Was That The Kingdom?!

     In Luke 19 we see a man 'desperate' to see Jesus - it says he was 'quite rich'.  Do the very rich have a kind of lifestyle that is uncommon? Do they have opportunities and resources to take advantage of the world in extraordinary ways? And yet this man was desperate to see Jesus and couldn't get a glimpse of the King who became flesh, so he had to shimmy up a sycamore tree. It says he ran ahead, which was considered undignified in his culture for adults - a man of importance, to run, but Zacchaeus in his moment of desperation threw aside social code. This kind of tree had inferior pieces of fig that only the poor would eat which really adds to this picture of Deity coming into the presence of humanity. But humanity here was indignant, ignoring the King of all hope and mercy;  flung their words of judgment and shame in the face of Zacchaeus who was a little stunned at their hatred of him. Maybe he felt their stinging indictments before, but Zacchaeus was so caught up in the presence of Jesus - you know the Godhead who became flesh to walk among us, that their harsh words tried to halt him in his rhythm of joy and gladness. So he apologized and said he gives half of his income to the poor. The Message translation uses the present tense, but other translations indicate it was something he would do.  And if I'm caught cheating, he says, I pay four times the damage. Either way, he has encountered the Kingdom of God and it is life altering for him. Jesus confirms all of the activity in the heart of Zacchaeus when He proclaims, "Today is salvation day in this home!"

But it is so sad what I read in the very next verse. The crowd was getting closer to Jerusalem, because that's where Jesus was headed, and their expectancy was building - oh they were excited because there was all this hope that God's Kingdom would appear any minute. They Just saw the Kingdom - The Glorious Kingdom had just appeared in that last minute back there on the road!  Who else can bring salvation? Zacchaeus, this crook as they called him, was so overcome with desperation because He knew there was something extraordinary about this man in sandals walking his beat, breathing his air and crowding into his space. But they despised this glorious interchange of love and sweetness, profound exhilaration at the top of the tree - shouts of love! " Master, I give..!" He called Him Master, which implies that he had become a servant and he was also compelled to give outrageously and right any wrong. The Kingdom called out to Zacchaeus and his heart was pierced and he embraced that love, the audacious love that overcame social constraints to bring eternal life a life of love that never ends to the man Zacchaeus.

Ohhh I don't ever want to miss any time the Kingdom comes and spreads wings of unreasonable love over anything, anyone, anywhere, anytime. 

Unprecedented

As I look at Psalm 4, it reminds me of what I hear in many of the other Psalms - Complaining and Whining. I don't disagree with that sentiment. There are plenty of things that are not right, unbalanced, unfair and  down right awful!

Our Government is whining about their lack of cash flow and they want to borrow more money and add to the trillions of dollars we already owe. What is a trillion dollars anyway?! When I run out of money, I don't buy (most of the time). I can whip out the credit card and delay the pain, but I still have to pay.

It aggravates me that the Government won't live on a budget. I have to live on a budget. Can they try to change their spending habits?! I know that sounds too simple. So I can whine and complain about what happens in our bureaucracy or I can look for another option. We have to be unprecedented. We have to do something that's unprecedented. The we is the Church. The church must be an unprecedented force.

Scripture tells me that 'Pure religion is taking care of orphans and widows' (James 1:27). That's a powerful start - the church taking care of the world's orphans?! And the world's widows?! This would be unprecedented.

A thorough search of the scriptures gives me a recipe for every pain I endure and the suffering I will meet in this world. There is no lack in God and through His Kingdom there is opportunity for me to bring hope to a lost and dying world.  So I'm in for the unprecedented in my corner of the world. I will do my part and learn to believe that God does hear me when I cry out in need of answers.

You Don't Need a Gym

     You don't need a gym if you have a country road, a dog and a set of free weights. Improvise! My dog gets me up in the morning (if I let her), I don't need a cup of Java or tea. Lili is ready and I've got to get moving before she tears into a possum or worse yet, a skunk! I grab my 5 lb. weights which are laying, waiting, by the front door, and I'm off down a side lane next to a cemetery, surrounded by fields. It's a perfect 'work-out' room- the scenery is incredible and I even have a few inclines, or knolls as they call them here in Southern Indiana. I'll just have to stick with the morning routine and enjoy the benefits!

