Sending

When God Sends, He Protects

1 Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolent [h] 2 and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council. 3 They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, "You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD's assembly?"
4 When Moses heard this, he fell facedown.

28 Then Moses said, "This is how you will know that the LORD has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea: 29 If these men die a natural death and experience only what usually happens to men, then the LORD has not sent me. 30 But if the LORD brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the grave, [j] then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt."

-Numbers 15:1-4, 28-30

Just yesterday, Numbers 12 commented that "Moses was the most humble man on the face of the earth." Now, this is humorous in and of itself if Moses wrote it! (Like the person who won a badge for being the most humble person in the office and got it removed the next day for actually wearing it.) However, if we think about it in context, it's probably quite right based on what we see in Moses' character (interceding for the Israelites, reasoning with the people) and as it's compared to the Pharaoh that they were used to ruling over them. Even if Moses wasn't "the most humble person on the face of the earth," his character seems much more humble than that of Pharaoh.

So Moses' humble attitude might have taken the people off guard and in this passage several times people from the assembly (here: Korah, Dathan and Abiram) try to overtake Moses' authority. They must've thought this humble guy and easy push-over. But while it might've been easy to push Moses over, there was no pushing over God. God set Moses apart in this position of power and authority. Since the authority came from God, not from man, God protected him from those that would question his position. When God sends, He protects.

When God Sends, He Provides

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil[b] spirits.
8These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them."

12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. -Mark 6:6-13

Now we have Jesus calling and sending the 12, sending them out 2 by 2, giving them authority. It seems meaningful to me that Jesus called, sent, gave authority and also gave them companionship. Moses wasn't even in his position of authority by himself, but accompanied by Aaron and Miriam.

But he also told them not to take anything. Can you imagine leaving home without a savings account, without your possessions, your suitcases, nothing? But, they were to stay in the homes of the people. A few weeks ago, the Luke Bible Study commented on a similar passage, and most people agreed that it doesn't mean that we today should leave and make everyone else provide for our needs. But, I think there is something special that we see here. There is a very real message that God provides for His servants. While we may not need to rely on material positions or housing, we may recognize that God will provide the faith, confidence, abilities to those whom He sends.

Additionally, I've been praying that God would call out new leaders for GCF, as we look to next year. This week we read Romans 10:15- 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news." Just as Jesus sent the twelve, assuring them that He would provide, I pray that He would continue to call His servants to work in GCF leadership and use us to continue that process of calling out leaders.

My church has done a particularly good job at doing this. Recognizing gifts and talents, the COB calls on everyone who is a part of the congregation to have a role in the ministry of the church, practicing very actively the 'ministry of all believers.' And I continue to pray about my call to ministry... where and when and how, recognizing the 'sending' that my church has done throughout many years of my life- from sunday school teaching to servant evangelism to youth ministry to BVS to a call to ordination in the COB and seminary. "And how can they preach unless they are sent?"

So, this morning I am reminded both of the value of sending and of being sent... because when we are sent, God protects and provides us... if we are obedient to His call.

if i could just...

A Whispered "Where?"

Yesterday morning in that stage right between sleep and awake, as the cloudy weather was coaxing me to sleep more but the ungraded papers were urging me to start the day, I heard a man's voice in my ear that whispered "Where?" I know must think 1) I'm crazy or 2) It was a dream. I'm tempted to think those same things... and that might well be. But there was something distinct about this voice about this feeling that made it unique somehow.

My first reaction was surprise, that moved into frustration. I cried, "That's what I need to know! Where should I be next year? Where can I be of use?" For I long to be of use, like Marge Piercy's poem: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-be-of-use/

But thinking it over again, I said... "where, where, where" to myself in my mind yesterday during my day of fasting and prayer. And the answer came suddenly into my mind- near. I heard the verse from Romans 10:8 from our Monday Bible Study in my soul- "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart." Perhaps it is not so important where I am next year, but to remember that as in Deuteronomy 30 and Romans 10 and countless times throughout the Bible... what is important is that wherever we are, God is near us. Where? Near.

The Blessings of Being Near: Healing, Compassion & Understanding

Healing

1 Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. 2 "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?" they asked. "Hasn't he also spoken through us?" And the LORD heard this.
3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

4 At once the LORD said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, "Come out to the Tent of Meeting, all three of you." So the three of them came out. 5 Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the Tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them stepped forward, 6 he said, "Listen to my words:
"When a prophet of the LORD is among you,
I reveal myself to him in visions,
I speak to him in dreams.

7 But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.

8 With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the LORD.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?"
9 The anger of the LORD burned against them, and he left them.

10 When the cloud lifted from above the Tent, there stood Miriam—leprous, [a] like snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had leprosy; 11 and he said to Moses, "Please, my lord, do not hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. 12 Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother's womb with its flesh half eaten away."

