Friday, July 30, 2010
Jordan - Hebrews 4
I'm not sure I really observe a sabbath day. There are days of the week I sometimes do less than others, but there are no specific days. Sundays, forget it. Worship is great, but inevitably I will have a meeting after the service or errands to run during the day. My job pulls me in at various times during the evening and sometimes on the weekends. What does a sabbath look like in 21st century? The more our kids and ourselves are overcommitted the less time we have for time with God, our family and rest. "Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs." (v 11).
Today, please listen
I've got a wedding on the Cape this weekend, so I did all those things yesterday that I normally do on Fridays. When I read Hebrews 3, I needed to hear this sentence from David's Psalm, "Today, please listen."
Apparently, I needed to hear it today too (and every day).
"God means what he says. What he says goes. [If only we are paying attention.] His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey."
We can read the Bible every day and go to church every Sabbath, but if we are not listening and obeying, working these words into our lives, it's all for not. There is no transformation. We have no light to shine in this dark world. Jesus is not overcome but the darkness, but we can be.
I saw David on his birthday yesterday at swim lessons. After 4 days of class, Malachi still did not want to participate. I did not handle it well, so we left early.
I need to listen and have faith that God is in this thing. All the time. When I am weak, he is strong.
Our children look to us from the minute they are born as God's representatives. That is their first confidence. In us. In God. It is one and the same.
Apparently, I needed to hear it today too (and every day).
"God means what he says. What he says goes. [If only we are paying attention.] His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey."
We can read the Bible every day and go to church every Sabbath, but if we are not listening and obeying, working these words into our lives, it's all for not. There is no transformation. We have no light to shine in this dark world. Jesus is not overcome but the darkness, but we can be.
I saw David on his birthday yesterday at swim lessons. After 4 days of class, Malachi still did not want to participate. I did not handle it well, so we left early.
I need to listen and have faith that God is in this thing. All the time. When I am weak, he is strong.
Our children look to us from the minute they are born as God's representatives. That is their first confidence. In us. In God. It is one and the same.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Jordan - Hebrews 3
"For we have become partners in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end." (v 14)What is our first confidence? Notes in the margin of the Lutheran Study Bible tie it to our belief in the promises of God. As a dad of two young boys, I think that is a little far fetched. Our first confidence, is probably our caregivers from birth. God knows us from the womb, thats true, but do we know Him? Does James, at 9 months, have confidence in the promises of God? Perhaps, he does, in some way. Perhaps the innocent confidence in Erin and me is James's confidence in life and "the builder of all things" (v 4).
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Jordan - Hebrews 2
The reality of Jesus, our brother, comes through in this chapter. You hear God labelled our father, and you here Jesus as the Son, our Savior. Jesus calls us "brothers and sisters," but do we ever refer to Jesus as our brother?
Jesus is our big brother, the guy who's been tested so we can ask Him for advice when we are tested (v 18). But ya know, I bet Jesus will, a lot of the times, tell us what the author of Hebrews says in verse 1: "we must pay greater attention to what we have heard so the we do not drift away from it." Most often, we know the answers to our problems, but we have drifted away. I remember growing up with my two younger brothers and telling them the same thing over and over again. Whether it be the "best way" to throw a curve ball, or how to use your wrist when shooting a basketball. Sometimes I would say "duh, its like this," other times I would be more caring and sometimes I wouldn't even try because they would figure it out on their own eventually. There were times when they would take my brotherly advice and other times when they would stare blankly at me, thinking that I didn't know as much as I said I did (and they were right!).
Jesus is that guy, the one giving us clues and sometimes just reminding us that the answers have been right in front of us the whole time. Its up to us to realize that He has been through this before and he does know what He is talking about!
Jesus is our big brother, the guy who's been tested so we can ask Him for advice when we are tested (v 18). But ya know, I bet Jesus will, a lot of the times, tell us what the author of Hebrews says in verse 1: "we must pay greater attention to what we have heard so the we do not drift away from it." Most often, we know the answers to our problems, but we have drifted away. I remember growing up with my two younger brothers and telling them the same thing over and over again. Whether it be the "best way" to throw a curve ball, or how to use your wrist when shooting a basketball. Sometimes I would say "duh, its like this," other times I would be more caring and sometimes I wouldn't even try because they would figure it out on their own eventually. There were times when they would take my brotherly advice and other times when they would stare blankly at me, thinking that I didn't know as much as I said I did (and they were right!).
Jesus is that guy, the one giving us clues and sometimes just reminding us that the answers have been right in front of us the whole time. Its up to us to realize that He has been through this before and he does know what He is talking about!
Higher than the angels
It seems like the burning debate of the time was "Who is higher in heaven, Jesus or the angels?"
This question seems about as relevant to me as circumcision/uncircumcision or eating meat offered to idols.
What is relevant is that Jesus became human, flesh and blood, in order to save us. He humbled himself, made himself much lower than the angels. This sums it up well, "He had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed."
That makes sense and I thank God every day for Christ's sacrifice.
This question seems about as relevant to me as circumcision/uncircumcision or eating meat offered to idols.
What is relevant is that Jesus became human, flesh and blood, in order to save us. He humbled himself, made himself much lower than the angels. This sums it up well, "He had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed."
That makes sense and I thank God every day for Christ's sacrifice.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Jordan - Hebrews 1
I like this book already! The language of "your God" and "God says" makes God real and active in our lives and also brings the old testament a little more life as well. I can't wait to see what else is in this book!
She is brilliant!
Rob Bell says, "Whoever wrote this letter to the Hebrews, she is brilliant." Of the 66 books in the Bible, Hebrews is the only anonymous one, so I too suspect that it was written by a woman.
Not much in the first chapter grabbed me, but something my little girl said last night did. We were reading the storybook Bible I use for children's sermons, the one we'll be giving out to our brand new Sunday School students like David (who will be 3 in just a few days!). Adi said, "How does God talk to you?" I responded, "You listen for God's voice in your heart." Then I picked up the book and said, "We read God's word and it's like he's talking to us."
Last night's reading was about a wedding banquet that everyone gets invited too. There's a big party in the kingdom.
The intro to Hebrews in The Message does give some insight:
Too much religion is a bad thing. We can't get too much of God, can't get too much faith and obedience, can't get too much love and worship. But religion--the well-intentioned efforts we make to "get it all together" for God--can very well get in the way of what God is doing for us. Our main and central task is to live in responsive obedience to God's action revealed in Jesus.
God is the actor, we are the responders. That's why the sacraments, offering, prayers, and passing the peace are so important. It's the time in worship when we respond to what God is doing in our midst.
Not much in the first chapter grabbed me, but something my little girl said last night did. We were reading the storybook Bible I use for children's sermons, the one we'll be giving out to our brand new Sunday School students like David (who will be 3 in just a few days!). Adi said, "How does God talk to you?" I responded, "You listen for God's voice in your heart." Then I picked up the book and said, "We read God's word and it's like he's talking to us."
Last night's reading was about a wedding banquet that everyone gets invited too. There's a big party in the kingdom.
The intro to Hebrews in The Message does give some insight:
Too much religion is a bad thing. We can't get too much of God, can't get too much faith and obedience, can't get too much love and worship. But religion--the well-intentioned efforts we make to "get it all together" for God--can very well get in the way of what God is doing for us. Our main and central task is to live in responsive obedience to God's action revealed in Jesus.
God is the actor, we are the responders. That's why the sacraments, offering, prayers, and passing the peace are so important. It's the time in worship when we respond to what God is doing in our midst.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Jordan - Philemon
Onesimus means "useful" in Greek. We all long to be useful, but we resent being used. There is a fine line, one marked by Paul and Martin Luther's understanding of good deeds. Good deeds must "be voluntary and not something forced" (v 14). This magical line is what makes faith so difficult! There are plenty of people who could point out what I should be doing with my life, but I am not apt to jump at those suggestions quickly; a voluntary change based off my own ideas or someone else's will take time to sprout and yield fruit. But someone insisting on me changing or doing something will either make me go the other direction or do it in spite and what good is that?
Fine lines are what our faith is all about. God has all the time in the world for us. We, however, are mortals and do not have that luxury. In this world, where good deeds are possible..
..our fine lines are finite.
Fine lines are what our faith is all about. God has all the time in the world for us. We, however, are mortals and do not have that luxury. In this world, where good deeds are possible..
..our fine lines are finite.
Radical Change
I'm still reeling from a concept that came up in worship yesterday, due to its personal impact on me. Mike, our speaker at the mission trip, encouraged us to sign the deed of our house over to Jesus. He's not just an invited guest, but he calls the shots. He owns the home.
Heidi, Adi, Malachi, and I had Becky, Travis, Zach (11), Justin (9), Maddie (6), and Izzy (4) over for the weekend. Living 10 is a lot different than living 4. But what if we decided that the Boyds owned the home? It's one thing to let visitors stay with you. It's a whole nother thing to let them take over...for good.
Two of our Indiana residents, Kayla (15) and Lindsey (14) got baptized yesterday. They surrendered their lives to Christ. He calls the shots now.
I got a bookmark from one of my residents years ago with a George Eliot quote on it. It says, "It is never too late to be what you might have been." Every time I encounter the Word, Jesus changes me. Sue is going through radical personal life change and is loving it. Faith is on the brink of being a passionately spiritual outreach machine.
Imagine the change that took place in the relationship Onesimus had with Philemon and vice versa. When Jesus enters a relationship for good, everything changes...and this is change you don't have to fear.
Heidi, Adi, Malachi, and I had Becky, Travis, Zach (11), Justin (9), Maddie (6), and Izzy (4) over for the weekend. Living 10 is a lot different than living 4. But what if we decided that the Boyds owned the home? It's one thing to let visitors stay with you. It's a whole nother thing to let them take over...for good.
Two of our Indiana residents, Kayla (15) and Lindsey (14) got baptized yesterday. They surrendered their lives to Christ. He calls the shots now.
I got a bookmark from one of my residents years ago with a George Eliot quote on it. It says, "It is never too late to be what you might have been." Every time I encounter the Word, Jesus changes me. Sue is going through radical personal life change and is loving it. Faith is on the brink of being a passionately spiritual outreach machine.
Imagine the change that took place in the relationship Onesimus had with Philemon and vice versa. When Jesus enters a relationship for good, everything changes...and this is change you don't have to fear.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Titus 3
This chapter seems to me to just be more of the same advice from Paul. Be submissive, be good, follow the law.....hopefully people get it by now. It's really strange but since being back from the Mission Trip life is different for me. Something happened while I was there that changed how I view/feel about things. In verse 5 Paul talks about Jesus saving us because of righteousness 'by the washing of regneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit'. I do believe that God touched me during the trip because I opened myself to him and asked for his help with my struggles.
It's been 1 week today since we have been home and I still feel the same. The same passion and power that I had during the trip. I pray that God continues to work in me and through me and have faith that he will.
Matthew wishes for 25 from our church to attend the trip next year, anyone who wants the most amazing experience of their lives should attend. I can't wait!
On my way to Maine see you in a week.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Integrity
Today Paul speaks these words to Titus:
"healthy endurance"
"models of goodness"
"disciplined lives"
"character"
He sums it up with this:
"We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now. Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness."
Let your light shine before others...
This good, pure life is only possible if we have a deeply intense relationship with Jesus. Oscar Romero in The Violence of Love puts it this way, "How I would like to engrave this idea on each one's heart: Christianity is not a collection of truths to be believed, of laws to be obeyed, of prohibitions. That makes it very distasteful. Christianity is a person, one who loved us so much, one who calls for our love. Christianity is Christ."
