Daily Reflections

February 3rd Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-02-03T17:55:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 9:1-16 (NRSV)

An apostle's life

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who at any time pays the expenses for doing military service? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not get any of its milk?

Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law also say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Or does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was indeed written for our sake, for whoever plows should plow in hope and whoever threshes should thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we still more?

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is sacrificed on the altar? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this so that they may be applied in my case. Indeed, I would rather die than that no one will deprive me of my ground for boasting! If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel!

Reflection
We all gather in from the work that we do. It's a reward for all works of life. But in the rewards of the proclamation of the gospel, a satisfaction is given beyond any material rewards.

There also is an obligation and a privilege to gladly pay those who teach and guide and shepherd the disciples of Christ. The gospel is worth more than anything we could ever pay for and likewise are those who minister to us in our lives. Thankful hearts glow in the knowledge of our pastors, bishops and clergy. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I give you thanks for all clergy and lay that proclaim the gospel in word and deed. --- Amen

February 2nd Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-02-02T04:20:00.000-05:00

Presentation of Our Lord
Luke 2:22-40 (NRSV)
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."
And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed and a sword will pierce your own soul too."
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Reflection
So here we have a couple of prophets come forward to proclaim the Messiah. They have now seen the glory of God and can rest peacefully. Here at the temple at the occasion of Mary's cleansing. Jesus was circumcised at eight days. This ceremony was for Mary. The mother is unclean for seven days and remains home for another thirty-three days. On the fortieth day a purification sacrifice is to be made. Joseph and Mary were poor people so they offered, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Jesus did not need to accompany during this ceremony. It is believed that perhaps Mary was going to dedicate Jesus like Hannah did for Samuel.

But then the prophets came forward. Prophets who had been waiting to see the Messiah before death. Prophets who would make clear the blessing of the Messiah and the horrible work he had ahead of him in this life. The result of which is joy beyond understanding. Happy and sad all mixed in together. Young and old united by a Savior. Jew and Gentile both saved as one. An awesome moment in time when we peek into the future of the largest act of love ever. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, help me to realize, when I get glimpses of you this day that I'm witnessing the largest act of love ever. May your love spill over into my life that I may love you and those you give to me as you loved... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

February 1st Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-02-01T19:21:00.000-05:00

Mark 5:1-20 (NRSV)
Jesus heals a man with a demon
They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; and he shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me." For he had said to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion; for we are many." He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding; and the unclean spirits begged him, "Send us into the swine; let us enter them." So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea.

The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you." And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.

Reflection
In Jesus' salvation of all people comes a healing. In my sin I am full of anger, I am full of pride, I am full of selfishness and impurity. In my sin, I am sin. But in salvation, Jesus takes on my sin and becomes my sin and dies on that cross with my sin. In salvation, Jesus separates sin from the body in death. The spirit of sin is cast aside in Jesus death on the cross.

In Jesus resurrection, a new Spirit of life inhabits that old man's body of sin on the cross. My body of sin on the cross is made new in Jesus promise of the resurrection of the body. In the resurrection of the dead we will be reunited, body and spirit to sit, as the man in this passage does, in our right mind and clothed with the glory of Jesus' new life in our spirits. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, cast out my sin and enter in... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 31st Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-01-31T05:00:00.000-05:00

Numbers 22:22-28 (NRSV)

An angel speaks God's word to Balaam
God's anger was kindled because he was going, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the road as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. The donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand; so the donkey turned off the road, and went into the field; and Balaam struck the donkey, to turn it back onto the road. Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it scraped against the wall, and scraped Balaam's foot against the wall; so he struck it again. Then the angel of the Lord went ahead, and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam; and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and it said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?"

Reflection
The donkey was faithful to God and Balaam was not. Balaam was not to go on this journey but did anyway.

There are times I wish that God would have stopped me with a donkey. Times when I went right into something I had no business doing. Times when I rationalized the activity I was about to do. But maybe if I had just looked around and did a little more listening than talking and thinking, I would have seen the angel standing before me as well.

As we go through life, look and listen for God to guide and then follow.

Prayer
Lord, may I see what you have set before me that I may do your will.. today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 30th Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-01-30T04:51:00.019-05:00

Numbers 22:1-21 (NRSV)
King Balak asks Balaam to curse Israel
The Israelites set out, and camped in the plains of Moab across the Jordan from Jericho. Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were so numerous; Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel. And Moab said to the elders of Midian, "This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field." Now Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. He sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is on the Euphrates, in the land of Amaw, to summon him, saying, "A people has come out of Egypt; they have spread over the face of the earth, and they have settled next to me. Come now, curse this people for me, since they are stronger than I; perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land; for I know that whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed."

So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam, and gave him Balak's message. He said to them, "Stay here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, just as the Lord speaks to me"; so the officials of Moab stayed with Balaam. God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men with you?" Balaam said to God, "King Balak son of Zippor of Moab, has sent me this message: 'A people has come out of Egypt and has spread over the face of the earth; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.'" God said to Balaam, "You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed." So Balaam rose in the morning, and said to the officials of Balak, "Go to your own land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you." So the officials of Moab rose and went to Balak, and said, "Balaam refuses to come with us."

Once again Balak sent officials, more numerous and more distinguished than these. They came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus says Balak son of Zippor: 'Do not let anything hinder you from coming to me; for I will surely do you great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do; come, curse this people for me.'" But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, "Although Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the Lord my God, to do less or more. You remain here, as the others did, so that I may learn what more the Lord may say to me." That night God came to Balaam and said to him, "If the men have come to summon you, get up and go with them; but do only what I tell you to do." So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the officials of Moab.
Reflection
King Balak feared Israel and wanted Balaam to send a curse upon Israel. Balaam was unable to curse Israel since God had blessed these people.

Sometimes I fear things and situations and people. The sin in me would love to see what I fear come across a cursed situation. I think this would inwardly make me happier and safer in my own world of living. It's like a silent revenge on someone else that I presume would bring some satisfaction. If the "bad" thing does occur, it only brings guilt for hoping for such a thing to occur. But in cases where I have no heart at all for the other person, party or thing, it does bring some satisfaction.

This judgmental attitude, on my part, is not what God wants for me. I need not fear what God has blessed or even what does not threaten me. Many threats are only threats that I create against myself and are unfounded. I have failed to even contact the person or situation that I fear.

If I live in the hope of God, I can trust that God will care for me and bless me as I confront situations that need to be confronted. I may still feel the pain, but I will know that God is always with me and on my side. God will always be with me in the midst of my fears, in the midst of my sin, and in the midst of my life to comfort me, forgive me and to lead and guide me. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, forgive me when I'm judgmental or seek revenge. Lead me and guide me as I trust in you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 29th Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-01-29T09:46:00.000-05:00

Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
Mark 1:21-28 (NRSV)
The healing of one with an unclean spirit
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Reflection
I noticed how Jesus cast out this unclean spirit without a touch being made. It wasn't the body of the poor guy afflicted with this spirit; it was that the spirit had assumed it's presence in this person. Jesus' love for the man was so great that he stopped an important portion of the Jewish sabbath in the reading of the Word. Jesus paused what he was doing to take care of the needs of a man afflicted with something he did not deserve. Jesus cast out the unclean spirit, Spirit to spirit with his Word. Jesus is Word. The Word Jesus was reading is Word. The Word Jesus cast was his very self. In some sense Jesus' Spirit took over the place of the unclean spirit within this poor man. That's authority!

And a few years later, Jesus would do this very same thing for all of us. He would take our place on that cross and become our sin to die and rise again. Cast out the unclean spirit and place in us a clean Spirit. No wonder all the people were amazed. Who would have thought of that? Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, your love is beyond anything I can imagine. Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 28th Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-01-28T14:07:00.000-05:00

Psalm 111 (NRSV)
The beginning of wisdom
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.

Reflection
How do you see God? Each morning don't we wish to see God that day? We want to meet up and be with God someway or somehow.

God comes to us through grace. God comes through Jesus and gives us life from death. We see God when we recognize an act of grace anywhere and anytime.

God comes to us in the Law. In the Word we see God. The Word becomes flesh and dwells with us. We read and reflect on the Word and see how God comes to us. The Word speaks to us and is easily applied to our everyday lives. Once again we see God.

As we see God what is our response? Most of the time, for me, it's an "Oh WOW!" moment. I didn't realize God was that close to me! And then when I realize how close God is, I want to know what he wants from me. I'm excited to respond out of the love I saw coming from God to me to respond with love for God. I gladly take out the trash or do any of the chores God chooses to give to me. God is my awesome Daddy who can do it all! I love my Daddy and think he is the best of all. So I praise God and live in such joy and happiness and knowledge that I am protected and loved.

How to you see God?

Prayer
Lord, you make my life. You come to me each day and knock at that door and invite Billy out to play. I love you God! May I love all those you give to me this day with such enthusiasm... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 27th Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-01-27T05:06:00.001-05:00

Revelation 2:12-17 (NRSV)
Idolatrous behavior is condemned

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp two edged sword:

"I know where you are living, where Satan's throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication. So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and make war against them with the sword of my mouth. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.
Reflection
Doesn't the expression "where Satan's throne is." put some mystery to this? This passage is the letter to the church in Pergamum. The city was prone to idolatry in the first place. Behind the city was a one-thousand foot high hill that was speckled with heathen temples and an altar to Zeus cut out of the rock. This wall of rock heathen temples and Zeus stood over the city as if ruling over it. This is where the expression of Satan's throne originates.

Next question is what's the deal with the Nocolaitans? This comes from Acts when Nicolaus was appointed to administer the food to the poor and windows. There came a dispute as to eating food which had been offered to idols. The people of Pergamum were scolded for eating such food, which ended up being only a problem if you caused another Christian to have issues with this and weaken their faith.

Finally what's all this about Balaam and Balak? In the Old Testament, Balak was to put a stumbling block in front of the Israelites by having a curse placed on the Israelites. So Balak gets the help of Balaam a non-Israelite prophet. But Balaam having sold his skills for less than he would have liked, would only offer the words God gave, which turned out to be a blessing of the Israelite armies.

Then take the notion that the people believed God would come to them again as manna that would descend from heaven and bring life. This was a Jewish notion that came out of their rich past experience with manna in the desert. It turned out to be Jesus that came in flesh to all people

The church at Pergamum was surrounded by all this thinking and it was difficult to hold on to true teachings and not fall to idolatry. This church had a huge stumbling block in front of it. Here, Jesus exhorts this church to repent and turn to God.

Sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of a mess and are being pulled in many different directions by many different ways of thinking. But what I get here is that we need to stop, look at the situation, repent and redirect ourselves towards what God has in store for our lives, not what our environment is pulling us towards. It's all easier said than done for humans, but with God, our lives and actions will be pulled towards the source of life in Jesus. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, sometimes my environment pulls me in all sorts of ways. I turn to you and repent of my failed actions to stay the course with you. Show me your Light and pull me always towards you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 26th Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-01-26T05:00:00.000-05:00

Romans 9:6-18 (NRSV)
God's mercy cannot be controlled
It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all Israelites truly belong to Israel, and not all of Abraham's children are his true descendants; but "It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you." This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. For this is what the promise said, "About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son." Nor is that all; something similar happened to Rebecca when she had conceived children by one husband, our ancestor Isaac. Even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God's purpose of election might continue, not by works but by his call) she was told, "The elder shall serve the younger." As it is written,

"I have loved Jacob,
but I have hated Esau."

What then are we to say? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses,

"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. For the scripture says to Pharaoh, "I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth." So then he has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses.
Reflection
With no fear, Paul opens this can of worms. If I say that I'm a child of God, how can this be, since I'm not a blood descendant (that I know of) from the Jewish race of God's Chosen People? Paul argues that God did not choose children of a race or children of a flesh, rather God chooses his children of the promise.

You see God made a promise and it happened. God's promises are all through the Bible. And God upholds all promises. Sometimes we like to think of how special we are. In God's eyes we are special. But when we see ourselves as special due to something we have done, we fall to sin. It's not about our works and our accomplishments that make us special. It's about what God has done through us and for us that makes us special.

God's promise and call comes before we even are aware of it. Perhaps this call comes before we are even born. As we live God gives us faith. We live and grow in God's care and our faith in God is developed. This faith is what distinguishes us as God's children. We could grow and choose to leave God behind. Sure we may think we left God behind, but in most cases God stays with us waiting patiently for our return. But if we grow in faith and follow God, this is the distinction of being God's child, not our race or flesh or anything we may have done ourselves to earn God's favor.

When God's promises are fulfilled, it is God who started it all. We were actors in the promise through our call. I can see the worms in this can oozing.

So, does this mean that we are just puppets for God if we are God's children? God can pick and choose as God wishes to pick and choose. Here we have no solid human answer. But we do know that God is a patient God. God loves us so much that Jesus was sent to die for our sin. To take that sin upon himself and become our sin that our sin may die on that cross. Through Jesus active love we are no longer separated from God but in relationship with God. Death was defeated at Jesus resurrection and we await Jesus' return to judge the living and the dead.

Puppets for God? I think not. I think we act out what God has given us to act out from our relationship with God. We respond to the call and in that response is a recognition of our relationship with God out of our belief that God has saved us from sin, death and the devil. God has saved us! We did not save ourselves by acting. The promise came first. The action came later. But in that action, especially the actions of Jesus, we are saved. Thanks be to God! And the can still oozes... for human understanding.

Prayer
Lord, your actions and your promises are beyond my understanding. I'll continue to probe and question and try to understand, but I'm not going to get all wrapped around the wheel about it. I love you and trust you and have seen your action to the promises you have made. I'm convinced in you. I love you and you are all I need... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 25th Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-01-25T04:52:00.000-05:00

Conversion of Paul
Acts 9:1-22 (NRSV)

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord." The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." All who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?" Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.

Reflection
Two callings with one conversion. Two people called at least. More than likely more callings to a particular task. Fearful calls at that. Calls that I'm sure several parties involved were very intimidated by. Would the trust, hope and faith show up and carry out the actions of the calls.

So you may be called, even if you seem to be on the opposite side of God. I don't think God sees differences as exaggerated as we do ourselves. I think God sees potential and we see political at times. Even though Saul was persecuting the Christians at the time, God chose to call Saul.
Even though Saul would be the last person Ananias would want to meet in this world, God called Ananias to meet Saul.

And then you have this confused party of people going along with this entire act. God must have been speaking to them too. Or they were in such shock of the events they didn't know what was going on. I suspect God's touch was involved however.

And for three days Saul was without sight. Reminds me of being in the tomb for three days. Reminds me of baptism and being buried under the water. Reminds me of three days of tasting death. Reminds me of the resurrection and new life. Saul's life was about to make a dramatic change. Saul was being resurrected to a new life as one of the most influential disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ of whom Saul was just persecuting. Why did you persecute Jesus, Saul? Things are about to change. Get ready, Saul, for the time of your life.

And the same for you and for me. Since baptism when we felt that water bury our old life and those scales fall from our human eyes; it was time to get ready. Get ready for the time of our lives. Things are about to change. The journey will be wild, frightening, daring and fun beyond belief. Thanks be to God! Now that's living!

Prayer
Lord, I rejoice in the variety of people you call and surprise me with. I'm so glad to learn of the wonderful people who are lead to you by paths I would never expect. You continually surprise me with how you resurrect lives. I'm amazed... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 24th Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-01-24T04:45:00.000-05:00

Genesis 45:25-46:7 (NRSV)
God calls Jacob to go to Egypt
So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. And they told him, "Joseph is still alive! He is even ruler over all the land of Egypt." He was stunned; he could not believe them. But when they told him all the words of Joseph that he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. Israel said, "Enough! My son Joseph is still alive. I must go and see him before I die."

When Israel set out on his journey with all that he had and came to Beer sheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. God spoke to Israel in visions of the night, and said, "Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here I am." Then he said, "I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again; and Joseph's own hand shall close your eyes."

Then Jacob set out from Beer sheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. They also took their livestock and the goods that they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and they came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters; all his offspring he brought with him into Egypt.

Reflection
Once again another calling. This time for Jacob to leave the land of his grandfather's calling and stray to another county, Egypt. Jacob was called to trust in, what seemed to him, a resurrected life of his son Joseph. Was this true? Was this a cruel trick? Only the assurance of God's call could give the hope of a new life. A resurrected meeting of father and son and family and son. A new resurrected meeting of safety from hunger. A new life in a new place. What would this bring? But, this was God's call. A call that wasn't meant to leave it all behind, but a call to take it all with you to another land.

So Jacob picked up and moved into Egypt, "all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters; all his offspring he brought with him into Egypt."

