Listen!

Colossians 1:15-28

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. 21 And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him— 23 provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. 24 I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. 25 I became its servant according to God's commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Reflection

Paul writes to these Christians that are in the face of a Roman power that demands an allegiance to the government and the governing authority. A Roman power that even exalts the leader to the form of a god. This is the context of this scripture.

Yet Paul tells the Colossians  that another authority is rather over all things. Jesus is the image of God the first born of all creation. In Jesus everything comes into place... all creation. Even the Roman government? Even ISIS? Even the governments of the world today?

Well sort of... but God isn't pleased to dwell in our sinfulness... no matter how hard we try to make it right... the only true dwelling with God comes through a reconciliation that comes through God in Jesus Christ.

So some of the things of this world don't seek reconciliation... they don't turn to God... evil exists and we are in this world alongside God with all of it. We are presently in the context of this world all of the time.

So we listen. We listen in this passage to a new way. We pull ourselves back for a moment from this world's evil forces and listen to the Word.

Jesus makes us holy through his death. Jesus makes us holy and blameless and irreproachable before God... provided... that we stand with God in faith. Here we stand in faith and hope of all God has done in Jesus. Not what we do ourselves. Not what our worldly thinking of any political stand or thinking of our own could ever accomplish through our own misguided action. We stand in faith and in hope for all God has done.

Are we to not act then? No... we are to act. But we act through what God guides us to do. And here we must... must... stop... stop... and listen. We may act in such a way that we believe God is speaking to us but rather that we are acting in such a way that we think God has told us to act in the way that we wish to act. Whew!

We listen to Jesus... we follow his way... and realize that Jesus' way comes with suffering... it comes with hope... it comes with joy... it comes with life... it comes with resurrection. A resurrection out of the dead and evil of ISIS, terrorists, death, pain, false leaders and our own sinfulness. We listen to something completely different in the way of Jesus. We listen to a God that gives all for all so that all may live... all may live. Yes God died for ISIS, terrorists, presidents we like and presidents we don't like. God dies for all people of all walks of life. It's not our choice... that was God's choice.

So we listen in hope, we listen in faith, we listen as Paul states above...

" I became its servant according to God's commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,  the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints.  To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ."

Listen!

Music

Prayer

Lord, open my mind and my ears to hear you through all the chaos of this world. Hover over the waters of chaos this day and bring us finally to that glorious day when we will see you face to face... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

Who, me?

Psalm 15
Who Shall Abide in God’s Sanctuary?

A Psalm of David.
O Lord, who may abide in your tent?
   Who may dwell on your holy hill?

Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,
   and speak the truth from their heart;
who do not slander with their tongue,
   and do no evil to their friends,
   nor take up a reproach against their neighbours;
in whose eyes the wicked are despised,
   but who honour those who fear the Lord;
who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
who do not lend money at interest,
   and do not take a bribe against the innocent.

Those who do these things shall never be moved.

Reflection

Wow, I'll never be able to attend worship if I have to meet all of these requirements!

God's tent and holy hill bring to mind the Tabernacle and the Temple. Who can go into those places?

If we do go into those places would we see God face to face?
I think maybe we would.

Would I be worthy to enter one of those places? Would I be clean?
I don't think so; not on my own efforts, I'm sure I would fail all of the requirements.

So now what? Will I ever see God?
I have! God comes to me in Word and Spirit and Sacrament. God comes to me in the flesh of people I would least expect and in flesh of those I would expect. God comes to me in the daily miracles of life and God comes to me in death. Yes... I see God!

So, can I enter?
I sure can! God opened wide the Holy of Holies and tore open that curtain to expose God to me and to all creation at the death of Jesus on the cross. God forgives sin. God defeats evil, death and the devil for me and for all people so that we can see God face to face.

Yes, I can enter into worship with God and see God. I can enter as clean as a whistle because of what God has done. I can enter and see God without the burden of sin. I can enter the Temple, the Tabernacle, the Worship Service, the Heart, because of everything God has done.

Do you believe it?
Yes!
God came to this earth in the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. He lived, he healed, he taught, he suffered, he died and he rose again.
Jesus came and called disciples to witness to his love. Disciples like you and me. He called us one on one and one on all to walk in his presence and to follow his call for each of us and for all of us.
Believe it!

Thanks be to God!

Music

Prayer

Lord, as I enter into your presence, take me as I am. Show me your way. Hear my prayer and lead me and guide me in the path you have planned for me... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

Cheaters!!!

Amos 8:1-12

1 This is what the Lord God showed me—a basket of summer fruit. 2 He said, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A basket of summer fruit." Then the Lord said to me, "The end has come upon my people Israel; I will never again pass them by. 3 The songs of the temple shall become wailings in that day," says the Lord God; "the dead bodies shall be many, cast out in every place. Be silent!" 4 Hear this, you that trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land, 5 saying, "When will the new moon be over so that we may sell grain; and the sabbath, so that we may offer wheat for sale? We will make the ephah small and the shekel great, and practice deceit with false balances, 6 buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, and selling the sweepings of the wheat." 7 The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Surely I will never forget any of their deeds. 8 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? 9 On that day, says the Lord God, I will make the sun go down at noon, and darken the earth in broad daylight. 10 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. 11 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. 12 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.