"healthy endurance"
"models of goodness"
"disciplined lives"
"character"
He sums it up with this:
"We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now. Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness."
Let your light shine before others...
This good, pure life is only possible if we have a deeply intense relationship with Jesus. Oscar Romero in The Violence of Love puts it this way, "How I would like to engrave this idea on each one's heart: Christianity is not a collection of truths to be believed, of laws to be obeyed, of prohibitions. That makes it very distasteful. Christianity is a person, one who loved us so much, one who calls for our love. Christianity is Christ."
Friday, July 23, 2010
Get a grip
I want to start by saying that we are raising up some incredible young leaders, like Timothy and Titus, at Faith. Yesterday, just days after arriving back from Indiana, Andrew, Emily, Marco, Miranda, Sue, and I packaged over 6,000 meals. Heidi, Adeline, and Malachi showed up to help polish off the last box for a total of 6,270 meals, more than double the previous one day record. The youth are really passionate about Faith Feeding the Future.
Two phrases grabbed me today:
It's important that a church leader...
#1. Have a good grip on oneself.
#2. Have a good grip on the Message.
Even Emily, the only one not confirmed in the bunch, is on our Youth Team. They are all leaders, by example, in the LYFE Group. There is power where there is passion. Hopefully, one day soon, some of our youth will be blogging alongside of us. Since coming back from the mission trip, many of them are reading the Bible daily.
The above "requirements" from Paul seem to have the cart in front of the horse. If the Message grips us, we'll experience radical life change. While self-control is the last fruit of the Spirit, it seems that surrendering to God the control of our lives is the first step. Then the Spirit can move us and our church in the ways of God.
Look for a new sense of purpose in our youth, especially those who attended the trip. I have already heard from a few others that they are coming with us next year. Our goal is to have 25 youth and adults from Faith and another 25 from within the New England Synod. Please encourage folks you know at other churches in the area. Point them in my direction and I'll fill them in one the details. Maybe we'll charter a coach bus...
Two phrases grabbed me today:
It's important that a church leader...
#1. Have a good grip on oneself.
#2. Have a good grip on the Message.
Even Emily, the only one not confirmed in the bunch, is on our Youth Team. They are all leaders, by example, in the LYFE Group. There is power where there is passion. Hopefully, one day soon, some of our youth will be blogging alongside of us. Since coming back from the mission trip, many of them are reading the Bible daily.
The above "requirements" from Paul seem to have the cart in front of the horse. If the Message grips us, we'll experience radical life change. While self-control is the last fruit of the Spirit, it seems that surrendering to God the control of our lives is the first step. Then the Spirit can move us and our church in the ways of God.
Look for a new sense of purpose in our youth, especially those who attended the trip. I have already heard from a few others that they are coming with us next year. Our goal is to have 25 youth and adults from Faith and another 25 from within the New England Synod. Please encourage folks you know at other churches in the area. Point them in my direction and I'll fill them in one the details. Maybe we'll charter a coach bus...
Titus
It was interesting to read Kelly's response to the reading. I had similar thoughts, I am not sure what Paul is trying to get across. I also question his statement that leaders need to be held up so high and expected to be 'blameless'.
Leaders are human, humans are destined to sin and make mistakes. We do not always do what is right and we follow our own desires. Sometimes I wonder if the things I do are for myself or for God. Am I following his plan for me? How do I know what that plan is?
I think the best we can do is work towards being the best person we can be. No one can or should try to be perfect. I don't even think God expects that. After all why did he send us Jesus? He knew we needed to be saved and gave the ultimate sacrifice for us.
As for the unbelievers...I don't think that I have the power to preach to people about God and his desires for us. I do however believe that my actions can speak louder than any words I speak. This is something that I understood last week and am going to try to live out in my daily life. The power of example should not be underestimated.
Kelly - Titus 1
"To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure." v. 15a
Not sure what to do with this. Because I certainly don't believe that all things are pure -even within the church. And I'm not sure how to interpret what Paul meant, because he certainly believed in the power of evil to corrupt good people -- so what did he mean by "all things are pure"?
Without knowing Paul's meaning here, and without knowing God's...I can at least draw from this scripture the truth that I am frequently much more negative than I should be. I have a well developed jaded eye. No matter how hard I work on healing from my past in the church, I carry it with me.
My first appointment (in Lutherspeak: first call) was truly bad. I stayed for 3 years - and no other pastor had lasted that long since one man's 1942-1948 stretch. Of the 4 pastors who served that church right before me, 3 left ministry within a year of leaving that church. It angers me that I carry that with me as much as I do...that those years in my life still have so much power...but they do.
So I struggle against becoming too negative in the church. Loving the people, distrusting the institution.
Paul's words are a small condemnation, a call to accountability, a reminder of what should be. "to those who are pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupt...nothing is pure."
As an aside - I'm off on vacation starting tomorrow. My father's birthday, my sister's anniversary, my anniversary, and my parent's anniversary - one BIG OLE PARTY in Denver this week. My laptop's being repaired, so see you in a week.
Not sure what to do with this. Because I certainly don't believe that all things are pure -even within the church. And I'm not sure how to interpret what Paul meant, because he certainly believed in the power of evil to corrupt good people -- so what did he mean by "all things are pure"?
Without knowing Paul's meaning here, and without knowing God's...I can at least draw from this scripture the truth that I am frequently much more negative than I should be. I have a well developed jaded eye. No matter how hard I work on healing from my past in the church, I carry it with me.
My first appointment (in Lutherspeak: first call) was truly bad. I stayed for 3 years - and no other pastor had lasted that long since one man's 1942-1948 stretch. Of the 4 pastors who served that church right before me, 3 left ministry within a year of leaving that church. It angers me that I carry that with me as much as I do...that those years in my life still have so much power...but they do.
So I struggle against becoming too negative in the church. Loving the people, distrusting the institution.
Paul's words are a small condemnation, a call to accountability, a reminder of what should be. "to those who are pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupt...nothing is pure."
As an aside - I'm off on vacation starting tomorrow. My father's birthday, my sister's anniversary, my anniversary, and my parent's anniversary - one BIG OLE PARTY in Denver this week. My laptop's being repaired, so see you in a week.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Paul's final words
"Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple."
You are a precious child of God. You have a purpose in the church and in the world. That's about as basic as it gets.
This is where it gets a little bit harder:
"Accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant."
We don't always want to get up and go when God calls us. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. What can we do to keep our spirits strong and our flesh healthy, so that when God calls, we can go?
Our children and youth need to internalize this, so that they can take over some of the ministry once they're confirmed:
"This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way."
Timothy believed Paul, because he saw him live his faith out, all the way to death.
Who believes the message, because of the way you live out your faith?
You are a precious child of God. You have a purpose in the church and in the world. That's about as basic as it gets.
This is where it gets a little bit harder:
"Accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant."
We don't always want to get up and go when God calls us. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. What can we do to keep our spirits strong and our flesh healthy, so that when God calls, we can go?
Our children and youth need to internalize this, so that they can take over some of the ministry once they're confirmed:
"This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way."
Timothy believed Paul, because he saw him live his faith out, all the way to death.
Who believes the message, because of the way you live out your faith?
2 Timothy 4
"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings" verse 3. When I read this verse I immediately thought of the talks that Mike gave last week. We listen to others, we listen the the devil talking to us and persuading us to do things that we know are not right. We go against our own beliefs to be like others and to conform.
I like Paul's advise to Timothy, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. At this moment I feel strong in my faith and ready to deal with difficult situations. As I stated yesterday, since our trip I have a sense of peace. I also have a sense of conviction that by following what I know to be right everything will work out.
I am not sure what my ministry is yet, I am praying that God shows me the path he would like me to follow. It may not be where I think I would like to go but if it God's plan then I'm sure it will be worth it.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Why I read the Bible every day
"There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—
showing us truth,
exposing our rebellion,
correcting our mistakes,
training us to live God's way.
Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us."
Enough said.
Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—
showing us truth,
exposing our rebellion,
correcting our mistakes,
training us to live God's way.
Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us."
Enough said.
2 Timothy 3
"But remember this in the last days there will come times of stress.." Two weeks ago I would have thought, If this is true then we must be in the thick of those. Since coming back from the trip I have felt a sense of peace that was not there before. I have dealt with situations at home calmly and rationally, have not lost my temper even when one of the kids are at me about something. Even at work dealing with customers who are unreasonable, I am calm, deal with the issue and wish them a great day.
So two weeks ago I would have thought that we were at the end of days. After our experience of last week I have a different view of my life and feel that I have a renewed sense of purpose. I feel stronger and ready to handle anything. I pray each day that this continues and that God continues to work in my life and to be with me. Because I believe that he did something to me last week to help me change and become a better person.
Kelly - 2 Timothy 3
The long, constant faith.
vv. 14-15 "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you have learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
I love Timothy because his life is like mine. He grew up on the faith. He wasn't born yet when Christ walked this earth. He heard the stories of faith and was part of the church because his mother was, and his grandmother was. And he became a church leader from a very young age because he chose that...based on the scriptures and the lives of those he knew in the church.
Timothy didn't have scales fall from his eyes and God speak to him directly as Paul did. Timothy wasn't on the mountaintop with Christ during the transfiguration like Peter was. Timothy didn't see the healings or fall asleep in the garden before the crucifixion. Timothy just heard the stories from those who loved him and grew up in the church and learned to follow Christ and preach love.
I have had my mountain-top experiences that have helped to form my faith, and I will have them again. And Sue and Matthew and others have just returned from their mountaintop. And like the disciples, we have all learned that we simply cannot fully explain the passion of the mountain to those who weren't there.
But Timothy had faith because those stories of other people on the mountain were there. And Timothy had faith because he saw those around him who had been on the mountain work to live out what that means in the "real world." Timothy watched Paul preach and teach because of the scales that had fallen from his eyes. Timothy had faith because he was surrounded by those who loved him and told him he was loved by God. And I suppose Timothy had his own mountaintop times as well, to strengthen his faith and help it evolve.
But Timothy's life was one of the long, constant faith. Not based on the mountaintop explosion. Timothy's faith grows from the church - the community who supported him and loved him and taught him.
vv. 14-15 "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you have learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
I love Timothy because his life is like mine. He grew up on the faith. He wasn't born yet when Christ walked this earth. He heard the stories of faith and was part of the church because his mother was, and his grandmother was. And he became a church leader from a very young age because he chose that...based on the scriptures and the lives of those he knew in the church.
Timothy didn't have scales fall from his eyes and God speak to him directly as Paul did. Timothy wasn't on the mountaintop with Christ during the transfiguration like Peter was. Timothy didn't see the healings or fall asleep in the garden before the crucifixion. Timothy just heard the stories from those who loved him and grew up in the church and learned to follow Christ and preach love.
I have had my mountain-top experiences that have helped to form my faith, and I will have them again. And Sue and Matthew and others have just returned from their mountaintop. And like the disciples, we have all learned that we simply cannot fully explain the passion of the mountain to those who weren't there.
But Timothy had faith because those stories of other people on the mountain were there. And Timothy had faith because he saw those around him who had been on the mountain work to live out what that means in the "real world." Timothy watched Paul preach and teach because of the scales that had fallen from his eyes. Timothy had faith because he was surrounded by those who loved him and told him he was loved by God. And I suppose Timothy had his own mountaintop times as well, to strengthen his faith and help it evolve.
But Timothy's life was one of the long, constant faith. Not based on the mountaintop explosion. Timothy's faith grows from the church - the community who supported him and loved him and taught him.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Peace and purpose
Go in peace, serve the Lord. Thanks be to God!
