What can be said about this chapter? It certainly doesn't sound like a pleasant day at the beach.
It describes a turning point on earth for all those who happen to be alive. No one knows the hour of this series of events except the Father. As Christians we are given the opportunity to come to Jesus as our Savior, this gift does have an expiration. Life is fleeting, Christ is constant and my role is to strive to follow where He would lead me.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Comment to Revelation 7
Some more tea leaves found in the cup:
13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
What is the great tribulation and are we today in the middle of it? Does every generation have to face it's own trials and tribulations before accepting God's grace and salvation through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. When we leave this life and pass to the next and come to God our sins will be washed clean because we have accepted Christ's gift. We will stand and praise God with every thought and action.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
No more will we worry or have the daily stress found in getting through the day. In this vision as described in Revelation 7, God is central and the only focus. Praise God!
Is it possible living in this world to turn towards God, worship and praise Him without distraction or pause? Can we praise Him only in thought and word or can we also take action whenever we are called as a form of praise?
13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
What is the great tribulation and are we today in the middle of it? Does every generation have to face it's own trials and tribulations before accepting God's grace and salvation through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. When we leave this life and pass to the next and come to God our sins will be washed clean because we have accepted Christ's gift. We will stand and praise God with every thought and action.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
No more will we worry or have the daily stress found in getting through the day. In this vision as described in Revelation 7, God is central and the only focus. Praise God!
Is it possible living in this world to turn towards God, worship and praise Him without distraction or pause? Can we praise Him only in thought and word or can we also take action whenever we are called as a form of praise?
Revelation 7
I think I need someone with the gift of reading tea leaves to help me get through this book. What are 144,000 sealed individuals? Were these the disciples who went out and gathered the multitudes mentioned later in the chapter? These "sealed" people were sealed with a mark on their forehead, now that is something that sounds rather familiar!
I was looking this stuff up a little and the Jehovah's Witnesses used to claim themselves as the 144,000, until that is, their number surpassed 144,000. Seems that all of us can get a little carried away if we think of ourselves "more chosen" than the rest.
Maybe that is what John is telling us in this confusing tale. That you can do math, study history and read deeply into the symbolism of this text, but in the end, all you have is a pile of tea leaves. God is the central theme. The worship of the angels and His followers is what we should emulate. If we can...
I was looking this stuff up a little and the Jehovah's Witnesses used to claim themselves as the 144,000, until that is, their number surpassed 144,000. Seems that all of us can get a little carried away if we think of ourselves "more chosen" than the rest.
Maybe that is what John is telling us in this confusing tale. That you can do math, study history and read deeply into the symbolism of this text, but in the end, all you have is a pile of tea leaves. God is the central theme. The worship of the angels and His followers is what we should emulate. If we can...
Monday, June 27, 2011
Revelation 5
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
Why is it that "every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea" can praise so freely and completely? While those of us made in the image of God are so incapable of praising like that?
We second-guess our praise. We limit and control ourselves. We do not give all of ourselves to anything - even God - all of the time.
I'm spending the week with my 3-year old neice. We're in her house, visiting museums, struggling to maintain anything like a normal diet. This evening, after 5 hours at the chidlren's museum, she had a major melt-down. The passion that rang out from behind her bedroom door was unmistakable! She screamed and threw her whole body into her fury. For quite some time.
Somehow, by the time my chidren have reached the age of 7, we've left that sort of extreme passion behind. We've learned to moderate ourselves - our fury and our joy. We no longer laugh and shriek with such wild abandon.
And we no longer praise without that same modulation. 'Tis a sin.
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
Why is it that "every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea" can praise so freely and completely? While those of us made in the image of God are so incapable of praising like that?
We second-guess our praise. We limit and control ourselves. We do not give all of ourselves to anything - even God - all of the time.
I'm spending the week with my 3-year old neice. We're in her house, visiting museums, struggling to maintain anything like a normal diet. This evening, after 5 hours at the chidlren's museum, she had a major melt-down. The passion that rang out from behind her bedroom door was unmistakable! She screamed and threw her whole body into her fury. For quite some time.
