Those who have been reading this blog for the last two years knows that I am a Peanuts fan. During this Christmastide I am reminded of a cartoon in which Charlie Brown is reading the Christmas story: "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled."
Charlie Brown pauses and turns to Marcie to explain, "Caesar Augustus was the Emperor of Rome and the most powerful person on earth! One night in the little town of Bethlehem, a child was born, but no one paid any attention...After all, he was born in a common stable. Who would have thought that this child one day would be revered by millions while Caesar Augustus would be almost forgotten?"
Peppermint Patti interrupts and says, "No one paid any attention when I was born either, but now everyone loves me, and I'm gonna get so many presents for Christmas, it'll make your head swim!"
Charlie Brown turns to leave, Bible closed, and Peppermint Patti says, "Hey! Aren't you gonna finish the story?" Charlie Brown replies, "I think you [already] finished it."
Marcie may have had no idea about the deeper implications of the Christmas story, but she knew she was loved. That is the greatest gift of all.
There is the voice calling to us, "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." If we do, we, too, can have our best Christmas ever.
A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3)
Monday, December 24, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Devotion for the Second Week of Advent
It was December 14, 1862, just 11 days before Christmas. However, Christmas was far from the thoughts of almost 200,000 Union and Confederate soldiers facing each other across a battle-line near Fredericksburg, Virginia. The past few days had been gruesome with more than 12,000 soldiers killed.
Sergeant Richard Kirkland, a teenager, had seen enough. The story states that Kirkland went to see Confederate General Joseph Kershaw. "General," he said, "I can't stand this!" He startled his commanding officer. "All night and all day I hear those poor Federal people calling for water," he said, "and I can't stand it any longer. I ask permission to go and give them water."
General Kershaw replied, "Sergeant, you'd get a bullet through your head the moment you stepped over the stone wall onto the plain."
"Yes, sir," answered Kirkland, "I know that, but if you let me, I'm willing to try it."
The General responded, "The sentiment which prompts you is so noble that I will not refuse your request. God protect you. You may go."
Quickly the South Carolinian nineteen year old jump over the wall, giving every Yankee sharpshooter in that section an easy target. Kirkland walked calmly toward the Union lines until he reached the nearest wounded soldier. Kneeling, he took off his canteen and gently lifted the enemy soldier's head to give him a long, deep drink of refreshing cold water. Then he placed a knapsack under the head of his enemy and moved on to the next.
Racing against nightfall, he returned again and again to the lines where comrades handed him full canteens. Troops on both sides who had watched this unselfish act paid young Kirkland the supreme tribute - not a standing ovation, but respectful awed silence.
To repent means to change our attitudes toward other people from one of suspicion or hatred to one of love.
Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out. (Acts 3:19)
Sergeant Richard Kirkland, a teenager, had seen enough. The story states that Kirkland went to see Confederate General Joseph Kershaw. "General," he said, "I can't stand this!" He startled his commanding officer. "All night and all day I hear those poor Federal people calling for water," he said, "and I can't stand it any longer. I ask permission to go and give them water."
General Kershaw replied, "Sergeant, you'd get a bullet through your head the moment you stepped over the stone wall onto the plain."
"Yes, sir," answered Kirkland, "I know that, but if you let me, I'm willing to try it."
The General responded, "The sentiment which prompts you is so noble that I will not refuse your request. God protect you. You may go."
Quickly the South Carolinian nineteen year old jump over the wall, giving every Yankee sharpshooter in that section an easy target. Kirkland walked calmly toward the Union lines until he reached the nearest wounded soldier. Kneeling, he took off his canteen and gently lifted the enemy soldier's head to give him a long, deep drink of refreshing cold water. Then he placed a knapsack under the head of his enemy and moved on to the next.
Racing against nightfall, he returned again and again to the lines where comrades handed him full canteens. Troops on both sides who had watched this unselfish act paid young Kirkland the supreme tribute - not a standing ovation, but respectful awed silence.
To repent means to change our attitudes toward other people from one of suspicion or hatred to one of love.
Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out. (Acts 3:19)
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Devotion for the Week of November 12, 2007
Those who know me, or read this blog regularly will tell you that I am a big movie fan. I was watching Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade again. I enjoy this film the most out of the Indiana Jones films for many reasons, but has to do with having the search for the Holy Grail as part of the plot. As most of you may know, legend has it that the Holy Grail was the cup Jesus used at the Last Supper. Later it was given to Joseph of Arimethea, who used it to catch some of the blood of Jesus at His crucifixion.
Regardless of the amount of truth in the storyline, it is an entertaining movie. In one scene, the Nazi Colonel is trying to secure the cup, but cannot figure out how to go safety down the passageway. There are three traps that have been set to keep intruders away. Indiana Jones knows the answer to the passageway, but refuses to go in. The Colonel then shoots Indiana’s father and says, "Now Dr. Jones, the only way to save your father is through the miraculous power of the Grail."
To make a long story short, Jones does get the Grail, fills it with water and gives it to his father. His father is saved, but it is not the cup that saves him. It is his faith in the God of the cup. Afterwards, Indiana Jones' father asks him, "What did you find, Junior?"
Finding God does not need to be a quest, God is always right there. The cup of faith is standing there, full to the brim. All we have to do is accept it.
"I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)
Regardless of the amount of truth in the storyline, it is an entertaining movie. In one scene, the Nazi Colonel is trying to secure the cup, but cannot figure out how to go safety down the passageway. There are three traps that have been set to keep intruders away. Indiana Jones knows the answer to the passageway, but refuses to go in. The Colonel then shoots Indiana’s father and says, "Now Dr. Jones, the only way to save your father is through the miraculous power of the Grail."
To make a long story short, Jones does get the Grail, fills it with water and gives it to his father. His father is saved, but it is not the cup that saves him. It is his faith in the God of the cup. Afterwards, Indiana Jones' father asks him, "What did you find, Junior?"
Finding God does not need to be a quest, God is always right there. The cup of faith is standing there, full to the brim. All we have to do is accept it.
"I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Devotion for the Week of November 5, 2007
One of my friends, a father of twin girls, told me about an incident when they were eight years old. The two sisters spent the day fighting. That evening they prepared for bed, still mad at each other. As usual, they knelt by the side of their beds for their prayers. "Dear God," one of them began, "Bless Daddy and Mommy, bless Grandma and Grandpa, bless our cat and our dog." Then she stopped. My friend gently prodded, "Didn't you forget somebody?" She glared across the bed at her twin sister and added, "And, oh yes, God, bless my ex-sister."
Sometimes we wish it were that easy, don't we? But our brothers and sisters don't become `ex's' just because we are angry. We were created for relationship. Broken relationships tear at the very reason behind our existence. Jesus wants us to resolve our differences for the stake of our spiritual health.
We need to understand that unresolved anger is a spiritual issue. There is a sense of urgency in Jesus' words. When relationships are strained, whether it's our fault or not, we are to go at once and try our best to reconcile.
So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
(Matthew 5:23-24)
Sometimes we wish it were that easy, don't we? But our brothers and sisters don't become `ex's' just because we are angry. We were created for relationship. Broken relationships tear at the very reason behind our existence. Jesus wants us to resolve our differences for the stake of our spiritual health.
We need to understand that unresolved anger is a spiritual issue. There is a sense of urgency in Jesus' words. When relationships are strained, whether it's our fault or not, we are to go at once and try our best to reconcile.
So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
(Matthew 5:23-24)
Monday, October 29, 2007
Devotion for the Week of October 29, 2007
Once in a while I get something via email that I want to share with others. I received this one from a good friend of mine with a teenage daughter.
"The doctor cured by hearing problem," one girl said to another.
"What did the doctor do?" her friend asked.
"She removed my Ipod!"
Once reason why this is funny is because it has some truth to it. But it also raises some questions as well.
Do we have our spiritual earphones on? A good way to find out is to ask yourself how long it has been since a friend confided in you.
How long has it been since you confided in a friend?
Have you closed yourself off from God?
Do you feel self-sufficient?
We all need our friends for mutual support. We all need God's forgiving love. So, let us remove our spiritual earphones and open our hearts and receive.
Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin. (Proverbs 18:24)
"The doctor cured by hearing problem," one girl said to another.
"What did the doctor do?" her friend asked.
"She removed my Ipod!"
Once reason why this is funny is because it has some truth to it. But it also raises some questions as well.
Do we have our spiritual earphones on? A good way to find out is to ask yourself how long it has been since a friend confided in you.
How long has it been since you confided in a friend?
Have you closed yourself off from God?
Do you feel self-sufficient?
We all need our friends for mutual support. We all need God's forgiving love. So, let us remove our spiritual earphones and open our hearts and receive.
Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin. (Proverbs 18:24)
Monday, October 22, 2007
Devotion for the Week of October 22, 2007
“Pastor, I understand the idea of ‘You are the light of the world,’ but I’m not sure what Jesus means by being ‘the salt of the earth.’ This is how a conversation started after we had watch Godspell with the youth group some time ago.
I realized that in our twenty-first century culture many things from the Bible may not make sense to us. For us salt is a cheap condiment we find on almost every dinner table in America. But this was not the case 200 years ago.
In the ancient world salt was a valuable commodity. Workers were paid with salt. An interesting footnote is that the word "salary" is derived from the word, "salt." Many of the Roman soldiers were paid in salt. Some people wanting to buy something in the ancient world would often pay for it with salt, in the same way we use money today. People would treasure salt as we might value gold or silver. Even in Colonial America households usually keep salt locked up or hidden.
One reason salt was so valuable had to do with needing to have salt as part of ones diet when living in the heat of the Mediterranean world. Also, the value of being able to preserve food with it.
So, with this in mind, Jesus was calling them and their work valuable.
But there is more to it than that. The best way for me to explain the other part is with a story.
One evening a mother said to her son, "Put this salt in water and come back to me in the morning." The boy did as he was told, and the next day his mother said, "Please bring me the salt you put in the water yesterday." "I can't find it," replied the boy. "It has dissolved."
The wise woman told her son, "Taste the water from this side of the dish." Again the son did as he was told. "What taste does it have?" his father asked. "Salt," the son replied. “What about the other side of the dish,” the mother asked. Again, the boy answered, “Salt.”
Next, the woman told her son to pour the salty water onto the rocks. The boy did so only to discover that after the water had evaporated the salt reappeared.
Perhaps in calling his followers the "salt of the earth," Jesus meant that once people become his followers there is no turning back.
You are the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)
I realized that in our twenty-first century culture many things from the Bible may not make sense to us. For us salt is a cheap condiment we find on almost every dinner table in America. But this was not the case 200 years ago.
In the ancient world salt was a valuable commodity. Workers were paid with salt. An interesting footnote is that the word "salary" is derived from the word, "salt." Many of the Roman soldiers were paid in salt. Some people wanting to buy something in the ancient world would often pay for it with salt, in the same way we use money today. People would treasure salt as we might value gold or silver. Even in Colonial America households usually keep salt locked up or hidden.
One reason salt was so valuable had to do with needing to have salt as part of ones diet when living in the heat of the Mediterranean world. Also, the value of being able to preserve food with it.
So, with this in mind, Jesus was calling them and their work valuable.
But there is more to it than that. The best way for me to explain the other part is with a story.
One evening a mother said to her son, "Put this salt in water and come back to me in the morning." The boy did as he was told, and the next day his mother said, "Please bring me the salt you put in the water yesterday." "I can't find it," replied the boy. "It has dissolved."
The wise woman told her son, "Taste the water from this side of the dish." Again the son did as he was told. "What taste does it have?" his father asked. "Salt," the son replied. “What about the other side of the dish,” the mother asked. Again, the boy answered, “Salt.”
Next, the woman told her son to pour the salty water onto the rocks. The boy did so only to discover that after the water had evaporated the salt reappeared.
Perhaps in calling his followers the "salt of the earth," Jesus meant that once people become his followers there is no turning back.
You are the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Devotion for the Week of October 15, 2007
In 1903 a woman by the name of Annie Johnson lived in a small town in Arkansas. Her husband had left her to raise her two young children in the one room house they lived in. She had very little money and knew that there was no way she would be hired at the town’s two major sources of employment an cotton gin and a lumber yard. Being a tall and large woman she was unable to get work as a “domestic” plus she would have to leave her children with someone else most of the day. She also trusted God to give her the courage to find a way and follow it.
Now Annie had a talent, she could cook. She would never admit to being a great cook and se to say that she was only “mixing groceries well enough to scare hunger away from starving a man.”
She decided to use her talents and make herself a new path.
Early one morning Annie went outside the cotton gin with meat pies she had made the night before. Her plan was to heat them up so the aroma would entice the workers to buy them. One day she would serve the hot at the cotton gin for a nickel a piece and then go to the Lumber yard and serve them cold for three cents each. The next day she would reverse the order. At first her idea didn't catch on because most of the workers packed their own lunch, but gradually more and more of the workers bought her pies.
For the next few years, Annie never disappointed her customers. The workers came to depend on her. Before too long her simple mobile stall became a store carrying meat and cheese, built an equal distance between the cotton gin and the lumber yard where the customers came to her.
Annie had stepped from the road which seemed to have been chosen for her and cut herself a brand new path. That takes courage. That takes trust in God. What new path is God calling you to cut?
Each one helps the other, saying to one another, "Take courage!"
Isaiah 41:6
Now Annie had a talent, she could cook. She would never admit to being a great cook and se to say that she was only “mixing groceries well enough to scare hunger away from starving a man.”
She decided to use her talents and make herself a new path.
Early one morning Annie went outside the cotton gin with meat pies she had made the night before. Her plan was to heat them up so the aroma would entice the workers to buy them. One day she would serve the hot at the cotton gin for a nickel a piece and then go to the Lumber yard and serve them cold for three cents each. The next day she would reverse the order. At first her idea didn't catch on because most of the workers packed their own lunch, but gradually more and more of the workers bought her pies.
For the next few years, Annie never disappointed her customers. The workers came to depend on her. Before too long her simple mobile stall became a store carrying meat and cheese, built an equal distance between the cotton gin and the lumber yard where the customers came to her.
Annie had stepped from the road which seemed to have been chosen for her and cut herself a brand new path. That takes courage. That takes trust in God. What new path is God calling you to cut?
Each one helps the other, saying to one another, "Take courage!"
Isaiah 41:6
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Devotion for the Week of October 1, 2007
I apologize for not being up to date on this devotional page, but as many of you know, my mother passed away, and I have not really known what to write about. I have had writer’s block. The other when I was telling a friend of mine about this, he told me this story.
"The parish priest had asked George, one of the church members, if he could do some rewiring above the altar area. The only why he could reach the wiring was to enter the attic from the room behind the altar area and crawl out over the plaster ceiling by balancing on the rafters. His wife, Susan, was sitting in the first pew, keeping an eye on the occasional puff of dust from the ceiling that floated down.
"Susan did not realize it, but some of the other parishioners where starting to gather in the back of the church, waiting for the priest to walk out to the confessional. Those who were entering the rear of the church thought nothing of Susan, who did not recognize, sitting in the front pew because they assumed she was praying.
"Concerned for her husband’s safety, Susan yell up at George, "George, can you hear me? Are you up there? Did you make it okay?"
There was quite an outburst from the back of the church when they hear George’s clear and strong voice answer, "Yes, Yes, I made it up here just fine!"
For those of us who have had someone we love die, it is most comforting to know that they made it up there okay. We all have that assurance with Jesus Christ as our savior.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20
"The parish priest had asked George, one of the church members, if he could do some rewiring above the altar area. The only why he could reach the wiring was to enter the attic from the room behind the altar area and crawl out over the plaster ceiling by balancing on the rafters. His wife, Susan, was sitting in the first pew, keeping an eye on the occasional puff of dust from the ceiling that floated down.
"Susan did not realize it, but some of the other parishioners where starting to gather in the back of the church, waiting for the priest to walk out to the confessional. Those who were entering the rear of the church thought nothing of Susan, who did not recognize, sitting in the front pew because they assumed she was praying.
"Concerned for her husband’s safety, Susan yell up at George, "George, can you hear me? Are you up there? Did you make it okay?"
There was quite an outburst from the back of the church when they hear George’s clear and strong voice answer, "Yes, Yes, I made it up here just fine!"
For those of us who have had someone we love die, it is most comforting to know that they made it up there okay. We all have that assurance with Jesus Christ as our savior.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Devotion for Week of August 5, 2007
As some of you who read this blog already know, I have a small collection of old comic strip books such as Calvin and Hobbes, Peanuts, Garfield, and The Far Side. I often flip through them when I am stuck for a sermon idea or a devotion. This week was no different and I came across this Calvin and Hobbes cartoon.
Calvin says to Hobbes, "If you could have anything in the world right now, what would it be?" Hobbes is seen thinking hard and Calvin says, "Anything at all! What ever you want!" Hobbes finally answers, "A sandwich."
Calvin is then seen yelling, "A sandwich? What kind of stupid wish is that? Talk about a failure of imagination! I'd ask for a trillion billion dollars, my own space shuttle, and a private continent!"