Reflection

"Buford doesn't look so good." My daughter Sarah responded to me when I noticed that Buford was out of his little igloo home in the middle of the day. Normally Buford, the hamster, sleeps all day except for a drink and to go to the potty and he runs all night in his wheel. But Buford is old for a hamster... really old. Later that afternoon Buford died in Sarah's hands as she cuddled him. It was a sad time.

The Scripture above contains two types of passages. First we witness a story in the form of a vision. This is followed by an announcement of judgment from God.

We have summer fruit contrasted with "the end." At first it doesn't seem that these two thoughts go together but in the language of the day "summer fruit" and "the end" sounded very similar. What's the similarity?

It seems to me that all over the Scriptures, God loves to use opposites that link together somehow. When I think of "summer fruit," I think of good things. When I think of "the end," I think of things unknown and scary. Summer fruit, I can visualize. The end, I can't see.

With this in mind, I'm led into the judgment portion of this passage.

The judgment part of this passage seems to be about cheating people. Cheating people, especially the poor and needy out of their money. Sounds familiar thinking of the environment that we live in today. Today, it seems, we see the rich cheating the poor... housing crisis. We also see the poor cheating the rich with fraudulent claims for welfare, social security, disability and such.

And now the judgment... through our deeds... none of us can claim we are an exception to this... we are all guilty of this... God changes our feasting into mourning, our songs into lamentation and terribly the time will come when we won't hear the Word.

Will God bring this on? I'm not sure about that. It seems to me that the judgment is more a result of our own cheating one another and our failure to listen to God. It seems to me that God is telling us the results of staying on the same path of sinfulness. It seems to me that God is warning us to stop it and turn from our sin. It seems to me that God is telling us to listen carefully to the Word.

So, what about Buford?

God placed in our care the animals. However, it seems to me that the animals take better care of us than we do of them. Buford never seemed to want to hurt anyone, unless he felt threatened. He lived his life and gave love to the people around him. Sarah and Kaiya, Bubs, myself and even Bryan would take time to feed Buford and supply water. Buford lived his live and we all watched and loved Buford. And then Buford died. Tears were shed.

I can't see any reason that Buford would bring a judgment of sinfulness on his part. In fact, Buford lived a life that was honest. No cheating... no sin (that I could see)... yet still Buford died. And there is that contrast... Buford lived a good life yet still he died.

Like Buford, we are placed on this world together as Christians for a purpose. All creatures will praise God and all creatures are here to please God. So...

I'm reminded of this passage which seems to address Buford, you, me, Christians and the Church.

2 Timothy 4.1-5
4In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. 3For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. 5As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

We are here for a reason. We are here for a purpose that God has given to us. We are here for God. In life and in death we belong to God. What more could we want?

Thanks be to God!

Music

Prayer

Lord, open my eyes to all of your creatures. May I see the service and joy that they bring to you. Fulfill in me your hope of a life lived to bring you glory. Fulfill in me the love I have for you and the love you would have me to give to those you bring to me. You show life through death and light through darkness and forgiveness through my sin. May I always pause and listen to your Word... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

Run!

Genesis 18:1-10a
1 The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. 3 He said, "My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." 6 And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes." 7 Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. 9 They said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." 10 Then one said, "I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son."

Reflection

"May I help who is next?"

I heard this last night from a girl working behind the counter at Graeter's Ice Cream. She was very nice and helpful. I paid for the ice cream cones and some cookies and sat down to eat.

In this instance of help, I had to stand in line and wait my turn. I also had to pay. As I think back upon this experience and think about the Scripture above, questions and contrasts come to mind.

• The Lord appeared to Abraham... did the Lord appear to me?
• Abraham saw three men and ran to them... I had to wait my turn.
• Abraham didn't want these visitors to pass by without the chance to serve them... no money required.
• The three men gave Abraham the opportunity to serve... does God likewise give me the opportunity to serve?
• Abraham was excited to serve! Was the girl behind the counter that excited to serve?
• The men left Abraham with a promise. Does God give me a promise?

Did the Lord appear to me? Well maybe. I met another child of God. She was working. She was serving for a wage. Would she serve freely? Probably not. But in some way, even in this girl, there is a creation of God. A bit of God's handiwork before me. How can I deny that I didn't see a little bit of God... maybe more than I could perceive.

I'm excited to see how Abraham responded to the men. But then I think of the context of this passage. Abraham is resting in the shade after having been circumcised. He got up and ran! Really? Abe... take a break after all! But Abraham responded through the pain to see God in the flesh of these visitors. No waiting your turn... if I see God... get up and go! Even if the little guy hurts some. It's God I serve not the other way around! Oh, how I want to serve God in some way... in any way!

God gives us the opportunity to serve... the privilege to serve... the honor to serve. We respond to God; we don't work to gain God's approval, rather we respond to God's grace. We respond to his gift of salvation. We respond to God's promise. We respond to God because of what God has done for you, me and all of us. We respond out of love for God. We respond to serve God and to serve one another in all of our needs. We respond because of God's love.