Somehow, by the time my chidren have reached the age of 7, we've left that sort of extreme passion behind. We've learned to moderate ourselves - our fury and our joy. We no longer laugh and shriek with such wild abandon.
And we no longer praise without that same modulation. 'Tis a sin.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Revelation 3
In Revelation 3, verse 16, John writes to the church of Laodicca, "But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am ready to spit you of my mouth". We serve a Lord that does tolerate a mediocre spiritual life, He calls us to serve Him and serve him whole-heartedly. There are so many opportunities to serve Him....throughout the church. In today's non-stop world, it can be hard to carve out our God time but we know He will be faithful if we serve. In verse 10 we are told, "You have obeyed my teaching about not giving up your faith. So I will keep you from the time of trouble that will come to the whole world to test those who live on earth". God is calling....are we listening?
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Revelation 2
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Here the Lord dictates to John what he is to write to the churches, explaining what they do right and what they are doing wrong. Wouldn't it be something if we could get such clear instructions directly from the Lord today. In some ways life would be easier if everything we need to do could be spelled out, clear directions given, as to how we can please the Lord and what really makes him mad.
Is the Lord clearly speaking to us in our time? Do we have the ability to listen in the quiet way it may take to hear Him speak in our busy loud world. In the noise that surrounds us, the constant activiny we are distracted by, can we direct our attention to listen to God when he speaks to us.
Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Here the Lord dictates to John what he is to write to the churches, explaining what they do right and what they are doing wrong. Wouldn't it be something if we could get such clear instructions directly from the Lord today. In some ways life would be easier if everything we need to do could be spelled out, clear directions given, as to how we can please the Lord and what really makes him mad.
Is the Lord clearly speaking to us in our time? Do we have the ability to listen in the quiet way it may take to hear Him speak in our busy loud world. In the noise that surrounds us, the constant activiny we are distracted by, can we direct our attention to listen to God when he speaks to us.
Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Revelation 1
Jesus comes to John in all His glory to have him make record of what is yet to come. God is, and was, and is to come. Christ's return is what all Christians anticipate, the promise of everlasting residence with the King of all kings. I've never read this book and I am very interested for what is to follow in the coming chapters.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
3 John
This chapter almost seems a response to Sue's post as well! Some church seems to be closing its doors and John wants them open for his evangelists. In other words, keep the doors open to those you feel are coming with good and honest intentions. Those who are tired, give them rest and those who just have a bunch of questions about God, well, be Lutheran and give them more questions to ponder.
As Kelly and Mark have noted, though, there is also the temptation to let others "into your house" who you know do not have your interest or God's interest at heart. Those people, you need to push back out. If God has intentions to change them, God may work through you to do so, but that healthy physical and emotional boundary must be in place!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
comment
Okay - not Mark anymore -- just me as the last holdout who cannot comment correctly - sorry!
These verses you mention make sense to me on a gut-level. There have been times in my life, and people in my life, who have dragged me away from what I know to be true. Decades later, I can label the phenomenon as "lack of self-differentiation" - but at the time, I all I knew was that I was getting sucked into someone else's grief/pain/struggle and losing touch with my own sense of self.
We are all changed by the people in our lives. Sometimes it is through intentional commitments (marriage, for example). And sometimes it happens over years of relationship. On the plus side, this means we can show others Christ. On the negative side, it means that we need to be careful who we surround ourselves with.
These thoughts are also on my mind a great deal as I send my daughter into the world increasingly on her own. How will she change those around her, and how will they change her? And where do we draw those lines that are necessary between our children and the dangers in their world?
These verses you mention make sense to me on a gut-level. There have been times in my life, and people in my life, who have dragged me away from what I know to be true. Decades later, I can label the phenomenon as "lack of self-differentiation" - but at the time, I all I knew was that I was getting sucked into someone else's grief/pain/struggle and losing touch with my own sense of self.
