Changed

Saul stayed with the disciples in Damascus for several days. Right away, he began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues. “He is God’s Son,” he declared. Everyone who heard him was baffled. They questioned each other, “Isn’t he the one who was wreaking havoc among those in Jerusalem who called on this name? Hadn’t he come here to take those same people as prisoners to the chief priests?” But Saul grew stronger and stronger. He confused the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. After this had gone on for some time, the Jews hatched a plot to kill Saul. However, he found out about their scheme. They were keeping watch at the city gates around the clock so they could assassinate him. But his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the city wall. (Acts 9:19b-25, CEB)

We always think we know people. Everyone in Damascus knew Saul, and how he was against Jesus.

They, like us, have a hard time when people do not live up to their past. We want them to be like we know them. We are not prepared for things to be out of our control.

But here is the truth. Nothing is in your control, except you being open to God.

So are you open? Are you able to let go and follow God, knowing you won’t like everything that happens, but trusting that God’s way is so much better than your ways?

Go. Loving out loud.

Loving People. Loving God.

Peace

As Jesus came to the city and observed it, he wept over it. He said, “If only you knew on this of all days the things that lead to peace. But now they are hidden from your eyes. The time will come when your enemies will build fortifications around you, encircle you, and attack you from all sides. They will crush you completely, you and the people within you. They won’t leave one stone on top of another within you, because you didn’t recognize the time of your gracious visit from God.” (Luke 19:41-44, CEB)

What is peace?

Is peace the absence of all harm, all evil?

Here is a story I think of as I think of what peace is:

Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judges uncovered one peaceful scene after another, while the viewers clapped and cheered. The tensions grew. Only two pictures remained veiled. As a judge pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd. A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Surely this was the winner.
The man with the vision uncovered the second painting himself, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace? A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls. One of its branches reached out in front of the torrential waters as if foolishly seeking to experience its full power. A little bird had built a nest in the elbow of that branch. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil.

A Wardrobe from the King, Berit Kjos, pp. 45-46

Peace is not the absence of turmoil, hatred, evil. It is understanding that no matter what happens, God is always with us.

Live in peace.

Loving People. Loving God.

speak

Therefore, those who speak in a tongue should pray to be able to interpret. If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind isn’t productive. What should I do? I’ll pray in the Spirit, but I’ll pray with my mind too; I’ll sing a psalm in the Spirit, but I’ll sing the psalm with my mind too. After all, if you praise God in the Spirit, how will the people who aren’t trained in that language say “Amen!” to your thanksgiving, when they don’t know what you are saying? You may offer a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving, but the other person is not being built up. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I’d rather speak five words in my right mind than speak thousands of words in a tongue so that I can teach others. Brothers and sisters, don’t be like children in the way you think. Well, be babies when it comes to evil, but be adults in your thinking. In the Law it is written: I will speak to this people with foreign languages and foreigners’ lips, but they will not even listen to me this way, says the Lord. So then, tongues are a sign for those who don’t believe, not for those who believe. But prophecy is a sign for believers, not for those who don’t believe. So suppose that the whole church is meeting and everyone is speaking in tongues. If people come in who are outsiders or unbelievers, won’t they say that you are out of your minds? But if everyone is prophesying when an unbeliever or outsider comes in, they are tested by all and called to account by all. The secrets of their hearts are brought to light. When that happens, they will fall on their faces and worship God, proclaiming out loud that truly God is among you! (1 Corinthians 14:13-25, CEB)

Speaking in tongues is something that is interesting to most people in the church. We know it happens, but we arent’ sure what it means. Sometimes we think it means that people spoke and others heard it in their own language. And sometimes, like this passage, we get speaking in tongues is nonsense talk to those who do not know how to interpret. And this passage says that even I may not know what the Spirit is saying through me in my mind. And Paul tells the Corinthians that it is better to say 5 words that are understood than the most eloquent spirit-filled prayer that no one understands but God.

You see God knows all the thoughts of our hearts and minds and doesn’t need us to vocalize in any matter, so when we speak that is for those who hear, and if they do not understand then it doesn’t really do anyone any good.

We need to speak so others hear the love of God. Not in tongues, not in prophecy, but love.

Love out Loud.

Loving People. Loving God.