There is no way we could ever repay God for what God has done for us. Look how this passage ends... God grants life to Sarah and Abraham through the impossible womb of time. I'm sure both Abraham and Sarah couldn't see the gift of life that God was about to grant from the old tomb of Sarah's womb.

Yes! There is a promise! There is a promise of life from the dead. Waaay before Jesus was born from Mary... God came to this earth and blessed Abraham, Sarah and you and me with life from the tomb of a dead womb. God gives life eternal when we may only see death.

And here... here... we see God. Life from death, pain, suffering. God grants us life! Thanks be to God!

Music

Prayer

Lord, open my eyes to see you. To see you in all those who serve, to see you in the stranger, to see you in the traveler and to see you in the promise of life from death. May I run to serve you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

Hospitality

Luke 10:38-42
38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."



Reflection

"Have you already had something for lunch?"

My son, Bryan, called me yesterday morning or maybe early afternoon. He wanted to know if we wanted to go out to lunch with him and my daughter-in-law, Becky. Sue, Sarah and I were just beginning lunch and declined. Later in the afternoon we met Bryan and Becky at our house for conversation and catching up on the activities of our vacation.

The Scripture above seems to speak to hospitality. A welcoming hospitality that we, as Christians, need to offer to all people. We need to be especially hospitable to those unlike ourselves such as the foreigner. We need to be hospitable to those of different faiths, different orientations and different opinions from our own. Yes, as Christians, we are to be hospitable to all God's people in this world he created.

No, we don't need to agree or be like the other person in any way. God has created us to be unique. We seek the will of God not the approval of man. We are different for sure and we can be hospitable.

Bryan was seeking to be hospitable after my return from a few day get away.

In hospitality we see two forms as exemplified by the Scripture above. Mary was hospitable and truly blessed by stopping all and listening to Jesus spoken Word. She gave Jesus her full attention.

Martha, likewise, was hospitable by springing into action to serve Jesus and bring comfort.

Hospitality combines both of these traits to bring forth a witness of love to the guest. Yes, Jesus commended Mary for choosing the "better part" and stopping all the things of this world to focus on the Word. I think in this is the stopping. We stop to offer hospitality but when our focus centers on our busyness, we miss the central point of hospitality. We miss the focus on our guest.

Yes, Bryan, Becky and myself, Sue and Sarah did come together in hospitality. A hospitality of coming together in conversation and relationship of love and listening.

You never know. Just as Jesus was traveling along the road in that day and as he stopped for the hospitality offered from Mary and Martha; we too may welcome Jesus into our homes. May we, as Christians be hospitable to all God's people both in contemplation of the spoken word and in actions of love.

Music

Prayer

Lord, open my mouth, my actions and my home to be hospitable to all the people you have created... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

???

Luke 10:25-37

25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" 27 He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." 28 And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." 29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30 Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, "Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Reflection

"Questions... questions... questions." I can hear my high school Chemistry teacher, Mr. Goldsmith, say that even now. It seems the above passage is full of questions. Questions from the lawyer answered by questions by Jesus and then a parable ending with a question.

"What must I do...?" It seems that it all begins with something to do to achieve something else. Something that we think we can do... but can we really do it properly? Do we really love God with all of our heart, soul and strength? Do we really love our neighbor? Be honest with yourself. Be honest with God. I know that I want to... but... I don't. I don't always love God... and I certainly don't always and sometimes never love my neighbor.

So... now what? Another question. Questions... questions... questions. Jesus tells me a story and from my perspective it all gets worse. Would I really help this guy? Would I pass by? Well... maybe sometimes... maybe not.

So... now what? What would Jesus do? WWJD...

So... up to this point... I'm a miserable failure at this whole eternal life thing!

So... I go back to the story. It seems like the Samaritan is like Jesus to me. Now that thought in itself would be a horrible thought to bring up in Jesus' time. The audience were Jews... they hated the Samaritans. Jesus was a Jew. How dare Jesus take on the skin of a Samaritan... even in a story? So... I think my thought of the Samaritan like Jesus would have gotten me thrown over the cliff and stoned to death.

But... here I am today and I don't think I'm going to be stoned for my thought. You see, the Samaritan had the compassion and mercy of Jesus. The Samaritan rescued the fallen man from death and paid for his care. The Samaritan saved the fallen man.

So... maybe it's just like Jesus did for me, a fallen man. Jesus had compassion on me and mercy on me and paid the price for me to save me.

Yes I fail the test, but Jesus saved me anyway. It wasn't about me doing all of the right things and saying the right things; it was about Jesus having compassion on me and mercy on me and saving me.

Questions... questions... questions. How do I respond? I go and have compassion and mercy on all of God's people... that's ALL people. Because... sometimes I think that when I look into the eyes of the one on the side of the road... I may be looking into the eyes of Jesus. Jesus who suffered and died for me and for all people who lie on the side of the road and all people who pass by and those who, like Jesus have compassion and mercy.

I don't worry about when I fail but I certainly tell about how Jesus has had compassion and mercy on me and saved me!

Thanks be to God!

Music

Prayer

Lord, forgive my failure to follow your commands and lead me to follow you. Show me the way to have compassion, mercy and a giving heart to all people and all creations. Correct my steps along the way and teach me to do your will. Today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

Peace

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2 He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, "Peace to this house!' 6 And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9 cure the sick who are there, and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you.' 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 "Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.'