You and I too are called. Out of our life story, God calls us to go, to come, to stay, to whatever. God calls us and give us the resurrected hope of a Savior's assurance that all will be for the good of a plan much larger than we could ever begin to fathom. God calls us and gives us the strength to take on the call, no matter what age or what our physical well being may be. We are called to action. We may be called to pray, to visit, to serve a meal, to go to another country or even to have that conversation with a hurting co-worker. We may be called to share our relationship with God with one another. We are called in so many and various ways, my examples would never cease. I am called and you are called. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, it sure is a journey. I look back on life and can't believe where you have taken me. In the ups and downs I realize and now see your presence. So, I'm excited to look forward, knowing that your call will lead through even more excitement and joy. Not a cake walk at times but other times we rested in pastures together. It's time to go. I hear that knock at my door. Time to go out today... tomorrow... time to take your call forever. --- Amen

January 23rd Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-01-23T04:44:00.000-05:00

Genesis 12:1-9 (NRSV)
God calls Abram to go to Canaan
Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother's son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and invoked the name of the Lord. And Abram journeyed on by stages toward the Negeb.

Reflection
The very act of what Abram did here recalls the acts of the disciples when they left all behind to follow Jesus. Abram had such faith and trust in God that he packed it all up and left for another land as God wished for him. Oddly, the disciples even left behind their possessions and family to follow Jesus.

People seem to be called in various times and in various ways. Some are called to stay where they are and in the occupation they know, and follow Jesus into the world of where they live. Others are called to leave a place and start new with a different group, such as a pastor's call to another congregation. Then, again, on a first call, the pastor may be called to pack up and move or even perhaps leave the possessions behind and move to a mission field call. But, it's not only clergy that experience the call. Lay are called to all types of actions to follow Jesus as clerks, nurses, factory workers, doctors, skilled maintenance, electricians, accountants, scientists, teachers, and on and on. God's call is the most meaningful way we have to touch the lives of others in relationship to what God has done for us.

So, rejoice and build an altar to God and worship God in your call today... tomorrow... and forever.

Prayer
Lord, may I listen and heed your call to action in everything I do. May I get up and go when you wish and stay when you desire. Lead me this day to do your will. --- Amen

January 22 Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-01-22T09:35:00.000-05:00

Third Sunday After Epiphany
Mark 1:14-20 (NRSV)
The calling of the disciples at the sea
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Reflection
God's Kingdom has come to this earth and the beginning message made it very personal. Repent and believe. John the Baptist had proclaimed this and now Jesus is proclaiming this same message. John is now in jail. Jesus is prepared to take the second step in the journey of the Kingdom. What "we" don't understand fully is that the Kingdom IS Jesus. Jesus is the Kingdom that has come. Not a kingdom of ruling power in some political environment that will determine how we live and are taxed and the government is run. Not a kingdom to conquer with human power and rule the world through battles and weapons. Jesus is the Kingdom in this case and it is a different kind of Kingdom that what "we" would expect.

Jesus is a Kingdom that has come in the present to these people, yet will come again. As we consider the Kingdom of God today we think of a Kingdom that has already come in Jesus, a Kingdom that is with us today in Word and faith and a Kingdom that will be fulfilled when Jesus comes again.

The two pair of brothers; Simon and Andrew, James and John, had all met Jesus before and saw that Jesus was the Messiah. Now Jesus calls them to take the next step with him. What a joy in not knowing what the future would bring. The Messiah has called. We didn't expect this. Let's go now!

Likewise, things happen to each one of us that we don't expect. Sometimes it's illness, death in the family, or any twist and turn in life. We don't know and can't predict the future. It may be a call from God or a new walk in life that we take after we meet the unknown, good or bad. And the new path we follow will surely not be a rosy road forever. We will stumble and fall on the way and perhaps lose our life.

We however meet the future knowing the repentance, belief, faith, and hope God has provided through Word and Sacrament and the teachings of Jesus, to be confident that our future will be taken care of always by our loving Father. Thanks be to God!

So, lay your nets down. It's time to go!

Prayer
Lord, as I come to you and relive my baptism this morning, I repent of my sin. Drown them in your holy water and bring me to new life in your Kingdom. I lay down my nets and look forward to following Jesus today. Billy can come out to play along with you, Moses, Elijah and your special friend... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 21st Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-01-21T10:48:00.000-05:00

Psalm 62:5-12 (NRSV)
In God is my safety and my honor

For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
Selah

Those of low estate are but a breath,
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no confidence in extortion,
and set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
For you repay to all
according to their work.

Reflection
So, what does the future look like? What's the outcome of life? We really don't know. We may think we have our future planned and carefully played out before us, but we really don't know. Did David know he was going to be a king when he was a shepherd? I don't think so. Can anyone predict illness that may overcome them? How do you predict an accident in a car? Do you really know if you will be involved in a tornado?

The future of life is uncertain. The events of life vary for the rich and the poor, the healthy and the ill. We can't rely on the money we have set aside, we can't trust in our houses, cars, or whatever else we have accumulated. All could be here today and gone tomorrow for any one of us. Depending on the situation all things can become disappointing. But one thing holds true.

As this psalm looks forward, we find that one thing we can trust in is the salvation of God provided for each one of us. With faith in God we have a stability that is steadfast and constant. With God, we all have a future that brings hope. With God we rest assured that God has the power, and the steadfast love to hold us safe in God's hands even as we navigate this fearful life we live. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I look to you with faith, knowing that Jesus died for all. I look to you to guide me in the purpose you have for me as I live in this unknown of life here and now. I know that you hold all the power and love I and all people ever need. Be with those whose lives are uncertain and fill them with your presence and peace... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 20th Reflection - by Bill Lynch

2012-01-20T04:50:00.000-05:00

2 Peter 3:1-7 (NRSV)

Scoffers doubt God's message
This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken through your apostles. First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!" They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water, through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless.

Reflection

Some people live to argue and other's argue to learn and understand. It's important to be able to designate the needs of each. When we speak of God's coming in Jesus Christ in the past, present and future, it seems to pull up disputes in faith. Depending on the reference point of the individual you are speaking with, you may have someone who desires to learn, someone who is curious or you may have someone who scoffs at what you say. But what you have to say is the same message. A bit of persuastion may help but too much sometimes just leads to an arguement which usually doesn't help.

In this try to "arouse sincere intention" and move on. We believe in Christ's coming and stand by this belief in faith, hope and love. Thanks be to God!

Prayer

Lord, when you and I are scoffed at or ridiculed for our beliefs, teach me how to say the words that need to be said and walk away in love... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 19th Reflection - by Bill Lynch

2012-01-19T04:53:00.000-05:00

Revelation 18:11-20 (NRSV)
Lament over a fallen city
And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore, cargo of gold, silver, jewels and pearls, fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet, all kinds of scented wood, all articles of ivory, all articles of costly wood, bronze, iron, and marble, cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, choice flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, slaves -- and human lives.

"The fruit for which your soul longed
has gone from you,
and all your dainties and your splendor
are lost to you,
never to be found again!"

The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud,
"Alas, alas, the great city,
clothed in fine linen,
in purple and scarlet,
adorned with gold,
with jewels, and with pearls!
For in one hour all this wealth has been laid waste!"

And all shipmasters and seafarers, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning,
"What city was like the great city?"

And they threw dust on their heads, as they wept and mourned, crying out,
"Alas, alas, the great city,
where all who had ships at sea
grew rich by her wealth!
For in one hour she has been laid waste.
Rejoice over her, O heaven,
you saints and apostles and prophets!
For God has given judgment for you against her."

Reflection
The city of Babylon falls with all her riches and imports. The falling has an impact on all countries who have depended on this city to export their goods and services. Now all of this is gone. Cities of power come and go, especially those cities and countries that live off of the fat of their riches. These centers of population become the focus of influence and power. The fall of such cities causes widespread pain throughout the world. Cities come and go, Jerusalem, Babylon, Rome and on and on.

But our focus must be on God and the formation of God's city. When we lose our focus on God we fall to our own greed and hunger for power and self-destruct. God's city isn't built on greed or power but on God's awesome love that recreates and creates life. The richness of God's city is Christ and his followers. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, help me keep my greed and selfish ambitions in check. Show me how to give life and love. Show me how to follow you. Show me and teach me your love that I may love you as you wish. Maintain my focus on you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 18th Reflection - by Bill Lynch

2012-01-18T04:36:00.000-05:00

Confession of Peter
Matthew 16:13-19 (NRSV)
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Reflection
Our recognition of Jesus as the Messiah is our focus in the Church. We don't look to Jesus as one who is leading to another greater person, we look to Jesus as the Savior of all the world. We must be bold enough to say this out loud and in front of other people. This statement is the basis for our creeds. I believe in God... We believe in God... "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

Our vision, our focus, our very being must be focused on this personal and corporate statement of faith. I/we believe in Jesus Christ, Savior, Messiah, Son of God. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Jesus, I believe in you as my Lord and Savior. Take my life and lead me, guide me, teach me, and may I live my life pleasing to the call you give to me today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 17th Reflection - by Bill Lynch

2012-01-17T04:42:00.000-05:00

1 Samuel 15:10-31 (NRSV)
Samuel rebukes King Saul
The word of the Lord came to Samuel: "I regret that I made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me, and has not carried out my commands." Samuel was angry; and he cried out to the Lord all night. Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul, and Samuel was told, "Saul went to Carmel, where he set up a monument for himself, and on returning he passed on down to Gilgal." When Samuel came to Saul, Saul said to him, "May you be blessed by the Lord; I have carried out the command of the Lord." But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears, and the lowing of cattle that I hear?" Saul said, "They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the cattle, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; but the rest we have utterly destroyed." Then Samuel said to Saul, "Stop! I will tell you what the Lord said to me last night." He replied, "Speak."

Samuel said, "Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And the Lord sent you on a mission, and said, 'Go, utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.' Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?" Saul said to Samuel, "I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But from the spoil the people took sheep and cattle, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal." And Samuel said,

"Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is no less a sin than divination,
and stubbornness is like iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,

he has also rejected you from being king."

Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, I pray, pardon my sin, and return with me, so that I may worship the Lord." Samuel said to Saul, "I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel." As Samuel turned to go away, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. And Samuel said to him, "The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this very day, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. Moreover the Glory of Israel will not recant or change his mind; for he is not a mortal, that he should change his mind." Then Saul said, "I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God." So Samuel turned back after Saul; and Saul worshiped the Lord.

Reflection
I attended a Jewish service this past Saturday for my first time. I was deeply impressed upon how they honor the Word in the scrolls carefully removed from the Ark and carefully read before the people. The Word was God I could tell. And as a Christian it drove home the meaning of Jesus and the thought of Logos. The Word made flesh and lived among us. The Word was loved and kissed and as a group it was read carefully and with such honor. The Word in the scroll was carefully rolled up and adorned before returning to the Ark.

But just as important in the handling of the Word is the hearing of the Word. It seems Saul didn't listen carefully and fully understand the command that God had given him. Samuel was sent to point this out. Saul's excuses didn't go very far in helping his reason for failing to follow the command explicitly.

When we sin, we own that sin. It's our sin to repent and no rationalization or pointing of fingers can ever make that sin go away. We have sinned. We repent of the sin that we committed fully on our own, naked before the Lord. We plead for forgiveness and new life.

How important it is to stop and listen to the Lord. We receive the call but it is God who gave it. Listen and assure your actions are the actions you have been directed to take. But don't be frozen in the fear of sin. For we know, that Jesus Christ came from heaven to earth and lived, taught, suffered and died to free us from that bondage to sin. Take your call, listen carefully and boldly go forth daily with Jesus at your side to live for and in him. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, slow me down to listen to your Word. Slow me down to question your Word. Slow me down to absorb your Word. May your Word become a part of me that I may live it, love it, and make it my life... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 16th Reflections - by Bill Lynch

2012-01-16T04:45:00.000-05:00

1 Samuel 9:27-10:8 (NRSV)
Samuel anoints Saul king
As they were going down to the outskirts of the town, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the boy to go on before us, and when he has passed on, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God."

Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him; he said, "The Lord has anointed you ruler over his people Israel. You shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their enemies all around. Now this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you ruler over his heritage: When you depart from me today you will meet two men by Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah; they will say to you, 'The donkeys that you went to seek are found, and now your father has stopped worrying about them and is worrying about you, saying: What shall I do about my son?' Then you shall go on from there further and come to the oak of Tabor; three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three kids, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall accept from them. After that you shall come to Gibeath elohim, at the place where the Philistine garrison is; there, as you come to the town, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the shrine with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre playing in front of them; they will be in a prophetic frenzy. Then the spirit of the Lord will possess you, and you will be in a prophetic frenzy along with them and be turned into a different person. Now when these signs meet you, do whatever you see fit to do, for God is with you. And you shall go down to Gilgal ahead of me; then I will come down to you to present burnt offerings and offer sacrifices of well being. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do."

Reflection
Anointing as king seems to take place twice. At least with Saul and David. The first anointing is a private anointing. There isn't nearly as many people involved and the first anointing seems to leave the candidate to ponder the call. The first anointing in Saul's case was also at a half-way point. Saul was about half-way in his travels at the time. So, here we have a private gathering for Saul's anointing to mark Saul and set Saul apart for a new duty. Public anointing will take place later.

In our own anointing, it may be public or private. For many who have been called, the call comes at a private moment, when only a few are gathered. It's about half-way to the acceptance or the rejection of the call. It may be either. Then there is a response. Sometimes immediate, and sometimes a pause for prayerful consideration. For so many there is some resistance to the call. And for others there is time for debate. This is all at the half-way point.

Then the response. Yes or No, if you have given careful determination and prayer to the call, you are open to the Spirit's guidance and direction.

Some of us have life-time calls, to professions and other's have situational calls. Calls that come daily, even moment by moment. Some have both. You will be called, however as a Child of God. It's a wonderful, frightening and joyful experience. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I try but I can't imagine all the calls that will be made this day. May each candidate carefully listen to your call, pray and respond. May each candidate listen for the guidance you have in store for them. Argue when needed and research hearts as appropriate. I give you thanks for calling me daily and to so many tasks of wide variety. Many times to the unknown. --- Amen

January 15th Reflection - by Bill Lynch

2012-01-15T10:10:00.000-05:00

Second Sunday After Epiphany
John 1:43-51 (NRSV)
The calling of the first disciples
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Reflection
It's humorous to me that God knows each one of us so well, that when we finally see Jesus, we think that we found him! We didn't find Jesus! Jesus knew us before we even began. God knows us and loves us and reaches out to us even from the heavenly world to this earthly place. Jesus comes to me and you in our own here and now in the love that only the Savior can do.

"Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, daily I hear your call. I hear your knock at the door. "Can Billy come out to play?" I will follow you. Follow you and grab a couple of friends to come and see... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 14th Reflection - by Bill Lynch

2012-01-14T06:41:00.000-05:00

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 (NRSV)
You have searched me out
O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,

O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it. ...

For it was you who formed my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.
In your book were written
all the days that were formed for me,
when none of them as yet existed.
How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
I try to count them they are more than the sand;
I come to the end I am still with you.

Reflection
How much more can God know you or me? God knows us down to every detail. What an awesome love! The Creator, the Savior, the Spirit over all, knows us! Look up into the sky at night as see how great and vast the universe is, then look into a microscope and be amazed at life beyond normal sight. Next realize that we have a God that knows our every detail. A God that is with us before we began and after we end. A God that graciously give life and love. How much more can God know you or me? Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, teach me and show me the way to express my love for those you give to me in such detail... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 13th - Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-01-13T04:27:00.001-05:00

Acts 13:16-25 (NRSV)
Leaders prior to Christ's coming
So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak:

"You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. For about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. After he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance for about four hundred fifty years. After that he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony about him he said, 'I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.' Of this man's posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised; before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his work, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals on his feet.'

"My brothers, you descendants of Abraham's family, and others who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent.

Reflection
Here Paul begins to tell his story and our story of how Jesus has come into the lives of all in this world. Some will accept his coming and some will reject that Jesus is Savior. But this message is given to all people. This message is for all throughout all time. It's a message not only for the descendants of Abraham but for all who fear God. It's a message of salvation. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, write upon our hearts and move our tongues to graciously and lovingly declare you as our Savior and as Savior of all your people... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 12th - Reflection by Bill Lynch

2012-01-12T05:08:00.016-05:00

2 Corinthians 10:1-11 (NRSV)
Corinthian behavior during Paul's absence
I myself, Paul, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away! I ask that when I am present I need not show boldness by daring to oppose those who think we are acting according to human standards. Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. We are ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete.

Look at what is before your eyes. If you are confident that you belong to Christ, remind yourself of this, that just as you belong to Christ, so also do we. Now, even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. I do not want to seem as though I am trying to frighten you with my letters. For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible." Let such people understand that what we say by letter when absent, we will also do when present.

Reflection
Paul changes things up a little here. Previously he was writing "we" now he writes "I." Paul is making his testimony personal.

As Christians we need the "we" or the corporate aspect of our faith. We need one another. There is no way we can live in this world without the "we" in life and in our Church to sustain us. We need Christ and we need one another in order to live our faith.

