part of the Interfaith Hospitality Network is an opportunity to show the hospitality of God to families going through a difficult transitional period and connecting with them.

Community also takes place around the table.

Question 78. What does it mean to share in the Lord's Supper?
When we celebrate the Lord's Supper, the Lord Jesus Christ is truly present, pouring out his Spirit upon us. By his Spirit, the bread that we break and the cup that we bless share in our Lord's own body and blood. Through them he once offered our life to God; through them he now offers his life to us. As I receive the bread and the cup, remembering that Christ died even for me, I feed on him in my heart by faith with thanksgiving, and enter his risen life, so that his life becomes mine, and my life becomes his, to all eternity.

Our lives are embraced by God that we may embrace others. Joshua is reminded of some stipulations in following God... namely stick with the Word and be bold.

8This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. 9I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Paul speaks to the Ephesians of embracing the 'mystery' of the Gospel in such a way as even heavenly powers are impressed by the rich variety of the wisdom of God.

7Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

Part of the mystery, that compels us to serve and share, is the working of faith. MAtthew speaks of the healing of a centurions Servant and that of Peters Mother in Law. the first is by word, the second by touch. Then follows a series of healings.

13And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you according to your faith." And the servant was healed in that hour.

Faith needs to be activated through our trust in God and observance of God's word. As the Psalmist delares:

1Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.

Prayer: Lord, this life of faith truly remains a mystery. Help me to follow what I know and trust You for the rest! Amen

Rejoicing with Aunt Lulu

2008-05-04T08:48:00.003-04:00

Exodus 3:1-12
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 10:17-24
Psalm 117:1-2

It's a communion Sunday!

Question 77. What is the Lord's Supper?
The Lord's Supper is the sign and seal by which our communion with Christ is renewed.

It's a good thing to be renewed. Some days I feel I need it more than others. God provides. He provided for Moses the inspiration to deliver the people.

2There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. 3Then Moses said, "I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up." 4When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."

Hebrews tells us that our call is to give thanks and worship with reverence.

28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29for indeed our God is a consuming fire.

Luke has Jesus rejoicing at the achievements of the disciples.

21At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 22All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

Our Mission yearBook speaks of Aunt Lulu.

Age ninety-one was not a resting place for Aunt Lulu; rather, it was a jumping-off place. She was confident, secure, and “going on”—to age ninety-two and beyond. She lived to be ninety-five.
Trust in the Lord had brought her to where she was, and despite all her infirmities she was confident in her God, “protector of widows” (Ps. 68:5).
Aunt Lulu passes on to us the ultimate step, the highest act of willingness: the laying of one’s life before God openly, fully, unconditionally, to the God who “gives power and strength to the people” (Ps. 68:35).

The Psalmist rejoices!

1Praise the LORD, all you nations!
Extol him, all you peoples!
2For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD!

Prayer: Lord of laden tables, burning bushes, encouraging words and aged Aunt Lulu's, I pray that my service of You today will be something to rejoice over. Keep me inspired and looking towards You, away from my concerns, confident in Your Word. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Solid Rock of Love

2008-05-02T07:48:00.003-04:00

1 Samuel 2:1-10
Ephesians 2:1-10
Matthew 7:22-27
Psalm 138:1-8

Well life can be random. missed a few posts as the net went down! But today we are in YearBook and learning how one thing leads to another. From Whitewater Valley Presbytery;

Two young girls at Immanuel Presbyterian in Indianapolis wanted to praise God through liturgical dance during worship. When the Rev. Betty Griffin challenged them first to recruit others, the girls brought their friends. Since Easter 2006, the Immanuel Girls Liturgical Dance Team has danced monthly at Immanuel and other congregations.

Our catechism continues to reflect on our baptism.

Question 75. In what name are you baptized?
In the name of the Trinity. After he was raised from the dead, our Lord appeared to his disciples and said to them, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19).

Hannah praises the strength and wisdom of God.

"There is no Holy One like the LORD, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 3Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

Paul rejoices in our salvation.

3All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Jesus tells us about building on the Rock (not the sand).

24"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!"

If we face opposition and criticism it is good to hear God's call to rise above it all, to build on our faith on Him, not others opinions of us. To act (sing or even dance) to His Word. The Psalmist rejoices:

1I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
2I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
for you have exalted your name and your word
above everything.

Prayer: Lord, help me to seat myself in Your presence and find my security in Your love this day I pray. Thank You for the salvation You give. Amen.

Blessings abound!

2008-04-29T09:01:00.003-04:00

Leviticus 26:1-20
1 Timothy 2:1-6
Matthew 13:18-23
Psalm 116:1-19

Question 72. What does it mean to be baptized?
My baptism means that I am joined to Jesus Christ forever. I am baptized into his death and resurrection, along with all who have received him by faith. As I am baptized with water, he baptizes me with his Spirit, washing away all my sins and freeing me from their control. My baptism is a sign that one day I will rise with him in glory, and may walk with him even now in newness of life.

This refelection on our baptism leads us into Leviticus which speaks of the blessings to come to the people should they stay in covenant with God.

8Five of you shall give chase to a hundred, and a hundred of you shall give chase to ten thousand; your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. 9I will look with favor upon you and make you fruitful and multiply you; and I will maintain my covenant with you. 10You shall eat old grain long stored, and you shall have to clear out the old to make way for the new. 11I will place my dwelling in your midst, and I shall not abhor you. 12And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people. 13I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be their slaves no more; I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.

Paul urges that we remember in prayer those who occupy positions of authority. As we have on Thursday a national day of prayer this is particularly appropriate!

1First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. 3This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The explanation of the sower is the focus of our gospel lesson.

23But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."

The Psalmist rejoices that God protects the simple.

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
6The LORD protects the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7Return, O my soul, to your rest,
for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
8For you have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling.

The Mission YearBook comes from The Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois and furnishes a fine example of the 'good seed' principle.

Millie Hankla, an elder at First Presbyterian Church in Cobden, and two Baptist friends, Gail Short and Clara Cain, pursued a vision of safe transitional housing for homeless women and children who are affected by unemployment, lack of affordable housing, and abusive situations.
Their vision bore fruit in Bethany Village, which annually provides transitional housing for about 80 families, monthly food for more than 500 persons, rent and utility assistance to more than 750 households, and a thrift shop. One benefactor donated a large office facility and funded the construction of a 22-unit apartment building. Organizations and individuals provided furnishings for apartments. An alliance of churches, organizations, schools, businesses, and individuals supports Bethany Village.

Prayer: Lord thank You that blessings abound wherever good seed is sown. Help me to be a faithful sower this day. Amen.

God, our help and shield, who claims us His own.

2008-04-28T17:14:00.003-04:00

Yes, I've missed a few more!. Been away, but now I'm back on track.

Leviticus 25:35-55
Colossians 1:9-14
Matthew 13:1-16
Psalm 115:1-18

Our Catechism recalls us to ur baptism. Beginnings are always a good place to start!

Question 71. What is baptism?
Baptism is the sign and seal through which we are joined to Christ.

Leviticus speaks a lot of slaves and redemption, but also to the fundamental principle that God's people were called to serve!

54And if they have not been redeemed in any of these ways, they and their children with them shall go free in the jubilee year. 55For to me the people of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Paul prays that the Colossians may find patience and blessing as they serve.

11May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Matthew tells us of the parable of the sower and gives us Jesus explanation of a parables reception or rejection.

15For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn—and I would heal them.' 16But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear."

The Psalmist thrice speaks of God as a 'help and shield'

9O Israel, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.
10O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.
11You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.

Guiding us through and throwing His protection around us, such is how God empowers His servants!

The Mission YearBook gives us an Ohio initative that is combating Aids/HIV

Ann joined the Witness Committee of First Presbyterian, which voted to make HIV/AIDS a primary focus for one year. During that year, the church hosted a nationally recognized speaker on global AIDS, helped fund a community exhibit of photos and stories of HIV/AIDS patients, and supported a student in Africa. The committee also began creating an overture to the General Assembly.

Prayer: Lord, truly we are called to be Your servants. Recall us to our central purpose that we may again know You are our help and our shield. I place my life in Your hands, seeking to be moved to greater things and deeper understanding of Your vways in my life. Amen.

Worship

2008-04-10T09:07:00.003-04:00

Exodus 20:1-21
Colossians 1:24-2:7
Matthew 4:1-11
Psalm 113:1-9

Our Mission YearBook speaks of Worship restored at Hanil University in South Korea.

Over the past several years small groups of faculty and students gathered to pray for a renewed spiritual focus on campus. “These groups seldom included more than two or three persons, yet they continued to be faithful,” write mission co-workers Drs. Daniel and Carol Chou Adams. “Within the last two years, their prayers have been answered.”
Worship has again become central at the university, beginning with daily early morning prayer, daily chapel services, afternoon chapel services for faculty and staff, weekly chapel services for international students, and numerous student prayer and Bible study groups that meet each week. Formerly small prayer meetings now draw between fifty and sixty students from all undergraduate departments and graduate schools.

Our Catechism reminds us of the third article and the third person!

Question 53. What is the third article of the Apostles' Creed?
"I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen."

Exodus gives us the 10 commandments and their follow up;

18When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance, 19and said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die." 20Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin." 21Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

Colossians speaks of continuing to build on Christ;

6As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Our gospel tells of 3 temptations; turn stone to bread, flying with angels, and all kingdoms available for false worship.

10Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" 11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

A common thread in these readings appears to be worship. We worship an awesome God, the fear of whom leads us away from sin, out of temptation and provides the rock on which we build. The Psalmist calls us to join their praise:

3From the rising of the sun to its setting
the name of the LORD is to be praised.
4The LORD is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be a person of worship and service this day. Amen.

Sci-Fi like Encounters

2008-04-09T07:56:00.003-04:00

Exodus 19:16-25
Colossians 1:15-23
Matthew 3:13-17
Psalm 118:1-29

Our Mission YearBook takes us to Korea and memories of the Pyongyang revival.

Once in a large Korean American church in the United States and again in a church in South Korea, mission co-worker the Rev. Art Kinsler spoke of how the Pyongyang Revival highlighted the powerful impact of prayer, confession, and repentance. He was also part of a group that visited Pyongyang, his birthplace, to see Christians feeding thousands of children and remodeling a building for a center for the disabled. Writes Art, “Our group of seven felt that Jesus was with us in North Korea when we shared meaningful discussions with our guides and those we met. There too we saw bread broken and the bread and soy milk given to children.”

Our catechism deals with how we should approach those who don't share our faith.

Question 52. How should I treat non-Christians and people of other religions?
As much as I can, I should meet friendship with friendship, hostility with kindness, generosity with gratitude, persecution with forbearance, truth with agreement, and error with truth. I should express my faith with humility and devotion as the occasion requires, whether silently or openly, boldly or meekly, by word or by deed. I should avoid compromising the truth on the one hand and being narrow-minded on the other. In short, I should always welcome and accept these others in a way that honors and reflects the Lord's welcome and acceptance of me.

The Moses passage brings images of 'Close Encounters" to mind.

18Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because the LORD had descended upon it in fire; the smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln, while the whole mountain shook violently. 19As the blast of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses would speak and God would answer him in thunder.

Our Colossians reading also points to the Christ beyond cosmology.

15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

At Christ's baptism a voice from another realm speaks;

16And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

Alien like apperances, voices from the heavens, talk of the 'life before time' would all make the stuff of Sci-Fi. The psalmist brings us back to earth.

21I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
22The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
23This is the LORD's doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Prayer: Lord the mode of Your visitatuions to us often takes our minds places they would not go! Thundery voices on mountains, revivals of tears and repentance, cosmic visions of life created through the Son, heavenly voices that speak of incarnation... help me to be content with the knowledge that this is Your day! Amen.

Redemption, Simplicity and Mystery

2008-04-08T08:05:00.004-04:00

Exodus 19:1-16
Colossians 1:1-14
Matthew 3:7-12
Psalm 116:1-19

We don't know how God finally deals with people very different in their beliefs to us. Such is God's call to make, not ours. That's the subject of our Catechism question.

Question 51. How will God deal with the followers of other religions?
God has made salvation available to all human beings through Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. How God will deal with those who do not know or follow Christ, but who follow another tradition, we cannot finally say. We can say, however, that God is gracious and merciful, and that God will not deal with people in any other way than we see in Jesus Christ, who came as the Savior of the world.

Exodus captures also the mystery of God's judgment, pictured by the fearful Mount Sinia.

When Moses had told the words of the people to the LORD, 10the LORD said to Moses: "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11and prepare for the third day, because on the third day the LORD will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12You shall set limits for the people all around, saying, 'Be careful not to go up the mountain or to touch the edge of it. Any who touch the mountain shall be put to death. 13No hand shall touch them, but they shall be stoned or shot with arrows; whether animal or human being, they shall not live.' When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they may go up on the mountain."

John the Baptist warns the religous folk of 'the wrath to come'. Repentance had to be the real deal!

7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit worthy of repentance.

Paul speaks to the Colossians of their redemption in Christ.

11May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Our Mission Year Book takes us to China, where the bold witness of mountain folk who materially have little is an inspiration.

Life in the mountain valleys is often difficult, and natural calamities are fairly common, such as earthquakes or the heavy snowfall that collapsed the training center’s dormitory last winter. “Even at the best of times, life is fairly simple; for example, a typical lunch at the center consists of cabbage soup, spicy rice noodles, and rice,” writes mission co-worker Don Snow. “However, the other side of the story is incarnated in the joy of a local music worship team—dancers, singers, musicians equipped, even in this mountain valley, with guitars and drums—leading the students and local believers as they praise God.”

The Psalmist rejoices in deliverance!

5Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
6The LORD protects the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.

Truly God is awesome and other than we can fully comprehend. Yet all can know they are loved and that God desires their absolute best in Christ.

Prayer: Lord, were it not for Your grace I would be lost. Whilst I cannot always fathom Your ways I can commit to doing that which I know is right. Help me to do the obvious, simple things in such a way as the deeper questions do not hinder my walk with You, but rather remind me of the value of humility and the awesome greatness of Your love. Amen.

Practical Pastoring

2008-04-07T08:34:00.003-04:00

(Missed a few days due to be being out of town. But here's getting back into the swing)
Exodus 18:13-27
1 Peter 5:1-14
Matthew (1:1-17) 3:1-6
Psalm 115:1-18

Exodus 18 speaks of the wisdom of delegation. Something every pastor needs to take to heart!

17Moses’ father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not good. 18You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. 19Now listen to me. I will give you counsel, and God be with you! You should represent the people before God, and you should bring their cases before God; 20teach them the statutes and instructions and make known to them the way they are to go and the things they are to do. 21You should also look for able men among all the people, men who fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain; set such men over them as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22Let them sit as judges for the people at all times; let them bring every important case to you, but decide every minor case themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.

Peter talks of having the right atitude towards our calling, doing things "not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly"

1Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you 2to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock.

Matthew gives us the genealogy before telling us of John the Baptist. The opening credits are important, as is the first scene!

17So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.

The Psalmist bids us remember to give the glory to God.

1Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.

Our catechism points out the uniqueness of the Christian message in bearing witness to Jesus.

Question 50. Is Christianity the only true religion?
Religion is a complex matter. When used as a means to promote self-justification, war-mongering or prejudice, it is a form of sin. Too often all religions -- and not least Christianity -- have been twisted in this way. Nevertheless, by grace, despite all disobedience, Christianity offers the truth of the gospel. Although other religions may enshrine various truths, no other can or does affirm the name of Jesus Christ as the hope of the world.

Our Mission YearBook tells of an innovative project that is helping improve education in rural China.

Many people who live in Hong Kong don’t have much opportunity to see the poorest parts of China—the mountainous regions far from the cities of Shanghai and Beijing. To bring the reality of poverty closer to home, the HKCCCC recreated a village schoolhouse in the middle of a shopping mall. Thousands of Hong Kong shoppers who visited the exhibition were shocked by the sad reality of school facilities for many children just over the border—schools with broken roofs, no electricity, rickety benches, and tattered books. The contrast to even the poorest of Hong Kong schools was startling.

Prayer: Lord, As I begin a new week may I rely on you and give You all the glory for all that takes place. Help me pursue projects that help others both materially and spiritually. Amen.

Bread, Milk and Fruit

2008-04-02T08:10:00.004-04:00

Exodus 15:22-16:10
1 Peter 2:1-10
John 15:1-11
Psalm 118:1-29

We go to Indonesia first, where tolerance between Islam and Christianity is expressed through joint educational projects.

Indonesia is proud of its long tradition of tolerance between Islam and other religions. The church has grown and prospered in Indonesia in spite of occasional conflicts with the Muslim majority. During the past fifteen years, the educational level among Indonesian Muslims has increased rapidly, fueling an outpouring of books, art, and other forms of Islamic culture.

In Exodus the promise of bread from heaven is revealed.

4Then the LORD said to Moses, "I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. 5On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days." 6So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you shall know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7and in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your complaining against the LORD. For what are we, that you complain against us?"

Peter speaks of milk.

2Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Our gospel lesson is of fruit on the vine.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.

A common thread in these readings is simply that we need the Lord to spiritually feed us. Even our catechism question uses a dietary image as it states "The cross in all its severity reveals an abyss of sin swallowed up by the suffering of divine love."

Question 45. Why did Jesus have to suffer as he did?
Because grace is more abundant -- and sin more serious -- than we suppose. However cruelly we may treat one another, all sin is primarily against God. God condemns sin, yet never judges apart from grace. In giving Jesus Christ to die for us, God took the burden of our sin into God's own self to remove it once and for all. The cross in all its severity reveals an abyss of sin swallowed up by the suffering of divine love.

Tolerance is more easily spread when folk are well fed... materially and spiritually. Grace abounds when we gratefully receive what God has to offer through the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, May I today feed upon Your love through the inner nourishment of Your Holy Spirit. I praise You for the bread of Your Word, the spiritual milk of Your presence and the fruit of Your Spirit . Amen.

Dogs,Dances and Deliverance

2008-04-01T19:31:00.002-04:00

Exodus 15:1-21
1 Peter 1:13-25
John 14:18-31
Psalm 116:1-19

Our Mission Year Book t alks about a program to help stray dogs in Thailand. Being a pet lover I have a soft spot for this story!