Breaking Tradition

     I ran my hands over the smooth finish of the Walnut case, it's insides covered in felt to protect the pieces of gold-tipped silverware I've held onto for more than twenty years. I saw my father smile as I held the platter filled to the brim with fresh vegies, cut and placed in a circular pattern, their colors bright and cheerful echoing the sentiment of the afternoon. More memories of family gatherings held together by culinary delights raced through my mind. My mother along with others cousins and aunts and a few from my new family brought them to our home as wedding gifts, and I've only used them on holidays - the times of celebration when the house is full of family and friends.

But the other day I was cooking up a dessert, along with the final prep for dinner and I ran out of serving utensils. It occurred to me that I could use those beautiful pieces of silverware, hidden in that walnut case on the other side of the kitchen in the dining room. So I walked over to the hutch, swung the door wide open and pulled the wooden box away from the linens that were stacked on top. As I lifted open the lid, it was Christmas in July!! It was empowering! I was using my good silverware for an everyday meal!

They have a new home now, outside of their walnut box, laying in the drawer, mixed in with all of my everyday silverware, making every meal a real treat! 

Help From The Divine

As I turn the final page of Letters From My Friend Teilhard De Chardin, 1948 - 1955, I found myself mourning the loss of a friend I just found inside his essays written with passion, convinced that the evolutionary movement that presses us forward, just as surely drives us upward can only be truly understood in terms of a reach of union with the Divine. I found a beautifully convincing correlation between God and evolution. A Jesuit Priest and French philosopher, Teilhard was a trained paleontologist and geologist who took part in the discovery of Peking Man and Piltdown Man. In his final months before his death, he said to his biographer, friend and colleague as they traveled down familiar streets in NYC back to his residence after lunch, " I can tell you, that I am constantly living in the presence of God!"

Here was a man of science and theology, a lecturer, missionary, author and a decorated military man who traveled to Africa, China and Asia as a celebrated geologist and scientist. And yet, Rome forbade him to write or teach on philosophical subjects. In 1925, Teilhard was ordered by the Jesuit Superior General Wlodimir Ledochowski to leave his teaching position in France and to sign a statement withdrawing his controversial statements regarding the doctrine of original sin. Rather than leave the Jesuit order, Teilhard signed the statement and left for China.This was the first of a series of condemnations by certain ecclesiastical officials that would continue until long after Teilhard's death. The climax of these condemnations came in 1962, seven years after his death, a monitum (reprimand) of the Holy Office denouncing his works.

 Even though he was unrecognized, cast down and abandoned, Teilhard never lost his love for God. It appears only to have enriched his supreme devotion to God and the mystery of the Divine. I take courage from this blessed life. I can't even remember what brought me to his name. He is a mystery to me and yet I believe it would be helpful to try and understand his unreasonable attraction to the Divine that kept him focused. I may need a revelation! 

Just Say No To a New Year's Resolution!

     I used to cave under all the hype around New Years resolutions - not any more!! Why expose myself to all those feelings of guilt when I break that resolve the second day into the year, because it was sooo depressing the first day when I couldn't stay in my 'resolve' for 24 hours!!
     A couple of weeks ago I was reading Colossians 3:12-17, and it occurred to me that these few, but powerful verses could be a 'way of living' for me. A goal I would endeavor to live by for the rest of my life as I am able, and as I learn to live in the joy of Jesus' presence. It's one thing to live happily ever after in my own home surrounded by friends and family, but the 'happily ever after' gets  a real beating in life when I engage in life with others in the culture around me.
     Petterson writes in Colossians 3 to 'dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you:  Compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense.' These evoke such beautiful pictures of harmony and understanding, especially, dressing in quiet strength - I love that!
     My husband has gone into a store and picked out the most perect outfit for me to wear - something I would never have tried on.  I'm not sure that happens often with other couples.  And he also has missed it completely, pulling out something he likes, but it's not really my style. I want to be in style - in sync - with the creator of the universe, who holds the world in the palm of His hands and has the number of hairs on my head numbered.
     I believe quiet strength, kindness, compassion, even-tempered and humility look good on everyone, in any culture, any age at any time of any day of the week. It's not a New Year's resolution, but a new way of life. And when I don't make the mark in every situation, I know that I can start all over again tomorrow, livng in the joy and forgiveness of the One who made me whole and complete.