Grace comes into our lives unexpectedly, since we do not earn it. This message does not come with the strings attached to serve others, but what else would we do once we've been freed from the power of sin, death, and the devil?
Paul starts out, "Throw yourself into this work for Christ." In the NIV it reads, "Be strong in the grace of Christ." Build up the faith you need to live this life, but also use that strength to help others join you in The Way.
"Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple."
We did that last week. The question remains: can we do it this week? next week? how about all year until the next mission trip?
One last verse worth lifting up, "Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God."
Please keep Jaime in your prayers. Let's run this race together.
Grace comes into our lives unexpectedly, since we do not earn it. This message does not come with the strings attached to serve others, but what else would we do once we've been freed from the power of sin, death, and the devil?
Paul starts out, "Throw yourself into this work for Christ." In the NIV it reads, "Be strong in the grace of Christ." Build up the faith you need to live this life, but also use that strength to help others join you in The Way.
"Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple."
We did that last week. The question remains: can we do it this week? next week? how about all year until the next mission trip?
One last verse worth lifting up, "Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God."
Please keep Jaime in your prayers. Let's run this race together.
Kelly - 2 Timothy 2
This is what I expect in a letter from Paul...almost.
Nice, clear instructions about what I should do and what I should not. Don't quarrel, pursue love and peace, be kind to everyone. Hard to accomplish, but easy to understand.
What strikes me, though, that there is very little in this chapter about grace. This is about what we can do to please God - - while Paul usually talks more about how helpless we are before God and how much God has done for us.
Nice, clear instructions about what I should do and what I should not. Don't quarrel, pursue love and peace, be kind to everyone. Hard to accomplish, but easy to understand.
What strikes me, though, that there is very little in this chapter about grace. This is about what we can do to please God - - while Paul usually talks more about how helpless we are before God and how much God has done for us.
2 Timothy 2
'Be strong in the Faith that is Christ Jesus'. This can be difficult at times but totally worthwhile. Since coming back from the trip I have been talking with my family about the experience and things that have been bothering me for a long time. Yesterday I talked with Brian about a couple of issues that I thought would cause him to blow up. I spoke very calmly and explained my reasons. He actually remained calm and we had a nice conversation. I don't know where this will lead with him but I was thankful that we could talk and not get into an argument.
Being strong in the faith is something I feel I have always had. But since my experiences last week I now feel empowered also. There is a sense of peace that I did not have before and also a sense of purpose. Paul's words in verse 24 'and the Lord's servent must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone...' This is the way I am going to work toward treating everyone.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Prayer
I got a call from Ruth this morning. When I saw her daughter last night and for many hours afterward, Jaime has been struggling. She does not have a bone infection, just one in her urinary tract. She had the chills and shakes, which is not good for her back. Please take a moment and pray for her right now.
So much of this first chapter in Paul's second letter to Timothy is about faith wrapped up in prayer.
"God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts."
"So don't be embarrassed to speak up for our Master."
Last Monday, the youth learned how to share their faith. Very few in our church are comfortable praying out loud, but there's only one way to get better at it. Pray whenever you get the opportunity.
So much of this first chapter in Paul's second letter to Timothy is about faith wrapped up in prayer.
"God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts."
"So don't be embarrassed to speak up for our Master."
Last Monday, the youth learned how to share their faith. Very few in our church are comfortable praying out loud, but there's only one way to get better at it. Pray whenever you get the opportunity.
2 Timothy 1
It's funny how some days things really hit you and seem to all be linked together. Last night before going to bed I was reading a devotional that I have owned for some years. (This is a new goal of mine.) The subject was contentment. Weird.
This morning Paul states, v.7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control." He goes on to say don't be afraid of testifying to the Lord. As Matthew stated yesterday and some of our kids have said, they (and I) are worried about keeping the habits we had on the mission trip going, especially when we are alone. I have already felt this.
Prayer was huge for us all week. At church we are looking at Passionate Spirituality, which talks a lot about prayer. So why am I uncomfortable praying at my own home in front of my own family? I hear the little voice, how are people looking at you, what are they thinking? Will everyone think I am a Jesus freak now?
This is one of the hurdles that I have to overcome. The second hurdle that I am praying hard about is to stop drinking. I wouldn't say that I am an alcoholic but I have felt for quite a while that I had a problem. I can never be satisfied with just one. Recently we were in Maine and I drank way too much and was drunk in front of my kids. Since that day I have been ashamed of myself and really wanted to appologize but had not had the courage. During the talk Mike gave Monday night of the mission trip this struggle came to me and I asked for God to help me stop drinking. On Tuesday I opened up to Andrew and Emily and told them how ashamed I was and appologized for my behavior.
So I am bearing my soul, something that I am not totally comfortable with, to everyone here. I feel a need to open up to others and not be timid about my struggles. I hope that you will pray for me that this desire will be taken away. I told my family last night of my decision and hope that they can help to support me also. I have to live boldly with God so that he gives me his spirit and power to help me overcome this struggle. I will pray about this each day and be confident that God will help.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Kelly - 1 Timothy 6
First - I had always thought that the "love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" line came from someplace bigger - like the gospels. I'm a little surprised to find a verse we all remember so well (even if we struggle so much to live up to it) buried here in 1 Timothy.
Second - Before church this morning Rose and I were milling around on the front grass. We looked over at the Presbyterian church and she asked what they believed (are they Protestant, Catholic, what?) Which led to a general discussion on different denominations and why and how they differ - doctrinally and culturally, and both.
Matthew mentioned this morning that the mission trip worshipped once with a Free Methodist Congregation. The Free Methodists split off from the main Methodist church due to their ardent belief that the church was being corrupted by the Freemasons. Their differences may have been doctrinal at one point, but they're increasingly cultural as the denomination has had its own history.
So what to do with vv. 3-4? "If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing."
In the play/movie "The Importance of Being Earnest", by Oscar Wilde the main character is asked "I've always believed that a young man should know either everything or nothing. Which do you know?" and he responds "I know nothing, Lady Bracknell." This humility in the church and before God would serve us all well...but it's hard to teach a faith like that.
John Wesley preached "In essentials, Unity; in non-essentials, Liberty; and in all things, Charity." But even with that advice the Methodist Church has spent decades arguing over what is, and is not, essential. Civil rights....Women's rights....Gay rights....Liberation theology....Essential or not to the faith? I believe "essential" on all four...but the fights rage on.
Second - Before church this morning Rose and I were milling around on the front grass. We looked over at the Presbyterian church and she asked what they believed (are they Protestant, Catholic, what?) Which led to a general discussion on different denominations and why and how they differ - doctrinally and culturally, and both.
Matthew mentioned this morning that the mission trip worshipped once with a Free Methodist Congregation. The Free Methodists split off from the main Methodist church due to their ardent belief that the church was being corrupted by the Freemasons. Their differences may have been doctrinal at one point, but they're increasingly cultural as the denomination has had its own history.
So what to do with vv. 3-4? "If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing."
In the play/movie "The Importance of Being Earnest", by Oscar Wilde the main character is asked "I've always believed that a young man should know either everything or nothing. Which do you know?" and he responds "I know nothing, Lady Bracknell." This humility in the church and before God would serve us all well...but it's hard to teach a faith like that.
John Wesley preached "In essentials, Unity; in non-essentials, Liberty; and in all things, Charity." But even with that advice the Methodist Church has spent decades arguing over what is, and is not, essential. Civil rights....Women's rights....Gay rights....Liberation theology....Essential or not to the faith? I believe "essential" on all four...but the fights rage on.
Healthy, wealthy, and wise
Two verses hit me this morning:
"A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God."
If the youth and adults on the mission trip learned one thing, it's that we all need to be who we are in God. It's like the church bill board I saw recently: Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.
"Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith."
This is the challenge, now that we are home. Can we live in the way God wants us to live without the constant support of 200 like-minded people? Please pray for us. We'd like this attitude to infect our whole church.
"A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God."
If the youth and adults on the mission trip learned one thing, it's that we all need to be who we are in God. It's like the church bill board I saw recently: Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.
"Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith."
This is the challenge, now that we are home. Can we live in the way God wants us to live without the constant support of 200 like-minded people? Please pray for us. We'd like this attitude to infect our whole church.
Home Again
Here we are back in Quincy. We rolled in last night around 10:44pm. The trip was long but awesome. We sang, talked, joked and built more relationships. The kids are bonded now, a bond I don't believe will be broken.
This morning as I read two verses spoke to me. Verse 6 which talks about contentment and verse 20 which talks about avoiding Godless chatter. I would not say that I am a content person, I am always worried about what is going to happen next, where will the money come from, how am I going to accomplish some task? This week Mike spoke a lot about trusting God, he will provide for us if we just let him in and put our trust in him. This is going to be my biggest challenge as we go our separate ways later today. This is a worry that I and a few of our kids also have, how do we keep the passion that we feel right now going? My first priority will be to look for contentment in my life.
Avoiding Godless chatter ...one thing that brings me down is negative people. This is Godless chatter for me. I always want to fix things and make them better for everyone. I have to realize that is not my role, I can only take care of myself and be the best person I can, be Gods child.
I have a lot of work to do! Pray for me.
This morning as I read two verses spoke to me. Verse 6 which talks about contentment and verse 20 which talks about avoiding Godless chatter. I would not say that I am a content person, I am always worried about what is going to happen next, where will the money come from, how am I going to accomplish some task? This week Mike spoke a lot about trusting God, he will provide for us if we just let him in and put our trust in him. This is going to be my biggest challenge as we go our separate ways later today. This is a worry that I and a few of our kids also have, how do we keep the passion that we feel right now going? My first priority will be to look for contentment in my life.
Avoiding Godless chatter ...one thing that brings me down is negative people. This is Godless chatter for me. I always want to fix things and make them better for everyone. I have to realize that is not my role, I can only take care of myself and be the best person I can, be Gods child.
I have a lot of work to do! Pray for me.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Final Day
Well here we are at the end of the most awesome week of my life and I believe all of the youth on the trip as well. We have worked harder than ever before and have been more fullfilled than ever also. The kids see the outcome of their hard work and feel really good about the impact they have had both on all of their projects and also in the lives of the residents.
Our resident was up early cleaned off her kitchen table, had it set and was making waffles at 8am. She also ordered pizza for lunch and her daughter and grandson joined us. The difference in her attitude was also seen by others who visited her later in the day to pick up the ladders at her site. It was probably the best part of the week, making a difference in her life.
The verses that spoke this morning were 11 through 16. Talking about the youth and lifting them up, getting them to use their giftedness and read the bible. This is what we have been doing all week. Our hope is that they continue with morning devotions and that some of them start blogging with us. We also hope that this experience has changed some of them so that begin to live out their faith more fully.
I agree with Jordan that as a church we need to keep this momentum going for our youth. We are already pumped for next year and hope that adults and many more youth join us. The experience is indescribable, it has to be experienced.
See you Sunday!
Our resident was up early cleaned off her kitchen table, had it set and was making waffles at 8am. She also ordered pizza for lunch and her daughter and grandson joined us. The difference in her attitude was also seen by others who visited her later in the day to pick up the ladders at her site. It was probably the best part of the week, making a difference in her life.
The verses that spoke this morning were 11 through 16. Talking about the youth and lifting them up, getting them to use their giftedness and read the bible. This is what we have been doing all week. Our hope is that they continue with morning devotions and that some of them start blogging with us. We also hope that this experience has changed some of them so that begin to live out their faith more fully.
I agree with Jordan that as a church we need to keep this momentum going for our youth. We are already pumped for next year and hope that adults and many more youth join us. The experience is indescribable, it has to be experienced.