Payap University’s communication arts students were shocked and angered when some of the stray dogs they had been feeding and caring for were killed by people whom they suspected would also sell the dogs for meat to a local market. They contacted Lanna Dog Rescue, whose Buddhist leader faxed Payap’s new president, the Rev. Dr. Pradit Takerngrangsarit, calling on this Christian university to show more compassion for God’s creatures. “The fax made its way to the chaplain’s office, and with the help of Lanna Dog Rescue we started a ‘Changing Stray Dogs to Community Dogs’ group made up of staff, teachers, and students,” writes mission co-worker Esther Wakeman. “We took a census of our stray dog population, organized people to feed and care for them more systematically, and began a sterilization program for our community dogs and our neighbors’ cats and dogs. Some people still think stray dogs should be killed, but with the support of our president, other administrators, and kind neighbors, we hope to show those folks that when as a community we take a bit more responsibility for these creatures, ultimately we will reduce most of the problems they cause.

The Catechism takes us to hell!

Question 44. What do you affirm when you say that he "descended into hell"?
That our Lord took upon himself the full consequences of our sinfulness, even the agony of abandonment by God, in order that we might be spared.

Miriam dances for joy at her peoples deliverance.

20Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. 21And Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea."

Peter suggests our rejoicing should be shown in our holy behaviour.

13Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. 14Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. 15Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

John speaks in a similar tone, actions reflect commitments.

23Jesus answered him, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

The Psalmist rejoices in deliverance.

1I love the LORD, because he has heard
my voice and my supplications.
2Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4Then I called on the name of the LORD:
"O LORD, I pray, save my life!"
5Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
6The LORD protects the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.

Prayer: Lord, thankyou for getting me through this day. I am regretful for tasks left undone, but grateful for what has been achieved. May I aspire to a holier life tomorrow! Amen.

Faith and Action

2008-03-31T09:09:00.003-04:00

Exodus 14:21-31
1 Peter 1:1-12
John 14:(1-7) 8-17
Psalm 115:1-18

Witmessing by action rather than word is the subject of our Mission YearBook contribution rom Thailand.

Since the tsunami of 2004 devastated coastal areas of several East Asian countries, the General Secretary of the Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT) reported that the CCT was the only church in Thailand that was persevering in the relief efforts. Sixteen CCT-sponsored workers still bring help to those in need. The CCT intends to maintain a presence and an assistance program as long as they are needed and desired by the people. While the CCT has deliberately avoided any semblance of using the opportunity to proselytize, some local people are inquiring about the Christian faith.

'Going where others hurt' is also the topic of our catechism.

Question 43. What do you affirm when you say that he was "crucified, dead and buried"?
That when our Lord passed through the door of real human death, he showed us that there is no sorrow he has not known, no grief he has not borne, and no price he was unwilling to pay in order to reconcile us to God.

The drowning of the Egyptians strikes fear into tyhe Israelites. By the death of others they are set free!

30Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31Israel saw the great work that the LORD did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the LORD and believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.

Suffering and death are a part of our salvation story.

10Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, 11inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory.

So is faith more precious than gold.

11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it

Faith not in idols of silver and gold, but the living God.

3Our God is in the heavens;
he does whatever he pleases.
4Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
5They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
6They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
7They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
they make no sound in their throats.
8Those who make them are like them;
so are all who trust in them.
9O Israel, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.

Prayer: Lord, though I am weary You are the strength of my life. In my tiredness help me not to turn to ways out, but ways in to Your love! May I ask and receive the things I need to travel through this day in a positive and helpful way. Amen.

Reasons to be Praiseful!

2008-03-30T08:29:00.003-04:00

Exodus 14:5-22
1 John 1:1-7
John 14:1-7
Psalm 117:1-2

Rev. Marissa Galván-Valle, associate for resources and relationships with Hispanic/Latino constituencies, General Assembly Council, makes the following comment in the YearBook

Being different from one another is a fundamental part of being a church. It is how God wants us to be a church! The struggle is to become the church God wants us to become: a church composed of brothers and sisters who are different from one another but who are all united by the same God.

Exodus gives another pivotal moment of the salvation journey;

21Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. 22The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.

John testifies to what he has heard and touched and seen.

1We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—2this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—3we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Jesus offers words of great comfort;

1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4And you know the way to the place where I am going." 5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."

Our Catechism speaks of Christ's suffering for our salvation.

Question 42. What do you affirm when you say that he "suffered under Pontius Pilate"?
First, that our Lord was humiliated, rejected and abused by the temporal authorities of his day, both religious and political. Christ thus aligned himself with all human beings who are oppressed, tortured, or otherwise shamefully treated by those with worldly power. Second, and even more importantly, that our Lord, though innocent, submitted himself to condemnation by an earthly judge so that through him we ourselves, though guilty, might be acquitted before our heavenly Judge.

The Psalmist rejoices!

1Praise the LORD, all you nations!
Extol him, all you peoples!
2For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD!

United people of God... passed through the waters of baptism... faithful to the Word revealed... kept by the promises of Jesus... saved by His love... filled with praise to God for such steradfast love. Reasons to be praiseful!

Prayer: Lord, I thankYou this day for Your saving acts throughout history. Help me this day to declare Your love that saves that people will come together in the unity of Your Spirit. Amen.

Servants of God

2008-03-29T13:56:00.005-04:00

Exodus 13:17-14:4
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10
Mark 12:18-27
Psalm 114:1-8

Our Mission Year Book takes us to Nepal and Sri Lanka. Economice injustice is a common thread.
In Nepal:
Divya Laway teaches school in the village of Bhedetar, in eastern Nepal. In Bhedetar, women and Magar women in particular are far behind in economic development. The Magar have little economic, social, or political power within their community. Most caste members lack access to health care, education, and a source of water. To address these inequities, Divya organized fifty women to form a cooperative called WADE.

In Sri Lanka;
Mission co-worker Chenoa Stock works with the Joining Hands Against Hunger network in Sri Lanka. The network’s goal is to help bring about the self-sufficiency of the poor and to confront and influence the structures that sustain an unjust system that keeps people in poverty.

Such servant leadership is exemplified in Christ, the King who became a servant.

Question 41. How did Jesus Christ fulfill the office of king?
He was the Lord who took the form of a servant; he perfected royal power in weakness. With no sword but the sword of righteousness, and no power but the power of love, Christ defeated sin, evil and death by reigning from the cross.

The Exodus story continues;

17When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer; for God thought, "If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt." 18So God led the people by the roundabout way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of the land of Egypt prepared for battle. 19And Moses took with him the bones of Joseph who had required a solemn oath of the Israelites, saying, "God will surely take notice of you, and then you must carry my bones with you from here."

The Psalmist recalls the Exodus.

When Israel went out from Egypt,
the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
2Judah became God's sanctuary,
Israel his dominion.

Paul speaks of 'walking by faith.'

6So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—7for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

Our gospel passge continues on a ressurection theme.

26And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? 27He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong."

Taken together theses pasages remind us that we are on a journey, together, as servants of God. God watches over us. By faith we travel!

Prayer: Lord, help me this day to walk by faith. Teach me to a better servant of Your purposes that I may lead others in Your direction. Amen

First Fruits

2008-03-28T08:43:00.003-04:00

Exodus 13:1-2, 11-16
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
Luke 24:1-12
Psalm 138:1-8

Exodus deals with the first fruits.

15When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from human firstborn to the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD every male that first opens the womb, but every firstborn of my sons I redeem.'

Corinthians encourages faithfulness through focussing on victory in Christ.

55"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Remembrance of Jesus words brings ressurection to the women at the tomb.

Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 6Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." 8Then they remembered his words, 9and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest.

Our catechism likewise brings rememberance.

Question 40. How did Jesus Christ fulfill the office of priest?
He was the Lamb of God that took away the sin of the world; he became our priest and sacrifice in one. Confronted by our hopelessness in sin and death, Christ interceded by offering himself -- his entire person and work -- in order to reconcile us to God.

The Mission Year Book is in Bangladesh and deals with a drop in center for street kids.

The two-room center in the heart of Dhaka is open eight hours a day, five days a week for street kids aged nine to fifteen to drop by and be with friends. Here they can wash their hands and faces, hear a story, learn to read and write, receive medical care, and have something to eat. Art materials and toys are always out, and there are classes in music, drama, and art. It’s a low-key program, flexible and open to the needs of each child.
Eleven-year-old orphan Lalon wants to be an artist. His friend Jahangir, whose father is a drug addict, wants to be an engineer. With the efforts of Church of Bangladesh worker Nomita Roy and others, their dreams just may come true.

Also in Bangladesh serve two missionaries supported by Beckley Presbyterian, Dr. Cynthia Morgan, health consultant and staff physician, Dr. Leslie Morgan, health consultant and staff physician.

Lord, We pray today for all those who make their first priority the misson of bringing Your ressurection love to bear on the lives of others. Help me this day to live in the knowledge of such love in a way that transforms my own situation. Amen.

The Psalmist rejoices;

1I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
2I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Ressurection empowering

2008-03-27T19:43:00.003-04:00

Exodus 13:3-10
1 Corinthians 15:41-50
Matthew 28:16-20
Psalm 113

Our Mission Year Book from India deals with the crime of human trafikking. From the horrer of her experience Jyotsna is using the experience to help others.

Jyotsna left her village to earn money to help support her family. She had been promised a decent job in Delhi by someone who actually trafficked in people. She was abused by the trafficker and then at a place where she worked as a maid. She fled back to her village, without earnings and feeling betrayed.
“I suffered from a sense of guilt and shame when I returned from Delhi,” continues Jyotsna. “But since that time, CNI members who work with their anti-trafficking program have come to our village and shared about trafficking. They have personally counseled me and my family members. With their help I have started feeling better. Since then I have worked as a volunteer with CNI. I help prepare those who leave the village to look for work and encourage them to protect themselves from exploitation.

Our catechism question speaks of rressurection as the great "yes" of God, turning disaster into possibility.

Question 39. How did Jesus Christ fulfill the office of prophet?
He was God's Word to a dying and sinful world; he embodied the love he proclaimed. His life, death and resurrection became the great Yes that continues to be spoken despite how often we have said No. When we receive this Word by faith, Christ himself enters our hearts, that he may dwell in us forever, and we in him.

Exodus continues with the commands to God's people to remember that God is the deliverer.

8You shall tell your child on that day, 'It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.' 9It shall serve for you as a sign on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead, so that the teaching of the LORD may be on your lips; for with a strong hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

Corinthians includes ressurection reflections pertinent to our Mission account of Jyotsana.

42So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. 43It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.

Our gospel brings in the question of ressurection doubt!

16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

The Psalmist concludes with praise

5Who is like the LORD our God,
who is seated on high,
6who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
7He raises the poor from the dust,
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the LORD!

prayer: Lord, I thank You for being with me and getting me through this day. Thank You for the wonders You are doing the world over! Amen.

Freed and Prohibited

2008-03-26T08:40:00.002-04:00

Exodus 12:40-51
1Corinthians 15:(29) 30-41
Matthew 28:1-16
Psalm 118:1-29

Our Catechsim continues to explore the relationship between old and new.

Question 38. Why was the title "Christ," which means "anointed one," applied to Jesus?
Jesus Christ was the definitive prophet, priest and king. All of the Lord's anointed in Israel anticipated and led finally to him. In assuming these offices Jesus not only transformed them, but also realized the purpose of Israel's election for the sake of the world.

We move to India with our Mission YearBook

The Diocese of Madras, Church of South India (CSI) founded Ewart College ten years ago to give women access to Christian higher education. “After centuries of oppression in the caste system and decades of denial of access to education beyond lower grades, rural Christian young women now have the opportunity to earn a precious college degree,” writes Anne. The vision of Ewart College is to build “a community where learning will transform, sensitize, and inspire everyone to challenge the structures that divide people and where truth will set people free from inhuman and superstitious beliefs.” The college is in Melrosapuram, a Christian settlement south of Chennai founded by Scottish Presbyterians in 1893.

Our Exodus readiung speaks of prohibitions to celebrating the feast;

48If an alien who resides with you wants to celebrate the passover to the LORD, all his males shall be circumcised; then he may draw near to celebrate it; he shall be regarded as a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it; 49there shall be one law for the native and for the alien who resides among you.

Paul continues to teach about resurection, focusing on the body.

40There are both heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one thing, and that of the earthly is another. 41There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; indeed, star differs from star in glory.

Matthew gives us the 'cover-up' story.

11While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. 12After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13telling them, "You must say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' 14If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." 15So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day.

Taken together interweaving themes of freedom and prohibition seem to flow. In India Ewart college is breaking through the caste prohibitions, whilst Exodus seeks to impose limitations. The tomb guards are prohibited from speaking about rolled away stones. Paul seeks to enlarge his readers understanding of ressurection. Our catechism spoke of the fulfillment of laws and the freedom Christ offers.

Prayer: Considering the freedom we have Lord, help us not to become ensnared by lesser things than Your love. Guide us through this day. Amen.

The Great Heritage of Faith

2008-03-25T08:49:00.004-04:00

Exodus 12:28-39
1 Corinthians 15:12-28
Mark 16:9-20
Psalm 116:1-19

I am struck by our Mission YearBook by the things we take for granted and the debt owed to those who have gone before us. In Pakistan it is hard to have a Christian Education. The work of Forman College of Pakistan is highlighted

Under the leadership of Peter Armacost, who became principal of the college following denationalization, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of Christian students like Iqbal. “For the most part, Christian students are at a disadvantage in the educational system and do not qualify for admission via the merit process,” Armacost explained. “Only 97 Christian students made it into our regular program, which has space for 1,100 students.”
He is committed to finding ways to accommodate more Christian students in the school’s overall population. “I sought the support of our executive committee for an evening program, using the same curriculum and teachers as in the regular program. From the start, the evening school students bonded with one another, and they share a strong sense of community. I believe that the future of the Christian community will largely be determined by the work that we are now doing at Forman Christian College,” Armacost said. “We are educating the next generation of leadership for the Christian community in Pakistan."

The Exodus is the theme of our Exodus reading! What a movement of people.

37The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. 38A mixed crowd also went up with them, and livestock in great numbers, both flocks and herds.
Staying with a redemption theme, Paul returns to focus on our Easter hope.

17If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. 19If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.

The Commision of the Ressurected Christ is the subject of our Markan passge.

15And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.

19So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.

Again I am reminded in all of these readings of the heritage of faith that I often take for granted. God is God of the covenant.

Question 37. Was the covenant with Israel an everlasting covenant?
Yes. With the coming of Jesus the covenant with Israel was expanded and confirmed. By faith in him Gentiles were welcomed into the covenant. This throwing open of the gates confirmed the promise that through Israel God's blessing would come to all peoples. Although for the most part Israel
has not accepted Jesus as the Messiah, God has not rejected Israel. God still loves Israel, and God is their hope, "for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" (Rom. 11:29). The God who has reached out to unbelieving Gentiles will not fail to show mercy to Israel as the people of the everlasting covenant.

The Psalmist gives thanks for their heritage!

16O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the child of your serving girl.
You have loosed my bonds.
17I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice
and call on the name of the LORD.
18I will pay my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
19in the courts of the house of the LORD,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD!

Prayer: Lord, Help me to live as Your servant this day. Thankful for those who have walked in Your covenant before me, help me to follow their shiniung example. Amen.

BAck to Basics

2008-03-24T16:21:00.002-04:00

Psalm 145:1-21
Exodus 12:14-27
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Mark 16:1-8

Monday after Easter and we are back on normality readings! That's not why the Psalmist is rejoicing, but we can add our voice to theirs as we rejoice in God's glory.

3Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.

Exodus concludes the instructions for Passover

LORD will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this observance. 26And when your children ask you, 'What do you mean by this observance?' 27you shall say, 'It is the passover sacrifice to the LORD, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt, when he struck down the Egyptians but spared our houses.'" And the people bowed down and worshiped.

Our Catechism outlines how the Old prepared for the New;

Question 36. How did God use the people of Israel to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus?
God made a covenant with Israel, promising that God would be their light and their salvation, that they would be God's people, and that through them all the peoples of the earth would be blessed. Therefore, no matter how often Israel turned away from God, God still cared for them and acted on their behalf. In particular, God sent them prophets, priests and kings. Each of these was "anointed" by God's Spirit -- prophets, to declare God's word; priests, to make sacrifice for the people's sins; and kings, to rule justly in the fear of God, upholding the poor and needy, and defending the people from their enemies.

Paul outlines some basics of belief in Christianity, the message he had received.

3For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Marks account of ressurection experiences occupies the gospel reading;

7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you." 8So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

This Christian message brings hope. From our Pakistan reflection in Mission Year Book;

It is the rare woman Carol sees at Memorial Christian Hospital who has not lost at least one pregnancy. Many of these losses could have been prevented if women had easier access to adequate health care. Transportation is often an issue, especially during the monsoon. Education is another issue. Many women don’t come for care until late in their pregnancies because they believe it is unlucky to admit they are pregnant before they are actually showing. Many women are so discouraged after several losses that they don’t believe a healthy baby is possible. Usually this is couched with the phrase “Allah ki marzi, hai.” That is, “It’s God’s will.”
“Thankfully, it is not God’s will that mothers and children die unnecessarily!” writes Carol. “Please pray for us as we seek to demonstrate that to the women who deliver here—and even more that they might know an abundant life.”

Prayer: Lord, as we consider the basic building blocks of faith we are aware that it neither begins with us or ends with us. Help us to be faithful in our own generation. Amen.

Easter Day

2008-03-23T08:48:00.003-04:00

Psalm 93:1-5
Exodus 12:1-14
John 1:1-18
Luke 24:13-35

On this Easter Day our catechism questions the humanity and divinity of Jesus.

Question 35. How can Jesus be truly God and yet also truly human at the same time?
The mystery of Jesus Christ's divine-human unity passes our understanding; only faith given by the Holy Spirit enables us to affirm it. When Holy Scripture depicts Jesus as someone with divine power, status and authority, it presupposes his humanity. And when it depicts him as someone with human weakness, neediness and mortality, it presupposes his deity. We cannot understand how this should be, but we can trust that the God who made heaven and earth is free to become God incarnate and thus to be God with us in this wonderful and awe-inspiring way.

Today we would want to add the ressurection to that equation! John 1 is also pertinent to the discussion.

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

Our Psalm is one of praise.

1The LORD is king, he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed, he is girded with strength.
He has established the world; it shall never be moved;
2your throne is established from of old;
you are from everlasting.
3The floods have lifted up, O LORD,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their roaring.
4More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,
more majestic than the waves of the sea,
majestic on high is the LORD!

Exodus brings us the Passover to be celebrated as a perpetual remembrance. Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us.

12For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. 13The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
14This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.

Our reading from Luke takes us to the heart of Easter. Jesus is revealed as they break bread in awe of His works and words. I pray that as we gather around tables this day we also will have a sense of His risen presence that causes is to wonder and worship!