13 So Moses cried out to the LORD, "O God, please heal her!"

14 The LORD replied to Moses, "If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back." 15 So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.

16 After that, the people left Hazeroth and encamped in the Desert of Paran.
- Numbers 12:1-8

I often forget this passage about Miriam who spoke against Moses. When Moses asked, God healed Miriam. He had the power not only to heal... but to forgive and to heal. He had to first forgive what she had done against Moses and than outwardly heal her.


Compassion

A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." 29Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

30At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"

31"You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?' "

32But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."- Mark 5:24-34

Similarly the woman who touched Jesus' cloak understood His great power and knew that "if she could just" touch his cloak, she would be healed. But she was given an even greater gift... his compassion and his kind words: Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering. If I could just touch His word this morning, I know He will fill be with His spirit.


Understanding

you looked into my life
and never stopped
and you're thinking all my thoughts
are so simple but so beautiful
and you recite my words right back to me
before i even speak
you let me know, i am understood -lyrics to "Am I Understood?" by Reliant K

This morning on my run, I heard this song by Reliant K, and it hit me. So maybe my "where" wasn't God reciting my words back to me, but I like to think of it that way. Even if it wasn't, it brings me comfort to remember that I have a God who loves me so much. He understands my simple thoughts before I speak or type them. And the God who loves me and understands me will use His power to forgive, to heal, to guide me.

In all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses. —2 Corinthians 6:4

Lord I pray that You may use me, even today, as I am feeling so shaken and so uncertain about so many things. Help me to rest in the assurance that You will bring me through all of this, that You will guide me. As the man said, Father, "help me in my unbelief." Help me to truly believe that You are faithful, that You will be guide me as You always have guided me.

And today, amidst the mini-distress of uncertain plans for tomorrow, I commend myself as Your minister. Use me today, Father. Help me to be open to Your calling even through my tribulations. Take my life.

Get to the Back of the Boat

35That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

41They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" -Mark 4:35-41

One of the things that I remember most from my retreat to Boston with the other VS-ers from different denominations (that is volunteer service workers), is something I heard at a seminary we visited. He spoke of this passage as well as other passages and his message was that we need to "get to the back of the boat." Notice that before the storm, during the storm, Jesus was at the back of the boat, sleeping on a cushion. We often forget that Jesus was resting, because we focus on the actions. But we can also focus on the times where they found Jesus sleeping. He wasn't afraid, so why should the others be? Similarly, we have no reason to be afraid or nervous about what might happen in our lives. So why not... sleep?

There are other such passages in the Bible... a little different. Jesus walked here or there. We think it's instantaneous, and poof- He's there. But it took a while this walking, just strolling along perhaps. And the periods which cover so many things. There's a period and we just move on to the next action, without imagining the pause, and what was done during that pause.

How could He say, "Come to me and I will give you rest, if He did not have that as a part of His life?" I'm sure He did. And we need to take some time out of our busy lives to find our own "back of the boat." Get to the back of the boat- amidst the storms, amidst the long journey, and He will give you rest.

A Rebel with a Cause

In Mark 2, we see a series of events where Jesus breaks the 'rules'... or the norms of society. He breaks the rules of "what you can say," "who you can be with," "what you must do," and "what you can do".

What You Can Say

Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, 11"I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" -Mark 2:8-12

Now, this is not something that we all can say... as one who can take away sins. But it is a Christian practice now "to forgive." We don't do this in the same way as Jesus, with the same authority, but we can say that now... from the blessing of the Gospel... we have the assurance that Jesus does forgive anyone who comes to him. In that, we can say, "I forgive you," and following Jesus lead we should forgive (the noted harder thing to say... and even harder to really feel).

Who You Can Be With

15While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"

17On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."- Mark 2:15-17

Jesus hung around with the wrong crowd... something that's always a concern for parents. They've heard that "a bad apple spoils the bunch." But here, Jesus gives a different sort of reasoning... the sick need a doctor. He needs to be with those who need Him. I think this goes for us today. We need to be with those who need us- spiritually and physically. We can't isolate ourselves into Christian cocoons where we never see anyone else, or even worse, we shouldn't isolate our lives so that we never express our joy and faith in those relationships where our friends desperately (perhaps unknowingly) thirst for God's goodness and forgiveness and love. And also, as reminded by Paul Wilson who spoke at GCF last night, we need to minister to the physical needs as well. Like the Good Samaritan, we are called to serve all of our brothers and sisters.

What You Can/Must Do

25He answered, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions."

27Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." -Mark 2:25-28

Finally, Jesus explains why He is picking grain from the field by using a reference to David and his companions. And the ever familiar "Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." While taking Sabbath is important, it's like we read the other day- it's important for us. It's a gift from the Lord, a chance to recenter. There may be times when this is not possible, but God gave Sabbath as a holy time for the Lord. Whether there are things you must accomplish on that specific day, the important part is taking time to be with God, to rest in his presence and to trust Him patiently.

Father, I thank you for all the blessings of the teachings you have provided for me. Today I wait patiently to hear Your will.

Worry-Be-Gone

Yes, I've been anxious these past few days. And I suppose I feel a bit guilty everyone says that this should be an exciting time for me. Well, if you look at the definition of exciting,

causing excitement: causing feelings of happiness and enthusiasm or nervousness and tension

Nervousness/tension are part of the definition. So perhaps these illustrious 'they' are acknowledging the meaning of excitement, but choosing the word with the more positive connotation.

But enough about words, let's talk about the way. How do we deal with feelings of worry and anxiety? For the atheist, I'll admit I have no idea. There are calming teas, yoga poses, music, books, but nothing seemed to ever work for me. But when I pray, when I take time away and can feel the presence of God in my heart, soul and mind, then I am renewed with a peace that passes understanding.

That's part of the reason for retreats, like the one my brother just went on recently. And I am sorely in need of such a time away... separate and holy to the Lord. This weekend, I pray for a Sunday of rest, of peace, of getting away to worship Him and allow Him to fill me again with His amazing peace.

3 " 'There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD- Leviticus 23:3

Perhaps that is why God mentions the Sabbath so many times. And on other festival days as well, God commands that we do no "ordinary" work. There may be things we need to do, but the importance is to find time away... to find time to rest, to do something different and appreciate the gift of peace that God longs to place in our lives.

Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. —Psalm 62:8

Similarly, this beautiful Psalm asks us to go before Him and give Him all of our good and bad feelings, releasing the tension and anxiety. He longs to take it away from us. Go to the Lord this morning, because He is faithful to our every need.

Father, this morning I need You. I need the peace that only You can grant to me. Fill my life with the stillness and centering upon You. I praise You for that peace that I feel when I am close to You, and please forgive me for my heart that concentrates on things other than You. This day is Yours, Lord. Please guide me through it.

A Great Commission!

These days I'm more confused than ever. How can I be "sure" one week that grad school is the right place for me, and the following day someone says something and it seems all wrong? Today I feel like I'm somewhat lost in terms of where my life will lead next year, but I am hopeful that beyond the everyday work or studies that I may take part in, there is one purpose that I am given... a great purpose, the great commission:

18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." -Matthew 28:18-20

I know that this is my purpose, independent of what job I find myself in next year. I think the second part is often forgotten... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. For me, this is where the importance of the new covenant comes into play. As we've been reading in Romans, it's not that the Old Covenant is obsolete... but it is given new meaning through the New Covenant, the grace and love given to us through Jesus' example of perfect love and radical forgiveness. That justice, mercy and forgiveness... all the things which Jesus preached... that is what we are to teach to the whole world.

And what a beautiful way to start Lent, reflecting on the beautiful Sunday the stone was rolled away and all of us were given new hope.

However, I have to admit my imperfection. This morning I am extremely anxious about my future, about where God wants me and about how I can be faithful to His call for my life. I'm confused, and searching. So this morning, I come, I ask, I seek, I knock... Lord take my life and lead it.

"Your" Harvest

9 " 'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God. -Leviticus 19:9-10

This morning again will be a short reflection on all that I read. Tomorrow marks the beginning of the advent season. I know many people do not observe Lent, but to me it is a special time of preparation for the season of Easter... a manner of practicing mindfulness, so I'll be following the Global Women's Project Calendar, as I did last year. http://globalwomensproject.wordpress.com/ (If you're interested, they send you a page through email for free each day.)

As I read these verses this morning, I was reminded of God's command not to reap to the very edges of the field. What does that mean in today's society? Not to reap to the very edges of the field?

I believe it means saving some extra room in the budget for your brother or sister who is in need, giving gifts and donations when necessary. I was moved by the response of so many when the earthquake struck Haiti. Although no one was planning on that need, many responded... with the gleanings from the edges of their field.

But, I believe it is more than just money. Leaving some flexible time in your schedule or making room for your friend or family or loved ones- it means dropping everything and giving what time and energy and love you can when anyone needs.

Still, I can't help but hear the call to respond to the poor and the alien among us. This Lenten season... let us open ourselves up to give more. We have been given so much, so the least we can do is give the gleanings of the harvest the Lord has given us.

This morning I continue to pray for Brent as he recovers from the explosion, Dad C as he recovers from surgery, Jon who needs some help with dental work, the Nunez who are discerning their place, Kara who is flying on her way to China, and Mrs. Scheueramann who is recovering from one surgery and has another at the end of this month. Lord, do Your will in all their lives... and guide us into this moment of Lent, focused on Your gracious gifts to us.