16 "Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me." 17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" 18 He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Reflection

They went out together and they came in peace. That's not typical thinking in today’s environment it seems. Our knee jerk reaction is to go out and if we are not accepted or we are threatened, we blow the hell out of them. We want to settle things by carpet bombing. At what point do we reach this conclusion? At what point do we “blow the hell out of them?” At what point do we carpet bomb?

Did we ever come in peace?

Jesus sends these disciples out ahead of himself to every place he intended to go. Jesus wasn’t going somewhere to be the typical king of that day. Jesus was heading on a mission of death by crucifixion, pain, denial, betrayal, the tomb and resurrection. This was not the way or the path that any of his disciples who were now going ahead could have even guessed.

Jesus did not plan on “blowing the hell out of them.” Jesus did not plan on carpet bombing anyone. Yet Jesus was going into the same dangers that we go into today.

Jesus sent them in peace. If accepted… great! Stay in peacefulness with your host. If rejected… leave in peace. Know for sure that this peace is an eternal peace. A peace that passes understanding. Jesus’ peace is something beyond our definition of peace.

Today we face the terrorist. The terrorist does not come in peace. The terrorist comes in judgment and death to the stranger and the friend alike. The terrorist comes to us with hate and death and the glory of martyrdom in mind. How do we respond to this? In peace? I don’t have the answer to this type of one coming to another. Just as I can’t understand Jesus’ peace; I likewise am unable to understand the hate of the terrorist. I can’t understand the mission of Jesus and I can’t understand the mission of the terrorist.

What I do seem to take from this passage is that the great harvest of God of all time will not produce the fruit of hate. The harvest will produce peace. Peace that only God can give. Peace that comes with and through Jesus release of all creation to salvation in Jesus suffering, death and resurrection. Jesus gives us the peace of salvation. Jesus brings peace in this work of hate, carpet bombs and blowing the hell out of one another. Jesus steps in the midst of our chaotic, sin filled world to bring a harvest of peace.

Music

Prayer

Lord, open my eyes to walk in the way of peace. Give me the understanding to respond as you would respond. As I walk the dangerous path that you walked in life may I see beyond the sin. May I see beyond the terror. May I see beyond the manipulation and evil intentions. May I see the mission of following you through your plan and direction for me. Forgive my hateful, judgmental and evilness and place me in your path of peace that only you can give. May the fruit I bear at the great harvest be peace... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

Large Letters

Galatians 6:[1-6]7-16

[1 My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. 4 All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor's work, will become a cause for pride. 5 For all must carry their own loads. 6 Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.]

7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. 8 If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. 11 See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. 14 May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! 16 As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Reflection

So there I was for all the world to see. I was there from the hand of Paul. Bold and beautiful for all the world to see. I was there in a form that proclaimed something wonderful that everyone should know. Yes, there I was on record to proclaim a new creation. Yes, I was there for all to see and proclaim a new creation. A creation that came from the deadly cross of Christ. The deadly cross of Christ which now stood bold and beautiful to new life and salvation. I was only there to point to the Father, Son and Spirit in salvation.

Yes, I was bold and beautiful. God was there to turn death into a new creation of life. There I was from the hand of Paul, the large letters that I am.

Thanks be to God!

Music
Chris Tomlin - "I Will Boast"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwDMMVsbCkI

Prayer

Lord, take my tongue, take my fingers, take my mind and my soul. Make me large and make me bold and make me beautiful. Make me into a new creation that boldly proclaims to all the world your saving power. Today, tomorrow and forever... --- Amen

August 2nd Reflection

Ephesians 4:1-16 (NRSV)
​Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said,
"When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive;
he gave gifts to his people."
(When it says, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love.

Reflection
Yes, we are One. We are One together and we are One apart. For in our Oneness we are in Christ.

We are not One like some thing is one. We are not boring or even all the same.

We are One in our unity in Christ but so different one from another.

This is the beauty of the Church of God. There is variety and application of all sorts of blessings through our One Lord.

Christ draws us together in the unity of the cross and in the fulfillment of the resurrection. All of our unique skills, abilities, callings and blessings, work together for One. That's with a capital O for the Oneness of God.

Even as we peer into the mystery of the trinity... God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit all different yet all One; we can see the workings of God in the life of the Church in this world that is leading to that glorious Church eternal.

What a glorious day for each and for all when the baptized realize the beauty of each special life, each child of God that will be part of the ONE.

Thanks be to God!

Music

Prayer
Lord, lead us in faith and works to the ONE you would have each of us be in you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

August 1st Reflection

Psalm 78:23-29
​Yet he commanded the skies above,
and opened the doors of heaven;
he rained down on them manna to eat,
and gave them the grain of heaven.
Mortals ate of the bread of angels;
he sent them food in abundance.
He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
and by his power he led out the south wind;
he rained flesh upon them like dust,
winged birds like the sand of the seas;
he let them fall within their camp,
all around their dwellings.
And they ate and were well filled,
for he gave them what they craved.

Reflection
Oh the manna and the quail. How abundantly does our God rain down upon us blessing.