Wisdom

6 What we say is wisdom to people who are mature. It isn’t a wisdom that comes from the present day or from today’s leaders who are being reduced to nothing. 7 We talk about God’s wisdom, which has been hidden as a secret. God determined this wisdom in advance, before time began, for our glory. 8 It is a wisdom that none of the present-day rulers have understood, because if they did understand it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory! 9 But this is precisely what is written: God has prepared things for those who love him that no eye has seen, or ear has heard, or that haven’t crossed the mind of any human being. 10 God has revealed these things to us through the Spirit. The Spirit searches everything, including the depths of God. 11 Who knows a person’s depths except their own spirit that lives in them? In the same way, no one has known the depths of God except God’s Spirit. 12 We haven’t received the world’s spirit but God’s Spirit so that we can know the things given to us by God. 13 These are the things we are talking about—not with words taught by human wisdom but with words taught by the Spirit—we are interpreting spiritual things to spiritual people. 14 But people who are unspiritual don’t accept the things from God’s Spirit. They are foolishness to them and can’t be understood, because they can only be comprehended in a spiritual way. 15 Spiritual people comprehend everything, but they themselves aren’t understood by anyone. 16 Who has known the mind of the Lord, who will advise him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:6-16, CEB)

Knowledge it knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting a tomato in a fruit salad.

There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. And that is something we wish all our leaders had. Wisdom to do what is right for the common good.

We need to be wise, and follow after where God is leading us. God will lead us to things we haven’t seen, or heard, or thought of. We need to be open and not base things solely on our knowledge, but looks through God’s wisdom.

Also go sharing light and love.

Loving People. Loving God.

Why

21 He began to explain to them, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it.” 22 Everyone was raving about Jesus, so impressed were they by the gracious words flowing from his lips. They said, “This is Joseph’s son, isn’t it?” 23 Then Jesus said to them, “Undoubtedly, you will quote this saying to me: ‘Doctor, heal yourself. Do here in your hometown what we’ve heard you did in Capernaum.’” 24 He said, “I assure you that no prophet is welcome in the prophet’s hometown. 25 And I can assure you that there were many widows in Israel during Elijah’s time, when it didn’t rain for three and a half years and there was a great food shortage in the land. 26 Yet Elijah was sent to none of them but only to a widow in the city of Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 There were also many persons with skin diseases in Israel during the time of the prophet Elisha, but none of them were cleansed. Instead, Naaman the Syrian was cleansed.” 28 When they heard this, everyone in the synagogue was filled with anger. 29 They rose up and ran him out of town. They led him to the crest of the hill on which their town had been built so that they could throw him off the cliff. 30 But he passed through the crowd and went on his way. (Luke 4:21-30,CEB)

We judge people based on what we know about them. These people in Jesus’ hometown thought they knew him because he was the boy of Joseph and Mary. He was the child that ran through the streets and played with the other kids and learned in the synagogue. They couldn’t look past that.

And when Jesus lived into why he was here they questioned who he was, enough to try and run him off a cliff. Why do we think we are always right and so unwilling to see a different way?

We all need to have an open mind and know that things may not be as we see them, because God is bigger than all of us and will do things we do not expect or want God to do.

Be open to Jesus and follow where he leads.

Loving People. Loving God.

Follow me…

43 The next day Jesus wanted to go into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law and the Prophets: Jesus, Joseph’s son, from Nazareth.” 46 Nathanael responded, “Can anything from Nazareth be good?” Philip said, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here is a genuine Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” 49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are God’s Son. You are the king of Israel.” 50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these! 51 I assure you that you will see heaven open and God’s angels going up to heaven and down to earth on the Human One.” (John 1:43-51, CEB)

Have you ever judged someone because of where they are from?

We have preconceived notions about people based on where they are from. We also judge people based on their history.

We judge people based on what we know, not what we don’t know. But that is a limited amount of material to make a complete judgment of a person. We don’t know their thoughts, or the motives of their hearts. Their motives, their secret battles, the great things they have done for others.

We need to be open to God and follow where God leads. Knowing that God’s way is way better than our ways.

Love all and share light as you go.

Loving People. Loving God.

Open minds

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul took a route through the interior and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. 2 He asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you came to believe?” They replied, “We’ve not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 Then he said, “What baptism did you receive, then?” They answered, “John’s baptism.” 4 Paul explained, “John baptized with a baptism by which people showed they were changing their hearts and lives. It was a baptism that told people about the one who was coming after him. This is the one in whom they were to believe. This one is Jesus.” 5 After they listened to Paul, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in other languages and prophesying. 7 Altogether, there were about twelve people. 8 Paul went to the synagogue and spoke confidently for the next three months. He interacted with those present and offered convincing arguments concerning the nature of God’s kingdom. 9 Some people had closed their minds, though. They refused to believe and publicly slandered the Way. As a result, Paul left them, took the disciples with him, and continued his daily interactions in Tyrannus’ lecture hall. 10 This went on for two years, so that everyone living in the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the Lord’s word. (Acts 19:1-10,CEB)

Here is another look at baptism. These believers were baptized into John’s baptism, which is different than the baptism we as Christians do. So Paul told them about Jesus and they were baptized and then received the Holy Spirit. But some had closed their minds because they knew the best way and that this new thing could not possibly be what God wants us to do.