But we also need to come from the "I" of our faith. I need to be able and willing to stand up with Christ, my faith and my God. I need to be able and willing to take a stand for the "we" of this world. So as we look at what is happening around us each and every day; may we, the "I's" stand up for our friends and neighbors in need through the love Jesus has taught us.

Prayer
Lord, be with me and all your children as we live out the love you have shown us... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 11th - Reflection

2012-01-11T04:43:00.013-05:00

John 1:29-34 (NRSV)
John's account of Jesus' baptism
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God."

Reflection
John saw it! John saw the Spirit descend like a dove on Jesus. John had the wonderful privilege of baptizing Jesus. And when he did, John knew this was the Son of God.

As we arise day by day, we too have been granted new life in and through our baptism. We receive the opportunity to live another day with the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. Does anyone see this? It's a privilege for you and me to have another day, here in this place, to live out the love that God has given to us. It's a privilege for you and me to have another day, to show our friends and neighbors what we have seen in the Son of God.

Our baptism is a gift and a privilege to live life.

Prayer
Lord, show me how to live my baptism... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 10th - Reflection

2012-01-10T05:24:00.000-05:00

Exodus 30:22-38 (NRSV)
Anointing a sign of holiness
The Lord spoke to Moses: Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, two hundred fifty, and two hundred fifty of aromatic cane, and five hundred of cassia measured by the sanctuary shekel and a hin of olive oil; and you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil. With it you shall anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the covenant, and the table and all its utensils, and the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its stand; you shall consecrate them, so that they may be most holy; whatever touches them will become holy. You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, in order that they may serve me as priests. You shall say to the Israelites, "This shall be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations. It shall not be used in any ordinary anointing of the body, and you shall make no other like it in composition; it is holy, and it shall be holy to you. Whoever compounds any like it or whoever puts any of it on an unqualified person shall be cut off from the people."

The Lord said to Moses: Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (an equal part of each), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy; and you shall beat some of it into powder, and put part of it before the covenant in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you; it shall be for you most holy. When you make incense according to this composition, you shall not make it for yourselves; it shall be regarded by you as holy to the Lord. Whoever makes any like it to use as perfume shall be cut off from the people.

Reflection
Ah the anointing oil, a gift of the Holy Spirit. Spread throughout the tabernacle. The signs of the Holy Spirit are everywhere. Signs that are pleasing to the senses. Signs that are spread on all that is holy. Oil given to the priests of the day.

Today the oil is a sign given in our baptism. We are marked with the cross of Christ and receive the oil of the Spirit on our foreheads. A wonderful sign of God in our lives. God in flesh, God in spirit, God in love. We become children of God. This is a special oil of anointing and a wonderful unique gift to a unique child of God. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, as I remember my baptism this day and relive that eternal moment, I think of the oil mark and the love you express in that mark. It's a special unique gift just for me. May I live out that spirit you have filled in me ... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 9th - Reflection

2012-01-09T04:51:00.000-05:00

Genesis 17:1-13 (NRSV)
Circumcision a covenant sign
When Abram was ninety nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous." Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding; and I will be their God."

God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. Throughout your generations every male among you shall be circumcised when he is eight days old, including the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring. Both the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money must be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant.

Reflection
Some pretty moving scenes in this passage. First the Lord appears. God makes a covenant including a promise and an action to be taken. If Abraham and his people obey they will become numerous and be given a land. It's no wonder that land is such a big deal even today.

And the covenant is that every male be circumcised at eight days old. The covenant is in the flesh. God gives flesh and God takes away flesh. Abraham and his descendants will witness God's flesh torn from heaven come and enter this world to save us from our sin. Our covenant with God is formed not only in spirit but in flesh and blood. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, you graciously meet us in terms that we can understand. Terms of flesh and blood and pain. We receive a tiny bit of pain compared to the separation you feel in sending Jesus to this world to save us. We are deeply grateful and offer all thanks and praise to you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 8th - Reflection

2012-01-08T08:13:00.000-05:00

Baptism of Our Lord
Mark 1:4-11 (NRSV)
Jesus revealed as God's servant
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

Reflection
Jesus came to be with us, sinners of all sorts, though he himself was without sin. Jesus came to be with us and to be baptized with us. And as Jesus came up from the waters, the heavens opened and a dove appears, the Holy Spirit, in bodily form. A dove above the waters of chaos and sin for most of us. Those baptismal waters in which we come out of death into life. A dove that flew above the waters of sin years ago in the great flood and returned to Noah proclaiming new life on this earth and a new creation with God. A dove that brings a promise of life and newness. Wow! Jesus baptism, what a site. The Holy Spirit, what a site. Each baptism we witness is a huge WOW! --- Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, as I rise from sleep this day, remind me of the WOW! of baptism... yours and mine... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 7th - Reflection

2012-01-07T16:56:00.000-05:00

Luke 5:1-11 (NRSV)
Jesus calls Simon, James, and John
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Reflection
We've seen Jesus call some of his disciples while still a stranger to them and they got up and followed him. Here Jesus calls some other disciples, yet Jesus seems to have made a friendship of trust with them. Jesus takes them away from the crowd into deep waters and shows them his power. When Jesus power is shown to them some are afraid. But this relationship is based on trust and hope and faith, not fear.

Much the same for us today. Jesus calls us not out of fear, but out of trust and hope and faith. We follow Jesus and leave everything. We know that he is our Lord and Savior. Jesus has convinced us and amazed us. But this may not be the same calling each person receives. Some are called out of a miraculous change of life and others are called in the deep waters of friendship with Jesus.

God knows each one of us to know how to call us, teach us, and bring us to him. What a personal yet in a wider sense a corporate and understanding Savior we have! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, reach out this day and call your people, by the shore or in the deep waters, which ever you choose. --- Amen

January 6th - Reflection

2012-01-06T04:36:00.000-05:00

1 Timothy 4:11-16 (NRSV)
Gift of prophecy with laying on of hands
These are the things you must insist on and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Reflection
You have to grow up! You have to tell another person what you have seen and heard. You can't just keep it all a secret. Pay close attention to what the Word tells you. Put that Word into action. When you stumble and fall into sin, get up, repent and grow up.

Prayer
Lord, keep me focused on you. Don't let me slide into judgment of other's actions. Don't let me slide into some self-serving service that appears good to other's but not to you. Don't let me curl inward upon myself. Let my life open up to you and your will and your way. Let me open up to action to those you give to me today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 5th- Reflection

2012-01-05T04:07:00.000-05:00

Acts 9:10-19a (NRSV)
Saul is baptized

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord." The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Reflection
Jesus uses those you would least expect. Ananias, a humble man and a private Christian gives the message to Saul that he is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. And Saul a persecutor of Christians was chosen to take the gospel to the Gentiles.

Those you would least expect, God brings forward as disciples of Christ. Such is the way with the world today. Those you would least expect, God appoints. Baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit a great cloud of witnesses go forth into this world to testify what God has done in and for and through them. God is wonderful! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, open my mind to those you send that I may hear your Word and your way... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 4th - Reflection

2012-01-04T04:40:00.000-05:00

James 4:11-17 (NRSV)
Our plans for our time are in God's hands
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbor?

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money." Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin.
Reflection
I tend to speak evil of others at times. I tend to judge others at times. Other times I don't obey the law. Who do I think I am? It's all true. I can witness many times that I have been guilty of the above sins. There are difficult sins to obey.

So I repent and try to do better with God's help. If my time were all in my own hands, I would fall into the trap and continue in my sinful ways, not wishing to be forgiven. Not even caring. I read an article in the USA Today just yesterday about how many people in the United States have reached that level of just not caring about religion, spirituality, God or anything else. It was this same attitude of "who cares?"

We must care. I'm not the judge of other's. Speaking evil is wrong and hurtful. I must learn to be kind and patient and understanding. I am here to love my neighbor. My time on this earth does matter. God does have a plan for me and for you.

I repent and then follow the change God has prepared in my life. I stumble along the way but out of love I seek the patience and kindness and love that God wishes. I am watchful that the judgmental attitude and the boasting and the evil speak do not sneak back in. It's all part of going to God daily, looking at your sins, rejoicing in the forgiveness and blessing and seeking the change and plan and way God has for you. It's a daily meeting with God. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I come to you this morning to listen to what you have to say. You are my life. You are my way of being. You are my guide and my way. Teach me, show me and lead and guide me to be what you would have me to be... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 3rd - Reflection

2012-01-03T04:42:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 1:20-33 (NRSV)
Give heed to Wisdom, live without dread
Wisdom cries out in the street;
in the squares she raises her voice.
At the busiest corner she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
"How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?

Give heed to my reproof;
I will pour out my thoughts to you;
I will make my words known to you.
Because I have called and you refused,
have stretched out my hand and no one heeded,
and because you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,
I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when panic strikes you,
when panic strikes you like a storm,
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently, but will not find me.
Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
would have none of my counsel,
and despised all my reproof,
therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way
and be sated with their own devices.
For waywardness kills the simple,
and the complacency of fools destroys them;
but those who listen to me will be secure
and will live at ease, without dread of disaster."

Reflection
Wisdom springs to life here. Wisdom is personified. Wisdom cries out words of warning to all the people. It seems that most of the people ignore the pleas of Wisdom. The people fall into a few groups.

One group is the Simple. The Simple are easily persuaded by those that would lead away from the advice of Wisdom. Wisdom's advice to turn from evil and obey the Lord.
The second group is the Scoffers. They shout arrogance and defiance towards Wisdom. They are the type that put Wisdom down.

Finally we have the Fools. This comes from the word nabal. Recall the story of Nabal, married to Abigail. David requested food from Nabal. David had done no harm to Nabal, but Nabal responded with insults. Luckily his wife Abigail was smart enough to act for Nabal's good. Nabal died and Abigail became David's wife.

This proverb teaches us to listen and learn from Wisdom - source of God. Don't be simple, a heckler or a fool about Wisdom. Listen and heed the word Wisdom has to give.

Prayer
Lord, your Wisdom is something I need to pause and listen to. Be easy with me and help me to understand the deep meanings and the profound actions you wish for me to take this day, following the Wisdom you have to offer. Send now your Holy Spirit to lead me today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 2nd - Reflection

2012-01-02T04:45:00.000-05:00

Jeremiah 31:7-14 (NRSV)
Joy as God's scattered flock gathers
For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
"Save, O Lord, your people,
the remnant of Israel."
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
those with child and those in labor, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
With weeping they shall come,
and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him,
and will keep him as a shepherd a flock."
For the Lord has ransomed Jacob,
and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall become like a watered garden,
and they shall never languish again.
Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
I will give the priests their fill of fatness,
and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty,

says the Lord.

Reflection
The joy of the return home. But these people were all of those who would be most likely unable to weather the journey of returning home. I am like these people. So many things that hold me back from the journey are physical and some are spiritual, but God helps me along anyway. God brings joy from the struggles and permits me to dance and sing and shout for joy. God brings forth all the joy anyone ever needs. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Praise God from whom all blessings flow--
Praise him all creatures here below--
Praise him above all heavenly host--
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

Amen

January 1st - Reflection

2012-01-01T08:15:00.000-05:00

Name of Jesus
Luke 2:15-21 (NRSV)
The child is named Jesus
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Reflection
It was time for the child to be redeemed. times of cleansing had taken place for Mary and another time of purification bringing on the sacrifice to be offered. The baby was the first born male child and a payment was due. This child belonged to God. In addition Mary had dedicated this child to God like Hannah did for Samuel.

This was an amazing birth and an amazing child to be named Jesus, given by the angel. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, you have come into the lives of all people redeemed for a price. And you have paid the price for the sin of the world. No wonder we call you Jesus Christ. --- Amen

December 31st - Reflection

2011-12-31T11:20:00.000-05:00

John 8:12-19 (NRSV)
I am the light
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." Then the Pharisees said to him, "You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid." Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf." Then they said to him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also."
Reflection
This whole light and life wording from this passage brings back memories of a dream I once had. Sometimes I wonder if dreams don't come and go some for the silliness of events past that combine in strange ways or events that bring some meaning to thoughts.

This dream was of many people in my life past, present and I guess future, because I didn't know them. We all were in a dark place together carrying our baptismal candles. We had the light of our candle to lead us in the darkness, yet the true light was not complete. We would walk and bump into one another, greet a while and go on our way. Then, I remember Pastor Klafter, who had passed away at some time recently, saw a greater light. It was as if a huge light opened up in the darkness of the world the rest of us were in and Pastor Klafter ran towards that Light motioning the rest of us to follow him. Pastor Klafter was pointing towards the Light with one hand as his other hand carried his baptismal candle. He entered the great Light and disappeared. The rest of us walked toward that great Light but couldn't quite get there. In amazement we continued to follow the light of our baptismal candles.

I think somehow each of us will some day be lead by our baptismal candles and the Light in this dark place will lead us to that great Light. We too, one day will point the way and others will follow. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, let your Light lead me this day that I may point to your way and your glory... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 30th - Reflection

2011-12-30T07:41:00.000-05:00

2 Peter 3:8-13 (NRSV)
A thousand years as one day
But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.

Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

Reflection
God doesn't need to hurry. Maybe I need to hurry or you need to hurry but God doesn't need to hurry. God is outside and beyond time. God came into time in Jesus but in the spiritual sense God is outside of time.

Here we learn of God's patience with us, but we shouldn't take that for granted. The time for repentance is now. It's not intended to give us the opportunity to let sin go and wait. We need to repent here and now. We all sin. I have sinned and will sin again, but it's not about waiting until we see Jesus to repent. It's about repenting now.

Prayer
Lord, as I sit in the silence of day I come to you and repent of my sins. I look to you for forgiveness and the strength to carry on in the manner that would please you. I look to your coming again and wait. Come, Lord Jesus, come. --- Amen

December 29th - Reflection

2011-12-29T04:31:00.000-05:00

Matthew 12:46-50 (NRSV)
Jesus' true family
While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" And pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

Reflection
We have a relationship to Jesus that counts. We are related in the spiritual realm as well as the physical realm. Born of flesh and of God we come into relationship with Jesus as disciples who seek to learn our calling and use the gifts God has given us. We follow Jesus, our Savior and God to learn the will of the Father. True family. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Jesus, teach me my call, teach me your will, show me the way... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 28th - Reflection

2011-12-28T04:45:00.000-05:00

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
Matthew 2:13-18 (NRSV)
Death of innocent children
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son."

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

"A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more."

Reflection
Herod had a pretty good shot at getting Jesus here. There were probably only twenty or so children two years or under in the area at the time. This makes the angels warning even more significant. This number is much smaller than I had always imagined, but it doesn't take away the significance of the pain that families felt. In fact, it seems to make the entire event so much more personal. To be singled out, rather easily, because your children were young.

The death of a child is a significant event. One that can never be lived down. I have witnessed the loss it brings to the lives of parents and my empathy is far from the reality of living through the event itself.

Power is evil when we go to lengths of killing babies. But even against such evil and the death of innocent babies, Jesus life lay ahead. I wonder if at the death of each baby, their spiritual eyes were opened to a Savior. If beyond time each one of these innocents, including the innocents today, see Jesus face and their place in salvation's story. I wonder if they see how lives cut short, play in the role of saving all people. If only we could see the story from another side, would it bring comfort?

I can't imagine any comfort for the present. But maybe in eternity there is an eye opening moment of understanding. I can't imagine any answers here that would suffice any parent. I can only see a Savior in the making with the awesome help of some innocent children.

Prayer
Lord, there is so much beyond my understanding. Be with all parents that suffer the death of a child, comfort them and give them hope... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 27th - Reflection

2011-12-27T04:55:00.000-05:00

John, Apostle and Evangelist
1 John 1:1-2:2 (NRSV)

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life -- this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us -- we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Reflection

The Gospel was no afterthought:
Salvation wasn't an afterthought. This was ready at the formation of the world. God was ready for anything we may do with our freewill. Part of creation was the Word and the Light that would be needed in this world as flesh and blood to save us from sin and death. God wants a relationship with his children. God wants the love of the child and gives love to the child. So...the Gospel was no afterthought.

Jesus is real:
And Jesus is real. Heaven and Earth meet and Jesus becomes flesh. Jesus comes as humankind to save us from sin, death, the devil and our selfishness. Jesus comes as Light and Life to show us the way and the take us back into relationship with God.

We see the Light and Life of Jesus:
As we open our eyes we can't help but to immediately see the Light of Jesus. I have always maintained that it wasn't the star that shone the light on Jesus, it was Jesus that illuminated the star that was pointed straight to Jesus all the time. That's why as the people moved towards Jesus the star continued to point to Jesus. It was Jesus Light that shone in the darkness that lead the people to Jesus as an infant through the start.

We have fellowship with God:
Likewise today, as we believe, Jesus shines his light on and through us and others see us pointing to Jesus. They don't come to us, they go to Jesus of whom we are pointing. It's not about us... it's about Jesus. By pointing to Jesus we aren't attracting followers, we are just telling them where to see Jesus.