The last frame of the cartoon shows Hobbes eating a sandwich while he says, "I got my wish."
Have you ever wanted some ability that someone else had? We often do that, but it is not necessary. Maybe we are just like the worker in the Gospel of Matthew who received only one talent. The servant with one talent did not have as much as the servant with five talents, but he still had all he needed. If he had not buried his talent in the ground, he could have done great things with it.
All of us are gifted, and all those gifts come from God. All of us have what we need to succeed. God has created us differently so that different tasks will get done in this world. And all of us have a place where we fit in. So maybe when we do not think we are successful, we just need to change our idea of what success is to match God’s.
But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. (Matthew 25:18)
As some of you who read this blog already know, I have a small collection of old comic strip books such as Calvin and Hobbes, Peanuts, Garfield, and The Far Side. I often flip through them when I am stuck for a sermon idea or a devotion. This week was no different and I came across this Calvin and Hobbes cartoon.
Calvin says to Hobbes, "If you could have anything in the world right now, what would it be?" Hobbes is seen thinking hard and Calvin says, "Anything at all! What ever you want!" Hobbes finally answers, "A sandwich."
Calvin is then seen yelling, "A sandwich? What kind of stupid wish is that? Talk about a failure of imagination! I'd ask for a trillion billion dollars, my own space shuttle, and a private continent!"
The last frame of the cartoon shows Hobbes eating a sandwich while he says, "I got my wish."
Have you ever wanted some ability that someone else had? We often do that, but it is not necessary. Maybe we are just like the worker in the Gospel of Matthew who received only one talent. The servant with one talent did not have as much as the servant with five talents, but he still had all he needed. If he had not buried his talent in the ground, he could have done great things with it.
All of us are gifted, and all those gifts come from God. All of us have what we need to succeed. God has created us differently so that different tasks will get done in this world. And all of us have a place where we fit in. So maybe when we do not think we are successful, we just need to change our idea of what success is to match God’s.
But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. (Matthew 25:18)
Friday, July 20, 2007
Devotion for the weeks of July 15 -28, 2007
I was reading about the agnostic Thomas Huxley on another website about agnostics and came across a reported conversation he had with a Christian who was being sincere in his questioning Huxley’s scepticism. This believer stressed to Huxley that he was not in any way criticizing Huxley system of belief. The Christian asked Huxley if he understood color-blindness. That no matter how much a person may try to tell a color blind person that he is wearing a red shirt. That no matter the facts that are there for most people to see, the color blind person can not see the color red. Huxley was then asked,Could it be that this was Huxley's problem--that he was simply blind to truth that was quite evident to others? Huxley, being a man of integrity, admitted that this was possible, and added that if it were, he himself, of course, could not know or recognize it. I believe Huxley was blind to a great many truths.
To people of faith, it is quite evident that we live in a universe inhabited by God. To think otherwise would deny the facts of life as we experience them. Could such an extraordinary world have happened without a divine hand directing it? Believers cannot deny their faith simply because others are blind or deaf or insensitive to what seems to be plainly evident to us. As far as we are concerned the burden of proof is on the non-believer. And rarely are they as confident as they pretend.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. (Psalm 25.5)
I was reading about the agnostic Thomas Huxley on another website about agnostics and came across a reported conversation he had with a Christian who was being sincere in his questioning Huxley’s scepticism. This believer stressed to Huxley that he was not in any way criticizing Huxley system of belief. The Christian asked Huxley if he understood color-blindness. That no matter how much a person may try to tell a color blind person that he is wearing a red shirt. That no matter the facts that are there for most people to see, the color blind person can not see the color red. Huxley was then asked,Could it be that this was Huxley's problem--that he was simply blind to truth that was quite evident to others? Huxley, being a man of integrity, admitted that this was possible, and added that if it were, he himself, of course, could not know or recognize it. I believe Huxley was blind to a great many truths.
To people of faith, it is quite evident that we live in a universe inhabited by God. To think otherwise would deny the facts of life as we experience them. Could such an extraordinary world have happened without a divine hand directing it? Believers cannot deny their faith simply because others are blind or deaf or insensitive to what seems to be plainly evident to us. As far as we are concerned the burden of proof is on the non-believer. And rarely are they as confident as they pretend.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. (Psalm 25.5)
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Devotion for the Week of July 9, 2007
I was talking with some friends about golf the other day. I told them I love to play golf. I go out and hit the ball 70 - 80 times, go into the clubhouse and have a sandwich and a cold drink, and then if I feel up to it I go out and play the back nine.
With that, one of the other guys told me this story. He was out playing golf in the middle of the week with his brother, just the two of them. On the 10th hole they both hit their long tee shots deep into the rough near a elderly ladies house. The lady was out working in her garden and watched them look for their golf balls for quite some time in the high grass and around the pine trees. Since there was no one waiting to tee off, they took more time than usual to search. This was not the first time either one of the had to spend time searching in the rough and their tempers were starting to flare.
The lady watched the pair and as they neared her house she said to them, “I don't want to bother you men," she said, "but will it be cheating if I tell you where the golf balls are?"
As we look around us, we see people searching for lost values, for real meaning in life, and for hope. We should not, no, we must not keep silent. Fulfilling the Great Commission means sharing Jesus Christ with those around us. It means speaking up and guiding them so they can find the forgiveness and salvation Christ freely offers.
There are too many people who have found Jesus and have good theology, but their outreach is almost nil. They are sound Christians, but they are also sound asleep. For some Christians, it is far too easy to be satisfied with themselves and those close to them being saved and then retreat from the world.
However, on the Day of Pentecost, the birthday of the CHURCH, we were shown that our primary mission is to reach out to the world. T he unity that those early Christians experienced and the prayers that they offered were only to help them better fulfill the task that Christ had given them to make disciples of all people. They existed not for their own benefit, but for the benefit of a lost world.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
With that, one of the other guys told me this story. He was out playing golf in the middle of the week with his brother, just the two of them. On the 10th hole they both hit their long tee shots deep into the rough near a elderly ladies house. The lady was out working in her garden and watched them look for their golf balls for quite some time in the high grass and around the pine trees. Since there was no one waiting to tee off, they took more time than usual to search. This was not the first time either one of the had to spend time searching in the rough and their tempers were starting to flare.
The lady watched the pair and as they neared her house she said to them, “I don't want to bother you men," she said, "but will it be cheating if I tell you where the golf balls are?"
As we look around us, we see people searching for lost values, for real meaning in life, and for hope. We should not, no, we must not keep silent. Fulfilling the Great Commission means sharing Jesus Christ with those around us. It means speaking up and guiding them so they can find the forgiveness and salvation Christ freely offers.
There are too many people who have found Jesus and have good theology, but their outreach is almost nil. They are sound Christians, but they are also sound asleep. For some Christians, it is far too easy to be satisfied with themselves and those close to them being saved and then retreat from the world.
However, on the Day of Pentecost, the birthday of the CHURCH, we were shown that our primary mission is to reach out to the world. T he unity that those early Christians experienced and the prayers that they offered were only to help them better fulfill the task that Christ had given them to make disciples of all people. They existed not for their own benefit, but for the benefit of a lost world.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Devotion for the Week of June 25, 2007
When I was in a DOD high school overseas, in order to save money, the school purchased only a few scripts for the drama class of a certain play and cut them up into the separate parts. The student director gave each actor his or her individual part in order and then started to rehearse the play. But nothing went right. After an hour of missed cues and mangled sequences, the cast gave up.
At that point, the director sat the actors all on the stage and said: "Look, I'm going to read the entire play to you, so don't any of you say a word." She read the entire script aloud, and when he was finished, one of the actors said: "So that's what it was all about!"
And when they understood the entire story, they were able to fit their parts together and have a successful rehearsal.
C. S. Lewis once said that the most frequently spoken word in heaven would be, "OH." As in, "Oh, now I understand." Or, "Oh, now I see God's plan." Or, "Oh, now I see the reason for everything."
In this world, however, we walk by faith, not by knowledge. But one day it will be revealed to us. We will be in the presence of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
There are some answers that are too large for our earthly, human brains to contain. But our greatest need is not understanding, but trust that God is with us. God is with us and will be with us until that day comes when all will be revealed.
Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven." (Matthew 16:17)
At that point, the director sat the actors all on the stage and said: "Look, I'm going to read the entire play to you, so don't any of you say a word." She read the entire script aloud, and when he was finished, one of the actors said: "So that's what it was all about!"
And when they understood the entire story, they were able to fit their parts together and have a successful rehearsal.
C. S. Lewis once said that the most frequently spoken word in heaven would be, "OH." As in, "Oh, now I understand." Or, "Oh, now I see God's plan." Or, "Oh, now I see the reason for everything."
