Psalm 40
I've been living with a stomach flu since yesterday morning. Without going into too much detail, since yesterday's breakfast I haven't been able to hold down, or in, a meal. It's a test of will for me as I like to eat tasty, spicy food.
As I age I notice that my body, and especially my stomach, reacts differently to certain foods. Tomato sauce doesn't sit well, and neither does broccoli, fried chicken, red meat, and other foods which I thoroughly enjoyed in my younger days. Of course I still enjoy some of these foods, I just have to watch how much of them I eat.
As I work through this stomach bug, I have to show a lot of patience so I don't rush into eating something that might cause whatever is going on in there to flare up again. To help me get through it, and to reinforce my patience, I keep in mind that I need to be healthy in order for me to be able to go to work and help my wife with our daily living expenses. I also keep in mind how there are others who depend on me in different ways, and a healthy me is much better than a not-healthy me.
Patience in certain areas of our lives don't come as easy as we would like it to. For some of us it's truly a battle between getting what we need or want immediately or waiting for it. For some of us what we're waiting for is really important and we honestly can't wait. In the same way, some of us understand that there are other things involved in the process and we trust that the things we need or want will eventually happen.
It's in that trust, the trust that there are other things involved in the process towards getting the things we need, that today's Psalm is talking about.
Most commentaries agree that this Psalm can be attributed to King David in some way. The commentaries argue about who the actual author is, but for our purpose we will agree that the Psalm is about what King David is going through. The thing the commentaries agree he is going through is a thankfulness that God has delivered him from a very difficult time in his life. The Psalm was written to say thank you for bringing King David out of a bad place and to pledge a commitment to continue trusting in God.
The latter part of that reason for the Psalm, the pledge to continue trusting in God, is where some of us fall short. We often forget to trust that God is always by our side, sharing in our pains and joys as we walk our life journey. Somehow we expect that when we pray for things to get better, we can simply sit back and wait for things to get better. When things don't get better we lose trust in God, we even think that maybe we deserve whatever we're going through and begin to believe God is trying to teach us a lesson.
God is not vengeful. God does not punish us by making us go through bad times. God has nothing but love for us and when we firmly believe that, when we have unadulterated trust in that belief, going through the difficult times in our life is made a little easier. It's in the belief that we have a God who never leaves us that we can find the patience we need to get through the things in life which challenge us.
Today I will only be able to eat crackers and drink tea. It's going to take a lot of patience not to have some of that leftover fried chicken sitting in the refrigerator. But I trust that chicken will still be there tomorrow and maybe, just maybe, I can have it then.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Monday, January 13, 2014
Before It All Began
Isaiah 49:1-7
As a minister to young people, one of the things I strive to remind them is that they are perfect exactly the way they are. There is nobody they have to make happy by pretending to be anyone, or anything, other than who they are. Those who love them, really love them, will love them regardless of their looks, grades, or personal achievements. Of course, those who truly love them want them to succeed, and at times we, especially those of us who are adults, make it seem that unless they are perfect in every area of their lives they aren't worthy. The truth is, however, that those of us who love them will continue to love them regardless of those things.
I also remind the young people I talk with that it has been this way since before they were born. Sometimes, especially as they become teenagers, it might seem that less and less people understand what they're going through, and there's a lot of truth to that. As adults we really don't know what our youth and young adults are going through. However, some of the reason we don't know is because either the adults are too busy to listen, or the teens don't open up.
This is when I remind them that there is one who always understands what they are going through. I encourage them to remember that we have a God who will never stop loving them and is always available to listen to whatever they are going through. There is nothing, I say to our young people, that can separate them from the love of our God.
I also say to them that as young people they are trying to find their way through a difficult time in their lives. They are at that age where they want to make their own decisions, but are still being guided by parents, coaches, teachers, and mentors. My answer to that is usually to get used to it, because the rest of our lives are guided by others. It's who we allow to guide us that will make a difference.
As for me, I am guided by the teachings of Jesus. I choose to live my life as close as possible to that as exampled by Jesus. That's the life, I strongly believe, that I was meant to live. The decisions I make, the actions I take, the words I speak are ones I strive to make as an example of Jesus. I do this because I know, absolutely know, that this is what God wants me to do. It's why I was born, it's why I've experienced the things I have, it's why the paths along my journey of life have taken me where they have.
This same message is what Isaiah is telling those who will listen. God has a purpose for you. We may not know what that purpose is yet, but we have to trust that those around us who truly love us are put into our lives for a reason. That reason is for us to always have someone who will be there to comfort us when we fail, to celebrate with us when we succeed, and to keep us safe from the things that can bring us harm.