Sin:
As the people arrive to Jesus, their sin stands out in boldness before him. They fall humble and repent and Jesus shows each and every one what he has done to save them from sin, death and the devil. And... a star is born. Another person to follow Jesus as disciple, student, and star to point to him.

We are blessed in our relationship with Jesus, the Light and Life of all creation. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, as I follow the Light and find the Life in you, may I go forth with your Light shining brightly my way that as I point to you all those who see will see you and the Life you have to give. Your Light reflects back to your glory and grace... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 26th - Reflection

2011-12-26T11:24:00.000-05:00

Stephen, Deacon and Martyr
Acts 6:8-7:2a, 51-60 (NRSV)

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us." And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Then the high priest asked him, "Are these things so?" And Stephen replied:

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

When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died.

Reflection
I can move and run and dodge God quite a bit. I do this all the time. I rebel against God and don't do God's will many times. I can be as stubborn and stiff necked as anyone else. It's no wonder that the people were mad at Stephen when he told the truth about them and me. I'm guilty of the death of Jesus and in some way or another many others are guilty of Jesus' death also.

But don't take the bitterness of your own sin out against the messenger who is trying to lead you to true life. There is a better way. We all fall short. Stephen, with his witness, was showing the way to Light and Life and the Word made flesh.

Stop... listen... hear the Good News and repent. God is here for you, not against you. And then... take on the bold task of Stephen and profess that Gospel to all the world. You never know who may be turned to the Light.

Prayer
Lord I give you thanks for speaking through your servant Stephen. May we all speak with the boldness you have given Stephen, the life giving Gospel you have given to each one of us... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 25th - Reflection

2011-12-25T07:26:00.000-05:00

Nativity of Our Lord
John 1:1-14 (NRSV)
The Word became flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

Reflection
The Word...the Word through which all was created. The Word becomes flesh. Look! It is Jesus our Savior!

God created through the Word.

This is unique!

Look at Genesis and John. The creation of Genesis. Then ponder the thought John puts forth that the Word already existed. John refers to the Word in the past tense. The Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word is a noun! The Word is the source of life. Life through the Word that I and you may receive.

How life depends on light. This Light comes from the Word. A Light which I need to live. Not to live just in human form on this earth, but a Light that permits me to live spiritually. This Light overcomes the darkness that exists in and around me.

John the Baptist was sent to testify to the Light. John witnessed the Light and told all about this Light. We are all called to testify to the Light which is Jesus. We are all called to by lead by faith and to lead to faith those God gives to us each day and those we may not know that God gave to others.

All light comes through the One True Light being Jesus. This Light, being Jesus comes to all and each of us. The Light of Jesus shines on all people. If we receive this Light we become children of God. This Light that has come from God and in Jesus comes into each who receive the Light.

A Light that is beyond what we can imagine in the natural world has come into our being.

And the Word became flesh! The Word that shed it's Light is Jesus! God has become flesh and is with us! The Word...the Light...in flesh and obvious for all of humankind to see! We have beheld the Light!

Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, you are so mysterious, so profound, so close and so near that you come to me this day. Come as Word... come as Light... come as flesh... come to dwell with me and with all. I have seen the Light and behold... you are glorious... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 24th - Reflection

2011-12-24T16:03:00.000-05:00

Psalm 96 (NRSV)
Let the earth be glad

Name of God:
We can sing endless praises to God. Just take a peek at the smallest of creation and the largest of it all and I am amazed at what God can and has created.

False gods:
But for some reason, I and so many others feel this need to create our own gods. Gods of safety and comfort and well being. Gods of education and money and selfishness. All false gods, none of which can create from nothing anything.

Come praise God:
Once I contrast the true God of all with the false god of the universe and once I try to depend on my own false gods, I come to realize that only God can save me. I fall in praise and honor to the God of my salvation.

The LORD is King:
I realize that the LORD is King not only of the universe but of me and my life. I only have life through the LORD.

God will save all creation:
This One True God will save all creation from itself with himself in Jesus. God and human became one and God came to earth and took on flesh in Jesus to save all.

God will rule and judge:The One True God, Father, Son, and Spirit rules all and judges all. No other opinion counts but that of God. So I humbly love, serve, praise and obey the God I love and the God that loves me.

Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, You have brought endless joy to me this night, when you saw my need, loved me and came in flesh to save me from myself and all I have created. --- AmenO sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Worship the Lord in holy splendor;
tremble before him, all the earth.

Say among the nations, "The Lord is king!
The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
He will judge the peoples with equity."
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord; for he is coming,
for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with his truth.

Reflection

December 23rd - Reflection

2011-12-23T09:46:00.000-05:00

Romans 13:11-14 (NRSV)
Salvation is near
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Reflection
He will come again. Jesus will come again. You know that and so do I. Jesus will come again. Wake up to what time it is. Live the salvation you have received. Put away all those evil desires and selfish adventures. Jesus is coming!

Awake and love one another as we have been commanded. Love and live the life Jesus has called you to live. Help the needy, the sick, the poor. Stop hoarding possessions and live. Jesus is coming. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
God, you come to us in so many ways. You draw near to my heart. I know that Jesus will come again, but today I rejoice that Jesus has come to me and chosen me and called me to live for and in him as he has lived for and in me. Send me forth today, tomorrow and forever to love all those you give to me. --- Amen

December 22nd - Reflection

2011-12-22T05:11:00.001-05:00

Romans 10:5-13 (NRSV)
The word is near you
Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that "the person who does these things will live by them." But the righteousness that comes from faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' " (that is, to bring Christ down) "or 'Who will descend into the abyss?' " (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say?

"The word is near you,
on your lips and in your heart"

(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Reflection
How easy could God have made it for everyone. Believe and be baptized. God comes near to us and draws upon us so closely that his Word is on our lips and in our hearts. God sets it all up so that we really don't have to put any effort into salvation at all. Jesus has done all of the salvation we will ever need. Do you believe that? Let the Word flow from your lips and out of your heart. It's already there after all, God made sure to put it there. Let it flow and let the Spirit of God flow through all your actions in life.

Believe and be baptized...it's all that simple for you and me. But what a price Jesus paid for this! Call on Jesus and see for yourself. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, bless the thousands that will come to baptism this season that all my believe. --- Amen

December 21st - Reflection

2011-12-21T04:33:00.001-05:00

Mark 1:1-11 (NRSV)

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
"See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,' "

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

Reflection
"The beginning of the good news..." And then we read a passage from the Old Testament book of Isaiah proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. The beginning of the good news...

How well we know our need for a Savior. How well we know that we need a beginning of the good news. At some point in our life we start to realize a beginning of the good news but this good news has always been present, even from the beginning. What a thought. It's a thought beyond me. I can only think in terms of beginnings, but God seems to be able to think in terms outside of time. The beginning of the good news was already set and in place for me and you before we even knew about it. But for now let's deal with a beginning we may have a chance at understanding.

The beginning of the good news here started through a man named John. We commonly call him John the Baptist. He proclaimed the coming of the Messiah and prepared the people of the day through repentance and baptism. He announced the coming of Jesus.

People had expected a Davidic like Messiah to come again. A King to rule and take over the governments of the day and rule the world. But Jesus came in the midst of a religious revival. This is not what was expected of the coming Messiah.

This is a change of mind about the Messiah. It was a difficult change of mind for the people of the day. A Messiah that comes from such humble beginnings to rule the world in a way that was unexpected to all. A Messiah that would save all people through his actions of love and grace. A Messiah, not with weapons and forceful rule, but a Messiah that would draw near to us more closely than we could ever imagine.

The beginning of the good news was of Jesus who would come close to all of us and each of us. Close to our hearts and soul to show us how to love one another and radically change the world. A Messiah that would lead us beyond this life to a resurrected life with our God. Now that's the beginning of the good news! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Come Lord Jesus, come... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 20th - Reflection

2011-12-20T04:58:00.000-05:00

1 Samuel 1:19-28 (NRSV)
Hannah presents Samuel to God
They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, "I have asked him of the Lord."

The man Elkanah and all his household went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and to pay his vow. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear in the presence of the Lord, and remain there forever; I will offer him as a nazirite for all time." Her husband Elkanah said to her, "Do what seems best to you, wait until you have weaned him; only may the Lord establish his word." So the woman remained and nursed her son, until she weaned him. When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three year old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh; and the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. And she said, "Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord."

She left him there for the Lord.

Reflection
A sacrifice of a life is made here. A life given to God. It takes a mother to give her only son to God. Hannah exhibits the traits of God the Father in giving her only son. Jesus was given for me and for you. Jesus life was dedicated to me and you to save us from what was to kill us. Samuel was given in service to God to lead God's people and guide them. Jesus was given to us to lead and guide us to new life in him.

Both point to God. Both show the path to the Father. Then we discover that in Jesus we have life and love. We love because God first loved us, just as Hannah loved enough to permit her to give her son Samuel to God, we live to give our sons and daughters and even ourselves to God.

Prayer
Lord, may my sons, daughters, wife and myself always point to you in word, service and love for you and all you give to us day after day. --- Amen

December 19th - Reflection

2011-12-19T04:16:00.001-05:00

1 Samuel 1:1-18 (NRSV)
Hannah is promised a child
There was a certain man of Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

Now this man used to go up year by year from his town to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year; as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?"

After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. She made this vow: "O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head."

As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, "How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine." But Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time." Then Eli answered, "Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him." And she said, "Let your servant find favor in your sight." Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer.

Reflection
Oh to have a son in those times. How much this meant. Even to have a girl would be nice, but to have a son would be grand, even one. Hannah was probably jealous and her desire was even greater when Elkanah went to offer sacrifice. Most of the sacrifice went towards Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, and her children. Elkanah even tried to make Hannah feel somewhat better by offering a double portion.

Hannah wept before Eli the priest to the point that Eli thought her to be drunk. Hannah was in deep prayer for a son. But Hannah did not ask this son for herself only. She asked for this son to serve God. She would only have her son for a little while when the son was young.

Do you see Jesus? God gave his Son to us to live, teach, heal, suffer, die and to rise again. God offered up his Son for you and me. Just as Hannah offered her son to God, we too can offer ourselves, our sons, our daughters, and all people up to God to fulfill the work God has in store for each one of us. Important work that brings life to all the world. As we follow Jesus, we love him by loving others. We serve God by loving others, even and especially the least who are the greatest. What an honor and joy to share with Hannah that gift! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, Hannah wasn't drunk, she was filled with your Spirit. Fill the lives of all that we may reach out in a service of love to those you give to us today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 18th - Reflection

2011-12-18T09:31:00.000-05:00

Fourth Sunday of Advent
Luke 1:26-38 (NRSV)
The angel appears to Mary
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
Reflection
I wonder if Mary thought she was going to be raped? Did she know about the Holy Spirit? She basically asked the angel how she was going to get pregnant since she was a virgin. If she didn't know this "Holy Spirit" maybe she wished him to be hansom. And then she would be overpowered. Will there be two guys? One to hold Mary down and the other to do the act?

All pretty ridiculous thinking, but in some worlds I think it would be possible for one to think these thoughts. I'm sure there are those that know nothing of the Holy Spirit even in Christian countries. I'm sure that some walks of life would lead to this thinking. I'm sure God calls these people to miraculous changes in life that would lead and guide the people of the world.

But this is not the way with Mary. Mary was a child of Jewish parents and born in or around Jerusalem. Her cousin Elizabeth was the wife of Zechariah the priest from a line of priests associated the Abijah. Just with this background alone, I think Mary would know about the Holy Spirit. In fact I would think Mary to be faithful to Jewish customs and culture. So Mary would be surprised and cognizant of what was going on with the angel, but extremely shocked by the message.

So what about this whole idea of the power of the Most High will overshadow Mary? Think back to Exodus and the Tabernacle. Then God appeared to the people in the form of a cloud that would overshadow the Tabernacle. The Israelites always knew God was present with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. So here God would descend upon Mary and overshadow Mary. Mary is called by God for this wonderful purpose of giving birth to the Savior of the world Jesus Christ.

People today are likewise called and overshadowed by the Power of God. God does wondrous things through his people, even those that may not know God. Even those that may think the Holy Spirit is some hansom man coming their way. God has a ways to make the least the greatest and a way to make the lost found.

As God's children we should be joyful, willing and ready to fulfill that call and look forward to that moment, no matter how scary it may be, when God overshadows us and uses us in his kingdom. What joy Mary must have felt when she recovered or maybe recovered enough to praise God for all that has been done.

A Savior is to be born. Born in human flesh. God is coming as flesh and blood to save the world! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
May your power overshadow me this day that I may be a vehicle for all the world to see your saving grace... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 17th - Reflection

2011-12-17T10:32:00.000-05:00

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 (NRSV)
I sing of your love
I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;
your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to my servant David:
'I will establish your descendants forever,
and build your throne for all generations.' "
Selah ...

Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one, and said:
"I have set the crown on one who is mighty,
I have exalted one chosen from the people.
I have found my servant David;
with my holy oil I have anointed him;
my hand shall always remain with him;

my arm also shall strengthen him.
The enemy shall not outwit him,
the wicked shall not humble him.
I will crush his foes before him
and strike down those who hate him.
My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him;
and in my name his horn shall be exalted.
I will set his hand on the sea
and his right hand on the rivers.
He shall cry to me, 'You are my Father,
my God, and the Rock of my salvation!'

Reflection
I heard it just this morning in a closing prayer at our Men's Group meeting. It wasn't sung but it could have been. A prayer of fascination for what God has done for us through the gift of Jesus. Born in this world in humble nature to save all children of God. I could hear a melody in that prayer by our group leader expressing much the same that this psalmist expressed.

God keeps promises throughout all time. God promised that something would develop with the kingship of David forward and into eternity. And then we were given a King. One final King for all time. A King humble in his coming, a King humble in his departure, a King glorious in his resurrection, defeating sin, death and the devil. A King, a Father, my God and the Rock of my salvation! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Hear our song this day of praise and thanksgiving for all you give and do. May we be a blessing to one given to us this day through Jesus Christ, our King, and Rock of salvation. --- Amen

December 16th - Reflection

2011-12-16T04:41:00.000-05:00

Hebrews 1:5-14 (NRSV)
The advent of one higher than angels
For to which of the angels did God ever say,
"You are my Son;
today I have begotten you"?
Or again,
"I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son"?
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
"Let all God's angels worship him."
Of the angels he says,
"He makes his angels winds,
and his servants flames of fire."
But of the Son he says,
"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom.

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."
And,
"In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like clothing;
like a cloak you will roll them up,
and like clothing they will be changed.
But you are the same,
and your years will never end."
But to which of the angels has he ever said,
"Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?
Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Reflection
Makes you think Paul is picking on angels. But in another way the angels have the glorious work that humans long for; they are servants and messengers of the gospel. It doesn't appear to me that angels are in need of salvation. But humans have Jesus.

I'm not convinced the ranking of humans and angels matters or is the point. The point is that God became man in Jesus to save humans from their sinful nature and bring humans back into the fold of the physical and spiritual realm as one with God.

Sure Jesus is superior to angels and humans, and maybe both need salvation to one degree or another, and both of us are blessed. It's not about any act of rank that we may have. It's about the One who leads us, guides us, lives and dies for us that makes all the difference. It's about the love that God has for creation. It's about how we treat that beloved creation, visible and invisible, that spreads the will of God. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, my pecking order is the order you desire for me. It can't be about what I want and how I can gain. You sent your Son to set the example and Jesus leads and guides us along with way. You show us the ones we are to love and respect and serve, day by day. Give me your words and your actions as I meet each person or situation that I encounter this day that I may do your will and serve you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 15th - Reflection

2011-12-15T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hebrews 1:1-4 (NRSV)
In the last days God speaks by a son
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Reflection
Jesus brings God to humankind and humankind to God. God speaks through a man to all of us! What more could we want than for God to become one of us. We can fully understand that can't we? I'm not so sure. But I can definitely relate to Jesus and have faith in all that he has done for me. I can definitely be willing to follow Jesus, since Jesus is God and if Jesus chooses to take me to God in glory, I will gladly go and be obedient to his command.

Now at my level things begin to make some sense. God is creator, redeemer, sustainer of all that can be seen and all that is unseen. And all is sustained by the Word. And the Word comes to life in many ways, through Jesus and the Light and Salvation. God's Word is true and can be trusted. So have faith and believe! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Jesus, as we prepare this Advent season for your coming; come to us in so many ways. Come to us in Word. Come to us in Light. Come to us in the flesh of a child. Come to us in our friend at work, our neighbor, the homeless, the plays, the celebrations and the wonderful worship services. Come, Lord Jesus, come! --- Amen

December 14th - Reflection

2011-12-14T04:17:00.000-05:00

Mark 9:9-13 (NRSV)
Questions about Elijah
As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean. Then they asked him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" He said to them, "Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him."

