Saturday: Day 34

Luke 24:25-26: Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 


            I saw a list recently of explanations that were filed in police reports after traffic accidents.


            The telephone pole was approaching fast, and I attempted to serve out of its path when it struck my front end.


            I pulled away at the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law, and headed over the embankment.


            I was coming home, pulled into the wrong driveway, and hit a tree I didn’t have.


            The indirect cause of this accident was a little guy in a small car with a big mouth.



            Sometimes people act in the same way; they make silly mistakes, try to avoid responsibility, and get stuck on the “failure freeway” and don’t know how to get off. They tend to forget that if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten!



            But there are others who deal with failure as a part of a larger plan. They see failure as a way of learning how to do things differently in the future. Many people whom we regard as genius could have been failures. Wolfgang Mozart, a musical genius, was told by Emporer Ferdinand that his opera The Marriage of Figaro was far too noisy and contained way too many notes. Vincent Van Gough sold only one painting in his lifetime. Thomas Edison was considered unteachable as a young child. Albert Einstein was told by his school teacher that he would never amount to much.



            What made the difference was their response to failure. They refused to see failure as a self-definition. They saw the larger picture and looked beyond their immediate circumstance.




            The disciples “had hoped” that Jesus would be the one to redeem Israel, and they looked back and saw Jesus as a failure. But Jesus told the disciples that it was necessary that he must suffer in order to enter into his glory. His suffering and death was all a part of God’s larger plan and purpose for his life.

           Jesus wasn’t a failure. He triumphed over death, and now promises new life to all who believe in him. It was necessary. It was a part of God’s larger plan. Knowing that makes all the difference in the world!

 

Questions to Ponder:

• · How do you respond to failure in life? Do you ever feel stuck on the failure freeway of life?
• · Think back on some of the things that you failed at in your early life. What were some important life lessons you learned? What have you done differently because of those experiences?

Prayer for Today: Dear gracious God, in the low times of my life, let me praise you. In my weak moments, give me strength. When I fail, give me faith. Help me see you, and let my life be one that brings you praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

It's Palm Sunday tomorrow!  Hosanna!  Hosanna!  Praise is Rising!

Friday: Day 33

Luke 24:17b-19a: They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?”

            They stood still, looking sad.

            Have you ever wondered why some of the saddest words in our language begin with the letter "d"?  Disappointment, doubt, depression, discouragement, despair, despondency, and death all being with "d".  Woody Allen once said, "Our civilization stands at the crossroads.  Down one path is despondency and despair.  Down the other road is total annihilation.  I hope we'll take the right road."  Woddy Allen was making an attempt to be humorous, but there are some people who think he's right.

          Jesus had asked the two disciples what they were discussing on the way.  After they wondered if he was the only clueless one in Jerusalem who didn't know the things that had taken place, Jesus asked them, “What things?”

            And so they begin to tell him about Jesus who was a prophet, how he was condemned and crucified, how they had hoped that he would be the one to redeem Israel. As they told him what things had taken place, it’s all in the past tense. They were living in the past. They were living in an “if only” world.

            And to be honest, that’s so easy to do. If only things had turned out different in my life. If only I had a better paying job, or a better education. If only I hadn’t been raised the way I was. If only I didn’t have the looks and body that I have. If only…then my life would be different.

            At times like that, when we’re like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, it’s important to ask ourselves, “Am I cursing the darkness, and I’m stuck, going nowhere, and controlled by my past negative experiences? Or am I looking to God for the strength to move on with my life, and to ask Jesus to walk with me?”

            Here’s something important to remember. Just as Jesus walked with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, so also he walks with us on our Emmaus roads. He walks with us in the present, and not just in the past. On our tough patches of the road between Jerusalem and Emmaus he is always with us, even though we don’t always recognize him. We are never alone. Never. And that means that we can face anything that comes in the path of our journey because we know that Jesus promises he will always be with us.

Questions to Ponder:

• · Do you feel your faith is lived in the past tense? Or the present tense?
• · Have you started asking yourself empowering questions on this journey through Lent? If you have, what kind of difference is it making?

Prayer for Today: Lord Jesus, walk with us. All along our pilgrim ways, walk with us. In our sorrows and in our troubles and through our trials, walk with us. In the living name of Jesus, amen.

In the midst of our doubts, disappointments, and despair, it's important to remember that there IS an Unfailing Love.

Thursday: Day 32

While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?”  Luke 24:15-17a

              The story is familiar. Two little known disciples – Cleopas and an unnamed disciple – are leaving Jerusalem and walking on the road to Emmaus. They had just been in Jerusalem where they had witnessed the horror of the crucifixion of Jesus. They had just had the most terrible experience of their lives because they had put their hopes in Jesus as the savior of the world. But now he had been crucified and was dead. They had just been in Jerusalem, which had now become a place, and an event, and a time that shook them to the core and made them lose their sense of direction.

  

            And they were on their way to Emmaus, just 7 miles from Jerusalem. Emmaus was the place they were going to escape; to go back to the way their lives were before they met Jesus. Frederick Buechner describes what “Emmaus” stands for. He writes, “Emmaus is whatever we do or wherever we go to make ourselves forget that the world holds nothing sacred, that even the wisest and bravest and loveliest decay and die….Emmaus is where we go, where these two went, to try to forget about Jesus and the great failure of his life.”

    

            Jerusalem. A place of tragedy and loss. And Emmaus. A place of escape and denial. Most of us have both of those “places” in our lives. Loss. Disappointment. Unmet expectations. And escape. Loneliness. Isolation. That’s what the disciples were facing. Maybe you’ve faced that in your past. Perhaps you’re facing it now.