See you Sunday!
Jordan - 1 Timothy 4
"Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (v 12)
I am incredibly proud of the youth at Faith Lutheran. Those on the mission trip are getting the opportunity to grow in faith and be examples to us! How are we going to be examples for them? Not only those on the trip, but all of our youth. When their trip is over, they are going to need to come up with ways to keep that passion alive. Right now, they are immersed in Christ. But, before you know it, school, sports, friends will be pulling them in different directions. They will look to the church to help fill this new found passion. Are we up for the challenge?
The family and I are off to Baltimore for the week for a small family reunion that culminates with my sister's wedding. I'll blog when I can!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
I'm all in!
In order to catch up...Sue whispered to me this morning during quiet time that Paul seems to have let up a little bit on women being submissive. I said that his hardcore-ness about women may have had to do with one particular woman in Timothy's life of faith who was holding him back from being the leader he needed to be for the church. 2 Timothy is the last letter Paul wrote, so we'll see what his final words of wisdom are. My hope and prayer is that we'll have a couple mission trippers blogging with us next week after we get home.
I'm sorry about the abruptness of my last e-mail about my not checking it this week. I'm just realistic about the amount of free time I have these weeks. On day one, our residents watched us work. After today, all 7 of them have helped out. I have been picking the 3 teenage girls after work and bringing them to our evening programs. Then I take them home and get locked out of the building. I barely have time to journal before I fall into bed. The wake-up call is at 6:30 am.
Jordan, you made the comment a couple of days ago that "You need to go all in." The mission trippers are leading the way, so you can follow. We have all made the commitment to live in intentional community, learning, worshipping, and fellowshipping together. This will inspire us to serve and share our faith. We have surrendered our lives to Christ and will be following his lead.
When I got my first paid youth ministry job on Jan 26th, 1997, I quit drinking. At the end of last summer, I loosed up and had a couple of drinks. I've probably done that once or twice a month since. I have now made the commitment to not drink, other than common cup every week. Please help keep me accountable to this. It's very important to me.
Off to the evening program...
I'm sorry about the abruptness of my last e-mail about my not checking it this week. I'm just realistic about the amount of free time I have these weeks. On day one, our residents watched us work. After today, all 7 of them have helped out. I have been picking the 3 teenage girls after work and bringing them to our evening programs. Then I take them home and get locked out of the building. I barely have time to journal before I fall into bed. The wake-up call is at 6:30 am.
Jordan, you made the comment a couple of days ago that "You need to go all in." The mission trippers are leading the way, so you can follow. We have all made the commitment to live in intentional community, learning, worshipping, and fellowshipping together. This will inspire us to serve and share our faith. We have surrendered our lives to Christ and will be following his lead.
When I got my first paid youth ministry job on Jan 26th, 1997, I quit drinking. At the end of last summer, I loosed up and had a couple of drinks. I've probably done that once or twice a month since. I have now made the commitment to not drink, other than common cup every week. Please help keep me accountable to this. It's very important to me.
Off to the evening program...
Day 4
I totally agree with Kelly and her thoughts on the high standards for church leaders. When I read this morning I thought, who could fullfill those requirements? It certainly wouldn't be me. It seems that they want perfection from the leaders and that just would not be possible. We are not perfect.
Our speaker has been talking about the fact that no one is perfect and we try to be perfect we will surely fail. The only perfect person was Jesus and we should strive to live as he taught us to live but not try to be perfect. How stressful would it be if we as church leaders had to live perfect lives? This is not possible since we are all sinners and destined to make mistakes, luckily we have God there to help pick up the pieces and put us back on track.
Last night Mike (the speaker) talked about letting God take control of those parts of our lives that we have been holding back. Whether it be control, fear, confidence or forgiveness. As church leaders we need to have the humility to know that we are not perfect, cannot be perfect and should not try to be perfect. The only thing we can do is ask God to help and guide us in our leadership and let him be our guide.
On another note, as I mentioned in the beginning of the week our resident, Mary, was pretty depressed and negative about everything. Today the kids and I noticed that she was much more upbeat, not being negative about everything and seemingly much happier. It really made the kids feel good knowing that all the work they are doing is making an impact on her life and attitude. She mentioned that she has a potential buyer for one of her houses which also made the kids feel good since we have been praying for her each day that something will turn around for her.
Our speaker has been talking about the fact that no one is perfect and we try to be perfect we will surely fail. The only perfect person was Jesus and we should strive to live as he taught us to live but not try to be perfect. How stressful would it be if we as church leaders had to live perfect lives? This is not possible since we are all sinners and destined to make mistakes, luckily we have God there to help pick up the pieces and put us back on track.
Last night Mike (the speaker) talked about letting God take control of those parts of our lives that we have been holding back. Whether it be control, fear, confidence or forgiveness. As church leaders we need to have the humility to know that we are not perfect, cannot be perfect and should not try to be perfect. The only thing we can do is ask God to help and guide us in our leadership and let him be our guide.
On another note, as I mentioned in the beginning of the week our resident, Mary, was pretty depressed and negative about everything. Today the kids and I noticed that she was much more upbeat, not being negative about everything and seemingly much happier. It really made the kids feel good knowing that all the work they are doing is making an impact on her life and attitude. She mentioned that she has a potential buyer for one of her houses which also made the kids feel good since we have been praying for her each day that something will turn around for her.
Kelly - 1 Timothy 3
Paul expects quite a lot out of church leaders. There's nothing here I disagree with. But....
I don't know if setting such high expectations for church leaders (clergy and lay) will help people to rise to the occasion or will lead to despair at our failures.
"Above reproach, not quarrelsome, gentle, self-controlled, hospitable, able to teach" and (my favorite) "manage his own family well." We seem to have an overabundance of PK's in the congregation -and they are good and faithful men and women (even Jordan and Marcus). But PKs have the reputation they do for a reason.
When I was growing up my father was council chair or treasurer or stewardship chair or trustee chair....he held all the positions at one time or other. And my Sunday School teachers cringed when they saw me coming. I could get away with anything at that church and knew it. There are pictures of me in the top of a Ponderosa Pine wearing my Easter Dress. I spearheaded the youth movement in protest of one of our Sunday School teachers (she ended up quitting). And the Nevins who replaced her taught a good class, but were convinced I was queen of the heathens. I taught all the youth to do the polka during fellowship time and watch the crowds of coffee drinkers try to disperse without spilling their coffee. And I was a generally good kid without major rebellion.
And we could write entire theses about church leadership and the instruction to "not be quarrelsome."
To my mind, these may be ideals- but they cannot be requirements. God uses who God will, and the scriptures of full of stories of God choosing the most obnoxious heathens and shepherds and tax collectors and smelly locust-eaters to carry out God's plans.
I think sometimes the desire to create order in the church - to establish a strong institution to carry on the faith - is at direct odds with the innate disorder of God.
I don't know if setting such high expectations for church leaders (clergy and lay) will help people to rise to the occasion or will lead to despair at our failures.
"Above reproach, not quarrelsome, gentle, self-controlled, hospitable, able to teach" and (my favorite) "manage his own family well." We seem to have an overabundance of PK's in the congregation -and they are good and faithful men and women (even Jordan and Marcus). But PKs have the reputation they do for a reason.
When I was growing up my father was council chair or treasurer or stewardship chair or trustee chair....he held all the positions at one time or other. And my Sunday School teachers cringed when they saw me coming. I could get away with anything at that church and knew it. There are pictures of me in the top of a Ponderosa Pine wearing my Easter Dress. I spearheaded the youth movement in protest of one of our Sunday School teachers (she ended up quitting). And the Nevins who replaced her taught a good class, but were convinced I was queen of the heathens. I taught all the youth to do the polka during fellowship time and watch the crowds of coffee drinkers try to disperse without spilling their coffee. And I was a generally good kid without major rebellion.
And we could write entire theses about church leadership and the instruction to "not be quarrelsome."
To my mind, these may be ideals- but they cannot be requirements. God uses who God will, and the scriptures of full of stories of God choosing the most obnoxious heathens and shepherds and tax collectors and smelly locust-eaters to carry out God's plans.
I think sometimes the desire to create order in the church - to establish a strong institution to carry on the faith - is at direct odds with the innate disorder of God.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Day 3
When I read this chapter this morning and got to the verse about women being submissive I was pretty appalled. I was already on edge with the women should adorn themselves modestly and sensibly. What is this guy talking about?
I was sitting next to Matthew and when he read the chapter he pointed to the same section and said "I can't wait to see what Kelly writes about this"! Of course his bible but it in a much nicer way then I showed him my bibleand pointed to the word submissive. He just gave me a look like are you kidding.
What I actually took away from this reading was the part about prayer. (I just ignored the rest). This week we have been immersed in prayer. We pray at every chance we get. The kids are leading prayers, Miranda led the whole group in prayer last night, and each day during devotions one of my teens leads the group in prayer. God must me pretty busy this week with all of the prayers we have been sending.
Matthew is busy driving his residents home but hopefully he will get a chance to blog. He had a theory on Paul's reason for his thoughts about women. He was saying something about Paul trying to raise Timothy up and give him confidence. Well see what he has to say on the subject.
I was sitting next to Matthew and when he read the chapter he pointed to the same section and said "I can't wait to see what Kelly writes about this"! Of course his bible but it in a much nicer way then I showed him my bibleand pointed to the word submissive. He just gave me a look like are you kidding.
What I actually took away from this reading was the part about prayer. (I just ignored the rest). This week we have been immersed in prayer. We pray at every chance we get. The kids are leading prayers, Miranda led the whole group in prayer last night, and each day during devotions one of my teens leads the group in prayer. God must me pretty busy this week with all of the prayers we have been sending.
Matthew is busy driving his residents home but hopefully he will get a chance to blog. He had a theory on Paul's reason for his thoughts about women. He was saying something about Paul trying to raise Timothy up and give him confidence. Well see what he has to say on the subject.
Jordan - 1 Timothy 2
I can't really say much here either. This chapter seems uninspired, but I can see where the Missouri Synod and Wisconsin Synod back-up their positions on not ordaining women. How sad. I hope Paul didn't really write this...
Kelly - 1 Timothy 2
No comment.
Except to say that I'm a little amazed that with Paul spouting stuff like this, the church is able to attract any 20th/21st century women at all. Especially amazed that it's men that the church has a hard time keeping in worship. Since at least the time of the suffrage movement and the social movements of temperance (1920s ish) women have had an increasingly powerful role in the Protestant church in America. They've been ordained since the 60s or 70s, and currently make up 56% of the ELCA membership. I don't have statistics on attendance v. membership, but we all know that many dads only show up for the pageants.
I'm not very good at "no comment."
Except to say that I'm a little amazed that with Paul spouting stuff like this, the church is able to attract any 20th/21st century women at all. Especially amazed that it's men that the church has a hard time keeping in worship. Since at least the time of the suffrage movement and the social movements of temperance (1920s ish) women have had an increasingly powerful role in the Protestant church in America. They've been ordained since the 60s or 70s, and currently make up 56% of the ELCA membership. I don't have statistics on attendance v. membership, but we all know that many dads only show up for the pageants.
I'm not very good at "no comment."
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Jordan - 1 Timothy 1
I am hunkered down with a beer and an All-Star game on the day that George Steinbrenner died. Steinbrenner was a guy, like him or not, who stretched the law of the game. He related to players and agents and a baseball team the way nobody in baseball did before him and paved the way for the huge empires that are the big-money clubs in baseball. Throughout Steinbrenner's reign of the empire he pushed the limits of the league. But the one thing that stands out in my mind is that he showed that to make big money, you had to spend big money. In other words, go all in on your investment.