Christmas Past

 

  'Whose woods these are I think I know

His house is in the village though

He will not see me stopping here

  To watch his woods fill up with snow'

I was admiring the snow glistening in the sunlight this morning, laying a thin white blanket over the frozen ground when I saw these words hanging on the walls of my memories like pictures framed up in my young days of childhood.  Robert Frost was one of the first poems my father and I memorized together.  I can see him sitting on the couch and me leaning in close toward his lap, careful not to crowd him - we three kids clamoring for his attention.  Dad opened the world of poetry to me, and considered it important to bring the joy of writing words that carried strong emotion or simple thoughts clinging together in stories and adventures.  We traveled on roads filled with characters cajoling one another, or enjoyed beauty lingering as a backdrop to Mother Nature’s symphony of colorful sunsets, cascading waterfalls, or winter on mountains tops before spring flowers peeked out from snowcapped crests. After a while, my imagination knew no limits and wandered down the streets of possibility.

     I remember riding the train downtown with dad and visiting his studio where he worked as a commercial artist.  I can still see the trail of his cigar smoke as he puffed and drew a line, or dabbed a stroke of color on his painting.  Mom worked as a secretary at the studio when they met.  She made him a very happy man, because the only thing I noticed in the photos on their wedding day was a smile that filled half his face – nothing but smiles in every picture that day. 

     Presents from dad were special, because he worked many days past dinner and brought work home too.  So when he took time to shop, well, it was a real treasure.  He shared his art with us, and that’s when my modeling career began while posing for a Louis Lamoure book cover, or holding up my cardboard box of laundry detergent with a look of cleaning determination.  Modeling began and ended at 2933 West 183^rd street which was home for more than 50 Christmas’ for me!  One year we had the most perfect Christmas tree when we chopped down a pretty little evergreen from our front yard to make room for a turn-a-round in the drive way.  It was just the right height for our living room and full of beautiful branches.  Maybe that was the year we began using garland instead of tinsel.

 

    The season of Christmas is one of the best times of the year to reminisce and review the wonder and magic of time spent with family and friends.  There are so many friends God has brought across my path that have added moments of great joy and assurance that I really never walk alone in my life’s journey.  One such friend was Valeda, whom I met when I moved to Anderson 3 years ago and had the privilege of spending time together, on what would be her last Christmas eve – she was 98 years old. I was so inspired by her life’s story that night that I wrote these words to remember her life.

  I think I can hear the blades of her sleigh cutting through crusty, hard, cold snow, clinging to the silence in the moonlight.  The cold is pressing in, fighting it’s way past her muffler, wool scarf, boots and blanket she had wrapped up in that beautiful night.  The bright gleam of moonlight was blazing a trail past the woods and up the glen.  Oh how she adored those sleigh rides.                      

     “Nothing compares to that experience,” she mused.  I could see her breath hanging in the crisp, cold air as they sped along listening to the clip-clop of horse’s hooves. 

     “Could you hear that sound on the snow?” I asked Valeda.  

     “Oh yes!” she said, as she looked beyond me to the scene in her mind hanging on the walls of her memory like pictures framed in the early years of her childhood.

     “I slept on a hay mattress, and you wouldn’t think it so, but it was warm, or at least that’s how I remember it,” she said.

     I think I could almost feel her hay mattress, the smell of straw filling my mind with her summers on the farm, pulling weeds, or picking turnips, parsnips and potatoes. Their meals consisted of all  they harvested from their garden and some of this produce was traded with their neighbors who had cows, goats and sheep for milk and meat. I tried to remember that blend of herbs she was so fond of cooking… what was it? A blend of dandelion leaves, burdock and something else?  I can’t remember, but she did.  I think she tasted the blend of those wilted leaves in bacon grease; the thought of smelling that aroma brought her back into the kitchen where her mother hung clothes to dry by the heat of the fire.