In this world, however, we walk by faith, not by knowledge. But one day it will be revealed to us. We will be in the presence of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
There are some answers that are too large for our earthly, human brains to contain. But our greatest need is not understanding, but trust that God is with us. God is with us and will be with us until that day comes when all will be revealed.
Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven." (Matthew 16:17)
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Devotion for week of June 4, 2007
In an old Peanuts cartoon we see Peppermint Patty at the counter in a store. She is telling the store clerk, "I need some school supplies . . . some pencils, some paper, a loose-leaf binder . . .and some answers . . . I need a lot of answers!"
Well, don’t we all?
Life is full of difficult questions. There are many things in life we do not understand. This past Sunday I realized how many of us have a hard time understanding the Trinity--God as Father, God as Son, and God as Holy Spirit.
Even the best theologians find themselves at a loss to explain it satisfactorily, otherwise wh would there be so many books on the topic. Some use the analogy of the masks worn by actors in the old Greek tragedies. One actor wearing many masks can play many parts. But it is still just one actor.
There are many ways people try to explain the Trinity, but I think the secret of understanding the Trinity is trust. We can either spend our lives making ourselves miserable about what does not make sense to us or we can live joyful lives based on trust in God.
We may not be able to understand the mystery of God in three persons, but we can enjoy the incredible beauty made by God the creator. We may not understand how a baby born in Bethlehem's can be part of the Godhead, But we can read with awe the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and know that no one has ever lived closer to God than Jesus.
We may not understand all there is to understand about the Comforter that Jesus said he would send us, but there have been times when that Comforter, the Holy Spirit, has enveloped us with love. We do not have to understand God in three persons in order to experience the awesomeness of what those three persons can mean in our life. The secret of a successful life is not understanding but trust.
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. (Matthew 28:19)
Well, don’t we all?
Life is full of difficult questions. There are many things in life we do not understand. This past Sunday I realized how many of us have a hard time understanding the Trinity--God as Father, God as Son, and God as Holy Spirit.
Even the best theologians find themselves at a loss to explain it satisfactorily, otherwise wh would there be so many books on the topic. Some use the analogy of the masks worn by actors in the old Greek tragedies. One actor wearing many masks can play many parts. But it is still just one actor.
There are many ways people try to explain the Trinity, but I think the secret of understanding the Trinity is trust. We can either spend our lives making ourselves miserable about what does not make sense to us or we can live joyful lives based on trust in God.
We may not be able to understand the mystery of God in three persons, but we can enjoy the incredible beauty made by God the creator. We may not understand how a baby born in Bethlehem's can be part of the Godhead, But we can read with awe the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and know that no one has ever lived closer to God than Jesus.
We may not understand all there is to understand about the Comforter that Jesus said he would send us, but there have been times when that Comforter, the Holy Spirit, has enveloped us with love. We do not have to understand God in three persons in order to experience the awesomeness of what those three persons can mean in our life. The secret of a successful life is not understanding but trust.
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. (Matthew 28:19)
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Devotion for the Week of May 27, 2007
Since I was on Vacation this week, I had time to read some of those things in my stack. A few years ago a friend gave me Max Lucado's book Next Door Savior and I came across this story below and I thought I would share it with you.
"A man and his dog are in the same car. The dog howls right-moon-in-the-middle- of-the-night caterwauling howls. The man pleads, promising a daily delivery of dog biscuit bouquets if only the hound will hush. After all, it’s only a car wash.
Never occurred to him—ahem, to me—that the car wash would scare my dog. But it did. Placing myself in her paws, I can see why. A huge, noisy machine presses toward us, pounding our window with water, banging against the door with brushes. Duck! We’re under attack.
“Don’t panic. The car wash was my idea.” “I’ve done this before.” “It’s for our own good.” Ever tried to explain a car wash to a canine? Dog dictionaries are minus the words brush and detail job. My words fell on fallen flaps. Nothing helped. She just did what dogs do; she wailed.
Actually, she did what we do. Don’t we howl? Not at car washes perhaps but at hospital stays and job transfers. Let the economy go south or the kids move north, and we have a wail of a time. And when our Master explains what’s happening, we react as if he’s speaking Yalunka. We don’t understand a word he says.
Is your world wet and wild? God’s greatest blessings often come costumed as disasters. Some of you doubt it. How can God use cancer or death or divorce?
Simple.
[God is] smarter than we are. He is to you what I was to four-year-old Amy. I met her at a bookstore. She asked me if I would sign her children’s book. When I asked her name, she watched as I began to write, “To Amy …”
She stopped me right there. With wide eyes and open mouth, she asked, “How did you know how to spell my name?”
She was awed. You aren’t. You know the difference between the knowledge of a child and an adult. Can you imagine the difference between the wisdom of a human and the wisdom of God? What is impossible to us is like spelling “Amy” to [God]. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:9).
I keep taking Molly to the car wash. She’s howling less. I don’t think she understands the machinery. She’s just learning to trust her master.
Maybe we’ll learn the same.
"A man and his dog are in the same car. The dog howls right-moon-in-the-middle- of-the-night caterwauling howls. The man pleads, promising a daily delivery of dog biscuit bouquets if only the hound will hush. After all, it’s only a car wash.
Never occurred to him—ahem, to me—that the car wash would scare my dog. But it did. Placing myself in her paws, I can see why. A huge, noisy machine presses toward us, pounding our window with water, banging against the door with brushes. Duck! We’re under attack.
“Don’t panic. The car wash was my idea.” “I’ve done this before.” “It’s for our own good.” Ever tried to explain a car wash to a canine? Dog dictionaries are minus the words brush and detail job. My words fell on fallen flaps. Nothing helped. She just did what dogs do; she wailed.
Actually, she did what we do. Don’t we howl? Not at car washes perhaps but at hospital stays and job transfers. Let the economy go south or the kids move north, and we have a wail of a time. And when our Master explains what’s happening, we react as if he’s speaking Yalunka. We don’t understand a word he says.
Is your world wet and wild? God’s greatest blessings often come costumed as disasters. Some of you doubt it. How can God use cancer or death or divorce?
Simple.
[God is] smarter than we are. He is to you what I was to four-year-old Amy. I met her at a bookstore. She asked me if I would sign her children’s book. When I asked her name, she watched as I began to write, “To Amy …”
She stopped me right there. With wide eyes and open mouth, she asked, “How did you know how to spell my name?”
She was awed. You aren’t. You know the difference between the knowledge of a child and an adult. Can you imagine the difference between the wisdom of a human and the wisdom of God? What is impossible to us is like spelling “Amy” to [God]. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:9).
I keep taking Molly to the car wash. She’s howling less. I don’t think she understands the machinery. She’s just learning to trust her master.
Maybe we’ll learn the same.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Devotion for the Week of May 7, 2007
A few days ago I was looking at some old comic strip books such as Calvin and Hobbes, Peanuts, Garfield, and The Far Side.
One of the Garfield cartoons I saw has him resting, eyes half closed, in his bed thinking to himself: "One of my pet peeves is people who never finish what they start." The next panel shows him with his eyes wide open and a smile on his face saying, "I do not happen to be one of those people." The last panel shows him completely under the bed covers saying, "My philosophy is, 'Never start anything.'"
"Never start anything," cannot be our philosophy as God's people. We must care about our world because God cares. We must care about people because God cares. We must care about those in need because God cares. God cared enough about us to send a savior, His son, Jesus Christ.
We must care too. We must care enough to make our church and community stronger. We must care enough to make the world a better place to live. We are call by God to care.
What is God calling you to do? Are you being called to help a fellow student who is struggling with his or her education? Are you being called to be a Sunday School teacher? Are you being called to mentor young adults as they begin their careers? Are you being called to coach sports and teach the true meaning of teamwork and sportsmanship? Are you being called to organize a neighborhood watch program or cleanup day?
If you and I don't do it, who will? God is counting you and me. We also can count on God to give us the resources we need to accomplish God's will. These resources include the gifts and passions we have received through the grace of God. We have been given all our resources, ourselves, our time, our talents and our possessions for the betterment of the Kingdom of God. Even the education we receive comes about because of the resources God has given us.
By grace you have been saved - and raised up with Him and seated with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God - not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. (Ephesians 2: 4b-10)
One of the Garfield cartoons I saw has him resting, eyes half closed, in his bed thinking to himself: "One of my pet peeves is people who never finish what they start." The next panel shows him with his eyes wide open and a smile on his face saying, "I do not happen to be one of those people." The last panel shows him completely under the bed covers saying, "My philosophy is, 'Never start anything.'"