22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." 25Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.

Our Mission Year Book directs us to consider the gift of 'sharing'. The reality of the ressurection is testified to by the way we allow the risen Christ to transform our lives.

So long as we depend on our own resources, what we own is our only security; little surprise that we can never have enough and that we resent the idea of giving any of it up. But what is harder to see is how this ownership owns us and keeps us in perpetual slavery to the notion of having more. God invites us to recognize through sharing that so long as our hands are full of what we have, they will never be open to what God offers us next. One Great Hour of Sharing invites us to open our hands as well as our hearts to one another and to the fullness God is continually offering us.

From the YearBook I share this prayer;

Prayer :Dear God, help us open ourselves up to trusting that your providence is all that we need and more. Help us to share what we are and what we have with others, that we may be open to encountering you in every face of your creation. We ask this in the name of your Son, whose death and resurrection are the final proof of the extent of your love. Amen.

Easter Saturday - Reconciliation!

2008-03-22T14:29:00.002-04:00

Lamentations 3:37-5
8Hebrews 4:1-16
Romans 8:1-11
Evening: Psalm 143:1-12

Reconciliation in Asia is the subject of our Mission Year Book

By taking significant initiatives in interfaith dialogue, churches in Asia have contributed to bringing peace in areas where interreligious tensions can easily erupt into violence. In the Philippines, various church-related organizations held Muslim-Christian dialogues, and in China, the Shanghai Christian Council began a dialogue with its Muslim counterparts. In Indonesia, Christians and Muslims reconciled in an area that had seen terrible violence and bloodshed. To symbolize their reconciliation, Christians presented a crescent for the top of a local mosque. In return, the Muslims gave them a specially made church bell that they presented on their knees at a church as a mark of repentance for the violence that had taken place.

As 'sinners at war with death' Christ also offers personal reconciliation.

Question 34. What is the significance of affirming that Jesus is also truly a human being?
Being truly human, Jesus entered fully into our fallen situation and overcame it from within. By his pure obedience, he lived a life of unbroken unity with God, even to the point of accepting a violent death. As sinners at war with grace, this is precisely the kind of life we fail to live. When we accept him by faith, he removes our disobedience and clothes us with his perfect righteousness.

Lamentations speaks of the need for repentance

40Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD. 41Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven. 42We have transgressed and rebelled, and you have not forgiven.

Hebrews speaks of boldly approaching God with faith.

14Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Romans speaks of the freedom Christ came to give.

1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

This being Easter Saturday the message of reconciliation is right between our remebrance of His death and his ressurection. That's right where it should be! We are reconciled because God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ. His Risen strength grants us opportunitiies to reconcile our lives with others.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You for the love that both redeems and empowers. Help me to truly live in the knowledge of the love You have shown this day. Amen.

Good Friday

2008-03-20T08:17:00.004-04:00

Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-33
1 Peter 1:10-20
John 13:36-38
Psalm 130:1-8

Being Good Friday our readings reflect the Cross. Lamentations:-

31For the Lord will not reject forever. 32Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; 33for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.

Peter speaks of Christs precious blood

18You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake.

Our gospel is Jesus prediction of Peters betrayals

36Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward." 37Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." 38Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times."

Our Psalm speaks of the hope for a redeemer

7O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
8It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.

Our catechism question relates His incarnation to His death.

Question 32. What do you affirm when you say he was "conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary"?
First, that being born of a woman, Jesus was truly a human being. Second, that our Lord's incarnation was a holy and mysterious event, brought about solely by free divine grace surpassing any human possibilities. Third, that from the very beginning of his life on earth, he was set apart by his unique origin for the sake of accomplishing our salvation.

The Mission YearBook (whose prayer I also use today) reflects on the healing than can come through times of loss.

Especially on this day, we stand resolved. We worship and serve a God who is in the regular business of speaking through burning bushes unscathed, bringing life to valleys of dry bones, and best of all, breathing again even in sepulchers thought abandoned. Even amid death, this Friday can be called good because God is good.

Prayer: Dear God, give us courage this day to whistle in the dark, to face darkness with courage and conviction, made possible in Jesus Christ. Amen.

The daughters of Zion will sing!

2008-03-20T08:17:00.003-04:00

Lamentations 2:10-18
1 Corinthians 10:14-17; 11:27-32
Mark 14:12-25
Psalm 102:1-28

Reflections beghan today with the Mission YearBook thouights on Maundy Thursday on a young girl offering a cup of coffee.

She gave me coffee. The mug was warm. In halting Spanish I asked her mother about her family. I thought I understood what she said. I told her about my family. She seemed to understand what I said.

This evening Christians around the world will share in bread and wine, two very simple gifts that not one of us knows fully how much we really need. In the signs of Christ’s body and blood are God’s revolutionary promises to you that your sins are forgiven, that you will have strength and power to do the ministry he has entrusted to you, and that you will have everlasting life. It is up to us to receive. It is up to us to give.

She gave me a cup of coffee. She gave me all that she had. She gave in faith and love. She gave me what I needed but knew not. She gave me promise, and power, and hope.

—Rev. Allison K. Seed, pastor, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Independence, Missouri, and chair, General Assembly Council

The role of another young woman, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is spoken of in our Catechism question.

Question 32. What do you affirm when you say he was "conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary"?
First, that being born of a woman, Jesus was truly a human being. Second, that our Lord's incarnation was a holy and mysterious event, brought about solely by free divine grace surpassing any human possibilities. Third, that from the very beginning of his life on earth, he was set apart by his unique origin for the sake of accomplishing our salvation.

The young daughters of Jerusalem give voice to our lament. Jerusalem herself is pictured as a virgin daughter.

12They cry to their mothers, "Where is bread and wine?" as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their life is poured out on their mothers' bosom. 13What can I say for you, to what compare you, O daughter Jerusalem? To what can I liken you, that I may comfort you, O virgin daughter Zion? For vast as the sea is your ruin; who can heal you?

The reason for their distress?

14Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen oracles for you that are false and misleading.

Paul counsels the Corinthians as they come to the table:-

14Therefore, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. 15I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

The Psalmist speaks a word of hope to the daughters of Zion:

13You will rise up and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to favor it;
the appointed time has come.
14For your servants hold its stones dear,
and have pity on its dust.

Our reading from Mark speaks of the communion celebration that we will hold tonight.

13So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, 14and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' 15He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there." 16So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

The communion table speaks of defeat. The death of an innocent. A travesty of justice. The end of a dream. From the Good Friday side of things ... Zion is in desolation. The promises are as yet empty. Hope has not yet arrived. Idolatrory has triumphed.

But around the table hope can be renewed. The daughters of Zion will yet sing for joy!

Prayer: Lord, on this holy day may I keep in mind all those whose lives are yet to turn to song. Keep me in Your love and help thou my unbelief. Amen.

Our hope is in God's compassion alone.

2008-03-19T08:08:00.003-04:00

Lamentations 2:1-9
2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11
Mark 12:1-11
Psalm 51:1-19

The gap between the 'have' and 'have nots' in Asia and the Pacific Region is highlighted in our Mission YearBook

In March 2007, Forbes.com issued a report noting the increase in the number of new billionaires, many of whom were from India and China. The announcement masked the growing social and economic disparities in the Asia/Pacific region. In major Asian cities, growth and expansion are being outpaced by the number of slums, migrants, and displaced people. In China, poverty in rural areas has forced men and women to leave their homes to seek work in cities, leaving children and the elderly behind to fend for themselves. In many instances, children are the greatest victims of poverty, human rights abuses, government neglect, corruption, and natural disasters.

Our catechism question lifts up Christ's Lordship of compassion over all creation

Question 31. What do you affirm when you confess your faith in Jesus Christ as "our Lord"?
That having been raised from the dead he reigns with compassion and justice over all things in heaven and on earth, especially over those who confess him by faith; and that by loving and serving him above all else, I give glory and honor to God.

The ruin of Jerusalem... and the lack of a voice of prophecy is the subject of our lament.

9Her gates have sunk into the ground; he has ruined and broken her bars; her king and princes are among the nations; guidance is no more, and her prophets obtain no vision from the LORD.

The rejection of Jesus is foretold in the parable of the unfaithful tenants of the vineyard.

6He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 7But those tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' 8So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. 9What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10Have you not read this scripture: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 11this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes'?"

Restoration following rebuke is Pauls counsel to the Corinthians.

5But if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but to some extent—not to exaggerate it—to all of you. 6This punishment by the majority is enough for such a person; 7so now instead you should forgive and console him, so that he may not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

Our evening Psalm is a call to repentance.

1Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
and blameless when you pass judgment.

Taken together our readings are leading us to reflect on the nature of this Easter Holy Week. It was our sin that caused our Lord to be crucified. Yes... God will raise Him from death, but we first have to pass through the terror of abandonment and crucifixion. It is our hope that because Christ suffered He has empathy with all who suffer injustice... those in Asia, those who by their actions have fallen out of fellowship and ourselves. Our hope is in God's compassion alone.

Prayer: Lord, As I reflect on a world of injustice and one in which our wrong actions sow seeds of hurt, I seek today to be forgiven and renewed. Keep me mindful that my actions have consequences and to be on the look out for reminders of Your compassion throughout this day. Amen.

The 'Yes' of God

2008-03-18T08:15:00.002-04:00

Lamentations 1:17-22
2 Corinthians 1:8-22
Mark 11:27-33
Psalm 91:1-16

Our Catechism continues to remind us of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ.

Question 30. How do you understand the uniqueness of Jesus Christ?
No one else will ever be God incarnate. No one else will ever die for the sins of the world. Only Jesus Christ is such a person, only he could do such a work, and he in fact has done it.

Jesus is in the temple and we return to a picture of His uniqueness as His authority is questioned.

30Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me." 31They argued with one another, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 32But shall we say, 'Of human origin'?"—they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. 33So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

Paul reminds us of the promises of God. They are a 'Yes'.

19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not "Yes and No"; but in him it is always "Yes." 20For in him every one of God’s promises is a "Yes." For this reason it is through him that we say the "Amen," to the glory of God. 21But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, 22by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.

The lament continues as the writer recognizes that whatever had befallen them was not God's doing, but a result of their own actions.

18The LORD is in the right, for I have rebelled against his word; but hear, all you peoples, and behold my suffering; my young women and young men have gone into captivity. 18The LORD is in the right, for I have rebelled against his word; but hear, all you peoples, and behold my suffering; my young women and young men have gone into captivity.

The evening Psalm speaks of deliverance

1You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
2will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust."
3For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence;
4he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

The Presbytery of Winnebago, Wisconsin, hold an annual confirmation camp.

During October, youth from seven Winnebago churches gathered at Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt. They met in small groups to talk about their lives and faith journeys, using The Big Picture resource related to Belonging to God: A First Catechism. They explored Bible stories, wrote their own faith stories, and acted out how sin keeps individuals from relationship with God. Visualization and music that guided important lessons about baptism, Communion, and Pentecost highlighted daily worship. As they shared meals and recreation time, they learned about one another and the wonders of God’s creation.

Taking these reflections together I am reminded that though life can be tough, and that we often have to deal with the consequences of our own sinful behavior, the promises of God, in Christ, are solid as a rock! Jesus is the 'Yes' of God.

Prayer: Lord, As I travel through this day help me to discover the 'Yes' of Your promises. Grant me a heart for service and true repentance from my own sins. Amen.

Faith that converts and consoles

2008-03-17T08:16:00.003-04:00

Lamentations 1:1-2, 6-12
2 Corinthians 1:1-7
Mark 11:12-25
Psalm 6:1-10

Our Mission Year Book from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, Minnesota and Wisconsin testifies to changed lives;

In Minneapolis she was introduced to Familia de Fe. Raquel said that her life experienced a turnaround in this place of caring, feeding, nurture, and nesting. She began praying again for her beloved brother Carlos. In the spring of 2007 Carlos entered the “Casa de Dios” for the first time. Today, Carlos is a member of a Hispanic Alcoholics Anonymous group in Saint Paul. These days he plays his guitar to praise the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Such is the unique witness of Jesus Christ indicated by our catechism question;

Question 29. What do you believe when you confess your faith in Jesus Christ as "God's only Son"?
That Jesus Christ is a unique person who was sent to do a unique work.

Lamentations is a book that gives hope for all who are cast down. They will find friends amongst the words that are shared.

11All her people groan as they search for bread; they trade their treasures for food to revive their strength. Look, O LORD, and see how worthless I have become.
12Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which was brought upon me, which the LORD inflicted on the day of his fierce anger.

Paul speaks of the God of consolation.

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, 4who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.

The evening Psalm also enters into times of trouble;

1O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger,
or discipline me in your wrath.
2Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.
3My soul also is struck with terror,
while you, O LORD—how long?

The way through is the unique message of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In the light of the unexplainable... such as the cursing of a fig tree, Jesus bids us to have faith.

20In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21Then Peter remembered and said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered." 22Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. 23Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. 24So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Prayer: Lord in this Easter week we recall Your passion. That we who say we love daily embrace hateful atitudes and selfish concerns, speaks volumes about our need for conversion. Change my ways this day by the presence of Your Holy Spirit in and around me. Amen.

Living and Speaking Faith

2008-03-16T07:22:00.003-04:00

Psalm 150:1-6
Zechariah 9:9-12
1 Timothy 6:12-16
Luke 19:41-48

Our Mission Year Book for Palm/Passion Sunday reflects on worldwide wealth...

When our family returned to the States in the summer of 2007 after nine and a half years of mission service in Peru, many relatives and friends commented on how much our children had grown over the years. As we drove around the country that summer, one of our children noted, “We may have grown some, but this country has grown more!” He was right. As we traveled across the miles, we felt like we saw nothing but oversized SUVs, palatial shopping malls, super-sized meals—and super-sized Americans as well!

Our kids saw the contradictions in the media clearly: the program content on the food and home shopping channels was offset by ads for weight-loss and fitness products. The dissonance was almost deafening to a family that had worked so recently with Peruvians who struggled to survive on less than $2 a day.

Our catschism recalls us to some fundamentals of belief;

Question 28. What is the second article of the Apostles' Creed?
"And I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead."

Zecheriah 9 is the Palm Sunday Prophecy passge;

9Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Luke includes Jesus weeping over Jerusalem and his driving out of the money-changers. It concludes with events intensifying;

47Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; 48but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.

Paul urges Timothy to 'make good his confession'. Faith is about living a faithful life in the midst of our cultures and speaking our beliefs in ways that help transform others.

12Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

The Psalmist calls all to join the praise party;

6Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Prayer: Lord, On this day may I follow Your leadings, be it in actions or words. As I seek to be faithful, strengthen my weaknss and keep me focussed on Your love. Amen.

Misson and Ultimate Reality

2008-03-15T06:58:00.004-04:00

Exodus 10:21-11:8
2 Corinthians 4:13-18
Mark 10:46-52
Psalm 143:1-12

Our Mission Year Book from South Dakota Presbytery reflects on Mission and Worship

The presbytery fully embraced the importance of this worship and its mission to the Southeast Asian population in eastern South Dakota. In 2005, a Korean Commission was formed and the Korean Presbyterian Fellowship was incorporated as a subsidiary of the presbytery.

Our Catechism questions wether in a sceintific age mission is still credible.

Question 27. Does your confession of God as Creator contradict the findings of modern science?
No. My confession of God as Creator answers three questions: Who?, How? and Why? It affirms that (a) the triune God, who is self-sufficient, (b) called the world into being out of nothing by the creative power of God's Word (c) for the sake of sharing love and freedom. Natural science has much to teach us about the particular mechanisms and processes of nature, but it is not in a position to answer these questions about ultimate reality, which point to mysteries that science as such is not equipped to explore. Nothing basic to the Christian faith contradicts the findings of modern science, nor does anything essential to modern science contradict the Christian faith.

In the face of Egyptian science Moses works miracles. The greatness of God is not limited to our understanding.

7But not a dog shall growl at any of the Israelites—not at people, not at animals—so that you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. 8Then all these officials of yours shall come down to me, and bow low to me, saying, 'Leave us, you and all the people who follow you.' After that I will leave." And in hot anger he left Pharaoh.

Paul speaks of hidden glories and unseen acts.

16So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 18because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

Jesus heals blind Bartimaues.

52Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

These passages challenge us to consider the very natuyre of reality. are all things set in stone or can God intervene contrary to the laws of nature? Are we to live on the basis of understanding or ... as Paul suggests... eternal things that can not be seen? Maybe the Psalmist offers the right perspective!

8Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
for in you I put my trust.

Prayer, Lord in the face of much I do not understand and situations only You can change, help me this day to trust in Your steadfast love. Such love will hold me, when all else fails. Amen

Grace, Grace and more Grace!

2008-03-14T10:08:00.003-04:00

Exodus 9:13-35
2 Corinthians 4:1-12
Mark 10:32-45
Psalm 130:1-8

Creation 'as an act of grace' is the topic of our catechism question.

Question 26. Why then did God create the world?
God's decision to create the world was an act of grace. In this decision God chose to grant existence to the world simply in order to bless it. God created the world to reveal God's glory, to share the love and freedom at the heart of God's triune being, and to give us eternal life in fellowship with God.

Grace is also our Psalmists hope;

3If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
4But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.

The Presbytery of Prospect Hill, (Iowa, Nebraska) furnuishes examples of grace being expressed to others.

Near home, members of churches like Paullina took hammers and prayers to work for Habitat for Humanity. The Sibley congregation worked at an Indian reservation and adopted a church camp cabin. The congregation of Battle Creek gathered after worship to paint a house for a community resident. Month after month, Ida Grove members donate food to a county food bank and, in partnership with the Methodist church, invite anyone who would be alone on Thanksgiving Day to share in a home-style dinner. United Church of Westside congregants invited the construction crew of a wind generator into their homes on Thanksgiving.

Jesius speaks of servanthood in Mark.

42So Jesus called them and said to them, "You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Ministry itself is an act of grace.

1Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.

The deliverance of God is an act of grace. (Though in the Exodus it took a while!)

13Then the LORD said to Moses, "Rise up early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh, and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.

Prayer. Lord, I am thankful this day for the grace that filters throughout all creation. Help me to express that grace in my life this day. Amen.

Theology... practical and theoretical

2008-03-13T10:14:00.004-04:00

Exodus 7:25-8:19
2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Mark 10:17-31
Psalm 102:1-28

Our Mission YearBook gives thanks for the CLP's who minister in small churches in the presbytery of Northern Waters (Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin).

