What is the test of sincere faith? Do we walk the talk? Do we practice what we preach? Do we expect others to measure up to a standard that we do not keep ourselves? Is our faith centered in success or service? The most important aspect of this test of sincerity is not how others measure up, but how we measure up in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
I recall a story about Oliver Holmes. Once when getting ready to board a train, he could not find his ticket. As he dug through his pockets and bags, Holmes was recognized by the conductor who said, "Don't worry, Justice Holmes, you don't need your ticket right now. Just send it to us later when you find it."
Irritated, Holmes replied, "Sir, the problem is not, 'Where is my ticket?" The problem is, "Where am I going?" - A good question for each of us to ask ourselves, "Where am I going?" Are we going to be like many of the religious leaders of Jesus' day or are we going to be sincere in our faith and do our best to walk the talk?
This is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. 1 John 5:4
Friday, November 20, 2009
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Devotion for the Week of Trinity
Have you ever notice that the average pencil is seven inches long, but the eraser is only a quarter of an inch long? And they say optimism is dead.
When we look at the troubles of our world and society, it may dampen our optimism, but today there is a great need for all of us to listen and follow God's call of love and peace.
Jesus certainly was sadden by the state of people's hearts and the condition of people's relationship with God. However, Jesus was clearly focused on God's ultimate plan of unconditional love. What greater hope and optimism can we have than when we focus on Christ, as the risen Savior, given in love!
And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
I Corinthians 13:13
When we look at the troubles of our world and society, it may dampen our optimism, but today there is a great need for all of us to listen and follow God's call of love and peace.
Jesus certainly was sadden by the state of people's hearts and the condition of people's relationship with God. However, Jesus was clearly focused on God's ultimate plan of unconditional love. What greater hope and optimism can we have than when we focus on Christ, as the risen Savior, given in love!
And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
I Corinthians 13:13
Friday, May 29, 2009
Devotion for the Week of Pentecost 2009
We have a greater burden as God's people than anyone else on earth. We must always lift up a higher standard of living and loving.
In one of Garfield's cartoons he is shown resting droopy-eyed in his bed thinking to himself: "One of my pet peeves," he says to himself, "is people who never finish what they start." As he cracks a knowing smile, he says, "I do not happen to be one of those people." The last frame shows him under the bed covers saying, "My philosophy is, 'Never start anything.'"
"Never start anything" cannot be our philosophy as God's people. You see, 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 Jesus Christ. God cared enough to send the Holy Spirit.
We must care too. We must care enough to make our church and community stronger. What is God calling you to do? Are you being called to help tutor a child struggling in with his or her education? Are you being called to be a Sunday School teacher? Are you being called to share your talents with the church, the community or the world? If you and I don't do it, who will?
We have a greater burden as God's people than anyone else on earth. We must always lift up a higher standard of living and loving.
God is counting on you and me. Why? Because we can count on God to give us the resources we need to accomplish God's will.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8
In one of Garfield's cartoons he is shown resting droopy-eyed in his bed thinking to himself: "One of my pet peeves," he says to himself, "is people who never finish what they start." As he cracks a knowing smile, he says, "I do not happen to be one of those people." The last frame shows him under the bed covers saying, "My philosophy is, 'Never start anything.'"
"Never start anything" cannot be our philosophy as God's people. You see, 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 Jesus Christ. God cared enough to send the Holy Spirit.
We must care too. We must care enough to make our church and community stronger. What is God calling you to do? Are you being called to help tutor a child struggling in with his or her education? Are you being called to be a Sunday School teacher? Are you being called to share your talents with the church, the community or the world? If you and I don't do it, who will?
We have a greater burden as God's people than anyone else on earth. We must always lift up a higher standard of living and loving.
God is counting on you and me. Why? Because we can count on God to give us the resources we need to accomplish God's will.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Devotion for the Sixth Week of Easter
During the Masters Golf Tournament a few weeks ago, I heard a great story about the golfer Gary Player. Player is 73 years old, and was out on the course for the first round of the Masters. He has won 9 major tournaments and 24 PGA Tour events. He has finished in the top 10 at 44 major tournaments. Gary Player is also a man of faith.
Even today, when Player is competing in a tournament, people constantly come up to him and made the same remark: "I'd give anything if I could hit a golf ball like you."
One particularly tough day, tired and frustrated, Player once again heard the old refrain: "I'd give anything if I could hit a golf ball like you." Player's usual politeness failed him as he replied to the spectator, "No, you wouldn't. You'd give anything to hit a golf ball like me if it was easy. Do you know what you've got to do to hit a golf ball like me? You've got to get up at five o'clock in the morning, go out on the course, and hit one thousand golf balls. Your hand starts bleeding, and you walk up to the clubhouse, wash the blood off your hand, slap a bandage on it, and go out and hit another one thousand golf balls. That's what it takes to hit a golf ball like me." In his own way Player was asking, "Are you able to drink from the cup from which I drink?"