There are few things which bring me more joy than seeing young people realize their purpose in life. It doesn't matter to me if they're fry cooks or lawyers, I can see in them the love they have for what they do and for the people they do it with. And that is what true happiness is about.
As a minister to young people, one of the things I strive to remind them is that they are perfect exactly the way they are. There is nobody they have to make happy by pretending to be anyone, or anything, other than who they are. Those who love them, really love them, will love them regardless of their looks, grades, or personal achievements. Of course, those who truly love them want them to succeed, and at times we, especially those of us who are adults, make it seem that unless they are perfect in every area of their lives they aren't worthy. The truth is, however, that those of us who love them will continue to love them regardless of those things.
I also remind the young people I talk with that it has been this way since before they were born. Sometimes, especially as they become teenagers, it might seem that less and less people understand what they're going through, and there's a lot of truth to that. As adults we really don't know what our youth and young adults are going through. However, some of the reason we don't know is because either the adults are too busy to listen, or the teens don't open up.
This is when I remind them that there is one who always understands what they are going through. I encourage them to remember that we have a God who will never stop loving them and is always available to listen to whatever they are going through. There is nothing, I say to our young people, that can separate them from the love of our God.
I also say to them that as young people they are trying to find their way through a difficult time in their lives. They are at that age where they want to make their own decisions, but are still being guided by parents, coaches, teachers, and mentors. My answer to that is usually to get used to it, because the rest of our lives are guided by others. It's who we allow to guide us that will make a difference.
As for me, I am guided by the teachings of Jesus. I choose to live my life as close as possible to that as exampled by Jesus. That's the life, I strongly believe, that I was meant to live. The decisions I make, the actions I take, the words I speak are ones I strive to make as an example of Jesus. I do this because I know, absolutely know, that this is what God wants me to do. It's why I was born, it's why I've experienced the things I have, it's why the paths along my journey of life have taken me where they have.
This same message is what Isaiah is telling those who will listen. God has a purpose for you. We may not know what that purpose is yet, but we have to trust that those around us who truly love us are put into our lives for a reason. That reason is for us to always have someone who will be there to comfort us when we fail, to celebrate with us when we succeed, and to keep us safe from the things that can bring us harm.
There are few things which bring me more joy than seeing young people realize their purpose in life. It doesn't matter to me if they're fry cooks or lawyers, I can see in them the love they have for what they do and for the people they do it with. And that is what true happiness is about.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Friday Findings
A few quotes about my thoughts for the week.
Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky. – Rabindranath Tagore
If patience is worth anything, it must endure to the end of time. And a living faith will last in the midst of the blackest storm. – Mahatma Gandhi
Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things - with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope. – Corazon Aquino
Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength. – Saint Francis de Sales
All the laws and legislation in the world will never heal this world like the loving hearts and arms of mothers and fathers. If every child could drift to sleep feeling wrapped in the love of their family - and God's love - this world would be a far more gentle and better place. – Mitt Romney
The sound of 'gentle stillness' after all the thunder and wind have passed [is] the ultimate Word from God. – Jim Elliot
Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky. – Rabindranath Tagore
If patience is worth anything, it must endure to the end of time. And a living faith will last in the midst of the blackest storm. – Mahatma Gandhi
Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things - with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope. – Corazon Aquino
Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength. – Saint Francis de Sales
All the laws and legislation in the world will never heal this world like the loving hearts and arms of mothers and fathers. If every child could drift to sleep feeling wrapped in the love of their family - and God's love - this world would be a far more gentle and better place. – Mitt Romney
The sound of 'gentle stillness' after all the thunder and wind have passed [is] the ultimate Word from God. – Jim Elliot
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Not For Some
Acts 10:34-43
First and foremost let me put into context the use of the word "fear" as used in this passage. The Greek word used is phobeĊ which has 3 distinct definitions: to scare away; to be afraid of; and to show reverence to. Because I don't believe that God is so frightening as to scare people away, nor do I believe that God is one to be afraid of, I can say with certainty the definition used here by the author of Acts is "to show reverence to".
When we show reverence to something we treat it differently. This may not be a good example, but it's the only one I can come up with: think about how a pallbearer carries their loved ones. It's as though they become a part of something greater than them while at the same time understanding they are separated from it. There's a deep understanding by those chosen to bear their loved ones that the duty they perform demands from them complete participation of their bodies, minds, hearts, and souls.