Lord, give us this day our daily bread.
Yes, our daily bread; all that we need to live this life on earth and all the we need to live life in eternity.

God gives us not only what we need to sustain our bodies, such as food and clothing and the money necessary to our needs. God also blesses us with livelihood and friends and family of all types.

God provides for all of our needs. God even gives us graciously, salvation. Salvation from sin, death and the devil.

Oh... the manna and the quail.

And how God rains down all of this on all people. Not just some of the people but all of the people.

See how this blessing was provided to all the Israelites in the wilderness. Those that followed in God's commands and those who didn't.

Our God is a God of abundant grace and blessing to all.

Now what? How do you respond to such blessing?

Clear your doubt for a moment and reach out in the same love God has shown to you and to  all the people in your life with abundant and gracious blessing.

Not so easy? Not at all! Think of blessing those you hate! Think of blessing and providence for those you can't stand!

Yes, if we are to respond, we are to open our minds and our wills and our ways to all the people.

After all... isn't that what God has done for you?

Thanks be to God!

Music
I Am The Bread Of Live~Suzanne Toolan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuxJ8bcHTbQ

Prayer
Lord, how we hunger for the "bread of angels." As you rain down upon us the gracious bread and wine and as we partake of your body and blood; may we go forth fully fed to serve and love in abundance all you those given to us... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

April 5th Reflection by Bill Lynch

John 20:1-18
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.
 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Reflection
Mary only saw the stone rolled away! What did she assume? She ran to tell the disciples. It wasn't until later that Mary looked into the tomb to see. Was this her first time looking into the tomb? Did she take a peek inside before running to the disciples? Or did Mary just assume that since the stone was rolled away that Jesus was gone?

I don't know and can't tell from reading this passage. But I can relate to Mary and what she felt and did. Many times in my life the stone has been in the way of my seeing and understanding the call and message that Jesus has for my life. Many times I see the stone rolled away and forget about my encounter with Jesus and run to tell someone else what I assume to be the message.

But then also many times I go back to that tomb. I go back to the place that the stone is rolled away. I go back to death and the dead of my spirit and find Jesus. How did the stone roll away? It was Jesus. It was Jesus that rolled the stone of death from my heart to expose himself in life to me and to call me and stop me and make me lay down. Jesus stops me and shows himself to me and fills me with his Spirit that I may rise to new life in him. That I may hear his call. That I may respond to what God has chosen for me to do in this new life... in this resurrected life... in this life only made possible because Jesus chose to love me and to love all people enough to roll that stone of death away and expose all creation to a new and resurrected life.

Hear the voice of the Teacher call out your name to live the resurrected life in and through him.

Christ has risen!
He has risen indeed!
Alleluia!

Music
IN CHRIST ALONE by Adie Camp & Geoff Moore
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OFwy93NfNs

Prayer
Lord as I see the stone rolled away. As I witness the empty tomb. As I remember the curtain torn in two. As I see you exposed in life to all the world... may I proclaim your glory... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

February 22nd Reflection by Bill Lynch

Mark 1:9-15
 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.’
 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
 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.’

Reflection
"...he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending..."

Sounds so much like the curtain torn apart at Jesus crucifixion! In Jesus baptism we already have God in the form of flesh with us, and now we have God in Spirit descending upon this world onto Jesus. God in flesh, God in Spirit, God in Creation... all at one in the world God created. God has become one with what God created  in the beginning. Through the baptism of Jesus we have a completion of God among the created.

Yet also as the curtain to the Holy of Holies was torn at Jesus death on the cross; the creation becomes open to heaven. Humanity and earth are open to God. A completion and a defeat of sin, death and the devil. And God is pleased.

Yes, God is pleased, not due to any action I have taken or ever could have taken. Rather, God is pleased because now what God has created, God has saved and made one with God.

But here in this passage of Scripture; Jesus receives the Spirit and is thrown into the wilderness for a long time to deal with Satan. If it were I dealing with Satan, I would lose the battle. But, thanks be to God, Jesus dealt with Satan in my place and defeated sin, death and Satan. All out of love for me, for you and for all people.

And in this is the kingdom of God... near... believe it!

Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVIU_K2nBVY

When Jesus comes to be baptized

Prayer
Lord, thank you for this gift of love. Love that carries me to my death in baptism to new life in you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

February 21st Reflection by Bill Lynch

1 Peter 3:18-22
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight people, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

Reflection
"He descended into hell." Or, maybe you prefer to hear it put "He descended to the dead."

Christ suffered for our sins to have this privilege. A privilege? Well maybe more a mission or God's plan. God loves us so much that God suffers for our sins and comes to us even in our death. God comes to us in our sin. God comes to us in this fallen world and in our fallen lives to save us. Yes, Jesus was put to death in order to gain the privilege, the opportunity, complete the mission, of making proclamation to all the spirits in prison and to proclaim a life that brings a huge change... a new life... to all of us who are dead.

In and through our baptism we are claimed and named Children of God. We are chosen and called and brought up in a new life. We come out of the water in death to new life in Christ. We open our eyes and our spirits to hear Jesus proclaim to us something new and something different. Jesus died and rose that we too may die and rise to new life in Christ.