Greatness has its price. "Are you able to drink from the cup from which I drink?" Jesus asked his ambitious disciples. I am amazed how many people adopt the Christian faith as their own with the thought that it really will note cost them anything. Friends, the cup Jesus drank was the cup of the cross. The sacrifice he made was ultimate, complete, and final. If we think that we can achieve greatness in the Kingdom of God with a token commitment, we are sadly mistaken.
In Medieval Europe it was common for devout Christians to pray for the marks of Jesus to appear on their hands and feet. This was seen as a sign of deep spirituality. One night a monk, while praying for those marks, had a vision of Christ with another mark on his body--a bruise on his shoulder. That bruise came from carrying His cross. The monk suddenly realized that this was the mark that really counted. How many of us have bruises from carrying the weight of Christ's cross on our shoulders? It is acceptable, even admirable to aspire to greatness, but greatness has its price.
Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? Matthew 20:22
Even today, when Player is competing in a tournament, people constantly come up to him and made the same remark: "I'd give anything if I could hit a golf ball like you."
One particularly tough day, tired and frustrated, Player once again heard the old refrain: "I'd give anything if I could hit a golf ball like you." Player's usual politeness failed him as he replied to the spectator, "No, you wouldn't. You'd give anything to hit a golf ball like me if it was easy. Do you know what you've got to do to hit a golf ball like me? You've got to get up at five o'clock in the morning, go out on the course, and hit one thousand golf balls. Your hand starts bleeding, and you walk up to the clubhouse, wash the blood off your hand, slap a bandage on it, and go out and hit another one thousand golf balls. That's what it takes to hit a golf ball like me." In his own way Player was asking, "Are you able to drink from the cup from which I drink?"
Greatness has its price. "Are you able to drink from the cup from which I drink?" Jesus asked his ambitious disciples. I am amazed how many people adopt the Christian faith as their own with the thought that it really will note cost them anything. Friends, the cup Jesus drank was the cup of the cross. The sacrifice he made was ultimate, complete, and final. If we think that we can achieve greatness in the Kingdom of God with a token commitment, we are sadly mistaken.
In Medieval Europe it was common for devout Christians to pray for the marks of Jesus to appear on their hands and feet. This was seen as a sign of deep spirituality. One night a monk, while praying for those marks, had a vision of Christ with another mark on his body--a bruise on his shoulder. That bruise came from carrying His cross. The monk suddenly realized that this was the mark that really counted. How many of us have bruises from carrying the weight of Christ's cross on our shoulders? It is acceptable, even admirable to aspire to greatness, but greatness has its price.
Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? Matthew 20:22
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Devotion for the Fourth Week of Easter
As many of you know, I am a history buff. Recently I was reading a book that was published some time ago, Thirteen Days to Glory by Lon Tinkle. This book is about the battle of the Alamo. The Alamo is a sacred shrine in Texas where 183 defenders held against a huge Mexican army led by Santa Anna in order to give the Texas Army more time to organize. On March 3, 1836, two hours before dusk, the Mexican guns quit firing. Col. William Travis lined his men up in a single line inside the Alamo. He told them no reinforcements were coming and that their destiny was sealed. "Our doom is certain," Travis told the weary men. Travis then pulled his sword from its sheath and drew a line in the dirt floor in front of them and asked every man who was determined to stay in the Alamo and die to cross the line.
According to this book, Topley Holland was the first man across the line. Others quickly followed--Daniel Cloud, Micajah Utry, Davy Crockett. Colonel Jim Bowie was sick and unable to cross the line so he called for help and four men sprang to the side of his cot and lifted him over the line as the other men cheered. They made the choice that counted most and the Republic of Texas was born out of their shed blood.
There are too many Christians who glibly say, "Oh, yes, we follow Jesus." But they know nothing of sacrifice, nothing of being the body of Christ, nothing of continuing Jesus’ earthly ministry. Don’t be like one of those who are Christians one hour a week. Jesus gave himself for us. We can give our time, talents and treasures for others.
Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many."
Mark 14:23-24
According to this book, Topley Holland was the first man across the line. Others quickly followed--Daniel Cloud, Micajah Utry, Davy Crockett. Colonel Jim Bowie was sick and unable to cross the line so he called for help and four men sprang to the side of his cot and lifted him over the line as the other men cheered. They made the choice that counted most and the Republic of Texas was born out of their shed blood.