This is the kind of "fear" Peter is talking about as he speaks to those gathered about a God who has given Jesus to and for all people. According to Peter, Jesus "went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed." Jesus didn't pick and choose which ones to heal. Jesus didn't ask anyone to fill out an application and list their qualifications, then make an appointment for an interview. No, Jesus came to this world to be with, eat with, travel with, laugh with, cry with, and heal all.
With this in mind, it becomes our duty as Christians to do the same. Jesus did not judge who was or was not worthy of his presence. Jesus showed what the true love of God is by accepting all people as the people they were and for the place they were along their life's journey. Shouldn't we do the same?
There is no better way to be a healing presence than to simply love people without condition. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have treated as close friends those whom society outcasts. I don't begin these conversations with, "Hi, I'm a Christian." or, "Are you saved?" I usually begin with, "Hi, my name is Randy. How are you today?" Then I sit and listen.
It isn't easy to be this way, it took a lot of inner change; change that came about because somewhere along the way someone came to me and said, "Hi, my name is...How are you today?" and listened. I've heard it said that every time we meet another person we have a chance to place a pearl on their necklace or a rock in their path. Jesus laid nothing but pearls. Let us do the same.
First and foremost let me put into context the use of the word "fear" as used in this passage. The Greek word used is phobeĊ which has 3 distinct definitions: to scare away; to be afraid of; and to show reverence to. Because I don't believe that God is so frightening as to scare people away, nor do I believe that God is one to be afraid of, I can say with certainty the definition used here by the author of Acts is "to show reverence to".
When we show reverence to something we treat it differently. This may not be a good example, but it's the only one I can come up with: think about how a pallbearer carries their loved ones. It's as though they become a part of something greater than them while at the same time understanding they are separated from it. There's a deep understanding by those chosen to bear their loved ones that the duty they perform demands from them complete participation of their bodies, minds, hearts, and souls.
This is the kind of "fear" Peter is talking about as he speaks to those gathered about a God who has given Jesus to and for all people. According to Peter, Jesus "went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed." Jesus didn't pick and choose which ones to heal. Jesus didn't ask anyone to fill out an application and list their qualifications, then make an appointment for an interview. No, Jesus came to this world to be with, eat with, travel with, laugh with, cry with, and heal all.
With this in mind, it becomes our duty as Christians to do the same. Jesus did not judge who was or was not worthy of his presence. Jesus showed what the true love of God is by accepting all people as the people they were and for the place they were along their life's journey. Shouldn't we do the same?
There is no better way to be a healing presence than to simply love people without condition. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have treated as close friends those whom society outcasts. I don't begin these conversations with, "Hi, I'm a Christian." or, "Are you saved?" I usually begin with, "Hi, my name is Randy. How are you today?" Then I sit and listen.
It isn't easy to be this way, it took a lot of inner change; change that came about because somewhere along the way someone came to me and said, "Hi, my name is...How are you today?" and listened. I've heard it said that every time we meet another person we have a chance to place a pearl on their necklace or a rock in their path. Jesus laid nothing but pearls. Let us do the same.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Through The Storm
Psalm 29
At first I really didn't want to write about this Psalm, not because I don't like it but because I didn't understand it. Sure, I know what the words mean - God is great, blah blah - but I didn't give the Psalm a chance to really speak to me. I looked at the other passages from the week's lectionary, all of which had something to say, but for some reason I wasn't able to move on.
I sat in silence to reflect on the Psalm - nothing. I closed my eyes and envisioned the Psalm - nothing. I read each line slowly, taking in the meaning of each word and phrase - nothing. What was I to do? The Psalm just didn't inspire me...Sorry.
Then, as I clicked on different commentaries and descriptions about Psalm 29 I came across one which said that the Psalm would have been read aloud during a "tempest." Not simply a storm, or even a thunderstorm. The words written in this particular Psalm is meant to be read amid, and even above, the noises which a strong-winded, heavy-rain filled, extremely loud thunder-clapping storm brings.
Not only were the words meant to be said during such a storm - a storm which could bring down the walls of a King David-era middle-low class house, a storm which can knock down the fences of a sheepfold and scatter one's livelihood - but these words were, and are, meant to remind us that no storm, in fact nothing, is more powerful than our God.
God's voice is stronger than the wind. God's voice is louder than the thunder. God's voice can do what no storm can do and snap the mighty cedars into pieces. Yet the Psalm reminds us that God's voice can also calm the storm. It is for that reason we give glory to God, because although God is mightier than the mightiest storm, God is the one who will keep us safe in the storm and bring us through it.
No matter the storms in your life - addictions, doubts, sickness, poverty - know that there is a God who can, and does, huddle you in strong arms to keep you safe until the storm has passed.