     Valeda turned her head to catch the birds chirping in her memories, acknowledging she hears their singing with raised eyebrows and a wide contagious smile.  She loved to hear birds singing their melodies and opened her windows in the summer to feel warm breezes against her face. It brought comfort to her just like the strands of memories that weaved a colorful and vivid tapestry of her life. Most anything could stir up a memory, sometimes as far back as a small child, remembering a Christmas when she was 3 years old, sitting on her mother’s lap while she read, The Little Red Hen.  

     Her life was an inspiration to me.  She loved all of us who had the privilege of spending time with her in her home and we loved her as she shared her thoughts and feelings, composing every emotion of the day.  They were significant and detailed musings about her life growing up on a farm, her perspective on all kinds of issues at home and abroad, and the intense love and adoration she had for her family.  I loved her stubbornness because it proved to be an incredible asset for her as she talked herself out of being discouraged while she was bed-ridden those last few months of her life.  Her faith was remarkably strong and I was privileged to call her friend.

Is This Revival?!

I’ve been praying for Revival off and on for more than 20 years, as far as I can remember. But sometimes, I’ve experienced a work of God that is very exciting, and I really don’t realize that it has the elements of revival, until I’ve stepped back from the experience and reviewed the moments with a colleague or friend. I suppose I need to ask, what is revival? There is much written about the phenomenon, and there are many reports of revival breaking out in previous centuries on the east coast, reports of meetings where many are healed and delivered in Africa, places in the Middle East have reported enthusiastic experiences by Christians living on the edge, or in persecution or being miraculously  saved from despair and humiliation. Not everything that is happening gets recorded. In John 20:30 it says that Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. So I can safely assume that revival is experiencing something done by Jesus (God, Holy Spirit), and we don’t always hear about it.

Saturday my pastor was asked to talk with a man, 61 years old, who was very sick and during that meeting the man prayed a prayer of salvation, asking God to forgive him of any transgressions and invited Jesus to come and reside with him, in his heart.  Monday, the man left this life and was swept up into the arms of Jesus.  Revival?  Awesome timing!

The next evening, I stopped in and caught the tail end of our evening bible study and we spoke about this timely confession of faith before this man died, and a parishioner in our bible study, with tears in his eyes spoke about something that was recorded in a magazine about what a heavy metal musician said, expressing his viewpoints on dying. It wasn’t very hopeful or full of faith. This parishioner was overwhelmed with compassion for this musician whose music he really loved. He just couldn’t believe this musician spoke so callously about death, even his own death, which occurred in the unforeseen future.  And I said, in Revelation 1:18 it says, “….I was dead, and see I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” That says to me that the keys give Christ access into Hell (Hades) and if Christ Himself overcame death on the cross, He can go to Hell and save us. Now, this may not line up with theology, but I can’t imagine God ignoring my bible study companion’s heart of compassion filled with love for this musician! Just the thought of this possibility is rather reviving to my heart!!

Today, I’m working on a new project to bring hope into our neighborhood, and I’m feeling rather excited, believing God to do a work of revival in our neck of the woods today!   

A Tribute To My Father

I remember most mornings before school hearing  the music of popular composers and jazz artists blowing their horns;  opera singers belting out chorus and verse of songs, as we sat eating  - the notes and rhythms cascading around the breakfast table.  Music was the background to my morning routine. To this day I’m drawn to these musicians and their creative rush of melody and song.

I remember how much you enjoyed the classics, and we were brought into your world, living in this creative culture of beauty and sound that seemed to help you harness your artistic passion. It is a passion that is full of courageous expression of inward enthusiasms. I wonder just how many illustrations, paintings, drawings and sketches you have brought to life on canvas, or in your sculptured bronze patinas.

Thanks for staying in your creative zone dad, and bringing to us the imaginative energies of your gift that gave me hope to find my own passions in life.