The same is true for faith. You need to go all in. Its hard to skirt around the edges and put your toe in the water now and then. That little Jiminy Cricket in your head tells you when you are on the edge or off the reservation completely. Paul (or whoever the author really is) writes in verse 19 "By rejecting conscience, certain persons have suffered shipwreck in faith."
Now I am not saying that George Steinbrenner should be your role model, although he did do pretty well for himself and gave a lot to charity, but he did have a good model for success. Go all in. (If you go first, I'll follow.)
The same is true for faith. You need to go all in. Its hard to skirt around the edges and put your toe in the water now and then. That little Jiminy Cricket in your head tells you when you are on the edge or off the reservation completely. Paul (or whoever the author really is) writes in verse 19 "By rejecting conscience, certain persons have suffered shipwreck in faith."
Now I am not saying that George Steinbrenner should be your role model, although he did do pretty well for himself and gave a lot to charity, but he did have a good model for success. Go all in. (If you go first, I'll follow.)
Day Two
We are all sinners whether we like it or not. Whether we think they are big sins or small sins they are still sins. Our speaker last night focused on this subject. He said it doesn't matter what the sin is it's still a sin, it's wrong and we shouldn't consciously do it. Paul talks about being a sinner but says that through the grace of Jesus he was saved. This is the best message we can hear.
As humans we are destined to sin, it is inbred. What we can do is to struggle not to sin. And this is a struggle for most of us. The speaker really reached the kids last night. They talked about it today during devotions. They talked about how hard it is not to follow those doing wrong but how some of them have found Jesus and are doing the right things (most of the time).
I spent a lot of time thinking about how I can change things in my life that I know are not right. I was not in a good place for a while and was feeling frustrated with my crew, the boys finished their outside job pretty quickly and then just hung out talking while the rest of us were working. What I kept reminding myself was what they told us on the first day. The week is not all about completing your projects it is more about building relationships. Today was a perfect example of this point. The crew work really hard and finished two rooms and started two more. The end of the day we all felt good about what we had accomplished and everyone felt closer to eachother and to our resident who was playing rock music for us. The relationships are more important!
The verse that jumped out at me this morning was 'I thank him who has given me strength'. I remembered this verse during my 'pouting' and then spent lunch listenting to the kids talk about whatevery came to their minds. They are really melding and becoming a close nit crew. I let myself listen to them and they brought me out of my pout and back into the game. We had an awesome afternoon and finished a ton of work. Thank you Lord for giving us the strength to work hard and also for the great kids who are going to change me.
As humans we are destined to sin, it is inbred. What we can do is to struggle not to sin. And this is a struggle for most of us. The speaker really reached the kids last night. They talked about it today during devotions. They talked about how hard it is not to follow those doing wrong but how some of them have found Jesus and are doing the right things (most of the time).
I spent a lot of time thinking about how I can change things in my life that I know are not right. I was not in a good place for a while and was feeling frustrated with my crew, the boys finished their outside job pretty quickly and then just hung out talking while the rest of us were working. What I kept reminding myself was what they told us on the first day. The week is not all about completing your projects it is more about building relationships. Today was a perfect example of this point. The crew work really hard and finished two rooms and started two more. The end of the day we all felt good about what we had accomplished and everyone felt closer to eachother and to our resident who was playing rock music for us. The relationships are more important!
The verse that jumped out at me this morning was 'I thank him who has given me strength'. I remembered this verse during my 'pouting' and then spent lunch listenting to the kids talk about whatevery came to their minds. They are really melding and becoming a close nit crew. I let myself listen to them and they brought me out of my pout and back into the game. We had an awesome afternoon and finished a ton of work. Thank you Lord for giving us the strength to work hard and also for the great kids who are going to change me.
Kelly - 1 Timothy 1
Paul calls himself "the worst of sinners." I'm not sure that we can really come up with a contiuum of "best to worst" sinners -- but if we could, I wouldn't put Paul at "the worst." He undoubtedly did some terrible things...but he just listed sinners who "kill their fathers or mothers, murderers, adulterers and perverts, slave traders and liars and perjurers." He's obviously has some pretty nasty sins on his mind...and he calls himself the worst of those.
The truth be told, I usually think of myself as a pretty decent person. Which isn't true. And as a result I don't live my life with a daily appreciation of how indebted I am to Grace. I live in the American culture of self-reliance - and breathe the air of self-sufficiecy. The truth of grace penetrates from time to time - but I have not yet progressed to the point where it is my air.
The truth be told, I usually think of myself as a pretty decent person. Which isn't true. And as a result I don't live my life with a daily appreciation of how indebted I am to Grace. I live in the American culture of self-reliance - and breathe the air of self-sufficiecy. The truth of grace penetrates from time to time - but I have not yet progressed to the point where it is my air.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Pray for us
I hardly got past the first sentence, "One more thing, sisters and brothers: Pray for us."
Amazing things are happening here this week already. Johnny Rocket just came in to talk. He has been reading the speaker's book about this journey we are on with God. How it's filled with bumps in the road. We have big bags of worldly possessions on our shoulders that we need to give away along the way. Oh, and Randy won the silver in the wild hair contest in the coffee house.
Please continue to pray for us as we work on homes and God works on us in worship.
"May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God's love and Christ's endurance."
These kids, moms, and I will come back changed. More passionately spiritual. More committed to setting ourselves aside and living for God.
"We simply wanted to provide an example of diligence, hoping it would prove contagious."
Bee just entered the office. This week we are wrestling with next Sunday's Gospel reading about Mary and Martha. Every morning first thing, we are still and know that He is God. Simply BE. Then we go to work and DO in response to God's leading. Then we get to BE again in worship. I love just BEing.
Amazing things are happening here this week already. Johnny Rocket just came in to talk. He has been reading the speaker's book about this journey we are on with God. How it's filled with bumps in the road. We have big bags of worldly possessions on our shoulders that we need to give away along the way. Oh, and Randy won the silver in the wild hair contest in the coffee house.
Please continue to pray for us as we work on homes and God works on us in worship.
"May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God's love and Christ's endurance."
These kids, moms, and I will come back changed. More passionately spiritual. More committed to setting ourselves aside and living for God.
"We simply wanted to provide an example of diligence, hoping it would prove contagious."
Bee just entered the office. This week we are wrestling with next Sunday's Gospel reading about Mary and Martha. Every morning first thing, we are still and know that He is God. Simply BE. Then we go to work and DO in response to God's leading. Then we get to BE again in worship. I love just BEing.
Day One
Day one at work camp was awesome! The day began at 6:30am with our wake up call. Then we have 1/2 hour of devotions and quiet time. During this time I read Thesolonians 3 and was somewhat troubled by verse 6, 'keep away from any brother who is living in idleness'. As Christians aren't we supposed to try to help others? That's what we are doing here this week, everyone we serve may not be Christian, we are here to try to spread the Good News and bring some of our Faith to the residents.
After breakfast we listened to the speaker who is here for the week. He talked to the kids about evangelism and how they could share their faith with others. Then they sent us on our way.
As a crew we met on Sunday and got to know each other a little. One kid, Seth, said Hi I'm Seth and I'm your Check in Cheif (each teen has a specific job they are responsible for on the crew). So my first impression of this kid is that he is a little pushy and full of himself. As we talked about the job he had an attitude like he knew exactly what to do, more like he was in charge. So I was a little skeptical about how this would all work out.
When we got to our house we met our resident. She is an older women, living alone, with a daughter and grandson in the area. She loves to talk as she lives alone and had my ear for about 1/2 hour. She is having some real financial difficulties and is pretty depressed.
At lunchtime we do devotions and Mary joined us. We read from Isiah 43 v 18-21. This passage talks about letting the past go and looking toward the future and what God has in store for us. Mary started talking about her problems and shared some of her history with us. She lost a few people really close to her from cancer. Seth speaks up and tells her not to worry God will provide all that she needs she just needs to trust and pray about it. Another teen says that she should also pray for her tenants who are unable to pay their rent which is causing a lot of her financial problems. Mary is negative about this and does not think this will help. Seth is persistent and shares his story with us all. He was heavy into drugs and drinking, just going down the wrong path. He says that God spoke to him through some people who are close to him. He told us that God provided the strength he needed to stop the wrong behavior and leave the friends who were following the wrong path. He was very persistent with Mary and strongly believes that God will provide for you.
This just blew me away. This kid who I thought was full of himself was really full of Faith. He freely shared his struggles with perfect strangers and testified that he had found Jesus and that is what saved him. Seth is 17 years old.
This is when the verse from Thessolonians struck me. Seth had no choice but to turn away from the friends who were going down the wrong road. He had strength from God to do this and he was convinced of this. I find it truly amazing how our readings do find meaning in our everyday life, you just never know where or when it will happen. Matthew told me that I would be blown away by these kids and he was absolutly right. The teens here are amazing, including our own!
We just finished up our evening program and the speaker talked tonight about sin and how easy is it to do the wrong thing but alot harder to do the right. After he spoke we had some worship time with the band, during this time Seth came down from the bleachers and knelt in front and broke down. This was a very moving experience.
And this is only DAY ONE!!!!
After breakfast we listened to the speaker who is here for the week. He talked to the kids about evangelism and how they could share their faith with others. Then they sent us on our way.
As a crew we met on Sunday and got to know each other a little. One kid, Seth, said Hi I'm Seth and I'm your Check in Cheif (each teen has a specific job they are responsible for on the crew). So my first impression of this kid is that he is a little pushy and full of himself. As we talked about the job he had an attitude like he knew exactly what to do, more like he was in charge. So I was a little skeptical about how this would all work out.
When we got to our house we met our resident. She is an older women, living alone, with a daughter and grandson in the area. She loves to talk as she lives alone and had my ear for about 1/2 hour. She is having some real financial difficulties and is pretty depressed.
At lunchtime we do devotions and Mary joined us. We read from Isiah 43 v 18-21. This passage talks about letting the past go and looking toward the future and what God has in store for us. Mary started talking about her problems and shared some of her history with us. She lost a few people really close to her from cancer. Seth speaks up and tells her not to worry God will provide all that she needs she just needs to trust and pray about it. Another teen says that she should also pray for her tenants who are unable to pay their rent which is causing a lot of her financial problems. Mary is negative about this and does not think this will help. Seth is persistent and shares his story with us all. He was heavy into drugs and drinking, just going down the wrong path. He says that God spoke to him through some people who are close to him. He told us that God provided the strength he needed to stop the wrong behavior and leave the friends who were following the wrong path. He was very persistent with Mary and strongly believes that God will provide for you.
This just blew me away. This kid who I thought was full of himself was really full of Faith. He freely shared his struggles with perfect strangers and testified that he had found Jesus and that is what saved him. Seth is 17 years old.
This is when the verse from Thessolonians struck me. Seth had no choice but to turn away from the friends who were going down the wrong road. He had strength from God to do this and he was convinced of this. I find it truly amazing how our readings do find meaning in our everyday life, you just never know where or when it will happen. Matthew told me that I would be blown away by these kids and he was absolutly right. The teens here are amazing, including our own!
We just finished up our evening program and the speaker talked tonight about sin and how easy is it to do the wrong thing but alot harder to do the right. After he spoke we had some worship time with the band, during this time Seth came down from the bleachers and knelt in front and broke down. This was a very moving experience.
And this is only DAY ONE!!!!
Jordan - 2 Thessalonians 3
I've got to agree with Kelly on this book. Its really kind of annoying actually. The books that Paul write have a friendly quality to them and you feel his passion for the gospel overflowing from his giddy prose. 2 Thessalonians is dry and driven with an "us vs. them" attitude. The words are not very inspiring.