Think about it... just think about that awhile... "He descended into hell... He descended to the dead." For me, for you, for all, past, present and future.

Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfB5wn1egZw
Here is our King - David Crowder Band
Prayer
Lord, give me pause... real silent pause... to think about how you descended into hell... descended to the dead. May I realize that that was for me. Yes, dear Lord, you wait patiently.... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

February 18th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
‘Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

 ‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
 ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
 ‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Reflection
Face it and be humble. Humility is a trait to be desired. Having hope in something other than yourself is a great place to start.

You are a child of God. God loves you. Both of these statements are true. But they are also true of all humanity. God created all that exists. All we have is a gift from God. The good, the bad, all of it is a gift from God. How can the bad be a gift from God? When you fast it hurts. You are weakened in one sense but strengthened in another sense. You realize what gifts God has given you and you appreciate God's presence in those gifts and in your life that much more.

So, today. as we remember the words... remember you are dust and to dust you shall return. Let us feel the grit of the pain that came shortly after the celebration of the palms on Palm Sunday as we rejoiced in Jesus trip into Jerusalem those many years ago. And let us remember the sacrifice that Jesus paid for all humanity. All of us... not one is left out in this sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross.

Yes, we feel the grit and see the dark ash of palm leaves mixed with that same baptismal oil and a different kind of cross is placed upon our forehead. A black cross that reminds us of death and pain yet salvation and love.

That's how the bad can be a gift from God! What God has done for you and for me and for all the people of this earth yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever has changed from bad, to good and gracious love. Not through what we have done. But through what God has done.

So we seek to know God. We seek out God with thankful yet penitent hearts. We remember yet we live out the hope. We wander in the desert knowing the hope of God will be before our eyes.

Even as we feel that mixture of the ashes of joyous palm leaves and the oil. Let the grit upon our foreheads become the oil of our baptism in eternal life through Jesus our Savior.

Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rR_Rdb1CTE
Chris Tomlin - I Lift My Hands

Prayer
Lord, as I remember let me live out the hope you have prepared for me... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

February 16th Reflection by Bill Lynch

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,
‘At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
   and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labours, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honour and dishonour, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Reflection
Now is the time. Today is the day. Accept the grace of God through Jesus. For Jesus became sin for you and for me. Jesus, who did not sin, became the sin that you and I had been born into and have become all wrapped up in, to give his life, in our place. Jesus became my bloody and ugly sin. Jesus took on my sin and your sin so that we could live forgiven in this world and the world to come.

Yes, through Jesus we have eternal life in our one life here in this place, to continue life with Jesus in eternity. So the time is now. The time is today. The place for eternity is here. Whatever may come our way we can live out salvation through God's gracious act in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Through death we come to life and through life we can live to die.

It won't be easy. We will still suffer. We will face many hardships but whatever we face we know that in salvation we live forever in the hope of Christ and the promise of life. Yes in this contrast we may have nothing but have everything.

So live your eternal life here and now. Proclaim Christ and his glory to all the world. Show the love of Jesus as you live out your eternal life beginning now. Boldly live life in service to God knowing the grace of Jesus dwells in you and frees you to proclaim this gift offered to all people.

Now is the time. Today is the day. Accept the grace of God through Jesus.

Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSjHCn4JCDU
Jesus Messiah - Chris tomlin

Prayer
Lord, as I live out this eternal life you have given to me, may I show your glory to all those you give to me... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

February 15th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Mark 9:2-9
 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
 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.

Reflection
Have you seen the bright light shine through the candle? Perhaps the candle was inside a container with decorative colors. Have you seen the bright light of the candle shine through all of the colors of the candle container?

Have you ever sat in the dark and watched the light of the candle? That light appears, and is, very bright in the midst of the darkness.

Have you been to the homeless shelter and heard the stories told by the homeless and seen the bright light shine through the one speaking? Have you been to the prison and heard the dreams of a prisoner and seen the bright light shine through the prisoner? Have you been to visit someone in the hospital and heard the hope of healing and then seen the bright light shine through that very same person speaking as they lay in the hospital bed?

Have you seen the bright light shine through the one working at the food pantry? Have you seen the bright light shine through that person delivery Thanksgiving Baskets to the needy? Have you seen the bright light shine through the one serving at the soup kitchen? Have you seen the bright light shine through the one teaching?

Have you seen the bright light of Jesus at your door with Moses and Elijah and someone else? Have you heard the voice of Jesus invite you outside to play?

Have you ever thought of the light of Jesus shining through you? Shining through your flaws and sinfulness to make a beautiful array of colors to those who you see Jesus in you from the inside out?

We may not have seen a transfiguration like Peter. We may not have seen the Light of Jesus in the midst of the cloud as the Israelites witnessed in the desert.

But we can see the bright light of Jesus shine through so many people in our world today.

Look around and you will see the Light of Jesus shining. Look around and you will see the Light of Jesus making the flaws of this world beautiful. Look around and you will see the bright Light of Jesus making something wonderful from the inside out of a friend, a stranger, a fellow disciple.

Just look around and you will see the Light of the Transfiguration.

Look to the saving and gracious Light of Jesus and you will see life... eternal life. Life that only God could grant through Jesus.

