July 3rd - Reflection

3rd Sunday After Pentecost
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 (NRSV)
The yoke of discipleship

"But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,
'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn.'
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon'; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds." ...

At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Reflection
What a divine offer we have here. Take Jesus yoke upon you and learn from Jesus. Jesus is gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest. You will find Jesus' yoke easy and Jesus' burden light.

Doesn't seem to make sense. I would think Jesus' yoke was very difficult. I would think that it was very heavy carrying the weight of the sins of the world. But what was the yoke? The yoke, was the yoke of the law, which the Rabbis called it. The yoke wasn't sin, death and the devil. Jesus did take on the law and make it so much simpler.

The law had become a huge burden for all the Jewish people of that day. Take a stroll through the Pentateuch and you will see so many laws and regulations that your head will spin. God was very specific in each of the laws set down. God issued laws with specific meanings and deep spiritual value. But God has the vantage point and wisdom and truth and discipline that no man but Jesus could possess. The Law points us to God and helps us realize that we need God to help and guide us through.

And this is where God saw the faults of sin in the children and sent Jesus. Sent Jesus to fulfill the law and be the specific sacrifice, the perfect Lamb, the awesome blood that would save all people from sin, death and the devil. Through Jesus the Law still teaches and guides us but the Law is fulfilled in our trust, faith, hope, and relationship with God through Jesus and his Holy Spirit.

A Spirit that calls, gathers, unites, and teaches us the faith that we need. That other part of us that is not flesh and blood but is spirit is now united with God. Father-Son-Holy Spirit all together as One come to form a relationship with us, each and all individually. Such is the awesome wonder and mystery of the divine offer.

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Now let's open our infant eyes and see God! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I want your yoke. Declare me your disciple. I desire a close relationship with you. Teach me Lord and lead me and give me that humble heart of love that I may act in the way you would have me act to those you give to me this day and this week. --- Amen

July 2nd - Reflection

Psalm 145:8-14 (NRSV)
God is full of compassion
The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your faithful shall bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and tell of your power,
to make known to all people your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.
The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.

Reflection
God has the compassion of a loving mother. A mother that tenderly feels the pain of the child and quickly comes to nurse that child back to health and well-being. A compassion that longs for the safety and happiness of the child even in a world of sickness and pain. A compassion that realizes that through love, even the ills of this world can have a comfort and joy and safety and hope that only she can give.

Such a feeble attempt to explain the compassion of God. Of course God's compassion goes beyond the explanation I attempted above, but the explanation is on the path. God is good and God's goodness is universal. In God's goodness all creation cries out in thankfulness and praise.

Take time this summer to rise in the morning. Silently sit in the midst of creation, outside of the hustle and bustle of the city and hear God's creatures declare that thanksgiving and praise. In the evening as the sun sets, you will notice parts of God's creatures have completed their day of singing praise and thanksgiving and then there is a switch, typically from birds to insects with some other's included. The owls begin to hoot in joy and the insects sing forth praise to God.

You can even hear and see a city come to life if only you stop, look and listen. Watch God's creatures and the march of praise and thanksgiving that occurs in daily life.

We have a task due to God our Creator. We have a task to declare a testimony to God's power and influence on life. We are here to praise and thank God and sing of God's glory. We sing of God's steadfast love and compassion that brings us life and joy and happiness, even in the midst of sin and death and illness. We have a joyful and wonderful task. So sing and give thanks and praise to God above. Tell everyone what God has done! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Wonderful Father, compassionate Mother, you have created all that exists. Hear our song of joy and thanks and praise...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen

July 1st - Reflection

Romans 7:7-20 (NRSV)
Sin and the law kill us
What then should we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet, if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." But sin, seizing an opportunity in the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. Apart from the law sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died, and the very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity in the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good.

Did what is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, working death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.

For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.

Reflection
Confusing isn't it? But real...really real! We think that if we follow all the laws we will get to heaven. And maybe that's true...but I think we cannot. I think, if we follow all the laws, we have only fooled ourselves. We have made our actions and our "goodness" our savior. If this were true there would be no need for God to come to this earth in the flesh of Jesus and in the spirit of the Holy Spirit. We could save ourselves by being good and following all of the laws.

For me, I know that I can't follow all the laws. I can name many that I have broken. Easily name them. For me, the law enables me to smell the stench of my sin and know that it is wrong. For me, I find that the law leads me to recognize that I need someone else to save me. For me, I am condemned to hell eternally on my own. So the law makes me aware of the things that I do that I wish I didn't do. The law points out to me that I need God. I need God to save me, call me, teach me, gather me into his arms and show me the way God chooses for me to serve in his Kingdom.

So God sent his Son in the same flesh I am made of to show the way. To live, to teach, to suffer, to die, to defeat death, sin and the devil and rise again. He sent Jesus to ascend into heaven to offer the sacrifice needed for my sin in this world. God sent Jesus to free me from the bondage of sin. And God sent the Holy Spirit to call, gather and enlighten me in the way I am to follow.

The entire shift of the past two paragraphs are a shift of faith. The first was all about me. The second paragraph is all about God. The law points me to humbly go to God in repentance and seek his help. And God has already responded through Jesus and the Spirit. The law reveals and stimulates my sin and creates a conflict with sin.

But, in this revelation, I find that my Savior has come to me. The Spirit has chosen me. I find that only God can deliver this body from death. Salvation floods my soul in ever living waters. Salvation floods my soul in the body and blood of Jesus. Salvation floods me and I respond with praise, joy and thanksgiving. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Jesus, only you can wash me clean. Flood my soul this day and show me how to serve you and those you give to me this day in the love you have graciously shown to all the world. --- Amen

June 30th - Reflection

Romans 7:1-6 (NRSV)
Dying to the law through Christ
Do you not know, brothers and sisters -- for I am speaking to those who know the law -- that the law is binding on a person only during that person's lifetime? Thus a married woman is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives; but if her husband dies, she is discharged from the law concerning the husband. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man, she is not an adulteress.

In the same way, my friends, you have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God. While we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we are slaves not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit.

Reflection
Being dead to the law, we are now free to be united to Jesus. You are free and we are free. You, since you die to the law individually through Jesus, and we, since when we are free, we are in the body of Jesus with Jesus as the head and Lord of all.

We can live our lives bound up in the rules and laws created. Some laws are good that show us our sin and our need for a Savior. Other laws are just laws that trap us into behavior desired by others and ourselves.

We can repent of our sin. But it's a little more than just confessing our sin. When we confess our sin we acknowledge the sin. We smell the stench of our sin. We know that the sin is there and present. But when we repent, we humbly turn to God and acknowledge that through Jesus is our only way to salvation. Jesus death and resurrection is our only course. We can't ever be good enough to confess and free ourselves from sin. Only through Jesus are we free from sin. And in this repentance we join other believers as one in the body of Christ. What a joy! What a freedom! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, as I acknowledge the stench of my sin, I come to you a broken man. I know that it's not all about me. It's all about you. Only you can save me from my sinful self. Lord, I ask this day that you would forgive me, renew me, and restore me to your grace. For you alone are my Savior and Lord...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen

June 29th - Reflection

Matthew 11:20-24 (NRSV)

Jesus prophesies against the cities
Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum,
will you be exalted to heaven?
No, you will be brought down to Hades.
For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you."

Reflection
These are towns that rejected the good news of the kingdom. They didn't listen to what Jesus had to say. As in Sodom the people rejected God's words and messengers, these cities did the same. And, to me, I can see this as a message also. If I walk away from Jesus and his salvation, let me be warned of the consequences.

We all have this choice to make. We can walk with Jesus as a disciple or we can turn and walk away. When we choose to walk with Jesus, we find that the Holy Spirit calls, enlightens, and empowers us to live with God and act out in justice and love and peace. It's a wonderful choice that all can make. Even right now people are making this choice. You could make this choice at this moment also.

Choose to be Jesus' disciple and get up and go. It's the best choice you could ever make. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, be with those who are making decisions. Give them all they need to make wise and loving choices based on your gospel. Fill cities, nations and the world with your Spirit that we may be one in you...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen

June 28th - Reflection

1 Kings 21:17-29 (NRSV)
Elijah confronts Ahab

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying: Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria; he is now in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. You shall say to him, "Thus says the Lord: Have you killed, and also taken possession?" You shall say to him, "Thus says the Lord: In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, dogs will also lick up your blood."

Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, O my enemy?" He answered, "I have found you. Because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord, I will bring disaster on you; I will consume you, and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel; and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin. Also concerning Jezebel the Lord said, 'The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the bounds of Jezreel.' Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city the dogs shall eat; and anyone of his who dies in the open country the birds of the air shall eat."

(Indeed, there was no one like Ahab, who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord, urged on by his wife Jezebel. He acted most abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord drove out before the Israelites.)

When Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth over his bare flesh; he fasted, lay in the sackcloth, and went about dejectedly. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: "Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son's days I will bring the disaster on his house."

Reflection
The Lord speaks through Elijah and correction is brought to Ahab and Jezebel. Ahab repents and the punishment is delayed. When we hear God speak to us about a social or political wrong against another person, we stand up and voice that opinion. At least we may be able to delay a decision that leads to injustice if not remove the injustice. Not always will this work But it is best to know that you stood up and took a stand in the direction that you thought God was leading you.

In prayer and study of the Word, listening to fellow disciples, take these decisions seriously. Then boldly step out. Be willing to be found wrong. We all make mistakes. But by all means take the stand and work the decision. Constantly bouncing off your steps on the Holy Spirit in prayer.

Prayer
Lord, lead me and guide me in the words I say and the actions I take this day that they my be the words and actions you have designed for me. --- Amen

June 27th - Reflection

1 Kings 21:1-16 (NRSV)
Ahab and Jezebel rob Naboth
Later the following events took place: Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. And Ahab said to Naboth, "Give me your vineyard, so that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house; I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money." But Naboth said to Ahab, "The Lord forbid that I should give you my ancestral inheritance." Ahab went home resentful and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him; for he had said, "I will not give you my ancestral inheritance." He lay down on his bed, turned away his face, and would not eat.


His wife Jezebel came to him and said, "Why are you so depressed that you will not eat?" He said to her, "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, 'Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard for it'; but he answered, 'I will not give you my vineyard.'" His wife Jezebel said to him, "Do you now govern Israel? Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."

So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal; she sent the letters to the elders and the nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. She wrote in the letters, "Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth at the head of the assembly; seat two scoundrels opposite him, and have them bring a charge against him, saying, 'You have cursed God and the king.' Then take him out, and stone him to death." The men of his city, the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. Just as it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, they proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth at the head of the assembly. The two scoundrels came in and sat opposite him; and the scoundrels brought a charge against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, "Naboth cursed God and the king." So they took him outside the city, and stoned him to death. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, "Naboth has been stoned; he is dead."

As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, "Go, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead." As soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab set out to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

Reflection
So something is wanted by someone of more societal power and worth. Let the plot begin. Jezebel sees the opportunity to get something for someone she loves and respects, Ahab. The plot and plan takes place. Naboth is accused by two false witnesses about something Naboth said. It is difficult to defend your words against two false witnesses, so Naboth looses and is killed. Seems extreme but also Naboth's sons were put to death also because it all implicated a plot against the king.

Ahab got what we wanted. Jezebel got to show her allegiance. But the act taken was wrong and no one in this passage stood for right. This happens over and over, one way or another today, and has been repeated throughout time. Who stands up? At a minimum these people need to be made aware of the cost of getting some land and be told that their actions can't be upheld, that punishment is in order.

Prayer
Lord, if I'm involved in a plot like this, get through to me beforehand, and if I'm involved in a sin like this, teach me to be the one who stands up and speaks of the wrong taking place. Show me how to love others and you would love them. --- Amen

June 26th - Reflection

2nd Sunday After Pentecost
Matthew 10:40-42 (NRSV)
Welcome Christ in those Christ sends

"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple -- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."

Reflection
The smallest act of kindness is truly significant. A humble believer that acts in kindness and love to another shows what Jesus life was all about. Reaching out with some conversation, a little food, or even time to play, to a person who is struggling to recover from some unfortunate life situation is one response to make in love towards God and each other.

You are an agent of Jesus. As an agent you take on the qualities of Jesus and display those qualities to those you meet. It's a tall order. But through the Word, the gifts of the Spirit and your call from God you can freely go out each day to those God gives to you and act out the love God first showed you in Jesus. Be yourself as you know Jesus. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, as I step out each day, send your Spirit to guide my words and actions, that I may emulate your love...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen

June 25th - Reflection

Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 (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 ...

Happy are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance;
they exult in your name all day long,
and extol your righteousness.
For you are the glory of their strength;
by your favor our horn is exalted.
For our shield belongs to the Lord,
our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Reflection
We are faithful because God is faithful. God has shown us faithfulness and trust. God displays the attributes that he wants his children to possess. And in Jesus we can see all of these characteristics that God would want in each one of us.

As we give our bodies and lives to God in trust and faithfulness, we cry the "festal shout" - the shout that declares the Lord as King and our "horn" or strength is exalted in God. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, as I see and learn your qualities, build them in me that I may grow into the servant and son you wish for me to be...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen

June 24th - Reflection

Galatians 5:7-12 (NRSV)

Beware of false teachers
You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth? Such persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. I am confident about you in the Lord that you will not think otherwise. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. But my friends, why am I still being persecuted if I am still preaching circumcision? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would castrate themselves!

Reflection
Ouch! But Paul has it right here. This is an extreme measure. All is at stake. If we cheapen the cross by adding a ritual to salvation, then it's no longer what God has done through Jesus, it's what God did through Jesus plus what we do to be good enough for God.

Through Jesus death on that cross alone do we reach divine redemption. Otherwise salvation is no longer grace but something we need to earn.

It seems we always get in the way of ourselves. We want to justify ourselves by our actions and our goodness. God wants to justify us through his son Jesus. And that's how it is. It's through Jesus. But we just can't stand to take something for nothing.

Take it! Take it and you'll see how your life changes. The goodness comes through a freedom to express that same love Jesus expressed on that cross. Stop worrying about that "goody two shoes" stuff. Through grace something much better occurs all on it's own and not because of any effort you apply.

The Spirit works through you. The Spirit moves you. The Spirit invades your body and life and joy abound. Joy even in the midst of a sinful, painful, world. Joy takes over in death. It's the most amazing change you'll ever experience. So let go and let it happen. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, take my life and make it yours. Take it! Thanks be to God! --- Amen

June 23rd - Reflection

Galatians 5:2-6 (NRSV)

The nature of Christian freedom
Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law. You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.

Reflection
You can't count on your own fulfilling of the law. It just won't happen. Salvation is through Christ alone. It's not Christ plus how good you are. When you throw in the plus mark, you cut out Christ alone and you fall from the grace of salvation. No longer is you life bound up by grace, it is now bound up by the law. You are stuck in this "trying to be a goody two shoes" aspect and can't escape. Your only escape is through Christ alone. Once you trust Christ fully for your salvation, you then are bound by grace. And when bound by grace only faith expressed through love exists. What a wonderful gift! What an act of salvation! Through Christ alone. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, it's only you. Work that faith expressed in love through me this day to those you give to me. --- Amen

June 22nd - Reflection

John 14:25-26 (NRSV)

Father, Son, Spirit
"I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.

Reflection
A Paraclete statement. Now there is a funny word. Paraclete means Advocate. It's a term that belongs to the courts such as your attorney. Jesus is our Paraclete. So when Jesus gave the statement above it brought comfort to the disciples. The Holy Spirit would be an extension of Jesus in this case. The Holy Spirit would take the teachings of Jesus into the world through the disciples. The Paraclete would aid the disciples in understanding the truth. And as we have heard during Jesus trial, the Truth is Jesus.

Through the Holy Spirit we receive the comfort of Jesus and the teachings and the "memory" of Jesus' teachings. It's kind of like that urge to dig deeper, that movement towards a closer relationship with God in Father, Son and Spirit. It's like the inward movement of God into my and your being of life.

What a wonderful gift and comfort statement from Jesus to his disciples...a Paraclete statement. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, move close to me as I move closer to you...teach me I pray. --- Amen

June 21st - Reflection

Job 39:13-25 (NRSV)
Creation story from Job "The ostrich's wings flap wildly,
though its pinions lack plumage.
For it leaves its eggs to the earth,
and lets them be warmed on the ground,
forgetting that a foot may crush them,
and that a wild animal may trample them.
It deals cruelly with its young, as if they were not its own;
though its labor should be in vain, yet it has no fear;
because God has made it forget wisdom,
and given it no share in understanding.

When it spreads its plumes aloft,
it laughs at the horse and its rider.


"Do you give the horse its might?
Do you clothe its neck with mane?
Do you make it leap like the locust?
Its majestic snorting is terrible.
It paws violently, exults mightily;
it goes out to meet the weapons.
It laughs at fear, and is not dismayed;
it does not turn back from the sword.
Upon it rattle the quiver,
the flashing spear, and the javelin.
With fierceness and rage it swallows the ground;
it cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet.
When the trumpet sounds, it says 'Aha!'
From a distance it smells the battle,
the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.


Reflection
Sometimes what appears to be real isn't.

I heard this very same expression from one of my fellow workers this past week or so. And it applies to the ostrich and the horse. The ostrich appears to be a rather foolish bird. Sometimes the ostrich wanders away from her eggs and can't find her way back. She appears to be neglectful but is really forgetful.

And then other times some eggs are laid outside of the nest. This may be by accident, but it could be by design. Those eggs are typically used for food for the newly hatched chicks. The broken pieces of egg shell appears be an example of the ostrich's neglectfulness, but are really her loving care.

To say the ostrich has no care suggests she is foolish. But here, we can see that the ostrich may be following an act of God in love and care.

The horse is truly a powerful animal. The quivering mane can be seen and compared to thunder. The horse is fearless in the charge of battle. Contrast the horse and it's power to the foolishness of the ostrich who has no fear. Sometimes it seems the spreading of the mighty wings may just be enough to ward off the enemy.

Sometimes what appears to be real isn't.

And so with you and I also. What may appear weak, such as the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus, in reality is awesome strength of the resurrection and ascension. What may appear foolish, such as tongues of fire, and apparent drunkenness, is the mighty Spirit of God descending on his people. What looks like nonsense, like the feeding of thousands with a little bread and fish, becomes the feeding of the world through the communion of the bread and the wine, the body and the blood. All gracious, loving, powerful acts of God. Wondrous in every respect.

Sometimes what appears to be real isn't. And likewise what doesn't appear to be real is. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, you never cease to amaze me! Wonderful, loving Savior! --- Amen

June 20th - Reflection

Job 38:39-39:12 (NRSV)
Creation story from Job
"Can you hunt the prey for the lion,
or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
when they crouch in their dens,
or lie in wait in their covert?
Who provides for the raven its prey,
when its young ones cry to God,
and wander about for lack of food?

"Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?
Do you observe the calving of the deer?
Can you number the months that they fulfill,
and do you know the time when they give birth,

when they crouch to give birth to their offspring,
and are delivered of their young?
Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open;
they go forth, and do not return to them.

"Who has let the wild ass go free?
Who has loosed the bonds of the swift ass,
to which I have given the steppe for its home,
the salt land for its dwelling place?
It scorns the tumult of the city;
it does not hear the shouts of the driver.
It ranges the mountains as its pasture,
and it searches after every green thing.

"Is the wild ox willing to serve you?
Will it spend the night at your crib?
Can you tie it in the furrow with ropes,
or will it harrow the valleys after you?
Will you depend on it because its strength is great,
and will you hand over your labor to it?
Do you have faith in it that it will return,
and bring your grain to your threshing floor?


Reflection
God seems to point to a different way of caring for creation. Instead of dominating creation for our own advantage, for fuel, for food or to uphold a materialistic lifestyle; God seems to point to a very different way of interacting with creation.

The lion is cared for in the event food is needed. The beauty of birth and the significance of life is enjoyed and honored even with the animal kingdom. Animals are free from labor for the advantage of humans and the drivers are silenced, so that the wild ass can range the mountains for it's pasture and be free.

The ox is released to be an ox and not a beast of burden.

It seems when you look at it, that God looks at the creation and says, hey, I created this good. Why don't you just maintain what is good instead of trying to use what I created for your own good.

This passage seems to point to how selfish I can be in my use of the provisions God has given me. I use what God gives for my own good. Maybe I should use what is given for the beauty of what God has already done. Maybe I should be sustaining the life of another with the gifts I have received. Maybe I should be adding beauty with the beauty God has already given me.

Come to think of it. Isn't that what God did when he sent Jesus into this world. He added beauty to this world. But we tried to take Jesus and make him into what we wanted...A ruler of the world for our own advantage. Stop it!

Take Jesus and the beauty of his life and the Spirit and add beauty to this world. Quit taking for myself. Take the gifts of Jesus and the Spirit and the Father and add beauty of life and giving to what is already here. Maybe that's the message here.

We can't add beauty by taking advantage of beauty. We can't add beauty by reaping the benefits of the worldly resources for our own advantage. But we can add beauty through the love of Jesus, the gifts of the Spirit and the empowerment to go and love one another and care for creation, because God first cared for us.

Maybe that's the point. God cared enough for us to send flesh in Jesus to save us. Let us love as Jesus loved. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, change my view to see the beauty you intended in this creation...and that includes me too. --- Amen

June 19th - Reflection

The Holy Trinity
Matthew 28:16-20 (NRSV)
Living in the community of the Trinity

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."


Reflection
God accomplished his work of being man. In Jesus the world and each individual now has a close look at God. In Jesus God became flesh. In Jesus, God became flesh and took on the punishment issued due to original sin and all sin since. Jesus took on our sin in our flesh to save us from the death we deserve.

No doubt death is real. We came from dust and for most of us to dust we will return in death. But through Jesus we can look forward to a resurrection of the dead. Jesus defeated death in the flesh. Jesus defeated death for you and for me. We no longer need to fear the eternity of death. We now can look to Jesus, believe in God and receive eternal life in him.

Work through your doubt and see life in Jesus. Watch that resurrection and rejoice. Smell the stench of the crucifixion and see the love and compassion of God ache for your love. Feel it all and love the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.

So close and yet moving in and about our being is Jesus Spirit of life. Put away doubt and believe. Then rejoice in that love to share it with the world. Rejoice in the love of God made flesh in Jesus and bring it close to share with those God gives to you each day.

"And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Thanks be to God!


Prayer
Jesus, you have come so close... so near. You have come to me and now through me in Spirit. Your love has expressed itself to me and through me. Give me the compassion and love that I need to go out into your Kingdom and declare the glorious wonder of your name, your life and your love for each person...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen

June 18th - Reflection

Psalm 8 (NRSV)
How exalted is your name
O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?

Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Reflection
It all blows me away. Go for a walk and look around. Look listen and observe. How did all this come to be? You see flowers, grass, children playing, streets and cars, airplanes, a small creek, dogs barking, other walkers. You smell all sort of fragrances from the perfume of a flower or the perfume of a lady blowing in the breeze to tree rot in the creek and perhaps a waft of fume from the sewer manhole as you walk by. You listen and hear birds, cars, lawn mowers, loud neighbors, music, the water of the creek flowing around rocks. All of your senses point to something magnificent that has taken place. Creation brought all of this to life. But who created it? Sure, I am even part of the creation of the airplane, but only a tiny tiny part of the whole. But what about the dogs, the trees, the flowers, water, air, and on and on? I have taken for granted the glory of all that is right here in front and all around me. God's touch is everywhere, and I take it all for granted.

Leap now into the spiritual aspect of life. I can sense a force much greater than mine when a child grasps the truths of God by observing an ant and discovering life. The child knows that there is more here than just an ant and confounds me with the creation question. My answer is such a goofy answer in that I tell the child that God created the ant. But how did the ant get here? The child and I banter back and forth until the child simply gives up. I really don't have an answer that satisfies this spiritual question. The child walks away satisfied with my answers. And I realize that the simple faith of the child has silenced my arrogant answers that I have given with little faith.

God is majestic. Our Lord, our Sovereign is the universal ruler. It's way beyond my understanding. But this is the truth from which the assurance of all my faith is born and rises up from within me.

God created a paradox to all of this when Jesus was sent into this world. The Creator was sent to be the created and bring all things under him. In so doing Jesus raised me up to a level that I can't comprehend. Through the love of God, Jesus brought me out of my insignificance, my frailty and my failures to be just lower than God. Go figure that!

When God places all things under the feet of man, I realize that God is speaking of Jesus. Jesus in whom I see fully the dominion which God intended. Jesus has raised me up through his life, ministry, healing, suffering, death, resurrection, ascension, and the gift of his Spirit to all the world. Jesus granted a redemption in which all can share. It's all about Jesus.

This creation that I walk through, what my senses experience, all point to the glory of Jesus. How majestic is that name in all the earth! All earth points straight to Jesus! What glory! What honor! Jesus has brought me in close to him. Jesus sends his Spirit daily to gift me, empower me, call me, guide me! How majestic is that!

Yep...it all blows me away! But it's great! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Jesus...how majestic is you name in all the earth!...It all points to you! Thanks be to God! --- Amen

June 17th - Reflection

2 Timothy 1:12b-14 (NRSV)
The treasure of the triune God
I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.
Reflection
We have received a wonderful treasure from Jesus. We have received love and trust and salvation.

This treasure reminds me of Luther's Rose. We look to the center at a cross, the symbol of death, yet there is life. The cross is black, like death, yet it brings life. A black cross inside a red heart. Although the cross brings death, the heart is red with faith and life. The cross and heart are enveloped by a white rose. White is like all that is pure and heavenly. The cross, heart and rose within a backdrop of a blue sky. Look out into the blue sky and you see forever. This cross of death and life, the heart of blood red of Jesus alive, and the white rose of all that is pure, against the blue sky of hope brings forth a joy that is forever. All of this is encompassed by a gold ring. A gold ring is the precious gift of Jesus. An eternal never ending gift of faith and love. A treasure beyond belief given to you and to me.

Guard the good treasure entrusted to you and with the help of the Holy Spirit, make known this treasure to all the world that they too may see and know Jesus. Thanks be to God.

Prayer
Lord, what a wonderful gift you have given. What a wonderful act you have taken. Fill me with that faith and love overflowing to all you give to me today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen

June 16th - Reflection

2 Timothy 1:8-12a (NRSV)
Grace revealed in Christ

Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust.