Reflection
I remember one of Luther's thoughts about reading the Old Testament or the entire Bible after all; read Christ into the Bible. You can find the gospel story all over the place in the Bible, Old and New. This passage is after a few of the disciples had witnessed the Transfiguration and were coming down from the mountain with eyes wide open and the voice of God fresh in their ears and on their brains.

How did Elijah get there? Moses for that matter too? There was no communication from them. They were just with Jesus. Then they hear about the crucifixion of Jesus, in so many words, and that Elijah had after all come as it was written.

Elijah had come in the person of John the Baptist and was rejected and killed and Jesus was going towards that same fate as John. So the story recreates itself with a Savior this time in Jesus... John found his in Ahab and Herod found Jezebel and Herodias.

The Gospel story throughout scripture!All with and only with salvation through Jesus. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, may my life be an extension of the love and grace you offered through the Gospel Story. All about you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 13th - Reflection

2011-12-13T04:55:00.000-05:00

2 Kings 2:9-22 (NRSV)
Elisha receives Elijah's spirit
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit." He responded, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not." As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, "Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.

When the company of prophets who were at Jericho saw him at a distance, they declared, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." They came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. They said to him, "See now, we have fifty strong men among your servants; please let them go and seek your master; it may be that the spirit of the Lord has caught him up and thrown him down on some mountain or into some valley." He responded, "No, do not send them." But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, "Send them." So they sent fifty men who searched for three days but did not find him. When they came back to him (he had remained at Jericho), he said to them, "Did I not say to you, Do not go?"

Now the people of the city said to Elisha, "The location of this city is good, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful." He said, "Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it." So they brought it to him. Then he went to the spring of water and threw the salt into it, and said, "Thus says the Lord, I have made this water wholesome; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it." So the water has been wholesome to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke.

Reflection
I like how Elijah asks Elisha what he can do for him. Did Elijah know that soon he would be taken away by a whirlwind? I have always made this passage a little bit heroic of sorts. As if Elijah rode off on a Chariot of Fire. But Elijah really was taken in a whirlwind and the chariot of fire and horses of fire separated Elijah and Elisha. No wonder they wanted the men to go see if they could locate Elijah. Perhaps he was swept away by a tornado.

I have to think it was the power of the wind of the Holy Spirit that swept Elijah away. I don't have any proof of this and this may be wrong, but it seems sometimes when a very gifted person of God is swept away from us, we quickly learn how to depend on God to lead and guide us. Sometimes we put too much behind following a person that is dynamic and spiritually gifted and become deceived into thinking that we are following God by following this person.

In this case Elisha didn't wish to have all of the characteristics of Elijah, he wanted Elijah's mantle. In the day the mantle or covering was a kind of dress or coat, but it was more than this. A man came to be identified with this covering. It was Elijah's hallmark that possessed power of sorts. Elijah's mantle reminds us of the unfinished business of Elijah and Elisha will now carry on God's call.

Isn't that how the Church seems to work too. The mantle is passed from person to person and God's call and mission continues on. When one servant leaves to be with God another servant steps in to carry the mantle and the Spirit moves forward in power and grace. What a way of life! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, as the mantle is passed may I take it up when called to take it up and serve you boldly and confidently that the Spirit may move and your plan for all creation may proceed... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 12th - Reflection

2011-12-12T05:02:00.000-05:00

1 Kings 18:1-18 (NRSV)
Elijah condemns King Ahab

After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year of the drought, saying, "Go, present yourself to Ahab; I will send rain on the earth." So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria. Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah revered the Lord greatly; when Jezebel was killing off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets, hid them fifty to a cave, and provided them with bread and water.) Then Ahab said to Obadiah, "Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the wadis; perhaps we may find grass to keep the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals." So they divided the land between them to pass through it; Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadiah went in another direction by himself.

As Obadiah was on the way, Elijah met him; Obadiah recognized him, fell on his face, and said, "Is it you, my lord Elijah?" He answered him, "It is I. Go, tell your lord that Elijah is here." And he said, "How have I sinned, that you would hand your servant over to Ahab, to kill me? As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom to which my lord has not sent to seek you; and when they would say, 'He is not here,' he would require an oath of the kingdom or nation, that they had not found you. But now you say, 'Go, tell your lord that Elijah is here.' As soon as I have gone from you, the spirit of the Lord will carry you I know not where; so, when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, although I your servant have revered the Lord from my youth. Has it not been told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the Lord, how I hid a hundred of the Lord's prophets fifty to a cave, and provided them with bread and water? Yet now you say, 'Go, tell your lord that Elijah is here'; he will surely kill me." Elijah said, "As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today." So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah.

When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, "Is it you, you troubler of Israel?" He answered, "I have not troubled Israel; but you have, and your father's house, because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals.

Reflection
Ahab, Obadiah, Elijah and a bunch of horses. There was a drought in the land. Ahab, who was king at the time reached out to Obadiah for help. We had to save the horses. These weren't just a few out back, these were maybe a couple of thousand horses furnished by Shalmaneser III to Ahab. Horses that would tax the land for water and food.

Now Obadiah was favorable to God's prophets. When Jezebel was trying to kill all of the prophets, Obadiah hid them in the Mt. Carmel area most likely, which accounts for thousands of caves and Obadiah furnished the prophets with bread and water.

Ahab and Obadiah split up to find springs of water for the horses. Along the way Obadiah ran into Elijah the great prophet. Elijah wanted Obadiah to tell Ahab that he was here. But Obadiah wanted to protect Elijah from Ahab. Obadiah finally concedes to go and tell Ahab about Elijah. And Ahab and Elijah meet.

Sometimes God's plan moves us to face people we would rather not meet. Sometimes God's plan goes to the people that seem to be the most wicked and perhaps are. But sometimes our meeting with these people changes them. They see God active and change. Sometimes they don't. But our call isn't to make this decision. Our call is to go where we are called to go. I'm sure we would, could and will sometimes come up with a million excuses of why we wish not to meet the person we would rather not meet. But in these times we need to reach deep into our hope and faith that God calls us to important tasks. So we go...

Elijah meets Ahab and we meet someone too... maybe it's not someone but rather something... maybe we meet an addiction... maybe we meet a conflict... maybe we meet a broken relationship... Whatever we meet must be deep in our call from God, not just a meeting to further our own agenda. This is God's agenda and God's plan. Think about it.

Prayer
Lord, when you call me to go into difficult situations or to meet someone that is difficult for me to meet, help me follow your plan and not mine. Teach me to listen to your will and your way and obey. For it is you I trust and it is you I obey, it is you I love and all my hope is in you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 11th - Reflection

2011-12-11T08:45:00.000-05:00

Third Sunday of Advent
Luke 1:46b-55 (NRSV)
The Mighty One raises the lowly
"My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

Reflection
I wonder when Mary sat down to write this passage? Was she alone? Perhaps she was still with Elizabeth. What about the research into Jewish scripture for references? Did Mary contemplate the meaning of Scripture and slowly begin to realize the depth of her pregnancy? Or did the full meaning of giving birth to Jesus set in all at once?

I wonder if the words just flowed, as if Mary was guided by the Holy Spirit? How many times did she ponder the written Word and then take out her own humanity from the words so that this became God's Word. A reference to that very Word becoming flesh and growing and developing right inside of Mary.

What a wonderful feeling this must have been. Not only for Mary but for Elizabeth also. Elizabeth had an important life growing within her also. It's as if both unborn babies had already communicated and were laying out the plan for the salvation of all the world.

I wonder when Mary sat down to write this passage? Was she alone? Perhaps she was still with Elizabeth. I'm sure the Triune God was present then. And all of humanity throughout all time somehow too. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, you always manage to pull off the unexpected. You come to humble creatures and use us willingly to advance your will and your way. What an honor you bestow on your humble, lowly servants. What an event you have in store for us when we come in relationship with you. You are God and greatly to be praised! You have rescued us from our selfish sinful ways and brought us the hope of life. As we go out into the world this day, may your Light shine brightly in the darkness, and if you would shine it right through me... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 10th - Reflection

2011-12-10T10:04:00.000-05:00

Psalm 126 (NRSV)
God does great things for us
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
"The Lord has done great things for them."
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.

Reflection
Life is full of emotions. We can go all over the place with our emotions over various spans of time. One of the best emotions and release of stress for me is laughter. Laughter at the situation, laughter at the release from tears, laughter in the midst of stress and even laughter brought on by laughter of others. But the top laughter is one in which I see the humor of God. Especially when it involves a good laugh at myself. When you see the comedy in your own foolish actions or just the simplicity of thinking that you are more than you really are. God can bring forth some laughter, when we realize that we don't know as much as we thought and that we are humble creatures of God's creation, there is laughter.

One of the most loved pictures in my home is a picture of Jesus having a good belly laugh. I love this depiction of Jesus. I'm sure he found laughter in life as joyous as you or I do. Some day I just want to see Jesus face to face and have a good laugh. What was I thinking! For that matter, Jesus, what were you thinking! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, thanks for that release that laughter brings to life. Our friendship goes way beyond laughter into spiritual joy. Thanks! May I laugh with you and someone you give to me this day. --- Amen

December 9th - Reflection

2011-12-09T05:14:00.000-05:00

Philippians 3:12-16 (NRSV)
The prize of God's call in Christ

Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.

Reflection
This passage reminds me of a scene in life years ago. My sister Becky was playing co-ed softball with the church team. We were all a little too far out of shape and maybe a little too old for softball to begin with, especially Becky.

Becky hit the ball somewhere and was running towards first base. You would definitely say she was "straining to what lies ahead." As Becky was pressing on toward the goal of first base for the prize of being called safe, her head poked out in front of the rest of her body. Becky's neck stretched forward and with her head on top of her neck, her body was being left behind to the degree that she became top heavy not only because of her head but also due to other physical aspects as well. Becky went down! Becky's head skipped along the first base line as the rest of her body followed and crumpled to the dirt behind.

Of course all of the fans rushed to Becky's rescue, while her family looked on and laughed.

But this did demonstrate the point Paul is making in these verses. Even in our imperfect state, we are determined to make to towards that goal. We just can't do it alone. We need Christ, but that does not deter us from straining towards that wonderful and eternal sight God has set for us and the prize that is waiting there. As we fall, we get up and keep towards that goal. I'm not so sure that Becky didn't finish her run to first base after getting up. Way to go! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, may Billy follow Becky and strain towards that goal you have set for all of us... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 8th - Reflection

2011-12-08T04:47:00.000-05:00

Philippians 3:7-11 (NRSV)

The righteousness that comes through faith

Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Reflection
In our baptism we die to sin. And daily we relive our baptism. We die to sin and arise a new person through our baptism. In the waters we go through a burial of sorts. The best example of this is through immersion. We go under the water one way and die under that water. As we come forth we are reborn a new person in Chirst and live a new life. This not only happens at our baptism but it happens daily as we live our lives. We die to sin and arise a new person. We believe in Jesus and our faith grows and our lives change. It's wonderful.

No wonder this passage demonstrates a willingness to let it all go for Christ. What great gain we have as we rise from those waters, leaving the old behind, and rejoicing in the new life. All that matters now is what life Christ has in store for us as we live towards the resurrection and the coming of Jesus once again.

Thus Paul can state, and you and I can state too..."I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead."

Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, each day I relive my baptism with you. As I die to myself in repentance and sorrow, bring me to new life in you that I may serve and love you and those you give to me today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 7th - Reflection

2011-12-07T04:38:00.000-05:00

Luke 1:5-17 (NRSV)
The messenger in the temple
In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

Reflection
The choice of the priest that was given the opportunity to offer incense was chosen by lot. It was by chance. The tribe of Levi had twenty-four divisions. Each division has priestly duties at the Temple for two weeks in the year. The incense was offered twice daily. This opportunity was an honor that may only happen once in a lifetime.

When Zechariah witnessed the angel and the message, a name was given for his new baby. Naming babies was normally the responsibility of the father of the baby. But God took this task, for this baby, John, would be God's responsibility.

We all are given names by our earthly parents. But we are also called and named by God. God calls each one of us to a duty in his kingdom of love and grace. How we respond to this call is of the greatest importance to God. God has taken responsibility for you and me and cares and loves us so much that through the Holy Spirit we are given all we need to fulfill the call God gives.

So go forth called and named by God in bold service of love for God and one another. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, when I come to you and work in this temple you have provided, I listen for you call and your request. You are my Father after all, and I love you. Show me the temple service you would have me to perform that I may show all the world the love you have to give... today... tomorrow... and forever. Come, Lord Jesus, come. --- Amen

December 6th - Reflection

2011-12-06T04:44:00.000-05:00

Isaiah 4:2-6 (NRSV)
God will wash Israel clean
On that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel. Whoever is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, once the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning. Then the Lord will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over its places of assembly a cloud by day and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night. Indeed over all the glory there will be a canopy. It will serve as a pavilion, a shade by day from the heat, and a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.
Reflection
I still have this whole wilderness theme going on in my head from the previous days passages. It's as there is a message here about some new growth taking place and rebirth has taken place in this new branch which has come through the wilderness. This new branch exhibits the beauty of God leading one through the wilderness to a new life, enveloped in that wonderful cloud of God's presence. This place will be for those personally holy and personally saved. A church gathered and covered in God's glory. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, for those in the wilderness and those who have passed through, we all look to that day when we will all be gathered together and covered with the glory of your Light and be infused with the Fire of your love to live in glory. --- Amen

December 5th - Reflection

2011-12-05T04:33:00.000-05:00

Isaiah 26:7-15 (NRSV)
The way of the righteous is level
The way of the righteous is level;
O Just One, you make smooth the path of the righteous.
In the path of your judgments,
O Lord, we wait for you;
your name and your renown
are the soul's desire.
My soul yearns for you in the night,
my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.
For when your judgments are in the earth,
the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
If favor is shown to the wicked,
they do not learn righteousness;
in the land of uprightness they deal perversely
and do not see the majesty of the Lord.
O Lord, your hand is lifted up,
but they do not see it.
Let them see your zeal for your people, and be ashamed.
Let the fire for your adversaries consume them.
O Lord, you will ordain peace for us,
for indeed, all that we have done, you have done for us.
O Lord our God,
other lords besides you have ruled over us,
but we acknowledge your name alone.
The dead do not live;
shades do not rise
because you have punished and destroyed them,
and wiped out all memory of them.
But you have increased the nation, O Lord,
you have increased the nation; you are glorified;
you have enlarged all the borders of the land.

Reflection
When you are in the midst of the wilderness and people are all around you who do not believe in God, if fact they may think that God has put them in this place to punish and insult them and are now angry with God; you cry out to God to come quickly and show you to that place that is straight and even when you know you are on the path God wishes for you to take.

But wait! Maybe God does want me on this mountainous path to suffer with these very same people. Maybe God has set me in this wilderness to proclaim the gospel from within the pain and suffering and anguish and sin. Maybe God wants me to be that voice of hope telling about the salvation of Jesus and how we do have hope to make it to that land where the valleys are low and the plain is level. Maybe... maybe???

Prayer
Lord, bring me the calm and the focus I need in those situations when I am afraid of my surroundings. Make me brave and bold enough to proclaim the gospel in the wilderness to those you give to me each day. --- Amen

December 4th - Reflection

2011-12-04T09:31:00.000-05:00

Second Sunday of Advent
Mark 1:1-8 (NRSV)
John appears from the wilderness
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
"See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,' "
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Reflection
Just take a few verses from Mark and it seems like there is the story of salvation for all people. Almost like the entire story of faith in eight verses.

We start with the beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus always was. I'm amazed at the thought that God had planned our salvation before we were created and Jesus was present. So many thoughts and images of the Bible can float through one's mind at this point I become baffled by my ignorance.

Here we have this Good News starting in the wilderness with a man name John. A sinful man called by God to announce Jesus. How great is that! A man in the wilderness takes me back to the Old Testament and a sinful murderer named Moses in the wilderness called by God to announce to one of the most powerful governments in the world at that time, that God's people desired to go to the wilderness to worship their God.

It seems we meet and form relationships in the wilderness. That's certainly true for me too. When I'm lost in the wilderness of life, I look for God. I discover I can't save myself no matter how hard I try. I need God! That's all there is to it. In all of these wilderness examples, people are in a setting where they draw near to God.

Now weave in the thoughts of baptism. Young, old or whatever age you may be, in your spiritual life, you are in the wilderness. Infant, adult, youth or aged; right before baptism you are in the wilderness of the world, you are in the wilderness of sin, you are in the wilderness of wild living, your are in the wilderness of past and present transgressions. Spiritually you are in the wilderness of being lost in sin to the point that you could never get out of this wilderness without God.

The Greek word for repentance is "metanoia" which originally means a change of mind. But in the New Testament, repentance, takes on a deeper meaning of a deliberate coming to one's senses, resulting in a change of conduct.