Morning Prayer

Lord,

This morning I have no particular thoughts on my Bible reading. Looking at Leviticus 18, I'm reminded how uniquely you created sex...Phillip Yancey refers to its distinction amongst the purely physical act of sex in the animal kingdom in his book "Rumors of Another World." This chapter points out the signs in how we handle this and how we are made that point to its uniqueness, its special reliance on an intimate relationship, not just its physicality.

But I pray this morning for the Nunez family- help them to find work. And I also especially pray for Pat Scheuramann- for her eye and her next surgery. Help her to heal from this surgery, and make the next one successful as well. Lord, I also pray that You would help Brad and I. This is all new to me, and I so much want to reflect Your perfect love in our relationship, but I need You to teach me, to even be able to do this a little bit. Be everpresent in my mind and our relationship, and thank You for bringing him into my life, Father. May I show my appreciation for this beautiful gift in my everyday love for him.

Radical Forgiveness

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial

31Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:
" 'I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'[b] 32But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
33Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."

34"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."

35But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.

Gethsemane

36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

42He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

43When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

Jesus Arrested

47While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." 49Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
50Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for."[c]- Matthew 26:33-50

Friday morning as Brad and I had devotions together, we talked about Jesus' radical forgiveness in these verses. Jesus knew that Peter would betray him. Jesus saw his friends fall asleep time and again at one of the most difficult times in his life. Jesus saw Judas coming towards him to betray him. But he forgave them all.

And not with a surface forgiveness, but real forgiveness, calling them friend, assuring them of His love and the promise that would hold true for them, inviting them still to come along and follow Him.

I feel that sometimes it's easy for us to exhibit surface forgiveness. The words come so easy: "It's ok. I forgive you. It's alright." But, it's not really all forgiven until we can say that we can forget it... or at least not refer to the incident. Really what it means is that your love for the other person far outweighs any hurt that was caused, so much so that it just doesn't matter any more.

Brad and I forgave each other... for past hurts that we unknowingly had been carrying a piece of. Forgiveness, that radical forgiveness that Jesus showed us, is what will get us through, I'm sure of it.

The speaker the other night said that 'Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.' I've heard Pastor Shreckhise talk of it as carrying around a bowling ball on top of your head. Jesus asks us to put it down. Ask yourself, why are you carrying it? Does it matter any more? And think of that love... for others that outweighs that bowling ball by so much. Your love for others, but more importantly, your love for God... because He is the one that calls us to love one another, as He has loved us.

Find Your Calcutta

6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, 7a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. 9"This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."

10Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."- Matthew 23:6-13

Similarly to what I read yesterday, this morning I read this scripture as a call to service. Many may respond, "What?!? That verse! Service? What are you talking about?" Yesterday, we were called to serve "the least of these." But in other parts of the Bible, we are called to serve our brothers and sisters who are in need. Even in Romans, there is mention of ourselves as adopted siblings of Jesus. Jesus had hard days ahead of him, and this special perfume- this anointing was a special service for Jesus. It wasn't a mere pouring out of a lavish gift without reason.

Last night at the Veritas Forum, the speaker used some illustrations from Mother Theresa. She explained how when she went to work with Mother Theresa for 2 months. There, she spoke with her and Mother Theresa said to her, "Not everyone is called to work with the poor. Not everyone is called to be poor. You must find your own Calcutta." I read this before in "Irresistible Revelution", but this morning I realize how hard it is to find our own.

Sometimes it's easier to see the service that is needed in Calcutta, the service that is needed in the favela, the service that is needed in the streets with those in very difficult situations. Now, that's not to belittle it at all. But perhaps it's harder to see the service that is needed for Jesus, here in Matthew- a special anointing doesn't seem like a beautiful service of love at first. At first it seems that attention should go to the poor. But Jesus is quick to say that the poor will always be there.

Many take this verse out of context and use it to prove why they don't need to worry about the poor... it's futile, they say. I don't think Jesus life and ministry would uphold a neglect for caring for the poor, just the opposite in fact. However, here we see that others also need this attention.

It's easier to see the poor in Calcutta... and sometimes harder to see it in the office, at school, in the classroom.

So where is your Calcutta? What and where are you called to serve today?

As a patient mother, when the kids are on your last nerve
As a considerate husband, when your day has been too long
As a loving grandchild, who remembers her grandmother on Valentine's Day
As a careful teacher, who shows love in the interactions with students
As a generous co-worker, who helps out when needed
As a patient friend, who spends time with someone in need

Find your Calcutta in your every day.

Mine right now is in the Rhetoric and Composition Classroom... as college students are seeking, and looking for role models. I pray for their spiritual lives and attempt to show them I care.

Your Treasure for the Least of These

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. —Luke 12:34

A Story...