There are too many Christians who glibly say, "Oh, yes, we follow Jesus." But they know nothing of sacrifice, nothing of being the body of Christ, nothing of continuing Jesus’ earthly ministry. Don’t be like one of those who are Christians one hour a week. Jesus gave himself for us. We can give our time, talents and treasures for others.
Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many."
Mark 14:23-24
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Devotion for the Fourth Week of Lent
In the creation story, humankind is given a special place in the world. God breathed the breath of life into humankind. That breath of life was not shared with any other part of creation.
This special relationship we have with God is based upon grace. Grace is sometimes a hard thing to define, so instead of trying to define it, I am going to share a story.
This story is about a man named Bob. Now Bob was one of those men who began to lose his hair and an early age, so by the time he and his wife had their twins, Peter and Sally, he was completely bald. Bob was, and still is, a delightful person. He loves his wife, his children and his extended family. One night he and his wife decided to go out to dinner and hired a baby sitter to take care of their little children.
While they were gone, the baby sitter got interested in a television program and was not watching the children very carefully. Their little boy Peter, got a hold of his father's electric shaver and shaved a big racing stripe right down the middle of his head.
When his father came home, he was furious. He said, "Peter! I told you never to play with my shaver. Now you are going to get a spanking that you will never forget!" Peter was just about to get a spanking when Peter looked up at his dad and said, "Wait until you see Sally!" Bob and his wife were horrified.
They went into the next room and there was their little daughter with her hair shaved off. By this time Bob was really furious. He grabbed up Peter and said, "Now you are really going to get it."
Just as he lifted his hand Peter looked up at his dad, with tears in his eyes, and said, "But Daddy! WE WERE JUST TRYING TO LOOK LIKE YOU!"
All Peter's dad could do was offer his son a hug of love and grace.
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16
This special relationship we have with God is based upon grace. Grace is sometimes a hard thing to define, so instead of trying to define it, I am going to share a story.
This story is about a man named Bob. Now Bob was one of those men who began to lose his hair and an early age, so by the time he and his wife had their twins, Peter and Sally, he was completely bald. Bob was, and still is, a delightful person. He loves his wife, his children and his extended family. One night he and his wife decided to go out to dinner and hired a baby sitter to take care of their little children.
While they were gone, the baby sitter got interested in a television program and was not watching the children very carefully. Their little boy Peter, got a hold of his father's electric shaver and shaved a big racing stripe right down the middle of his head.
When his father came home, he was furious. He said, "Peter! I told you never to play with my shaver. Now you are going to get a spanking that you will never forget!" Peter was just about to get a spanking when Peter looked up at his dad and said, "Wait until you see Sally!" Bob and his wife were horrified.
They went into the next room and there was their little daughter with her hair shaved off. By this time Bob was really furious. He grabbed up Peter and said, "Now you are really going to get it."
Just as he lifted his hand Peter looked up at his dad, with tears in his eyes, and said, "But Daddy! WE WERE JUST TRYING TO LOOK LIKE YOU!"
All Peter's dad could do was offer his son a hug of love and grace.
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16
Friday, March 13, 2009
Devotion for the Third Week of Lent
I would like to share with you this devotion that my friend, Rev. Marty Shanahan wrote on this week’s Gospel, John 2:13-35.
This story, "The Cleansing of the Temple", is one of the few that are shared between all four Gospel writers. The fact that it is a story shared by all four gospels, may tweak our interest in its importance, and the questions arise, is it a historical event in the life of Jesus with historical
significance or is it a historical event with metaphorical significance? There is much to ponder with regard to this story, and we could journey on many paths using it as the spring board of reflection. What I offer is but one level of understanding of one path which might flow from this wonderful story.
I wonder if by analogy and if maybe by direct correlation, if our very lives are the Temple that Jesus wishes to cleanse. Repeatedly, throughout the Christian tradition we are reminded that we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and if that is so I wonder if our tradition isn't inviting us to
reflect on the 'clutter' of our Temples?
I wonder if we may have allowed our Temples to become crowed with money changers, with sheep and oxen, and doves.....all of which are good in themselves, but I wonder if Jesus isn't inviting us to make sure they are in their proper place in our lives? If the season of Lent is a time of "metanoia", a fundamental change of heart and mind; I wonder if these readings might be inviting us to ponder what we may have allowed to encroach on the Sacred Space which we all need in our lives? Given the present economic situation, I wonder if we haven't often allowed our income, or lack there of, to define our success? I wonder if our prejudices regarding homelessness, poverty, lack of health care, etc, might be being challenged and tested against what we profess as people of faith.