Declining employment in mining, forest products, shipping, and small manufacturing over the past twenty years has reduced the ability of rural churches in some smaller communities to support a full-time pastor. Many churches were founded and staffed by the Home Missions Unit of the Presbyterian Church. Sixteen years ago the Commissioned Lay Pastor Training Program was started in Northern Waters to help minister to the “churches at the end of the road,” and the commissioned lay pastors (CLP) have stepped up to serve these smaller congregations.

On a completely different tangent comes our Catechism Question.

Question 25. Did God need the world in order to be God?
No. God would still be God, eternally perfect and inexhaustibly rich, even if no creatures had ever been made. Yet without God, all created beings would simply fail to exist. Creatures can neither come into existence, nor continue, nor find fulfillment apart from God. God, however, is self-existent and self-sufficient.

There seems to be a wonderful balance in these two between the practical and the thoughtful. We need those who will wrestle with the meaning, but also those who mean to do business! Moses is a fine example of one who combines both. He struggles with the nature of God, and he struggles to achieve what God has asked him to do. Frogs and gnats are the nasty plagues that fail to get around Pharoah!

13And the LORD did as Moses requested: the frogs died in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields. 14And they gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. 15But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart, and would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.

Paul contrasts the ministry of condemnation with that of justification, reflecting on the glory that shone from Moses unveiled face.

9For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, much more does the ministry of justification abound in glory! 10Indeed, what once had glory has lost its glory because of the greater glory; 11for if what was set aside came through glory, much more has the permanent come in glory! 12Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside.

He concludes:-

17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.

A man comes to Jesus with his theology in meticulous shape. But the practical outworking, particularly in regard to his financial well being, is questionable. Again balance between head knowledge and the way we live out our faith.

17As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.'" 20He said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth." 21Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." 22When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

The Psalmist refelects that we have all but a to brief time to work all things out!

2Do not hide your face from me
in the day of my distress.
Incline your ear to me;
answer me speedily in the day when I call.
3For my days pass away like smoke,
and my bones burn like a furnace.

Prayer: Lord, help me to get my thoughts straight in such a way as to make my actions reflect Your love. I seek today for a servants heart that joyfully hears Your call to ministry. Amen.

Faith against the Odds

2008-03-12T08:30:00.003-04:00

Exodus 7:8-24
2 Corinthians 2:14-3:6
Mark 10:1-16
Psalm 51:1-19

'Getting the Word' out is the subject of our Mission YearBook from a radio station in the scattered Presbytery of the Northern Plains (Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota).

The member congregations of the ministry team “Making Life Work” did just that in the past year. They pooled their resources and developed a talk show called “Making Life Work” that airs twice a week on radio station KHRT. The ministry team has included the area pastors, local resource persons, and laypersons who have had experience responding to life problems with biblical answers.

The catechism question talks of 'faith against the odds'. Just as with the challenges faced in the Northern Plains, all things are possible through trust in God's providence, even the ability to get through tough times.

Question 24. What difference does your faith in God's providence make when you struggle against bitterness and despair?
When I suffer harm or adversity, my faith in God's providence upholds me against bitterness and despair. It reminds me when hope disappears that my heartache and pain are contained by a larger purpose and a higher power than I can presently discern. Even in grief, shame and loss, I can still cry out to God in lament, waiting on God to supply my needs, and to bring me healing and comfort.

Moses is faced not only with Pharoahs hardedned heart but also the skill of his magicians. 'Anything you can do, we can do better!'. Pharoah is still no nearer having a change of heart. Freedom takes time!

22But the magicians of Egypt did the same by their secret arts; so Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened, and he would not listen to them; as the LORD had said. 23Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and he did not take even this to heart.

It all depends on God! Such is the message Paul brings the Corinthians.

4Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, 6who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant,

Childlike trust is called for....

13People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

Even on a personal level we can feel we are set up to fail. But God is greater... even than our own deceptive hearts.

5Indeed, I was born guilty,
a sinner when my mother conceived me.
6You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Prayer: Lord, Help me today to have that childlike quality of faith that refuses to accept that change is impossible. Deepen my trust and enable me to serve. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Adversity and Salt

2008-03-11T13:09:00.003-04:00

Exodus 5:1-6:1
1 Corinthians 14:20-33a, 39-40
Mark 9:42-50
Psalm 91:1-16

Trouble for Moses! He tells Pharoah to let the people go. Pharoah doesn't get it. He just makes things harder for them and accuses them of being lazy. Not a good start to an Exodus!

22Then Moses turned again to the LORD and said, "O LORD, why have you mistreated this people? Why did you ever send me? 23Since I first came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has mistreated this people, and you have done nothing at all to deliver your people."
1Then the LORD said to Moses, "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh: Indeed, by a mighty hand he will let them go; by a mighty hand he will drive them out of his land."

Our Study Catechism speaks of remaining faithful in the face of adversity, by trusting in God's Providence.

Question 23. What comfort do you receive by trusting in God's providence?
The eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ watches over me each day of my life, blessing and guiding me wherever I may be. God strengthens me when I am faithful, comforts me when discouraged or sorrowful, raises me up if I fall, and brings me at last to eternal life. Entrusting myself wholly to God's care, I receive the grace to be patient in adversity, thankful in the midst of blessing, courageous against injustice, and confident that no evil afflicts me that God will not turn to my good.

Such is mature thinking... the kind Paul is hoping for the Corinthians. His issue is still with the tongue speakers. Worship, he insists, is a whole lot more than that.

20Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults.

In Mark Jesus speaks of removing the offence in order not to sin. A cryptic way maybe of saying "Cut it Out!" The severity of the punishment appears to match that of the advice.

43If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.

The ultimate goal is to be 'salt' in the world.

50Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

Our mission YearBook speaks of the 'good seasoning' of a clothing drive by First Presbyterian Church in Waterloo in the Presbytery of Northern Iowa.

The initial goal of More Than Fashion was to provide clothing to women who had interviews for jobs in the community and had been recommended to More Than Fashion for assistance. In the past year, More Than Fashion has reached out to women who were recently released from prison, women from the Seeds of Hope program who came from abusive relationships, women from the Pathways Program who are fighting drug and alcohol abuse, and women who have been struggling with such health issues as cancer and now need to return to work.

The Psalmist rejoices in God's Provision.

14Those who love me, I will deliver;
I will protect those who know my name.
15When they call to me, I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will rescue them and honor them.

Prayer: Lord, as I continue through this day may my life bring good seasoning to others. Thank You for reminding me that I am in Your hands. May rejoicing in Your love provifde a framework for all my actions. Amen.

Freedom and Service

2008-03-10T08:59:00.003-04:00

Exodus 4:10-20 (21-26) 27-31
1 Corinthians 14:1-19
Mark 9:30-41
Psalm 6:1-21

Mission YearBook today comes from the Presbytery of Missouri River Valley,Iowa, Nebraska and focuses on prison ministry, in particular issues associated with release.

Imagine coming out of prison with the clothes you’re wearing and $100. Your reputation is shattered, your clothes will soon need to be washed, and your cash has to cover your food, personal items, lodging, and transportation. Now imagine the joy in finding Crossroads Connection, a ministry that for nearly ten years has supported those who have been released from prison. Initially Crossroads volunteers helped out on Sunday evenings when certain inmates were permitted release time for Christian worship, food, and fellowship. Now Crossroads volunteers deal with problems confronting a new release.

Moses is called by God to grant release to His people in Egypt. But before that can happen, he has to get permission from his father-in-law to go back to Egypt.

18Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethro and said to him, "Please let me go back to my kindred in Egypt and see whether they are still living." And Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace." 19The LORD said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt; for all those who were seeking your life are dead."

The issue of freedom in worship is approached by Paul, and in particular the question of 'speaking in tongues'. Paul is of the opinion that whetever is best for the sake of the gospel and building up of the church, rather than personal freedom, is what should be pursued.

9So with yourselves; if in a tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10There are doubtless many different kinds of sounds in the world, and nothing is without sound. 11If then I do not know the meaning of a sound, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12So with yourselves; since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church.

Service is the dominant theme of our reading from Mark. But not service as a drudgery, somehow earning God's favor, but rather that as a little child willingly making their Daddy smile! I remember helping my Dad out with things when I was little. He was the expert. But I thought I was doing a great job :-)

35He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." 36Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37"Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

Even in his despair the Psalmist is thankful to God;

9The LORD has heard my supplication;
the LORD accepts my prayer.

The mystery of God's providence is the subject of our catechism question.

Question 22. What do you understand by God's providence?
That God not only preserves the world, but also continually attends to it, ruling and sustaining it with wise and benevolent care. God is concerned for every creature: "The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, you satisfy the desire of every living thing" (Ps. 145:15). In particular, God provides for the world by bringing good out of evil, so that nothing evil is permitted to occur that God does not bend finally to the good. Scripture tells us, for example, how Joseph said to his brothers: "As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" (Gen. 50:20).

Prayer: Help me Lord to use the gifts You have blessed me with in grateful service this day. Remind me that I am always in Your care and help me to retain a childlike trust in Your love. Amen.

Trust.... Kind of!

2008-03-09T16:03:00.001-04:00

Ex. 3:16–4:12
Ps. 42; 32
1 Cor. 9:19–27
Mark 8:31–9:1

Moses runs out of excuses when God calls him to deliver the Isrealites.

Exodus 4:1 Then Moses answered and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.' "

God provides the rod, the leprous hand and Aaron! The Psalmist battles with God's provision for their life. They trust... kind of.

Psalm 42:7-9 7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me. 8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me -- A prayer to the God of my life. 9 I will say to God my Rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"

Paul writes of disciplining himself in order to fulfill what God requires for his life.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Peter is all for Jesus, until he starts talking of the Cross. He also 'kind of' trusts before Jesus disciplines him!

Mark 8:31-33 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

Prayer: Lord, as this day I seek to be your servant I realize that I too 'kind of' trust You. Help me grow where I am lacking and to take upon myself the disciplines of discipleship. Calm my fears and keep me awake to Your love. Amen.

Depending on Jesus

2008-03-09T15:59:00.002-04:00

Ex. 2:23–3:15
Ps. 31; 143
Mark 9:14–29
1 Cor. 13:1–13

Moses is less than confident in his abilities for the defining task of Israel's life. But those whom God calls God sends with the authority of His name.

Exodus 3:11-12 11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" 12 He said, "I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain."

The Psalmist expresses a deep thirst for God. Although currently downcast and questioning, that thirst drives them forward.

Psalm 42:1-2 As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?

The task of ministry is dependent on God and on prayer. In Mark the disciples are confronted with a situation they cannot deal with, a spirit-posessed boy. 'Help thou my unbelief' the father cries out to Jesus.

Mark 9:28-29 28 When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" 29 He said to them, "This kind can come out only through prayer."

Paul again points to the primacy of love.

1 Corinthians 13:12-13 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

God calls. We respond but falteringly, knowing that we dependent on Jesus Christ for all things. Most of all for the attitude of love.

Prayer: Lord, Thank You for this day. May Your love be my goal and my driving force. Keep me praying. Quench my thirst for You. Help me stay faithful and listening! Amen.

FAITHFUL LOVE

2008-03-09T15:52:00.002-04:00

Ex. 2:1–22
Ps. 105
1 Cor. 12:27–13:3
Mark 9:2–13

Exodus begins the story of Moses, his escape from the murderers, his rescue, his upbringing, his confrontation with the Egyptian beating the Israelite and finally his meeting his wives to be by the well. A lot of life in a single chapter. The mystery of his upbringing is captured in the acts of the Pharoah's daughter. Sometimes kindness can be found in the most unexpected places.

Exodus 2:10 0 When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, "because," she said, "I drew him out of the water."

The Psalm gives us a summary of stories we have been following, from Abraham until Moses. The faithfulness of God is the keynote.

Psalm 105:23-26 23 Then Israel came to Egypt; Jacob lived as an alien in the land of Ham. 24 And the LORD made his people very fruitful, and made them stronger than their foes, 25 whose hearts he then turned to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants. 26 He sent his servant Moses, and Aaron whom he had chosen.

1 Corinthians reflects more on body gifts in the church, then moves on to consider the primacy of love. A famously challenging passage. Reflection the motif of love back upon the previous passage, it is the love of God that is the mover behind the whole story of faith.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

The virtues of love remain the ultimate challenge. That such love was expressed most perfectly in His Son is maybe underlined by the event of the Transfiguration, connecting His love to all that had gone before.

Mark 9:2-4 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

As we seek to join the line of the faithful, we each have a different role to play.

Prayer: Lord, I hesitate to take my place alongside Your faithful ones. Remind that it is Your love that both calls me and equips me. Continue to guide my life this day. Amen.

Calls to Faithful living

2008-03-06T09:59:00.003-05:00

Exodus 1:6-22
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Mark 8:27-9:1
Psalm 102:1-28

I have a soft spot for our canine friends and work with youth so found this mornings Mission Reflection from the Presbytery of Milwaukee particularly heartwarming

Smokey, a 10-year-old dog, has a unique gift of bringing people together to do God’s work. Herman Orr, Smokey’s owner, is a member of Christ Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee. “We begin each day with a walk in the park,” explains Orr. “It’s a time of devotion, a chance to enjoy nature and connect with people from many walks of life.”

Smokey’s personality attracted dogs (and their owners) into conversation about how to help youth in Milwaukee. Friendships developed among the group, which became a source of prayer and support. Mr. Orr, a principal in the Milwaukee Public Schools for thirty-two years, shared his vision of a safe house for youth. Through this group and his church, he found both an architect and the base funding to begin construction. In particular, funding came from the presbytery’s Mission Partnerships team.

Our Catechism Question focuses on our image in God, something Mr Orr seems well aware of!

Question 18. What does our creation in God's image reflect about God's love for us?
We are created to live wholeheartedly for God. When we honor our Creator as the source of all good things, we are like mirrors reflecting back the great beam of love that God shines on us. We are also created to honor God by showing love toward other human beings.

Our Exodus passage speaks of the changing fortunes of the Israelites in Egypt.

8Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9He said to his people, "Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. 10Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land." 11Therefore they set taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor. They built supply cities, Pithom and Rameses, for Pharaoh. 12But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.

The heroic atitudes of midwives Shiprah and Puah provide a temporary relief from the perscution.

16"When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live." 17But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live.

Their faith is rewarded by God.

21And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.

Paul reflects on the image of Christ's body as the Church. we all have a part to play.

12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

That path can be difficult. It wasn't easy for the Israelites when a new Pharoah came into power. It was a tough call for Shiprah and Puah. Discipleship means facing the challenge of the Cross.

34He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?

The Psalmist urges us to have a faith in the enduring nature of God's love. It is in this they place their trust.

24"O my God," I say, "do not take me away
at the mid-point of my life,
you whose years endure
throughout all generations."
25Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26They will perish, but you endure;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You change them like clothing, and they pass away;
27but you are the same, and your years have no end.

Prayer: Lord, I hear today this call to faithfulness. It was never meant to be easy. Fellowship can be a challenge. Troubles truly do shape us in ways other things fail to do. Through Your Spirit, empower me for service I pray. Amen.

Fighting Evil with Trinitarian Good

2008-03-05T10:47:00.004-05:00

Genesis 50:15-26
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Mark 8:11-26
Psalm 51:1-19

Genesis speaks of the forgiveness of Joseph towards his brothers. It was truly wholeherated. God had turned to good what they intended for evil.

16So they approached Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this instruction before he died, 17'Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.' Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, "We are here as your slaves." 19But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.

Paul speaks of the many spiritual gifts God brings through His Spirit. God is the 'activater' of these gifts, given for the common good.

4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Gigts of generosity are given expression in our Mission YearBook from the Presbytery of John Knox.

With Lyle, Jim visited Crow Creek residents to learn of their needs. He spoke to the Session of First Presbyterian in Rushford, a congregation of forty-five members. The session was eager to respond and sought out partners. Four area churches and the Boy Scouts provided volunteers to receive and load donations. During the town’s spring cleanup week, items of all kinds were donated. This small town was able to fill the semitrailer twice. A trucker volunteered to make two 900-mile round trips to deliver the goods, and more than $2,500 in donations paid for fuel. Later in the year the churches sent a truckload of outerwear. First Presbyterian has developed an ongoing relationship with the people of Crow Creek and with neighboring churches.

In Mark Jesus sighs when asked for a sign. Wasn't the bread and feeding of 5000 and 4000 enough of a sign? no sign is given... but just around the next coerner a blind mans sight is restored.

23He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, "Can you see anything?" 24And the man looked up and said, "I can see people, but they look like trees, walking." 25Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26Then he sent him away to his home, saying, "Do not even go into the village."

God is fully involved... Father, Son and Holy Spirit in theses acts of equipping and ministering. This is the focus of our catechism question.

Question 17. What does our creation in God's image reflect about God's reality?
Our being created in and for relationship is a reflection of the Holy Trinity. In the mystery of the one God, the three divine persons -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- live in, with and for one another eternally in perfect love and freedom.

If there was a theme through theses readings that emerges for me it would be the rather unruly title of 'Fighting Evil with Trinitarian Good'.

Prayer: Lord, Iam called to use the gifts You have freely given for the good of others. Help me to reflect Your love as I seek to fulfill such a purpose. I thank You for the opportunies laid before me every day to participate in the work of Your kingdom. Amen.

Companionship and Love

2008-03-04T08:11:00.005-05:00

Genesis 49:29-50:14
1 Corinthians 11:2-34
Mark 8:1-10
Psalm 91:1-16

Sudanese refugees are the subject of our Mission YearBook. In particular programs being offered by the Homestead Presbytery in Nebraska.

First Presbyterian offers weekly English classes, which have an enrollment of fifty and a waiting list; child care provided in conjunction with language classes; and sewing classes that teach women basic skills, provide a time for social interaction, and give each a sewing machine upon completion of the class. All programs serve to empower the Sudanese women and assist them in making the transition from a culture traditionally dominated by men into a culture where women have more independence.

That all people are equally valued by God is the topic of our catechism question.

Question 16. What does it mean to say that we human beings are created in the image of God?
That God created us to live together in love and freedom -- with God, with one another, and with the world. Our distinctive capacities -- reason, imagination, volition and so on -- are given primarily for this purpose. We are created to be loving companions of others so that something of God's goodness may be reflected in our lives.

The death and laying to rest of Jacob/Israel is described in our Genesis passge. He is returned to be buried in his homelands. I found it interesting to note that the Cannaanites refer to Joseph and his brothers as 'Egyptians'... they were not yet Israelites.