In baptism, through repentance, the result is a change of conduct. It's a new beginning. It's another wilderness experience. In the wilderness of sin that we all wander in, through baptism, our conduct changes. We are baptized and become Children of God. Our conduct changes. We live in the wilderness yet we are not permanent residents of the wilderness. There is a Promised Land in sight. Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit we grow in faith and begin that deep relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We hear the announcement of John the Baptist and know of the coming of Jesus. Jesus and the Holy Spirit with God the Father will lead us out of the wilderness as we begin mini new Gospel announcements on our own journey in the wilderness with John the Baptist, announcing to all those God gives to us..."The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." All in the wilderness...all leading to the Promised Land. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, how deep and awesome are Your Words to me this day. Gospel---Repentance---Wilderness---Baptism---Promised Land---Jesus---Holy Spirit---Father. Increase my faith day to day. Complete my wilderness cry to all you give to me that, in the wilderness, they too may repent and be baptized and take on a change of conduct and deep relationship with you. Come, Lord Jesus, come! --- Amen

December 3rd - Reflection

2011-12-03T10:43:00.000-05:00

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 (NRSV)
Righteousness and peace
Lord, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you pardoned all their sin.
Selah ...

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him,
and will make a path for his steps.

Reflection
It sounds more like the reformation of the Garden of Eden. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet. We won't feel the need to know the mind of God but will trust God's guidance and steadfast love to lead us and guide us.

Righteousness and peace will kiss. There will be harmony of all that there is about God with man. Sin will be no more. No more war or disease or death. God is all about the fullness of life and vitality and harmony in our lives together and with God.

And God will look down and say... "It is good!" ... and we will respond, "It is really Good!" Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I look to that day when we will slowly approach that cross, hand-in-hand, with those we love and kneel before you. All around us will be multitudes of your people present and past and some yet to come gathering around that spot that you saved us and brought forth new life out of our sinfulness. Perfect life out of our failures and from our knees we slowly raise our heads and see that awesome Light of your glory shining ever brightly in the face of Jesus. All creation will be new, steadfast love and faithfulness will meet, righteousness and peace will kiss and your Word will proclaim as it did in the beginning... "It is good!" ... and we will respond with a shout... "It is really Good!" And the feast will begin. Come, Lord Jesus, Come. --- Amen

December 2nd - Reflection

2011-12-02T04:41:00.000-05:00

Acts 11:19-26 (NRSV)

The new community called ƒÏChristianƒÏ
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called "Christians."

Reflection

After Stephen's death those Jews that followed Jesus dispersed from Jerusalem and many fled to Antioch. Now living among Gentiles the Hellenists preached Jesus to the Gentile Greeks. The Gentiles believed and faith grew into Gentile disciples of Jesus.The Church grew quickly and those in Jerusalem wanted to see what was going on in Antioch.

Barnabus was sent to check it out and found the Church alive and on fire. Disciples of Jesus among the Gentiles had formed the second church. Here the disciples became Christians or Christ's people.

God does amazing things in places we would never expect. We can't claim God for ourselves and expect God to be our own. God will, if chosen, go to and where he wants whenever he wants and the Spirit will spread the Word to save all people. God created an inclusive Church rather than an exclusive Church. Thanks be to God!

Prayer

Lord, when I pray for your kingdom to come, I pray that it may come to me and that I may take part in your kingdom day by day. A kingdom that spreads farther and wider than anything I could ever imagine. Use me this day in your kingdom that I may do your will today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 1st - Reflection

2011-12-01T04:32:00.000-05:00

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 (NRSV)
Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians
We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

Reflection
When people listen and believe in the grace of faith, hope, and love of Jesus life, teachings, healing, suffering, death and resurrection for the sins of all the world; faith builds in joy and hope and love... and action takes place. When you see imitators of Jesus you can see that they got it.

The Word made flesh has invaded their lives and new lives are formed into actions of the hands, feet, mind, and spirit. A turn to God is made and the old idols of worship of the past are left behind. We look forward to the time that Jesus will come again. What a thanksgiving that will be! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, as we not only hear your Word, may the Spirit fill us with the joy, hope and faith to put that Word to work in this world to love our neighbors as well. --- Amen

November 30th - Reflection

2011-11-30T19:40:00.000-05:00

Andrew, Apostle
John 1:35-42 (NRSV)

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).

Reflection
Previous verses to this passage are an introduction of Jesus by John the Baptist. Here John calls Jesus the "Lamb of God" and two disciples begin to follow Jesus. Not follow in the sense of what we think of as a disciple following Jesus, but more in the sense of walking with Jesus.

As I follow Jesus and look to where he is staying. I find Jesus to spend most of his time with me. I find Jesus staying with me. Not because I'm such a wonderful host. But Jesus stays with me and each of us because of his love for us. I remain with Jesus as Jesus remains with me.

It seems that in this way disciples are formed that follow Jesus' teachings. Disciples discover and tell others to "Come and See!" It turns out that we didn't discover Jesus as much as Jesus decided to be with us, to work with us and to teach us his will and his way.

Jesus decides to show us where he stays. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I'm glad you took this tag along in to show you where you stay... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 29th - Reflection

2011-11-29T05:18:00.000-05:00

Micah 4:6-13 (NRSV)
A promise of restoration after exile
In that day, says the Lord,
I will assemble the lame
and gather those who have been driven away,
and those whom I have afflicted.
The lame I will make the remnant,
and those who were cast off, a strong nation;
and the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion
now and forevermore.

And you, O tower of the flock,
hill of daughter Zion,
to you it shall come,
the former dominion shall come,
the sovereignty of daughter Jerusalem.
Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in you? Has your counselor perished, that pangs have seized you like a woman in labor?
Writhe and groan, O daughter Zion, like a woman in labor; for now you shall go forth from the city and camp in the open country; you shall go to Babylon. There you shall be rescued, there the Lord will redeem you from the hands of your enemies.
Now many nations are assembled against you, saying, "Let her be profaned, and let our eyes gaze upon Zion."
But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them as sheaves to the threshing floor.
Arise and thresh, O daughter Zion, for I will make your horn iron and your hoofs bronze; you shall beat in pieces many peoples, and shall devote their gain to the Lord, their wealth to the Lord of the whole earth.

Reflection
People driven from the land they love to another land. All because of their stubborn separation from God. Only a few will be left and of those, they will be lame. But God has a plan of suffering, exile and then restoration.

When I have stepped away from God this was a choice I have made. God didn't want me to step away. God always wanted me with him. In my stepping away I feel the suffering and exile of my separation from God. I did this to myself. God did not do this to me. In my pride I was too proud to come back to God. It reminds me of the prodigal son. But God is always ready for me to return from a foreign land with open, loving, and so inviting arms of love and joy. And then come that wonderful party of restoration. God the Father is so happy for my return from exile. Once again we are united in the love the Father always had for me. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I long for a steadfast and faithful walk with you. When I wander may I never stray away... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 28th - Reflection

2011-11-28T04:42:00.000-05:00

Micah 4:1-5 (NRSV)
A promise of peace
In days to come
the mountain of the Lord's house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised up above the hills.
Peoples shall stream to it,

and many nations shall come and say:
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths."
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between many peoples,
and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more;
but they shall all sit under their own vines
and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid;
for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.

For all the peoples walk,
each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God
forever and ever.

Reflection
It's so wonderful to have an open invitation for all people to something so wonderful that a few people have witnessed. God is like this. We witness our relationship with God and it's so wonderful we can't help but to invite other's into the same relationship.

When the movement catches on, people flow towards that relationship with God, not one by one, but like a river of water, bubbling over the rocks and tumbling down the falls. We would go through anything to climb that mountain to see the house of God. We would do anything to be with all the people who have discovered the walk with God and one another in their life.

The focus of society would change. Our focus would now be on new life and growth in relationship of love with God and one another. No more reason for fussing and fighting with each other. Our focus would be laser beam on the love of God in and through Jesus our Savior. War is gone and all our efforts would be towards peace and love and helping those in need.

It's so wonderful to have an open invitation that results in dramatic change. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, we hear people speak of change on this earth, yet they speak of small incremental change which in the end sometimes appears to be no change at all. But the change you propose is open to all and the focus is all around the love your have shown us in Christ Jesus. That's change that will change the world. Change that makes so many people excited that they flow like a river to be involved and understand how to emulate that love to you and to all others. Change that brings peace and joy and love. We look to Jesus to see that change and follow him in love ... today ... tomorrow ... and forever. --- Amen

November 27th - Reflection

2011-11-27T09:40:00.000-05:00

First Sunday of Advent
Mark 13:24-37 (NRSV)
The coming of the Son of Man
"But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
"But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."

Reflection
One thing for sure out of these passages is Jesus will come again. The time he will come is uncertain but Jesus will come again. The signs of the nearness of his coming don't lead me to think of any particular time other than anytime. I suppose he will make it clear to me if stars fall and the sun darkens and the moon doesn't shine. But I really don't want to get all caught up in watching and waiting for Jesus coming.

I would rather spend my time walking with Jesus, learning his will and his way and applying that to those Jesus came to save. I would rather not waste time on trying to figure out the day of Jesus return. I would rather not waste time trying to watch everything moment of history on the earth or in the sky in an attempt to figure out the day Jesus will be coming.

I feel as if when Jesus, Moses, Elijah and that other friend come to my door each day and Jesus wants to know if Billy can come out to play...Jesus has come to me. So why worry about what he is going to do with the day. If Jesus decides today is the day for playing in the clouds then let's do it.

I guess my point is this. Just get yourself with Jesus. Do the simple things first. Hear, listen, see and believe in Jesus. Then the Holy Spirit will gift you with all you need and your faith will grow. You will know your call in this life and what steps to take. You won't be the burning success that the world has painted as successful, but you will be a humble servant of God doing the best you can with the gifts you have given that is in need of forgiveness. Your desires will change and you will be content to follow Jesus day after day. Even if Jesus says today it's time we meet in the clouds.

So why try to calculate the day this will happen. You're just going to sound like that Garman in the car when you are lost and so is the Garman... "recalculating"... "recalculating"... "recalculating."

I look forward with joy and thanksgiving to this day in the clouds when I can proclaim all glory and honor to Jesus. But that day is a gift to receive in the future few second, minutes, hours, years or decades. I'll leave that up to God. For now I will praise, honor, and glorify my Savior as he comes to my door each day... "Can Billy come out to play?" Sure! See you later Mom, I'm going outside! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I look forward to your arrival each and every day. I look forward to reliving my baptism with those rich waters flowing and cleansing me in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. I look forward to that sign of the cross on my forehead as I am marked as yours forever. As I remember my baptism and see how through my hearing and listening and believing in Jesus that my faith has grown each day, I look forward to going out to play with you and all you bring along each day, as you teach us how to put hands and feet into the love your have given to all the world. This thing is forever and I give you all the thanks, honor, glory and praise... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 26th - Reflection

2011-11-26T11:08:00.000-05:00

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (NRSV)
We shall be saved
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth

before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
and come to save us!

Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved. ...

But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
the one whom you made strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Reflection
I am focused on the phrase about the Shepherd leader who is "enthroned upon the cherubim" and what thoughts have come to my mind.

When I see the word cherubim and enthroned together I can't help but think of the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. The place where God sits above the two cherubim guards in the presence of the people. So he sits "enthroned upon the cherubim."

As the psalmist cries out from darkness of separation from God, the psalmist cries for the light of salvation from God. A Light from the mercy seat of God depicted as the Shepherd. Then I'm reminded of the passages in the New Testament, especially in John, where Jesus is referred to as the "Light of the world" there are so many various images of light associated with God that it seems to emphasize my fascination with this psalm.

And finally the image of the Shepherd, I'm reminded of the Good Shepherd and Jesus. I think of God's promise that a Shepherd would rise up from the lineage of David from which we now have our Savior Jesus. But the irony of my whole fascination with this one phrase seems to be my realization that in salvation the Shepherd and the Sheep became one, slaughtered upon the cross for the sins of the people. Slaughtered on the mercy seat itself.

I read in a source that one item of the cross commonly used was a little platform placed of the vertical of the cross that was something like a seat which permitted the person being executed to barely sit to allow them to get a breath while hanging from the cross. One of the issues of hanging from a cross was that with arms extended the person would basically suffocate. This small platform would give short relief but was not positioned in such a way that you could just sit there upon it for any length of time. This platform was termed the "mercy seat."

When I take this small phrase from the psalm I am reminded of how Jesus was the Light of the world. I'm reminded of how Jesus light shown brightly from that cross as he gave us life being the Shepherd and the sheep from the mercy seat of the cross that Friday. I'm reminded of Jesus, "enthroned upon the cherubim" and how when I look upon the cross I see Jesus and humbly plead to Jesus... "let your face shine, that we may be saved." Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I'm astounded at the rich meaning that your Word brings to my life. Lead me and guide me that I may see your face shine in all glory, for you graciously came to save me from my sin as you sat enthroned upon the cherubim of that mercy seat. As I see your face shine, may your Light shine in and through me this day to all the world. --- Amen

November 25th - Reflection

2011-11-25T12:29:00.000-05:00

1 Thessalonians 4:1-18 (NRSV)
A life pleasing God to the end
Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that, as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God (as, in fact, you are doing), you should do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from fornication; that each one of you know how to control your own body in holiness and honor, not with lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one wrong or exploit a brother or sister in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, just as we have already told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness. Therefore whoever rejects this rejects not human authority but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do love all the brothers and sisters throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, beloved, to do so more and more, to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you, so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and be dependent on no one.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Reflection
Wow! What a passage! A lesson on living, minding your own business, loving, compassion, working, and waiting for Jesus. God has called us not to live the life of a sinner but to live the life God has planned for us. I'm surely still a sinner, but I'm a forgiven sinner. I can live without the worrying about the ultimate punishment for my sin and walk boldly with Jesus, doing his will and following in his teachings. I don't have the fear and the total focus of my life on attempting to be free of sin because Jesus freed me. So now I can live for Jesus and love others as Jesus loved me. Well isn't that just peachy keen and all Christian like!

For sure it sounds all good, but for me, it's more than words, it's a way to live. It's not a way to be like the Church Lady and put on a show. It's the dirty, down to earth, living with the poor and sinful and sick and needy that makes Jesus real. The bells and smells are fine and needed for worship, but at some time you have to leave worship and walk in the kingdom with God.

Worship is for our falling before God in praise, honor and thanksgiving. Worship is where we meet God in Word and Sacrament. Worship is most vital, but Church is that union with the saints and that union with Christ when we go out into our separate worlds to live the calling God has given to us and use the gifts the Spirit has provided for the love of all people.

And then there is that great day... when we are united with our bodies... and Jesus comes to do the most awesome. When we are reunited in the clouds with all... body and spirit. That rapienur or rapture. The cloud reminds me of God's presence with the Israelites in the wilderness. They were led by a cloud by day and fire by night. The cloud reminds me of the transfiguration when God reunited our faithful Fathers of all times with Jesus. The cloud reminds me of the presence of God.

But until that day I'll wait and serve the Lord, knowing that one day Jesus will be escorted to the earth by His people and all will be reunited in the cloud. Those who died long ago and those still alive. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, hear my praise, honor and glory for all you have done. I worship you as you lead me and guide me and call me day by day and forever. --- Amen

November 24th - Reflection

2011-11-24T11:01:00.001-05:00

Revelation 14:6-13 (NRSV)
Hold fast to the faith
Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth to every nation and tribe and language and people. He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come; and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water."

Then another angel, a second, followed, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."

Then another angel, a third, followed them, crying with a loud voice, "Those who worship the beast and its image, and receive a mark on their foreheads or on their hands, they will also drink the wine of God's wrath, poured unmixed into the cup of his anger, and they will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image and for anyone who receives the mark of its name."

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to the faith of Jesus.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them."
Reflection
The eternal gospel... the last warning given to all people. I can be stubborn at times like all people, but at some time or another you have to repent. You have to admit your sin and repent. You have to seek forgiveness.

And God through Jesus has granted that forgiveness. So, in the eternal gospel, also comes eternal blessings for those who repent. "Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord." Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, what better time than now to listen and believe. What better time than now to repent. What better time than now for faith and love and hope. What better time than now to move from death to life in you. What better time than now! --- Amen

November 23rd - Reflection

2011-11-23T05:01:00.003-05:00

John 5:19-40 (NRSV)
The judgment of the Son
Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.

"Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

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

"If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John's. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent.

"You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Reflection
"Very truly, I tell you..." Jesus is telling me something in which I need to listen carefully and ponder deeply. These are lifetime statements. These are statements directly to my spirit. What unifies the Father and the Son is love. In this love is a full sharing of plans. The Father and Son are together fully on this act that Jesus is about to take. Love for me and all the world. Love that will save all from sin, death and the devil. Love through Jesus from the Father. Love that unifies the Father and the Son with me and all people.

"Very truly, I tell you..." We hear the Word and believe. The hearing and believing lead us through the Son to eternal life in the Son who is in the Father. In the hearing and believing I have a faith that comes to life because I recognize Jesus actions as saving actions. This isn't something I have done. This is faith given to me by God through my hearing and believing. And faith begins to pass from one to another, throughout all the world.

