Carried…

I had a conversation today with a dear friend and he asked during the conversation, “Is it possible for a sinner to go to a sacrament?” Now take for a moment that my friend use to be Catholic… It is a very profound question. My immediate answer was no. The bible tells us that the holy and the unholy can not mix. So the sinner who is unholy can not mix with the holy or the sacrament…

So then how does the sinner become holy? If not through the sacraments then how does one become able to stand in the presence of God.

I believe the answer comes through this past Sunday’s gospel text and Martin Luther’s explanation of the third article of the Apostle’s Creed and the below song by Leeland…

This past Sunday Jesus said to the crowd, that had become Jews in our reading that “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:44 ESV) Here in this verse Jesus says that we are drawn to Jesus by God. I read before last weeks sermon that the connotation of this word was more of a dragging then a drawn. But my quick look into it is more of “to bid a thing to be carried to one”. Martin Luther tells us in his explanation of the third article of the creed, “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith…” And Leeland tells us, that we are carried to the sacrament!

You see it is not by our works, or the fact we are even worthy, because we are not we are worthless sinners, but God still loves us and calls out to us! God loves us even in our filth and wants to use us to spread the love He has for us and the world.

So while as a sinner you can not come, God himself carries you to Jesus! He picks you up and brings you to the arms of the one who gave everything so you might be with Him!

God’s eyes

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
(2 Peter 3:14-18 ESV)

Let the patience of the Lord be your salvation! Jesus is patient that all should come to know who He is, that we all find our way back home. But how?

We are to be found without spot or blemish and at peace… Seems a pretty tall order. Considering it seems like everyday we are doing something to make us be spotty, or get another blemish and are we at peace? And that begs the question, by who’s understanding our we spotless, or blemish free, and who are we at peace with?

Is this Peter’s understanding? Because there was a time when Peter said that is a Greek was not circumcised that was a spot or a blemish. And there was little peace for a while among the disciples on this subject. Look at Acts to see the fighting that went on about those who are not Jews, and how they can become Christians.

I think one of the most powerful people in your life would have something to say about this. That person is you. Others will say how good you are and the wonderful things you have done, but you know all of your past. You know all of your wrongs.

Are you at peace with yourself? We often fight with ourselves and can’t see beyond our own faults and failings to do anything different then we always have. God came and paid the price though, and loves us as we are and frees us to do wonderful things.

I was watching the Prince of Egypt last night and there is a seen where Jethro says that Moses is there honored guest. Moses says he has done nothing worthy of honor, yet he has freed Jethro’s daughter from Egypt and has saved his other daughters from bandits. It is all in how we see it, and according to Jethro we have to look at our lives through heavens eyes. We have to see us through God’s eyes…

So look at your life through the eyes of God and allow Him to work in and through you to do wonderful things. Knowing that He has paid for the cleaning to make you spotless and without blemish and He has a peace for you, so that you may learn more about Him, and receive an abundance of grace that you can go and share with others.

So look at your life through God’s eyes!

Listen to God…

“But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel would not submit to me.
So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.
Oh, that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
I would soon subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes.
Those who hate the LORD would cringe toward him,
and their fate would last forever.
But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
(Psalm 81:11-16 ESV)

We will be ok, if we can only listen to God. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened by God and did what he did because God was using him. We all can be in God’s good graces if we only listen to Him. and we all know how easy that it!

How easy is it to listen to God?

When you aren’t sure what His voice sounds like? Is that me or is that God? The sound of a thought passing through your mind that seems like something foreign to you, could it be God, or the devil leading you astray?

Or does God speak to us through the community of gathered believers we worship with? Well that would be only if God is speaking to them. And they have not been lead astray as the above psalm tells us.

How do you know if you are listening to the Lord? It is not easy, and if everything you are doing seems to be something you have done before and it doesn’t push your thoughts or imagination or your faith, you may not be hearing God right, but you may… God speaks in many and various ways. We have to be listening to hear Him and ready and able to follow when He calls and leads us.

It is enough

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God. (1 Kings 19:4-8 ESV)

It is enough, please take my life! I know exactly how Elijah feels. Elijah is distraught and is running for his life because Jezebel has said he is to be killed. Elijah sits down beneath a tree and asks God to take him to be with his ancestors.

I got it. I really do. Waiting for the community where God is calling me. Watching my family wonder and suffer as I try to figure out where we need to be. Wondering if it will ever happen. I wander as I wonder what will happen next. Elijah just came down from a high of defeating the prophets of Baal when God rained down fire from heaven and causing Elijah’s pile of wood to catch fire. Now he is running and asking for death. He has trouble seeing the full picture just as we do. We wonder what awaits because of our discontent with our current situations.

But just like Elijah, God is providing for us. And just as God will appear to Elijah in the still small voice, He will show each of us the wonders of the abundant life he has for us. Just rest in His hands and live in His care. He will supply our every need if we will only just trust that He will…

Music of God

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
(Psalm 34:1-8 ESV)

Can you identify with this psalm? I might be much like a song from your youth that brings about certain thoughts or feelings when you read it.