11When the Canaanite inhabitants of the land saw the mourning on the threshing floor of Atad, they said, "This is a grievous mourning on the part of the Egyptians." Therefore the place was named Abel-mizraim; it is beyond the Jordan. 12Thus his sons did for him as he had instructed them. 13They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field at Machpelah, the field near Mamre, which Abraham bought as a burial site from Ephron the Hittite

Paul speaks of two things... relationships between men and women and correctly celebrating the Lord's Supper. his language of 'headship' has been controversial in recent years... as has his teaching that womwn should keep silent. looking deep into the passge reveals his concern is not with power politics but the creating of fellowship. Such is also the underlying note of his comments on Commnunion.

28Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves.

The Feeding of the 4000 is told in Mark. 7 loaves and a few small fish doesn't seem much for a crowd, but in the hands of God a disciples little meets the need.

8They ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full.

The evening Psalm rejoices in God's abundant provision.

14Those who love me, I will deliver;
I will protect those who know my name.
15When they call to me, I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will rescue them and honor them.
16With long life I will satisfy them,
and show them my salvation.

The themes of companionship and love seem interwoven with our readings today. The Psalmist rejoices in God's compassion. Jesus has compassion on the crowds. paul complains about the unloving abuse of hospitality that destroyed fellowship. Joseph lovongly carries out his father's last requests to be buried with his ancestors. The catechism tells us, "We are created to be loving companions of others", something the Presbytery of Homestead expresses to refuggeee womwn in their midst.

Prayer; Lprd help me today to value and honor the companionship I share with those I will meet today. May my heart be filled with Your compassion that Your will be done in and through my actions. Amen.

All Creation and our Mission.

2008-03-03T09:59:00.004-05:00

Genesis 49:1-28
1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1
Mark 7:24-37
Psalm 6:1-10

In Genesis Jacob blesses each of his sons. Some come out of it better than others! Some face trouble, but most face progress. It seems to depend on what they have done in the past, determining their future. For example:

5Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords. 6May I never come into their council; may I not be joined to their company—for in their anger they killed men, and at their whim they hamstrung oxen. 7Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

On a more positive note:

8Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. 9Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He crouches down, he stretches out like a lion, like a lioness—who dares rouse him up?

In Cornthians Paul is dealing with the vexing problem of food that had been offered to idols. His main concern is that the topic be approached with the thought not of self-interest, but the interest of others.

23"All things are lawful," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. 24Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other. 25Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, 26for "the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s."

'The earth and all it's fullness' are the subject of our catechism question.

Question 15. What do you believe when you say that God is "Maker of heaven and earth"?
First, that God called heaven and earth, with all that is in them, into being out of nothing simply by the power of God's Word. Second, that by that same power all things are upheld and governed in perfect wisdom, according to God's eternal purpose.

Our Misson Year Book comes with details of a Mission trip to New Orleans by the Presbytery of East Iowa. A time of growth for both the recipients and those taking part.

Thursday was the hardest day. Physically, mentally, and emotionally drained, they were called to help Mr. George. A widower with major health issues, he was living in his car near the remains of his house. He needed his living room cleared so he could have a place to sleep. Michael wrote in his journal, “Our guy George changed my life. I came into his home tired, with a bad attitude, until I saw him cry when we arrived. He told us he had almost given up before we came. We said a prayer together. George helped me put everything in perspective. I will remember him for the rest of my life.”

Jesus is in new territory in our Mark reading, healing a Gentile woman's daughter.

He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, 25but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. 26Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27He said to her, "Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs." 28But she answered him, "Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs." 29Then he said to her, "For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter." 30So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Thge love of God is for all God has created. Jew and Gentile. Families and their descendants. Those struck by disater and those able to offer aid. Our call is to share that love in the best way we can! We do not always excel... the Psalmists confession is always relevant. These are the words of one who feels far from God.

O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger,
or discipline me in your wrath.
2Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.

Taken together these readings give a sense of the all embracing scope of God's love. Jacob knew his sons would be blessed, but also that actions had consequences. Paul urges his readers to preayerfully consider their actions in the light of others needs. The psalmist pleads for help. Jesus heals the daughter of an 'outsider'... a Gentile. Our Mission is to all creation.

Prayer: Lord, this day may I be a carrier of Your love. Forgive me and renew me. I offer all I am into Your hands. Amen.

Bread for the Journey

2008-03-02T08:37:00.003-05:00

Genesis 48:8-22
Romans 8:11-25
John 6:27-40
Psalm 32:1-11

Revisiting these passages again. I'll begin with the evening Psalm.

6Therefore let all who are faithful
offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
shall not reach them.
7You are a hiding-place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.

We are assured of God's presnce as we cry out to Him. But that doesn't mean we never ask questions. On the contrary the presence of evil in our world causes us many times to scratch our heads and wonder what is going on.

Question 14. If God's love is powerful beyond measure, why is there so much evil in the world?
No one can say why, for evil is a terrible abyss beyond all rational explanation. Its ultimate origin is obscure. Its enormity perplexes us. Nevertheless, we boldly affirm that God's triumph over evil is certain. In Jesus Christ God suffers with us, knowing all our sorrows. In raising him from the dead, God gives new hope to the world. Our Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is himself God's promise that suffering will come to an end, that death shall be no more, and that all things will be made new.

In the face of unanswerable questions Jesus promises to nourish us with His love, the imagery of bread coming from our John passge.

35Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.

We need physical and spirtual bread. The second increases our desire to see that all get to have the first. Our Mission Year Book deals with the Self-Development of people.

Imagine a group of farmers gathered together to plant their seasonal crop, but they have no seed. Imagine further that their families depend on the same crop for nearly all their food in the year ahead. This was the annual reality facing the economically poor farmers in the Dominican Republic’s Federation of Azua.

In a partnership with the Presbyterian Committee on Self-Development of People, the farmers of the Federation have been able to build silos to store their harvest. The metallic silos prevent their beans, rice, and corn from perishing in the humid conditions of the Dominican Republic, thus guaranteeing that the farmers and their families will be fed for the next year. The silos also safely store part of the harvest for use as starter seed for the next crop. It is, of course, a simple solution; without Presbyterian support, however, the cost of the silos was prohibitive for the farmers.

This freedom... for all creation... is the very theme Paul explores in our passage from Romans.

18I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

In the midst of our struggles the suprises of God are a constant reminder of God's faithfulness. Though... as in the blessing of Joseph's sons... things don't always go according to plan, God is always faithful and able to beyond our expectations.

11Israel said to Joseph, "I did not expect to see your face; and here God has let me see your children also."

Prayer: Lord, You do not promise all questions will be answered or all trouble be taken away. Help me this day to nurture my life on the bread of Your love, to feed others with Your grace and be awake to any suprises You may have in store. Amen.

Ancestors and Traditions

2008-03-01T09:04:00.003-05:00

Genesis 47:27-48:7
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Mark 7:1-23
Psalm 143:1-12

Israel (Jacob) is growing old. He desires to be buried with his fathers.

29When the time of Israel’s death drew near, he called his son Joseph and said to him, "If I have found favor with you, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal loyally and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt. 30When I lie down with my ancestors, carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place." He answered, "I will do as you have said."

Paul reflects on the unfaithfulness of some of his ancestors in the faith, as an example for us in how not to do things!

1I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3and all ate the same spiritual food, 4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. 5Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness. 6Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did.

Jesus teaches about right and wrong ways to deal with traditions passed down by those who have gone before.

(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; 4and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) 5So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?" 6He said to them, "Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 7in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'

Our catechism question addresses traditions that seperate women and men in the church.

Question 13. When you confess the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, are you elevating men over women and endorsing male domination?
No. Human power and authority are trustworthy only as they reflect God's mercy and kindness, not abusive patterns of domination. As Jesus taught his disciples, "The greatest among you will be your servant" (Matt. 23:11). God the Father sets the standard by which all misuses of power are exposed and condemned. "Call no one your father on earth," said Jesus, "for you have one Father -- the one in heaven" (Matt. 23:9). In fact God calls women and men to all ministries of the church.

From the Presbytery of Des Moines comes a reflection on how ministry is taking place with those far from their Sudanese home and traditions.

The numbers tell the story: Although the official membership of Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church is 103, on average 120 attend worship each week. The attendance is split among three worship services for each of three language groups: English, Mabaan, and Arabic. Forty Sudanese families are active in the life of the congregation, primarily from five tribes and including some of the Lost Boys of Sudan. A signature ministry of Cottage Grove is a memorial service held for those who have died in Africa. These services allow relatives and friends in the United States to grieve and focus on God as a community.

The Psalmist reflects the longings of all those feeling far away...

11For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life.
In your righteousness bring me out of trouble.

People and places are important. Our lives are deeply shaped by whose we are and where we are from. It is hard sometimes to evaluate which are the traditions that we should be let go and which are those we should build upon. God always helps us through!

Prayer: Lord I thankyou for the strength of family and traditions. Though I am far from my homelands, I still feel at home on Your love and am aware of rythms and seasons that shape my life in positive ways. Thank You for this day. Amen.

Kingdoms and Cultures

2008-02-29T08:50:00.003-05:00

Genesis 47:1-26
1 Corinthians 9:16-27
Mark 6:47-56
Psalm 130:1-8

Meditations began earlier for myself with the Mission YearBook and the Presbytery of Dakota. made up mostly of those who were the owners of this land now called the USA I was sad to read of their decline in numbers. Bitter sweet though... presumably it was their invaders that bought them the gospel message in the first place. No idea where the thoughts are going today... so I'll move on! I will check out their Web Page later www.dakotapresbytery.org

The Presbytery of Dakota came into existence in 1844 and has 21 active churches in South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota. While its members have declined to 914, the presbytery has hope that its children will carry on the work of their ancestors. Although it is small, the presbytery continues to share the Dakota Christian culture in a variety of ways, and it has increased its efforts to improve communications among its members.

The Catechism question is still investigating the language of Fatherhood, giving scripturtal reasons.

Question 12. Why then does the creed speak of God the Father?
First, because God is identified in the New Testament as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Second, because Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of this Father. Third, because when we are joined to Christ through faith, we are adopted as sons and daughters into the relationship he enjoys with his Father.

Meanwhile back on the ranch of Egypt, Joseph continues his wheeling and dealing. Again we are back with passges we have looked at before. Not sure why the Lectionary is doing this. These scriptures are the same readings as Feb 22! However we will glean something new this time around... maybe focus on the issue of the Dakota folk and changing cultures that requires us to ask "Why use the word 'Father'?"

Economic neccesity drives the Egyptians to give up their lands to Pharoah. It is not just other nations that can change history as they move into others territory, but also natural disaters like famine. Interseting to see that the preists (pagan ones at that) are state maintained.

20So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. All the Egyptians sold their fields, because the famine was severe upon them; and the land became Pharaoh’s. 21As for the people, he made slaves of them from one end of Egypt to the other. 22Only the land of the priests he did not buy; for the priests had a fixed allowance from Pharaoh, and lived on the allowance that Pharaoh gave them; therefore they did not sell their land.

Paul gives us an example of truly compassionte evangelism. The great criticism of European mission in the 19th and 20 th century was that they didn't just bring the gospel, but also all their cultural baggage... so called 'civilization'. Local cultures were are often swept aside as being ignorant or worse still 'savage'. Paul on the other hand cautions us not to 'make them like us' but 'become as them to win them for Christ'.

19For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. 21To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law.

Our Markan passage reminds us that the compassion of Jesus has no barriers. Where ever people find one who can meet the needs of their hearts and lives they head in that direction! The accusation often made of our contemporary church is that we have become so maintenance oreintated that we have lost sight of our mission.

53When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. 54When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, 55and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.

The Psalmist expresses the hope that the people of God will again recover their true mission.

16For the LORD will build up Zion;
he will appear in his glory.
17He will regard the prayer of the destitute,
and will not despise their prayer.
18Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
so that a people yet unborn may praise the LORD:

Prayer: Lord, as I consider the clashing of kingdoms and cultures, I am thankful that Your love is greater than all the barriers we raise. Where there is need, so Your love finds an entrance. I need You this day. Help me to be sensitive to your call. Amen.

Giving our little to God

2008-02-28T08:09:00.003-05:00

Genesis 46:1-7, 28-34
1 Corinthians 9:1-15
Mark 6:30-46
Psalm 102:1-28

Our Mission Year Book from The Presbytery of Central Nebraska gave an account of sharing arrangments in the wake of tragedy... in this case a severe ice stom.

People learned a new term, “electricity envy,” when those excited about the return of electrical power recognized their good fortune caused agony for friends who had not yet been so blessed. This has been a different kind of learning experience. Instead of being those who gave, Central Nebraskans received from others. The logo for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, “Out of Chaos, Hope,” came to life when thousands of dollars from generous donors to One Great Hour of Sharing were suddenly coming to help with Central Nebraskans’ urgent needs.

Our Catechism Question veers off on a different tangent. The 'Fatherhood' of God.

Question 11. When the creed speaks of "God the Father," does it mean that God is male?
No. Only creatures having bodies can be either male or female. But God has no body, since by nature God is Spirit. Holy Scripture reveals God as a living God beyond all sexual distinctions. Scripture uses diverse images for God, female as well as male. We read, for example, that God will no more forget us than a woman can forget her nursing child (Is. 49:15). "'As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you,' says the Lord" (Is. 66:13).

I think to be fair that whilst Scripture does use female images as well as male, the predominant image is male. I'm still working out what that means... but I'm convinced it means something. Jesus certainly seemed less concerened about inclusive language than some of His 21st century disciples.

We've already encountered our Genesis reading about the Israelites becoming shepherds in Egypt. What struck me this time was God's description of God's self . God calls Jacob by name and reveals is nature as 'being the God of your father'. There is a sense of continuity with the past.

1When Israel set out on his journey with all that he had and came to Beer-sheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. 2God spoke to Israel in visions of the night, and said, "Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here I am." 3Then he said, "I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. 4I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again; and Joseph's own hand shall close your eyes."

I think we've encountered all our readings before, so it is good to find something new in them. in the feeding of the 5000 I'm reminded that Jesus took the little that the disciples had to offer and it became enough. We don't always feel we have much to give, but Jesus takes it ands makes it so much more.

38And he said to them, "How many loaves have you? Go and see." When they had found out, they said, "Five, and two fish."

In Corinthians Paul speaks about having a share. He doesn't claim his share ... but nevertheless...

9For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10Or does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was indeed written for our sake, for whoever plows should plow in hope and whoever threshes should thresh in hope of a share in the crop.

The idea of a hoped for returen is the one that grabbed me there. We bring our 'little' in hope. We stay faithful through hope. We do not determine the outcome. That's up to God. Such thoughts seem also to lay beneath our Psalm.

25Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26They will perish, but you endure;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You change them like clothing, and they pass away;
27but you are the same, and your years have no end.
28The children of your servants shall live secure;
their offspring shall be established in your presence.

The thread running through todays thoughts seems to be the abilty of God to take what we are and where we are and use such for God's purpose. He is the Father of our father's faith, He can do miracles, He sees what we do and it is not of no account to Him and... in His time... all things will be set right.

Prayer: Lord, I bring the little I have today that it may be used for Your purposes. You know my heart and mind and soul deeper than even I understand. I place this day in Your hands. Amen.

Tough Calls

2008-02-27T14:04:00.003-05:00

Genesis 45:16-28
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Mark 6:13-29
Psalm 51:1-19

The news of Joseph's fate is more than his father can believe. But then the goodies start arriving and he is convinced!

26And they told him, "Joseph is still alive! He is even ruler over all the land of Egypt." He was stunned; he could not believe them. 27But when they told him all the words of Joseph that he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28Israel said, "Enough! My son Joseph is still alive. I must go and see him before I die."

Paul warns the Corinthians of the dangers of excerising their freedom at others expense. Such was not the way of love.

9But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? 11So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. 12But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

In our Markan passage Herod's poor judgment leads to the beheading of John the Baptist.

21But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." 23And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." 24She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." 25Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her.

The common thread appears to be how difficult it can be to correctly make decisions. JAcob just can't believe it. The Corinthians are cautioned to be careful and loving in the way they do it. Herod gets himself tied in knots. Part of our Psalmists prayer is:

6You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

Such a call... the call to have to make decisions against the backdrop of the will of God... has always been a part of devotional life and something best explored in community. Such is the nature of confessional faith.

Question 10. Do you make this confession only as an individual?
No. With the apostles, prophets and martyrs, with all those through the ages who have loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and with all who strive to serve him on earth here and now, I confess my faith in the God of loving power and powerful love.

The prayer from the Mission Year Book, from The Synod of Lakes and Prairies, is appropriate for the emerging theme;

Prayer: We glorify You, Creator God, as we work to advance Your kingdom. We may question our ability to carry out the tasks You have called us to do, but we do not question Your power and Your support. Guide us and give us the strength and resources to share the good news . Amen.

Lemons and Lemonade

2008-02-26T15:52:00.002-05:00

Genesis 45:1-15
1 Corinthians 7:32-40
Mark 6:1-13
Psalm 91:1-16

Turning lemons into lemonade is the modern day term for it. The prespective that sees even the worst things as those that God can use to Go'd glory. Such is Joseph's speech to his brothers.

7God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay

Sometimes we have to offer tough advice im a way that is not threatening. pual does a great job as he concludes his advice regarding marriage and staying single. Aware that this is a huge area, he doesn't lat y down the law but rather offers the perspective from where he stands then concludes:

39A wife is bound as long as her husband lives. But if the husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord. 40But in my judgment she is more blessed if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

Quite the diplomat! it is mindeed easy though to cause offence. Consider the account of Jesus in his home town given us in Mark. Sadly, such criticism appears able to turn lemonade back to lemons again!

3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. 4Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." 5And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Faithfulness, not faithlessness is the topic of our Mission Year Book, from the Presbytery of the Western Reserve, Ohio.

With 52 churches, 2 new church developments, and 14,202 members, the Presbytery of the Western Reserve celebrates the transformation of congregational ministries and the ever-present challenge to adapt to “new occasions and new duties.” In 2007, its first congregation looked backward and forward on its 200th birthday.

“Squire, let’s count instead the blessings of our history. You will remember that from that split came a new church, albeit Congregational, in the next town. We also started two new Presbyterian churches. When our existence was threatened, people wrote letters and spoke in support of the vision that First Church would indeed be fruitful. We have led thousands to God!”

The evening Psalm declares;

1You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
2will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust."

Our catechism today concludes;:

Question 9. What comfort do you receive from this truth?
This powerful and loving God is the one whose promises I may trust in all the circumstances of my life, and to whom I belong in life and in death.

