lukewarm

14 “Write this to the angel of the church in Laodicea: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your works. You are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I’m about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 After all, you say, ‘I’m rich, and I’ve grown wealthy, and I don’t need a thing.’ You don’t realize that you are miserable, pathetic, poor, blind, and naked. 18 My advice is that you buy gold from me that has been purified by fire so that you may be rich, and white clothing to wear so that your nakedness won’t be shamefully exposed, and ointment to put on your eyes so that you may see. 19 I correct and discipline those whom I love. So be earnest and change your hearts and lives. 20 Look! I’m standing at the door and knocking. If any hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to be with them, and will have dinner with them, and they will have dinner with me. 21 As for those who emerge victorious, I will allow them to sit with me on my throne, just as I emerged victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” (Revelation 3:14-22, CEB)

You are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot, but you are lukewarm…

You think that you have all you need and because of that, you do not see how you are not following after Christ. So I am going to spit you out because you think you are where you need to be but you are so far from it.

Are we complacent with our discipleship? Are we thinking we are where we need to be when really we should be seeking or moving?

How can we make sure we are not lukewarm and going through the motions?

Listen for God to lead you and follow. Go into the world loving as you go.

Loving People. Loving God.

Hairs on your head

4 “I tell you, my friends, don’t be terrified by those who can kill the body but after that can do nothing more. 5 I’ll show you whom you should fear: fear the one who, after you have been killed, has the authority to throw you into hell. Indeed, I tell you, that’s the one you should fear. 6 Aren’t five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them is overlooked by God. 7 Even the hairs on your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. 8 “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before humans, the Human One will acknowledge before God’s angels. 9 But the one who rejects me before others will be rejected before God’s angels. 10 Anyone who speaks a word against the Human One will be forgiven, but whoever insults the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven. 11 When they bring you before the synagogues, rulers, and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what you should say. 12 The Holy Spirit will tell you at that very moment what you must say.” (Luke 12:4-12, CEB)

Even the hairs on your head are counted…

I find so much peace in this verse. God knows all the hairs on my head. God knows us each so well God knows the number of hairs on our heads. That is super comforting, even for this bald man! Well actually I’m not bald, I shave every day, so it still brings me peace.

We are worth more than the sparrows and creation, God created us to be caretakers of creation.

Know that you are loved. Go loving!

Loving People. Loving God.

Satan’s Synagogue

“Write this to the angel of the church in Smyrna: These are the words of the one who is the first and the last, who died and came back to life: 9 I know your hardship and poverty (though you are actually rich). I also know the hurtful things that have been spoken about you by those who say they are Jews (though they are not, but are really Satan’s synagogue). 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are going to suffer. Look! The devil is going to throw some of you into prison in order to test you. You will suffer hardship for ten days. Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Those who emerge victorious won’t be hurt by the second death. (Revelation 2:8-11, CEB)

I know the things that are spoken about you by those who say they are Jews but are really a part of Satan’s Synagogue! WOW!

This right here shows we should not care what others say about us. God knows the truth and always will. We need to be focused on what we are called to do and be and do that.

Do not worry about what others think or say about you. God knows.

Love as you are loved.

Loving People. Loving God

Readers Digest

The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, 2 happened just as it was written about in the prophecy of Isaiah: Look, I am sending my messenger before you. He will prepare your way, 3 a voice shouting in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.” 4 John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. 5 Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. 6 John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 About that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. 10 While he was coming up out of the water, Jesus saw heaven splitting open and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him. 11 And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.” 12 At once the Spirit forced Jesus out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him. 14 After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, 15 saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” (Mark 1:1-15, CEB)

The author of the Gospel of Mark is not one to mince words.

The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and then we are into the story. Nothing but straight business and everything happens now, or immediately in Mark. The author is known to use the phrase Καὶ εὐθὺς which is and immediately over and over again. There is a matter of urgency to the gospel.

It starts out the beginning of the good news and ends with the woman leaving the tomb and saying nothing to anyone… Not a great ending of a book of good news.

Except when you realize that it isn’t an ending, the story continues with you.

Let your life speak the good news of the story of Jesus Christ, the son of God, so that all may come to know the love God has for them.

Loving People. Loving God.

Doubt or unfaithful?

19 It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.” 24 Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.” 26 After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!” 28 Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.” 30 Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. 31 But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name. (John 20:19-31, CEB)

This is always the passage for the Sunday after Easter. Where Thomas gets a bad rap for some faulty translation.

The text actually reads καὶ μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος ἀλλὰ πιστός. Which we get translated in the NRSV as do not doubt but believe. And above it is better with “No more disbelief. Believe!” the words in question here are ἄπιστος and πιστός. Even if you can’t read the Greek you can see that these words are the same except for the ἄ. The ἄ is put on a word to negate the word. So whatever the word is the first word is dis the word. So to say do not doubt but believe is not really what is meant because doubt is not the opposite of belief. Doubt leads us to discover and question and that is not the opposite of belief. Thomas wasn’t with the other 10 locked away, where was he? He didn’t see Jesus and he wants nothing more than the rest already got. To see Jesus.

SO do not think you can’t question or wonder about faith. God is big enough to take it. And do not think that doubt is the opposite of faith. Doubt pushes us to a deeper faith. And God is big enough to take our doubts.

Loving People. Loving God.

They didn’t get it!