We are all changed by the people in our lives. Sometimes it is through intentional commitments (marriage, for example). And sometimes it happens over years of relationship. On the plus side, this means we can show others Christ. On the negative side, it means that we need to be careful who we surround ourselves with.
These thoughts are also on my mind a great deal as I send my daughter into the world increasingly on her own. How will she change those around her, and how will they change her? And where do we draw those lines that are necessary between our children and the dangers in their world?
2 John
This chapter/book was not all inspiring. It seems to say the same thing John had been writing about in 1 John. The command seems pretty cut and dry; follow the commandments and love one another. So why is this so hard to do?
We get so caught up in our daily lives of trying to make ends meet that I think we forget that life is not all about taking care of ourselves. Making money seems to overshadow helping people. Especially when you are having trouble supporting your family, as many of us are in this economy. Helping others and volunteering our time is usually low on our list of things to do.
The part of this chapter that disturbed me were verses 8&9 when John tells the woman that people who do not believe in Jesus as Messiah are deceivers and antichrist and you should not allow them in your house. I thought that part of our calling as Christians was to share the good news and help others come to accept Christ???
Any thoughts?
Comment
This chapter reiterates what is my daily focus, that through Jesus I can have a relationship with the Father. He came to save us from death with His sacrifice. God has delivered us through Christ and those who reject His son reject the Light of the world and will forever remain in darkness.
Monday, June 20, 2011
1 John 5
Thanks to Mr. MacFeeley for getting the last chapter. I have found blogging on Sundays to be rather difficult, since my head is often on many other scriptures that day. For the time being, I'm going to blog on Mondays instead.
This chapter really threw me for a loop - even more so than the rest of the book. I've never been overly enamoured with John's writing -- he seems more interested in poetic phrases than saying what he means. And this chapter is one of the worst - cyclical statements about Love and God and Spirit and water and blood. And the very strange reference in v. 16 about the "sin that does lead to death" that we are not told to pray about. Huh?
So I dug out my shortest commentary. Apparently, the chapter (and the book) was mostly likely written to refute those who were claiming that the Messiah and God were about Spirit -- that the messy, bloody, bodily Jesus could not be God. God is Love, God is Spirit (they claimed). John writes to say "No, God is flesh and blood."
This doesn't help me with v. 16 (I still have no satisfactory answer there, even after the reference books). BUT...I see how important the rest of the chapter is.
We still, over a thousand years later, fall into the trap of wanting a spiritual God. Our lives are messy. The lives of those around us are messy. God doesn't keep his hands clean and stay apart and "spiritual." God jumps into the carnality - literally. God is flesh.
In a society where we see so much more of other religions, it is important to remember that this belief is what makes us stand out. We know that Spirit is not enough to be the fullness of Truth. The Creator, the Source, the Power, the One....Must also be Flesh.
This chapter really threw me for a loop - even more so than the rest of the book. I've never been overly enamoured with John's writing -- he seems more interested in poetic phrases than saying what he means. And this chapter is one of the worst - cyclical statements about Love and God and Spirit and water and blood. And the very strange reference in v. 16 about the "sin that does lead to death" that we are not told to pray about. Huh?
So I dug out my shortest commentary. Apparently, the chapter (and the book) was mostly likely written to refute those who were claiming that the Messiah and God were about Spirit -- that the messy, bloody, bodily Jesus could not be God. God is Love, God is Spirit (they claimed). John writes to say "No, God is flesh and blood."
This doesn't help me with v. 16 (I still have no satisfactory answer there, even after the reference books). BUT...I see how important the rest of the chapter is.
We still, over a thousand years later, fall into the trap of wanting a spiritual God. Our lives are messy. The lives of those around us are messy. God doesn't keep his hands clean and stay apart and "spiritual." God jumps into the carnality - literally. God is flesh.
In a society where we see so much more of other religions, it is important to remember that this belief is what makes us stand out. We know that Spirit is not enough to be the fullness of Truth. The Creator, the Source, the Power, the One....Must also be Flesh.