Prayer: Gracious God, as we progress through the steps of time, help us overcome all the stumbling blocks that prevent us from doing your work in this world and the church. Help us to love one another through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Love that heals

2008-02-25T09:12:00.003-05:00

Genesis 44:18-34
1 Corinthians 7:25-31
Mark 5:21-43
Psalm 6:1-10

The study catechism sets us off on a grand note, recalling the essentials of our faith.

Question 8. How do you understand the love and power of God?
Through Jesus Christ. In his life of compassion, his death on the cross, and his resurrection from the dead, I see how vast is God's love for the world -- a love that is ready to suffer for our sakes, yet so strong that nothing will prevail against it.

In our Genesis reading Judah pleads for his father's sake and offers himself as a slave, hoping to spare him the pain of losing another son. Whilst there are regrets (and not entire truthfulness) about past deeds, love has wrought a change in his heart.

32For your servant became surety for the boy to my father, saying, 'If I do not bring him back to you, then I will bear the blame in the sight of my father all my life.' 33Now therefore, please let your servant remain as a slave to my lord in place of the boy; and let the boy go back with his brothers. 34For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the suffering that would come upon my father."

Paul writes as though the end was near. For some in the christian community that faced persecution that was true. But the great 'Day of the Lord' is yet to come. This passage addresses the tension between 'the world as it is' and 'the world as it shall be.' The imperative of love for the kingdom takes precedence over love for the world... even relationships in the world.

29I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, 30and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, 31and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

Two healing miracles come in our Mark passage. The healing of the woman with an 'issue' is surrounded by the account of Jairus's daughter. It is the loving desire of God in both instances that brings healing and wholeness. Love... as the catechism question stated love ' so strong that nothing will prevail against it'.

30Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?" 31And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, 'Who touched me?'" 32He looked all around to see who had done it. 33But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."

The account of the healing of the 'woman with an issue' is mentioned in my latest musical ditty for our Presbyteries Middle School Retreat 'Don't get lost in the Crowd'. Youth work (and music)are the focus of our Mission Year Book today, from 'The Presbytery of Scioto Valley, Ohio.'

The Presbytery of Scioto Valley has placed renewed emphasis on providing opportunities for the youth of its 113 congregations with 23,940 members. This emphasis began in recognition of the need to give youth from smaller congregations the opportunitiy to be part of a larger group of Presbyterian young people.
As a part of this process, the Youth Ministry Committee decided to let go of the annual Youth Rally and try some different activities. In 2005, it held a Presbyterian BandFest for which youth bands from area churches were invited to play. A social event with music, dancing, food, and games, BandFest continued in 2006, and it looks to be an annual event that will continue to provide young musicians an audience and young listeners an opportunity to hear some new music.

I've always had a place in my heart for ministry with youth. As I grow older, whilst the desire remains, the flesh finds it harcder to keep up! They seem to grow younger and more energetic each year ... either that or I'm growing older :-)

Our eveing psalm reflects on one who is travelling through a dark night of the soul. There are times when God's love seems distsnt, God's healing has yet to come and the vistory song has to be saved for another day.

1O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger,
or discipline me in your wrath.
2Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.
3My soul also is struck with terror,
while you, O LORD—how long?
4Turn, O LORD, save my life;
deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love.

Prayer: Lord, This day I need Your healing touch. Help me to be made whole that I may share Your love with others. Keep me attentive to Your call and receptive to Your presence. These things I ask in Jesus name. Amen.

Accountability and Acceptance.

2008-02-24T08:45:00.004-05:00

Genesis 44:1-17
Romans 8:1-10
John 5:25-29
Psalm 32:1-11

Our Mission year Book passage spoke of the importance of community in spirtual formation and the building of new facilities for families to stay on campus at Austin seminary.

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is honoring John F. Anderson, a 1953 graduate of the seminary, and his wife, Nancy, by naming the first phase of a new generation of student housing the John F. and Nancy Anderson House. “Austin Seminary is not only training the mind, it is getting people to work together,” Anderson says. “A minister has to be, above everything else, a people person. If you haven’t learned the give-and-take that allows you to appreciate different ideas and views of life, you have really missed something important.”

Living in community is the main way to express the love we have for God. We love God by loving those around us!

Question 7. What do you believe when you confess your faith in "God the Father Almighty"?
That God is a God of love, and that God's love is powerful beyond measure.

The way love is expressed can take many twists and turns. Joseph plays a trick on his brothers... with the ultimate aim that their community be restored, but not at any price. There are lessons to be learnt and loyalties to be redefined.

16And Judah said, "What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? How can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; here we are then, my lord's slaves, both we and also the one in whose possession the cup has been found." 17But he said, "Far be it from me that I should do so! Only the one in whose possession the cup was found shall be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father."

In Romans Paul gives us a tremendous assurance of God's acceptance and forgiveness and bids us to walk in the Spirit.

1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

The Psalmist rejoices that God's nature is love and that in Him forgiveness can be found.

1Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
2Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Though free through Christ, that does not mean we can live how we please.

26For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; 27and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.

To truly build community there has to be a healthy balance between accountability and acceptance. Our actions always have consequence. Sometimes, like Joseph, there are tough calls to make along the road to community. Forgiveness restores, but grace should never be, to use Bonhoeffer's memorable phrase 'cheap'.

Prayer: Lord as on this Sabbath Day I gather with others to worship You, help me to keep in mind Your call to be a community builder. Forgive selfish concerns. Keep me in Your love. Amen.

Families and Freedom

2008-02-23T06:18:00.004-05:00

Genesis 43:16-34
1 Corinthians 7:10-24
Mark 5:1-20
Psalm 143:1-12

We begin today with the Apostles Creed.

Question 6. What is the first article of the Apostles' Creed?
"I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth."

This comment of our evening Psalm leads us well into the reading from Mark about the demoniac.

7Answer me quickly, O LORD;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me,
or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.

The encounter of Jesus with the wild man amongst the tombs is one of the longest accounts of an exorcism. The effect of the mans freedom has both negative and positive results. Some are afraid. Others give God the glory. The man himself wants to join the disciples on their mission, but Jesus sends him home, to his freinds and presumably his family.

18As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. 19But Jesus refused, and said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you." 20And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.

The theme of freedom appears in the Corinthian passage, in regard to slaves.

21Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever. 22For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Christ.

There is also an intersting passage about covenant and families;

14For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

Belonging to a traditon that believes in infant baptism this passage would seem to support the idea that the children of believing parents have a covenental relationship with God. The theme of 'family' being in covenant features largely in our Genesis reading. The whole passge is about Joseph eating with his estranged brothers.

29Then he looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, ‘Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!’ 30With that, Joseph hurried out, because he was overcome with affection for his brother, and he was about to weep. So he went into a private room and wept there. 31Then he washed his face and came out; and controlling himself he said, ‘Serve the meal.’

Such passages seem to indicate that family ties as well as faith ties count for something in God's eyes. Whilst we are saved by faith in the grace of God manifest through Jesus Christ, our salvation was never all about us, but always about what God has done and is doing in Christ, in our families, amongst our friends and in particular in His church. The Mission Year Book today:

The mission of the Presbytery of Muskingum Valley (MVP) is to journey together with Jesus to touch the world—empowered by the Spirit to make disciples, nurture its faith, and serve the needs of community. Its call is born of the intersection of the Great Commission with Jesus’ mandate in Matthew 25 to shelter, feed, clothe, and visit the sick, the poor, and those in prison.

Prayer: Lord I thank You for both my earthly family and for the family of Your Church and lift both up before You in my prayers. Your love sets us free, Your grace empowers us to live. Help me this day to continue in Your love. Amen.

Calm midst the Chaos

2008-02-22T09:03:00.004-05:00

Genesis 47:1-26
1 Corinthians 9:16-27
Mark 6:47-56
Psalm 130:1-8

Our Mark reading has fear and healing fenzies all around Jesus. The disciples see Him on the water and are terrified. If we questionn the event the only explantion given by Mark is that 'hearts are hardened' and that we miss the point about the loaves. People just want to touch the fringe of the cloak of Jesus in order to find their healing. Crowd hysteria, misunderstanding all seem to revolve around Him, whilst Jesus seems totally in control and all knowing. How like life! We get all bent out of shape, we wonder where God is in all the confusion but God is right there... and completely in charge!

But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." 51Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

Paul, in the Corinthian passage carries with him a sense of God's calling that informs his decisions in a way that convential wisdom fails to do. Though well aware of his rights, and anxious to see others receive what is their due, he makes no claims to such rights for himself in the hope that he might bring the love of God to others. He explains how he seeks to indentify with all in order they may be reached for Christ.

19For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. 21To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. 22To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.

In our Genesis reading Jacob is settled. Then famine comes along. Just like Joseph predicted. He uses the situation not only to his ownbenefit,but in a way that restores the fortunes of the people, culminating in a law whereby all the folk would give a fifth of their income to the Pharoah. As in our previous passages the representative of God is the one who is the calm at the center of the storm.

23Then Joseph said to the people, "Now that I have this day bought you and your land for Pharaoh, here is seed for you; sow the land. 24And at the harvests you shall give one-fifth to Pharaoh, and four-fifths shall be your own, as seed for the field and as food for yourselves and your households, and as food for your little ones." 25They said, "You have saved our lives; may it please my lord, we will be slaves to Pharaoh." 26So Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt, and it stands to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth.

That 'God is in control' remains one of the many affirmations of the Christian message that we are called to place our faith in. Getting us back to basics, the Catechism question asks;

Question 5. What does a Christian believe?
All that is promised in the gospel. A summary is found in the Apostles' Creed, which affirms the main content of the Christian faith

One of the things that has helped myself find a center in the midst of conflicts and confusion is the opprtunity for retrets in beautiful places. Though I've never been, one such place is the Kirkmont Center, part of the ministry of the Miami Presbytery, Ohio.

Kirkmont Center’s three basic values and beliefs give its shared ministry purpose and focus. First, all God’s children need to be given the opportunity to rest and renew in a safe, peaceful environment. Second, we all are called to be good stewards of God’s creation and to share ideas, information, and resources with others. Third, we all are called to be part of a transforming community of faith rooted in the grace of God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

To find our center is to be recalled to our hope, the hope expressed in the evening psalm.

7O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.

Prayer: Lord, help me this day to find my center in Your love. Whether the day brings fair skes or stormy waters, I place all my hope in You. I praise You for Your steadfast love . Amen.

Feeding Space

2008-02-21T07:29:00.002-05:00

Genesis 46:1-7, 28-34
1 Corinthians 9:1-15
Mark 6:30-46
Psalm 102:1-28

Our Genesis passage speaks of Joseph's reunion with Israel and the granting of the land of Goshen as a place where they could carry on being shepherds. No self respecting Egyptian, it seems, would ever be a shepherd!

32The men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.' 33When Pharaoh calls you, and says, 'What is your occupation?' 34you shall say, 'Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our ancestors'—in order that you may settle in the land of Goshen, because all shepherds are abhorrent to the Egyptians."

Paul speaks to the Corinthians about the importance of supporting those who labored in the gospel. They also needed a place of support.

13Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is sacrificed on the altar? 14In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

From Maumee Valley Presbytery, Ohio, Michigan, comes the account of a mission trip to restore homes that had been devestated by the floods in Gulfport Misshisipi. The trip gave those affected a time (a space) to share their stories.

Elder Pat Gibson from Fairgreen Presbyterian Church shares this story:
“When we went to Gulfport, Mississippi, to help with relief efforts, we discovered our real purpose for being there was to listen. People who had been through the hurricane and then evacuated returned to tell their stories to people with fresh ears.
“The daughter of the couple whose home we were drywalling said her mother and dad, who celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in 2006, were in their Gulfport home when the water surged into the bayou behind their house. The water rose so quickly they could not get out. They stood, holding each other and praying. Water rose to their chins before it receded. We measured the waterline’s height on the drywall and stood beside it. Some of us would have drowned.

The Catechism Question speaks about making space in our lives to be nurtured by the Holy Spirit.

Question 4. How do you live in the communion of the Holy Spirit?
By the Holy Spirit, I am made one with the Lord Jesus Christ. I am baptized into Christ's body, the church, along with all others who confess him by faith. As a member of this community, I trust in God's Word, share in the Lord's Supper, and turn to God constantly in prayer. As I grow in grace and knowledge, I am led to do the good works that God intends for my life.

In Mark Jesus feeds 5000+ hungry folk.

40So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. 41Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. 42And all ate and were filled; 43and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.

The evening Psalm speaks of one desperate to find nurture.

4My heart is stricken and withered like grass;
I am too wasted to eat my bread.
5Because of my loud groaning
my bones cling to my skin.
6I am like an owl of the wilderness,
like a little owl of the waste places.

Our lives need to find their space to be fed, both physically and spiritually.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You for those who support me in the work of declaring the gospel and shepherding Your people. Help me this day in turn to feed them through the communion of Your Holy Spirit. May I make space in this day to be fed by Your love. Amen.

Consequences: Reaping what we sow

2008-02-20T11:18:00.001-05:00

In our Genesis reading the brothers of Joseph are beginning to experience the 'what goes around comes around' phenomenen. Reuben is in a state of panic. And things just get worse!

26They loaded their donkeys with their grain, and departed. 27When one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his money at the top of the sack. 28He said to his brothers, "My money has been put back; here it is in my sack!" At this they lost heart and turned trembling to one another, saying, "What is this that God has done to us?"

1 Corinthians warns of the dangers of a church that is in a state of conflict... particularly of dragging those into the conflict who do not share the values of Christ. They are wrned to practice their own internal discipline and even consider accepting being wrong or defrauded for the sake of the gospels reputation beyond the walls of the church community.

7In fact, to have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 8But you yourselves wrong and defraud—and believers at that.

All of this consequence and action finds a great focus in the parable of the sower.

14The sower sows the word. 15These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. 16And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy. 17But they have no root, and endure only for a while; then, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. 18And others are those sown among the thorns: these are the ones who hear the word, 19but the cares of the world, and the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it yields nothing. 20And these are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold."

Faith seeds in a small community are the focus of the Mission Year Book from the Presbytery of Mackinac, Wisconsin.

Some Sundays only seven or eight may gather for worship. But in one month, volunteers counted over eight hundred people who came to either have something to eat or look for clothing and furnishings they need. CCCF has a list of people with the greatest need and makes up boxes to take to them. In addition, the ministry gives those who are homeless space to keep their food. Sadly, Becky Koivu died in December 2006. In a short time, she made a big difference for a small town that grieves her loss.

The example of Becky's life dovetails into our Catechism Question;

Question 3. How do you live for the love of God? I love because God first loved me. God loves me in Christ with a love that never ends. Amazed by grace, I no longer live for myself. I live for the Lord who died and rose again, triumphant over death, for my sake. Therefore, I take those around me to heart, especially those in particular need, knowing that Christ died for them no less than for me.

The evening Psalm expresses the thoughts of one who realises they fall short of being all God would wish.

10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. 11Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Prayer: Lord, I confess my own sins before You. I have not always sown good seed nor been a grand example of Your grace. Inspired by the example of Your faithful ones help me this day to be attentive to all You ask of me. Amen.

Tough Grace

2008-02-19T08:35:00.002-05:00

Genesis 42:1-17
1 Corinthians 5:1-8
Mark 3:19b-35
Psalm 91:1-16

Our Question for the day...

Question 2. How do you live by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ?
I am not my own. I have been bought with a price. The Lord Jesus Christ loved me and gave himself for me. I entrust myself completely to his care, giving thanks each day for his wonderful goodness.

When we consider the life of Jesus grace is not a shallow wisp but a thundering proclamation of the desire of God to change us and renew us. The practice of grace is tough work! Consider Josephg as his brothers arrive. Everything in him must have wanted to welcome them and show how well he had done. Instead he sees that a greater reunion will take place if for the moment he stays in role...

14But Joseph said to them, "It is just as I have said to you; you are spies! 15Here is how you shall be tested: as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here! 16Let one of you go and bring your brother, while the rest of you remain in prison, in order that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you; or else, as Pharaoh lives, surely you are spies."

Our Corinthian passage spoke about Church Discipline. Nowhere was there a more tolerant city than Corinth. But a line had to be drawn somewhere... or else salvation would be negated.

3For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present I have already pronounced judgment 4in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my spirit is present with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5you are to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

Some of the harshest words of Jesus, those that suggest there is no forgiveness for blaspheming the Holy Spirit... come in our passge from Mark.

28"Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"—30for they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."

Greater minds than mine have long debated what the unforgivable sin may be. My two penny worth would be that it appears to be 'knowingly' attributing the work of God to that of Satan. Such an interpretaion would do justice to the passsge that comes before regarding the accusations being made against Jesus. However... the passage will no doubt be long debated.

On a differnt note, our Mission YearBook passage deals with the growth of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan, from temperance to today.

The Presbytery of Lake Michigan had its beginnings in the 1830s as churches were formed in settlements along the road connecting Chicago and Detroit. In Edwardsburg, three people promised to form a church whose members swore they “neither drank, manufactured, or trafficked in spirits.” From these humble beginnings the presbytery has grown to 18,077 members in 70 congregations, one new church development, and one immigrant fellowship.

It can be hard to take a stand when the prevailing winds are against you. Such requires tough grace. Grace is sturdy because it carries promises. The Psalmist uses images of fortresses and birds of prey to remind us of God's protection;

1You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
2will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust."
3For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence;
4he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Prayer: Lord as I face the challenges of this day I thank You for the reassurance of Your mighty presence and of the sttrenghening power of the Grace of the Holy Spirit. Help me to surrender my ways to Your guidance. Amen.
Lo

In life and Death... through the grace...

2008-02-18T08:18:00.003-05:00

Genesis 41:46-57
1 Corinthians 4:8-20 (21)
Mark 3:7-19a
Psalm 6:1-10

Our catechism question reflects on one of my favorite affirmations of our faith. 'In life and death we belong to God!'

Question 1. What is God's purpose for your life?
God wills that I should live by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the love of God, and in the communion of the Holy Spirit.

Jospeh finds that God protects him through the prospereous times and the lean times, just as he had seen in his dream. This is reflected in the naming of his children.

50Before the years of famine came, Joseph had two sons, whom Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. 51Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house." 52The second he named Ephraim, "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my misfortunes."

Paul takes issue with the pride of the Corinthians. He strongly, but gently, seeks to redirect their path.

18But some of you, thinking that I am not coming to you, have become arrogant 19But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power. 21What would you prefer? Am I to come to you with a stick, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

In our gospel reading Jesus is experiencing great popularity. The crowds press in, wonders are worked, demons are told to keep silent as the proclaim 'You are the Son of God'. In the midst of all the activity Jesus withdraws and names the 12 disciples who will be closest to Him during His mission.