At first I really didn't want to write about this Psalm, not because I don't like it but because I didn't understand it. Sure, I know what the words mean - God is great, blah blah - but I didn't give the Psalm a chance to really speak to me. I looked at the other passages from the week's lectionary, all of which had something to say, but for some reason I wasn't able to move on.
I sat in silence to reflect on the Psalm - nothing. I closed my eyes and envisioned the Psalm - nothing. I read each line slowly, taking in the meaning of each word and phrase - nothing. What was I to do? The Psalm just didn't inspire me...Sorry.
Then, as I clicked on different commentaries and descriptions about Psalm 29 I came across one which said that the Psalm would have been read aloud during a "tempest." Not simply a storm, or even a thunderstorm. The words written in this particular Psalm is meant to be read amid, and even above, the noises which a strong-winded, heavy-rain filled, extremely loud thunder-clapping storm brings.
Not only were the words meant to be said during such a storm - a storm which could bring down the walls of a King David-era middle-low class house, a storm which can knock down the fences of a sheepfold and scatter one's livelihood - but these words were, and are, meant to remind us that no storm, in fact nothing, is more powerful than our God.
God's voice is stronger than the wind. God's voice is louder than the thunder. God's voice can do what no storm can do and snap the mighty cedars into pieces. Yet the Psalm reminds us that God's voice can also calm the storm. It is for that reason we give glory to God, because although God is mightier than the mightiest storm, God is the one who will keep us safe in the storm and bring us through it.
No matter the storms in your life - addictions, doubts, sickness, poverty - know that there is a God who can, and does, huddle you in strong arms to keep you safe until the storm has passed.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Gentle Power
Isaiah 42:1-9
My heart warms each time I witness a father holding his newborn. I can remember this one particular time as I sat in a restaurant and watched a father reach into a baby carrier as his baby began to fuss. This man must have been as tall as a tree and as wide as a canyon, with muscles just as large as the mountains. I watched with a smile as his biceps, which had to be as big as my head, bulged while he gently reached under the child's torso and head. He handled that baby as though it could break, but it wasn't going to be him that breaks it.
Once that child was in his arms the entire room could feel his love. The father's eyes were fixed on those of his child as he held it close to his chest. He was completely unaware of those of us in the restaurant watching him, all of us with awe-inspired looks on our faces and warmth in our hearts.
That's the feel I get as I read today's passage. I can feel the words of the prophet as he speaks of an all-powerful God coming into this world not to break that which is already hurt, but instead to bring healing. The words which speak of the most powerful one, who will not break a bruised reed nor let a dim candle go out, reach deep into my soul and bring me only comfort. I know there is a God who will keep me safe and bring me through the things which bring me pain.
As you go through today, my hope is that you will know that regardless of the distresses and discomforts you face, God is with you, holding on to you until your peace can once again be found.
My heart warms each time I witness a father holding his newborn. I can remember this one particular time as I sat in a restaurant and watched a father reach into a baby carrier as his baby began to fuss. This man must have been as tall as a tree and as wide as a canyon, with muscles just as large as the mountains. I watched with a smile as his biceps, which had to be as big as my head, bulged while he gently reached under the child's torso and head. He handled that baby as though it could break, but it wasn't going to be him that breaks it.
Once that child was in his arms the entire room could feel his love. The father's eyes were fixed on those of his child as he held it close to his chest. He was completely unaware of those of us in the restaurant watching him, all of us with awe-inspired looks on our faces and warmth in our hearts.
That's the feel I get as I read today's passage. I can feel the words of the prophet as he speaks of an all-powerful God coming into this world not to break that which is already hurt, but instead to bring healing. The words which speak of the most powerful one, who will not break a bruised reed nor let a dim candle go out, reach deep into my soul and bring me only comfort. I know there is a God who will keep me safe and bring me through the things which bring me pain.
As you go through today, my hope is that you will know that regardless of the distresses and discomforts you face, God is with you, holding on to you until your peace can once again be found.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Close Doesn't Count
Matthew 2:1-12
Happy Epiphany!
Epiphany comes from the Greek word epiphanea, which is defined in the English as a " manifestation or striking appearance." In Christianity, the word is used to proclaim the appearance of the Christ-child to the Gentiles of the world (aka the wise men).
The story as told in Matthew brought a new meaning to me this year. In the story the wise men go to Jerusalem to find the child they call the king of Jews. In doing so they visit the palace and ask King Herod where that child might be. King Herod, apparently unaware about this child, verifies the prophecy he is being told of, then sets a trap to find that child himself in order to kill him.