 

Happy Father’s Day

     Crushing the Enemy Part ll

    
     Abraham believed God. Now the miracle with Abraham happened after he believed. And because he believed God, he acted. I don't think he acted on a presumption, he responded to the dream God gave him. So I ask myself, what is it that God is telling me?
     We live in a neighborhood that is lonely for God. I have a neighbor whose daughter is in the first grade, and attends our Kids Club that meets during the school year. I saw her Grandmother who also lives in our neighborhood on election day and she was concerned that Kids Clubs was ending for the summer.  She also said she liked my sandals! My first thought was to take them off my feet and give them to her, but these were my best pair of flat shoes for the summer and I wore them practically everyday, so I changed my mind and asked her what size she wore. A few hours later I was chatting with those who attend our bible study and talked about Grandma admiring my sandals and asking for a summer program for her grand-daughter. I wanted to teach something, but had so many committments for the summer I couldn't do it every week. 
     "Why don't you do something once a month and have 3 sessions for the summer?"
      I thought, I could do that! Then someone chipped in money for a bible for the grand-daughter and another said her son (who works in a shoe store) could get a pair of sandals the same color as mine in the right size for grandma.
     The pastor gave the bible to the first-grader and I really wanted to tell her how much God loved her more than anyone else could love her and the next morning, I was on my way to my local grocer and there she was sitting on the side of the road waiting for the bus with her bible in hand! So I had a little chat with her and told her what was jangling around in my heart about how much God loves her!

Like Abraham, I'm a beleiver, too!

Crushing the Enemy, Part I

Sunday is the second Sunday of Easter, and one of the scriptures from the Lectionary resource uses 1 John 2:2.  The Message says we have a priest-Friend in the presence of the Father: Jesus Christ...I was considering this word, priest, and the first time priest is mentioned, linked to something holy, as in God, was in Genesis 14. Melchezidek, King of Salem was priest of the High God. In this chapter it also talks about the exploits of Abram, before he had his name changed by God to Abraham. He defeats Kedorlaomer, King of Elam. This was no small feat. King Kedorlaomer was an oppressive King and also had an alliance with King Amraphel, Arioch and Elam and the Tidal King of Goiim. They fought the King of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela. But in the thirteenth year, all these that had been attacked, came together and revolted against their attackers. Again, King Kedorlaomer and all those kings allied with him, defeated Repaim, Zuzim, Emim, the Horites,the  Amelekites and the Amorites.

Enough of this! And it says the King of Sodom, King of Gomorrah, King of Admah, King of Zeboiim, and King of Bela marched out and drew battle against their enemies in the valley of Siddim - it was against the great oppressor, King Kedorlaomer and his allies: Tidal King of Goiim, Amraphel King of Shinar and Arioch King of Ellasar.

But an interesting thing happened. This Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and it says when the Kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell into the tar pits. I wonder why they fled? And all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, all their food and equipment was confiscated or captured by their victors, King Kedorlaomer and his allies.

Now, Abram found out about the fighting and plundering by King Kedorlaomer and his allies from a fugitive who came to Abram with news that his nephew, Lot was taken prisoner. I don't think Abram even considered a diplomatic meeting with the captors to reason with them about the importance of this man, Lot, to Abram. Instead, he counted up those that were born in his household and it was a total of 318 servants - men servants. The Kings of Sodom and Gomorrah with all of their men fled before the King Kedorlaomer and his allies, so, was it a large army of fighters? Even so, Abram got up with his 318 men and chased his captors all the way to Dan. Abram was settled in Hebron which is approximately 120 miles south of Dan. If the 318 men could walk 40 miles per day that would be 3 days to Dan. But how did these men eat, and how/where did they rest? Maybe this is ambitious to think they could travel this far in such a short time, but it is interesting to think about them traveling such a distance, and all the while wondering how they were going to go up against an enemy who was I'm assuming, much bigger than they were. They were coming up against groups of Kings and their Kingdoms.

But Abram was a smart warrior. He split his men into two groups and attacked under the cover of night, chasing their enemy all the way to Hobah, just north of Damascus - about 35 miles. They had traveled more than 150 miles, attacked their enemy and recovered all the plunder, along with his nephew Lot, and his possessions, including the women and people.

