Luke 10:23-24 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
Blessed are we when we see God. I think people all look at the same things. We look at creation and we see beauty in different things. I live in South Carolina now and continue to love the ocean and the beach. I was saying last night when my son was talking about the specialness of the first snow, that for me it is the first odd day in January or February when it is still winter but for one day it is warm and I go to the beach in my bathing suit and lay out in the sun. We view beauty differently looking at the same world. I think we look at ourselves and other people and we see things differently as well. I know people who don't trust anyone and people who trust everyone. They view people very differently indeed. I think we view God differently, some can't see God in anything while others see God in everything. I think we all look for things that will give our lives enjoyment, meaning, and purpose and we see those intangibles in different things. Jesus states in this gospel that many powerful and intelligent folks looked for what the disciples see and did not see it. I have a wooden sign on my counter at home which many of you have probably seen in one place or another. The sign says Jesus but the word is in light color and the background dark. Because we are used to reading dark letters on a light background people can look and look and not see the word. Once however you have seen it, you will always see the word in the future. For me that is what I experienced in really seeing God clearly for the first time. It was not with my physical eye but with a more important spiritual one that I first saw who Jesus is. Indeed my life has been blessed to have seen it, I was looking and looking for something to make sense of everything else I see, and finally I saw it. I'm a lucky guy who caught a glimpse of the right thing, still luckier that Marsha saw it too. Blessed beyond measure that the clarity of the view has gotten better and better through the years as God works at making my spiritual eyes 20/20. I pray you too will be blessed to see.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Just Go!
Luke 10:17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
I love being a priest, did I ever tell you that. I've held newborns before their fathers and grandparents. Imagine that, a baby handed to me because I'm invited into lives at precious moments just because I was their priest. I didn't have to pay the normal dues to join the club of trusted family and friends, I was just admitted free of charge again and again into precious personal times both fun and challenging. I've learned a lot about myself and people and God in those moments and like the disciples returning I have rejoiced at the power of God I've seen in those moments. I too was sent two by two not into every moment of my journey but I always had Marsha to share the road with me. Often I couldn't even tell her what I'd experienced in the privacy of those moments, but I always knew she was praying for me and sharing our journey. I think our prayer so often put me in the right place at the right time. Many of God's little miracles in my ministry happened as God changed my day in the middle of life and brought me at the exact moment I should be there to the right place. I've always had the feeling that without Marsha's part in that journey I wouldn't have been so perceptive of where God wanted me. This trip started long before I was ordained and blessed us all along the way, even before I thought of being ordained. I really do value all that I've learned about myself and people and God along the way. It all happened because were sent two by two, but also because we said yes and went. Have you gone? Will you go?
I love being a priest, did I ever tell you that. I've held newborns before their fathers and grandparents. Imagine that, a baby handed to me because I'm invited into lives at precious moments just because I was their priest. I didn't have to pay the normal dues to join the club of trusted family and friends, I was just admitted free of charge again and again into precious personal times both fun and challenging. I've learned a lot about myself and people and God in those moments and like the disciples returning I have rejoiced at the power of God I've seen in those moments. I too was sent two by two not into every moment of my journey but I always had Marsha to share the road with me. Often I couldn't even tell her what I'd experienced in the privacy of those moments, but I always knew she was praying for me and sharing our journey. I think our prayer so often put me in the right place at the right time. Many of God's little miracles in my ministry happened as God changed my day in the middle of life and brought me at the exact moment I should be there to the right place. I've always had the feeling that without Marsha's part in that journey I wouldn't have been so perceptive of where God wanted me. This trip started long before I was ordained and blessed us all along the way, even before I thought of being ordained. I really do value all that I've learned about myself and people and God along the way. It all happened because were sent two by two, but also because we said yes and went. Have you gone? Will you go?
Easy?
Luke 9:57-60 As they were going along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
How easy it is to say that we will follow Jesus anywhere? The man in the gospel probably even meant it, but he probably also thought that following Jesus would be such any easy road. I had a friend who used to say it was so much easier when she wasn't a Christian, and I always disagreed. Perhaps in light of this scripture I was premature. I was confusing a better life with an easier life. I would not trade my life following Jesus for any other and yet, I think too often I'm still looking for the easier life in this world. If Jesus is our model and is speaking of his life when he says "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” How can we expect anything different?
I'm sitting here this morning in my prayer time aching a little from torturing my own body with 54 holes of golf yesterday. I slept real good last night and feel much better this morning than I did before bed last night, but I was a little whiny last night. Meanwhile some people actually hurt from lack of shelter and a lack of food, and I'm not speaking of the ones like me that torture themselves with bad choices. Life is not easy for any of us, but it is much easier for some of us. The problem is my lack of ease is meant to come from my effort on flowing the master not from striving to indulge myself with more. Silly me.
How easy it is to say that we will follow Jesus anywhere? The man in the gospel probably even meant it, but he probably also thought that following Jesus would be such any easy road. I had a friend who used to say it was so much easier when she wasn't a Christian, and I always disagreed. Perhaps in light of this scripture I was premature. I was confusing a better life with an easier life. I would not trade my life following Jesus for any other and yet, I think too often I'm still looking for the easier life in this world. If Jesus is our model and is speaking of his life when he says "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” How can we expect anything different?