13He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. 14And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, 15and to have authority to cast out demons.

Our Mission year Book gave a story from 'The Presbytery of Lake Huron' Michigan about three churches that have united to form a new center for worship . Sometimes things have to die before they can live again! There is a time to expand and a time to withdraw. in life and death....

The presbytery used funds from the sale of Westminster Church for the purchase of the property. Plans were then developed to construct an energy-efficient building using proceeds from the sale of the three church buildings. In late April and May 2007, each congregation held a “celebration of life” worship service, and shortly afterward they began their new life as Trinity United.

Our evening Psalm deals with one one working their way through a hard time. Their only hope remains in God. Though expressed through tears, hope remains alive.

8Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
9The LORD has heard my supplication;
the LORD accepts my prayer.

In times of blessing or times of great need God remaoins faithful. Sometimes pressing forward, sometimes drawing back, sometimes consolidating on where things are.

Prayer: Lord, whatever this day may bring help me to rely on Your grace to get me hrough, on Your love to be my inspration and to share with others the communion of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Amen! (A Healthy Heritage)

2008-02-17T08:18:00.004-05:00

Genesis 48:8-22
Romans 8:11-25
John 6:27-40
Psalm 32:1-11

Nets to stop malaria are provided by the Medical Benevolence Foundation. preventitive medicine of the simplest kind can stop disease at the root. If the mosquito's can't get to you, then they can't spread their poison. Such was our Mission year Book reflection today... all of which should produce a healthy 'Amen' in us. But what does 'Amen' mean?

Question 134. What is meant by the word, "Amen"?
"Amen" means "so be it" or "let it be so." It expresses our complete confidence in the triune God, the God of the covenant with Israel as fulfilled through our Lord Jesus Christ, who makes no promise that will not be kept, and whose steadfast love and mercy endures forever.

Sometimes God's ways are not so clear to us, (but we say 'Amen' in any case.) Our readings today all seem to contain the theme of 'passing on a heritage'. First there is Joseph bringing to Israel his two sons Ephraim and Mannaseh.

14But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

Joseph objects that Manasseh was the oldest to whom the blessing should go first, but Israel insists that this was the way things would go.

18Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father! Since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head." 19But his father refused, and said, "I know, my son, I know; he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations."

Was there a reflection here that Joseph was a younger son who had been blessed more than all his brothers? Was Israel simply stating what his heart felt and saw? Sometimes we have to offer 'Amen's' over questions that we can not answer.

In the Romans passage Paul speaks of the 'spirit of adoption'.

15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

I suspect we are not as ready to say hearty 'Amen's' to suffering as we are to being called 'Children of God'. Yet if such 'suffering for the sake of Christ' is the will of God, and as scripture implies actually produces in us benefits that plain sailing never can... then we should be 'Amen'-ing all that comes our way.... 'that we may be glorified with him'. Paul continues:

18I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.

The inheritance of Father to Son is also a feature of our Johanine passage.

37Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; 38for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day."

Our Catechism definition of 'Amen' concluded that the phrase 'expresses our complete confidence' in God our Father. We are children of God because we believe in Christ Jesus. In His death. In His ressurection. In the final victory of His love. We believe that the will of God can indeed transform our lives. Amen?

And when the vistory cries grow quiet we can still seat ourselves with the Psalmist whose gentle 'amen' is expressed in our evening Psalm.

7You are a hiding-place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.

Prayer: Lord help me to 'Amen' all that you send my way today, be it questions I struggle with, suffering that I pass through, or moments of victory and rejoicing. Amen.

God's Time - Trust the process!

2008-02-16T08:43:00.004-05:00

Genesis 41:1-13
1 Corinthians 4:1-7
Mark 2:23-3:6
Psalm 143:1-12

Our Mission Year Book spoke of the Eastminster (Ohio's) Presbytery's partnership with the Evangelical Church of Spain. I was thinking of how St. Paul had desired to travel to Spain, but never made it. The message still got through. Through Christ people 2000 years later in different countries still find a common cause. This 'eternal' dimension to the gospel is pictured in our Catechism Question;

Question 133. What is meant by the closing doxology, "For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever"?
We give God thanks and praise for the kingdom more powerful than all enemies, for the power perfected in the weakness of love, and for the glory that includes our well-being and that of the whole creation, both now and to all eternity. We give thanks and praise to God as made known through Christ our Lord.

Meanwhile Joseph remains in jail. Our reading reveals how God works things out... in His way and in His time. Only when Pharoah has his fat and skinny cow dreams does the chief cupbearer recall the one who had predicted that his own head would be lifted out out of jail.

12A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each according to his dream.

This theme of events finding resolution in God's good time is repeated in our Corinthian passage. The Corinthians had grown impatient. They were running ahead, dividing over unimportant issues, becoming hostile. 'Slow down' Paul seems to say... some things will only find resolution when the Lord comes.

5Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.

God's timing is hinted at in our passge from Mark, in the sense that with the coming of Jesus it was high time for a review of what was and what was not important about Sabbath keeping. Jesus is greived that the Pharisees complain that He heals a man's withered hand. The Pharisees are incensed at His actions. Jesus has previously revealed to His disciples:

27 "The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; 28so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath."

Our evening psalm comes from the pen of one who is being harrased by his opposers. They believe God's justice will eventually be their vindication. But not yet. Against that background of the mystery of God's timing the Psalmist prays;

10Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
Let your good spirit lead me
on a level path.

For sure there will be problems in the life of any church and any individuals life. The choice we make is whether to despair or to trust that in time God will works things out. Obviously the latter option is the one to choose!

Prayer: Lord I confess that I would all to often like instant solutions. Help me instead to trust that You are working all things out to Your glory. Rather than fear the process, lead me to a position of faith that keeps me on a level path. Amen.

Belonging

2008-02-15T08:00:00.003-05:00

Genesis 40:1-23
1 Corinthians 3:16-23
Mark 2:13-22
Psalm 130:1-8

The theme that struck me from todays readings was 'Belonging'. Through what Christ has done for us we are granted unhindered access to God's love. He died for our sins, so that we may make the Psalmists prayer our own.

3If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
4But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.

The struggle of belonging to a changing neighbourhood is pictured by the Mision YearBook which comes from the Presbytery of Detriot where the declining industry has caused unanticipated changes in the demographics. Belonging with others who once were strangers can cause much heart searching and even violence. Littlefield Church has responded through a peacemaking initative.

In July 1998, Littlefield held its first Peace Camp, an interfaith, intergenerational activity. At camp, Christian and Muslim children sing songs of peace, build a neighborhood of peace and justice out of big boxes, and learn peace-building skills.

Such a struggle... to maintain community and a sense of belonging... in spite of forces that mitigate against us, is refered to in our Catechism passage.

Question 132. What is meant by the final petition, "Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil"?
We ask God to protect us from our own worst impulses and from all external powers of destruction in the world. We ask that we might not yield to despair in the face of seemingly hopeless circumstances. We pray for the grace to remember and believe, despite our unbelief, that no matter how bleak the world may sometimes seem, there is nonetheless a depth of love which is deeper than our despair, and that this love -- which delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt and raised our Lord Jesus from the dead -- will finally swallow up forever all that would now seem to defeat it.

In our gospel reading I was struck by the sense of community that Jesus created amongst His first disciples. So strong was their bond that cultural traditions were sometimes overthrown! So immediate and unique was their relationship that they didn't always fit the expected mold.

18Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, "Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 19Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.

Our reading about Joseph reminds us that our sense of belonging reaches further than communities and neighbourhoods. Joseph is far from home, in a strange land, imprisoned and falsely accused. Yet his hope comes from his relationship with God, his knowledge of belonging to something that was greater than the circumstances he was struggling with.

8They said to him, "We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them." And Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me."

Interpretations belong to God. Joseph belonged to God. Joseph told them their dreams. That sense of belonging tht creates unimagined possibilities is also the theme of our Corinthian passge.

21So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, 22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, 23and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Prayer: Thank You Lord that I belong to You. If circumstances come along that throw me off center, please help me focus on where my heart finds its true home. May I walk through this day knowing that 'my times are in thy hand'. Amen.

The Foundation of Forgiveness

2008-02-14T07:45:00.003-05:00

Genesis 39:1-23
1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15
Mark 2:1-12
Psalm 102:1-28

We begin with forgiveness thoughts from the Catechism;

Question 131. What is meant by the fifth petition, "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us"?
We pray that a new and right spirit will be put within us. We ask for the grace to treat others, especially those who harm us, with the same mercy that we have received from God. We remember that not one day goes by when we do not need to turn humbly to God for our own forgiveness. We know that our reception of this forgiveness can be blocked by our unwillingness to forgive others. We ask that we will not delight in doing evil, nor in avenging any wrong, but that we will survive all cruelty without bitterness, and overcome evil with good, so that our hearts will be knit together with the mercy and forgiveness of God.

Joseph gets in trouble this morning with the Pharoah's wife. We don't know if he forgave her, but later events show that he had a forgiving spirit. What is significant about this story is that he doesn't allow the negative expereince to hold him back. he seems to sense that wherever he is, be it the throne room or the jail cell his task was to do his best.

20And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined; he remained there in prison. 21But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love; he gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. 22The chief jailer committed to Joseph’s care all the prisoners who were in the prison, and whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23The chief jailer paid no heed to anything that was in Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper.

The Mission Year Book form the Presbytery of Cincinnati gave account of a Subday School whose first sign of life was the day two young girls wandered into church asking fo a glass of water. As the program has expanded the church folk have adapted to new challenges and great ministry is being accomplished.

The psalmist appears to be in some kind of trouble. Maybe like Joseph in jail. In our evening Psalm he pours out his heart to God.

11My days are like an evening shadow;
I wither away like grass.
12But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever;
your name endures to all generations.
13You will rise up and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to favor it;
the appointed time has come.

The man in Mark who is lowered through the roof on a stretcher, was fortunate to have good friends! Joseph rightly rejected his masters wifes false freindship. The paralysed man is in a state of total dependance on his friends. He finds more than he bargained for in Jesus words. He finds forgiveness (linking us back to our Catechism question). He finds healing (just as Joseph will eventually walk out of the prison). And all of this through Christ.

9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and take your mat and walk'? 10But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he said to the paralytic—11"I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home."

Paul is anxious to remind the divided Corinthians, a community where forgiveness seems to have been been put aside amongst their quarreling, that Christian work was not the reult of any one persons efforts, but one person sows, another waters etc... The MOST important thing was not the people doing the work but the work of Christ Himself in their midst.

Such is a theme that resonates with Andrew Purves book 'Crucifixion of ministry' who insists that we are not to do ministry on behalf of Jesus but participate in minstry by getting in on what Jesus is already doing. So Paul writes;

11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, as I travel through this day may I carry with me a heart ready to forgive. Onthe foundation of Christ's forgiveness renew me and sustain me. Through Your Holy Spirit help me to discern works You are calling me to participate in this day. Amen.

Spirit Eyes

2008-02-13T08:13:00.003-05:00

Genesis 37:25-36
1 Corinthians 2:1-13
Mark 1:29-45
Psalm 51:1-19

Our Mission YearBook recounts the experience of a woman at a retreat organized by the spiritual formation ministry of the Synod of the Covenant.

At a synod-wide Sabbath retreat, one woman recounted discovering this ancient truth. “In these few hours with this handful of people, I heard that God loves me and delights in me just as I have been created. I don’t need to drive myself to improve on what God has done and called ‘Good, very good.’ I feel complete, freed up to love myself and others more.”

Our evening Psalm speaks of the acceptable sacrifice to God, one of brokeness rather than pride.

17The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,
19then you will delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt-offerings and whole burnt-offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Glimpsing the ways of God takes Holy Spirit guided vision, Spirit eyes. The startling truth of the ministry of Jesus was the way He could see the real need of every situation and interpret events according to the way God envisioned them. This view, both of need and consequence, is pictured in the healing of the leper.

40A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean." 41Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!" 42Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, 44saying to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." 45But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

Jesus is moved by the mans faith. But the mans unwise actions caused Him to change His pattern of ministry. The healing continued, but in the country, not the town. Reflecting on seeing things from God's view, the story of Joseph continues to unfold. The brothers think they are calling the game plays, Dad thinks it's all over, but God has greater plans.

36Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.

This wisdom of God that confounds worldy wisdom is spoken of in our Corinthian passage.

12Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. 13And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.

Lest we become so heavenly minded as to be of no earthly use our Catechism question draws us back to earthly needs. The caution though remains the same, that we see even our needs from God's perspective.

Question 130. What is meant by the fourth petition, "Give us today our daily bread"?
We ask God to provide for all our needs, for we know that God, who cares for us in every area of our life, has promised us temporal as well as spiritual blessings. God commands us to pray each day for all that we need and no more, so that we will learn to rely completely on God. We pray that we will use what we are given wisely, remembering especially the poor and the needy. Along with every living creature we look to God, the source of all generosity, to bless us and nourish us, according to the divine good pleasure.

Prayer: Lord grant me today Spirit eyes. Enable me to see the bigger picture of Your love and purposes in the situations that I encounter. Help me to understand with Your wisdom rather than the wisdom of this world. These things I ask in Jesus name. Amen.

Reuben to the Rescue

2008-02-12T08:46:00.000-05:00

Genesis 37:12-24
1 Corinthians 1:20-31
Mark 1:14-28
Psalm 91:1-16

The story of Joseph unfolds as the hero of the day becomes Reuben who's rescue mission saves Joesph from almost certain death. Sometimes our actions, whilst not being all they could be, nevertheless become a part of God's plan.

20Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams." 21But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, "Let us not take his life." 22Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him"—that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father.

That leads us into a consideration of God's will, the focus of our Catechism Question.

Question 129. What is meant by the third petition, "Your will be done, on earth as in heaven"?
Of course, God's will is always done, and will surely come to pass, whether we desire it or not. But the phrase "on earth as in heaven" means that we ask for the grace to do God's will on earth in the way that it is done in heaven -- gladly and from the heart. We thus ask that all opposition to God's will might be removed from the earth, and especially from our own hearts. We ask for the freedom to conform our desires and deeds more fully to God's, so that we might be completely delivered from our sin. We yield ourselves, in life and in death, to God's will.

I have often thought that the phrase "on earth as in heaven' was a great mission incentive. It goes beyond personal salvation to seeing all creation as redeemable, something consistent with Paul's teaching, although in Corinthians today it is the salvation of individuals that is his focus.

20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The contrast here is between Godly and worldly wisdom. Christ, the power of God, may seem like foolishness to many, but it is He we proclaim and in His strength that we proclaim. Reuben's little action may seem like no big thing, but it is revealed to be one that reflects the wisdom of God. And our call is what it always has been... come and follow. Go people fish!

16As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." 18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Our Mission YearBook spoke of Wycliffe translators in Alaska. We forget that not all have yet heard the gospel in their own tongue. Such work may seem like that of Reuben, kind of small against the whole scope of things, but like Reuben's actions one never knows how things will develop and who will be called to follow. For sure, all the world needs the promises of God. Some beautiful words are found in our evening Psalm.

14Those who love me, I will deliver;
I will protect those who know my name.
15When they call to me, I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will rescue them and honor them.
16With long life I will satisfy them,
and show them my salvation.

Prayer: Lord, help me to realize that my actions this day are significant. Save me from foolishness. Help me to follow faithfully. May my actions and words reflect thy 'will on earth as it is in heaven'. Amen.

Dreams and Conflicts

2008-02-11T07:58:00.000-05:00

Genesis 37:1-111
Corinthians 1:1-19
Mark 1:1-13
Psalm 6:1-10

Josephs dreams land him in big trouble. Sometimes maybe we do better keeping our dreams to ourselves. Yet still, it impacts his Father's thoughts.

10But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him, and said to him, "What kind of dream is this that you have had? Shall we indeed come, I and your mother and your brothers, and bow to the ground before you?" 11So his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

The dream of a united church lasted only a lunchtime. Already in Corinth arguments had broken out!

10Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.

But dreams need to be expressed. Isaiah's dream... or rather prophecy... of one who would come in the name of the Lord, takes flesh in the person of John the Baptist.

2As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" 4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Indeed our petition from the Lord's prayer speaks of glorious hope;

Question 128. What is meant by the second petition, "Your kingdom come"?
We are asking God to come and rule among us through faith, love and justice -- and not through any one of them without the others. We pray for both the church and the world, that God will rule in our hearts through faith, in our personal relationships through love, and in our institutional affairs through justice. We ask especially that the gospel will not be withheld from us, but rightly preached and received. We pray that the church will be upheld and increase, particularly when in distress; and that all the world will more and more submit to God's reign, until that day when crying and pain are no more, and we live forever with God in perfect peace.

The Mission YearBook , from the Seattle Presbytery includes the prayer;

"Enable us daily to live in the knowledge that you have created us in your image and to watch for signs of your nearness. In Jesus’ name. Amen."

And when the dream takes a long time to come... we still cry out to God, with the Psalmist;

8Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
9The LORD has heard my supplication;
the LORD accepts my prayer.

Prayer: Lord, help me to listen to the dreams You place in my heart, but exercise wisdom in how they are shared. Help me see conflict as inevitable, but remain confident that Your purposes do not fail. Amen.

Listen!

2008-02-10T08:46:00.000-05:00

Daniel 9:3-10
Hebrews 2:10-18
John 12:44-50
Psalm 32:1-11

The Mission YearBook tells of the program being coordinated at Auburn Theological Seminary bringing youth of different faiths and cultures together to talk about the big issues of the day. Dialogue can bring peace and understanding, whereas walls of hostilty only breed fear and anger.
'Not listening' is one of the themes in our Daniel passage.

6We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

Failing to hear God's voice had led the people far from God. His laws were not obeyed becuae they were never heard! But forgiveness is God's perogative.

9To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him, 10and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by following his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.

Hebrews speaks of how Jesus went through all that life throws at us in order to redeem life. We do not have a Savior to whom we can complain "You don't understand". We need to listen to this passage...

18Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

An interesting reflection on the need to listen comes in John's gospel.

47I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, 49for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak.

We are to listen to Jesus because His Words carry the heart of God. Our judgment is related to our willingness to listen (as it was with the people in Daniels day). The prayer of the evening Psalm is both an assurance that God is with us and a warning therefore to pay attention!

8I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
else it will not stay near you.

The Catechism Question draws us back to the higher purpose of listening... that God may be glorified!