Still, there is truth here, even if its not sugar coated. "..we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work" (v 11). I am not driven by these words, but I need to hear them every once in a while. Just like Kelly mentions about protestants not having ways to hold people accountable, this is one of those books that attempt to hold people accountable. The problem (and probably the good thing) with protestantism is that there are so many alternatives. I can't go in and tick off the congregation trying to motivate them to do a new thing because they can just up and go to the church down the block. Catholics, Amish and Jehovah Witnesses have their clubs and being "in" is pretty central to your daily life. Protestants, not so much.
Still, there is truth here, even if its not sugar coated. "..we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work" (v 11). I am not driven by these words, but I need to hear them every once in a while. Just like Kelly mentions about protestants not having ways to hold people accountable, this is one of those books that attempt to hold people accountable. The problem (and probably the good thing) with protestantism is that there are so many alternatives. I can't go in and tick off the congregation trying to motivate them to do a new thing because they can just up and go to the church down the block. Catholics, Amish and Jehovah Witnesses have their clubs and being "in" is pretty central to your daily life. Protestants, not so much.
Kelly - 2 Thessalonians 3
And my distaste for this book continues. I don't remember Paul being so obnoxious in the other letters - I'm definitely on the "he didn't write this" bandwagon. Paul is "commanding" right and left in this letter.
This chapter has the scritpures that form the basis of "shunning." V. 14 "If anyone does not obey our instructions in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed."
"Shunning" is best known for its use by some Amish - cutting someone out of the community by ignoring them completely. But it is found in the Roman Catholic history of "excommunication." And the Jehovah's Witnesses practice "disfellowshipping."
Regardless of the name of the practice, it is only done in extreme circumstances. It is harsh and cruel - often done even by family members of the person being shunned.
And the practice, like the words in this letter, is about making strict lines about what is and what is not proper, orthodox behavior. While I would never see myself in a situation where I could come close to participating in shunning, I must admit to having mixed feelings on the issue.
On the one hand, who are we to say what is and what is not pleasing to God? We know so little, and see through a glass dimly to the truth of things. Judge not, lest ye be judged. Worry about the log in your own eye.
On the other, what is it that we stand for? We canot believe in "everything." We are not pantheists - some beliefs are just wrong. And some behaviors are wrong and we cannot grow in Christ if we surround ourselves with those behaviors. I have been in churches where one or two people with a need for power and control, or with other insecurities, have taken the entire congregation hostage. Where their power issues and the amount of fighting that comes from that became more central to the life of the congregation than the gospel. There are times when one bad apple can spoil the barrel - and the church suffers for it - and contemporary protestantism does not have a way of holding people accountable for their actions.
This chapter has the scritpures that form the basis of "shunning." V. 14 "If anyone does not obey our instructions in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed."
"Shunning" is best known for its use by some Amish - cutting someone out of the community by ignoring them completely. But it is found in the Roman Catholic history of "excommunication." And the Jehovah's Witnesses practice "disfellowshipping."
Regardless of the name of the practice, it is only done in extreme circumstances. It is harsh and cruel - often done even by family members of the person being shunned.
And the practice, like the words in this letter, is about making strict lines about what is and what is not proper, orthodox behavior. While I would never see myself in a situation where I could come close to participating in shunning, I must admit to having mixed feelings on the issue.
On the one hand, who are we to say what is and what is not pleasing to God? We know so little, and see through a glass dimly to the truth of things. Judge not, lest ye be judged. Worry about the log in your own eye.
On the other, what is it that we stand for? We canot believe in "everything." We are not pantheists - some beliefs are just wrong. And some behaviors are wrong and we cannot grow in Christ if we surround ourselves with those behaviors. I have been in churches where one or two people with a need for power and control, or with other insecurities, have taken the entire congregation hostage. Where their power issues and the amount of fighting that comes from that became more central to the life of the congregation than the gospel. There are times when one bad apple can spoil the barrel - and the church suffers for it - and contemporary protestantism does not have a way of holding people accountable for their actions.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
I have been chosen!
"God picked you out as his from the very start."
The 11 of us in Butler, IN were chosen by God to be here. I firmly believe that. Please send the kids and the moms I came with encouraging notes to ButlerWorkcamp@teenserve.org. Put the individual's name in the subject. I e-mailed all Faith members the names and details.
This is my prayer for my fellow mission trippers:
"May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech."
Karla is with me, John with Suzanne, and Miranda with Sue. The others are on crews with 5 complete strangers. This is going to be a great week!
The 11 of us in Butler, IN were chosen by God to be here. I firmly believe that. Please send the kids and the moms I came with encouraging notes to ButlerWorkcamp@teenserve.org. Put the individual's name in the subject. I e-mailed all Faith members the names and details.
This is my prayer for my fellow mission trippers:
"May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech."
Karla is with me, John with Suzanne, and Miranda with Sue. The others are on crews with 5 complete strangers. This is going to be a great week!
Kelly - 2 Thessalonians 2
Ugh...This is a yucky chapter. I second Jordan's comments on "the end of times" -- this just isn't the focus of my faith and it's hard to get too involved in the disputes of the Thessalonians on the topic.
My Haper Collins Study Bible has notes that explain that the author of this book is probably not Paul (and the author of 1 Thessalonians probably is Paul). The two books together get into the disputes going on between various leaders of the time.
The biggest was the "the end isn't coming" problem. The earliest gospels have quotes from Jesus saying things like "this generation will not pass away until I come again." Which caused some serious confusion when "this generation" started passing away and the anticipated second coming of Christ had not happened.
In that context, I read the 2nd letter to the Thessalonians. But since I don't care too much about the context, it's really hard to care about the letter. ...
Except to say that Jesus doesn't do what we expect. The Messiah wasn't what the Jews expected - he was humble and poor and ate with sinners, not conquering the Romans. So I expect he won't do what we expect in the future. The constant anxiety about the second coming is a little absurd. All I know about Christ is that he loves me and he does the unexpected. I have enough to worry about in my faith life without wasting my time trying to figure out Christ's plans for creation.
I say it now to the author of this letter, I said it in 2000, I'll say it to the Mayans in 2012, I say it to the authors of the Left Behind series. I have enough to worry about trying to figure out my own life and loves and problems without debating the cosmic possibilities.
My Haper Collins Study Bible has notes that explain that the author of this book is probably not Paul (and the author of 1 Thessalonians probably is Paul). The two books together get into the disputes going on between various leaders of the time.
The biggest was the "the end isn't coming" problem. The earliest gospels have quotes from Jesus saying things like "this generation will not pass away until I come again." Which caused some serious confusion when "this generation" started passing away and the anticipated second coming of Christ had not happened.
In that context, I read the 2nd letter to the Thessalonians. But since I don't care too much about the context, it's really hard to care about the letter. ...
Except to say that Jesus doesn't do what we expect. The Messiah wasn't what the Jews expected - he was humble and poor and ate with sinners, not conquering the Romans. So I expect he won't do what we expect in the future. The constant anxiety about the second coming is a little absurd. All I know about Christ is that he loves me and he does the unexpected. I have enough to worry about in my faith life without wasting my time trying to figure out Christ's plans for creation.
I say it now to the author of this letter, I said it in 2000, I'll say it to the Mayans in 2012, I say it to the authors of the Left Behind series. I have enough to worry about trying to figure out my own life and loves and problems without debating the cosmic possibilities.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Jordan - 2 Thessalonians 1
"..when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction.." (v7-9)Are the end of times really going to be God's vengeance on the unbelievers? I can't stand this sort of preaching. If Jesus were to return today, would a couple billion people suffer eternal destruction? I have always imagined that the end of times is mythical; that God's kingdom is right here. We aren't living just to make it to the next level, we are living to affect change on this little blue marble. What does all this awful destruction have to do with Jesus's return? To me, it sounds like a cheap way of getting people to believe. "Believe or you will suffer at the end of times!" Sounds like medieval/dark age theology/evangelism and I've never understood it as part of my faith.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Kelly - 1 Thessalonians 5
Let's give a big round of applause for Sanctifying Grace!!!! Wooo Hooo!
v. 23 "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
To understand these words in my context, try to remember how you life-long Lutherans feel when you read "By Grace you are justified, through faith." The promise of sanctifying grace is as true to my heart as Welch's brand grape juice during communion.
The Lutherans talk about Grace - the Methodists break that same grace into 3 facets: Prevenient, Justifying, and Sanctifying Grace. We are holy by God's grace. We are made perfect through God's grace.
John Wesley died lying in bed singing the words to the hymn "I'll praise my maker while I've breath"....being holy and praising God are inseperable.
v. 23 "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
To understand these words in my context, try to remember how you life-long Lutherans feel when you read "By Grace you are justified, through faith." The promise of sanctifying grace is as true to my heart as Welch's brand grape juice during communion.
The Lutherans talk about Grace - the Methodists break that same grace into 3 facets: Prevenient, Justifying, and Sanctifying Grace. We are holy by God's grace. We are made perfect through God's grace.
John Wesley died lying in bed singing the words to the hymn "I'll praise my maker while I've breath"....being holy and praising God are inseperable.
Jordan - Thessalonians 5
Paul is great with encouragement. This chapter could be read any time you feel glum or you know of a group or team that is in a rut (here's to you, Cleveland!). "Encourage one another and build up each other.." (v 11) and "admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them." (v 14). That last little phrase is the most important, patience. When I encounter people that are frustrated or moving slower than you expect, many times I get frustrated too. Obviously, two wrongs don't make a right ("See that none of you repays evil for evil..." v 15).
People don't respond well to frustration. I know that all too well with a stubborn 2/almost 3 year old. If I get frustrated, it adds to his craziness. Patience is the way to go, but it takes a clear head!
People don't respond well to frustration. I know that all too well with a stubborn 2/almost 3 year old. If I get frustrated, it adds to his craziness. Patience is the way to go, but it takes a clear head!
The way God wants us to live
"Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens."
Tough things are going to happen in your life. Faith will travel some rough roads. Be cheerful anyway.
Want to connect with God on a deeper level? Talk to him. Want to connect with your sisters and brothers in Christ? Grab a hand and go to the Father together.
Want to truly be a daughter or son of the light? Find the good in all circumstances and be thankful. Everything we have comes from God's hand. Learn to live without the things you don't have. God is enough.
Getting off my soapbox. Have a great weekend. Please pray for us. We leave in T minus under 24 hours.
Tough things are going to happen in your life. Faith will travel some rough roads. Be cheerful anyway.
Want to connect with God on a deeper level? Talk to him. Want to connect with your sisters and brothers in Christ? Grab a hand and go to the Father together.
Want to truly be a daughter or son of the light? Find the good in all circumstances and be thankful. Everything we have comes from God's hand. Learn to live without the things you don't have. God is enough.
Getting off my soapbox. Have a great weekend. Please pray for us. We leave in T minus under 24 hours.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Jordan - Thessalonians 4
"..aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with yor hands, as we directed you, so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and be dependent on no one." (v. 11-12)What a different time we live in. Tonight, LeBron James is going to air a show on ESPN called "the decision" to announce where he will play basketball next year. Every single free agent and GM are holding their collective breath to see where "the king" ends up. It will surely change the basketball landscape for years to come. I'm sure that a TV show announcement conflicts with Paul's call to "..aspire to live quietly!". And to those sweating over the decision might be struggling with the "be dependent on no one" part.
Its a different time. Our globalized economy ensures that everyone is dependent upon everyone. Some are the winners of the arrangement, but the vast majority of people are losers. The winners don't exactly live quietly either!
