"childbirth. taxes and death. There is never a convenient time for any of them." As I read Matthew 22. 15-22 I realize that I owe "Caesar" taxes and a few other things but I owe God my very life!
As I look at the pictures of dead presidents on the bills in my wallet I realize I do not worship them. But what does it mean for me to bear God's image?
We should walk around each day as if we have God tattooed on our foreheads and on our hearts.
What does it mean for the cross of Jesus to take central place amid all our other pledges of allegiance? How do we use the dollars entrusted to us as signs of Gods' reign in our lives? As the people of faith how doe God DNA of compassion show in ou lives? What will we give in his honor?
But amazingly, this isn't a one way street. God has a tattoo!
He has our names, his children tattooed on the palm of his hand. he cares for us, forever.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
And jesus Sang
One of my favorite preachers is Barbara Brown Taylor let me share her latest post:
"After all this time I thought I knew Jesus really well. Then just last week- preparing to preach at a worship time - I discovered something unsettling about him. I discovered that Jesus never played an instrument, never led his followers in song, or even hummed a familiar tune. How is it possible to be fully human without ever making music?
After a word search I tried hymn and struck a jackpot. According to Matthew and Mark, it is possible that Jesus sang once. On the first night of the Passover, after he had shared the last supper with his friends,they did one last thing together before they headed out that night. "when they had sung a hymn " both evangelists say " they went out to the Mount Of Olives." How had I missed that verse? How many Maunday Thursday services had I sat through without ever hearing that verse? Then I remembered that they would have sung the Hallel- Psalms 113-118- sung during evening prayers.
I know there are others who are ahead of me on this, but this is the first time I have heard that Jesus was fully human for he sang. The lord to whom I pray to not only sang praises and asked for strength to endure. Jesus may only have sung once, but when he did, the Word Made Flesh became Music as well."
"After all this time I thought I knew Jesus really well. Then just last week- preparing to preach at a worship time - I discovered something unsettling about him. I discovered that Jesus never played an instrument, never led his followers in song, or even hummed a familiar tune. How is it possible to be fully human without ever making music?
After a word search I tried hymn and struck a jackpot. According to Matthew and Mark, it is possible that Jesus sang once. On the first night of the Passover, after he had shared the last supper with his friends,they did one last thing together before they headed out that night. "when they had sung a hymn " both evangelists say " they went out to the Mount Of Olives." How had I missed that verse? How many Maunday Thursday services had I sat through without ever hearing that verse? Then I remembered that they would have sung the Hallel- Psalms 113-118- sung during evening prayers.
I know there are others who are ahead of me on this, but this is the first time I have heard that Jesus was fully human for he sang. The lord to whom I pray to not only sang praises and asked for strength to endure. Jesus may only have sung once, but when he did, the Word Made Flesh became Music as well."
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Lnet 2011
What is faith?
All of us can resonate with the phrase "life is difficult." But how many of us could reply "but God is good!" In Hebrews 11 Paul states "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." What does that mean?
When life throws us lemons can we see the need for lemonade? Paul states that the ability to live through life with serenity and hope is a gift given to us by God and lived out each day in daily life. Like most followers of Christ, Paul knew that God does some of his best work in the worst of times. He then recites case after case of people who stuggled in life yet continued to believe in the goodness of God. Could our names be added to that list?
How can we have such faith? It begins with the word HAS. Jesus has already paid the price for our forgiveness and HAS offered the gift of life with God. Pray to God that he not only gives you the gift of faith and the eyes to see his goodness in the midst of these dark days.
All of us can resonate with the phrase "life is difficult." But how many of us could reply "but God is good!" In Hebrews 11 Paul states "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." What does that mean?
When life throws us lemons can we see the need for lemonade? Paul states that the ability to live through life with serenity and hope is a gift given to us by God and lived out each day in daily life. Like most followers of Christ, Paul knew that God does some of his best work in the worst of times. He then recites case after case of people who stuggled in life yet continued to believe in the goodness of God. Could our names be added to that list?
How can we have such faith? It begins with the word HAS. Jesus has already paid the price for our forgiveness and HAS offered the gift of life with God. Pray to God that he not only gives you the gift of faith and the eyes to see his goodness in the midst of these dark days.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Visibile words
Advent is a fresh and powerful season to look at how words become visible. As we walk through the malls or stores what images stand out? Do any those images tell you of the birth of the Christ child? Then when you re in Church look around you and see if the images are different? Hopefully they are?
So how do we make the word of God visible to others? The easiest answer is ringing the bells for salvation army or donating to a charity. But could we be more creative? Stopping by to visit with a neighbor or old Friend, or inviting a person who just became single due to a death or divorce to dinner. Join the Advent Conspiracy. As a community we will ask our members to be "subversive" and not be caught up in the madness called Christmas. How about spending less on each other and giving more away to the people in need of fresh water or warm bed? How about reading one chapter of Luke each day in December. Do this as a family.