1 John Chapter 4
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
This love is not a simple love like a person stating,"I love strawberry Ice Cream!" but an all emcompassing act were you share God's love with another,expecting nothing in return. This is hard to do in today's world, the anticrist is everywere; yet if you express God's love to another and they receive it, they are also of God.
Let us be God,s love in action here on earth and love one another. That is all He asks of us.
This love is not a simple love like a person stating,"I love strawberry Ice Cream!" but an all emcompassing act were you share God's love with another,expecting nothing in return. This is hard to do in today's world, the anticrist is everywere; yet if you express God's love to another and they receive it, they are also of God.
Let us be God,s love in action here on earth and love one another. That is all He asks of us.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Comment
Love is liberating, letting people in is necessary to really giving God His due for this life. Speaking from first hand experience, the unfounded fear of letting my guard down has stopped me in the past from being apart of. Life is to be lived and God expects us to share ourselves in community in both good and challenging times. Through His Son we are given a seat at the table. What will I do today to show my gratitude for this unmerited gift?
Comment
My favorite line in one of my favorite hymns: Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love (From "take my life and let it be").
I need to be reminded to love impulsively. Too often I stop to think before loving those around me. Will they resent my interference? How will action affect my schedule today? Sometimes out of selfishness, and sometimes with the best of intentions - I hesitate, second-guess, and end up not acting.
The people who remind me most of Christ in this world are the people who don't over-think it. They love on impulse.
I need to be reminded to love impulsively. Too often I stop to think before loving those around me. Will they resent my interference? How will action affect my schedule today? Sometimes out of selfishness, and sometimes with the best of intentions - I hesitate, second-guess, and end up not acting.
The people who remind me most of Christ in this world are the people who don't over-think it. They love on impulse.
Friday, June 17, 2011
1 John Chapter 3
V 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
What does this mean, really?
I sometimes find myself sitting at a worship service saying all the words, asking for the forgiveness of my sins, taken communion and left feeling good about myself and my relationship with God. I know God loves me, but do I truely love Him back the way He loves me. Is it just words and no action?
V 11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
In this verse maybe we can find the action and truth John talking about. Action is a noun that needs to be a verb. To make it a verb you need add to it - take action! We should constantly love God, love ourselves, love our neighbors and actively participate in each others lives. Take action, do whatever task God presents to you with joy and compassion. Reach out and spread the love God has given you and be a verb not a noun.
What does this mean, really?
I sometimes find myself sitting at a worship service saying all the words, asking for the forgiveness of my sins, taken communion and left feeling good about myself and my relationship with God. I know God loves me, but do I truely love Him back the way He loves me. Is it just words and no action?
V 11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
In this verse maybe we can find the action and truth John talking about. Action is a noun that needs to be a verb. To make it a verb you need add to it - take action! We should constantly love God, love ourselves, love our neighbors and actively participate in each others lives. Take action, do whatever task God presents to you with joy and compassion. Reach out and spread the love God has given you and be a verb not a noun.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
1 John 2 comment
Know you ran a test, Jordan, but not working for me.
I like Mark's comment about vigilance - it's a really good description of the way I feel about faith so often.
As for this chapter....not so enamoured in general. After my recent musings on gender in the scriptures -- run across this chapter that goes into depth on writing to the "fathers, the children, the young men." Anyone else feel like a demographic group is missing here?
I like Mark's comment about vigilance - it's a really good description of the way I feel about faith so often.
As for this chapter....not so enamoured in general. After my recent musings on gender in the scriptures -- run across this chapter that goes into depth on writing to the "fathers, the children, the young men." Anyone else feel like a demographic group is missing here?
1 John 2
(v23)For a person who doesn't believe in Christ, God's Son, can't have God the Father either. But he who has Christ, God's Son, has God the Father also. Through Jesus we as Christians are part of God's union. I must live in this world but not be of it. Living out my faith daily while being surrounded by constant distraction is part of this challenge. In Jesus I am saved and my responsibity is to be vigilant on where my focus is directed.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Comment 1 John 1
...God is Light and in him is no darkness at all(v5). When I walk with words such as these in mind I stumble less frequently. Through Christ faith and fellowship are part of my life. How can I put a value on such a gift? I have human frailty, Jesus has done all the heavy lifting. He is the essence of perfectionand I am at best a broken man who attempts to seek His guidance. Thankfully I can worship and praise a God who seeks to shine His Light on all!