When Abram returned, Melchizadek, King of Salem, priest of The High God, blessed him and brought out bread and wine. Melchizadek recognized that God was with Abram. He was a mighty warrior. He conquered all the heathen kings as well as priestly kings. He was completely successful. Not one of Abram's men or allies was lost and the spoils and prisoners recaptured. Bible commentators have said great generals have adopted his tactics - Themistocles of Greece, having persuaded Athens to build a navy which went on to defeat Persia, Belisarius, a Byzantine general who led Imperial armies against Persia, N. Africa and the barbarian tribes encroaching upon Constantinople, Oliver Cromwell, who was convinced that he would be guided to carry out God's purpose, ended war with Portugal, Holland and defeated Spain with his Calvary known as 'ironsides', and even to our own generals, Stonewall, Jackson and Sherman.

Abram has quite a resume if you will an incredible track record, defeating the enemy. But I am constrained to think that there was something to this living in and for the Kingdom of God that is much more precious and stirring to God than the crushing of our enemies.



 

Pruning, Cutting and Downsizing

As I read John 15, I see 4 points I would like to highlight:

·         Jesus is the vine

·         God is the Farmer

·         Unfruitful branches are cut off

·         Fruitful branches are pruned  so that they will bear more fruit

It always begins with God, more specifically; humanity begins with Christ, who poured out His life so we could get to God. God is the Farmer. A farmer is hoeing and tilling up the ground, preparing it for seed and then caring and tending to what is growing.  The farmer prunes every branch that is producing so that it will bear more fruit and cuts off every branch that doesn’t bear fruit. He tells us how he prunes – nothing is left to our guessing. He says we are already pruned back by the message he has spoken. When we hear, really hear these words, it does something to our hearts. That’s the living action of the Word of God. Pruning and cutting off are the main actions of these few verses, not the being fruitful. Actually it says we are to be more fruitful. The fruit in this chapter is maturity, “maturing as my disciples”. Most of the action is in down-sizing! There is a bon-fire that burns up the deadwood; those branches that are not connected to the vine, to Jesus who is the source of life, which literally is love.

 Verse 5 says, “when you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. I don’t think God wants us to use a ‘how to’ manual to get some fruit growing so we can be fruitful. The fruit just grows out of this relationship in the vine, this wonderful, intimate, organic love affair that matures. I suppose, if you have to have a manual, it would be a manual about having a relationship with eternal love. Not a manual about getting saved, but the everyday, living, breathing, being transformed into the image of God life of a disciple, who is maturing. There is no work on our part to salvation – it was completed on the cross, but the maturing as a disciple is the work in John 15. So get ready for those pruning sheers and enjoy the new look!

Holy Communion - Remembering Christ’s Death

     For many years I have tried to grasp the magnificence of such a gift God has given to mankind by presenting His son to the world, who dwelt on this planet in skin like us that was ripped apart - sinew, bone and ligament;  severed from His father, racked in the severest of pain, to die broken in body and maybe even in  His spirit. He was fatally pierced for something He never did.  For many years I have pondered, thought about, and even at times anguished over my inability to grasp the very essence of this cruelty that changed the very course of humanity from damned death to life. I’ve had such remorse at times to know that I lack the intimacy needed to feel and be moved at depths worthy of this magnanimous action of will on the cross. Will I ever be provoked by such a willingness to choose what seemed, can I say it – ridiculous, audacious?!

     I have yet to fulfill what I am called into, but I drink deeply in anticipation, racing to the call. I was asked to serve communion, but I’m just beginning the licensing process, with several months of preparation and lack credential.  I’ve put myself under the authority of this process outlined in the church discipline, submitting myself to the process. And then I saw something. When Christ said He only did what the Master told Him to do, that’s what He did. He wasn’t moved by someone’s whim or wants, and yet, because He was God, we see in the scripture that when He was moved with compassion, He acted.  Now this is quite a mystery for me. It’s enough to chew on for a lifetime, maybe forever!