We all complain about his seasonal madness yet we buy into it! Why?
Thne let us all come to worship on Chrsitmas eve and through candles, hymns and communion let us see the word become flesh
So how do we make the word of God visible to others? The easiest answer is ringing the bells for salvation army or donating to a charity. But could we be more creative? Stopping by to visit with a neighbor or old Friend, or inviting a person who just became single due to a death or divorce to dinner. Join the Advent Conspiracy. As a community we will ask our members to be "subversive" and not be caught up in the madness called Christmas. How about spending less on each other and giving more away to the people in need of fresh water or warm bed? How about reading one chapter of Luke each day in December. Do this as a family.
We all complain about his seasonal madness yet we buy into it! Why?
Thne let us all come to worship on Chrsitmas eve and through candles, hymns and communion let us see the word become flesh
Friday, September 3, 2010
Consider the cost
Luke 14 offers some troubling words."hate" my mother, my father, my sister! As I prepared the sermon on these texts I realized that there is a "cost" in following Christ. In an age of instant gratification and cynicism I am a person who looks for long term results and seeks to offer hope.
One of the greatest challenges is to be generous. In a time when I am told we are "running out" of most things and I need to hoard what I have. God tells me that he is a God of abundance and will provide what I need. Too often the idea of scarcity has been disguised in the church as "conservative budgeting" and "protecting what we have." This negative attitude is holding the church from becoming what God calls it to be, an oasis of hope.
Now I realize all of us have limitations due to our economic times and need to wise in using our resources to care of our families. But have we let the voices of the world tell us "You can't"?
God provides enough resources to accomplish the entire mission and ministry he call us to do. But do we trust in that promise? Then pick up your Bible and read 2 Corinthians 9.8
Generosity is a Christian value.
Luke 14 offers some troubling words."hate" my mother, my father, my sister! As I prepared the sermon on these texts I realized that there is a "cost" in following Christ. In an age of instant gratification and cynicism I am a person who looks for long term results and seeks to offer hope.
One of the greatest challenges is to be generous. In a time when I am told we are "running out" of most things and I need to hoard what I have. God tells me that he is a God of abundance and will provide what I need. Too often the idea of scarcity has been disguised in the church as "conservative budgeting" and "protecting what we have." This negative attitude is holding the church from becoming what God calls it to be, an oasis of hope.
Now I realize all of us have limitations due to our economic times and need to wise in using our resources to care of our families. But have we let the voices of the world tell us "You can't"?
God provides enough resources to accomplish the entire mission and ministry he call us to do. But do we trust in that promise? Then pick up your Bible and read 2 Corinthians 9.8
Generosity is a Christian value.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Easter always rises
The Sundays of Easter is our time to let people know that Christ is alive. How will they know?Through our changed lives. When you hear the stories of Peter and Paul you can see something changed them. But can others see that in us? Are we transformed or simply admiring Jesus? Can I get a witness? It is our duty and privilege to live as though we are Easter people not Good Friday people. We need to be good news people in a bad news world.
If you are like me and believe that the grip of the forces of evil and death are slowly slipping away, then was must declare with our lips and our lives that the old order of things is passing away. Because of Easter we know that God gets the last word. That we can climb out of the pit.; we will find hope emerging from despair; God's love will not be kept dead and buried. Why?
Because the stone was rolled away, the tomb was empty and our lives are changed. So let us remember that and remind others. That life is stronger than death and hope will defeat despair.
If you are like me and believe that the grip of the forces of evil and death are slowly slipping away, then was must declare with our lips and our lives that the old order of things is passing away. Because of Easter we know that God gets the last word. That we can climb out of the pit.; we will find hope emerging from despair; God's love will not be kept dead and buried. Why?
Because the stone was rolled away, the tomb was empty and our lives are changed. So let us remember that and remind others. That life is stronger than death and hope will defeat despair.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Just recently a very nice man died suddenly. One of his relatives asked "Did he believe in Christ?" the answer sadly was "I am not sure."
This in itself would be motivation enough to start up a conversation with some one you may have a similar question about? If you are so motivated and have introduced each other the next step is to listen to them. What are they passionate about? What do they value?
This is the part of witnessing we forget about, to listen and then listen some more. Too often we feel it is "telling them ". That is why everyone gets turned off. Witnessing has a lot to do with you genuinely loving them and listening to their story. You can tell God's story later.
Its time to "walk across the room" remember pray before you do it.
This in itself would be motivation enough to start up a conversation with some one you may have a similar question about? If you are so motivated and have introduced each other the next step is to listen to them. What are they passionate about? What do they value?
This is the part of witnessing we forget about, to listen and then listen some more. Too often we feel it is "telling them ". That is why everyone gets turned off. Witnessing has a lot to do with you genuinely loving them and listening to their story. You can tell God's story later.
Its time to "walk across the room" remember pray before you do it.
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