So much in this story and we can get lost in all of the details. But, we're not going to do that, instead we'll focus on where the wise men are in their search for Jesus.
The wise men, having followed a significant celestial event and with a working knowledge of scripture, visit the palace in Jerusalem to ask about the new-born king of Jews. They go to where they would assume a king would be living, and as they discover the child they are looking for isn't there.
How many times has that happened to us. We search for the things we've spent our entire lives coming to understand, only to find we're looking in the wrong places. Many of you know I am a recovering addict, currently in my 19th year of sobriety. However, 19 years ago wasn't the first time I tried to quit my addictions, but it was the first time it worked. What made it work this time is I did it for the right reason; for me.
Each time before that I had quit to make others happy, and when those people were no longer a part of my lives I went right back to making bad decisions. Then, one day I just woke up and said, "Enough!", and it was. I wanted to be clean, I wanted a better life, I wanted to know love, real love, again. I stopped living the life I was in, and started talking with God again. Through God's grace I met my current wife and so began my new and renewed journey towards God.
I later realized that I was looking for that which could keep me safe, that which Thomas Aquinas defines as preserving things in the good, that which we call salvation, in the wrong places. My Epiphany was finding that God lives in every moment of every day and that God has never left my side. I just wasn't looking in the right places. I was looking in the palaces of my life, not in the Bethlehems.
In our story from Matthew, the wise men leave the palace and travel just a few more miles to a nearby town and eventually find Jesus. Our question for today is are we willing to do the same? If we don't find the peace we seek in the places we're looking, do we give up or are we willing to go just a little further to get there? If we can't find joy, do we stop or keep going until we get to where we need to? If love isn't in the places we're searching, do we give up and go back the way we came, or do we go forward just a little bit more until we find it?
Epiphany not only celebrates the discovery of the Christ-child, but also the relentless journey the wise men took to get there. To honor this day we need to make the commitment to never give up in our search for that which will bring us true happiness - the understanding that we have a God who lives among us and will always love and accept us.
Happy Epiphany!
Epiphany comes from the Greek word epiphanea, which is defined in the English as a " manifestation or striking appearance." In Christianity, the word is used to proclaim the appearance of the Christ-child to the Gentiles of the world (aka the wise men).
The story as told in Matthew brought a new meaning to me this year. In the story the wise men go to Jerusalem to find the child they call the king of Jews. In doing so they visit the palace and ask King Herod where that child might be. King Herod, apparently unaware about this child, verifies the prophecy he is being told of, then sets a trap to find that child himself in order to kill him.
So much in this story and we can get lost in all of the details. But, we're not going to do that, instead we'll focus on where the wise men are in their search for Jesus.
The wise men, having followed a significant celestial event and with a working knowledge of scripture, visit the palace in Jerusalem to ask about the new-born king of Jews. They go to where they would assume a king would be living, and as they discover the child they are looking for isn't there.
How many times has that happened to us. We search for the things we've spent our entire lives coming to understand, only to find we're looking in the wrong places. Many of you know I am a recovering addict, currently in my 19th year of sobriety. However, 19 years ago wasn't the first time I tried to quit my addictions, but it was the first time it worked. What made it work this time is I did it for the right reason; for me.
Each time before that I had quit to make others happy, and when those people were no longer a part of my lives I went right back to making bad decisions. Then, one day I just woke up and said, "Enough!", and it was. I wanted to be clean, I wanted a better life, I wanted to know love, real love, again. I stopped living the life I was in, and started talking with God again. Through God's grace I met my current wife and so began my new and renewed journey towards God.
I later realized that I was looking for that which could keep me safe, that which Thomas Aquinas defines as preserving things in the good, that which we call salvation, in the wrong places. My Epiphany was finding that God lives in every moment of every day and that God has never left my side. I just wasn't looking in the right places. I was looking in the palaces of my life, not in the Bethlehems.
In our story from Matthew, the wise men leave the palace and travel just a few more miles to a nearby town and eventually find Jesus. Our question for today is are we willing to do the same? If we don't find the peace we seek in the places we're looking, do we give up or are we willing to go just a little further to get there? If we can't find joy, do we stop or keep going until we get to where we need to? If love isn't in the places we're searching, do we give up and go back the way we came, or do we go forward just a little bit more until we find it?
Epiphany not only celebrates the discovery of the Christ-child, but also the relentless journey the wise men took to get there. To honor this day we need to make the commitment to never give up in our search for that which will bring us true happiness - the understanding that we have a God who lives among us and will always love and accept us.
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