Post 9/11

    

 Yesterday, on the eve of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, our morning routine was shattered by a loud bang. Our hearts broke when we saw and heard the ambulance taking the victim of a gun shot wound to the hospital. It was a reminder that we live in a world, hostile to grace, filled with war and divisions. I don’t know what caused an individual to pull the trigger and shoot someone a block away from me, and neither do I understand the complexities and the tyranny of judgment someone has against another because they have different lifestyles, beliefs and cultural norms. It’s the breeding ground for hatred and animosity. God really doesn’t need our help in judgment. If anyone had the right to retaliate and take matters into His own hands against the humanity that bludgeoned Him and hung Him on a cross to die, it was the Christ - there was no sin in Him. He was perfect, and yet His life was offensive to those who didn’t believe. It’s hard to keep weapons of anger, hate and suspicion in the face of love. In this post 9/11 world, we can be the first to offer peace.

What Can I Fulfill?

     Fulfill is to bring to realization, or satisfy requirements or obligations, to bring to completion, or develop the full potential. The King James version says in Matthew 5:17 that Christ came to fulfill the law. I never questioned the completion of His suffering on the cross. What He did was complete. So complete that I couldn’t add to it or diminish it by what I do or don’t do. But then I heard another scripture Sunday morning from Romans 13:8b, in that same translation that says, for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. I had to think about that. The Message translation says we have a huge debt of love we owe each other, and when we love others, we complete what the law has been after all along. This has really challenged my way of thinking! It seems clear to me that Christ hanging on the cross and spilling His blood and life over and over again for my tendency to sin was not the only act that fulfilled the law. I do have a clean slate and don’t have to carry around my sins, but I do have a debt. I thought all was forgiven? Yes I believe that is correct, but as I enter into that forgiveness, I also have a debt. What comes to my mind is the National debt, which is a few trillion dollars and increasing by the minute. If we divide that debt among all of us, financial experts say, that would be $23,000.00 per person.

     It’s not that kind of debt. This debt of love is not something I take out of the bank or store in a vault. Because I have been forgiven much and I’m forgiven again and again, over and over, I owe a debt. A debt to love in a way that I have been loved when I have been forgiven. It really is exciting to know that I do walk with a clean slate and have been forgiven for my continual weakness’, but it’s still a pretty big mystery to me – and I suppose you may have to ask yourself, what does that debt of love mean to me?

“Love From a Full Tank”

Romans 12: 9-21

You just had to be there to get the full effect and to feel the energy and sweetness that was among us.  That’s how it was on Sunday. It all began when we pulled into Starbucks for our ‘caffeine charge’- bold African that morning, but when we were ready to head out to our first ‘gig’ (Harley preaches at 2 locations every Sunday) we couldn’t start the car.  We had a full tank of gas but it wouldn’t even turn over. We opened the hood to stare at the big dark masses, like we know anything about them?! We immediately start calling for a ride, trying not to fret about the car stalling (after we plunked down $5000 for a rebuilt engine 3 months ago.)

Pretty much, nothing happens without the Pastor, so Harley was getting kind of anxious and nervous about being late, or missing the first service entirely. But he heard this small voice inside say, “Are you going to trust me?”

 It was an unforeseen predicament – he didn’t plan this untimely breakdown, nonetheless Harley started to get anxious trying to figure his way out of our predicament.  He called Bob from church who came right away to our aid after he called John (church soundman) to let him know what was going on. Now John was still at home because he woke up late and just told his wife that he was probably going to stay at home because it would be too late by the time he got ready.  When he heard the pastor was running late, he revved up his engine and headed to church. The jumper cables worked like a charm on our car, and we headed down the road to church.

So Dan happens to be the illustration for his sermon. He really doesn’t like to be the living sacrifice, but it was a good example! But I have to back up, because it wasn’t the first time he heard that question this past week-end.  Dan worked a shift at the motor GP in Indianapolis, and Friday morning he miscalculated his time and set his alarm for the time he should leave, arriving 45 minutes late with high octane anxiety running through his nervous system. But it just so happened he walked in right behind the other worker in his booth! Everyone was running late.