Music is powerful and draws us to places we once remembered or places inside of our selves where we go away to hide. When you hear, “Welcome to the Hotel California…” what do you think? Or how about “When the lights go down in the city…” Or maybe “amazing grace how sweet the sound…”

Can you identify with the lines of the psalm? “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.” We have all cried to the Lord in our troubles in our wanting… We are all blessed when we take refuge in Him. Read the psalm and remember that this was a song of David, or someone else who wrote it. It is a way to be drawn to a place where God will give you shelter, and protect you. God will deliver you from all of your worries if you will let Him. Draw near to Him and live in the life He will give you.

Prodigal God by Timothy Keller ~ Book Review

Timothy Keller does a supurb job of unlocking the understanding of the Christian faith through his look at a well known parable of Jesus.

The Prodigal God looks at the parable told by Jesus in Chapter 15 of the gospel according to Luke.  It is a wonderful story that I have read many books on and studied to find new insights and to see from new angles and Timothy Keller opened up Pandora’s box with his revelations on the parable that begins, “There was a father who had two sons…”

Most of us know this story as the story of the Prodigal son. But I have always entitled it the story of the Loving Father. But Timothy Keller calls it the story of the Two Lost Sons. You see as is pointed out in the book, prodigal does not mean wayward but it means “recklessly spendthrift.” The prodigal part really is a statement about God, and Timothy helps us see that. He also unpacks the parable and helps us see how most of us who are in the church are probably older brothers and are just as lost as the younger brother.

Through this book Timothy helps us see just how extravagant God is with his grace, to what lengths He has gone to seek us out, and then how far He is willing to go to bring us back if we stray from Him. This book is a must read for anyone who claims to understand the Christian faith, as it will help us see how much we are the problem and how we might be better followers of Jesus.

Timothy Keller brings to life the parable of the Two Lost Sons and through it helps the heart of our Christian faith shine.

Bear each others burdens…

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.
Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:1-10 ESV)

Here in the opening of Galatians chapter 6 we are called to restore our brothers and sisters when we see catch them in a transgression a sin.  We who are spiritual must for the betterment of the body of Christ and for our brother and sisters rebuke them and correct their behavior! But wait a minute…

It does not say to rebuke them, or that we have to correct their behavior. The reading says we are to restore them in a spirit of gentleness. We are to help them see that what they are doing may not be the best thing for them and help them see this. Not bring the smack down on them and beat them into submission. But this goes for all of us.

You see we are all calling names, we are all doing things to provoke, we all are as guilty of sinning as the other we are pointing at. We need to be gentle with each other and bear the burdens of the other. We all think more highly of ourselves than we ought at times, and we need to see ourselves in the light of the other. We all have a long way to go and we need each other even when we do not see eye to eye.

We think we know what is spiritual because we have come up with the idea from our surroundings and our up bringing, and so what someone else is doing in the spirit may not seem spiritual to us, it may seem as if that brother or sister is sowing in the flesh and should be gently restored, when really they are working in the spirit…

We do not control the Holy Spirit and she flows where and how she will…

We need to bear each others burdens and work together through the spirit so that God’s mission is moved forward.

Daddy, be with all of us and help us to seek out your spirit, to not walk in our flesh, to look out for the other. Help us to bear each other and to lift each other to you in a spirit of gentleness so that we all might be restored, and in the relationship that you have for us with you and with each other…

Harmony is not agreement but unity

Romans 15:1-6 (NRSV)

We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Definition of HARMONY
har·mo·ny noun \ˈhär-mə-nē\
plural har·mo·nies

  1. archaic : tuneful sound : melody
  2. the combination of simultaneous musical notes in a chord
    1. the structure of music with respect to the composition and progression of chords
    2. the science of the structure, relation, and progression of chords
  3. pleasing or congruent arrangement of parts
    1. correspondence, accord
    2. internal calm : tranquillity
  4. an interweaving of different accounts into a single narrative
    1. a systematic arrangement of parallel literary passages (as of the Gospels) for the purpose of showing agreement or harmony

We are called to live in harmony. To me that s interesting as I spent a lot of time learning about harmony in my under-graduate and my first master degree studies of music. We looked at what made harmony and what kind of harmonies moved us from one chord to another and would move a piece is music. We looked at the difference in musical style over the years and how music grew and changed and how composers used the tools they had to create new sounds and styles to help give the picture and understanding they were looking for.

But all of us can understand that when we sing or play in harmony, we do not sing or ay the same notes. In fact we are always singing different notes when we are in harmony, and some harmony is even said to be dissonant, or maybe unpleasant to the ear… But it is in harmony, not the same, it moving forward in the same piece for the same reason…

So we are called to live in harmony with each other working together in our unity in Christ spreading His love for all. Not playing or doing the same part but working together. That means we may not always agree, but we can be in harmony…

Brokenhearted ~ Hurt ~ Yet Jesus can heal…

This was taken from a friends notes page of Facebook. I am fairly certain this article was written about me…

I am fairly certain that there are few things as emotionally and/or Spiritually painful as having someone with whom you have lived and shared faith embracing and teaching things (in the name of tolerance and love) that are contrary to God’s will and intent for us – as revealed in the written word of God. To know that you played a part in helping to raise them up and send them out to teach falsehood – a sense that you aided and abetted in the process – is HEARTBREAKING.

Yet, much like Paul writing to the Galatians, there comes that moment where you have said all that you have said. Coercion won’t help, and persuasion has failed. So how do you move on?

For any of my colleagues and friends who continue to assert theological, doctrinal, sociological, ecclesiological, and hermeneutical principles in the false ideology of “Jesus didn’t say (insert here” – playing freely with the other writings and teachings revealed in Scripture as being written and spoken by others that sometimes have something to do with Jesus, other times are directly attributed to Jesus, and other times are contrary to Jesus’ hope, intent, and purpose I will say these two things…

1) Jesus refers (and the authors of the Gospels and writings) refer to these written words in Greek as “sacred writings”. The tense of the terms, in Greek, infers that they are writings that were “true” and “sacred” not only then, but forever. Scripture is is often,yet not always, a tool to wield, but I would always encourage servants of the Christ to see the Scriptures as witness to which we are all called to humbly yield.

2) Even the teachings of Jesus that are quoted in red letters were not written by Jesus. They were attributed to Jesus by witnesses and disciples who wrote and taught in accordance with the teachings handed on to them. There was no tape recorder…but we receive them in trust.

(*note-please don’t argue these thoughts with me on this page. There is no debate regarding these things that is fruitful.)

It makes me wonder how this is to make me feel when this person was a huge part in me realizing my gifts for ministry and now as I struggle to find a congregation to lead I read this and question my call even more.

It is interesting that I am teaching falsehood and not following with what the sacred scriptures say. I wonder where the line is actually drawn? When Jesus met the Pharisees with the woman caught in the act of adultery, as He is drawing in the sand He tells them that the one without sin may cast the first stone, yet we are all ready to throw our rocks when we spot someone who is sinning…

Where does the line go? We eat shell fish, and catfish which are against the dietary laws of the Holy Scripture. I eat bacon and all kinds of pork and know many others who do as well, and this is against the dietary laws of the sacred scripture. We wear clothing made of mixed fibers, and that is against the laws of the sacred scripture. We seem to pick and choice what laws we will follow. Right after one of the admonitions to homosexuality is the commandment to accept the outsider, and in America we are saying we need to send all of the immigrants back home. Well the sacred scripture tells us to accept and welcome the stranger and the alien. So which part do we listen to and follow and why do we get to pick and choice some?

I wonder how I am to move on, but then it is about me, and that is the real point where we might disagree…

I see it as not about me, but about all of creation. It is not about the hurt I feel when my pastor says that I am teaching falsehoods. It is not about the hurt I feel when my congregation leaves the denomination that I was ordained into (not that it is about the denomination, but about the church catholic and my call is not to the ELCA but my call is to God). It is not about my hurt or anything that I have gone through. It has to be about Jesus and spreading His gospel. And I do not recall any where where Jesus says that people are second class or lower and do not deserve the same respect and honors as all other people. We are all sinners in need of His grace and that is what it has to be about.

Brokenhearted – maybe we can move forward in the unity of Christ understanding we do not agree on interpretation to do what we are called to do – spread the gospel – the good news of Jesus to everyone.

The Fullness of You…

Prayer of Invocation: Isaiah 55: 1-9

We gather today, O Lord of Life, seeking fullness.
Not the fullness our world offers,
but fullness that comes from You.
We spend so much of our lives on things that do not count—
things that promise much and give little.
Help us now—today—to find fulfillment in Your love.
May we discover all You have to give,
and seek You while we yet have the gift of days.
Lift us O God, to a higher plane of living,
as we lift our hearts and minds and souls into Your Holy presence.
Amen! Make it so Lord! Amen!

That we may be filled with Your fullness and not our own! Fill us o Lord with the fullness that comes from you, not what we seek or what we think we want but what You know we need – The Fullness of You!

See we have to read Isaiah 55:1-9 again:

“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,
and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,
because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.
“Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
(Isaiah 55:1-9 ESV)

You see Isaiah told the people to not worry about eating more than what you need. You see bread is enough to sustain us, so why do we spend our money on more than what we need. Seeking after the better life, the life that gives us joy, but only in our own minds. We seek after the rich foods, and the glory, and these things are obtainable, but why do we seek them? We seek them for our own fulfillment and not for the abundance of life we  could have in God, if we would not worry about what we have and allow Him to fill us with the good things He will give us if we would only let Him.  We worry about having steak when bread is enough. And we worry about making the money to get the new things everyone has to have, when He will provide for our every need…

So live the abundant life – the life lived in God and the supply that He has for you…

Now reread the opening prayer, and allow it to permeate your life, that life lived in the fullness of God!

We gather today, O Lord of Life, seeking fullness.
Not the fullness our world offers,
but fullness that comes from You.
We spend so much of our lives on things that do not count—
things that promise much and give little.
Help us now—today—to find fulfillment in Your love.
May we discover all You have to give,
and seek You while we yet have the gift of days.
Lift us O God, to a higher plane of living,
as we lift our hearts and minds and souls into Your Holy presence.
Amen! Make it so Lord! Amen!