I'm sitting here this morning in my prayer time aching a little from torturing my own body with 54 holes of golf yesterday. I slept real good last night and feel much better this morning than I did before bed last night, but I was a little whiny last night. Meanwhile some people actually hurt from lack of shelter and a lack of food, and I'm not speaking of the ones like me that torture themselves with bad choices. Life is not easy for any of us, but it is much easier for some of us. The problem is my lack of ease is meant to come from my effort on flowing the master not from striving to indulge myself with more. Silly me.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Have No Fear
Matthew 10:26-28 “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
What do most people fear? Poverty? Illness? Loneliness? We fear other people and wat they might do to us so we protect ourselves by grabbing on to things we hope will keep us safe. Without even recognizing the motivation we limit our lives by our lack of trust. The youth retreat called happening has a talk called masks which is close to the starting point of the weekend. The speaker gives examples of their own life putting on masks by pretending to be something their not. If we can't be ourselves it is a sign that we don't trust someone. The Christian group "Casting Crowns" has a song called "The Stained Glass Masquerade" that asks if we are tiny plastic people in our tiny plastic steeples or if we could take off our masks and be real. You can see the most dangerous to pretend to be without fear or to be in control, like drugs alcohol, sex and violence. Many people use those to cope or control so their fear is put asleep for awhile. Can you imagine yourself proclaiming from the housetop what God has whispered through scripture or prayer? What prevents you? Perhaps you could even think of a less dramatic expression of your faith to the world, what prevents you from expressing it? If we can't share our faith with others because we fear what might happen to our bodily lives, we endanger our soul.
What do most people fear? Poverty? Illness? Loneliness? We fear other people and wat they might do to us so we protect ourselves by grabbing on to things we hope will keep us safe. Without even recognizing the motivation we limit our lives by our lack of trust. The youth retreat called happening has a talk called masks which is close to the starting point of the weekend. The speaker gives examples of their own life putting on masks by pretending to be something their not. If we can't be ourselves it is a sign that we don't trust someone. The Christian group "Casting Crowns" has a song called "The Stained Glass Masquerade" that asks if we are tiny plastic people in our tiny plastic steeples or if we could take off our masks and be real. You can see the most dangerous to pretend to be without fear or to be in control, like drugs alcohol, sex and violence. Many people use those to cope or control so their fear is put asleep for awhile. Can you imagine yourself proclaiming from the housetop what God has whispered through scripture or prayer? What prevents you? Perhaps you could even think of a less dramatic expression of your faith to the world, what prevents you from expressing it? If we can't share our faith with others because we fear what might happen to our bodily lives, we endanger our soul.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Masterful Servant
Luke 9:46-48 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But when Jesus perceived the thought of their hearts, he took a child and put him by his side, and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me; for he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
How do you measure greatness? What is it that makes you think someone is great? Is it some particular ability? Perhaps greatness is their intelligence, or power, or fame or fortune. I don't know your answer, but I think you can miss who Jesus meant. The term translated child here could mean a young person, but it could also have been anyone from what we might call the underclass. It could have been a homeless man. It might have been the person he just healed of a demon. It doesn't matter all that much because I believe Jesus is saying it is himself who is the greatest. We get a hint in the gospel of John with the foot washing at the last supper. Jesus washes their feet and then speaks of their calling him master and he says so he is, but he came to serve and showed it again in their midst by doing the slaves task. The master is the one who serves, the greatest is the one who serves the underclass, the lowliest in society, the outcast.
Again and again the disciples who saw Jesus ministry first hand, seemed to want power or fame or some other reward for following him, even after he said to them if you want to be my disciples pick up your cross and follow me. They were looking for an advantage for themselves and a better life when Jesus said die to self and you shall live. Often we pick and choose the parts of the gospel that suit our life and our desires and miss this importance of serving the outcast and the underclass. Who in that situation was the greatest, Jesus the Christ. master of all and servant of all.
How do you measure greatness? What is it that makes you think someone is great? Is it some particular ability? Perhaps greatness is their intelligence, or power, or fame or fortune. I don't know your answer, but I think you can miss who Jesus meant. The term translated child here could mean a young person, but it could also have been anyone from what we might call the underclass. It could have been a homeless man. It might have been the person he just healed of a demon. It doesn't matter all that much because I believe Jesus is saying it is himself who is the greatest. We get a hint in the gospel of John with the foot washing at the last supper. Jesus washes their feet and then speaks of their calling him master and he says so he is, but he came to serve and showed it again in their midst by doing the slaves task. The master is the one who serves, the greatest is the one who serves the underclass, the lowliest in society, the outcast.