Mark Bauman
Mark Bauman
1 John 1
"8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us."I never knew our liturgical confession actually came almost directly from 1 John. One of those "things" that we hear and say every Sunday and yet many times, don't even think about the meaning. Isn't that a sin in and of itself? Does it count as confessing your sins when you are trying to also get your 3 year old to sit down and be quiet at the same time?
Yet, I know that when I have something heavy on my heart, different parts of the service reverberate through my soul. Confession, the Lord's Prayer, a hymn or a part of the sermon. Ah worship! We should just write this on the outside of our church:
"We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with God and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We worship here to make our joy complete."
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Isaiah 66
Three main observations today:
1 - v. 19 - when God talks of all the nations hearing of God's glory and bringing thanksgiving. Great tie-in to the Pentecost scripture from Acts today
2 - v. 22 - a new heaven and a new earth. didn't realize this phrase was in the OT. recognize it from Revelation, but surprised to see it in Isaiah.
3 - motherhood imagery, culminating in v. 13. One of the few places in the Bible where God is refered to as "Mother." I grew into awareness in the church at a time and a place where gender language was a HUGE issue. I knew one pastor who started (still does?) the Lord's Prayer with "Our Mother, who art in heaven..."
I've never been that extreme, but I notice gender language in church. I try to be gender-neutral in my public language, without drawing attention to it. I know some people with troubled father relationships who find the Father language for God troublesome and distancing. And I know some with troubled father relationships who cling to the Father language precisely because of the flaws in their human relationships.
I recently read "The Shack" - which presents the first person of the Trinity as a large black woman referred to as "Mama".
We are stuck with the language we inherit, with all of its shortcomings. But sometimes I wish we experimented more with our symbolic language for God. "Father" is inadequate. "Mother" is inadequate. "Counselor" "Immanuel" "Spirit" -- all inadequate. But the combination of all leads us towards truth.
1 - v. 19 - when God talks of all the nations hearing of God's glory and bringing thanksgiving. Great tie-in to the Pentecost scripture from Acts today
2 - v. 22 - a new heaven and a new earth. didn't realize this phrase was in the OT. recognize it from Revelation, but surprised to see it in Isaiah.
3 - motherhood imagery, culminating in v. 13. One of the few places in the Bible where God is refered to as "Mother." I grew into awareness in the church at a time and a place where gender language was a HUGE issue. I knew one pastor who started (still does?) the Lord's Prayer with "Our Mother, who art in heaven..."
I've never been that extreme, but I notice gender language in church. I try to be gender-neutral in my public language, without drawing attention to it. I know some people with troubled father relationships who find the Father language for God troublesome and distancing. And I know some with troubled father relationships who cling to the Father language precisely because of the flaws in their human relationships.
I recently read "The Shack" - which presents the first person of the Trinity as a large black woman referred to as "Mama".
We are stuck with the language we inherit, with all of its shortcomings. But sometimes I wish we experimented more with our symbolic language for God. "Father" is inadequate. "Mother" is inadequate. "Counselor" "Immanuel" "Spirit" -- all inadequate. But the combination of all leads us towards truth.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Isaiah 65
God reminds us in Isaiah 65 that after a time of being punished for sin, a new time is coming. In verse 23 we read that, "All my people will be blessed by the Lord; they and their children will be blessed. I will provide for their needs before they ask, and I will help them while they are still asking for help. What a wonderful thing it is to serve a God who is there to help us anytime we ask...all we have to do is be faithful. Sin does not go unpunished but if we are faithful God will bless us. Today I am so thankful to serve God who knows my needs before I ask and who forgives my sin.