Those who know be know at least one thing- I try so hard. When I won the writing award in 7th grade, my teacher said, "Katie consistently gives 110%." That's why it's so crushing when I fail. If I hadn't given it so much effort, then it wouldn't be so heartbreaking.

Last night I decided to make a special Valentine's meal for Brad- cheese and spinach stuffed shells with peach/apple cobbler for dessert. Everything went well for the meal, and we had a special addition of Ruth there to enjoy it with us. But, the dessert took longer, and in my rush to sit with my guests I didn't mix the topping thoroughly.

Well, I thought it would be fine and told Brad that I'd take it over for his Bible study to enjoy, but as I was walking over I realized how much of it must be just flour on top of the cooked fruit. I was so embarrassed as the all-too-gracious Mark, Andrew, Brad and Michelle ate the flour-topped cooked fruit. And I got all upset.

No matter how much Brad told me that it wasn't a big deal, it seemed like a big deal- most likely because of the array of big deals that I'm trying to make into small deals at the moment: how I'm going to do 2 projects for my classes with observations and transcriptions, the wedding, this summer and the honeymoon and Brad leaving me, deciding what to do next year, finding a place to live, etc. When I get upset about something little, it's usually just a sign that there's something bigger that's bothering me.

But in this instance, I had made perfection my treasure. Pleasing people was the treasure, was where my heart was. And that might seem rather complacent as a conclusion, but the key is that it's not about pleasing people- it's about loving them. None of them needed apple/peach cobbler. No one was expecting it. It wasn't about a perfect dessert, which they could buy or make on their own anyway. It was about showing my love and appreciation to them. If I had kept focused on my treasure- of loving my friends- then I might've been able to apology and then appreciate my time with them. Hopefully I was still able to show them my love through my slightly hysterical demeanor. But next time, I'll remember to keep my heart and my treasure in the really important purpose of the act of service, the greatest of these, love.


31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." -Matthew 25:31-46

Similarly, I read in Matthew today the familiar passage about "the least of these." And I am reminded of a special talk that Lise's father gave a while back at GCF. While it is important to serve and love those in our own circles, our own churches, it is also more important to serve and love "the least of these."

We often read this passage and think that we're doing right by feeding and giving drink to those in our community, but Jesus focuses on "the least of these." Who are the least of these in your vicinity?

Lord, show me how to reach out to "the least of these." Place them in my path and show me a way to see ways to give food and clothes and whatever is needed- a warm smile or a friendly word. May this be my treasure... to show Your love to the least of these and in this same way show my love to You.

Please watch over Nicole's friend who is recovering from an explosion. Thank you for being there to help her friend this far. I pray for Shijie this morning and her 4 interviews on Friday- guide her and comfort her and give her the confidence and skill she needs to be successful in that. Watch over Dad C as he recovers from his surgery and help him to be patient, allowing time for Your healing hand to work in his body. And I pray for guidance for Joseph this morning... help him as he considers the time and direction for his studies here.

God Incidents

God Incidents

The ODB this morning recounts God Incidents... how our prayers often come in unexpected forms. The example they gave was of an alcoholic who prayed for power to resist temptation, and his answer came in the form of a renewed sense of willpower or an encouraging word from a friend. (Now, I'm not trying to go against myself here and what I said about alcohol previously. There's a big difference between a serious addiction and an occasional drink.)

But, it's interesting how we are so quick to label things "coincidences" or "chance" or a surprising turn of events. But I believe that if we really take the time to look around us, we will God working in our daily lives.

For incidents...

When feeling a little anxious last week, I saw some notes that Blake had left behind that read "life and peace, mind set" and it brought me peace.
When I was feeling all alone in my wedding stuff, Emily called and Michelle and Jess loved my dress.
When I was a discouraged Bible Study leader, Joseph offered an encouraging prayer.


And I believe this corresponds with the scripture reading for today...

14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'

23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'

26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

If you are using your talents (time, energy, ability, money) for God, it is often easier to see God working through that. I gave a tithe even as a volunteer, and there was always enough. Whenever I worry about there being enough, just remember the loaves and the fishes. Somehow, there will be enough... and we will see God in all instances... when we are giving our whole selves to Him.

Making Someday Today

36"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[d] but only the Father. 37As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. -Matthew 24:26-44

This morning my own recent experiences seem to converge with this scripture from Matthew.

-On Saturday night, talking with my Uncle Rod for premarital counseling, one thing we wrote about was a traumatic experience. For me, this was when Amanda died. It felt like such a given... we take for granted that we have everyone for 90 years or so. But when that happened, it seemed so unfair. It still seems so unfair. And especially in the first few months after Amanda was taken from us, I knew in a very real sense that "we do not know about that day or that hour." As Dumbledore said in Harry Potter, "we have only to decide what to do with the time given to us."