We pass from death to life. The death could be the death of our spirit in the hearing and believing we pass to life in the love of the Father through the Son. In this passing from death to life the Holy Spirit gives us all that we need to act out the love shown to us by Jesus from the Father.

Very truly... hear and believe... see faith grow... see action come through the Spirit in love through you to all the world. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I hear it... I see it... I believe it... I don't understand it... but I feel the faith... I see the gifts... I hear your call each day for Billy to come out and play... use me to show your love to all the world... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 22nd - Reflection

2011-11-22T04:16:00.001-05:00

Esther 8:3-17 (NRSV)
Queen Esther saves her people

Then Esther spoke again to the king; she fell at his feet, weeping and pleading with him to avert the evil design of Haman the Agagite and the plot that he had devised against the Jews. The king held out the golden scepter to Esther, and Esther rose and stood before the king. She said, "If it pleases the king, and if I have won his favor, and if the thing seems right before the king, and I have his approval, let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote giving orders to destroy the Jews who are in all the provinces of the king. For how can I bear to see the calamity that is coming on my people? Or how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?" Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to the Jew Mordecai, "See, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows, because he plotted to lay hands on the Jews. You may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king's ring; for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king's ring cannot be revoked."

The king's secretaries were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day; and an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded, to the Jews and to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, one hundred twenty-seven provinces, to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language, and also to the Jews in their script and their language. He wrote letters in the name of King Ahasuerus, sealed them with the king's ring, and sent them by mounted couriers riding on fast steeds bred from the royal herd. By these letters the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to assemble and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, with their children and women, and to plunder their goods on a single day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. A copy of the writ was to be issued as a decree in every province and published to all peoples, and the Jews were to be ready on that day to take revenge on their enemies. So the couriers, mounted on their swift royal steeds, hurried out, urged by the king's command. The decree was issued in the citadel of Susa.

Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king, wearing royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a mantle of fine linen and purple, while the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. For the Jews there was light and gladness, joy and honor. In every province and in every city, wherever the king's command and his edict came, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a festival and a holiday. Furthermore, many of the peoples of the country professed to be Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.

Reflection
The bravery of Esther to go before the king with her life is rewarded by the King's decision to allow Mordecai to write a new edict for the kingdom. Esther becomes the savior of the Jews. The new edict permits the Jews to defend themselves against those who may decide to enforce the previous edict of Haman to destroy the Jews.

I can see Jesus in these passages. I can see the Father sending his Son into the world to save us from our evil, selfish, sinful selves with a new edict. A new edict of love and life. But this is love and life at the expense of the humiliation, suffering and death of Jesus. Jesus died and rose again and stamped with eternal approval new life in God for all the world.

Like Jesus and Esther, I can step out into the kingdom day after day, as Jesus calls Billy out to play and serve in this new life by feeding others in need, standing with the sick, and visiting the imprisoned and daily taking the love of Jesus to all that God gives to me day after day. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I give you thanks that you visit every day. You visit in the face of the most unexpected. May you visit through me this day as Your love is shared throughout all the world by all your people ... today ... tomorrow ... and forever. --- Amen

November 21st - Reflection

2011-11-21T04:37:00.001-05:00

Esther 2:1-18 (NRSV)
Lowly Esther becomes queen
After these things, when the anger of King Ahasuerus had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her. Then the king's servants who attended him said, "Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king. And let the king appoint commissioners in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in the citadel of Susa under custody of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women; let their cosmetic treatments be given them. And let the girl who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti." This pleased the king, and he did so.

Now there was a Jew in the citadel of Susa whose name was Mordecai son of Jair son of Shimei son of Kish, a Benjaminite. Kish had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with King Jeconiah of Judah, whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried away. Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is Esther, his cousin, for she had neither father nor mother; the girl was fair and beautiful, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai adopted her as his own daughter. So when the king's order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in the citadel of Susa in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king's palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women. The girl pleased him and won his favor, and he quickly provided her with her cosmetic treatments and her portion of food, and with seven chosen maids from the king's palace, and advanced her and her maids to the best place in the harem. Esther did not reveal her people or kindred, for Mordecai had charged her not to tell. Every day Mordecai would walk around in front of the court of the harem, to learn how Esther was and how she fared.

The turn came for each girl to go in to King Ahasuerus, after being twelve months under the regulations for the women, since this was the regular period of their cosmetic treatment, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and cosmetics for women. When the girl went in to the king she was given whatever she asked for to take with her from the harem to the king's palace. In the evening she went in; then in the morning she came back to the second harem in custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines; she did not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.

When the turn came for Esther daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had adopted her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king's eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was admired by all who saw her. When Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in his royal palace in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, the king loved Esther more than all the other women; of all the virgins she won his favor and devotion, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king gave a great banquet to all his officials and ministers "Esther's banquet." He also granted a holiday to the provinces, and gave gifts with royal liberality.

Reflection
I've always tended toward reading these passages as a fairy tale. But on second thought, maybe deeper thought; I feel for the women being hoarded in and taken from family, most likely not willingly, to be paraded in front of the king because of their beauty. Beauty, instead of being an asset has become a reason for humiliation. Sure, if you won you may be queen, but how can you trust this king? Maybe he just wanted to see all the most beautiful women in his kingdom? Just look at the passages preceding and you will discover see his attitude and respect towards women.

But Esther, as a Jew in exile, was lead to see this as an opportunity by Mordecai. If successful, Esther could be a key leader in the rescue of the Jews from exile in Babylon. Esther, with great bravery takes the chance and follows Mordecai's advice.

We all have opportunities that come and go from time to time that enable us to help the larger community. Sometimes we need to be brave and take that step. Sometimes we have been given an asset that God would like for us to apply to the greater good of all instead of keeping that asset to ourselves. Sometimes we need to be that person, like Mordecai, that points out that asset to the person that has it and give a little push. In either case, I think, we are called to use the gifts God has given us to help the greater community in the love of God. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I give thanks for all the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given the church and all it's people. Be with us and lead us and guide us as we use those gifts to further your will and your way in your kingdom ... today ... tomorrow ... and forever. --- Amen

November 20th - Reflection

2011-11-20T09:24:00.000-05:00

Christ the King
Matthew 25:31-46 (NRSV)
The separation of sheep and goats
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Reflection
All those needy people! Not just Christians it seems but all of them. The strangers, thirsty, sick, prisoners, hungry or naked, it seems all people in need. And I'm one of them as well as all those around me, near or far. All people fall in need. This image points me back to the summary of commandments where we are to love God and one another. We are to live and act out the love God freely gave.

The Father sent the Son to save all people from their sin. Jesus took on our sin and died on the cross for our sin and rose in victory over that sin, that death, and the devil. He did this for all people and all walks of faith and life. And then we were filled with the Holy Spirit, taught and given the gifts needed to carry on this love in a world which is not perfect and filled with sin. We are to live and love others as Jesus lived and loved and died for us. Those actions need to be evident in our lives, not just in word but more importantly in deed.

You can't just stand on the corner and thump your Bible. You can't just ring and sing. You can't just sit and hear. At some point, if you really got the message from the Bible, or heard the Word in the song, or was visited by the Spirit in the pew; you will get up and GO. Go and put feet and hands and heart into the grace you have been given by God. You will GO and act out your faith. And that's where great joy takes place. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, your resources are rich and plenteous. As I hear and understand your Word, may my feet and hands and heart itch for action. The action to show the love you have shown to me... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 19th - Reflection

2011-11-19T06:41:00.000-05:00

Psalm 95:1-7a (NRSV)
We are the people of God's pasture
O come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and the dry land, which his hands have formed.

O come, let us worship and bow down,
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.

Reflection
"I just want to be a sheep. Baa baa baa baa."

There is only one God. People tend to worship others things and objects as gods, but there is only one God who saves. God has saved us and is the one God. Look at the world and all that God has created. Peer out into space and see just the beginning of the universe and all that God has created. Stare into a microscope and see life that is smaller than the naked eye and all that God has created. Our God who saved us is a powerful God.

This is only the beginning of the nature of God. Knowing this we should fall to our knees in praise and thanksgiving that this One God would choose to save us! We are truly the "sheep of his pasture" and "the sheep of his hand." Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord I give you thanks and praise and all glory for all you do. You are my God and my salvation. That's awesome! --- Amen

November 18th - Reflection

2011-11-18T04:41:00.000-05:00

Revelation 22:1-9 (NRSV)
Worship God alone
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place."

"See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me; but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your comrades the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!"

Reflection
There in God's Garden stands a tree that heals. Can't you just see Jesus and that crystal clear water flowing? Can't you just imagine that water being the very water you were baptized with? Fresh clear water and your beginning walk with God. Learning all of the Bible stories. Seeing Sunday School Teachers love you and care enough that they would witness their faith to you. Hearing sermons, singing in choirs, plays and growth in catechism. The learning and abundance of healing through this Tree that pours itself out to the point that even it's leaves heal the nations.

And then listen to the sounds of the tree and it's leaves blowing in the wind. Hear the babble of the water flowing. And smell that wonderful smell of new life and listen to the excitement of the people who realize that they are in a place free of pain and only need to worship this awesome Lord and Savior who brought this symbol of a tree of death and recreated it into a Tree of Life and Love. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
"See, I am coming soon..." Come Lord Jesus, come. Come to me this day yet even more gloriously I pray that you would come to this world. You reign eternal. Come, Lord Jesus, come... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 17th - Reflection

2011-11-17T04:36:00.000-05:00

Revelation 14:1-11 (NRSV)
Fear God and give God glory
Then I looked, and there was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion! And with him were one hundred forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder; the voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they sing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the one hundred forty-four thousand who have been redeemed from the earth. It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins; these follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been redeemed from humankind as first fruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found; they are blameless.

Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth -- to every nation and tribe and language and people. He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come; and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water."

Then another angel, a second, followed, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."

Then another angel, a third, followed them, crying with a loud voice, "Those who worship the beast and its image, and receive a mark on their foreheads or on their hands, they will also drink the wine of God's wrath, poured unmixed into the cup of his anger, and they will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image and for anyone who receives the mark of its name."

Reflection
What a song we will sing on this day. An eternal song of our salvation through Jesus. The gospel lives on into eternity. The news is forever good. The Word will reign supreme and all the redeemed will sing a new song.

Even today as children are saved they begin a new song of the redeemed. A new life is given and begins. A new creation begins to grow. We follow Jesus as disciples and are renewed day by day, moment by moment, lesson by lesson, in the love of Jesus. The Spirit is poured down upon us in rivers of waters to enrich our lives. Poured greater than the waters of the Niagara Falls with all the mist, the awesome sounds and the beautiful sights. God richly blesses us.

What a song we will sing on this day! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, as you pour out those living waters upon me and create new life within my soul; may you be pleased to hear my song of thanks and praise... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 16th - Reflection

2011-11-16T04:44:00.000-05:00

Matthew 24:45-51 (NRSV)
Parable of the unfaithful slave
"Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked slave says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Reflection
It's a great time in the service of the Lord to be awarded further responsibility when you have been blessed by the Spirit to complete a great job. God gives us all the tools and talents we need to do the job. We need to make the effort to put those tools and talents freely given by God to use to the best ability we can.

It's an honor and a joy to be a servant in the kingdom of God. It's a blast of fun when Jesus shows up at your door each day with a few or a host of saints and invites you out to play in his kingdom. What an honor and joy this is. And just like a bunch of kids we get to laugh and play and giggle and tease and roll around in this world having fun while serving God. It's a great time in the service of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, may I use all that you have given to me to go in your love to love my neighbor... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 15th - Reflection

2011-11-15T04:14:00.001-05:00

Zechariah 2:1-5; 5:1-4 (NRSV)
Visions of mercy and judgment

I looked up and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand. Then I asked, "Where are you going?" He answered me, "To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length." Then the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him, and said to him, "Run, say to that young man: Jerusalem shall be inhabited like villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and animals in it. For I will be a wall of fire all around it, says the Lord, and I will be the glory within it." ...

Again I looked up and saw a flying scroll. And he said to me, "What do you see?" I answered, "I see a flying scroll; its length is twenty cubits, and its width ten cubits." Then he said to me, "This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land; for everyone who steals shall be cut off according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears falsely shall be cut off according to the writing on the other side. I have sent it out, says the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of anyone who swears falsely by my name; and it shall abide in that house and consume it, both timber and stones."
Reflection
This new Jerusalem being rebuilt at the time was perhaps, in this vision, even another Jerusalem. A city that God would inhabit that had no boundaries and that all in it would have to appeal to the law to inhabit. A new city opened to you and me that we could only enter through the blood of Jesus. Jesus shed his blood and gave his life that we too may have life and inhabit this wonderful city without bounds. God will rebuild the city destroyed by mankind and make it a city to be inhabited by all his people who trust, hope, worship, believe and serve him. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, forgive me for the destruction I have caused. Open wide your city that I too may enter through the blood of Jesus. Your love is amazing. Permit me to joyful union with you and all the saints... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 14th - Reflection

2011-11-14T04:32:00.000-05:00

Zechariah 1:7-17 (NRSV)
God's judgment and mercy

On the twenty fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah son of Iddo; and Zechariah said, In the night I saw a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen; and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. Then I said, "What are these, my lord?" The angel who talked with me said to me, "I will show you what they are." So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, "They are those whom the Lord has sent to patrol the earth." Then they spoke to the angel of the Lord who was standing among the myrtle trees, "We have patrolled the earth, and lo, the whole earth remains at peace." Then the angel of the Lord said, "O Lord of hosts, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which you have been angry these seventy years?" Then the Lord replied with gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. So the angel who talked with me said to me, Proclaim this message: Thus says the Lord of hosts; I am very jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion. And I am extremely angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was only a little angry, they made the disaster worse. Therefore, thus says the Lord, I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion; my house shall be built in it, says the Lord of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. Proclaim further: Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity; the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.

Reflection
A night vision of some colored horses. People coming to protect God's people. Perhaps they were angels. Red of battles and bloodshed, white of victory and peace, and reddish brown of confusion in the aftermath. But a promise of prosperity from God. It's going to get better. It gets better when we trust in the Lord. Endure the battle, it will get better. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, sometimes life is a battle. We all deal with pain and illness and suffering. But as your children, we also live in the hope and joy that it will all get better. Stay the course and know that the battle has been won by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I will gladly endure the battle, it will get better, and you have great plans for me today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 13th - Reflection

2011-11-13T04:18:00.002-05:00

22nd Sunday After Pentecost
Matthew 25:14-30 (NRSV)
Slaves entrusted with talents
"For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master replied, 'You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Reflection
When God gives us spiritual opportunities we need to take advantage of those opportunities and use them to the fullest creating an abundance of grace. What God has given each one of us does not really belong to us. I deserve nothing and likewise for yourself. But God has given us a chance at life. Through Jesus we have been saved from death. And as we live this life and the Spirit gives us gifts we should surely make the effort to love, praise, and serve out God with all of our might. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
As I go out this day with the gifts you have graciously provided, teach me and show me how to put these gifts to the best use in your kingdom... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 12th - Reflection

2011-11-12T04:41:00.000-05:00

Psalm 90:1-8 [9-11] 12 (NRSV)
Number your days
Lord, you have been our dwelling place

in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

You turn us back to dust,
and say, "Turn back, you mortals."
For a thousand years in your sight
are like yesterday when it is past,
or like a watch in the night.

You sweep them away; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning;
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.

For we are consumed by your anger;
by your wrath we are overwhelmed.
You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

( For all our days pass away under your wrath;
our years come to an end like a sigh.
The days of our life are seventy years,
or perhaps eighty, if we are strong;
even then their span is only toil and trouble;
they are soon gone, and we fly away.

Who considers the power of your anger?
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. _

So teach us to count our days
that we may gain a wise heart.

Reflection
My days are numbered and so are yours. Just look at it, we live a few years and return to dust. We live and we love and we make our attempt at life and die. Only God lasts forever. God seems to go on and on and on. Yet this is the very gift Jesus gave to us through his gracious and loving act on the cross and his resurrection. Jesus gave us some sort of eternal life. We don't fully understand it yet, so we have to accept this gift in faith and hope that God's love overcomes all evil and pain and death. Maybe our days are numbered, but God gets to number them however God chooses. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, as I count my days, I give every one to you. Count as you please and use my days as you see fit. May I be faithful and obedient to your call.... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 11 Reflection

2011-11-11T04:27:00.000-05:00

Revelation 16:8-21 (NRSV)
The judged curse God
The fourth angel poured his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch them with fire; they were scorched by the fierce heat, but they cursed the name of God, who had authority over these plagues, and they did not repent and give him glory.

The fifth angel poured his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness; people gnawed their tongues in agony, and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and sores, and they did not repent of their deeds.