On the subject of knowing our needs, I pray God knows how much we need the Bruins to win the Stanley Cup! ;)
On the subject of knowing our needs, I pray God knows how much we need the Bruins to win the Stanley Cup! ;)
Comment Isaiah 64
(v11) Our holy, beautiful Temple where our fathers praised you is burned down, and all the things of beauty are destroyed. The Lord our God is preparing a place where there will be no more illness or anger or hate. All whom come to Him through His Son will live here.
In the interim, what a pleasure it is to be a Boston sports fan. Bring on game 6...GO BRUINS!
In the interim, what a pleasure it is to be a Boston sports fan. Bring on game 6...GO BRUINS!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Isaiah 64
8 Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
In this prayerful lament Isaiah clearly declares our relationship with God. Through His hand we are all shaped by God, our lives known and directed by His will alone.
I would never pray to God for something for myself, only prayers of praise and adoration, but.... Please let the Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup this year.....
In this prayerful lament Isaiah clearly declares our relationship with God. Through His hand we are all shaped by God, our lives known and directed by His will alone.
I would never pray to God for something for myself, only prayers of praise and adoration, but.... Please let the Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup this year.....
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Isaiah 63
The Lord is our refuge. He alone has saved us through the teachings and sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ. This is what is my focus in my daily life. It is not done effectively at all times but
God has blessed me with the want to read His Word daily. What a gift this is! Thank you God.
God has blessed me with the want to read His Word daily. What a gift this is! Thank you God.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Isaiah 60
Two days ago, youth from our synod packaged 8,562 meals for the Springfield food shelf, which brings our total up to 64,404. Delegates from all over New England, with 24 hours notice, brought tons of food (literally!) to meet the urgent need. The youth also worked in a couple of community gardens.
I have really enjoyed reading Isaiah with its emphasis on outreach. Our youth and young adults are leading the way. 18% of the delegates at assembly were under 30 years old. I hope that number increases to 25% by next year's bishop's election.
The two words that jumped out at me today are both capitalized as they refer to Jesus' coming, "I'll install Peace to run your country, make Righteousness your boss." This Sunday in worship, you will be sent, "Go in peace where love leads, serve where love calls." These words come right out of the synod's purpose statement.
Christ's presence in worship brings peace into our lives. We are to bring righteousness into the world. God is making all things right (on earth as it is in heaven) through us.
God's work, our hands.
I have really enjoyed reading Isaiah with its emphasis on outreach. Our youth and young adults are leading the way. 18% of the delegates at assembly were under 30 years old. I hope that number increases to 25% by next year's bishop's election.
The two words that jumped out at me today are both capitalized as they refer to Jesus' coming, "I'll install Peace to run your country, make Righteousness your boss." This Sunday in worship, you will be sent, "Go in peace where love leads, serve where love calls." These words come right out of the synod's purpose statement.
Christ's presence in worship brings peace into our lives. We are to bring righteousness into the world. God is making all things right (on earth as it is in heaven) through us.
God's work, our hands.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Isaiah 58
Chapter 58 talked about the way we honor God, it was speaking specifically to how we honor God on the Sabbath but I think you could really apply it to any day. Verses 6-8 say we should honor God by sharing our food with the hungry or brining poor homeless people into our home or even giving clothes to someone who has none. It says that when we do those things "Your God will walk before you, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then you will call out, and the Lord will answer. You will cry out, and he will say, 'Here I am'. Finding more service and less self in our daily ways is the way God wants to be honored. He calls us to reach out our hand and help our fellow man....and to think less about ourselves.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Isaiah 57
21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
Here I find yet another chapter where Isaiah rants on and on about God's anger at His chosen people.
This afternoon was spent at the first meeting of the New England ELCA Synod gathering. With many songs, speeches and words of encourgement we are preparing to go out tomorrow for a day of service in the community surrounding Springfield, Massachusetts. The direction this Synod is going, is to take us on a journey of discovery where we will learn to understand Gods will for us and constantly "Do What Matters".