Question 127. What is meant by the first petition, "Hallowed be your name"?
This petition is placed first, because it comprehends the goal and purpose of the whole prayer. The glory of God's name is the highest concern in all that we pray and do. God's "name" stands for God's being as well as for God's attributes and works. When we pray for this name to be "hallowed," we ask that we and all others will know and glorify God as God really is, and that all things will be so ordered that they serve God truly for God's sake.

Prayer: Lord may I take the time today to listen for Your Word. In Scripture, in song, in others words and actions, in the things tht are clear and the things unspoken, help me to respond in a way that brings glory to Your holy name. Amen.

Unity and Revival

2008-02-09T10:25:00.000-05:00

Ezekiel 39:21-29
Philippians 4:10-20
John 17:20-26
Psalm 143:1-12

The Mission Year Book spoke today of Scouting Programs. Originally a Christian venture, the lionk is less strong than it once was... but a lot depends on the local suituation. One of the things you used to be able to get a badge for was learning things like the Lord's Prayer... which takes us back to our Catechism Question.

Question 126. What is meant by addressing God as "Our Father in heaven"?
By addressing God as "our Father," we draw near with childlike reverence, and place ourselves securely in God's hands. Although God is certainly everywhere, God is said to exist and dwell "in heaven." For while God is free to enter into the closest relationship with the creature, God does not belong to the order of created beings. "Heaven" is the seat of divine authority, the place from which God reigns in glory and brings salvation to earth. Our opening address expresses our confidence that we rest securely in God's intimate care, and that nothing on earth lies beyond the reach of God's grace.

'Nothing on earth lies beyond God's Grace' leads well into our Ezekial passage which begins:

21I will display my glory among the nations; and all the nations shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on them.

Ezekials main concern is that God's glory will be shown when Israel is restored. The trheme of being revived is also a feature of our Phillipian passage... at least Pauls delight that they are concerned for him.

10I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it.

Paul rejoices that whatever was needed God could supply.

19And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

In John Jesus prays that the unity of those God has called may become a reality.

21that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Unity is seen as a witness that will cause belief in God. Our evening Psalm is a petition for God to lead the way.

8Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.

Taken together these readings speak of unity and revival. The two surely need to go hand in hand. Natiuons cannot be as One without a united purpose. Scouting groups have to work together. The apostle relied on the Church to support him. So Jesus prays that we be as One... as He and the Father, (the Father we address in the Lord's Prayer as 'Ours') are One.

Prayer: Lord grant me a sense today of the unity for which Jesus prayed. Revive my spirit and bring me home. Grant that today Your love may shine through the tasks I seek to accomplish... that glory may go to Your name. Amen.

Antitdotes to Worry

2008-02-08T09:45:00.000-05:00

Our readings today all seem to include the theme of casting our cares onto God in order that we may not be consumed with worry. Ezekial sets the ball rolling with his insistence that we do not need to be concerend with bearing others sins, but God holds us accountable only for our personal integrity. (And that's quite enough for most of us!) He gives the wonderful assurance that as we seek His way God is truly on our side.

31Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord GOD. Turn, then, and live.

Paul writing to the Phillipians encourages us to pray through our worries.

6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We can find encouragement also from the fact that Jesus intercedes on our behalf. We are not alone in our worries.

9I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours.

Indeed we follow the pattern of the centuries whenever we come to God in prayer. Our evening psalm exemplifies a heart that cries to God.

3If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
4But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.
5I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.

The Catechism Question stays with our prayer theme reflecting on the design of the Lord's prayer.

Question 125. What is the design of the Lord's Prayer?
The Lord's Prayer falls into two parts, preceded by an opening address, and concluded by a "doxology" or word of praise. Each part consists of three petitions. The first part concerns God's glory; the second part, our salvation. The first part involves our love for God; the second part, God's love for us. The petitions in part one will not be fulfilled perfectly until the life to come; those in part two relate more directly to our present needs here and now.

In the midst of worry we can place our trust in God. God is love and that love is directed in our direction, something that is realised as we turn ourselves to God.

Prayer: Lord help me this day to cast all my cares on You. Grant me the confidence that Your purposes do not fail, that You stand with us whatever we are going through and desire only what is best for our lives. Amen.

Prayerfully Pressing Onward

2008-02-07T09:51:00.000-05:00

Habakkuk 3:1-10 (11-15) 16-18
Philippians 3:12-21
John 17:1-8
Psalm 102:1-28

The Catechism kicks us off with the prayer of all prayers.... the Lord's Prayer.

Question 124. What prayer serves as our rule or pattern?
Our rule or pattern is found in the Lord's Prayer, which Jesus taught to his disciples:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
These words express everything that we may desire and expect from God.

Habbakuk also features a prayer... of a different nature. Habbakuk cries out in the midst of defeat for help. Though the prophet is aware of the desperate situaion he faces his hope remains in God alone. And it is a hope in which he rejoices!

17Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls, 18yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will exult in the God of my salvation.

Paul in Phillipians speaks of Christian life as a process. He did not claim to have yet arrived. There was much to learn and much to be done. And there always remained the possibility of going backwards rather than forwards. 'Hold fast' he cautions.

14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. 16Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.

Jesus is pictured in prayer in our Johanine passage. He prays, amongst other petitions, for all those who would believe in Him, linking eternal life to knowledge of God.

3And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

Prayer continues in the evening Psalm. Like Habbakuk and like Jesus in the Garden, the Psalmist is in a hard place.

3For my days pass away like smoke,
and my bones burn like a furnace.
4My heart is stricken and withered like grass;
I am too wasted to eat my bread.
5Because of my loud groaning
my bones cling to my skin.
6I am like an owl of the wilderness,
like a little owl of the waste places.
7I lie awake;
I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.

Placing these readings together reminds us that growth and prayer, particularly clinging to hope and rejoicing in the hard times, are roads that deepen our spiritual life.

Prayer: Lord though I do not relish the hard times I am aware that travelling through them can strenghen my trust and faith in You when I am open to Your leadings. Grant me that openess this day, that whetever may come I will rejoice in Your love. Amen.

Ash Wednesday Thoughts

2008-02-06T07:52:00.000-05:00

Amos 5:6-15
Hebrews 12:1-14
Luke 18:9-14
Psalm 51:1-19

The Catechism question reminds me of why I do this meditation.

Question 123. What encourages us to pray each day?
The God who has adopted us as children is the God who encourages and commands us to pray. When we pray, we respond with love to that greater love which meets us from above. Before we enter into prayer, God is ready to grant all that we need. We may turn to God with confidence each day, not because we are worthy, but simply because of God's grace. By praying we acknowledge that we depend on grace for all that is good, beautiful, life-giving and true.

Today being Ash Wednesday the themes of sin, prayer, repentance and forgiveness weave through our passges.

Amos speaks of the corporate sins of a society that treated those least able to help themselves with injustice.

12For I know how many are your transgressions, and how great are your sins—you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and push aside the needy in the gate. 13Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time; for it is an evil time.

The author of Hebrews speaks of our personal need to strive against sin, with the strength Jesus provides.

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

In Luke we are given the picture of the Pharisee and Tax Collector at prayer. Only one is revealed to posess a truly repentant heart.

13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 14I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other;

Our evening Psalm is a well known prayer for forgiveness.

1Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
and blameless when you pass judgment.

Reflecting on some of these themes the Mission YearBook :

Mardi Gras—Fat Tuesday—has ended, and suddenly the world looks at itself in the harsh light of reality, taking stock of its condition. For many this is a glass-half-empty proposition because what the light of reality exposes is sometimes difficult to look at—the prevalence of poverty and depravity throughout the world, the widespread frequency of violent and destructive conflict, the exhausting presence of personal hostility and stress. It’s easy to be solemn when this is the extent of your reality.

Our hope is in the Savior. Through His death we are forgiven. Through His ressurection we live. Through His Holy Spirit we know God's presence in and around our lives. The Yearbook concludes with this prayer;

Prayer: God, the world often blinds us to the light of hope. Help us to have confidence in the vision of your kingdom and to be willing to share it with others through our witness and our service. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Wordy Reflections

2008-02-05T09:05:00.000-05:00

The wisdom of Proverbs can sometimes raise a smile with its bluntness.

32If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.

My Paraphrase: 'If you are talking trash... shut your cake hole!' For sure there are times when we just wish we'd kept quiet.

Paul is aware that bragging rights are not the sort of the rights we should aspire to as Christians. Pushed into a corner to defend his qulaifications he comes up with an impressive list of his achievements. But he follows it up with a disclaimer.

7Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith.

Plays on words are a startling part of the conversation between Pilate and Jesus in the trial scene from John. Pilates questions are answered by challenges that force Pilate to places he might not wish to confront. His views of authority and his role as a King who was little more than a puppet in Romes hands, his inability to distinguish truth from falsehood.

37Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." 38Pilate asked him, "What is truth?"

Maybe nowhere are we more conscious of our words than in our prayers.

Question 122. How does God respond to our prayers?
God takes all our prayers into account, weighing them with divine wisdom, and responding to them by a perfect will. Although for the time being God's answers may seem beyond our understanding, or sometimes even bitter, we know nonetheless that they are always determined by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God answers our prayers, particularly for temporal blessings, only in ways that are compatible with the larger purposes of God's glory and our salvation. Communion with God is finally the answer within the answers to all our prayers.

The Psalmist echoes the theme that God is faithful and in the mystery of His love watches over our lives.

5Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD their God,
6who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever;

We can rejoice that God is always calling us to take new initatives and seek for new places, new 'words' to share. An example from the Year Book came in the reflection on New Church Developments in the Presbytery of Inland Northwest.

The Rev. Scott Kinder-Pyle was called in 2006 as the NCD pastor for southwest Spokane, specifically for the Latah Valley area. During 2007, Scott applied the lessons he learned in a successful church plant on the East Coast, gathering small groups and working with interested and committed individuals to develop the core of the fledgling church community. The Presbytery of Inland Northwest looks forward with great enthusiasm to the birth of this new worshiping community in 2008.

Prayer: Lord, I confess that on numerous occasions I have been unwise in the way I have used my words. Forgive me and help me reclaim the power of words rightly used. Words that encourage. Words that challenge towards growth. Words that Heal. Help me to be a carrier of Your Word this day. Amen.

Answered Prayer and Human Frailty

2008-02-04T08:08:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 27:1-6, 10-12
Philippians 2:1-13
John 18:15-18, 25-27
Psalm 29:1-11

Again our catechism reminds us of prayer;

Question 121. What is the purpose of prayer?
Prayer brings us into communion with God. The more our lives are rooted in prayer, the more we sense how wonderful God is in grace, purity, majesty and love. Prayer means offering our lives completely to God, submitting ourselves to God's will, and waiting faithfully for God's grace. Through prayer God frees us from anxiety, equips us for service, and deepens our faith.

The Mission YearBook gives us an example of answered prayer in the founding of Tall Timber Ranch by the Presbytery of Wenatchee, WA, back in 1956...

With the campers in pickup trucks, they journeyed fifteen miles to a meadow surrounded by Glacier Mountains. They gathered in a prayer circle and asked God to find a way to purchase the camp. They decided to collect offerings for the camp by passing an old-fashioned butter churn from church to church. The people of Central Washington “churned” up $20,000 to purchase 135 acres for Tall Timber Ranch. The first camp at Tall Timber Ranch was held the next year with 130 campers.

Wise Counsel is found when Gods Word is approached in a prayerful manner. As we deal with people and their conflicts, Proverbs always comes up with some gems.

2Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.
3A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
4Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who is able to stand before jealousy?
5Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

The beautiful Phillipian hymn that speaks of Christ's servanthood and humility is the postlude to Pauls injunctions to deal wisely and prayerfully with each other...

3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6who.... "though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness..."

The reading from John depicts Peter's denials of Jesus. Fear and confusion can drive us all to the denial of what our heart tells us is right. Before acting judgmental towards others we need to consider the deceptions of our own hearts. As we hear the cock crow, repentance is called for.

25Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, "You are not also one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not." 26One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" 27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.

Above and beyond our petty squabbles, misguided aspirations and foolish speculations the Lord remains enthroned in glory. Prayer reminds us who is in charge and bids us to embrace a wider view. Who is our God? The Lord of all glory. The evening Psalm bids us to set our sights high.

7The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
8The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl,
and strips the forest bare;
and in his temple all say, "Glory!"
10The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
11May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Prayer: Indeed Lord, may I this day discover Your strength in the midst of my weakness. Turn me from self exaltation to true service. Help me discover signs of Your presence in all those I meet. Grant to me a servants heart. Amen.

Leaping Calves and Cross Carrying Travels

2008-02-03T08:09:00.000-05:00

Malachi 4:1-62
Corinthians 3:7-18
Luke 9:18-27
Psalm 139:1-24

As I come to this time of prayer the Study Catechism pulls me into focus.

Question 120. What is prayer?
Prayer means calling upon God whose Spirit is always present with us. In prayer we approach God with reverence, confidence and humility. Prayer involves both addressing God in praise, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication, and listening for God's word within our hearts. When we adore God, we are filled with wonder, love and praise before God's heavenly glory, not least when we find it hidden in the cross of Golgotha. When confessing our guilt to God, we ask for forgiveness with humble and sorry hearts, remembering that God is gracious as well as holy. When giving thanks to God, we acknowledge God's great goodness, rejoicing in God for all that is so wonderfully provided for us. Finally, when calling upon God to hear our requests, we affirm that God draws near in every need and sorrow of life, and ask God to do so again.

Prayer is also participation in God's ongoing work. It is not we who set the agenda, but God. Such is he nature of the prohecies in Malachi. We are not so much drawing the map as seeking to find out where exactly we are in building the road. Burning or leaping?

1See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

This day being Transfiguration Sunday it is fitting we have a pasge from Corinthiand about the light of God's glory. Malachi's 'sun of righteousness' blazes a trail ahead of us.

18And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.

Though the Holy Spirit illumines and guides us, there is also the uncompromising challenge of Christ to take up our cross.

23Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.

Were it not for the light of resurrection glory the Cross would be unbearable curse. Pointless and heartless. But through God's grace something transformational is declared. Transformation was also reflected in our Mission Year Book speaking of settled congregations embracing multi-cultural ministry.

Travelling motifs return in our evening Psalm. God is with us every step of the way... those moments of croos bearing and those moments of unrestrained joy.

1O LORD, you have searched me and known me.
2You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
3You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.

Prayer: Lord I ask this day that I may find Your guiding light along the road I will travel. Be with all those meeting for worship. Transform our lives by Your Presnce. Amen.

Grace is not a laughing matter!

2008-02-02T14:00:00.000-05:00

Genesis 18:1-16
Hebrews 10:26-39
John 6:16-27
Psalm 143:1-12

A prayer for enlightenment is taken from the Psalm:-

8Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.

The Catechism question points to the impossibilty of always getting things right, but contains the wonderful line:"there is more grace in God than sin in me."

Question 119. Can you obey these commandments perfectly?
No. I am at once a forgiven sinner and a forgiven sinner. As a sinner without excuse, I fail to obey these commandments as God requires. "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it" (James 2:10). I should not adjust the law to my failures, nor reduce my failures before God. Yet there is more grace in God than sin in me. While I should not cease to pray to God for mercy, I can be confident that God is forgiving and that I will be set free from all my sins. By grace I can confess my sins, repent of them, and grow in love and knowledge day by day.

Abraham entertains strangers who bring the message of the upcoming birth of his son. Sarah laughs in disbelief. She is rebuked on the grounds that nothing is too wonderful for God to accomplish.

13The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' 14Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son." 15But Sarah denied, saying, "I did not laugh"; for she was afraid. He said, "Oh yes, you did laugh."

Hebrews reflects on the need for an enduring faith. How giving up would place us in a worse place then those who had never believed.

35Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. 36For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

In our John passage Jesus comes to the disciples in the midst of their fear as they face a storm at sea.

19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid."

The Mission Year Book spoke of ministry in the harsh wilderness of Alaska and included the prayer:

"Bless those who minister in Christ’s name and uphold those who struggle with tragedies in small, remote communities."

Reflecting on the overall impact of these passages they are tremendously encouraging. We may sometimes feel that God's ability to save is a laughting matter... and at those times we rightly deserve to be rebuked. We are called to endure in in our faith. That doesn't mean we never face storms, but if we can find Christ's presence in the midst of the storm then our fears will be put at rest. Minstry can be a struggle, but who ever said it was meant to be plain sailing?

Prayer: Lord, As I face challenges within and without, enable me to discover Your grace in the midst of the storm. May my trust in You not become a laughing matter. Amen.

Transitional Hopes

2008-02-01T08:18:00.000-05:00

Psalm 20:1-9
Genesis 17:15-27
Hebrews 10:11-25
John 6:1-15

A wonderful hope from the evening Psalm begins our thoughts today.

4May he grant you your heart's desire,
and fulfill all your plans.
5May we shout for joy over your victory,
and in the name of our God set up our banners.

Jesus suggests that the first purpose of our existence is to love God. The second to love our neighbour. Our hearts desires are fulfilled when we seek to embrace God's plans for our lives.

Question 118. What is the best summary of the last six commandments?
These teach me how to live rightly with my neighbor. Jesus summed them up with the commandment which is like the greatest one about loving God: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 22:39; Lev. 19:18).

Changing from selfish seeking to soulful seeking doesn't come easy. it is a daily process. it involes not just ourselves, but whole communities. our Misson YearBook today speaks about the Synod of Alaska-NorthWest.

The Synod of Alaska-Northwest is a “synod in mission.” A “synod in mission” is one in transition, and 2007 brought significant change to this synod of 273 churches with 59,202 members.

In our Genesis reading Abraham is called to go through many transitions. From laughter to belief. From calling his wife Sarai to calling her Sarah. From seeing ishmael as the heir of God's covenat promises to viewing those as applying to one yet to be conceived. Always in our walk with God are moments of transition. we are a pilgrim people.

Hebrews continues to speak of the trasition from the Old to the New Covenant. he captures some of the Psalmists hope as he speaks of how jesus has opened to us the doorway into God's presence. A charter for transitonal action!

19Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.

The feeding of a vast crowd witnesses to a transitional moment in the disciples journey. A young boys offering becomes the means by which all are fed.

8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?"

I reflect on times I have said the equivalent of "What are they?" "What can I do? I don't have the resources. i don't have the skill. I don't have the will-power". The grace and power of Jesus Christ always takes us by surprise.

14When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world

May I continue to put my faith in Jesus the one who can really change things! The prayer from the Year Book seemd particularly appropriate for today.

Prayer: Lord, help us to welcome the new things you are doing in the world and to respect the old things you keep and use. In Jesus’ name. Amen.