Just look and see!

Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2QzIPx59I0
"Shine Through Me" Music by Rev. Michael Gott

Prayer
Lord, as I look to you each day, may your Light shine through me in all that I do and say... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 7th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Psalm 29
A Psalm of David.

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
   ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
   worship the Lord in holy splendour.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
   the God of glory thunders,
   the Lord, over mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
   the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
   the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
   and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
   the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,
   and strips the forest bare;
   and in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
   the Lord sits enthroned as king for ever.
May the Lord give strength to his people!
   May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Reflection
The voice of the Lord... How do I hear the voice of the Lord? Have I ever heard the voice of the Lord? When have I heard the voice of the Lord?

The psalmist speaks often about the voice of the Lord. Even part of this entire blog-site is based upon... How do you hear God speaking to you? How do you hear the voice of the Lord?

The voice of the Lord has spoken to me in the words of Scripture. Perhaps more clearly the Word of Scripture. The Word made flesh. I hear the voice of the Lord speak to me in the sacraments of Baptism and Communion. I hear the voice of the Lord speak to me in the words of so many people in congregations and churches where God is present through the Pastors, the Lay people, and in so many and various ways. I hear the voice of the Lord speak to me in plays, in puppets, in music, in the reading of scripture, in the homeless, in the prisoners I meet, in those people who are the lowliest of society the voice of the Lord speaks to me. I hear the voice of the Lord speak to me in the quiet and contemplative moments alone in nature. I hear the voice of the Lord speak to me in the mighty winds and in thunder and the roar of the ocean.

How many ways do you hear the voice of the Lord?

But it there seems to need to be a time to stop it all. To stop it all and reflect on the voice of the Lord and to listen carefully to the message God has graciously given to each of us and uniquely given to each of us in the voice of the Lord. We must pause and ponder and reflect and hear the calling, the direction, the instruction and the action or no action that God wants us to heed.

Yes, even at the baptism of Jesus, we hear the voice of the Lord call out to all the people. A voice that stops us in our tracks and a voice that calls us to stop and listen.

Yes Lord! Jesus is your Son! Yes Lord! Jesus is your Chosen! Yes Lord! Jesus is our Savior!

As I hear your voice oh Lord... hear my voice of praise and thanksgiving.

The voice of the Lord. Stop... look... listen... hear and understand what it is God is causing you to see... deep within.

Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwsvqVmFV6Y
Voice Of Truth - Casting Crowns

Prayer
Lord, give me pause to hear your voice and heed your call and do your will... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

January 5th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Genesis 1:1-5
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Reflection
Something out of nothing. A formless void. Try to picture a formless void, something without contents and empty and at the same time formless. I can't even grasp it in my own mind. On top of it all this formless void was darkness. And then God sends a wind to sweep over the face of the waters and gives this formless void light.

There is something to this wind and light that is special. Both come from God and the wind sweeps over the waters and the light separates itself from the darkness that brings a contrast between dark and light, morning and evening.

How can I not help to think of my baptism. In the formless void of the dark waters of my baptism; God brings forth something new. Something newly created that involve God's Word, water, and as I rise out of the waters of baptism, new light and new life. And in this rising from the darkness of the water is my first day. Your first day. The first day of life having been reborn out of the darkness. I rise all wet and with the new life only God can give. The first day...

And in this passage comes to mind baptism, water, and God the Creator, God the Light of the world in Jesus and God the Holy Spirit in the wind; all coming together to create a new life in the baptism of individuals and the baptism of this world and all that exists.

Listen...

Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q_FTRNTDbU
Born Again by Third Day

Prayer
Lord, as I rise this day, may I recall my baptism and the life you so freely give to me to be in your presence. May I feel the Light of your grace as I rise from death to new life in you and may this be the first day of new life serving you and those you give to me... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 25th Reflection by Bill Lynch

John 1:1-14
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
Imagine a time and a place before there was time and space. You can't! I can't! I don't know who can? But in this passage I have to think deep and think of this time and this space. Something I can't think of.

And then just the Word... Logos... God's voice or command or promise. All in the beginning. Rather "a" beginning. A beginning that brought forth life just from God's Word or Logos. And everything... everything I can imagine comes into being and life. All time and space comes forth from the Word of God and sheds Light into all that I can fathom and even the things I can't fathom.

And this Light... this Word... this Logos... this Jesus... this Savior is born into this world and into the hearts of all those who believe. All there before I can even imagine anything or even there before I can't imagine nothing. All there before I can do anything about it even. All life through Jesus who came into what he created just for you and for me and for all life... Jesus became flesh full of grace and truth.

"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."

Just think of it... or don't think of it... whichever... just believe!

"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."

Thanks be to God!

Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiA_fVoqe04
The Word Became Flesh

Prayer
Word... Light... Jesus... you have come to me and to all the world. Let your light shine in the darkness of this world to proclaim life... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 24th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Luke 2:1-14
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

Reflection
Last night my grand-daughter Kaiya was in bed with me watching a movie I had recorded, "The Nativity." Of course, I fell asleep but when I woke up I kicked my knee up into the air and my knee blocked Kaiya's view of the TV. She immediately yelled, "Peepaw! Put you knee down! I want to see Jesus!" I looked at the TV and the scene was just at the moment of Jesus birth and Kaiya didn't want to miss seeing Jesus.