I see Isaiah 57 as the exact opposite of what I hope to experience tomorrow, going out into the community, doing God's work with others who have been called to action, sharing and showing God's love.
Here I find yet another chapter where Isaiah rants on and on about God's anger at His chosen people.
This afternoon was spent at the first meeting of the New England ELCA Synod gathering. With many songs, speeches and words of encourgement we are preparing to go out tomorrow for a day of service in the community surrounding Springfield, Massachusetts. The direction this Synod is going, is to take us on a journey of discovery where we will learn to understand Gods will for us and constantly "Do What Matters".
I see Isaiah 57 as the exact opposite of what I hope to experience tomorrow, going out into the community, doing God's work with others who have been called to action, sharing and showing God's love.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
All are welcome!
For some reason, I can't comment to your posts.
Mark, you are right. That phrase is familiar, because it's God's will. Although the Jews are God's chosen people, his plan from the very beginning (see Genesis 12) is to bless the whole world through the church.
Those of us who are Gentiles (i.e. no Jewish blood) have been welcomed by God through Paul's ministry. Like Paul was called to Macedonia, I have been called to Faith to proclaim this message...thus says the Lord, "Make sure no outsider ever has occasion to say, 'I don't really belong.' My house of worship will be known as a house of prayer for ALL people."
If all of the sisters and brothers of Christ in this place shout that message from the rooftops, Faith will continue to grow, will be more able to do God's will in Quincy and throughout the world.
Things are starting to get exciting around here...
Mark, you are right. That phrase is familiar, because it's God's will. Although the Jews are God's chosen people, his plan from the very beginning (see Genesis 12) is to bless the whole world through the church.
Those of us who are Gentiles (i.e. no Jewish blood) have been welcomed by God through Paul's ministry. Like Paul was called to Macedonia, I have been called to Faith to proclaim this message...thus says the Lord, "Make sure no outsider ever has occasion to say, 'I don't really belong.' My house of worship will be known as a house of prayer for ALL people."
If all of the sisters and brothers of Christ in this place shout that message from the rooftops, Faith will continue to grow, will be more able to do God's will in Quincy and throughout the world.
Things are starting to get exciting around here...
Isaiah 56
'Come one come all'- is God's message in this chapter-'All are welcome'. Where have I read that before? Our God is a loving God whom delights in our finding Him!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Comment Isaiah 55
Jordan,
Other than the fact that I'm 12+ years older we are twins! I begin each morning reading
God's Word and by the time I make it to the office it has become Mark's word and world. Thankfully God is patient with me and I can strive to better hear what He has in store for me each day other than following the Sox and eating another 2lbs of steamers. Putting God first will always be my challenge and I am up for the task!
Other than the fact that I'm 12+ years older we are twins! I begin each morning reading
God's Word and by the time I make it to the office it has become Mark's word and world. Thankfully God is patient with me and I can strive to better hear what He has in store for me each day other than following the Sox and eating another 2lbs of steamers. Putting God first will always be my challenge and I am up for the task!
Doing What Matters
I couldn't stay signed in to comment on Jordan's post, so here it is...
Amen! It's exciting to get caught up in doing what matters. Adeline is well on her way to raising $500 to cure childhood diabetes. Our whole family is doing the walk tomorrow after school. If you'd like to support Adi in getting the last $142, please let me know.
Amen! It's exciting to get caught up in doing what matters. Adeline is well on her way to raising $500 to cure childhood diabetes. Our whole family is doing the walk tomorrow after school. If you'd like to support Adi in getting the last $142, please let me know.
Isaiah 55
"'For your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord." (v 8)
Thank God. My thoughts and ways are awful. They tend to be around baseball, wondering what to make for dinner, how to get everything done at work. Even some thoughts about church trickle through my head now and again. I am so focused on the mundane that I miss the opportunities to "Do what matters."
God says, "Don't worry about that stuff, I have that already covered. You want water? Here you go! You want food? Done! All you need to worry about is me. Listen to me, praise me, pray to me, and for my sake and theirs, tell people about me!!"
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