Again and again the disciples who saw Jesus ministry first hand, seemed to want power or fame or some other reward for following him, even after he said to them if you want to be my disciples pick up your cross and follow me. They were looking for an advantage for themselves and a better life when Jesus said die to self and you shall live. Often we pick and choose the parts of the gospel that suit our life and our desires and miss this importance of serving the outcast and the underclass. Who in that situation was the greatest, Jesus the Christ. master of all and servant of all.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Mountains & Valleys
Luke 9:35-36 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
Once again here comes the mountaintop experience. I had many of them and during most of them I heard God speak in one way or another. I'm not saying I saw Jesus transfigured or heard an outward booming voice from heaven or anything. That must have been simply unbelievable for those few disciples. Like most mountaintop experiences however it's like the old saying about the rich man's money, "You can't take it with you." The disciples seemed to forget quickly. Instead of listening to him they sought to control him. When he spoke about his coming death Peter rebuked him and Jesus said that famous line, "Get behind me satan." to Peter. Or the brothers trying to get the seats at his right and left in his kingdom. The mountaintop didn't seem to have all that much effect when it came to listening to him. I stopped chasing mountaintops a long time ago. That doesn't mean they stop happening. It just means I take what I can get from them, but no the valley is where the listening to him is most important. Pursue Jesus daily and he will surprise you, amaze you, inspire you, shock you with mountaintop moments, but more important guide you and strengthen you for valley life.
Once again here comes the mountaintop experience. I had many of them and during most of them I heard God speak in one way or another. I'm not saying I saw Jesus transfigured or heard an outward booming voice from heaven or anything. That must have been simply unbelievable for those few disciples. Like most mountaintop experiences however it's like the old saying about the rich man's money, "You can't take it with you." The disciples seemed to forget quickly. Instead of listening to him they sought to control him. When he spoke about his coming death Peter rebuked him and Jesus said that famous line, "Get behind me satan." to Peter. Or the brothers trying to get the seats at his right and left in his kingdom. The mountaintop didn't seem to have all that much effect when it came to listening to him. I stopped chasing mountaintops a long time ago. That doesn't mean they stop happening. It just means I take what I can get from them, but no the valley is where the listening to him is most important. Pursue Jesus daily and he will surprise you, amaze you, inspire you, shock you with mountaintop moments, but more important guide you and strengthen you for valley life.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
For Them Or All
Matthew 28:16-20 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
Today is Ascension Day and we remember the day that Jesus ascended to heaven before the eyes of the disciples. This day is a day of triumph for Jesus as the resurrected one returns to heaven and picks up the divinity he set aside to be born human. W could find enough meaning for the day in just this wonderful note of triumph. God wins. But today is also the day we hear the last words of Jesus resounding through time. The words of what the church calls the great commission continue to be the timeless words of Jesus partly because they were his last earthly words. The words spoken to the disciples during the night we call the Last Supper are others that for me leap out in importance. I'm not minimizing all the other words and teaching that was given by Jesus during his ministry, but I have always thought certainly he would say only important words when he knew his time was very short. On this occasion Jesus gives instructions to the disciples about what they are now commissioned to do. I think even among these words we sometimes misplace the emphasis. I think the church has put the focus on "baptizing all nations", and neglected the "teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you". He didn't want just a body count of how many people have been baptized, but rather to make disciples who follow his teaching and his commands. I don't think he thought the those few disciples were going to make disciples of all nations. That would be the context if those words were only aimed at the disciples present with him on that mountain in Galilee. No I believe he wanted those words to be the commission for all of us as well. Not just words for a few but words for all believers. In order to fulfill Jesus last words we must first be willing to learn all he taught and commanded, and then to teach others all he taught and commanded, so they too can be disciples. He wants everyone to be included, the whole world. Are you ready to hear and live by his last words? Well start or continue learning and teaching!!
Today is Ascension Day and we remember the day that Jesus ascended to heaven before the eyes of the disciples. This day is a day of triumph for Jesus as the resurrected one returns to heaven and picks up the divinity he set aside to be born human. W could find enough meaning for the day in just this wonderful note of triumph. God wins. But today is also the day we hear the last words of Jesus resounding through time. The words of what the church calls the great commission continue to be the timeless words of Jesus partly because they were his last earthly words. The words spoken to the disciples during the night we call the Last Supper are others that for me leap out in importance. I'm not minimizing all the other words and teaching that was given by Jesus during his ministry, but I have always thought certainly he would say only important words when he knew his time was very short. On this occasion Jesus gives instructions to the disciples about what they are now commissioned to do. I think even among these words we sometimes misplace the emphasis. I think the church has put the focus on "baptizing all nations", and neglected the "teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you". He didn't want just a body count of how many people have been baptized, but rather to make disciples who follow his teaching and his commands. I don't think he thought the those few disciples were going to make disciples of all nations. That would be the context if those words were only aimed at the disciples present with him on that mountain in Galilee. No I believe he wanted those words to be the commission for all of us as well. Not just words for a few but words for all believers. In order to fulfill Jesus last words we must first be willing to learn all he taught and commanded, and then to teach others all he taught and commanded, so they too can be disciples. He wants everyone to be included, the whole world. Are you ready to hear and live by his last words? Well start or continue learning and teaching!!
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