I hope you dance
"We ask you—urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance."
"Don't run roughshod over the concerns of your brothers and sisters. Their concerns are God's concerns, and he will take care of them. We've warned you about this before. God hasn't invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life but into something holy and beautiful—as beautiful on the inside as the outside."
I have mission trip on the mind. On Pentecost Sunday, I invited the Confirmands and the congregation to dance to the tune of the Spirit. Since then, we've been commanded to bear the fruit of the Spirit, both in the blog and in the lectionary.
I can't wait to see what happens with these kids and moms as their beautiful hands work and the hand of God is on them, transforming them from the inside out.
Sunday's text is that of the Good Samaritan. The following Sunday we will preach as a group of 11. The Scripture is focused on Mary and Martha. You will hear personal stories of how the kids see themselves after spending a week in Butler, IN.
"Don't run roughshod over the concerns of your brothers and sisters. Their concerns are God's concerns, and he will take care of them. We've warned you about this before. God hasn't invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life but into something holy and beautiful—as beautiful on the inside as the outside."
I have mission trip on the mind. On Pentecost Sunday, I invited the Confirmands and the congregation to dance to the tune of the Spirit. Since then, we've been commanded to bear the fruit of the Spirit, both in the blog and in the lectionary.
I can't wait to see what happens with these kids and moms as their beautiful hands work and the hand of God is on them, transforming them from the inside out.
Sunday's text is that of the Good Samaritan. The following Sunday we will preach as a group of 11. The Scripture is focused on Mary and Martha. You will hear personal stories of how the kids see themselves after spending a week in Butler, IN.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Soul Friends
"What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before him because of you?"
Loving God. Loving your neighbor. It works.
I have a buddy who is visiting New England for the next several days, looking to possibly plant a church for young adults. His name is Josh and he is one of my soul friends. He's on a mission and I wholeheartedly support him. Please pray for the Spirit to speak to him and our synod leaders as they explore this basically uncharted territory in the Lutheran church.
I also have 10 soul friends I'll be missioning with next week:
Sue
Suzanne
Andrew
Emily
Karl
Karla
Miranda
Mike
Marco
John
In the sometimes cheesy sounding words of Michael W Smith, "Friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them." Paul didn't know if he would ever see his sisters and brothers in Christ again. Sue and I won't see you this Sunday either, but in no time we will be together again.
Loving God. Loving your neighbor. It works.
I have a buddy who is visiting New England for the next several days, looking to possibly plant a church for young adults. His name is Josh and he is one of my soul friends. He's on a mission and I wholeheartedly support him. Please pray for the Spirit to speak to him and our synod leaders as they explore this basically uncharted territory in the Lutheran church.
I also have 10 soul friends I'll be missioning with next week:
Sue
Suzanne
Andrew
Emily
Karl
Karla
Miranda
Mike
Marco
John
In the sometimes cheesy sounding words of Michael W Smith, "Friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them." Paul didn't know if he would ever see his sisters and brothers in Christ again. Sue and I won't see you this Sunday either, but in no time we will be together again.
Kelly - 1 Thessalonians 3
The past two chapters to me have seemed so intimate. They are chapters of honest friendship and honesty. Some of Paul's letters seem quite formal and instructional - these words seem like letters between people who care deeply about each other.
I stumbled across a new piece of church history this morning - stemming from the Celtic Church and the history of the Iona community in Scotland. To quote from today's reading from The Upper Room (short daily devotions published by Abingdon Press):
"Members of the ancient Celtic church looked for an aman cara -- a "soul friend." This could be a man or woman, lay or ordained, experienced in the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ. The soul friend was someone who could give needed guidance, especially at crucial points in life. Legend has it that Saint Columba's soul-friend suggested that Columba win as many souls for Christ as had been lost in the battle he had caused. To do this, Columba left his native Ireland to found a Christian settlement on the Island of Iona off the west coast of Scotland." (written by Bill Findlay)
I see the hints of an "aman cara" friendship in this letter. And it resonnates because of the importance of a few aman caras in my own life.
I stumbled across a new piece of church history this morning - stemming from the Celtic Church and the history of the Iona community in Scotland. To quote from today's reading from The Upper Room (short daily devotions published by Abingdon Press):
"Members of the ancient Celtic church looked for an aman cara -- a "soul friend." This could be a man or woman, lay or ordained, experienced in the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ. The soul friend was someone who could give needed guidance, especially at crucial points in life. Legend has it that Saint Columba's soul-friend suggested that Columba win as many souls for Christ as had been lost in the battle he had caused. To do this, Columba left his native Ireland to found a Christian settlement on the Island of Iona off the west coast of Scotland." (written by Bill Findlay)
I see the hints of an "aman cara" friendship in this letter. And it resonnates because of the importance of a few aman caras in my own life.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Jordan - Thessalonians 2
"...we have been approved by God..." (v 4)
These words jumped from the page today. Is it possible that God could just have a stamp of approval so that we knew who to follow and who to avoid? I'm having trouble seeing God lately. I've never read through the Bible, but for the first time, I am, yet I feel like God just isn't leaping out to me.
Don't get me wrong, there have been some beautiful words that I have never read in my life. I'm drawn into the moment with these words and the reflection that follows, but I'm not doing very well in bringing the words into my life. I just want big giant stamps on people and places that tell me what to do! But one thing I have learned through my Lutheran lens is that there are never stamps and we shy away from answers seeking more to analyze and raise more questions. I am supposed to be a carrier of the message, but my insecurity makes my stamp more of a perceived scarlet letter :p
These words jumped from the page today. Is it possible that God could just have a stamp of approval so that we knew who to follow and who to avoid? I'm having trouble seeing God lately. I've never read through the Bible, but for the first time, I am, yet I feel like God just isn't leaping out to me.
Don't get me wrong, there have been some beautiful words that I have never read in my life. I'm drawn into the moment with these words and the reflection that follows, but I'm not doing very well in bringing the words into my life. I just want big giant stamps on people and places that tell me what to do! But one thing I have learned through my Lutheran lens is that there are never stamps and we shy away from answers seeking more to analyze and raise more questions. I am supposed to be a carrier of the message, but my insecurity makes my stamp more of a perceived scarlet letter :p
Mothers and Fathers
We have heard a lot of advice from Paul lately for wives, husbands, children, slaves, and masters. Two sentences jumped out at me today:
"We cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did."
"With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life."
Heidi and I have been talking about gender roles. Are men a certain way? What about women? Is it possible to take on the perspective of the other, to plumb the depths for more understanding? Since we have a boy and a girl, we've also spent a fair amount of time discussing mothering and fathering, same gender and cross-gender. Do I treat Adeline the same way I do Malachi? Should I? Does Heidi treat the kids the same way I do? Definitely not. Should she? I don't think so.
God made us the way he did, but it certainly is complicated. Men and women are very different. As Kelly pointed out, we live in a culture other than Paul could have ever imagined. Heidi and Kelly are stay-at-home moms by choice. Kelly is just further down that road. Is mothering a full time job? The answer is a firm yes. What about fathering, since almost all dads work full-time outside the home too?
I think that's why we need sisters and brothers in Christ so much. Ours are now the only little kids in our immediate neighborhood. They need friends in Christ. With each garden baptism we have, I am reminded that it takes a church family to raise a child.
On a completely different note, our college friend, Laura Gifford, found out she had a brain tumor one year ago. I was successfully removed on Aug 11th, but she's having wicked side effects from the medications she's on. Please pray for her:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lauragifford
"We cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did."
"With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life."
Heidi and I have been talking about gender roles. Are men a certain way? What about women? Is it possible to take on the perspective of the other, to plumb the depths for more understanding? Since we have a boy and a girl, we've also spent a fair amount of time discussing mothering and fathering, same gender and cross-gender. Do I treat Adeline the same way I do Malachi? Should I? Does Heidi treat the kids the same way I do? Definitely not. Should she? I don't think so.
God made us the way he did, but it certainly is complicated. Men and women are very different. As Kelly pointed out, we live in a culture other than Paul could have ever imagined. Heidi and Kelly are stay-at-home moms by choice. Kelly is just further down that road. Is mothering a full time job? The answer is a firm yes. What about fathering, since almost all dads work full-time outside the home too?
I think that's why we need sisters and brothers in Christ so much. Ours are now the only little kids in our immediate neighborhood. They need friends in Christ. With each garden baptism we have, I am reminded that it takes a church family to raise a child.
On a completely different note, our college friend, Laura Gifford, found out she had a brain tumor one year ago. I was successfully removed on Aug 11th, but she's having wicked side effects from the medications she's on. Please pray for her:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lauragifford
Monday, July 5, 2010
Kelly - 1 Thessalonians 1
Sometimes the hardest thing to live up to is a compliment. Can you imagine having these words said about you?
"you became a model to all the believers" "the Lord's message rang out from you" "your faith in God has become known everywhere"
How hard would it be to go forward in your faith after hearing these strong words from Paul the Great?
Perhaps I focus on my weakpoints because that is easier. I certainly have enough to work on in my faith....but living into what God created me to be is scarier.
The poem "A Return to Love" by Marianne Williamson:
http://www.worldprayers.org/frameit.cgi?/archive/prayers/meditations/our_deepest_fear_is_not.html
"you became a model to all the believers" "the Lord's message rang out from you" "your faith in God has become known everywhere"
How hard would it be to go forward in your faith after hearing these strong words from Paul the Great?
Perhaps I focus on my weakpoints because that is easier. I certainly have enough to work on in my faith....but living into what God created me to be is scarier.
The poem "A Return to Love" by Marianne Williamson:
http://www.worldprayers.org/frameit.cgi?/archive/prayers/meditations/our_deepest_fear_is_not.html
Echoing the Master's Word
"Every time we think of you, we thank God for you."
Yesterday was a holiday. Although I was on vacation this week and wasn't at Faith on Sunday morning, we spent the afternoon and evening with our church family, first at the Manzer's place and then with the Fords. We thank God for you that you are our family here, since our family lives 1,500 miles away. We welcome other holiday invites to share your families with you.
In this short chapter, I ran across two things:
"It is clear to us, sisters and brothers, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special."
This is the Gospel message in a nutshell:
#1. God loves you just the way you are.
#2. He put you on the planet to do something specific. You have time, talents, and treasures to share that will change the world.
"Your lives are echoing the Master's Word."
The first text made me think about the 11 who will be on the mission trip next week. Then I thought, "What would it look like if our lives echoed God's Word?" Whenever Word is capitalized, it means Jesus (the Word made flesh) and the Bible. When we get back, will "the news of our faith in God" be out? Will we be different when we return? Will Faith change because 11 of 400 members had their faith kick-started?
There will be both joy and hard work on the trip. I hope our mission trip numbers double next summer.
God loves you. God has work for you to do in the world.
Yesterday was a holiday. Although I was on vacation this week and wasn't at Faith on Sunday morning, we spent the afternoon and evening with our church family, first at the Manzer's place and then with the Fords. We thank God for you that you are our family here, since our family lives 1,500 miles away. We welcome other holiday invites to share your families with you.
In this short chapter, I ran across two things:
"It is clear to us, sisters and brothers, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special."
This is the Gospel message in a nutshell:
#1. God loves you just the way you are.
#2. He put you on the planet to do something specific. You have time, talents, and treasures to share that will change the world.
"Your lives are echoing the Master's Word."
The first text made me think about the 11 who will be on the mission trip next week. Then I thought, "What would it look like if our lives echoed God's Word?" Whenever Word is capitalized, it means Jesus (the Word made flesh) and the Bible. When we get back, will "the news of our faith in God" be out? Will we be different when we return? Will Faith change because 11 of 400 members had their faith kick-started?