  

            But Jesus walks with them on their escape to Emmaus. He joined them as they were escaping. He asked what they were discussing on their way. He joined them on their journey.

  

            Frederick Buechner again wrote, “In other words, it is precisely at deep and dark times that Jesus is apt to come; into the very midst of life at its most real and inescapable moments. Not in a blaze of earthly light, nor in the midst of a sermon, not in the throes of some kind of religious daydream, but….at supper time, or walking along a road….Jesus never approaches on high, but always in the midst, in the midst of people, in the midst of real life, and in the midst of the questions that real life asks.”

   

            The two disciples had a companion on their journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus. And thank God, that you do, too.

    

Questions to Ponder:

• · Is there a “Jerusalem” in your life; a place or time or event in which you experienced hurt or pain that shook the foundations of your life? What was it like?
•   · Is there an “Emmaus” in your life; a place you go to escape, or something you do when you’ve lost your sense of direction?
•  · While you travel from your Jerusalem to your Emmaus, do you experience Jesus walking with you? Why or why not?

   

Prayer for Today: Precious Lord, gentle Jesus; life sometimes just gets really difficult, and sometimes, Lord, we just lose our sense of direction. At those times, be with us. Help us know that you are there for us. And help each one of us experience your presence with us, in the midst of whatever joys or sorrows that we are experiencing. In the Holy and Present name of Jesus. Amen.

"I am new."  On your journey from your Jerusalem to your Emmaus remember that the One who is making everything new doesn't see me the way that I do.  I am new.  I am new.

  

Wednesday: Day 31

John 5:46-47: “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”

There must have been times in Jesus ministry when he wondered what it would take to get through to his disciples. What would it take for them to understand who he really was, and what he was sent to earth to do? Why wouldn’t they listen? Why did they want a Messianic King to usher in a new world order, when he came to them as a Suffering Servant?

They had Moses. They had the prophets. They had Jesus’ own teaching, his miracles, and his healing. Yet they kept asking, “Who is this?” When would they finally understand?



Maybe, just maybe, if he spent time with them after he was crucified and resurrected. Maybe then they would understand.



Jesus did just that in Luke 24 on his post-resurrection appearance to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. During his time with them he asked them five questions; five transformative, personal, and empowering questions on their journey to Emmaus.



Each day this week we’ll be spending time with one of those five questions. 

 

In order to do that, put yourself in the place of the two disciples. One of them is named: Cleopas. The other is not named. These two disciples were not a part of the Twelve disciples, rather, they were followers of Jesus. They weren’t the designated disciples who are named, whom Jesus called and appointed as the special inner group. They were just ordinary disciples who had followed Jesus.


They were just like us.

And after Jesus was crucified, they felt like failures. They felt betrayed and let down. Their hearts hurt that their Lord and friend, Jesus, had been crucified. It must have felt like his death on the cross was simply they end of the story. They were deflated disciples; they were frustrated followers.




But what happened in their encounter with the Risen Lord rocked their world. Though they didn’t recognize him at first, they looked back and realized that their hearts burned within them as they walked and talked with Jesus. 




And on that road to Emmaus Jesus gave them a vision and a direction for their lives. He put new meaning and purpose in their minds. Just like on the Day of Pentecost, Jesus set their hearts on fire with the power of the Holy Spirit to lead responsive lives because of the verifiable fact that he had been risen from the dead.    



Now that’s something you can believe!


Questions to Ponder:

• · Do you ever feel like the two disciples, meandering through life without a clear sense of vision and purpose? What would it take for you to really “be on fire” for your faith?
• · “It’s more important for you to be a witness to your faith than to argue with people about their faith.” Do you agree with that statement? Why or why not? What would it look like for you to simply be a witness to your faith?

 

 

 Prayer for Today: Dear Jesus, I believe that you died on the cross and came back to life for me. Guide me on my journey through life with the power of your Holy Spirit, and help me to follow you all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Questions, following, struggles, loving anyway....it's here in the song.

Tuesday: Day 30

Luke 9:23-25: Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will love it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?

            Do you sometimes find comfort in a “nice” Jesus?


            From my perspective as a parish pastor for many years, we often have a tendency to want to domesticate Jesus. We want a “nice” Jesus. A smiling Jesus. We want a Jesus who is like a decent Boy Scout, who helps older women across the street, takes in stray cats, and never, ever says a cross word to anyone. Afterall, wasn’t it Jesus who said, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Or was that Thumper?


            We often have a tendency to want to domesticate Jesus. We often rub off his rough edges to make him palatable and vanilla, and non-offensive. We want Jesus to be, well, comfortable and approachable, to be our Best Friend Forever, and to “like” us on Facebook.



But that’s not who Jesus is.



            This week we’ve looked at life, love, and service based on the question Jesus asked, “Do you love me?” When Jesus asked Peter that question, it was an agape question; Peter, do you love (agape) me with a sacrificial love? Are you willing to give your life for me? Are you willing to take your life, your priorities, your reputation, and everything you have and lay it at the foot of the cross? Are you willing to take up your cross daily and follow Jesus?


            As we saw at the beginning of this week, Peter was only able to answer with a phileo kind of answer. Yes, Jesus, we’re buds. I love you, man.



            And we saw that Jesus accepted Peter just where he was; accepting and loving him just as he was, unconditionally and without reservation.


            But we also saw that while Jesus loved Peter just as he was, Jesus loved him far too much to let him stay that way. Jesus wanted to lead Peter into a deeper life of discipleship. Jesus wanted to give him a transformative personal experience with his own sacrificial love. Jesus wanted to invite Peter into a life of taking up his cross daily, and following him.