36 While they were saying these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 37 They were terrified and afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you startled? Why are doubts arising in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It’s really me! Touch me and see, for a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones like you see I have.” 40 As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. (Luke 24:36-40, CEB)

Have you ever wondered if you are good enough to be a disciple? I have all the time. I wonder how I can be good enough to be a follower of Jesus. I constantly mess up and I don’t get what Jesus is saying or doing. But then I see these passages.

Here Jesus appears to the disciples after he has been raised from the dead. Now don’t get me wrong all of the disciples saw Jesus get killed. However they also all walked with him for 3 years and heard him talk about how he was going to be killed and then rise from the dead. And they knew him and now they see him in front of them and they are still doubting what they are seeing. This is the most hope filled passage for all of us. If the disciples didn’t get it, we are ok not to get it too.

There is hope that we are still loved. God truly loves us all regardless of how bad we mess it up or get it wrong.

Know you are loved. So share love.

Loving People. Loving God.

What?

17 The high priest, together with his allies, the Sadducees, was overcome with jealousy. 18 They seized the apostles and made a public show of putting them in prison. 19 An angel from the Lord opened the prison doors during the night and led them out. The angel told them, 20 “Go, take your place in the temple, and tell the people everything about this new life.” 21 Early in the morning, they went into the temple as they had been told and began to teach. When the high priest and his colleagues gathered, they convened the Jerusalem Council, that is, the full assembly of Israel’s elders. They sent word to the prison to have the apostles brought before them. 22 However, the guards didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison locked and well-secured, with guards standing at the doors, but when we opened the doors we found no one inside!” 24 When they received this news, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were baffled and wondered what might be happening. 25 Just then, someone arrived and announced, “Look! The people you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain left with his guards and brought the apostles back. They didn’t use force because they were afraid the people would stone them. (Acts 5:17-26, CEB)

How did they get out of a locked prison and back into the temple? We know because we read that an angel came to them and God did it, but the Chief Priest and the rest have no clue. When the guards went to the temple to get the apostles to bring them before the council they didn’t use force because they feared for their life.

What has God done in your life that really doesn’t make sense to those around you or to you? God can and will do things that defy our natural understanding and confuse us. But rest assured that God is in control and will do as God pleases.

We just need to follow along and do as we are instructed. That is to love.

So go.

Loving People. Loving God.

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12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. They would come together regularly at Solomon’s Porch. 13 No one from outside the church dared to join them, even though the people spoke highly of them. 14 Indeed, more and more believers in the Lord, large numbers of both men and women, were added to the church. 15 As a result, they would even bring the sick out into the main streets and lay them on cots and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow could fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Even large numbers of persons from towns around Jerusalem would gather, bringing the sick and those harassed by unclean spirits. Everyone was healed. (Acts 5:12-16, CEB)

No one from outside the church dared to join them even though they would bring people to be healed by being in the shadow of Peter.

And yet the Lord added to their numbers daily.

They gathered and did what the Lord led them to do and people came to be a part of the gathering.

When we follow after God and do what God has called us to do more and more will be added. We do not bring people to the gathering, God does. We gather and support one another.

Love as God loves you.

Loving People. Loving God.

Wondering

Very early in the morning on the first day of the week, the women went to the tomb, bringing the fragrant spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in, they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 They didn’t know what to make of this. Suddenly, two men were standing beside them in gleaming bright clothing. 5 The women were frightened and bowed their faces toward the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He isn’t here, but has been raised. Remember what he told you while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Human One must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” 8 Then they remembered his words. 9 When they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the eleven and all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. 11 Their words struck the apostles as nonsense, and they didn’t believe the women. 12 But Peter ran to the tomb. When he bent over to look inside, he saw only the linen cloth. Then he returned home, wondering what had happened. (Luke 24:1-12, CEB)

If you had buried a friend and then some other friends said that the friend you just buried was missing, would you go to the tomb to look and not finding you friend just walk away and go home wondering what had happened?

In today’s age I would be calling CSI to figure out what had happened. I wouldn’t be wondering about it and not doing anything. Where is Jesus? Who took the body? Why did they take the body?

Not oh I wonder what is going on…

It seems really silly to me that we do not get more details about them trying to remember what Jesus said or what happened to him.

It seems clear they still don’t get it but they seem unconcerned about what is happening.

But never stop wondering.

Loving People. Loving God.

Dragon and snake

Then a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant, and she cried out because she was in labor, in pain from giving birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: it was a great fiery red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads. 4 His tail swept down a third of heaven’s stars and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth so that when she gave birth, he might devour her child. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child who is to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was snatched up to God and his throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the desert, where God has prepared a place for her. There she will be taken care of for one thousand two hundred sixty days. 7 Then there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but they did not prevail, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 So the great dragon was thrown down. The old snake, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, was thrown down to the earth; and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, “Now the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ have come. The accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them day and night before our God, has been thrown down. 11 They gained the victory over him on account of the blood of the Lamb and the word of their witness. Love for their own lives didn’t make them afraid to die. 12 Therefore, rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them. But oh! The horror for the earth and sea! The devil has come down to you with great rage, for he knows that he only has a short time.” (Revelation 12:1-12, CEB)

The dragon appeared and was ready to devour the child, but when the child was born it was taken up to God, and the dragon was denied. And after the dragon and his angels were defeated there was no longer space for them in the heavens. So the dragon was cast out of heaven and so was the serpent, the devil. So who then is the dragon?

As if the devil was not enough to contend with now there is a dragon we also have to deal with.

But do not fear or worry about life, because God is in control. Even when dragons and snakes face us we do not need to fear.

Know that God loves you and will always be there for you.

Go into the darkness bringing the light of God with you.

Loving People. Loving God.