-Last night, I watched the Disney Pixar film "Up" with Jess and Michelle, and the movie was rather sad in the beginning. It showed a couple with big dreams...funny because I had just been dreaming rather big dreams myself. They dreamed of going and building their home at Paradise Falls. But, the years past and sicknesses, flat tires, etc, all took the money from their Paradise Falls savings jar.

-Last night when I talked to Brad, I said something to the effect of "we'll have a long time together," and he said, "I pray that we have one more day together tomorrow- that we both wake up tomorrow." I had no idea what prompted this, but it certainly made me think.

And this scripture this morning makes me think of all this. We don't know the hour that death will come. We forget how precious each morning, each minute with everyone is, until we don't have that opportunity anymore. In fact, our own mortality adds value to this life... to enjoy the 'rumors of another world' as Yancey calls the hints of God here on earth- community, creation, etc.

And those dreams that we should be reaching today are not necessarily those dreams of Paradise Falls, although that can be a way of appreciating and worshiping God. The dreams we need to live out today are like what the good servant does in the following passage.

45"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' 49and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.-Matthew 24:45-51

What is there that we keep promising we will do for God but keep putting off. Is it a daily Bible reading? Some sort of service within our church? A worship time with family? A daily prayer before starting the day or before going to bed? Sending notes of encouragement to those in need? Inviting those who can't pay you back to a dinner, a warm place to stay?

Let's be good servants today... to praise and thank the Lord for the day He has made.

Lord, this morning I also ask that You would watch over Dad C in his surgery. Please bless the hands of the surgeons and provide your healing for him.

Our Walk- His Way

No matter where our journey leads, our walk with God lasts eternity...

This morning, this reflection from the ODB makes me smile. It's similar to what my good friend and pastor Dick Shreckhise recently wrote to me about my recent place of discernment:

"The most important thing is not What,
When, Where, Why kind of questions but Way. How to
live the Way of Jesus wherever you are, whatever you are
doing, whenever you make a decision."

These two thoughts seem to parallel each other beautifully... the Way, the Journey... also captured in the common phrase often quoted of Brethren, that "you will know them by the manner of their living." It doesn't say by where they live, their job, their status, their neighborhood, but their Way. Lord, my prayer this morning is the familiar song, "Show me Your Way, that I may Walk with You... the cry of my heart is to love you more, to live with the touch of Your hand... stronger each day, show me Your ways."

The Way God Commanded

42 The Israelites had done all the work just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 43 Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the LORD had commanded. So Moses blessed them. -Exodus 39:42-43

This morning I continue reading about how the tabernacle was built so carefully. And as Brad pointed out to me this morning, one of the most common phrases in this section of the Bible is that they did "all the work just as the LORD commanded." They did their work in the Way that He commanded. They followed and the Lord was faithful in going with them and leading them.

The Way not the Law

23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

25"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

27"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

29"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' 31So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!

33"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 34Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation.

37"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. 38Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'[a]"

I believe the church in general often falls into this temptation. Having a law is comfortable and easy. We know exactly what to do in every situation. We can make quick blanket judgments... except when we realize that it isn't ours to judge at all.

Jesus is harsh and bold and pain-staking clear here as he tells the Pharisees exactly what He thinks of them. We have forfeited the most important things (justice, mercy, faithfulness) for other laws. I am tempted to go through the New testament and categorizing all that Jesus tells us to do (or not to do) and then go through the guidelines of many churches today and when they tell us to do (or not to do).

Sometimes I fear that the church as an institution has lost sight of what was important to Jesus. What was it that he mentioned that we forget to live out in our lives? What was it that he didn't mention that we continue to harp on Sunday after Sunday... to judge or condemn... not for mercy of justice or faithfulness?

Are we forgetting the most important things? Is our cup full of greed and self-indulgence?

I know I'm going out on a limb here, and I will no doubt be judged for these views (which will indeed prove my point). But, let's think for instance about 2 hot topics in the church: drinking and premarital sex. Quite a few churches preach against both. Yet, show me in the Bible where Jesus condemns either. Now, that's not to say that I don't think there should be warnings or advice not to take part with either activity. After all, there are physical and emotional consequences in both cases, and I personally don't do either.

However, I believe this is a concrete example of where the church has "forgotten the most important things" and focused on cleaning the outside of the cup. In doing so, how many young people have we lost? Look around in your church? Has your preaching about these inconsequential matters left the focus of Jesus' call... and the Way that He calls us to live our lives... focused on the most important things: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

I strongly feel that we must re-examine ourselves. In what ways have we become like "those" Pharisees?

Only God Can Make a _______

Only God Can Make a Tree

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. —Psalm 1:3

The author of the ODB today states that only God can make a tree. While we can make ourselves into saplings or buds, only He can makes us a tree that bears fruit.