            There’s nothing “nice” about taking up your cross and dying to your own will and desires. But there is something ultimately redemptive about losing our lives for the sake of knowing Jesus.

            Ultimately a “nice” Jesus doesn’t do much for you. But living a sacrificial life by taking up your cross daily will do absolutely everything for you, both now and for an eternity.  

            Take up your cross daily. Love Jesus. Serve others. That’s an agape love.

            Questions to Ponder:

• What does “taking up your cross daily and following Jesus” mean to you? Are you comfortable with doing it daily, or does it make you uneasy? How would you explain your answer?
• This has been a challenging week on this transformative personal journey through Lent. What are ways in which you’ve grown or deepened in your life of discipleship? What are some things you’ve learned? Are there some things you might do differently in the coming weeks?

Prayer for Today: Gracious and merciful and loving Lord, draw me close to you. In times when I feel entitled to what I want, remind me of what You desire. Let me live to you and in you, no matter what that takes. Be with me as I lose my life in order to gain Your life in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today we have two songs; a traditional praise song (love this version) and a funky happenin' love song to God that was sent to me from a Brad in Wisconsin whose coolness greatly exceeds mine.

And...

Monday: Day 29

Luke 22:27a: “For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves?”

            In Luke 22 Jesus had just finished sharing his Last Supper with his disciples. He took the bread, and the wine, and told they that this is the new covenant in his blood. He said the very sad words that one who shared this new covenant, this bread and wine, his very body and blood would soon betray him.

 

 

            Immediately after this most precious and holy time, a dispute arose among the disciples. They hadn’t yet digested the bread, and still had the smell of the wine on their breath. And they disputed among themselves which one would be the greatest among them! Unbelievable! Didn’t they understand what Jesus had just done and said? How could they be so clueless?

 

 

            And so Jesus asks them a question. For who is greater, the one who is at the table, or the one who serves? As they were asked this transformative personal question, their hearts must have seen that servanthood is the sign of greatness, not being served. Servanthood. Loving others sacrificially. That’s what it means to be great for those who follow Jesus.

            A servant simply loves and serves. Servants love and serve the Lord, but they also love and serve other people. Without love, service often turns into bitterness or duty. When service is done without love, it becomes merely an obligation, and something you “have to” do rather than something you just simply “do”.

 

 

            Because often the people you are called to serve aren’t perfect people! They disappoint you. They aren’t always grateful. And sometimes they take advantage of you.

            But that’s OK. Servants love and serve imperfect people, just like Jesus did with his disciples. Servants serve because they can, and not only because they should. Servants serve based on love, and not out of obligation.  

            Servants serve because they know that love is stronger than hate. They believe that forgiveness is stronger than sin. They are convinced that life is stronger than death. A servant simply loves. And serves.

 

 

            Questions to Ponder:

•  The heart of Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship. The heart of Christianity is a passion for living for Jesus by serving others. Do you agree? Why or why not?
• Think about a time that you served without recognition and without gratitude from anyone. What did you learn from that experience?

Prayer for today: Make me a servant, humble and meek. Lord, let me lift up those who are weak. And may the prayers of my heart always be: Make me a servant. Make me a servant. Make me a servant today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jesus, Joy.  We simply serve because He desires it.  Just be blessed by this beautiful song.

           

Sunday: March 25

In John 12 two Greeks (unchurched people) came to Phillip and said, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."

Wow.  That was enough for my whole sermon.  Enough for a prayer in the middle of the sermon.  Even enough for a revival.

Yeah, we want to see Jesus.  Anyone interested in a revival?  Listen in:

Saturday: Day 28

Luke 10:36: “Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”

  

            Remember Eeyore in The House at Pooh Corner?

  

            One day Pooh and Rabbit were dropping Pooh Sticks over the bridge, and then running to the other side of the bridge and watching them go by. Again and again they did this. And as they were preparing to drop another stick, they saw Eeyore floating on his back down the river. They asked Eeyore whatever he was doing.

  

            Eeyore said, “I’ll give you three guesses, Rabbit. Digging holes in the ground? Wrong. Leaping from branch to branch of a young oak-tree? Wrong. Waiting for somebody to help me out of the river? Right.”

  

            Waiting for somebody to help me out of the river.

  

            Eeyore was helplessly and hopelessly floating down the river, with nobody to help him out. Someone needed to help him. Someone needed to save him from the river’s flow.

  

            So Pooh and Rabbit figured that if they dropped rocks close enough to Eeyore they would cause waves that would gently bring Eeyore to the shore, and save him. The first rock, of course, hit Eeyore right in the stomach and sank him. But eventually the rocks made enough little waves to bring Eeyore to the shore so that he could be saved.

  

            Jesus tells the story of a man who was beaten, and left by the side of the road, helplessly and hopelessly unable to help himself, and ignored by the religious priest and Levite who piously avoided helping him.

  

            But a Samaritan, a Good Samaritan, stopped, went to him, bandaged his wounds, put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, took care of him, and paid for his care. The Good Samaritan helped the wounded man out of the “river.” And Jesus asks, “Which one of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” It was the Good Samaritan.

  

            There are people whom you pass by every day who are floating helplessly and hopelessly down the river of life. There are people whom you pass by every day that are hurt by the side of the road; struggling with the complexities of life, lost and alone, and dealing with emotional, relational, financial, or addiction issues. They often don’t know how they’re going to make it through the day, much less make it through the next week or month.

  

            The Good Samaritan didn’t help everyone. That would have been far too big of a task. But he did help someone; someone that was placed in his path.