The sixth angel poured his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up in order to prepare the way for the kings from the east. And I saw three foul spirits like frogs coming from the mouth of the dragon, from the mouth of the beast, and from the mouth of the false prophet. These are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. ("See, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and is clothed, not going about naked and exposed to shame.") And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Harmagedon.

The seventh angel poured his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a violent earthquake, such as had not occurred since people were upon the earth, so violent was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. God remembered great Babylon and gave her the wine cup of the fury of his wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found; and huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, dropped from heaven on people, until they cursed God for the plague of the hail, so fearful was that plague.

Reflection
Wicked rise up to challenge God. It's hard for me to fathom why this would occur. But for some reason, some people tend to challenge God's authority and power and rule. I realize we all do this in one degree or another, but this seems to point towards a day of no return for this people. They are taking a stand against God and really sticking with it.

I'm just thankful for my walk with God. I run away at times in my sin but have always returned. Or I have noticed that God returned to me and welcomed me into his arms.

Prayer
Lord, be with those who seem to be stuck in this "no return" place. Open their minds to see your saving grace that we may welcome them as your children in grace once more. --- Amen

November 10th - Reflection

2011-11-10T04:42:00.000-05:00

Revelation 16:1-7 (NRSV)
God's judgments are true and just
Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, "Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God."

So the first angel went and poured his bowl on the earth, and a foul and painful sore came on those who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped its image.

The second angel poured his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing in the sea died.

The third angel poured his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say,
"You are just, O Holy One, who are and were,
for you have judged these things;
because they shed the blood of saints and prophets,
you have given them blood to drink.
It is what they deserve!"

And I heard the altar respond,
"Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty,
your judgments are true and just!"

Reflection
A generation of people who have been inspired by the devil are sent plagues. I can't help but think back on the plagues of Egypt when the Pharaoh wouldn't let the Israelites go to worship God. But here the people are worshipping the devil and don't want to return to God. So God's punishment and judgment is dealt.

Here is the sad result of those who choose to run from God. Choose to run from the Savior. Choose to remain entrenched in sin. It doesn't need to be this way. But this is a result of choice that God has given all. Some will choose just for the sake of choice. Some will choose out of a stubborn heart. Some will fall prey to the empty promises of the devil.

How it saddens my heart to see these stray. If only I could do something! But something has been done. God gave his only son in Jesus to these very people to have eternal life. God gave all.

Rejoice in Jesus. Rejoice in the wonderful acts of the Father. Rejoice in the gifts and movement of the Holy Spirit. And pray for those deep in this choice. Reach out in love and understanding, but don't fall in the trap. It's all about God's salvation alone. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, may I hear and heed the warnings that you give. Lead me in the way you would want me to go so that I may never mislead another. You are the way and the only way to salvation. As we look forward to the unfolding of your kingdom make me a part of that joy and work day after day. --- Amen

November 9th - Reflection

2011-11-09T04:44:00.000-05:00

Matthew 24:29-35 (NRSV)
My words will not pass away
"Immediately after the suffering of those days
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from heaven,
and the powers of heaven will be shaken.

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see 'the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven' with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Reflection
Pretty confusing language and message. I take it to mean that we should be ready for Jesus to return at any moment. In fact, I like to pray for his return. I know that when Jesus returns all will be well. For those who believe have no fear of any of the things said here. Instead we have a joy in knowing that we will continue to serve God. So if I serve God here on earth and proclaim his awesome message of salvation or serve God in another situation, I take comfort that I will continue to serve God.

So, hey, as this one guy used to say, let's go plant a tree today. We could even serve God this day as we wait for his return, watching, waiting, and always prepared. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Seasons come and go, governments come and go, the world continues on and people live and die, but you alone and your promise of salvation through Jesus brings life to all the world. Teach me, show me, lead me, and let me try out all you would have me do in this world as I live life eternal with you. --- Amen

November 8th - Reflection

2011-11-08T05:01:00.000-05:00

Joel 1:1-14 (NRSV)
Call to repentance

The word of the Lord that came to Joel son of Pethuel:

Hear this, O elders,
give ear, all inhabitants of the land!
Has such a thing happened in your days,
or in the days of your ancestors?
Tell your children of it,
and let your children tell their children,
and their children another generation.

What the cutting locust left,
the swarming locust has eaten.
What the swarming locust left,
the hopping locust has eaten,
and what the hopping locust left,
the destroying locust has eaten.

Wake up, you drunkards, and weep;
and wail, all you wine-drinkers,
over the sweet wine,
for it is cut off from your mouth.
For a nation has invaded my land,
powerful and innumerable;
its teeth are lions' teeth,
and it has the fangs of a lioness.
It has laid waste my vines,
and splintered my fig trees;
it has stripped off their bark and thrown it down;
their branches have turned white.

Lament like a virgin dressed in sackcloth
for the husband of her youth.
The grain offering and the drink offering are cut off
from the house of the Lord.
The priests mourn,
the ministers of the Lord.
The fields are devastated,
the ground mourns;
for the grain is destroyed,
the wine dries up,
the oil fails.

Be dismayed, you farmers,
wail, you vinedressers,
over the wheat and the barley;
for the crops of the field are ruined.
The vine withers,
the fig tree droops.
Pomegranate, palm, and apple --
all the trees of the field are dried up;
surely, joy withers away
among the people.

Put on sackcloth and lament, you priests;
wail, you ministers of the altar.
Come, pass the night in sackcloth,
you ministers of my God!
Grain offering and drink offering
are withheld from the house of your God.

Sanctify a fast,
call a solemn assembly.
Gather the elders
and all the inhabitants of the land
to the house of the Lord your God,
and cry out to the Lord.

Reflection
Listen to the Word of God. Don't just lay around in sin and have a pity party for yourself. Listen to the Word when you have been stripped bare and are open for all to see. Stop, pause and listen.

Then do something. cry out to God for the help that you need. Get together and come to God with others. Sanctify a fast and cry out to God for help.

Sometimes we have to realize the situation we are in and seek the help that we need. First turn to God for help then use those God has given you, family, friends, church. Listen for the Word spoken from God in the Bible and through the sacraments and through those gifted with the Word. Seek the Lord for Jesus alone is your salvation. Then follow the lead of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit guides you to those with godly gifts that will help in time of need. Listen to the Word of God.

Prayer
Lord, when the locusts come, show me what to do and where to go. Lead me back to you on the path you would have me take ... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 7th - Reflection

2011-11-07T04:38:00.001-05:00

Amos 8:7-14 (NRSV)
A famine of hearing God's word

The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob:
Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.
Shall not the land tremble on this account,
and everyone mourn who lives in it,
and all of it rise like the Nile,
and be tossed about and sink again, like the Nile of Egypt?

On that day, says the Lord God,
I will make the sun go down at noon,
and darken the earth in broad daylight.

I will turn your feasts into mourning,
and all your songs into lamentation;
I will bring sackcloth on all loins,
and baldness on every head;
I will make it like the mourning for an only son,
and the end of it like a bitter day.

The time is surely coming, says the Lord God,
when I will send a famine on the land;
not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the Lord.
They shall wander from sea to sea,
and from north to east;
they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord,
but they shall not find it.
In that day the beautiful young women and the young men
shall faint for thirst.
Those who swear by Ashimah of Samaria,
and say, "As your god lives, O Dan,"
and, "As the way of Beer sheba lives" --
they shall fall, and never rise again.

Reflection
Sometimes we have it so nice that we think we don't need anything else. Sometimes we make the mistake that we don't need God. After all, we earned all that we have and we can make it on our own. So we stray away. But something comes along and brings us back. It could be almost anything. Something comes along that we find out we can't solve on our own. Our pride is burst and we fall to despair. Past rescues from God come back to visit and in our selfishness we learn the lesson of the Israelites. We can't do this on our own. We can't live on without God. So we run to God to find God was always there, waiting in love, waiting with open arms of welcome. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, may I always stay by your side. May I learn the lessons you teach and understand your love a little better each day that I may go out and love those you give to me each day. --- Amen

November 6th - Reflection

2011-11-06T07:54:00.000-05:00

21st Sunday After Pentecost
Matthew 25:1-13 (NRSV)
Wise and foolish bridesmaids
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Reflection
In some ways we wait for Christ with our lamps lit. We long to meet him and walk by his side. We worship Christ professing his awesome glory and power. We become spiritually prepared through our devotion of hope, faith and love for God.

The source of preparedness isn't something we can pass from person to person. We certainly can tell about how God has given us faith. We certainly can tell the world about what Jesus means to the world and to each one of us. We certainly can tell those we see how God has impacted our lives and how God has saved us. But we can't pass that personal touch God has for us individually from person to person.

No doubt God reaches out to us in a corporate manner. God reaches out to all the world. We confess to God not only our corporate sins but also our personal sins unique to each one of us. But this passage seems to reflect to me something different.

When spiritual crisis occurs in our life, when we have all fallen asleep, when the crisis strikes for those spiritually prepared the source of faith, hope, and love sustains us. This preparation is not something we can share with another that doesn't have this source at hand. How do people handle a crisis of death, pain, suffering and disease without God? No, doubt, at least for me, this would be something I couldn't fathom. Their oil wasn't there after the flame went out. There wasn't any belief or even preparation that Christ would come.

For sure Christ will come. He will come to you in a personal and a corporate way. Tell the news to all so that they can believe and make preparations. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, prepare me for your coming. You come to me each day and knock on my door. "Can Billy come out to play." And you will come to all of us some day to judge the living and the dead. You will come and take us to that great feast. Prepare me for this day. Each day as I walk, run and play with you teach me your will and your way for my life, that I may be prepared. And show me how to reach out to all you give to me with the message of your faith, hope, and love for their lives, so that we all may be prepared for that feast to come. --- Amen

November 5th - Reflection

2011-11-05T07:19:00.002-04:00

Psalm 70 (NRSV)
You are my helper and deliverer

Be pleased, O God, to deliver me.
O Lord, make haste to help me!
Let those be put to shame and confusion
who seek my life.
Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who desire to hurt me.
Let those who say, "Aha, Aha!"
turn back because of their shame.

Let all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you.

Let those who love your salvation
say evermore, "God is great!"
But I am poor and needy;
hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay!

Reflection

Sometimes you reach the end of your rope. You don't know what to do next. A note of urgency. Seems like at those times you are most vulnerable in many ways. Frustration sets in and words and fur fly. Things are said that are mean, inappropriate, and hurtful. And then...

The great and awesome pause. I think it might be the Holy Spirit that leads you to the pause and the prayer and the opening of your eyes. You realize that this situation is beyond yourself. You realize that the solution is outside of yourself. You realize that you are not the savior with a small "s" and that you can't fix everything.

So you pause and you pray. You appeal to God. You confess your sin. You confess your pride and fall humble before God and seek help. Help in any form, any time, any place. You seek help from God as God sees fit to help.

You turn it over to God and ask God to show you that next step you need to take. The great pause...the great prayer. That peace in the midst of the turmoil. You listen and you wait...

And you realize that salvation belongs to God. That God is great and God is your help and deliverer. You realize that in this seeking of God you can finally rejoice and be glad...even in the midst of the storm of confusion, anger, pain, and life...with God you can rejoice.

You listen and you wait...

Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, lead me through those times I need the great pause, to listen and wait and rejoice in your salvation. --- Amen

November 4th - Reflection

2011-11-04T04:36:00.000-04:00

Revelation 9:13-21 (NRSV)

Unrepentant humankind persists in sin
Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." So the four angels were released, who had been held ready for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, to kill a third of humankind. The number of the troops of cavalry was two hundred million; I heard their number. And this was how I saw the horses in my vision: the riders wore breastplates the color of fire and of sapphire and of sulfur; the heads of the horses were like lions' heads, and fire and smoke and sulfur came out of their mouths. By these three plagues a third of humankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths. For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they inflict harm.

The rest of humankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands or give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their fornication or their thefts.

Reflection

God doesn't give up even with the evil left. Wanting them to repent of their murders, sorceries, fornication's or thefts. People were still worshipping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood.

We try so hard to be our own god. I can do this myself! No you can't! You can't save yourself. You need God! You need help! God is ready and willing to help.

Let us children of God reach out in mighty ways to those in need of help. Let us reach out with the hand of God and offer help in many and various ways. We can reach out with a helping working hand, a voice or ear of compassion and love, a hand that gives of the gold and silver, we can reach out in so many ways to show how God has helped us in our need and gave us new life from sin. Demonstrate the love of God in Jesus so that many can see how simple it is to give yourself away.

Prayer

Shake me up to see the times when I'm stubborn and try to do it all on my own. Break down my pride that I'm willing to reach out for your help. Only you can save me, Lord. I offer myself to you to be an instrument of your love that reaches out to those in need... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 3rd - Reflection

2011-11-03T04:46:00.000-04:00

Revelation 8:6-9:12 (NRSV)
The trumpet of God's judgment
Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets made ready to blow them.

The first angel blew his trumpet, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were hurled to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea became blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many died from the water, because it was made bitter.
The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light was darkened; a third of the day was kept from shining, and likewise the night.
Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew in midheaven, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!"

And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit; he opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given authority like the authority of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to damage the grass of the earth or any green growth or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were allowed to torture them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torture was like the torture of a scorpion when it stings someone. And in those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will flee from them.
In appearance the locusts were like horses equipped for battle. On their heads were what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces, their hair like women's hair, and their teeth like lions' teeth; they had scales like iron breastplates, and the noise of their wings was like the noise of many chariots with horses rushing into battle. They have tails like scorpions, with stingers, and in their tails is their power to harm people for five months. They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon.
The first woe has passed. There are still two woes to come.

Reflection
A vision of some horrible things happening to people who do not believe. But also a vision that isn't so far fetched from the Egyptian plagues. The first four trumpets blasts bring about these plague like warnings. Then the fifth trumpet brings the demon locust.

God is so loving that he goes to extremes in trying to convince all peoples to believe in him and to permit all of us to worship and honor only him. God wants us badly. God wants our love.

The proof is in this world and the beauty of all that God has created. The proof is in the body, blood, life, ministry, teaching, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus for all our sin. The proof is in the gifts freely given by the Holy Spirit to enlighten us to the love of God through Christ Jesus and the action of the Holy Spirit in the lives of all saints.

God has lovingly proved good. But we have a response to make. We can run from the horrors of the plague and believe in God or we can continue to believe that we can save ourselves and try to defeat these demonic looking plagues. If we run to God we will see life as it is to be. If we attempt to endure we will be swallowed up in the very evil we are trying to defeat on our own without God.

There is a choice here. I choose God. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, you have shown endless love and mercy. I treasure all the grace you have shown me through life. But most of all I have fallen in love with you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 2nd - Reflection

2011-11-02T04:54:00.000-04:00

Matthew 15:1-9 (NRSV)
Lips that misrepresent the heart
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat." He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' But you say that whoever tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,' then that person need not honor the father. So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said:

'This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching human precepts as doctrines.' "

Reflection
We tend to take it and bend it around and rationalize it until it comes out that we are always in the right and doing what needs to be done. Humans are very cleaver in attempts to prevent losing any face in a situation.

Here Jesus approaches us with just this thought. It's not how cleaver our explanation is about what we need to change that we don't wish to change. It's about the results of the change that if made can bring.

Will our lips and the words we speak be demonstrated by our actions? If we have faith in Jesus, our actions will follow. If we believe, will we worship with a heart that has all intentions to act out the worship that we proclaim. Are we real or are we fake? Are we disciples of Christ ready to walk the path or just some people ready to wear a tiny silver cross around our neck and under the shirt?

May the heart of Christ within each of us lead us to action in the Word. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, as I follow you help me to understand the times when you make it real. Help me to understand those things I need to do to follow up on your teachings. Help me to love others as I love you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

November 1st - Reflection

2011-11-01T04:40:00.000-04:00

All Saints Day
Revelation 7:9-17 (NRSV)

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying,
"Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing,

"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and might
be to our God forever and ever! Amen."
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?" I said to him, "Sir, you are the one that knows." Then he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
For this reason they are before the throne of God,
and worship him day and night within his temple,
and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;
the sun will not strike them,
nor any scorching heat;
for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Reflection
Wow! What a scene! We finally figured something wonderful out! Salvation belongs to God, not to me or you, but to God. Salvation comes from believing in God. So we praise God at a great festival of light.

He that sits on the throne causes his Skekinah to abide upon them. God's presence among men. A great white light that penetrates and bounces back and forth all over all of us present at this time, filling us with the presence of God. A heavenly vision of what is to come. all with Jesus at the center to lead and guide us and wipe all tears away.

Wow! What a scene! All Saints Day. A reunion in heaven to look forward to in the hope and grace of what Christ has done for us. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, shine this day through me that I may proclaim the great feast to come. Shine through me that I may be given the words to say and the actions to take to show the love you have given to me. What hope and glory you have given to all the saints this day. --- Amen