If we visit the Temple of our lives, if we take a snap shot of it today, what do we see?
How crowded is it and what is it that we see as essential?
What may need to be cleansed and re-ordered in us so that our holiness can be more clearly seen?
This story, "The Cleansing of the Temple", is one of the few that are shared between all four Gospel writers. The fact that it is a story shared by all four gospels, may tweak our interest in its importance, and the questions arise, is it a historical event in the life of Jesus with historical
significance or is it a historical event with metaphorical significance? There is much to ponder with regard to this story, and we could journey on many paths using it as the spring board of reflection. What I offer is but one level of understanding of one path which might flow from this wonderful story.
I wonder if by analogy and if maybe by direct correlation, if our very lives are the Temple that Jesus wishes to cleanse. Repeatedly, throughout the Christian tradition we are reminded that we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and if that is so I wonder if our tradition isn't inviting us to
reflect on the 'clutter' of our Temples?
I wonder if we may have allowed our Temples to become crowed with money changers, with sheep and oxen, and doves.....all of which are good in themselves, but I wonder if Jesus isn't inviting us to make sure they are in their proper place in our lives? If the season of Lent is a time of "metanoia", a fundamental change of heart and mind; I wonder if these readings might be inviting us to ponder what we may have allowed to encroach on the Sacred Space which we all need in our lives? Given the present economic situation, I wonder if we haven't often allowed our income, or lack there of, to define our success? I wonder if our prejudices regarding homelessness, poverty, lack of health care, etc, might be being challenged and tested against what we profess as people of faith.
If we visit the Temple of our lives, if we take a snap shot of it today, what do we see?
How crowded is it and what is it that we see as essential?
What may need to be cleansed and re-ordered in us so that our holiness can be more clearly seen?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Devotion for the Week of Ash Wednesday 2009
I have often started a devotion off with quoting my favorite cartoon, Peanuts. Well, my second favorite cartoon is Calvin and Hobbs. So I will begin with one of those.
In on weekly series of the Calvin and Hobbs cartoon, they are trying to find a place to make into a club house. One of the daily strips starts with Calvin looking at Hobbs and saying, "Let's push the car out of the garage. I can't budge it by myself."
Hobbes replies, "I still think you should ask your Mom to move it."
Calvin replies with, "Then she'd probably say no, and we won't have the garage for our clubhouse!"
Hobbes answers: "But if we don't ask her, we'll get in trouble!"
Calvin shouts,: "We won't get in trouble!"
Hobbes, looking very wise, says: "Every time you say that, we do."
Calvin answers: "Mom wouldn't care about these things if she wouldn't keep finding out about them."
Parents have a way of finding out things their children do not want them to know. Jesus knew Peter's true loyalty. Jesus told Peter, "Get behind me." It sounds as if Jesus is saying, "Get lost, Peter!" He is not. Instead, Jesus is again calling Peter to be his disciple. "Get behind me," was a call for Peter to assume his proper place following Jesus. Jesus also says to us, "Get behind me. Follow me."
I remember reading about two lawyers in Virginia who, during a church service, heard the call to be disciples and follow Christ. At the conclusion of the service, they were attending, they did accept the challenge. These two lawyers practiced law together, so they decided to offer free legal services to needy people in their community. Their commitment to helping others, though, changed their lives in ways they did not expect. They soon gained new paying customers. Surprisingly, several people who had been delinquent with their bills suddenly paid them in full. "I suppose they didn't want to cheat lawyers who helped the needy," one lawyer explained.
I share this story with you, because being a disciple, does not mean we have to be a missionary or become a monk. It means we use the gifts' God has given us to help others. It means we become a disciple to people who need lots of love and some hands on help.
But [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
In on weekly series of the Calvin and Hobbs cartoon, they are trying to find a place to make into a club house. One of the daily strips starts with Calvin looking at Hobbs and saying, "Let's push the car out of the garage. I can't budge it by myself."
Hobbes replies, "I still think you should ask your Mom to move it."
Calvin replies with, "Then she'd probably say no, and we won't have the garage for our clubhouse!"
Hobbes answers: "But if we don't ask her, we'll get in trouble!"
Calvin shouts,: "We won't get in trouble!"
Hobbes, looking very wise, says: "Every time you say that, we do."
Calvin answers: "Mom wouldn't care about these things if she wouldn't keep finding out about them."
Parents have a way of finding out things their children do not want them to know. Jesus knew Peter's true loyalty. Jesus told Peter, "Get behind me." It sounds as if Jesus is saying, "Get lost, Peter!" He is not. Instead, Jesus is again calling Peter to be his disciple. "Get behind me," was a call for Peter to assume his proper place following Jesus. Jesus also says to us, "Get behind me. Follow me."