What Kaiya said to me reminded me of what a church friend of mine, Herb Neve, said one time in response to a question that I had asked all of the Saturday Morning Men's Group about what would be the first request they might have when they were in heaven. Herb loudly and boldly stated... "I want to see Jesus!"

So as I reflect on the passage of Scripture above, I come to the same conclusion... "I want to see Jesus!" I imagine that the shepherds may have had the same words upon their lips as well... "I want to see Jesus!" And that they did! Was this Jesus, this Savior, this Messiah all that they expected to see? I don't know. But when the angels come and praise God in your face and in your heart; I'm sure it lends credence that this Jesus came into this world just as God had planned. In a manger and to some of the poorest people around. Yes... Jesus came homeless and poor. Jesus came to those just like you and me and Kaiya and Herb. Jesus came into this world for all the people that "Want to see Jesus."

So clear the way... take a look... it's not only me... it's not only Kaiya... it's not only Herb... there are so many more... that want to see Jesus. For Jesus has come to you and to me and to all the world. Jesus has come so that all may see the Savior... this evening... this night.... and in this time and this place.

Come, Lord Jesus, Come... "I want to see Jesus!"

Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4h_A815YYg&feature=youtu.be
Video of Kaiya getting to take the Baby Jesus up to the altar to place in the manger on Christmas Eve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OExXItDyWEY
Becky Kelley - Where's the Line to See Jesus

Prayer
Lord, you have made yourself present to all and for all to see. Come into the lives of all your people and show us your will and your way for us in this time and this place. Yes, Lord, I want to see Jesus!... today... tomorrow... and forever .--- Amen

December 23rd Reflection by Bill Lynch

Titus 2:11-14
 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Reflection
It's been a rough Advent season for me. I've been ill with Crohn's disease and sick most of the time. The disease draws me down and into myself. It seems all the strength I can muster is to just get up and move about a little from day to day. And then you have the tests. Tests that began right after Thanksgiving. Tests that brought forth more tests. Tests that result in changes to medications that take time for the body to adjust to and accept. Tests that bring on procedures and recovery time. It's been a rough Advent season for me. A time to wait. A time of weakness. A time to depend on those around me. A time to wait on the Lord to work in me and through me and in those God gives wonderful gifts of healing to administer solutions. A time of prayer and following the doctor's orders even when at times it nothing seems to be working.

But that's how grace works. Grace works through the tough times. Grace comes even in the midst of this world's illness, death, suffering and pain. Grace comes to us in the times that we need it the most. Grace comes even in death. Yes, especially in death grace comes. For the grace of God in Christ Jesus came through the gift of a Savior and we wait. Grace comes in the baby and in the cross. Grace comes in the birth and in the death of Jesus. Grace comes to us in the One "...who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds."

It been a rough Advent season for me... but in and through it all... is a "blessed hope and a manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ."

It's been a rough Advent season for me but a blessed and grace filled season too.

" For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all..."

Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5KFggYRMdU
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Carrie Underwood

Prayer
Lord of all life... you have come... you are here... you fill me with hope and grace to live the life you have given me in your life and death and resurrection. Come, Lord Jesus, come... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

December 7th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Mark 1:1-8
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
Sending a messenger ahead... It's hard for me to imagine that 25 years ago today almost to this same time, my brother, Jim, and I sat with Dad and watched him die. It's more like everything just slowed down and stopped. But, in another sense, I had the feeling that even though the body stopped there was something great and new and a continuation happening all at the same time. Something that Dad tried when still active days earlier, I think to describe through hand signals and blinking eyes and motions but still something that I don't think any of us would be able to imagine or place into word.

Dad had always been the messenger sent ahead for my life. He was an example of how to live, how to work, how to change, how to give of yourself to those in need. He was a messenger sent ahead for me any way I look at it.

So, 25 years have passed? Sometimes that seems like a long time and sometimes it seems like yesterday. Years pass but his presence has always remained in my mind and in my heart. I have thought so many times about lessons and skills he graciously gave me to use as I live my life in this here and now.

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness. And people came to the wilderness to hear what John had to say. John lived the life of one from the wilderness as well. John didn't try to be anything that God didn't want John to be. John was John to the core. And John knew that he was a messenger. A messenger with a purpose and truth to tell.

Through the power of God, John brought people to realize repentance and forgiveness and the washing of the water of baptism in their lives. John brought people to prepare to hear the message... even more to live the message... even to follow the message and see God's coming.

John was the messenger to something that we can't fully understand, we can't full believe, we can't fully put into words. John was the messenger that did the best he could with God acting through and in him to point to what I don't think any of us would be able to imagine or place into word.

Sounds kind of like what my dad was trying to blink, motion, tell to me and my brother and all the world 25 years ago.

God IS coming. God IS coming to you. God will knock your socks off with what is in store next!

"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.’"

Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_OB7d-B1Vw

Prayer
Lord, use me to proclaim what I can't explain or put into words, that all may come to you and see your grace and your glory. I point to you as your messenger... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen