Psalm 118:1
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
Many, at this time of year, find themselves depressed from a lack of sunlight. What do you do when you find yourself sad? How conditioned are we to turn automatically towards God when difficulties surround us?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Marital love is an image, however pale, of the reality which develops little by little between the Absolute and the creature, between God and humankind, between Yahweh and Israel.
In marital love it is not enough to study the beloved, write poems, or receive cards from far away. Couples must marry, say "yes" to one another, go behind the veil of intimacy, delight in one another - exultantly, become close, cultivate friendship, stay together as much as possible, coalesce their wills, make two things one, as scripture says.
But pretending to know the other just by studying him in books or photographs means remaining outside real knowledge, real mystery. - From The God Who Comes by Carlo Carretto
Just how close to God are you? How diligent has your pursuit of intimacy with God been during this season of Lent?
In marital love it is not enough to study the beloved, write poems, or receive cards from far away. Couples must marry, say "yes" to one another, go behind the veil of intimacy, delight in one another - exultantly, become close, cultivate friendship, stay together as much as possible, coalesce their wills, make two things one, as scripture says.
But pretending to know the other just by studying him in books or photographs means remaining outside real knowledge, real mystery. - From The God Who Comes by Carlo Carretto
Just how close to God are you? How diligent has your pursuit of intimacy with God been during this season of Lent?
Approach to Holy Week
Mark 11:9
Those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!"
When was the last time you shouted? When was the last time you shouted praise? When was the last time you shouted praise for Jesus Christ, Son of God?
Those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!"
When was the last time you shouted? When was the last time you shouted praise? When was the last time you shouted praise for Jesus Christ, Son of God?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
John 12:24
Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
We can think about what needs to die in our own lives in order to make room for new life producing habits. We might also consider our faith communites. What in our local church needs to die so as to produce new fruit?
Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
We can think about what needs to die in our own lives in order to make room for new life producing habits. We might also consider our faith communites. What in our local church needs to die so as to produce new fruit?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Indeed, the Church has a future; it has the future. This is the eighth day which passes description and cannot be foreseen, the day on which God will complete his work of creation, the Church will reach the goal of its pilgrimage and the world will recognize its Lord. - From The Church by Hans Kung.
In the end, what kind of goal have you really set for yourself? What is your church fellowship trying to accomplish? God's kingdom here on earth in our lifetime? More members? If we don't strive the actualization of that eighth day...we will never reach it.
See you tonight at dinner!
In the end, what kind of goal have you really set for yourself? What is your church fellowship trying to accomplish? God's kingdom here on earth in our lifetime? More members? If we don't strive the actualization of that eighth day...we will never reach it.
See you tonight at dinner!
Hebrews 5:7
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Does 'reverent submission' describe your prayer life? Do you offer up daily prayers on a routine basis with 'loud cries and tears' or does it sometimes feel like you are just going through the motions?
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Does 'reverent submission' describe your prayer life? Do you offer up daily prayers on a routine basis with 'loud cries and tears' or does it sometimes feel like you are just going through the motions?
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The world needs more than the secret holiness of individual inwardness. It needs more than sacred sentiments and good intentions. God asks for the heart because He needs the lives. It is by lives that the world will be redeemed, by lives that beat in concordance with God, by deeds that outbeat the finite charity of the human heart. - From God in Search of Man by Abraham Joshua Heschel
Does your life beat in concordance with God? What prevents it? Are you taking steps this Lenten season to enter more fully into the rhythm of God's Will?
Does your life beat in concordance with God? What prevents it? Are you taking steps this Lenten season to enter more fully into the rhythm of God's Will?
Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Is our daily walk a chore or a joy? How might we reconnect with the joy of our salvation and move away from simply thinking about the obligations of being a Christian?
Easter falls on April 12 this year. He is risen indeed!
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Is our daily walk a chore or a joy? How might we reconnect with the joy of our salvation and move away from simply thinking about the obligations of being a Christian?
Easter falls on April 12 this year. He is risen indeed!
Monday, March 23, 2009
We are not happy because we are unforgiving, and we are unforgiving because we feel superior to others. Mercy is the fruit of the highest degree of love, because love creates equals, and a greater love makes us inferior. - From In Search of the Beyond by Carlo Carretto
The tempation stays with me that Lent is about MY spiritual journey toward the cross, when in reality, the biblical message has pretty consistently tried to teach me about the importance of those who travel with me.
How have you been able to assist a fellow pilgrim on his or her journey this Lenten season?
The tempation stays with me that Lent is about MY spiritual journey toward the cross, when in reality, the biblical message has pretty consistently tried to teach me about the importance of those who travel with me.
How have you been able to assist a fellow pilgrim on his or her journey this Lenten season?
Preparing for the 5th Sunday of Lent
Jeremiah 31:31
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant.
Every time we stumble, we can rest assured that when we look up, the promise of a new beginning is always before us. From Abrahma to Moses to David to Paul on the road to Damascus, God shows repeatedly his interest in initiating the new conversation, the new covenant.
What does your new tomorrow look like at this time?
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant.
Every time we stumble, we can rest assured that when we look up, the promise of a new beginning is always before us. From Abrahma to Moses to David to Paul on the road to Damascus, God shows repeatedly his interest in initiating the new conversation, the new covenant.
What does your new tomorrow look like at this time?
Friday, March 20, 2009
John 3:18
Those who believe in him are not condemned.
Not just a belief that he exists, but a belief IN him! A beliefe that he can do what he says he will do. A belief so strong that one can't help but immediately leap to serve!
How strong is your belief? How willing are you to follow his every word and deed? Lent is indeed a time to reflect on the possibilities.
Those who believe in him are not condemned.
Not just a belief that he exists, but a belief IN him! A beliefe that he can do what he says he will do. A belief so strong that one can't help but immediately leap to serve!
How strong is your belief? How willing are you to follow his every word and deed? Lent is indeed a time to reflect on the possibilities.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
People often think of Christian morality as a kind of bargain in which God says, "If you keep a lot of rules, I'll reward you, and if you don't I'll do the other thing." I do not think that is the best way of looking at it. I would much rather say that every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this central thing either into a Heaven creature or into a hellish creature. - From Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Reflect on the choices you have made today. What choices are still before you today and in the days ahead leading to Easter?
Reflect on the choices you have made today. What choices are still before you today and in the days ahead leading to Easter?
Ephesians 2:3
All of us once lived among the passions of our flesh.
Once? How often do the needs of today distract us from the promise of eternity? How can we focus on God's eternal plan for humanity and stop worrying about where to eat lunch or how to afford the new Spring fashions? Can we see the same cross ahead of us that Jesus saw on his journey toward Easter?
All of us once lived among the passions of our flesh.
Once? How often do the needs of today distract us from the promise of eternity? How can we focus on God's eternal plan for humanity and stop worrying about where to eat lunch or how to afford the new Spring fashions? Can we see the same cross ahead of us that Jesus saw on his journey toward Easter?
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Psalm 107:1-3
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! Amen.
prayer request: Leanna Dexter, a 19 year old freshman from a former church of mine in North Carolina, was involved in a Spring Break car accident that left the driver dead and Leanna in the hospital with a fractured skull and brain injuries that make a long term outlook difficult to determine.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! Amen.
prayer request: Leanna Dexter, a 19 year old freshman from a former church of mine in North Carolina, was involved in a Spring Break car accident that left the driver dead and Leanna in the hospital with a fractured skull and brain injuries that make a long term outlook difficult to determine.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Because we are come out of the divine nature, which chooses to be divine, we must choose to be divine, to be of God, to be one with God, loving and living as he loves and lives, and so be partakers of the divine nature, or we perish. Man cannot originate this life; it must be shown him, and he must choose it. - From Creation in Christ by George MacDonald
What choices are you making during Lent this year? What choices are you capable of making?
What choices are you making during Lent this year? What choices are you capable of making?
Third Week of Lent
Numbers 21:5
The people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food."
Leadership isn't always easy. Have your children always cheerfully followed your instructions? Is the boss always the most loved employee? How do you think God feels knowing that not all who know of Him, love Him? What role do we play when traveling with the people of Israel on their long journey?
The people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food."
Leadership isn't always easy. Have your children always cheerfully followed your instructions? Is the boss always the most loved employee? How do you think God feels knowing that not all who know of Him, love Him? What role do we play when traveling with the people of Israel on their long journey?
Friday, March 13, 2009
I have often reminded you, my dear sister, about the remembrance of God, and now I tell you again: unless you work and sweat to impress on your heart and mind this awe-inspiring Name, you keep silence in vain, you sing in vain, you fast in vain, you watch in vain. In short, (your) wrk will all be useless without this activity, without recollection of God. - Theophan the Recluse
Useful reminder about our Lenten journey! If we are simply doiong self-help activities without remembering the God we are pursuing, they all become useless. How do you remind yourself of Christ's presence as you pursue Lenten reading, dieting, or meditative or contemplative prayer?
Useful reminder about our Lenten journey! If we are simply doiong self-help activities without remembering the God we are pursuing, they all become useless. How do you remind yourself of Christ's presence as you pursue Lenten reading, dieting, or meditative or contemplative prayer?
John 2:18-22
The Jews then said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
When have you experienced success from the ashes of failure? When has God worked with or through you to take two steps forward after a backward step? How has the failure/success of Good Friday personally affected you?
Have a great weekend! See you on Sunday!
The Jews then said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
When have you experienced success from the ashes of failure? When has God worked with or through you to take two steps forward after a backward step? How has the failure/success of Good Friday personally affected you?
Have a great weekend! See you on Sunday!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Is what I am doing today acceptable to God? Am I furthering the building of God's kingdom here on earth? Are my very thoughts acceptable to the one who died for my sins? And if not, what is my next step on my journey to the cross?
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Is what I am doing today acceptable to God? Am I furthering the building of God's kingdom here on earth? Are my very thoughts acceptable to the one who died for my sins? And if not, what is my next step on my journey to the cross?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Exodus 20:12-17
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
In other words, honor your elders, those who have gone before and have learned about life. Honor life. Honor relationships. Honor truth. Honor boundaries. Just as surely as there are four seasons and 365 days in a year, honor the structures of life that God has put in place! Normally a nice routine is a very comforting thing. What kinds of outside events and temptations moce us from an ordered existence into areas of doubt and uncertainty? How do we prepare ourselves for these intrusions?
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
In other words, honor your elders, those who have gone before and have learned about life. Honor life. Honor relationships. Honor truth. Honor boundaries. Just as surely as there are four seasons and 365 days in a year, honor the structures of life that God has put in place! Normally a nice routine is a very comforting thing. What kinds of outside events and temptations moce us from an ordered existence into areas of doubt and uncertainty? How do we prepare ourselves for these intrusions?
Monday, March 9, 2009
Listen, O Lord, to my prayers. Listen to my desires to be with you, to dwell in your house, and to let my whole being be filled with your presence. But none of this is possible without you. When you are not the one who fills me, I am soon filled with endless thoughts and concerns that divide me and tear me away from you. Even thoughts about you, good spiritual thoughts, can be little more than distractions when you are not their author. - From A Cry for Mercy by Henri J. M. Nouwen
Exodus 20:3
You shall have no other gods before me.
There is not a lot of wiggle room here for rationalizing and making excuses. What are the things that draw our attention away from God and His plan for us for eternity? Just as importantly, what are the ways we discipline ourselves into staying focused on God in spite of these temptations?
Have a blessed week!
You shall have no other gods before me.
There is not a lot of wiggle room here for rationalizing and making excuses. What are the things that draw our attention away from God and His plan for us for eternity? Just as importantly, what are the ways we discipline ourselves into staying focused on God in spite of these temptations?
Have a blessed week!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Many of us are now into our second week of exploration and spiritual longing. What will it mean to reach that Good Friday/Easter morning experience with greater understanding and wisdom concerning what Christ has done for us and what we can do in return?
Julian of Norwich (1343-1413) is one of the most popular of the English mystics. She lived as a Benedictine nun in Norwich, beside the St. Julian Church. Her book Revelations of Divine Love entitled her to become the first great female writer in the English language. Her theology is based on her mystical experiences. Hear now these words of encouragement as we continue on our Lenten journey to the cross.
"Just as our flesh is covered by clothing, and our blood is covered by our flesh, so are we, soul and body, covered and enclosed by the goodness of God. yet, the clothing and the flesh will pass away, but the goodness of God will always remain and will remain closer to us than our own flesh." - From Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich
How have you experienced those pick me up moments of a difficult journey? The kind word of a friend? A favorite song on the radio? How have you experienced the comfort of God's loving arms around you?
Don't forget to set your clocks forward on Saturday!
Julian of Norwich (1343-1413) is one of the most popular of the English mystics. She lived as a Benedictine nun in Norwich, beside the St. Julian Church. Her book Revelations of Divine Love entitled her to become the first great female writer in the English language. Her theology is based on her mystical experiences. Hear now these words of encouragement as we continue on our Lenten journey to the cross.