You can trust me! That’s what the small voice said to him over the week-end! He even got a free ticket for his wife (that would be me) to attend Motor GP Sunday afternoon. Everyone at church was chatting about the sufficiency of God during the preliminary activities before the sermon, which almost turned into the sermon due to the time factor; but the conversations were pertinent, illustrating and reminding us of God’s sufficiency.

I am still amazed at how much God cares for us, even down to the smallest of details. How much turmoil is in the world? Who’s going without food today? How many are fighting and what are they fighting about? God knows and cares - down to the smallest detail. Nothing escapes His attention.

Parade People -Matthew 21:1-11

Why was it such a surprise for some? Parades usually aren't a surprise, and not everyone was happy about the whole outdoor procession.  Others were asking, "What's He doing?" Jerusalem should have known the Messiah was coming - but they didn't like the 'interruption'. They were irritated. This King interrupted their plans. But often we plan poorly. It's heart-breaking that what could have been a lavish, victorious celebration, became an upheaval. It was a divided experience.

What do we have to do to celebrate God's way? Expect God to interrupt our plans regularly. Let God give us His ideas. Crucifixion looked like a bad choice! The worst choices we humans can make will not mess up God's intentions or the Son of God being King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Welcome interruption as God's hand - believe that God has the upper hand. Follow Him in joy and get in the front of the parade! The Kingdom of God is 'already upon us' so let's prepare for the parade because we're parade people!

Excerpts from Harley's sermon April 17, 2011
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Bones

Ezekiel describes his vision in chapter 37, of a valley of dry bones that were not buried, but scattered, picked clean and destroyed. They were dismembered bone chips. There was no skin on those bones for protection. We can't live without skin, it keeps boundaries. It's also a barrier that allows for absorption. Neither was there a spine or backbone. They weren't standing for anything in that dry desert. Muscle was long gone from those bones indicating perhaps, a lack of spiritual strength. And most importantly, there was no breath, or spirit, God's Spirit.

How did this happen? Long before Ezekiel had this vision, God told him to eat 'this book', eat the Word of God. We are consuming all the time - feeding on something. When we feed on God's Word - feast on it, we are nourished. This dead jumble of bones, or army as some commentators call them, had starved themselves to death.

Instead of digesting God's Word, there is the temptation to eat 'bad food' or just fill up on junk food. We have access to plenty of stories, teachings and prophesies in the bible that are true and pertinent to the world we live in today. We live in a devastated world. Where are God's people in these times? We don't ignore the chaos, but believe in resurrection for Egypt, Syria, Japan, Libya, Afganistan, Ivory Coast and the list goes on and on. Ezekiel saw a picture of resurrection power. And this is the kind of power we need today.

Excerpts from Harley's sermon 4.10.11 Ezekiel 37:1-14
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Life Begins at 70 For Abraham!

"Life began for Abraham at age 70", writes Eugene Pederson in The Way of Jesus. I know I don't want to wait until I'm in my 70's to do something significant with my life or to have some kind of impact in the Kingdom of God, but Pastor Harley says we have to ask the right question. It's not what can I do for God, but what is God doing and what's my part? You might say, God is a 'live-stream' and we jump into it and get involved with what God is accomplishing. And it's more than positive-thinking says Pastor Harley, it's thinking Godly.

Paul is reviewing the life of Abraham, on his journey into faith, who was not alone in his quest for faith. One time God intervened, and alerted an agnostic king who was about to sleep with Abraham's wife. Abraham lied, and told the king, Abimelech, that Sarah was his sister. In spite of his doubts, God used Abraham mightily - he was a father of many nations. What is remarkable about this is that Sarah was childless until she was very old, past her child-bearing years. Actually she was at least 90 years old when she bore her first son, Isaac. For Abraham, having his own family looked impossible, it was impossible. But God promised the impossible and made good on it.

"Plug into the success of all eternity."             
Excerpts from Pastor Harley's sermon 3.18.11  Romans 4:1-5; 13-17
http://eaglesridethewind.blogspot.com
fifthstreetumc.org