  

            Are there people in your path? Do you know of someone (like Eeyore) who is waiting for somebody to help them out of the river?

  

            Jesus says, “Go and do likewise.”

  

Questions to Ponder

   

• · Who are the people in your path? Is there a possibility that they are there for you to help; to stop, to go, to bring, to care for, to lend a hand? While you can’t help everybody, is there someone you can help?
•  · It’s often said that a local congregation is not defined by its seating capacity, but by its sending capacity. How is your congregation sending people to bind up, to help, and to heal?

  

Prayer for Today: Gracious God, open my eyes. Loving Jesus, open my heart. Holy Spirit, open my hands. Direct me, lead me, guide me to do your will and to see and to serve those on my path through life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Friday: Day 27

          Today's video is from a Christian sociologist, Tony Campolo.  It shares the importance of "seeking the one who is lost" better than any video I could do.  It's funny, it's touching, and it's challenging.  Be sure to read the devotion today slowly, reflect on Tony's video, and be sure to watch the song at the end.  "Does anybody see her?  Does anybody care?"  Tony's woman, and the woman on the song at the end are the "one."  And if we are on a transformative personal journey toward loving (agape) Jesus, then how can we not see the "one"? 

Luke 15:4: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?”


            What if your local congregation became known as a place where the lost are found? What if your local congregation became known throughout the community as a place that welcomes the lost?


            Some people think that it’s at least a little offensive to refer to people as “lost.” It presumes that the one who is “not lost” has found his or her way, and so the designation “lost” is seen as judgmental, or pejorative. It’s seen as a negative term. And so we sometimes use words like “unchurched” or “pre-Christian” rather than the pejorative term “lost.”


            And yet, why use the word “lost”? Well, because Jesus used it.


            Luke chapter 15 is fondly referred to as the “lost” chapter. It’s there that Luke gathers three stories. The Lost Sheep. The Lost Coin. And the Lost Brother.


            And here’s what’s fascinating. In each of the stories, when the lost sheep is found, when the lost coin is found, and then the lost son returns home, there’s a huge party and celebration! They call together their friends and neighbors, and say, “Rejoice with me, for I have found what was lost.” And Jesus says, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who have no need of repentance.”


            Who are the lost? The lost are the ones God for whom God wants to throw a party! And if your local congregation became known as the place where the lost are found, it’s far from a pejorative term; it’s being intentional and invitational to those for whom God wants to throw a party! Wouldn’t you want to be a part of a church like that?


            And here’s something else to think about. When the shepherd left the ninety-nine and went in search for the one who was lost, it wasn’t just for the benefit of the lost “one.”


            Think about this: Numbers are very important in the Bible. One hundred is a number that represents wholeness and completeness. And so when one is “lost” and there are only ninety-nine left, the ninety-nine are less than whole. They are less than complete. The ninety-nine need the “one” to be whole and complete again.


            Yes, you go after the “one” who is lost, not only for the sake of the one, but for the sake of the wholeness and completeness of the entire community! And when the lost are found, you throw a party. Because if Jesus tells us that the angels are rejoicing in heaven when the lost are found, shouldn’t we throw a party in our churches?

          What if your local congregation became known as a place where the lost are found? That would be so cool.  

          That would be like Luke 15 all over again.

Questions to Ponder:

• · Do you agree or disagree with the use of the word lost? Why or why not? Did the devotion today give you any insight into the way Jesus uses the word?
• · What would your local congregation need to do to become known as a place where the lost are found? What can you do to help?

Prayer for Today: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see. Thank you, dear Jesus, for seeking me while I was lost, for finding me, and for your amazing grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thursday: Day 26

 

John 21:17: He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love (phileo) me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love (phileo) me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love (phileo) you.” 

 

 

  

            Do you love Jesus?

 

 

 

            Notice here the words that are used. In the Greek language there are more than one word to describe “love.” The first and most important word for love is agape. Agape is the deepest form of love, based on sacrificial living for the life of the other. It’s loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

  

 

            A second Greek word is phileo. Phileo is brotherly or sisterly love toward someone we really love when we don’t agape them. Philadelphia is the City of Brotherly Love, based on phileo and adelphos (brother).

  

 

            Notice the words that Jesus and Peter use in this three question dialog. Jesus asks Peter twice, “Do you agape me?” Jesus was looking for a sacrificial love, the kind of love that gives its all, just like Jesus had given his life for the sake of those who follow him.

  

 

            Peter answers each time, “Yes, Lord, I phileo you.” Peter wasn’t able to respond with the kind of agape answer that Jesus was looking for. Peter responded, “I phileo you.” Yeah, Jesus, we’re buds. Best Friends Forever. I love you, man. Give me a knuckle bump. We’re tight, man."

  

 

            So the third time, Jesus changes the question. “Peter, do you phileo me?” And Peter says, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love (phileo) you.” 

  

 

            Knowing that Peter was not capable of an agape love that Jesus was looking for, Jesus asks the third question on Peter’s level. And that was OK with Jesus because Jesus loves Peter just the way he is, with all his quirks and idiosyncrasies, with all his enthusiasm and all his failures. Jesus loves him just the way he is, unconditionally, without reserve. But Jesus changes the question to address Peter’s level of love.

  

 

            But here’s the key to understanding the progression of these questions.

  

 

            Jesus loves Peter just as he is, unconditionally and without reserve. But at the same time, Jesus loves Peter far too much to let him stay that way.  

  

 

            Peter’s phileo love was all that he could offer. But by inviting Peter to follow him, to feed and tend his sheep in a life of discipleship, Jesus was inviting Peter into a life beyond question; into a life of sacrificial love that grows into an agape love.

  

 

            In the same way, Jesus loves you unconditionally, without reserve and with an everlasting love. And however you answer the question, “Do you love Jesus?”, it’s OK. Jesus wants to recognize that we, like Peter, are at different points on our spiritual journeys. He loves us and accepts us unconditionally, just as we are.

  

 

            At the same time, he loves us far too much to let us stay where we are.

  

 

            Life is a journey. Faith is a journey. And deepening our lives of discipleship along the journey leads us towards an agape love.

  

 

            Love. It’s true. That’s what it’s all about.

 

  

 

Questions to Ponder:

 

 

 

• · Do you love Jesus? Of course you do. But are there ways in which you could love him more? What would that look like? What would need to be different in your life?
• · If there are steps you could take to deepen your life of following Jesus, what would those steps be? What could you do in the remaining days of this transformative personal journey through Lent to love Jesus even more?

 

Prayer for Today: Love, love, love; that’s what it’s all about. ‘Cause God loves us we love each other; Mother, Father, Sister, Brother. Everybody sing and shout! ‘Cause that’s what it’s all about. It’s about love, love, love. Amen.

 

In this beloved scene, Tevye is looking for an agape answer.  Golde is only able to give a phileo answer.  But that's OK.  It doesn't change a thing, but even so, after 25 years, it's nice to know.

 

Wednesday: Day 25

John 21:15-16: When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love (phileo) you.” 

 

  

 

Do you love Jesus?

 

  

            It’s an important question. In fact, it’s a fundamental, transformative question. Do you love Jesus?

  

 

            The most important questions are not, “Do you attend church? Do you tithe? Do you pray? Do you read the Bible? Do you volunteer for Vacation Bible School?” Do you love Jesus is a primary question because if you can honestly answer “Yes!” to the question, then all other areas of spiritual responsibility and spiritual growth will take care of themselves. This is an important, fundamental, and transformative question because how you answer it determines everything else about your spiritual life, health, and growth.

  

 

            Notice several things from today’s reading. First, notice that it’s from the 21st chapter of John; the last chapter in John’s Gospel. It’s here that Jesus appears to his disciples after he is resurrected. In John 19 Jesus is crucified and dies on the cross. In John 20 Jesus is raised, and appears to his disciples in the upper room. In John 21 Jesus appears to them again and has a breakfast on the beach with some bread and fish that they had caught.

  

 

            And when they had finished eating, Jesus said to Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me?” And he asked it again. And he asked it again. What’s going on here? Why three times?

  

 

            Tomorrow we’ll be looking at the words that are used for “love” in these verses. But today let’s think of Peter.

  

 

            Peter was, in many ways, the premiere disciple. He is listed as the first disciple whenever the rest of the disciples are named. He was the one who had the courage to get out of the boat and walk on water toward Jesus. He was the one who was renamed Cephas, the rock on whose confession Jesus said he would build his church. Peter was always there by Jesus’ side, and when things got tough, Peter was always there.

  

 

            But there were many “lows” in Peter’s life. Peter got into trouble more than any of the other disciples because of all the times that he took his eyes off of Jesus. Peter took his eyes off Jesus in the story seas, and he began to lose his faith in the power of Jesus and he began to sink into the stormy seas. Peter took his eyes off Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration when he heard that Jesus had to suffer, and Peter said, “God forbid, no!” Peter took his eyes off Jesus in the courtyard and instead of focusing on Jesus, he focused on his fears and denied Jesus three times in the courtyard.

 

  

            Maybe that’s why Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Maybe that’s why Jesus gave Peter not once, not twice, but three times to redeem himself after he had denied Jesus three times. God, after all, is primarily a God of second chances, and here Jesus gives Peter even more than a second chance. He gives him a third chance.  

  

 

            Do you love Jesus? Even if you’ve had “lows” in your life when you’ve taken your eyes off Jesus, you can still say “Yes.” You always have a second chance.

  

 

            And a third…

 

   

 

Questions to Ponder:

 

• · Are there times in your life that you’ve taken your eyes off Jesus? Are there times when you feel you’ve denied him with your words or actions? 
• · How does it feel, knowing that Peter denied Jesus, but that Jesus still gave him a second and third chance to redeem himself? What do you need to do, or what do you need to release in order to feel unconditionally loved by a God of Second Chances?

  

 

 

Prayer for Today: O God, you have prepared for those who love you joys beyond understanding. Pour into our hearts such love for you that, loving you above all things, we may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

Amazing.  Amazing Love.  From Jesus, our King.

 

 

Tuesday: Day 24

Luke 13:20b: And again he said, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God?”

             We’re on Day 24 of this transformative personal journey through Lent. We’re ending our fourth week together. There are fewer days ahead of us on this journey than the days that lie behind.


            What has this journey meant to you so far? Has it begun to be transformative in the way you’re starting to ask yourself empowering questions in order to receive empowered answers? If you’ve spent some time on the Questions to Ponder each day I know it’s been a personal journey. But has it been a transformative journey?


          I love the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 12:2: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. That’s such an awesome verse! Being transformed by the renewing of our minds. Discerning the will of God. Doing what is good and acceptable and perfect. That’s discipleship. That’s transformation.      


          For many years before moving out to Oregon I used to charter sailboats with different groups of family or friends on the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior. And I would charter sailboats between 30 and 38 feet and one of the many options I’d choose when I’d charter the boat was one with an autopilot. Because with an autopilot, when the wind was steady, and when the coast was clear, you could switch on the autopilot, and the boat would sail itself. The wheel would go back and forth, but it would keep on track, and if you wanted to make a change in course to avoid an upcoming boat, you could, but when you let go of the wheel, it would return to the course that had been set. You could change the course for quite a while, but whenever you let go, it would return to the autopilot.


          When Paul talks about being transformed by the renewing of our minds, he’s talking about the autopilot of our lives.


          Do this with me for just a moment: Complete this sentence in your mind: With my time, it’s just like me to be… Or with my family, it’s just like me to be… Or with my money, it's just like me to be....

          That’s your autopilot. It’s what you automatically think. And oftentimes, we can change behavior or actions for a brief time, but if we don’t change the autopilot of the way we think, then we go right back to our previous behavior, and we fall back into the same traps.



            But Paul says be transformed. If it’s just like you to focus on success, then be transformed to focus on significance. If it’s just like you to focus on yourself, then be transformed to focus on others. If it’s just like you to focus on what you can get, rather than what you can give, then be transformed to focus on giving and on generosity. The Apostle Paul says be transformed by the renewing of your mind, which is a redirection of your autopilot.

         Jesus asked, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God?” And he compares it to yeast, which eventually leavens and transforms the entire loaf. It starts small. But yeast transforms the flour. And the result is a fresh creation of new bread.

          A transformative personal journey through Lent. The questions we ask ourselves become the leaven that can change our lives. Change your questions and change (and transform!) your life.

Questions to Ponder:

• · What is it just like you to be? What guides the autopilot of your life?
• · Are there new directions where you’d like to be led? Are you fully satisfied with the direction of your life? If you’re not fully satisfied, what would it take to put you on a new course?

Prayer for Today: Transforming God, take me, mold me, use me, fill me; I give my life to the potter’s hand. Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me. I give my life to the potter’s hand. In His name. Amen.

 

 

 

Listen to this awesome video of an old song: Potter's Hand. The potter augments the message of the song, and I hope it will be a blessing to you.

Monday: Day 23

Mark 5:13a: “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?”

            I’m so glad Jesus said this! I love salty food! Some people crave chocolate, but chocolate doesn’t do anything for me.


            Give me some good Doritos, or chips and spinach and artichoke dip, or peanuts, or popcorn with Parmesan cheese, or Sushi with Wasabi and plenty of soy sauce and I’m a happy camper! It makes me drool just to think about this summer’s bratwurst and lots and lots of catsup.


            But I also know that I can feel the effects of that salt within about 30 minutes, and I retain water for the whole next day. I know that most of us consume far too much salt in our diets, not only from the salt shaker, but also from any processed food. Luckily I don’t have high blood pressure, nor high cholesterol, and I’m not on a salt restricted diet.


          But consider, for a moment, the, importance of salt in our lives. Like seawater, our bodies contain salt: a tear, a drop of blood, a bead of sweat all have salt. Without salt our hearts would not beat, blood would not flow, and muscles would not work properly. Before birth a baby develops in a salt solution. Accident victims often receive a salt solution in an IV. In Roman times, salt was so precious that it was often used to pay workers. The word “salary” comes from the Latin word for salt. And we know that a person not worth his or her salt is not even worthy of being paid. Salt, in many ways, is an indispensable part of our lives.


            Jesus says in our Gospel for today. “You are the salt of the earth.” He also said, “You are the light of the world.” Those are declarative statements; you are salt, you are light.” This isn’t a question of whether followers of Jesus want to be salt or light; Jesus simply declares that those who believe in him are to be salt and light. And he warns us not to lose our “salt.”


            In a very real sense, those who follow Jesus need to be moral preservatives in a decaying world. We live with the reality of corporate scandals, insufficient funding for schools, moral decay, murder and abduction children, in a culture where competing forces battle to reach into the minds of our children.


          And we, who are children of the most high God, who belong to God, believe in God, and will become the people God created us to be; we are the only moral preservative, the only “Bible”, the only true follower of Jesus that some people around you might ever see.


          And that’s why Jesus says, or declares, you are salt!. We are called to live consistently. We are to be salt in the midst of the decay and oftentimes, the immorality among you. We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

          Here’s the interesting thing: You don’t get to vote on it! Jesus doesn’t say, “If you wouldn’t mind, when you have some spare time, could you be salt? Could you be a moral and faithful preservative in a decaying world?” If you follow Jesus, that’s what you are. You are the salt of the earth.

            Now, just to let you know, I do watch my salt intake.

            But I also love it when I see a “salty Christian.”

Questions to Ponder:

•  Have you been saying I am a child of God…every morning? Has it made a difference in the way you relate to others?
• What do you think of suggesting that we who follow Jesus need to be moral preservatives in a decaying world? How can we be moral preservatives without being moralistic?

Prayer for Today: Dear God, I embrace the fact that I AM your child. Help me life my life knowing that I am created in your image, and help me to seek to do your will and to follow your way. Help me to stand up for what’s right, and to do what is just. In your precious and holy name. Amen.

Think about this:  You are more than the choices you've made; you've been re-made! 

For God SO loved YOU!

And, just so you know, not all video shoots go as planned....the one posted above is Take 2.  That's because on Take 1 the video cam blew over....it's only about 40 seconds, but it's rather humorous...And yeah, just so you know, it blew my Dorito Shell Taco all over the ground, so I had to go inside and buy another one.  Oh, the sacrifices I make for y'all...

Sunday, March 18

John 3:16. The most beloved passage in the entire Bible. The Gospel in Miniature. Of all the verses in the Bible, it's the most recognized verse and it conveys the most amazing love that God has for us.

It's a good companion on the journey to the cross and beyond! But what's the background of John 3:16? And what's that serpent thing about? Listen in and find out.

Saturday: Day 22

Mark 3:32-33: A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”

          I remember the first adult immersion baptism I attended. It was at Holden Village many years ago. Holden Village is a Lutheran Retreat Center in the North Cascades, where 300-500 people gather every week for fellowship, hiking, studies, worship, and personal growth.  

          Rick, who was a young adult with a very difficult background, came to know Jesus, and wanted to be baptized in Railroad Creek, which is a glacier fed stream running through Holden Village. One evening after worship, the entire group of 500 people went from our evening worship service to Railroad Creek, where Rick was standing, waist deep in glacier fed water, with Carroll Hinderlie, who was the camp director at that time.

 

          After the first part of the baptismal service, Carroll put his hand on Rick’s head and said, “I baptize you in the name of the Father!” and pushed Rick’s entire body beneath the ice-chilled waters.  

 

            Those of us watching had a chill move through our bodies as Rick went under the water, and as the water cleared we could see bubbles come out of Rick’s nose. All of a sudden Carroll said, “And of the Son!” and let Rick up for one gasp of air before pushing him back again under the frigid water. Those of us watching started to get goose bumps, even though the temperature on that August evening was over 80 degrees.  

 

            When it almost seemed that Rick would expire under the frigid water, Carroll let his up for a final gasp, as he said, “And of the Holy Spirit!” and plunged him under for a third time. Those of us watching started to shake; we were so cold standing around with sympathy pains for poor Rick, hoping against hope that Carroll would let him up before he drown.

 

            Afterwards I said to Rick, “So what was it like, getting baptized and all.” And Rick said, “Man, it was terrible. I thought I was going to die.”

 

            And I thought to myself, “Bingo.” That’s it. Baptism is dying to the life that we had before knowing Jesus, and it is giving a new commitment to our lives and all that it means now that we know Jesus. Baptism truly symbolizes death and resurrection; putting away what was old, and giving birth to something new. And that “something new” includes being grafted on to the family of God in a new way, with new brothers and sisters!

 

            Jesus knew that his mission was to heal the broken, to reach out to save humanity, and to redefine what it means to be a Child of God. What a blessing that is! Doing the will of God. Being baptized, dying to the old, and rising to the new. New brothers and sisters in Christ. What could be a better blessing than that!

 

Questions to Ponder:

• Have you experienced an adult baptism? Or an immersion baptism? What was it like? How was it different?
• When you go to church, how do you view the people there? What would it take for you to view them as truly fellow brothers and sisters?

 

Prayer for Today: Gracious God; Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. In the name of Jesus, our brother. Amen.

 

Baptism:  It's your Life Song!

 

Friday: Day 21

Luke 5:21-23: Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts?  Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?”

Over the years of pastoring large and smaller churches, I know that forgiveness and healing are two huge issues that cause people a lot of concern and anxiety.


But I’ve also seen an underlying issue that’s more pervasive and insidious and damaging to people’s lives and their faith.

It’s the issue of resentment.

Resentment is the cause of a sickness of the soul and ill health in personal relationships. Resentment is a feeling that we feel we can justifiably have when someone “did us wrong” or toward someone who hurt us or our loved ones. It’s the feeling that comes over us when we remember the person that wrongly gossiped about us, or got the promotion that we deserved. Sometimes we think that hanging on to the pain of the past will keep us safe from being hurt in the future, and that hanging on to resentments is something of which we just don’t want to rid ourselves. And we often don’t realize that by hanging on to resentments we sink deeper and deeper into a sickness of the soul where the more resentments we have, the more and more of your soul will die.

Resentments have power over people. And because they do, resentment becomes a double whammy. There’s first the hurt over something that was done, and then resentment sets in and festers and gains power over you. Resentments have power over people.

Until we ask ourselves an empowering question: “Who is in control here? Who is in control of my anxiety? Who is in charge of the way I feel? Who is in control here?”

Frederick Nietzsche once said that nothing on earth consumes a person more completely than the passion of resentment.

You’re in control of your feelings resentments. If you feel anxious, it’s because you are allowing yourself to feel anxiety. If you are feeling hatred, it’s because you are allowing yourself to feel hatred. If you resent those who are your enemies and those who persecute you, you are allowing yourself to feel that resentment.

The real problem with resentments is that they don’t allow us to forgive. Resentments don’t allow us to heal. Jesus asked, “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?”

Today consider this: You are the only one who can let go of your resentments. You are the only one who can control your emotional health because you alone are responsible for it. Your emotional health is something you can’t “outsource” to another person.


When you let go of resentments you’re well on your way to forgiveness and healing. That’s what Jesus wants for you. It’s an important step toward forgiveness and wholeness.


Are you willing to let go of resentments for forgiveness and wholeness?

Questions to Ponder:

•  · What are three things that you most resent; three things that stir up resentment every time you think of them?
• · Do you agree that letting go of resentments is an important step toward forgiveness and wholeness? Why or why not?

Prayer for Today: Lord Jesus, you know me completely, and you know if I hold resentment and bitterness in my heart. I ask you for the grace to release this hurt, and the strength to forgive. Bring me wholeness. And bring me closer to your will and your way for my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I love this video.  It shows what can happen in overcoming obstacles and releasing anger about things that people have done to us, like the young deaf and mute violin player did with the young piano player.  It's awesome.  You can shine.

Thursday: Day 20

Luke 22:35: He said to them, “When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?”

            If you were to make a list of all the things you lack in life, how long would that list be? More money. A better job. More cash in your kid’s college savings account. An addition to your house. An even larger big screen TV. For men, more hair on your head. And less stomach around your waist.


            There are a lot of things we lack in life, or at least, a lot of things that we would really like. 


            But the presumptive answer to Jesus’ question here is that the disciple didn’t lack anything! They had everything they needed to witness to Jesus when he sent them out. They didn’t have an extra briefcase, suitcase, or wing-tip shoes. But they lacked nothing.


            One author I’ve been reading has said that one of the greatest “sins” we have is to expect too little of ourselves because we expect too little from God. We often don’t ask God for what we think we need because we don’t trust that God is really able to answer our prayers. Can God really heal, change minds, and touch hearts? Can God really do what God has promised to do, and can we trust God to deliver on those promises? Will Jesus send us out, too, lacking nothing?


            Let me suggest an exercise for you that I think would be helpful.


            Start each morning thinking and saying to yourself, “I am a child of God who belongs to God, believes in God, and will become the person God created me to be.” Begin each morning with those words while you were brushing your teeth, saying: “I am a child of God who belongs to God, believes in God, and will become the person God created me to be.” Before you go to work or school and begin to relate to a whole variety of people in a variety of circumstances, just said to yourself: “I am a child of God who belongs to God, believes in God, and will become the person God created me to be.” When you’re feeling frustration with your kids, or your in-laws, or your boss, or even with your spouse; before you react in a way you might regret, just say to yourself, “I am a child of God who belongs to God, believes in God, and will become the person God created me to be.” If you do that on a regular basis, you’ll begin to re-orientate your brain and even begin to rewire it to start thinking and acting and reacting from that perspective. 


            “I am a child of God who belongs to God, believes in God, and will become the person God created me to be.” You are a child of God. You are a child of the most high. God knit you together in your mother’s womb and you are marvelously made (Psalm 139). The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians, ““Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever” 


          Since you are a child of the most high God, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly in you above and beyond all you can imagine. Perhaps that means that means that you don’t sell yourself short, you don’t compromise your values, you remember that you will never regret it if you take the high road in all that you do because you know that you’ve regretted it when you’ve taken the low road. Perhaps it means that you tell the truth because you know that when you don’t, you’ll always be found out, and the consequences will be much worse than telling the truth in the first place. You are a child of the most high God. 

        When Jesus sends us out, do we lack anything? No. No, with Jesus we lack nothing. Thanks be to God!

 

Questions to Ponder:

 

• · Do you feel like a child of God who belongs to God, believes in God, and will become the person God created you to be? Why or why not?
• · What difference would it make in your life to say that sentence at least 5 times every day this week? Are you willing to do it?

Prayer for Today: Gracious God, who gives us exceedingly abundantly far more than we can ask or imagine, we lack nothing on this journey through life. Gracious Provider, we praise you for green pastures and quiet waters. We pray that you would redeem us and restore us and always draw us closer to you.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

 

This is a great song; a live version of a classic song.  Let the words and emotions flow over you.

 

 

Wednesday: Day 19

(Yes, I am finding out that I need to watch out for the wind when I do these videos!!!)

Matthew 20:30-32: There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” Jesus stood still and called them, saying, “What do you want me to do for you?”


This question, what do you want me to do for you? is the question Jesus asked more than any other question in the Gospels. What do you want me to do for you? Jesus asks this question more often than any other question because your answer to the question “What do you want me to do for you” speaks volumes about your whole theology of Jesus. The way you answer the question shows what you ultimately believe Jesus can do for you. The way you answer the question shows either your limited or your expansive theology about who Jesus is and what you believe he can do for you.


 What I mean by that is this. Jesus asked the blind men “What do you want me to do for you” in order to invite them to confess what he believed Jesus could actually do. I fully suspect that if Jesus would have asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”, and they would have said, “Well, you know, we’d really like to split a ham sandwich on rye with a little bit of mustard and sauerkraut,” Jesus would have asked one of his disciples to go to the local Deli and get the guys a sandwich, and then Jesus would have gone on with the rest of the crowd.


 When you are asked the question, “What do you want Jesus to do for you,” your answer reflects your whole Christology, that is, it reflects everything you think and believe about Jesus and what he can and does do for you. That’s why this week’s question follows from last’s week’s focus on “Who do you say that Jesus is?” It’s sequential. Who you say Jesus determines what you believe He can do for you. It’s a question that depends on faith for an answer.

But notice three words in our Scripture reading: Jesus stood still. Jesus was always on the move in the Gospels, from one place to another. But Jesus stood still. In the only instance in the Gospels where Jesus stood still, Jesus focused on the need of this one blind man, this one individual person who desperately needed what only Jesus could give.

Jesus stood still. And he restored the sight of this blind beggar.

And what was the first thing that blind men saw? The face of Jesus. The eyes of their Loving Lord. Jesus, standing still, is focusing only on him. His eyes were opened, and they saw….Jesus. What do you want Jesus to do for you? Remember, he does stand still for you.

So, open your eyes….and see Jesus. He can do that for you.

Questions to Ponder:

• · What are three or four things that you really would like Jesus to do for you? Do you believe that Jesus can meet those needs? How might that be accomplished?
• Where, in your life, do you need to “stand still?” Where is it that you just need to take more time to focus on what’s really important in life?

Prayer for Today: Seeing Jesus through eyes that were blind, all of his goodness now comes to mind! Dear Son of God, righteous and true, our only Savior, we recognize and worship You! Amen.

 

 

Jesus stood still.  And he saw the ones in need.  I love this song:  "Remind Me Who I Am", by Jason Gray.  Can you see yourself in the polariods?  Or is there someone you need to see?