The author includes this prayer, which is also mine this morning:
A Prayer: Lord, I want to be used by You in others’ lives. Teach me from Your Word so that I can help others follow You. And enable me to let go and trust You to work in them. Amen.


Only God

1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5"Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.'

8"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.[b] 11The greatest among you will be your servant. 12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

13"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.[c]

15"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

16"Woe to you, blind guides! You say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.' 17You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18You also say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.' 19You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22And he who swears by heaven swears by God's throne and by the one who sits on it -Matthew 23:1-22

Very strong words indeed that Jesus has for the Pharisees, and I believe the root of it all is that they love being called "Teacher" and "Rabbi" and "Master" and "Lord." They are busy making themselves great and putting themselves in positions of power, forgetting that they are all brothers and sisters. Doing so forgets that our Lord is one and sovereign above all things, above us all. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled.

We have to continually watch ourselves on this account. Here in graduate school some people have this fascination with the Ph.D, being called "Dr." From the inside I don't believe it's so glamorous... but some people are still in great awe of it. Some people think they'd be more attracted to someone with a PhD... not me. I fell in love with a bank teller. But, we always need to be watchful that we're not earning these titles to be looked up to, not putting ourselves in positions of power. In fact the more that the world sees us that way, the more we need to assure students, friends, relatives that it isn't true. Anyone could do it... just only some want to. That's what I tell everyone about a marathon. They say, "I could never do that." I say, "Sure you could. You just don't want to." You don't want to give up the hours and hours it takes to train. And I don't blame you.

But the overriding point here is that there is only God who is upheld and Holy and Almighty. We need to serve Him and others, humbling ourselves. The COB traditionally did not have a pulpit or a platform from which the pastor preached. They took terms preaching and they were all called "brothers" and "sisters." They didn't even have a front of the sanctuary. If you want an extreme experience, go worship with the Quakers one Sunday. Learn about a group of people who don't even go by the 'majority rules' in decision making in order to honor each voice among them.


Can Make A Temple

1 So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the LORD has commanded."

2 Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. 3 They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. 4 So all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work 5 and said to Moses, "The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done."

6 Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: "No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary." And so the people were restrained from bringing more, 7 because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work. -Exodus 36:1-6

As I read this morning about the temple I could see the blue and purple and gold in my mind, and it looked so beautiful. And God used people to do it. These people "whom the Lord had given ability." How wonderful it is to remember that every asset we have was given to us by the Lord. Our God gave us the ability to do certain things, so it is only right that we should use those abilities to worship Him, to give it all to Him.

I'm also touched by the fact that Moses needed to stop people from bringing things to the temple because there was enough. I wish for a day when we bring so much of our talent, our goods, our monetary gifts, our spirit, everything to the Lord... so much that it is overflowing.

I always loved to see church workdays. We spend so much time caring for our homes, but it's a beautiful thing when we would come together in the Spring and do weeding and general cleaning, straightening up of so many things, making our place of worship lovely for God. And that's not to say that I believe you need a beautiful house of worship. I believe the act of service, working together for Him, is more pleasing to the Lord than the actual outcome.

The Things Above

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. —Colossians 3:2

As I read this verse in the ODB this morning, I was moved to think that perhaps this is the key to escaping a lot of my struggles with worry. It's been particularly tough these past couple of days. I even broke into 'night sweats' last night and kept "waking up" realizing that I was only half awake... my mind still spinning and working on problems, projects and decisions. I had to get up at one point, take a warm shower in hopes to release the tension and change out of my sweat-soaked clothes.

But there is a silver lining. This morning, during this quiet time, I turned on the Pandora Hymns 4 Worship, and I heard the calming familiar tune, "This is My Father's World." Tears filled my eyes as I remembered that "though the wrong seems often so strong, God is the ruler yet." Thank You, my dear Father... what a blessing to have a Father of this world who connects me to the promise of the next.


The Lord Above & His Radiance

29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. 32 Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai.
33 When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever he entered the LORD's presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD. -Exodus 34:10-35

I love to think of these verses and how Moses' face became radiant... we can only imagine the radiance and holiness of our Lord God. I need to recognize that our God is so amazing and full of glory. Because when I do think about such things, I can't help but smile and rejoice in Him... my eyes fixed upon Him... upon the end goal.


Heaven Above as Angels

23That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 24"Teacher," they said, "Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. 25Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. 27Finally, the woman died. 28Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?"
29Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 31But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, 32'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'[a]? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."