Reflection
We like to think that If we're good enough at something we will be put to use at that particular thing. This may or may not work with God. God does not call us because we are good. God calls us for his own purpose. You don't get to pick or choose God's calling. You may or may not even get to choose if you are going to participate in that calling. It's not about me or what I want. It's all about what God has in store.

But, when you look at things differently. God gave life. Jesus saved us from eternal hell and damnation and gave us life. Our life is not our own. Our life belongs to God. When we believe and accept the gift of salvation through Jesus, it no longer is about you or I anyway. We see that it's all about God.

Our response to this gift draws us to worship and praise God. Our response draws us to prayer and listening to God's Word and will for our lives. Our response is of such joy and love that we willingly and gladly give our lives back to God, not out of goodness, but out of joy for what God has done for us.

So, we discern what God is calling us to do. The Spirit empowers us with gifts to use towards the calling God has for us. And we joyfully, maybe fearfully, but joyfully, go into the ministry God has called for us to take action.

If that leads us to prison such as Paul. We are not ashamed of God. We are proud of God and are willing to endure all things. For in God is life. In God we place our trust. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, lead me to obedience in your will and your way. Make my path clear. For I am so anxious to do all that you have in store for me to do...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen

June 15th - Reflection

John 7:37-39 (NRSV)
Jesus, the true living water
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Reflection
It's the final day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the great day. The climax of the feast. The feast had a daily water ritual that was so important on this final day. It was important because of the need for rain during the upcoming year. Water was so important for many things. If you have ever went without water in your house for even a short while you understand the importance of water and how easily it is for us to forget that water is needed to live.

Jesus was saying that if any thirst to come to him and drink. Jesus was a better provider of water than this important water ritual. Reminds me of my catechism again, when God joins a physical element and a spiritual element with a promise. So we join water, with trust and faith in Jesus, with the promise that Jesus will pour his Spirit in abundance from our heart in rivers of living water. A refreshment only available to believers.

Jesus brings back memories of water flowing from the rock to quench the thirst of the wandering Israelites. Even today Jesus, the cornerstone, the rock of the church, now proclaims that he is the source of this living water if only we believe. Jesus is the source of life. And when we drink of Jesus, he pours his Spirit in rivers of living water straight from our hearts into all the world.

Living water pouring into all the world, straight from our heart. Water that points the world back to the truth of Jesus. We are filled with the Spirit to give that water that Jesus has given us, to all the world. What a purpose! What a mission! What a God! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I believe! Send your Spirit and fill me with this living water that a river may pour forth from my heart to all you give to me...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen

June 14th - Reflection

Ezekiel 39:7-8, 21-29 (NRSV)
The promised spirit of God
My holy name I will make known among my people Israel; and I will not let my holy name be profaned any more; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. It has come! It has happened, says the Lord God. This is the day of which I have spoken. ...

I will display my glory among the nations; and all the nations shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on them. The house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God, from that day forward. And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they dealt treacherously with me. So I hid my face from them and gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they all fell by the sword. I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their transgressions, and hid my face from them.

Therefore thus says the Lord God: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for my holy name. They shall forget their shame, and all the treachery they have practiced against me, when they live securely in their land with no one to make them afraid, when I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them from their enemies' lands, and through them have displayed my holiness in the sight of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God because I sent them into exile among the nations, and then gathered them into their own land. I will leave none of them behind; and I will never again hide my face from them, when I pour out my spirit upon the house of Israel, says the Lord God.
Reflection
Gog and Magog, godless nations, learn of the power and glory of God.

It's time for all people to see and know how great and glorious God is in all the earth. God restores and protects his children.

When we feel separated from God due to our sinfulness, we can trust that God wants us to be near him. God draws near to us and gathers us in. God will not hide his face from us. We can always know that God is closer than you think. And God will pour out his Spirit upon us for we are his. What a word of hope! What an awesome God! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, you certainly are faithful to me. Forgive my sinfulness and my pride when I draw away from you. Pull me in and close to you and pour out your wonderful Spirit upon me...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen