Earlier today, I had the occassion to attend two funerals. Family and friends of John Michael Lee gathered at a service of remembrance today at noon. Family and friends of Debra Hillick did the same at two. John Michael was 33. Debbie was 50. Both died unexpectedly and at a time that most of us would call "too soon."
Matthew 24:42-44 tells us that we do not know the "hour" when the Lord will come and so we must "be ready." Both John and Debbie were ready. I did not know either of them particularly well. My interactions with them were brief and yet, I will likely never forget either of them because of the mark they each made on me and those around them - simply by their being.
It is not uncommon to attend a funeral or a memorial service and hear nice things said about the deceased. Sometimes we hear nice things said and wonder if we are in fact at the correct service because the things that are said are not reflective of the person we remember. And sometimes, although we have our own image of who a person was, or what they meant to us - the picture becomes that much larger when they pass on because we are given a glimpse into what they meant to so many other people.
The latter was the case today. By all accounts, Debbie and John could not have been more different. And yet - today - as we stopped to honor them both, I could not help noticing a shining common thread. They both lived a life worth repeating. They both lived a life where loving God was first and where it gave them pleasure to serve. There were no unkind words or unhappy remembrances made for either. There were no befuddled faces when someone spoke of John's dedication to his church or of Debbie's dedication to her family. Everyone present knew and believed that these people were as great as they seemed. They left the same mark on each person they came in contact with.
It was evident by the tears wept - even by those of us who did not know them quite as well. Tears brought on by the void we know is created by their absence. And yet, Debbie's son reminded us that Debbie would say to fill that void with God.
We are called into this life to serve. We will be remembered by the things we leave behind. What are we leaving behind? Are we leaving a legacy of service? Are we kind to the people we meet? Will our life be worth weeping over even by those who only knew us briefly and not well at all?
What lessons are we called to learn in the passing of two people with servants' hearts that died "too soon?" Hopefully we are learning to serve. Hopefully we notice the hole they will leave and we rush to fill it.
No, we do not know the day nor the hour . . . so be ready. It's not too late to start right now. Seek forgiveness for past transgressions. Grant forgiveness to the people you need to release - including yourself. Find a place to serve - go there and serve. Stop saying what you will do - what you might do - what you're gonna do . . . and do it. Be ready. Listen with open ears and an open heart to the sounds of God around you . . . God's voice comes in many forms. We don't hear because we are not listening.
Today God's voice spoke in the lives of Debbie and John. Today, God's voice said loudly - to love me is to serve. I challenge you as I am challenging myself - listen.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Free Will?
And God stepped out on space, and He looked around and said,"I'm lonely --I'll make me a world."
And far as the eye of God could see, darkness covered everything, blacker than a hundred midnights down in a cypress swamp.
Then God smiled,And the light broke,And the darkness rolled up on one side, And the light stood shining on the other, And God said, "That's good!"
These are the first few line of the poem, "The Creation" by James Weldon Johnson. They are an artistic interpretation of the first book of Genesis which begins, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Gen 1:1)
The poem ends with the creation of man: Up from the bed of the river, God scooped the clay; And by the bank of the river, He kneeled Him down; And there the great God Almighty Who lit the sun and fixed it in the sky, Who flung the stars to the most far corner of the night, Who rounded the earth in the middle of His hand; This Great God, Like a mammy bending over her baby, Kneeled down in the dust toiling over a lump of clay till He shaped it in His own image;
Then into it He blew the breath of life, and man became a living soul.
Genesis 1:26-28 says it this way:
26.Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
27.So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
28.Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
In the five creation days that preceed the creation of people, God created all sorts of lovely, obedient creatures and objects - none of which were given the gift of free will and all of which do exactly as God commands without being asked and without questioning why.
I believe, we humans, sometimes confuse the privilege of free will with the right to tell God what to do.
My friend on Facebook who's name mirrors mine, Jae Tracie, says that God gives us children so we can have some idea of how much He loves us. I believe we also have children so God can show us how much we try Him.
Have you ever had a child to tell you "No"? That they weren't going to do something you explicitly told them to do? Or have you ever made a "suggestion" to your child that was in his/her best interest and have them decide not to listen to the suggestion? I know I have some "old school" parents who are reading this thinking - not in my house!
I know in my rearing, there was no way that I could have gotten away with a tenth of the things my children get away with. Well, I say that; the truth is - I wouldn't have been bold enough to find out.
And although, I know I'm opening myself up for a public flogging by writing this - there have been times that not only have my children not listened to my "suggestions," there have been times when they flat out told me what to do. "Mama you need to . . . ."
Imagine my indignation. Imagine the look on my face. Imagine the "seething anger." Imagine that I'm fighting the urge, at that point, to completely explode - struggling to remember that this person is still a child and although they should, they may not know better - or they may have forgotten the chain of command.
Do we sometimes forget the chain of command?
Do we sometimes say, "God you need to . . . "
Especially when we are upset, frustrated, angry, tired, feeling rejected, feeling forgotten, feeling mislead . . . ."God you need to make this stop." "God you need to interject." "God you need to make me feel better."
Who are we to tell God what God should do? How dare we?
Am I suggesting that we should not question God? Of course not. Even Jesus questioned God. But what we cannot do - is TELL God what to do - TELL God what is best for us -TELL God what decisions to make on our behalf . . . no more than our children can (or should) do that with us.
We have free will so that we can have a hand in our own rearing process. We are presented with options every minute of our lives - to do the right thing or the wrong thing; to take a road that leads to Heaven or a road that leads to Hell. God has already given us all the instructions we need and it's up to us to decide to follow them - to follow Him.
Either road has a set of consequences. Sometimes God speaks to us in Big Mama's voice, "I can show you better than I can tell you." And it's usually in these time, though not always, when we've found ourselves in a bad spot at the result of a bad choice that we want to look at God and tell God what God should do to get us out of it.
How dare we!
Let's start by taking our gift of free will more seriously. Let's look at the opportunity to decide - rather than be decided for - as a blessing. Let's chose the thing that's "right." Let's go out of our way to make God proud of us, to prove that we can be trusted to make decisions for ourselves. And when we mess up - because sometimes we do - let's not blame God. Let's not be upset when we are grounded or sent to our room or beat with the 'stension cord. And let's certainly not shout back at God what God should do.
And far as the eye of God could see, darkness covered everything, blacker than a hundred midnights down in a cypress swamp.
Then God smiled,And the light broke,And the darkness rolled up on one side, And the light stood shining on the other, And God said, "That's good!"
These are the first few line of the poem, "The Creation" by James Weldon Johnson. They are an artistic interpretation of the first book of Genesis which begins, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Gen 1:1)
The poem ends with the creation of man: Up from the bed of the river, God scooped the clay; And by the bank of the river, He kneeled Him down; And there the great God Almighty Who lit the sun and fixed it in the sky, Who flung the stars to the most far corner of the night, Who rounded the earth in the middle of His hand; This Great God, Like a mammy bending over her baby, Kneeled down in the dust toiling over a lump of clay till He shaped it in His own image;
Then into it He blew the breath of life, and man became a living soul.
Genesis 1:26-28 says it this way:
26.Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
27.So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
28.Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
In the five creation days that preceed the creation of people, God created all sorts of lovely, obedient creatures and objects - none of which were given the gift of free will and all of which do exactly as God commands without being asked and without questioning why.
I believe, we humans, sometimes confuse the privilege of free will with the right to tell God what to do.
My friend on Facebook who's name mirrors mine, Jae Tracie, says that God gives us children so we can have some idea of how much He loves us. I believe we also have children so God can show us how much we try Him.
Have you ever had a child to tell you "No"? That they weren't going to do something you explicitly told them to do? Or have you ever made a "suggestion" to your child that was in his/her best interest and have them decide not to listen to the suggestion? I know I have some "old school" parents who are reading this thinking - not in my house!
I know in my rearing, there was no way that I could have gotten away with a tenth of the things my children get away with. Well, I say that; the truth is - I wouldn't have been bold enough to find out.
And although, I know I'm opening myself up for a public flogging by writing this - there have been times that not only have my children not listened to my "suggestions," there have been times when they flat out told me what to do. "Mama you need to . . . ."
Imagine my indignation. Imagine the look on my face. Imagine the "seething anger." Imagine that I'm fighting the urge, at that point, to completely explode - struggling to remember that this person is still a child and although they should, they may not know better - or they may have forgotten the chain of command.
Do we sometimes forget the chain of command?
Do we sometimes say, "God you need to . . . "
Especially when we are upset, frustrated, angry, tired, feeling rejected, feeling forgotten, feeling mislead . . . ."God you need to make this stop." "God you need to interject." "God you need to make me feel better."
Who are we to tell God what God should do? How dare we?
Am I suggesting that we should not question God? Of course not. Even Jesus questioned God. But what we cannot do - is TELL God what to do - TELL God what is best for us -TELL God what decisions to make on our behalf . . . no more than our children can (or should) do that with us.
We have free will so that we can have a hand in our own rearing process. We are presented with options every minute of our lives - to do the right thing or the wrong thing; to take a road that leads to Heaven or a road that leads to Hell. God has already given us all the instructions we need and it's up to us to decide to follow them - to follow Him.
Either road has a set of consequences. Sometimes God speaks to us in Big Mama's voice, "I can show you better than I can tell you." And it's usually in these time, though not always, when we've found ourselves in a bad spot at the result of a bad choice that we want to look at God and tell God what God should do to get us out of it.
How dare we!
Let's start by taking our gift of free will more seriously. Let's look at the opportunity to decide - rather than be decided for - as a blessing. Let's chose the thing that's "right." Let's go out of our way to make God proud of us, to prove that we can be trusted to make decisions for ourselves. And when we mess up - because sometimes we do - let's not blame God. Let's not be upset when we are grounded or sent to our room or beat with the 'stension cord. And let's certainly not shout back at God what God should do.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Almost
This morning, someone tried to change lanes without looking and almost hit my car. It upset me, and although I was alone in the car, I said aloud, "He almost hit me!"
As soon as I said it - immediately - the Holy Spirit said to me, "So what?"
So what if he almost hit me? The important thing is - he didn't. We spend a lot of energy on "almost."
I almost lost my job. I almost died. I almost won the game. I almost got divorced. I almost married my high school sweetheart.
So what? Those things didn't happen. So why are they worth the energy that we direct to them? How much further along would we all be right now if we hadn't gotten stuck on the things that "almost" happened?
"For I dare not speak of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed . . ." (Romans 15:8) Equally applicable, one of my favorite Bible quotes, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue . . ." (Proverbs 18:21)
It didn't happen. Don't give it breath. When we give it breath, we give it life.
We are the benefactors of God's grace. In those "almost" moments, there is an opportunity to embrace and give God glory for the thing that DID happen. Even if, from our perspective, the thing that almost happened was something we wish HAD happened. Perhaps we should be grateful for what we learned as we prepared for the job we almost got, or the test we almost passed, or the race we almost won. It didn't happen, so what? The old adage says, "If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger." We are sometimes, somehow, stronger for the things that "almost" happened.
Aren't we fortunate that God doesn't hold our "almost" moments against us? For all those times we almost lied, almost fornicated, almost committed adultery, almost drank ourselves silly, almost hurt someone, almost did the complete opposite of what we were asked to do - but didn't - Thank God!
Thank God that the glory is not in the trial or tribulation, but in the victory. Thank God for second chances and for foresight and hindsight; for free will and moments when clearer heads prevail. Thank God. Thank God for intervening on our behalf in those "almost" moments when we couldn't have saved ourselves. And for Angels - those we see and those we don't - who act on our behalf.
As soon as I said it - immediately - the Holy Spirit said to me, "So what?"
So what if he almost hit me? The important thing is - he didn't. We spend a lot of energy on "almost."
I almost lost my job. I almost died. I almost won the game. I almost got divorced. I almost married my high school sweetheart.
So what? Those things didn't happen. So why are they worth the energy that we direct to them? How much further along would we all be right now if we hadn't gotten stuck on the things that "almost" happened?
"For I dare not speak of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed . . ." (Romans 15:8) Equally applicable, one of my favorite Bible quotes, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue . . ." (Proverbs 18:21)
It didn't happen. Don't give it breath. When we give it breath, we give it life.
We are the benefactors of God's grace. In those "almost" moments, there is an opportunity to embrace and give God glory for the thing that DID happen. Even if, from our perspective, the thing that almost happened was something we wish HAD happened. Perhaps we should be grateful for what we learned as we prepared for the job we almost got, or the test we almost passed, or the race we almost won. It didn't happen, so what? The old adage says, "If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger." We are sometimes, somehow, stronger for the things that "almost" happened.
Aren't we fortunate that God doesn't hold our "almost" moments against us? For all those times we almost lied, almost fornicated, almost committed adultery, almost drank ourselves silly, almost hurt someone, almost did the complete opposite of what we were asked to do - but didn't - Thank God!
Thank God that the glory is not in the trial or tribulation, but in the victory. Thank God for second chances and for foresight and hindsight; for free will and moments when clearer heads prevail. Thank God. Thank God for intervening on our behalf in those "almost" moments when we couldn't have saved ourselves. And for Angels - those we see and those we don't - who act on our behalf.
I know it's hard to ask us to remove the word almost from our vocabulary. So for the time being, I'll ask us to work on not dwelling there. Celebrate your "almost" moments and see them for the victory that they are.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Where We Are
"But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again: though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everything and in all things I have both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillippians 4: 10-13
For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content . . . These words haunt me. I am discontent. Perhaps I am alone in this, but I doubt it.
I want more than I have. While I surely have more than I've had, I still want more.
I have a great marriage. I want it to be better. I have a nice home, I want a larger one. I drive a nice car - that I dinged on the garage door - I want a newer one. I have a good job. I want a great career. I have good children - all factors considered. I want them to be great.
I have a good relationship with God. I want to live completely in God's will for my life.
So now what?
Can I want all these things and still remain - like Paul - content in where I am?
Paul's statement about contentment was not a conclusive one. He does not suggest that because he is content, that he will remain in that state. He goes on to say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
So, no matter at what state he currently exist, he knows he can survive it because Christ stengthens him. We hear that last statement a lot in church. We repeat it. We stake our lives as Christians on it - but do we believe it? Do we surrender to it?
Paul says he can do all things. Not just some things or a few things, but all things.
If that is the case, and we believe it is the case - then the discontentment that I'm facing is my own fault.
John 10:10, another often repeated scripture, tells us that Jesus came so that we might have life and have it "more abundantly." Perhaps it is this promise of abundance that makes contentment so difficult to imagine. If we are, indeed, going to have life and have it more abundantly then why be content where we are?
The two ideas are connected by the statement, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." In the moments when we have less than we desire for ourselves (which for me is almost always), we can find comfort and rest knowing that no matter where we are, Jesus is there too. And if He is there, there is nothing to stop us from pushing forward.
My husband has a reminder that comes up on his phone - PUSH - Pray Until Something Happens. As long as I am PUSHing toward the abundance that I was promised, then "where I am" shouldn't bother me. I should be just as content when I have little as when I have much.
And I know that is easier said than done. I know this because even as I write this - I wonder whom I'm trying to convince, you or me. I type this sermon from my head and I know it's serving as a pep talk to myself. I remind myself that "where I am" is not a bad place. And that even if it were a bad place - it wouldn't always be bad. I remind myself to PUSH and that unless I am PUSHing, I might always be where I am. I remind myself that all things - ev, er, y thing is possible through Christ who strengthens me.
I'll challenge you not to take my word for it. Try PUSHing and see what happens.
For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content . . . These words haunt me. I am discontent. Perhaps I am alone in this, but I doubt it.
I want more than I have. While I surely have more than I've had, I still want more.
I have a great marriage. I want it to be better. I have a nice home, I want a larger one. I drive a nice car - that I dinged on the garage door - I want a newer one. I have a good job. I want a great career. I have good children - all factors considered. I want them to be great.
I have a good relationship with God. I want to live completely in God's will for my life.
So now what?
Can I want all these things and still remain - like Paul - content in where I am?
Paul's statement about contentment was not a conclusive one. He does not suggest that because he is content, that he will remain in that state. He goes on to say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
So, no matter at what state he currently exist, he knows he can survive it because Christ stengthens him. We hear that last statement a lot in church. We repeat it. We stake our lives as Christians on it - but do we believe it? Do we surrender to it?
Paul says he can do all things. Not just some things or a few things, but all things.
If that is the case, and we believe it is the case - then the discontentment that I'm facing is my own fault.
John 10:10, another often repeated scripture, tells us that Jesus came so that we might have life and have it "more abundantly." Perhaps it is this promise of abundance that makes contentment so difficult to imagine. If we are, indeed, going to have life and have it more abundantly then why be content where we are?
The two ideas are connected by the statement, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." In the moments when we have less than we desire for ourselves (which for me is almost always), we can find comfort and rest knowing that no matter where we are, Jesus is there too. And if He is there, there is nothing to stop us from pushing forward.
My husband has a reminder that comes up on his phone - PUSH - Pray Until Something Happens. As long as I am PUSHing toward the abundance that I was promised, then "where I am" shouldn't bother me. I should be just as content when I have little as when I have much.
And I know that is easier said than done. I know this because even as I write this - I wonder whom I'm trying to convince, you or me. I type this sermon from my head and I know it's serving as a pep talk to myself. I remind myself that "where I am" is not a bad place. And that even if it were a bad place - it wouldn't always be bad. I remind myself to PUSH and that unless I am PUSHing, I might always be where I am. I remind myself that all things - ev, er, y thing is possible through Christ who strengthens me.
I'll challenge you not to take my word for it. Try PUSHing and see what happens.
Monday, May 4, 2009
There Was a Little Hole
We used to sing a song in Vacation Bible School called, "There Was a Little Hole." You may remember that song as well.
In case you don't know the song, it's a sing and repeat song that begins: There was a little hole, the prettiest little hole, that that you ever did see. Well, the hole's in the ground and the green grass grows all around, all around. The green grass grows all around.
And in that hole, there was a little seed, the prettiest little seed, that you ever did see. Well, the seed's in the hole and the hole's in the ground and the green grass grows all around, all around. The green grass grows all around.
The song continues until that seed has grown into a tree with branches and leaves and fruit. And of course, in the fruit are more seeds, so this is the kind of song that could continue forever. And it does continue - every day, somewhere there is some seed being planted and there is something growing from that seed.
Our youngest son, Caden, has taken up the hobby of seed collecting. Perhaps it is because his class at school has an interactive garden, so he's fascinated by thing that grow. I'm fascinated by his fascination; the wonder in his face when he asks a question like, "Do bananas have seeds?"
Even at five years old, I think Caden would understand the statement my father made to me on many days of my adolescence - "You can't grow a pine tree from a cactus seed." What you plant is what will grow. What you put in, is what you will get out.
Matthew 17: 16-20, says it this way:
16.You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
17.Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18.A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19.Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20.Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Every thought, word and deed represents a seed. What are we planting?
The things that we think are seeds we plant in ourselves. Did I wake up this morning believing God for my best? Did I fall asleep angry and wake up carrying that same pain? Do I look at myself in the bathroom mirror and see someone I love? Or even still, do I see someone I like? Do I face the day with passion or with fear? What type of fruit will my thoughts bear today?
The things that we say are seeds that we plant on the hearer. Folks who know me, know I take words very seriously. I irritate the people closest to me because sometimes it takes me a long time to get things off my chest. I strive to say things properly the first time, so that I won't want, later, to take them back - to regret having said something. That's not always easy - to hold my tongue. To, in the words of Rudyard Kipling, "Keep [my] head when all about [me] people are losing theirs and blaming it on [me]."
When we look at the words we use - with our loved ones, with our friends, our co-workers, with strangers - what do we hope will come from them? Are the words we use spoken in a spirit of love and in the best interest of the recipient? Will those words inprove or worsen the situation? Are they words of life, or words or death? Are they meant to build up or tear down? What fruit will our words bear today?
The things we do are seeds we plant on those who witness our actions. Are we fast moving, or slow as molasses? Do we set out after things with purpose, or let life happen to us? Do we create moments for kindness - giving to those in need in whatever way we can? Or are we standing around waiting for the world to give us our due? Have we done anything to impact the world in a positive way? That could be an act as simple as smiling at someone, "just because." We never know what kind of day that person was having before our smile and the impact that one act could have on the rest of their day or the rest of their life. What fruit will our deeds bear today?
And once we have our seeds, where do we plant them?
One of the most well known of Jesus' parables is retold in the 4th chapter of the Gospel of Mark. We learn in this parable that seeds must be properly planted and properly nourished. Verses 3 through 8 say:
3."Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.
4.And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it.
5.Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth.
6.But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away.
7.And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. 8.But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."
Further along in the chapter, verses 14-20, we get an explaination of the parable. Seeds are likened to God's word.
14.The sower sows the word.
15.And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16.These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17.and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble.
18.Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word,
19.and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
20.But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."
Where have we planted our seeds and what has grown from them?
In case you don't know the song, it's a sing and repeat song that begins: There was a little hole, the prettiest little hole, that that you ever did see. Well, the hole's in the ground and the green grass grows all around, all around. The green grass grows all around.
And in that hole, there was a little seed, the prettiest little seed, that you ever did see. Well, the seed's in the hole and the hole's in the ground and the green grass grows all around, all around. The green grass grows all around.
The song continues until that seed has grown into a tree with branches and leaves and fruit. And of course, in the fruit are more seeds, so this is the kind of song that could continue forever. And it does continue - every day, somewhere there is some seed being planted and there is something growing from that seed.
Our youngest son, Caden, has taken up the hobby of seed collecting. Perhaps it is because his class at school has an interactive garden, so he's fascinated by thing that grow. I'm fascinated by his fascination; the wonder in his face when he asks a question like, "Do bananas have seeds?"
Even at five years old, I think Caden would understand the statement my father made to me on many days of my adolescence - "You can't grow a pine tree from a cactus seed." What you plant is what will grow. What you put in, is what you will get out.
Matthew 17: 16-20, says it this way:
16.You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
17.Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18.A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19.Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20.Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Every thought, word and deed represents a seed. What are we planting?
The things that we think are seeds we plant in ourselves. Did I wake up this morning believing God for my best? Did I fall asleep angry and wake up carrying that same pain? Do I look at myself in the bathroom mirror and see someone I love? Or even still, do I see someone I like? Do I face the day with passion or with fear? What type of fruit will my thoughts bear today?
The things that we say are seeds that we plant on the hearer. Folks who know me, know I take words very seriously. I irritate the people closest to me because sometimes it takes me a long time to get things off my chest. I strive to say things properly the first time, so that I won't want, later, to take them back - to regret having said something. That's not always easy - to hold my tongue. To, in the words of Rudyard Kipling, "Keep [my] head when all about [me] people are losing theirs and blaming it on [me]."
When we look at the words we use - with our loved ones, with our friends, our co-workers, with strangers - what do we hope will come from them? Are the words we use spoken in a spirit of love and in the best interest of the recipient? Will those words inprove or worsen the situation? Are they words of life, or words or death? Are they meant to build up or tear down? What fruit will our words bear today?
The things we do are seeds we plant on those who witness our actions. Are we fast moving, or slow as molasses? Do we set out after things with purpose, or let life happen to us? Do we create moments for kindness - giving to those in need in whatever way we can? Or are we standing around waiting for the world to give us our due? Have we done anything to impact the world in a positive way? That could be an act as simple as smiling at someone, "just because." We never know what kind of day that person was having before our smile and the impact that one act could have on the rest of their day or the rest of their life. What fruit will our deeds bear today?
And once we have our seeds, where do we plant them?
One of the most well known of Jesus' parables is retold in the 4th chapter of the Gospel of Mark. We learn in this parable that seeds must be properly planted and properly nourished. Verses 3 through 8 say:
3."Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.
4.And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it.
5.Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth.
6.But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away.
7.And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. 8.But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."
Further along in the chapter, verses 14-20, we get an explaination of the parable. Seeds are likened to God's word.
14.The sower sows the word.
15.And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16.These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17.and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble.
18.Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word,
19.and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
20.But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."
Where have we planted our seeds and what has grown from them?
Are we even giving any thought to this? Are we planting good seeds - good thoughts, good words, good deeds - on good ground where it will bear good fruit?
Are we planting unhealthy seeds - unhealthy thoughts, unhealthy words, unhealthy actions - on good ground? Won't those things also bear an abundance of fruit? And would it be fruit that we'd want to feed anyone? Better still, would it be fruit we'd want to consume ourselves?
How about good seeds on unfertile ground? Have you ever done something that you thought, or knew was great, just to feel later like you'd wasted your time? Like your effort was in vain? Maybe you counseled someone on leaving an abusive relationship and they stayed. Maybe you suggested that someone go back to school and although they listened attentively, they didn't enroll. Perhaps you paid someone's car note, rent or phone bill in a month when they were down and the next month - well, they were in the same spot.
Should you not have done these things? Should you not have spoken these words? Or were they just not left fertile ground? There are possibly thorns and weeds: the receivers own words, thoughts or deeds that are in the way of receiving. It could be Satan -as verse 15 suggests - the minute your good word is planted - someone else comes along to crush it.
Maybe someone else saw what you did or heard what you said and was touched to be better to themselves or for someone else. Perhaps your action or word lasted long enough to cause that person to smile - however briefly it might have been. And wouldn't that make it worth it?
My hope and my prayer for everyone that is reading this, is that we are planting good seeds -good thoughts, good words and good deeds. And that those seeds are on good ground - an open heart, a willing listener, a grateful recipient. That those who taste our fruit, will say that it came from a good tree and that they will take seeds from our fruit and continue to plant.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
It'll Be All Over in the Morning
Thursday morning, a gentleman approached my desk and asked how I was doing. His next question was, "Busy week?" Well, I work at a church, so that's a fair question seeing as it was Holy Week. I answered, "Yes," and his response was, "It'll all be over on Monday."
I know his point was that, Easter is Sunday and the week would be behind us and the "busy-ness" would be over. But will it?
Isn't the whole point of Easter, that things don't have to end? Don't we take the time to celebrate - not just Jesus' death, which is a great and significant event in the history of our world - but also, and perhaps more importantly, His resurrection?
Let's suppose, just for argument's sake, that the resurrection details were omitted from the Bible.
So we would have the story of Jesus's birth. We would have His challenging of authority as a young child. We would have His miracles and acts of faith. We would have the stories of the folks who chose to follow Him along the way. We would have His tempation in the garden, His last meal, His last walk, and His scoundrel's death. And what if that were the end of the story?
What if we read stories of this great man and all His great works, but at the end of the story, He dies just like the rest of us. Would that make Him any less a role model? Would that make Him any less admirable? Would that make his contribution to history or to the world any less significant? Perhaps in some ways, no.
Oh, but since we have the benefit of seeing all of that stuff and added to that, His absence from the sealed grave and His reappearance to those who watched Him die - doesn't that make knowing Him that much better?
Isn't it awesome to know that death doesn't have to be the end?
In the opening paragraph of Sue Monk Kid's book, Dance of the Dissident Daughter, she asks the question, "Once you wake up, can you wake up again?"
It's much the same question as - how many lives can you have? Can you be born again? Can you be resurrected from death?
I know you can think back over your life to a place where something (perhaps everything) was falling apart. Well, I can speak for me - I can look back over my life at places where things - all things - seemed to be falling apart.
Did it seem perhaps that there were those in the background plotting your demise? Was there anyone in your immediate circle of friends who betrayed you? Did you feel like, all the way, there were folks mocking you? Was there a Simon of Cyrene in your life who could not take the death from you, but at least helped you carry the load? How about a Joseph of Armithea - a silent, behind the scenes cheerleader who wanted to care for you after your struggle had ended and it seemed all hope was lost?
And let's not forget the Marys - watching, praying, praying and watching - all the while continuing to believe when everyone else has left.
How great then, to rise from the dead and appear to all those who watched as you walked slowly to your death and watched as you died and mourned your death. How great that Jesus lived that example for us. How great that is doesn't have to be all over in the morning. How great that in the morning - on the third morning - or the 185th morning it can be just beginning.
And the people of God said, "Wow."
I realized just recently that one of my least favorite phrases is, "Well, we used to . . ." This seems to be the beginning of the sentence anytime you make changes that affect a body and the changes don't have the desired affect. I've found that that phrase usually comes from someone who was doubtful of the change in the first place.
Newsflash - things change. And just because the change you made didn't work, doesn't necessarily mean you have to go back to what "we used to" do. Try something else.
The same is true for people. Particularly true for people who have made a major comeback. There will be certain people who will try you. There will be Thomas' in your life who have to poke the places where you were poked before they believe it's a new you - risen - "Show me the wounds." Showing the wounds does not mean you have to open them. No need to bleed again to prove there was a pain. Eight days had passed when Jesus visited the disciples and Thomas stood with them. These were not fresh wounds that Thomas was allowed to touch.
Give yourself the time and the space necessary to heal. Although Mary was excited, being the first to see Jesus, His instruction to her was "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet Ascended to My Father. . . " (John 20:17)
Even Jesus had to spend some time with God the Father after defeating death.
So as we grow, and change and live and died and are resurrected - we have to spend time with God the Father. And once we have, we can and must be willing to share that experience with those whom we encounter - especially those who were there when we died - especially those who doubt.
I know his point was that, Easter is Sunday and the week would be behind us and the "busy-ness" would be over. But will it?
Isn't the whole point of Easter, that things don't have to end? Don't we take the time to celebrate - not just Jesus' death, which is a great and significant event in the history of our world - but also, and perhaps more importantly, His resurrection?
Let's suppose, just for argument's sake, that the resurrection details were omitted from the Bible.
So we would have the story of Jesus's birth. We would have His challenging of authority as a young child. We would have His miracles and acts of faith. We would have the stories of the folks who chose to follow Him along the way. We would have His tempation in the garden, His last meal, His last walk, and His scoundrel's death. And what if that were the end of the story?
What if we read stories of this great man and all His great works, but at the end of the story, He dies just like the rest of us. Would that make Him any less a role model? Would that make Him any less admirable? Would that make his contribution to history or to the world any less significant? Perhaps in some ways, no.
Oh, but since we have the benefit of seeing all of that stuff and added to that, His absence from the sealed grave and His reappearance to those who watched Him die - doesn't that make knowing Him that much better?
Isn't it awesome to know that death doesn't have to be the end?
In the opening paragraph of Sue Monk Kid's book, Dance of the Dissident Daughter, she asks the question, "Once you wake up, can you wake up again?"
It's much the same question as - how many lives can you have? Can you be born again? Can you be resurrected from death?
I know you can think back over your life to a place where something (perhaps everything) was falling apart. Well, I can speak for me - I can look back over my life at places where things - all things - seemed to be falling apart.
Did it seem perhaps that there were those in the background plotting your demise? Was there anyone in your immediate circle of friends who betrayed you? Did you feel like, all the way, there were folks mocking you? Was there a Simon of Cyrene in your life who could not take the death from you, but at least helped you carry the load? How about a Joseph of Armithea - a silent, behind the scenes cheerleader who wanted to care for you after your struggle had ended and it seemed all hope was lost?
And let's not forget the Marys - watching, praying, praying and watching - all the while continuing to believe when everyone else has left.
How great then, to rise from the dead and appear to all those who watched as you walked slowly to your death and watched as you died and mourned your death. How great that Jesus lived that example for us. How great that is doesn't have to be all over in the morning. How great that in the morning - on the third morning - or the 185th morning it can be just beginning.
And the people of God said, "Wow."
I realized just recently that one of my least favorite phrases is, "Well, we used to . . ." This seems to be the beginning of the sentence anytime you make changes that affect a body and the changes don't have the desired affect. I've found that that phrase usually comes from someone who was doubtful of the change in the first place.
Newsflash - things change. And just because the change you made didn't work, doesn't necessarily mean you have to go back to what "we used to" do. Try something else.
The same is true for people. Particularly true for people who have made a major comeback. There will be certain people who will try you. There will be Thomas' in your life who have to poke the places where you were poked before they believe it's a new you - risen - "Show me the wounds." Showing the wounds does not mean you have to open them. No need to bleed again to prove there was a pain. Eight days had passed when Jesus visited the disciples and Thomas stood with them. These were not fresh wounds that Thomas was allowed to touch.
Give yourself the time and the space necessary to heal. Although Mary was excited, being the first to see Jesus, His instruction to her was "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet Ascended to My Father. . . " (John 20:17)
Even Jesus had to spend some time with God the Father after defeating death.
So as we grow, and change and live and died and are resurrected - we have to spend time with God the Father. And once we have, we can and must be willing to share that experience with those whom we encounter - especially those who were there when we died - especially those who doubt.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Spending Time in the Whale
Scripture Reference: Jonah 1-2
Most of us know, or at least have heard Jonah's story. Just to recap: God tells Jonah to go to a city - Ninevah - to warn them to stop their wicked ways. Jonah is rebellious and chooses not to go. Instead, he pays for fare on a boat headed to Tarshish - the whole opposite direction. Silly Jonah, he thinks he can hide from God.
Because of Jonah's disobedience, God sends a violent storm to rage the sea. The tiny ship was tossed. If not for the courage of the fearless crew, the Minnow would be lost.
The other men on board the boat began to pray to their own gods and also toss items overboard to lighten the load. All this while Jonah slept.
Finally, the men told Jonah to pray to his God to see if He would save them from the storm. Jonah knew already that the storm was a result of his failure to follow instructions. He told the men - in so many words - I brought this upon you. If you get rid of me, the storm will stop. Throw me into the ocean.
The men are afraid of the ramifications of throwing an "innocent" man overboard and ask for forgiveness in advance - then heeded Jonah's words. And immediately the storm stops.
The text continues then to explain that God had prepared a "big fish" - we assume whale - to swallow Jonah, where he sat for 3 days and 3 nights. While inside the fish, Jonah prayed with all his soul. Jonah 2:7 (NKJ) says, "When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; And my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple." He'd reached his bottom place.
Not much lower can you go than the belly of a whale. In fact, Jonah refers to the fish as Sheol. The word is capitalized as if the fish has a name. Sheol is a Hebrew word that means "abode of the dead." Jonah felt dead and that this place for the dead had swallowed him whole.
Have you ever been in that place? In the place where the world, or life, or perhaps death, had swallowed you whole? What did you do while you were there? Some of us choose to sit and stew in it. Some of us ignore it and think it will go away on its own. Some of us mask it. And some of us, do as Jonah did and cry out to the Lord to save us. And when Jonah did, God commanded the whale to spit Jonah out on the dry land.
Now, I've spent way more time talking about Jonah than I'd intended. But it was necessary so that I can make my actual point - which is about the whale.
It's important to note that God sent the whale. Let's get that. God sent the whale. Jonah was disobedient and disrespectful. He tried to run from his calling and from God's clear instructions. And then the storms came - which God had commanded. And Jonah asked to be thrown into the water to save the others from the wrath that belonged only to him. Perhaps it was this one act of sacrifice that proved to God that Jonah deserved another chance. But Jonah did not know that he'd been spared. All he knew was - NOW I have fallen into hell. I have been swallowed up by a big fish.
Jonah did not know that the whale was a gift. He did not know that being in the depths of hell was going to turn out to save his life.
How many 'depths of hell' situations have you encountered already in your life and have lived to tell about it? There is a common statement that says 'without the test, there would be no testimony.'
I feel the need to say again, God sent the whale.
Jonah had done the complete opposite of what he'd been called to do. And still God sent him the whale. And when Jonah had come to his sense, God commanded the whale to deposit Jonah onto dry land - not back into the sea or some other harsh place, but onto dry land. It is important to note, that after Jonah was back in a safe place (Chapter 3) God gave him the exact same instructions again. God did not deviate from His call on Jonah's life. Jonah did.
It is also important to note, that God did not deposit Jonah into Ninevah. Jonah3:3 tells us that "Jonah arose and went to Ninevah," not that he was already there. He still had to walk out his calling.
What does your whale look like?
Maybe it's your job. You're flipping burgers and you hate it. But when you were told to finish school, you dropped out anyway because "after school" was more fun. Now you have to spend some time in the whale.
Maybe it's your marriage. The love is gone. You're at your wits end. But when you were told, "This is not the one for you, you got married anyway." Now you have to spend some time in the whale.
There are countless other examples, but you get the point.
As with Jonah, only you can determine how much time you will spend in the whale. We must remember to pray. We must remember as Jonah says, "Salvation is of the Lord." And we must remember that no matter how dark, or dreary, or scary the whale might seem - it might have been sent to save us.
And when we are deposited back onto dry land, and we get our instructions again, that it's important to follow them - with heart and purpose and determination - in a way that will pleasing to the Lord.
Now, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you."
Most of us know, or at least have heard Jonah's story. Just to recap: God tells Jonah to go to a city - Ninevah - to warn them to stop their wicked ways. Jonah is rebellious and chooses not to go. Instead, he pays for fare on a boat headed to Tarshish - the whole opposite direction. Silly Jonah, he thinks he can hide from God.
Because of Jonah's disobedience, God sends a violent storm to rage the sea. The tiny ship was tossed. If not for the courage of the fearless crew, the Minnow would be lost.
The other men on board the boat began to pray to their own gods and also toss items overboard to lighten the load. All this while Jonah slept.
Finally, the men told Jonah to pray to his God to see if He would save them from the storm. Jonah knew already that the storm was a result of his failure to follow instructions. He told the men - in so many words - I brought this upon you. If you get rid of me, the storm will stop. Throw me into the ocean.
The men are afraid of the ramifications of throwing an "innocent" man overboard and ask for forgiveness in advance - then heeded Jonah's words. And immediately the storm stops.
The text continues then to explain that God had prepared a "big fish" - we assume whale - to swallow Jonah, where he sat for 3 days and 3 nights. While inside the fish, Jonah prayed with all his soul. Jonah 2:7 (NKJ) says, "When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; And my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple." He'd reached his bottom place.
Not much lower can you go than the belly of a whale. In fact, Jonah refers to the fish as Sheol. The word is capitalized as if the fish has a name. Sheol is a Hebrew word that means "abode of the dead." Jonah felt dead and that this place for the dead had swallowed him whole.
Have you ever been in that place? In the place where the world, or life, or perhaps death, had swallowed you whole? What did you do while you were there? Some of us choose to sit and stew in it. Some of us ignore it and think it will go away on its own. Some of us mask it. And some of us, do as Jonah did and cry out to the Lord to save us. And when Jonah did, God commanded the whale to spit Jonah out on the dry land.
Now, I've spent way more time talking about Jonah than I'd intended. But it was necessary so that I can make my actual point - which is about the whale.
It's important to note that God sent the whale. Let's get that. God sent the whale. Jonah was disobedient and disrespectful. He tried to run from his calling and from God's clear instructions. And then the storms came - which God had commanded. And Jonah asked to be thrown into the water to save the others from the wrath that belonged only to him. Perhaps it was this one act of sacrifice that proved to God that Jonah deserved another chance. But Jonah did not know that he'd been spared. All he knew was - NOW I have fallen into hell. I have been swallowed up by a big fish.
Jonah did not know that the whale was a gift. He did not know that being in the depths of hell was going to turn out to save his life.
How many 'depths of hell' situations have you encountered already in your life and have lived to tell about it? There is a common statement that says 'without the test, there would be no testimony.'
I feel the need to say again, God sent the whale.
Jonah had done the complete opposite of what he'd been called to do. And still God sent him the whale. And when Jonah had come to his sense, God commanded the whale to deposit Jonah onto dry land - not back into the sea or some other harsh place, but onto dry land. It is important to note, that after Jonah was back in a safe place (Chapter 3) God gave him the exact same instructions again. God did not deviate from His call on Jonah's life. Jonah did.
It is also important to note, that God did not deposit Jonah into Ninevah. Jonah3:3 tells us that "Jonah arose and went to Ninevah," not that he was already there. He still had to walk out his calling.
What does your whale look like?
Maybe it's your job. You're flipping burgers and you hate it. But when you were told to finish school, you dropped out anyway because "after school" was more fun. Now you have to spend some time in the whale.
Maybe it's your marriage. The love is gone. You're at your wits end. But when you were told, "This is not the one for you, you got married anyway." Now you have to spend some time in the whale.
There are countless other examples, but you get the point.
As with Jonah, only you can determine how much time you will spend in the whale. We must remember to pray. We must remember as Jonah says, "Salvation is of the Lord." And we must remember that no matter how dark, or dreary, or scary the whale might seem - it might have been sent to save us.
And when we are deposited back onto dry land, and we get our instructions again, that it's important to follow them - with heart and purpose and determination - in a way that will pleasing to the Lord.
Now, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you."
Have I Done What I Was Asked?
Have I Done What I Was Asked?
Matthew 21:28-32
Sometimes we find ourselves placed in a position where someone in authority over us will ask us to do something and we disagree. Sometimes, it’s not so much that we disagree – we just flat out don’t want to do it. Sometimes, we say yes and then don’t keep our word.
What then? And what are the consequences for those actions?
In the parable of the two sons – Jesus mentions the first son who is asked to do something, disagrees and then thinks better of it and does it anyway. The second son, agrees to do it, and then does not.
We are reminded, as the moral to the story, that this is the reason that thieves and whores will enter Heaven before some so-called believers.
What good does it do to believe and not follow? What good does it do to have the Good News and not live it?
And where are we in this story?
Do we, like the first son, get instructions from our Father and then drag our feet as we obey? Are we, like the second son, saying “Yes, Father, I will do what you have asked me to do.” And then going about our business as if He never gave us instructions?
Are we serving graciously and willingly and without hesitation?
And what if our children behaved this way?
In our house there are 4 children going in 4 directions at any given time. There is usually someone living out both sides of the parable, or some combination. As a parent – it’s frustrating to live that way.
As a parent, we (I) sometimes feel like I should reward the child or children who have done exactly what was asked exactly when it was asked exactly how it was asked. Not that that occurs terribly often. And then I ask myself – why should I reward you for doing what it is you were SUPPOSED to do anyway?
And now, as I type this – I wonder if God feels that way about us. Why, Child, should I reward you for doing exactly what I’ve asked you to do, when I asked you to, how I asked you to? Isn’t that what you’re called to do?
And yet – He rewards us anyway – daily with favor, and grace, and mercy, and forgiveness. Even when we drag our feet as we obey. And even when we turn our backs – His Goodness and His Mercy pursue us.
As for me – I believe there are areas in my life where my actions look a little like each son. Unfortunately, I can’t think of one thing that I have heard God say and responded, ‘Yes, sir. Right away.’ And then got up and did it.
How ‘bout you?
Matthew 21:28-32
Sometimes we find ourselves placed in a position where someone in authority over us will ask us to do something and we disagree. Sometimes, it’s not so much that we disagree – we just flat out don’t want to do it. Sometimes, we say yes and then don’t keep our word.
What then? And what are the consequences for those actions?
In the parable of the two sons – Jesus mentions the first son who is asked to do something, disagrees and then thinks better of it and does it anyway. The second son, agrees to do it, and then does not.
We are reminded, as the moral to the story, that this is the reason that thieves and whores will enter Heaven before some so-called believers.
What good does it do to believe and not follow? What good does it do to have the Good News and not live it?
And where are we in this story?
Do we, like the first son, get instructions from our Father and then drag our feet as we obey? Are we, like the second son, saying “Yes, Father, I will do what you have asked me to do.” And then going about our business as if He never gave us instructions?
Are we serving graciously and willingly and without hesitation?
And what if our children behaved this way?
In our house there are 4 children going in 4 directions at any given time. There is usually someone living out both sides of the parable, or some combination. As a parent – it’s frustrating to live that way.
As a parent, we (I) sometimes feel like I should reward the child or children who have done exactly what was asked exactly when it was asked exactly how it was asked. Not that that occurs terribly often. And then I ask myself – why should I reward you for doing what it is you were SUPPOSED to do anyway?
And now, as I type this – I wonder if God feels that way about us. Why, Child, should I reward you for doing exactly what I’ve asked you to do, when I asked you to, how I asked you to? Isn’t that what you’re called to do?
And yet – He rewards us anyway – daily with favor, and grace, and mercy, and forgiveness. Even when we drag our feet as we obey. And even when we turn our backs – His Goodness and His Mercy pursue us.
As for me – I believe there are areas in my life where my actions look a little like each son. Unfortunately, I can’t think of one thing that I have heard God say and responded, ‘Yes, sir. Right away.’ And then got up and did it.
How ‘bout you?
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