There will be both joy and hard work on the trip. I hope our mission trip numbers double next summer.
God loves you. God has work for you to do in the world.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
The body and the world
I love it that no matter the time of year, whether Jordan, Kelly, Sue, or I are on vacation, school year or summer, people can come to this blog as a part of their devotional life and read the thoughts of one or two other brothers and sisters in Christ. It has come to our attention that we need someone mystical, sacramental, or sensory in their spirituality to blog with us for balance. If you don't know which of the 9 spirituality styles is your native tongue (the other options are rational, doctrinal, Scripture-driven, sharing, ascetic, and enthusiastic), I would be happy to administer the 72 question quiz, so that you can find out. Jordan or Sue could do the same.
Either way, as a family maturing in its faith life together, we present ourselves to the world. As Kelly mentioned, Heidi and I are veggies for planetary reasons. If you haven't already seen the movie Food Inc, please do so. You can watch it on your computer via netflix. We need to be good stewards of this world for the next generations.
"Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity."
How does the church on the rock in Quincy appear to those outside of our fellowship? Here's my dream, using the Mike Yaconelli theology "something is better than nothing". To give you some background, Mike was a pioneer in youth ministry, serving nearly 40 years with teens before a tragic one car accident claimed his life much too early. When he died, youth workers all over the country gave from their meager wages to build a $53,000 school in his memory in Zambia. Another phrase he coined was "You have one life. Do something."
I would like Cathy and Mackenzie and any other new members who join on July 18th to be able to walk into the church sight unseen and be loved and forgiven as a sister or brother in Christ, to be integrated into the body. Each month, I would like to celebrate someone's offering of time, a talent, or treasure, whether they have been a part of the church for 75 years like Elsa or 77 days like Ryan, Lora, and Dominic. I would like the fruits of the spirit to flow like wine at a party. All the body of Christ stuff Kelly blogged about, none of the church politics stuff.
Paul says that we are the body of Christ, because we are. He has no other. Consider these words from Teresa of Avila:
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
Either way, as a family maturing in its faith life together, we present ourselves to the world. As Kelly mentioned, Heidi and I are veggies for planetary reasons. If you haven't already seen the movie Food Inc, please do so. You can watch it on your computer via netflix. We need to be good stewards of this world for the next generations.
"Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity."
How does the church on the rock in Quincy appear to those outside of our fellowship? Here's my dream, using the Mike Yaconelli theology "something is better than nothing". To give you some background, Mike was a pioneer in youth ministry, serving nearly 40 years with teens before a tragic one car accident claimed his life much too early. When he died, youth workers all over the country gave from their meager wages to build a $53,000 school in his memory in Zambia. Another phrase he coined was "You have one life. Do something."
I would like Cathy and Mackenzie and any other new members who join on July 18th to be able to walk into the church sight unseen and be loved and forgiven as a sister or brother in Christ, to be integrated into the body. Each month, I would like to celebrate someone's offering of time, a talent, or treasure, whether they have been a part of the church for 75 years like Elsa or 77 days like Ryan, Lora, and Dominic. I would like the fruits of the spirit to flow like wine at a party. All the body of Christ stuff Kelly blogged about, none of the church politics stuff.
Paul says that we are the body of Christ, because we are. He has no other. Consider these words from Teresa of Avila:
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Kelly - Colossians 3
In contrast to Ephesians 6.
I never would have caught this before - but having read them so close to each other the similarities struck me.
Both include instructions about children being obedient and slaves being obedient - and about fathers raising their children in God.
And both include instructions on "clothing ourselves" - but in a VERY different manner. Colossians tells us to clothe ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Ephesians tells us to put on the full armor of God, with the shield of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.
I like that the letters include both of these images - because neither one is adequate to my mind. The first is so militant, and the second so passive and weak. I spend 3 hours a week boxing with a sparring partner - "gentleness" doesn't fit my personality well. But I also get very squeamish about military might in any form - especially in the name of God - so the "sword of the Spirit" isn't something I really want to carry, either.
I know I have room to grow in both of these areas, but I'm comforted by the fact that neither one of these is the whole truth.
I never would have caught this before - but having read them so close to each other the similarities struck me.
Both include instructions about children being obedient and slaves being obedient - and about fathers raising their children in God.
And both include instructions on "clothing ourselves" - but in a VERY different manner. Colossians tells us to clothe ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Ephesians tells us to put on the full armor of God, with the shield of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.
I like that the letters include both of these images - because neither one is adequate to my mind. The first is so militant, and the second so passive and weak. I spend 3 hours a week boxing with a sparring partner - "gentleness" doesn't fit my personality well. But I also get very squeamish about military might in any form - especially in the name of God - so the "sword of the Spirit" isn't something I really want to carry, either.
I know I have room to grow in both of these areas, but I'm comforted by the fact that neither one of these is the whole truth.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Jordan - Colossians 2
"God works in mysterious ways."
How often have you heard or said that? I know I have said it a whole bunch of times. Paul writes in verses 2-3 that God's mystery is Christ himself and "in him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
When big things happen in people's lives, mostly bad things like the loss of a job or the loss of a loved one, people try so hard to figure out God's plan or the reasons behind these things. Paul's greatest gift is his ability to simplify this complicated faith. He reminds us that Christ is the mystery that we should be trying to figure out. Not that Jesus is simple, but to the contrary, Jesus, grace and salvation is more than we can figure out in a lifetime. There is no reason to try and figure out God's plan and God's intentions our homework is hard enough already.
How often have you heard or said that? I know I have said it a whole bunch of times. Paul writes in verses 2-3 that God's mystery is Christ himself and "in him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
When big things happen in people's lives, mostly bad things like the loss of a job or the loss of a loved one, people try so hard to figure out God's plan or the reasons behind these things. Paul's greatest gift is his ability to simplify this complicated faith. He reminds us that Christ is the mystery that we should be trying to figure out. Not that Jesus is simple, but to the contrary, Jesus, grace and salvation is more than we can figure out in a lifetime. There is no reason to try and figure out God's plan and God's intentions our homework is hard enough already.
Kelly - Colossians 2
Do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath Day (v. 16).
This line, and the following sentences confuse me a bit. They stab at the conflicts the church had as it entered into non-Jewish arenas. How do you know what is essential to the faith, and what is window dressing? Here even the Sabbath Day seems to be listed as non-essential.
I follow along with Paul's logic - that it is Christ's word we listen to, not "the world's" --- but how can we ever hear Christ's word apart from the way that Word is made manifest in the world around us?
Is it true that I should not let anyone judge my inner faith by my outward actions? In part, I know that my inner faith and my outward actions are not one and the same. But if I do not allow others to judge my actions - particularly those in the community - how can I be held accountable? Inner faith and outward actions are intertwined and mutually feed upon each other. And as we seek to grow together, there is a point in which I must grant the community some permission to judge my actions.
What we eat and drink may not be kosher, but they definitely are tied to our faith. Matthew and Heidi's diet is tied to their faith. An alcoholic's drinking is tied to his/her faith (yay for grape juice option at communion!). Keeping the Sabbath is tied to our faith.
I want to grow in faith - and I need the help of those around me to do so. So, go ahead, judge me. (a little)
This line, and the following sentences confuse me a bit. They stab at the conflicts the church had as it entered into non-Jewish arenas. How do you know what is essential to the faith, and what is window dressing? Here even the Sabbath Day seems to be listed as non-essential.
I follow along with Paul's logic - that it is Christ's word we listen to, not "the world's" --- but how can we ever hear Christ's word apart from the way that Word is made manifest in the world around us?
Is it true that I should not let anyone judge my inner faith by my outward actions? In part, I know that my inner faith and my outward actions are not one and the same. But if I do not allow others to judge my actions - particularly those in the community - how can I be held accountable? Inner faith and outward actions are intertwined and mutually feed upon each other. And as we seek to grow together, there is a point in which I must grant the community some permission to judge my actions.
What we eat and drink may not be kosher, but they definitely are tied to our faith. Matthew and Heidi's diet is tied to their faith. An alcoholic's drinking is tied to his/her faith (yay for grape juice option at communion!). Keeping the Sabbath is tied to our faith.
I want to grow in faith - and I need the help of those around me to do so. So, go ahead, judge me. (a little)
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Jordan - Colossians 1
I read a little bit about the background of Colossians and the history of this letter was a little different from the others we have read recently. The letter apparently is to affirm that the Colossians are on the right track. Some teachers were preaching that the Colossians needed to "live in very strict way in order to be fully united with Christ." (from my Lutheran Study Bible). Paul, as mentioned in many of the previous letters, believes fervently that because God first loved us and forgives us we can "lead lives worthy of the Lord" (v 10) so Paul writes this letter so that the so called "teachers" do not lead the Colossians astray.
I'm looking forward to this book!
I'm looking forward to this book!
Kelly - Colossians 1
I am continually amazed at Paul's willingness to suffer for the church, and his immediate equation of "the church" with "the body of Christ."
I love the people of the church, and the community of the faithful. And I rely on that community to help me in my faith growth and my family's...and to put new visions and interpretations of God before me.
But "the church" is an institution I struggle with. "The community of faith" worships together and studies together. "The church" gets messy and petty and bickers over coffee hour.
In the past thousand years, "the church" has become more of an institution than it was in Paul's time. It is tied to power and livelihoods more than it was then. It builds upon itself and protects itself more than it did then. And now we have to contend with "tradition" - both good and bad - that was not an issue in that first church.
But reading the letters shows us that the issues were in "the church" then, too. They bickered, they failed, they clung to nonessentials, they fought over money - just as we do now. And still Paul unhesitatingly called them "the body of Christ."
I don't think my image of the church needs to be elevated...denying what we are won't help anything. I think I need to look closer at the concept of "the body of Christ." I need to begin to understand that Christ's perfection is not full tranquility. The perfect body of Christ can include human disagreements and struggles.
Rudyard Kipling referred to "the savage wars of peace." And we claim "Faith is a Family" - and no family I have ever heard of gets along perfectly all the time - we bicker and squabble and need a little space.
So "the body of Christ" - the perfect church we are called to be - is a continuous struggle of love. I need to get a concept of "perfection" in my head that includes growth and even weakness.
....tis a work in progress and a slightly rambling blog post.
I love the people of the church, and the community of the faithful. And I rely on that community to help me in my faith growth and my family's...and to put new visions and interpretations of God before me.
But "the church" is an institution I struggle with. "The community of faith" worships together and studies together. "The church" gets messy and petty and bickers over coffee hour.
In the past thousand years, "the church" has become more of an institution than it was in Paul's time. It is tied to power and livelihoods more than it was then. It builds upon itself and protects itself more than it did then. And now we have to contend with "tradition" - both good and bad - that was not an issue in that first church.
But reading the letters shows us that the issues were in "the church" then, too. They bickered, they failed, they clung to nonessentials, they fought over money - just as we do now. And still Paul unhesitatingly called them "the body of Christ."
I don't think my image of the church needs to be elevated...denying what we are won't help anything. I think I need to look closer at the concept of "the body of Christ." I need to begin to understand that Christ's perfection is not full tranquility. The perfect body of Christ can include human disagreements and struggles.
Rudyard Kipling referred to "the savage wars of peace." And we claim "Faith is a Family" - and no family I have ever heard of gets along perfectly all the time - we bicker and squabble and need a little space.
So "the body of Christ" - the perfect church we are called to be - is a continuous struggle of love. I need to get a concept of "perfection" in my head that includes growth and even weakness.
....tis a work in progress and a slightly rambling blog post.
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