"Just as our flesh is covered by clothing, and our blood is covered by our flesh, so are we, soul and body, covered and enclosed by the goodness of God. yet, the clothing and the flesh will pass away, but the goodness of God will always remain and will remain closer to us than our own flesh." - From Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich
How have you experienced those pick me up moments of a difficult journey? The kind word of a friend? A favorite song on the radio? How have you experienced the comfort of God's loving arms around you?
Don't forget to set your clocks forward on Saturday!
Romans 4:20-21
No distrust made him (Abraham) waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
What promises do you believe God has made to you? Are you 'fully convinced' that God will follow through as promised? What kind of response does that create within you?
Don't forget to set your clocks ahead on Saturday!
No distrust made him (Abraham) waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
What promises do you believe God has made to you? Are you 'fully convinced' that God will follow through as promised? What kind of response does that create within you?
Don't forget to set your clocks ahead on Saturday!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The Cost of Discipleship on our Lenten Journey
St. Theophan the Recluse, also known as "Theophan Zatvornik", (1815–1894) is a well-known saint in the Russian Orthodix Church. He was born George Vasilievich Govorov, in the village of Chernavsk. His father was a Russian Orthodox priest. He was educated in the seminaries at Livny, Orel and Kiev. In 1841 he was ordained, became a monk, and adopted the name Theophan.
He is especially well-known today through the many books he wrote concerning the spiritual life.
He wrote, "It must be realized that the true sign of spiritual endeavor and the price of success in it is suffering. One who proceeds without suffering will bear no fruit."
Is this true?
He is especially well-known today through the many books he wrote concerning the spiritual life.
He wrote, "It must be realized that the true sign of spiritual endeavor and the price of success in it is suffering. One who proceeds without suffering will bear no fruit."
Is this true?
Psalm 22:27
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him.
What does it mean that the whole earth will remember? They once knew and forgot? There are many different religions and many who do not believe at all. What brings about the kind of change that says all families of the nations shall worship? What is my role in bringing about that kind of change? A good question to ponder on our Lenten journey of revelation!
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him.
What does it mean that the whole earth will remember? They once knew and forgot? There are many different religions and many who do not believe at all. What brings about the kind of change that says all families of the nations shall worship? What is my role in bringing about that kind of change? A good question to ponder on our Lenten journey of revelation!
Monday, March 2, 2009
The staff here at Central UMC were recently shown a video about something called a "practicing church". It reminded me of much that is in the book of James regarding what we are going to 'do' in relation to what we believe. Another response presented itself to me in the words of Elton Trueblood.
"The fact is that emphasis upon the life of outer service, without a corresponding emphasis upon the life of devotion, has already led to obviously damaging results, one of which is calculated arrogance." - From The New Man for Our Time by Elton Trueblood
Where is YOUR middle ground for finding the right balance between the need to 'be' and the need to 'do'?
"The fact is that emphasis upon the life of outer service, without a corresponding emphasis upon the life of devotion, has already led to obviously damaging results, one of which is calculated arrogance." - From The New Man for Our Time by Elton Trueblood
Where is YOUR middle ground for finding the right balance between the need to 'be' and the need to 'do'?
Genesis 17:1
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless."
Be blameless? As we enter this second week of Lent, I know we are striving for spiritual growth, but to be blameless? On the other hand, if God is asking it, it must be possible. How much influence does the Holy Spirit have in your life? Enough to help you walk before God and be blameless?
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless."
Be blameless? As we enter this second week of Lent, I know we are striving for spiritual growth, but to be blameless? On the other hand, if God is asking it, it must be possible. How much influence does the Holy Spirit have in your life? Enough to help you walk before God and be blameless?
Sunday, March 1, 2009
"I have found nothing more important than to learn how to get oneself into that frame and condition in which one can pray. You have to learn how to start yourself off, and it is just here that this knowledge of yourself is so important." - From Preaching and Preachers by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
How do you get started?
How do you get started?
First Sunday of Lent
Mark 1:12
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.
It is snowing and yet we are still gathering to worship! We are voluntarily deciding to show up for church. Many of us remember being "forced" to go to church growing up. Do we sometimes mature more when "driven" into church as Christ was driven into the wilderness? Or is it more effective when we make ourselves do the right thing?
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.
It is snowing and yet we are still gathering to worship! We are voluntarily deciding to show up for church. Many of us remember being "forced" to go to church growing up. Do we sometimes mature more when "driven" into church as Christ was driven into the wilderness? Or is it more effective when we make ourselves do the right thing?
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