I remember reading about two lawyers in Virginia who, during a church service, heard the call to be disciples and follow Christ. At the conclusion of the service, they were attending, they did accept the challenge. These two lawyers practiced law together, so they decided to offer free legal services to needy people in their community. Their commitment to helping others, though, changed their lives in ways they did not expect. They soon gained new paying customers. Surprisingly, several people who had been delinquent with their bills suddenly paid them in full. "I suppose they didn't want to cheat lawyers who helped the needy," one lawyer explained.
I share this story with you, because being a disciple, does not mean we have to be a missionary or become a monk. It means we use the gifts' God has given us to help others. It means we become a disciple to people who need lots of love and some hands on help.
But [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
Matthew 16:23
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Devotion for the First Week of Epiphany
Recently I read a story about a man by the name of Jim Egan who worked at the West Coast Computer Fair in 1977. His job was to help customers decorate their booths. Industry shows are the cheapest way to reach customers within the trade, but some undercapitalized entrepreneurs hardly have enough to rent a booth, let alone pay for the decorations.
Egan was approached by a couple of long-haired young men who wanted some chrome displays to make their booth "look flashy." Egan said he had the displays but they were for rent. The young me said they were short of cash, but perhaps Egan would rent the chrome displays to them in exchange for some stock in their company. Egan, who had seen companies come and go in his twenty years in the business, said he would accept only hard cash.
So Steve Wozniak and Steven Jobs did without the chrome, fixed up their booth, and kept the stock in Apple Computer to themselves. Sometimes it is a good thing to catch someone else's dream.
The story of the New Testament is the story of men and women who got close enough to Jesus to catch his dream. Doesn't it amaze you how quickly the disciples left their fishing nets to follow Jesus? What are you waiting for?
And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. Mark 1:17 - 18
Egan was approached by a couple of long-haired young men who wanted some chrome displays to make their booth "look flashy." Egan said he had the displays but they were for rent. The young me said they were short of cash, but perhaps Egan would rent the chrome displays to them in exchange for some stock in their company. Egan, who had seen companies come and go in his twenty years in the business, said he would accept only hard cash.
So Steve Wozniak and Steven Jobs did without the chrome, fixed up their booth, and kept the stock in Apple Computer to themselves. Sometimes it is a good thing to catch someone else's dream.
The story of the New Testament is the story of men and women who got close enough to Jesus to catch his dream. Doesn't it amaze you how quickly the disciples left their fishing nets to follow Jesus? What are you waiting for?
And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. Mark 1:17 - 18
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Devotion for the Week of Epiphany
Recently we heard about Jay Leno’s deal to stay with NBC, even though he will no longer be the host of The Tonight Show. The Tonight Show, has a long history on NBC. Since 1954, someone has hosted The Tonight Show and it has followed the basic format for all of these years. The stage, curtain, host, band and furniture has changed over the years, but not the format. It is a type of late night liturgy - but I digress.
Before Leno became the host in 1992, Johnny Carson was “Mr. Tonight Show” and started each show with a monologue and then talked to guests who sat on the couch while he was behind the desk. However, he did not have any guests on his last show. Instead he started by thanking his family, who was in the audience. He then talked about one of his sons who had been killed in an automobile crash a year or so before. Johnny said, "Life does what it's supposed to do." Then he said something to the effect, "And then you move on."
For some of us, last year was the worst year ever. Many people lost jobs, many were laid off, many found themselves having to cope with less income and more stress. Others experienced death in their families which left them hurting and grieving. Whatever might have happened to us in the last year, the start of a new year is a time to free ourselves from the past and start over. NEW BEGINNINGS ARE POSSIBLE. We are set free when we realize that we are not trapped by what has happened to us in the past.
Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21:28
Before Leno became the host in 1992, Johnny Carson was “Mr. Tonight Show” and started each show with a monologue and then talked to guests who sat on the couch while he was behind the desk. However, he did not have any guests on his last show. Instead he started by thanking his family, who was in the audience. He then talked about one of his sons who had been killed in an automobile crash a year or so before. Johnny said, "Life does what it's supposed to do." Then he said something to the effect, "And then you move on."
For some of us, last year was the worst year ever. Many people lost jobs, many were laid off, many found themselves having to cope with less income and more stress. Others experienced death in their families which left them hurting and grieving. Whatever might have happened to us in the last year, the start of a new year is a time to free ourselves from the past and start over. NEW BEGINNINGS ARE POSSIBLE. We are set free when we realize that we are not trapped by what has happened to us in the past.
Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21:28
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