If we are not open to new things then we have closed our minds and are unwilling to be moved, changed, or grow. We all need to grow into the faith and trust of God and follow where God leads us.

So always be open minded.

Loving People. Loving God.

Baptized

44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone who heard the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 They heard them speaking in other languages and praising God. Peter asked, 47 “These people have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. Surely no one can stop them from being baptized with water, can they?” 48 He directed that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited Peter to stay for several days. (Acts 10:44-48, CEB)

So which comes first?

Water Baptism?

Or Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

In our service, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we have a spot after the water baptism where the person presiding says, “Name , child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” Which I always had issues with. Because this reads to me like at that point when the cross is drawn on the head of the baptized with oil the Spirit enters in. And how are we so bold to say that is when the Spirit comes?

Here in the reading, the Gentiles have received the Holy Spirit, and the disciples then ask, what is to keep them from being baptized with water? So the Holy Spirit comes when the Holy Spirit wants to. We do not control that. It could happen at the point above in the baptismal service, but to say that is when it happens for certain is not what we can do.

So go and know that God is in control and not you.

Loving People. Loving God.

heal

38 After leaving the synagogue, Jesus went home with Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a high fever, and the family asked Jesus to help her. 39 He bent over her and spoke harshly to the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and served them. 40 When the sun was setting, everyone brought to Jesus relatives and acquaintances with all kinds of diseases. Placing his hands on each of them, he healed them. 41 Demons also came out of many people. They screamed, “You are God’s Son.” But he spoke harshly to them and wouldn’t allow them to speak because they recognized that he was the Christ. 42 When daybreak arrived, Jesus went to a deserted place. The crowds were looking for him. When they found him, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of God’s kingdom in other cities too, for this is why I was sent.” 44 So he continued preaching in the Judean synagogues. (Luke 4:38-44, CEB)

Jesus healed many people, and in the morning he went off to be alone, but the crowds were looking for him because they wanted to be healed. They wanted him to stay because they wanted to be healed.

Don’t we all want to be healed? But sometimes healing isn’t what we think it will be. And we can’t be selfish and keep others from healing too. We need to let Jesus be where Jesus needs to be and allow all people to be healed.

And Jesus says he was not sent to heal, but to preach good news. And this is something we can all do. Share the good news of God’s mercy everywhere we go.

Loving People. Loving God.

Grow

2 Make room in your hearts for us. We didn’t do anything wrong to anyone. We didn’t ruin anyone. We didn’t take advantage of anyone. 3 I’m not saying this to make you feel guilty. I’ve already said that you are in our hearts so that we die and live together with you. 4 I have every confidence in you. I’m terribly proud of you. I’m filled with encouragement. I’m overwhelmed with happiness while in the middle of our problems. 5 Even after we arrived in Macedonia, we couldn’t rest physically. We were surrounded by problems. There was external conflict, and there were internal fears. 6 However, God comforts people who are discouraged, and he comforted us by Titus’ arrival. 7 We weren’t comforted only by his arrival but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your desire to see me, how you were sorry, and about your concern for me, so that I was even happier. 8 Even though my letter hurt you, I don’t regret it. Well—I did regret it just a bit because I see that that letter made you sad, though only for a short time. 9 Now I’m glad—not because you were sad but because you were made sad enough to change your hearts and lives. You felt godly sadness so that no one was harmed by us in any way. 10 Godly sadness produces a changed heart and life that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets, but sorrow under the influence of the world produces death. 11 Look at what this very experience of godly sadness has produced in you: such enthusiasm, what a desire to clear yourselves of blame, such indignation, what fear, what purpose, such concern, what justice! In everything you have shown yourselves to be innocent in the matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it wasn’t for the sake of the one who did wrong, or for the sake of the one who was wronged, but to show you your own enthusiasm for us in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 7:2-12, CEB)

Sometimes we need to be pushed beyond our comfort zone to be the people we were created to be. And when we are discouraged we know that God will be there to comfort us.

Sometimes we are pushed to the limit and that causes us to grow.

Never over look a moment you can grow.

Loving People. Loving God.