33When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching. -Matthew 22:22-33

"To death do us part." It's interesting to think of what this scripture means. Perhaps that's why it's so sad to think of the separation when your husband/wife dies. You are no longer married. But, I like to think of it another way. Only when we are in heaven as angels will we be able to be married to God and to each other... united in the way that we only get close to here on earth through heaven. Of course, I suppose we'll have to wait to find out what it is like, but as Brad reminds me, "If the earth is so beautiful, I know God made heaven even more amazing. I can't wait to see it."


Jesus Above All

41While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42"What do you think about the Christ[d]? Whose son is he?"
"The son of David," they replied.
43He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says,
44" 'The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet." '[e] 45If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?" 46No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions -Matthew 22:41-45

It was so difficult for everyone, and it's still difficult for many today, that Jesus although in the form of a human was God. The relationship between heaven and earth were crossed. This is the earth that our Father made, Jesus was God himself living here on earth, we live with the Spirit but we live on the earth in these earthly bodies. But, I'm so thankful that I have the hope of what is above... and I may think of that... praising my Father for His promises.

Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. —James 1:22

Many interesting parables and stories this morning... the parable of the wedding banquet where "many are invited and few are chosen". The curious passage of the golden calf, the bloodiness of the Levites killing the rest, and Moses seeing God's back. In fact, the part of the scripture that most stood out to me this morning... God promises, "I will go ahead of you, and I will give you rest."

But this morning more than reflecting on the many good things in the Bible, I call out to the Lord in prayer. Lord, I am anxious about many things, so I come to You this morning trusting that You will give me rest. I look to next year, and there are so many question marks, so many things I don't know. Give me patience and peace as I listen for Your guidance, Lord. My heart is turned towards You, waiting to hear Your will. Teach me to be a doer of Your word, wherever next year may find me.

I pray that You continue to watch over my Aunt Joan, and I thank You for being with her through the surgery. I pray for Doug's exams on Friday. I pray for Dad C and the rescheduled surgery coming up. And I ask that You be with Blake's grandfather, grandmother and his whole family. Lord please watch over them at this difficult time. And help Joseph as he prepares for his presentation. Watch over Marisa and Amelia as well, and help them get over their colds.

Holiness & Humility

Holiness

30 "Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. 31 Say to the Israelites, 'This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. 32 Do not pour it on men's bodies and do not make any oil with the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred. 33 Whoever makes perfume like it and whoever puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from his people.' "

34 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, 35 and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. 36 Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. 37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the LORD. 38 Whoever makes any like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from his people." -Exodus 30:30-38

A holy fragrance, Heaven's Scent. We don't do things like this anymore, and sometimes I feel we've gone to the opposite extreme. Do we really recognize God as God? Creator of the Universe? Holy? Almighty? Lord of Heaven and Earth? While the Israelites of the day went to the extreme of legalistically following the Lord and feeling they could earn their way to heaven... perhaps we've also lost what these many guidelines were intended for. A beautiful aroma that was for the Lord would serve to respect and honor and glorify God- giving Him the best of all things. It wasn't that long ago that people would wear their finest to church on Sunday. Even further back, people would keep their Bibles in very special places in the home. Now, I'm afraid that we don't recognize the holiness... the amazing nature of going to church and worshiping Him, of being able to read His word which He has give to us.


Humility

28"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'
29" 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

30"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.

31"Which of the two did what his father wanted?"
"The first," they answered.

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. -Matthew 21:28-32

Yet, we also need to recognize that whatever ways we show that God is holy and almighty and king of our hearts is not enough. Wearing your finest to church might be a way for you to remember how special this time of worship is (more special than a Saturday night date or work day or presentation). Placing your Bible in a place of importance may serve to remind you that it is more important that your comic books or DVD collection (and should be used more often). Yet, these actions are not what get us anywhere... it is the heart that matters and the actual act of going to church and worshiping God with all our heart, mind and soul, and reading His word and putting it into practice are far more important than the outward symbol of those feelings.

In the parable of the two sons, Jesus makes this clear. Can you imagine someone saying this to you on Sunday? "The prostitutes and druggies will get into heaven before you will." Well, sometimes I think... of course they were upset. Honestly now, honestly. Wouldn't you be a little upset? Those are not the people you want to be compared with. In his article "People Like Us," David Brooks comments on the lack of diversity in America... how we tend to group with people who are like us in so many ways. We need to make an effort to remember that in God's eyes... none of us are enough (Thanks Romans Bible Study team!) but Jesus is!

?

This morning I'm puzzled by several of the readings from yesterday and today. While I don't have enough time to look at them closely this morning, I'm anxious to look them up this evening or tomorrow.

If any of you have some time and initiative to look up more on these verses and read them more closely, let me know what you find!

the mother's request Matthew 20:20-28

20Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21"What is it you want?" he asked.
She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."

22"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?"
"We can," they answered.

23Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."

24When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."


the fig tree Matthew 21: 18-22

18Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.
20When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.

21Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."