"Never start anything," cannot be our philosophy as God's people. We must care about our world because God cares. We must care about people because God cares. We must care about those in need because God cares. God cared enough about us to send a savior, His son, Jesus Christ.
We must care too. We must care enough to make our church and community stronger. We must care enough to make the world a better place to live. We are call by God to care.
What is God calling you to do? Are you being called to help a fellow student who is struggling with his or her education? Are you being called to be a Sunday School teacher? Are you being called to mentor young adults as they begin their careers? Are you being called to coach sports and teach the true meaning of teamwork and sportsmanship? Are you being called to organize a neighborhood watch program or cleanup day?
If you and I don't do it, who will? God is counting you and me. We also can count on God to give us the resources we need to accomplish God's will. These resources include the gifts and passions we have received through the grace of God. We have been given all our resources, ourselves, our time, our talents and our possessions for the betterment of the Kingdom of God. Even the education we receive comes about because of the resources God has given us.
By grace you have been saved - and raised up with Him and seated with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God - not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. (Ephesians 2: 4b-10)
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Devotion for the Week of April 23, 2007
Today’s American culture bombards us daily with the message that we should care only about ourselves. "You owe it to yourself," we hear in advertisements for vacation trips. "You deserve the best," we hear from people selling expensive products. However, the mark of a Christian is the love we show for one another. As the song goes, "They'll know we are Christians by our love."
In the Gospels we find the Pharisees questioning Jesus - Teacher,which commandment in the law is the greatest?" (Matthew 22:34-36, Mark 12:28-30, Luke 10:25-27)
Jesus answered by quoting from the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 6:5, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." "This is the greatest and first commandment."
So, what do we mean we say, "I love God?" Loving God is not having a mushy, good feeling kind of love--like loving pizza or loving a good movie. Loving God has to do with commitment. It has to do with God being first in every aspect of our lives. Loving God means, we daily build a relationship with God through talking to God, reading our Bibles, and worship.
I use to watch golf on TV Sunday afternoons with my dad and I remember an interview with Lee Trevino who was involved in an incident in a tournament. Lightning struck a tree very near to where he was standing. Someone asked Trevino what he thought when lightning struck that tree. He replied, "I learned that when God wants to play through you had better let him."
Having respect for God is one way to love God. The most important way we can love God is by making God the most important part of our lives.
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
In the Gospels we find the Pharisees questioning Jesus - Teacher,which commandment in the law is the greatest?" (Matthew 22:34-36, Mark 12:28-30, Luke 10:25-27)
Jesus answered by quoting from the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 6:5, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." "This is the greatest and first commandment."
So, what do we mean we say, "I love God?" Loving God is not having a mushy, good feeling kind of love--like loving pizza or loving a good movie. Loving God has to do with commitment. It has to do with God being first in every aspect of our lives. Loving God means, we daily build a relationship with God through talking to God, reading our Bibles, and worship.
I use to watch golf on TV Sunday afternoons with my dad and I remember an interview with Lee Trevino who was involved in an incident in a tournament. Lightning struck a tree very near to where he was standing. Someone asked Trevino what he thought when lightning struck that tree. He replied, "I learned that when God wants to play through you had better let him."
Having respect for God is one way to love God. The most important way we can love God is by making God the most important part of our lives.
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Devotion for the Week of April 16, 2007
I didn’t get a lot of work done yesterday since I was trying to stay up to the minute with the news coming out of Blacksburg, Virginia concerning the shootings at Virginia Tech. And instead of a traditional devotion today, I am going to share with you some thoughts.
I am happy to report that the one young member of Emmanuel that attends VT was not wounded. And the two people I know who work there were also not harmed. However, they are shocked and deeply affected. I believe, everyone is also shocked.
As I watched or listen to the news, I heard someone say, "God is not here."
When events such as those that happened at VT happen, our sense of peace is shattered, our thoughts and lives are intruded upon. Our lives are interrupted and we are saddened and shocked by it all. And it is easy to wonder if indeed God hasn't left this place a long time ago.
So, what do we do now? On NPR this morning I heard Judy Muller on "Morning Edition" recalled a remark made to her following the Columbine shootings. A woman at the 'makeshift memorial' of flowers and teddy bears that appeared almost immediately said, "The really sad thing is that we already know what to do." Muller went on to talk about all the public rituals and so forth that we now know must follow such events. We have done it before. We've buried our children.
But what should we do beyond that? I believe that we have to continue to be good parents to our children. And I don’t just mean just our offspring - I mean all the children in our lives. We must show strong love to them - and sometimes this means telling them NO. I believe that nurturing our children and pointing them in the right direction is some of the most important work we can do. We should not allow our children to withdraw from their community or to bully others.
In a discussion I had a friend of mine last night, the question was asked, "What would Jesus have us do?"
Since I have been working on next Sunday’s service already, the Gospel lesson came to my mind (John 21:1-19). Feed, Tend, Feed God’s Sheep.
Then there is the statement earlier, "God is not here."
In a way that is true, it is the season of Easter and we are celebrating the fact that the tomb is empty. God left THAT place, he did not stand around waiting for us to come upon Him. He comes to visit us in a NEW PLACE.
The opening verse of the Gospel reading says that "Jesus showed himself again to his disciples."
THAT'S what Jesus is doing today, showing himself to us, his disciples. But there is a good chance that we will be like those disciples and not recognize him at first. Like Peter, who went back to what he was doing before he knew Jesus (went fishing) - we often return to what we were doing. But Jesus told Peter and he tells us as well, "Feed my lambs," "Tend my sheep," "Feed my sheep."
That's what we can do right now. We are all called to be feeders and tenders. It is important to respond to events such as this one as a community and to look for places where God is at work in the aftermath of violence and death. As one of the ministers in the Blacksburg area said, "We need to affirm that God always gives the gift of new life, and that God can reclaim Virginia Tech as a place for kids to grow in knowledge and faith." We also need to be with our family and friends so that we can comfort them, and they us. As Christians we should find comfort in community.
So, where is God?
He has left the tomb, but he is with us now.
PAX,
Robert Lewis +
I am happy to report that the one young member of Emmanuel that attends VT was not wounded. And the two people I know who work there were also not harmed. However, they are shocked and deeply affected. I believe, everyone is also shocked.
As I watched or listen to the news, I heard someone say, "God is not here."
When events such as those that happened at VT happen, our sense of peace is shattered, our thoughts and lives are intruded upon. Our lives are interrupted and we are saddened and shocked by it all. And it is easy to wonder if indeed God hasn't left this place a long time ago.
So, what do we do now? On NPR this morning I heard Judy Muller on "Morning Edition" recalled a remark made to her following the Columbine shootings. A woman at the 'makeshift memorial' of flowers and teddy bears that appeared almost immediately said, "The really sad thing is that we already know what to do." Muller went on to talk about all the public rituals and so forth that we now know must follow such events. We have done it before. We've buried our children.
But what should we do beyond that? I believe that we have to continue to be good parents to our children. And I don’t just mean just our offspring - I mean all the children in our lives. We must show strong love to them - and sometimes this means telling them NO. I believe that nurturing our children and pointing them in the right direction is some of the most important work we can do. We should not allow our children to withdraw from their community or to bully others.
In a discussion I had a friend of mine last night, the question was asked, "What would Jesus have us do?"
Since I have been working on next Sunday’s service already, the Gospel lesson came to my mind (John 21:1-19). Feed, Tend, Feed God’s Sheep.
Then there is the statement earlier, "God is not here."
In a way that is true, it is the season of Easter and we are celebrating the fact that the tomb is empty. God left THAT place, he did not stand around waiting for us to come upon Him. He comes to visit us in a NEW PLACE.
The opening verse of the Gospel reading says that "Jesus showed himself again to his disciples."
THAT'S what Jesus is doing today, showing himself to us, his disciples. But there is a good chance that we will be like those disciples and not recognize him at first. Like Peter, who went back to what he was doing before he knew Jesus (went fishing) - we often return to what we were doing. But Jesus told Peter and he tells us as well, "Feed my lambs," "Tend my sheep," "Feed my sheep."
That's what we can do right now. We are all called to be feeders and tenders. It is important to respond to events such as this one as a community and to look for places where God is at work in the aftermath of violence and death. As one of the ministers in the Blacksburg area said, "We need to affirm that God always gives the gift of new life, and that God can reclaim Virginia Tech as a place for kids to grow in knowledge and faith." We also need to be with our family and friends so that we can comfort them, and they us. As Christians we should find comfort in community.
So, where is God?
He has left the tomb, but he is with us now.
PAX,
Robert Lewis +
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Devotion for the Week of April 9, 2007
I recently read about some ecologists at the University of Washington who found that willow trees transmit a warning to other willows from as far away as two hundred feet. When caterpillars are attacking, the trees emit a chemical signal that travels with the wind. This enables distant trees to prepare their protection, phenol in the leaves (which is distasteful to the caterpillars). This advance warning of an attack amazes scientists. The individual trees have the ability to behave in a way that benefits not just themselves but the whole species.
Are we not a higher form of species than willow trees? Shouldn’t we behave in a way that benefits not just ourselves but all of humanity? Just as the trees did for themselves, they also did for others. Shouldn’t we treat other people as you would like to be treated.
Follow the "golden rule." Put yourself in the other person's place and ask yourself how you would like to be treated. Would you want to be discriminated against because of the color of your skin, what you wear, where you live, which school you attend(ed)? Would you want to be taken advantage of in a business transaction? People of integrity think of others.
Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31 NRSV)
Are we not a higher form of species than willow trees? Shouldn’t we behave in a way that benefits not just ourselves but all of humanity? Just as the trees did for themselves, they also did for others. Shouldn’t we treat other people as you would like to be treated.
Follow the "golden rule." Put yourself in the other person's place and ask yourself how you would like to be treated. Would you want to be discriminated against because of the color of your skin, what you wear, where you live, which school you attend(ed)? Would you want to be taken advantage of in a business transaction? People of integrity think of others.
Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31 NRSV)
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Devotion for Holy Week 2007
You would think that I would have my devotion for Holy Week written on time - but I have been struggling with what to write because I have been thinking about the gospel lessons this past Sunday (the Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday reading found in Luke 22:14-23:56 or 23:1-49). These lessons remind me of what life is supposed to be all about.
These are gospel lessons that have become familiar to me over the years - which might be why I have had such a difficulty in finding the right words to express how I felt reading it. I have heard it for most of my life - the story of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection - sometimes with interest and sometimes with wondering “When’s the Easter egg hunt?” Now I see the beauty in it because I am reminded by it about so many things.
As Jesus is dying on the cross he exclaims, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” a true statement of love for his Father. This phrase now has a huge meaning in my life. It may come as a shock to some, but yes, even as a Pastor I find myself at times struggling to keep my actions, thoughts, and feelings in line with the way that Jesus taught and lived his own life. I fall away from God too often in the course of evenone week.
But this phrase that Jesus spoke to his Father in heaven as he was dying is a completely perfect example of the importance of giving one’s own life to God today. I constantly fall due to sin, and have to find a way to get back up, usually by reaching out for the out-stretched hand of God. And through accepting that hand, I also give myself back to God.
As I was listening to the Passion narrative being read on Sunday, I was reminded how important it is to continuously give and re-give my life back to God when I slip away. Yeah, sometimes I feel like the criminal who was hanging on the cross next to Jesus who tells Jesus to rescue them. If God is all powerful, then why doesn’t God help more often. But then I realize that I am like the other criminal, recognizing the Christ for who he is; I admit my sin, and humbly ask Jesus to remember me. And he does - each and every time.
During Lent we speak of dying and rising again with Christ. No, we do not actually die when we commend our spirits to God, but we do symbolically and metaphorically die when we get rid of everything that is not of God - and sometimes for me that can be a lot
By offering myself back to God when I fail, when I lose the power to do God’s will, and when I sin against God, neighbor and/or myself - I again offer God my spirit to lead me into a deeper spiritual relationship with him.
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:44-46)
These are gospel lessons that have become familiar to me over the years - which might be why I have had such a difficulty in finding the right words to express how I felt reading it. I have heard it for most of my life - the story of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection - sometimes with interest and sometimes with wondering “When’s the Easter egg hunt?” Now I see the beauty in it because I am reminded by it about so many things.
As Jesus is dying on the cross he exclaims, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” a true statement of love for his Father. This phrase now has a huge meaning in my life. It may come as a shock to some, but yes, even as a Pastor I find myself at times struggling to keep my actions, thoughts, and feelings in line with the way that Jesus taught and lived his own life. I fall away from God too often in the course of evenone week.
But this phrase that Jesus spoke to his Father in heaven as he was dying is a completely perfect example of the importance of giving one’s own life to God today. I constantly fall due to sin, and have to find a way to get back up, usually by reaching out for the out-stretched hand of God. And through accepting that hand, I also give myself back to God.
As I was listening to the Passion narrative being read on Sunday, I was reminded how important it is to continuously give and re-give my life back to God when I slip away. Yeah, sometimes I feel like the criminal who was hanging on the cross next to Jesus who tells Jesus to rescue them. If God is all powerful, then why doesn’t God help more often. But then I realize that I am like the other criminal, recognizing the Christ for who he is; I admit my sin, and humbly ask Jesus to remember me. And he does - each and every time.
During Lent we speak of dying and rising again with Christ. No, we do not actually die when we commend our spirits to God, but we do symbolically and metaphorically die when we get rid of everything that is not of God - and sometimes for me that can be a lot
By offering myself back to God when I fail, when I lose the power to do God’s will, and when I sin against God, neighbor and/or myself - I again offer God my spirit to lead me into a deeper spiritual relationship with him.
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:44-46)
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Devotion for the week of March 19, 2007
A few weeks ago when I was down in Virginia visiting my folks, a story my father told me during dinner was one I did not remember. I wanted a new skateboard, because I had taken my old one apart and lost some parts (sounds typical). My parents decided that this was a good opportunity to teach me something about responsibility and the value of money. They made an arrangement with me, if I save half the money for the skateboard from my allowance, they would chip in the other half. According to dad, I did not think this was a great deal, but I agreed to it.
The first Saturday morning after making the deal with my parents, I received my allowance. So I went into my room, closed the door, and took out all the loose chance I had in my top dresser drawer - what was known as the "junk drawer." As I was in my room counting my money, my dad could hear the bell on the ice cream truck down the street, getting closer and louder. Both my parents were waiting to see what would happen. Dad said there was no sound coming from my room at all, even when the ice cream truck stop a few houses from ours.
As the ice cream truck drove away and the bell could no longer be heard, my father says that he heard me say, "Dear God, please don't let the ice cream truck come down my street anymore."
Prayer - even then it was a good idea. As the Lord's prayer says, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)
The first Saturday morning after making the deal with my parents, I received my allowance. So I went into my room, closed the door, and took out all the loose chance I had in my top dresser drawer - what was known as the "junk drawer." As I was in my room counting my money, my dad could hear the bell on the ice cream truck down the street, getting closer and louder. Both my parents were waiting to see what would happen. Dad said there was no sound coming from my room at all, even when the ice cream truck stop a few houses from ours.
As the ice cream truck drove away and the bell could no longer be heard, my father says that he heard me say, "Dear God, please don't let the ice cream truck come down my street anymore."
Prayer - even then it was a good idea. As the Lord's prayer says, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Devotion for the week of March 5, 2007
Baseball season has not even begun yet, yet I'm following the movement of football players between teams. This is has to do with watching my players for this coming fantasy football session. Trying to get the jump on the others in my fantasy league and figure out who are going to be the great players this year. And as I do this, I ask myself, what makes a person truly great?
Wow, now I’ve gone and done it - I’ve asked myself a philosophical, ethical and spiritual question.
We certainly have a lot of sports and activities in our society to help us find out who is the greatest. We defiantly live in a competitive world and my family can certainly tell you about the ways I am competitive. But does being competitive and winning make a person truly great?
Probably not. Jesus does, however, give us some important characteristics that do make us truly great.
We all love happy endings. I remember hearing a story about Hollywood producer Sam Goldwyn. He once listened to director Billy Wilder describe in detail the true life story of a famous artist. Wilder thought it would make a great movie.
"Does it end happy?" Goldwyn wanted to know.
"Well," said Wilder, "it winds up with the guy in an insane asylum thinking he's a horse."
Goldwyn threw Wilder out the door. But Wilder wasn't discouraged. He poked his head back in and said, "Okay, how about if at the end the guy who thinks he's a horse . . . goes on to win the Kentucky Derby."
We love it when the good guy comes out on top. And being a servant is a lot like coming out on top at the end of a good movie. A servant will have lots of hardships, work hard behind the scenes, and little recognition, but in the end a true servant will be rewarded by being the greatest in the sight of God. Jesus is truly the greatest servant and we should strive to be more like him. Then we too will be great.
And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. (II Timothy 2:24-25)
Wow, now I’ve gone and done it - I’ve asked myself a philosophical, ethical and spiritual question.
We certainly have a lot of sports and activities in our society to help us find out who is the greatest. We defiantly live in a competitive world and my family can certainly tell you about the ways I am competitive. But does being competitive and winning make a person truly great?
Probably not. Jesus does, however, give us some important characteristics that do make us truly great.
We all love happy endings. I remember hearing a story about Hollywood producer Sam Goldwyn. He once listened to director Billy Wilder describe in detail the true life story of a famous artist. Wilder thought it would make a great movie.
"Does it end happy?" Goldwyn wanted to know.
"Well," said Wilder, "it winds up with the guy in an insane asylum thinking he's a horse."
Goldwyn threw Wilder out the door. But Wilder wasn't discouraged. He poked his head back in and said, "Okay, how about if at the end the guy who thinks he's a horse . . . goes on to win the Kentucky Derby."
We love it when the good guy comes out on top. And being a servant is a lot like coming out on top at the end of a good movie. A servant will have lots of hardships, work hard behind the scenes, and little recognition, but in the end a true servant will be rewarded by being the greatest in the sight of God. Jesus is truly the greatest servant and we should strive to be more like him. Then we too will be great.
And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. (II Timothy 2:24-25)
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Devotion for the week of February 26, 2007
The gospel lesson for this past Sunday is from Saint Luke, 4:1-9. In this lesson we read, "Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’"
What do we worship? I believe where we spend most of our time, money, and other resources, says what we truly value or worship. Jesus was tempted to gain power over all of the world. He could have given up God's will for His life, so that He could gain ultimate earthly power.
As Jesus answer the devil, He is also telling us today, "Worship the Lord your God and serve only him." We live in a world where right and wrong, good and bad are not always easily definable. However, God's word is clear that our purpose is to worship and serve God. Yes, Christian ethics do not come prepackaged and our call is not an adherence to a list of rules, but we are to be faithful in our worship of God and God alone.
A Lenten Prayer
Dear God, forgive me for worshiping the wrong things. Move me to more faithfully worship You. I pray this and all things in the name of your Son, Christ our Savior. Amen.
What do we worship? I believe where we spend most of our time, money, and other resources, says what we truly value or worship. Jesus was tempted to gain power over all of the world. He could have given up God's will for His life, so that He could gain ultimate earthly power.
As Jesus answer the devil, He is also telling us today, "Worship the Lord your God and serve only him." We live in a world where right and wrong, good and bad are not always easily definable. However, God's word is clear that our purpose is to worship and serve God. Yes, Christian ethics do not come prepackaged and our call is not an adherence to a list of rules, but we are to be faithful in our worship of God and God alone.
A Lenten Prayer
Dear God, forgive me for worshiping the wrong things. Move me to more faithfully worship You. I pray this and all things in the name of your Son, Christ our Savior. Amen.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Devotion for the Week of February 12, 2007
It happens at least once every day, but I am always surprised when it does - I get a peek into the amazing heart of God.
Why does this happen?
Because His mercies never come to an end.
Plus, they are new every morning.
I take great comfort knowing that when I wake up each day, God is there with a fresh, hot, steaming mug just filled from God’s overflowing supply of mercy. God is ready to bless me, forgive me, and strengthen me for another day.
Yesterday is over. It’s time to move into today. How will I handle it? Will I take a deep, refreshing drink from that cup and charge out to face the day? Or will I drag myself out of bed, rely on my own strength, and slog through yet another day?
Every New Year’s Day, many of us make resolutions for the new year. Here it is the middle of February and most, if not all, of those resolutions are broken. We are weighed down by their crumbled debris in an invisible sack we carry with us. We failed, again. Some of us may shrug our shoulders and say to ourselves, “Oh well, there is always next year.”
But, through the grace of God, every day can be a New Year’s Day. We can ask forgiveness for yesterday’s failings and pray for the strength to begin fresh. We can have the confidence that God is always there, not just ready, but eager and quick to forgive us. God longs to give us what we need. God wants to bless us.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Why does this happen?
Because His mercies never come to an end.
Plus, they are new every morning.
I take great comfort knowing that when I wake up each day, God is there with a fresh, hot, steaming mug just filled from God’s overflowing supply of mercy. God is ready to bless me, forgive me, and strengthen me for another day.
Yesterday is over. It’s time to move into today. How will I handle it? Will I take a deep, refreshing drink from that cup and charge out to face the day? Or will I drag myself out of bed, rely on my own strength, and slog through yet another day?
Every New Year’s Day, many of us make resolutions for the new year. Here it is the middle of February and most, if not all, of those resolutions are broken. We are weighed down by their crumbled debris in an invisible sack we carry with us. We failed, again. Some of us may shrug our shoulders and say to ourselves, “Oh well, there is always next year.”
But, through the grace of God, every day can be a New Year’s Day. We can ask forgiveness for yesterday’s failings and pray for the strength to begin fresh. We can have the confidence that God is always there, not just ready, but eager and quick to forgive us. God longs to give us what we need. God wants to bless us.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Monday, February 05, 2007
Devotion for the Week of February 5, 2007
It was the spring of 1947 and a new, young baseball player had shown up in Yankee stadium. He was a catcher; however, no one ever looked less like an athlete than this guy. Fans and sports writers wondered if the Yankee organization had lost its mind (see its not just the current front office).
He was a little strange looking - short, squat, rotund and clumsy. They made fun of the way he walked, and the way he looked with a catcher's mask on. He swung at bad pitches, had problems behind the plate, and his throwing was wild. He was criticized and laughed at, but he would not quit. He was determined to stay with it.
This young man worked hard to overcome his shortcomings as a catcher; he spent extra hours in the batting cage; he studied rival hitters, until he knew their every weakness, and eventually turned the table of public opinion. He won the respect of his teammates, and the admiration of the opposing teams. He was to become one of America's most loveable personalities.
When This man retired, he had played on fourteen pennant winning teams; he had hit 358 home runs, had made the all-star team numerous times, was voted the League's MOST VALUABLE PLAYER 3 times, and he had set 18 world series records. He had become so popular they named a cartoon after him.
Today you know him as Yogi Berra.
He had the determination! He ran the good race and fought the good fight.
May we also, as God's followers, fight the good fight.
Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called. (1 Timothy 6:12a)
He was a little strange looking - short, squat, rotund and clumsy. They made fun of the way he walked, and the way he looked with a catcher's mask on. He swung at bad pitches, had problems behind the plate, and his throwing was wild. He was criticized and laughed at, but he would not quit. He was determined to stay with it.
This young man worked hard to overcome his shortcomings as a catcher; he spent extra hours in the batting cage; he studied rival hitters, until he knew their every weakness, and eventually turned the table of public opinion. He won the respect of his teammates, and the admiration of the opposing teams. He was to become one of America's most loveable personalities.
When This man retired, he had played on fourteen pennant winning teams; he had hit 358 home runs, had made the all-star team numerous times, was voted the League's MOST VALUABLE PLAYER 3 times, and he had set 18 world series records. He had become so popular they named a cartoon after him.
Today you know him as Yogi Berra.
He had the determination! He ran the good race and fought the good fight.
May we also, as God's followers, fight the good fight.
Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called. (1 Timothy 6:12a)
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Devotion for the Week of January 22, 2007
It was two weeks away from the beginning of the school year that I would be starting eighth grade in a new school because we had recently moved to Wichita Falls, Texas and we were still living in temporary housing on base. There was noone my age to hang out with and I was tired of being with my younger brother. I was feeling upset, mad, lonely, and abandoned. I was missing my friends and had not yet met anyone new.
As I was walking back to the temporary housing unit from the one swing, one slide, half-court playground, I was really upset. I reached the unpaved, stone parking lot in front of the temporary quarters and I fell and bloodied my knee and palms. I looked down at my hands and thought to myself, “God, why do you hate me?”
I picked myself up, grabbed a couple of the stones and started throwing them into the open field by the parking lot. As I was about to through the last stone, I looked at it instead and said, “God, if you really care about me, show me by changing this stone into something else, anything else but a rock, I don't care what it is, just change it.” I waited, and I waited, and I waited some more. Finally I threw the stone back down. I said, “God, if you are really there, show me a sign - any sign.” I stood there for a few more minutes and then walking away in discuss saying, “That’s what I thought.” I was in the same mood the rest of the week.
On Friday my dad told us we were going to go to the chapel that Sunday with someone he knew from work and then go over to their house for lunch. We were all looking forward to this because we only had a stove top in our temporary quarters and we were all ready for something else to eat that did not come out of the can or from the base dining hall. Since I was still either mad with God or not sure there was a God, I decide that sitting in church in order to get a real meal was worth it.
The base chapel had a youth service at the same time as the regular service, so I went to that hoping that I would at least meet someone my age. Finding none, I sat there stewing-in-my-own-juices as my Mom use to say. One of the others who were there asked the leader, “God does all these great miracles in the Bible, how come He doesn’t do that now? How come He doesn’t give us as sign that He’s real?”
The leader’s answer was simple, “Jesus said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'”
Wow! I got an answer! And it was also funny to me because the sign God gave me was someone saying that we should not ask for signs. I started to laugh and was asked what was so funny. I started to tell my story, but for some reason I just said, “nothing,” and sat quietly the rest of the the time thinking about this answer, this “non-miracle” to everyone else in the room, this small, very personal miracle.
Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Luke 4:12
As I was walking back to the temporary housing unit from the one swing, one slide, half-court playground, I was really upset. I reached the unpaved, stone parking lot in front of the temporary quarters and I fell and bloodied my knee and palms. I looked down at my hands and thought to myself, “God, why do you hate me?”
I picked myself up, grabbed a couple of the stones and started throwing them into the open field by the parking lot. As I was about to through the last stone, I looked at it instead and said, “God, if you really care about me, show me by changing this stone into something else, anything else but a rock, I don't care what it is, just change it.” I waited, and I waited, and I waited some more. Finally I threw the stone back down. I said, “God, if you are really there, show me a sign - any sign.” I stood there for a few more minutes and then walking away in discuss saying, “That’s what I thought.” I was in the same mood the rest of the week.
On Friday my dad told us we were going to go to the chapel that Sunday with someone he knew from work and then go over to their house for lunch. We were all looking forward to this because we only had a stove top in our temporary quarters and we were all ready for something else to eat that did not come out of the can or from the base dining hall. Since I was still either mad with God or not sure there was a God, I decide that sitting in church in order to get a real meal was worth it.
The base chapel had a youth service at the same time as the regular service, so I went to that hoping that I would at least meet someone my age. Finding none, I sat there stewing-in-my-own-juices as my Mom use to say. One of the others who were there asked the leader, “God does all these great miracles in the Bible, how come He doesn’t do that now? How come He doesn’t give us as sign that He’s real?”
The leader’s answer was simple, “Jesus said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'”
Wow! I got an answer! And it was also funny to me because the sign God gave me was someone saying that we should not ask for signs. I started to laugh and was asked what was so funny. I started to tell my story, but for some reason I just said, “nothing,” and sat quietly the rest of the the time thinking about this answer, this “non-miracle” to everyone else in the room, this small, very personal miracle.
Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Luke 4:12
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Devotion for the Week of January 15, 2007
In my books that are on shelves throughout my house and in my office are a few collection of cartoons. In one of those books is a Peanuts cartoon of Lucy and her brother Linus holding a wishbone together. Lucy was explaining to Linus how the wishbone worked telling him that if he got the bigger part of the bone, his wish would come true. Linus asks Lucy, “Do I have to say the wish out loud?”
Lucy answers, “Of course, if you don't say it out loud it won't come true.” Then Lucy, being the bossy big sister, makes her wishes first. “I wish for four new sweaters, a new bike, a new pair of skates, a new dress and one hundred dollars.”
Linus then made his wishes, “I wish for a long life for all of my friends, I wish for world peace, I wish for great advancements in medical research."
After hearing this, Lucy took the wishbone and threw it away saying, "Linus, that's the trouble with you. You're always spoiling everything."
What are you wishing for in this New Year!
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
Lucy answers, “Of course, if you don't say it out loud it won't come true.” Then Lucy, being the bossy big sister, makes her wishes first. “I wish for four new sweaters, a new bike, a new pair of skates, a new dress and one hundred dollars.”
Linus then made his wishes, “I wish for a long life for all of my friends, I wish for world peace, I wish for great advancements in medical research."
After hearing this, Lucy took the wishbone and threw it away saying, "Linus, that's the trouble with you. You're always spoiling everything."
What are you wishing for in this New Year!
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Devotion for the Week of January 8, 2007
Last week I saw the movie, Night at the Museum and I really enjoyed it. Now, while I enjoyed if for all of the reasons most people enjoyed this film, I had an additional reason. One of my favorite historical figures was a character in this film, Teddy Roosevelt. For those of you who don’t know much about Teddy other that what you saw in this movie and the fact that the Teddy Bear is named after him, let me briefly explain why he is my favorite historical figure.
Theodore was born in 1858 in New York. He was a bit of a runt with a frail body, feeble eyesight and he suffered from asthma - yet he became one of the most powerful men on earth. But not just power for power's sake for he also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906.
When Theodore was a boy he decided he wanted to do something important with his life, so he started expanding his mind and strengthening his body. This ambition continued throughout his life. He was elected to the New York Legislature at twenty-three; candidate for mayor at twenty-eight; served as the U.S. Civil Service Commissioner under two presidents; President of the Police Commission of New York; and became a National Hero as leader of the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War at forty. Then in just three very busy years he was first the Governor of New York, Vice-President of the United States, and then President. He was not a big man physically, only 5 foot, 8 inches tall. It was not the size of the man that mattered, but the size of the ambition. He had a fire in his belly that directed him to do something worthwhile with his life.
And its not just politicians that can do great things through their ambition. Both Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King Jr. had ambition. Nobody accomplishes very much in this world nor contributes very much to the world without a dose of ambition. In fact, given enough ambition, even the least likely of people can make a difference in sharing God's love.
So, this begs the question, “What ambitions has God given to you?”
Thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the good news, not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand."
(Romans 15.20-21)
Theodore was born in 1858 in New York. He was a bit of a runt with a frail body, feeble eyesight and he suffered from asthma - yet he became one of the most powerful men on earth. But not just power for power's sake for he also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906.
When Theodore was a boy he decided he wanted to do something important with his life, so he started expanding his mind and strengthening his body. This ambition continued throughout his life. He was elected to the New York Legislature at twenty-three; candidate for mayor at twenty-eight; served as the U.S. Civil Service Commissioner under two presidents; President of the Police Commission of New York; and became a National Hero as leader of the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War at forty. Then in just three very busy years he was first the Governor of New York, Vice-President of the United States, and then President. He was not a big man physically, only 5 foot, 8 inches tall. It was not the size of the man that mattered, but the size of the ambition. He had a fire in his belly that directed him to do something worthwhile with his life.
And its not just politicians that can do great things through their ambition. Both Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King Jr. had ambition. Nobody accomplishes very much in this world nor contributes very much to the world without a dose of ambition. In fact, given enough ambition, even the least likely of people can make a difference in sharing God's love.
So, this begs the question, “What ambitions has God given to you?”
Thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the good news, not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand."
(Romans 15.20-21)
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Devotion for the Week of January 2, 2007
A few years back at a state fair far more spectators gathered for a certain event that was rarely viewed by more that those who were directly involved in the event. This event was the Horse-Pull. The Horse-Pull is a strength competition for horses where a sled is hitched to a horse and various weights are put on the sled.
The reason this certain event had gathered a large number of onlookers had to do with the fact that two horse that had broken records in their parts of the state where in the statewide competition. As predicted, these two horses reached the finals. The horse that was crowned grand-champion pulled a sled with 4,500 pounds on it. The runner-up was close with a 4,400 pound pull.
Now some of the other owners in the competition were wondering how much these two horses could pull together and they got the owners of the grand-champion and the runner-up to agree to having the horses yoked together and pull a sled. Now separately these two horses pulled a total of almost 9,000 pounds. But when yoked together and working as a team, they pulled a sled that weights 12,000 pounds!
Imagine the powerful force we could exert if we all pulled together as a team.
So, if the first thing we should remember is that life reaches a level of worth when we give something of ourselves to other people, then the second thing we should remember is that when people cooperate with one another, their combined effort is often greater than their individual endeavors could produce.
Together, we can make our world a more Godly and loving community.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:29-30)
The reason this certain event had gathered a large number of onlookers had to do with the fact that two horse that had broken records in their parts of the state where in the statewide competition. As predicted, these two horses reached the finals. The horse that was crowned grand-champion pulled a sled with 4,500 pounds on it. The runner-up was close with a 4,400 pound pull.
Now some of the other owners in the competition were wondering how much these two horses could pull together and they got the owners of the grand-champion and the runner-up to agree to having the horses yoked together and pull a sled. Now separately these two horses pulled a total of almost 9,000 pounds. But when yoked together and working as a team, they pulled a sled that weights 12,000 pounds!
Imagine the powerful force we could exert if we all pulled together as a team.
So, if the first thing we should remember is that life reaches a level of worth when we give something of ourselves to other people, then the second thing we should remember is that when people cooperate with one another, their combined effort is often greater than their individual endeavors could produce.
Together, we can make our world a more Godly and loving community.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:29-30)
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