In Acts 9:36-43 Peter offers prayer for a disciple named Tabitha who has died. A miracle takes place and her life is restored. The miracle is a prelude to an even greater miracle… the church recasting her mission to include Gentiles as well as Jewish believers. A sermon including such musings (as well as some reflections on the prayer life of John Knox… as it was preached on Tartan Sunday) can be found here.
Some further reflections on prayer.
1. Prayer restores life. In the case of Tabitha that seems to have a literal application! But beyond that exceptional setting it remains true that active involvement in the discipline of prayer animates our spiritual life. Through prayer we tune our lives towards God’s will. The more in tune with God we become, the greater our ability to do the things to which God calls us.
2. The outcome of prayer can never be predicted. It is not my impression that Peter entered into the situation with the awareness that a life was going to be restored and the mission to the Gentiles was about to be launched. He just enters into the situation and places it into God’s hands. Prayer is never about getting God to do what we think we would do if we were gods. Rather it is allowing God to be God!
3. Prayer brings joy where there was previously only grief. The outward circumstances may often stay the same. That illness may continue. That death may still happen. But prayer changes the focus from being upon the situation towards the One who walks with us through the differing scenes of our life journey. Prayer brings confidence where there has previously been fear and hope where hopelessness has been the dominant theme.
Prayer: Lord, we ask as Your disciples of old asked… ‘Teach us to pray’. Encourage us to share our hearts deepest fears that they may be conquered by Your love. Instruct us in the ways of listening and understanding. Speak to us in our imagining, dreaming and serving that our whole selves may be energized by Your purposes. Amen.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
His Way
Acts 9:1-6 gives us the account of the conversion of Saul. He is changed from being a man intent on destroying the church into one of Christianity’s greatest advocates. A Sermon on this passage can be found here.
What can we learn about the process of change from this account?
Firstly… Changing from doing things our way to doing them God’s way takes time. Whilst the flashing light and voice from the sky were things that happened in a moment, the time leading up to the decision was one that took many twists and turns. It was the influence of many of those he persecuted that helped change Saul. Scripture mentions the martyrdom of Steven as being one of the events that Saul witnessed.
A similar story holds true for many if us. We can’t all point to dramatic moments of decision but many of us are aware that the call of God had been consistently pursuing us over the years… as much through our mistakes as through our triumphs.
Secondly… Notice how personal the call is. Jesus calls his name. “Saul, Saul!” In a similar way the call of God is one that demands our personal response. Belonging to a church, attending services of worship, going through the religious motions… all these are important aspects of belonging to a religious community. But we can do all those things without realizing that there is also an intensely personal dimension to being a disciple. We are called to a personal relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. One of the marks of that relationship will be the realization that God knows who we are… and calls us by name.
Thirdly… To follow God’s way means turning from doing everything our own way! This may be stating the obvious. But we cannot go on doing the things the way we’ve always done them and claim that we are following the new way of Christ. If change is to come to our world, it has to begin with us! The spiritual journey is one of putting away the old and embracing the new.
Prayer: Lord, help me to pursue the new life of Your Spirit. Teach me this week to find Your way amidst the many ways that will seek my attention!
What can we learn about the process of change from this account?
Firstly… Changing from doing things our way to doing them God’s way takes time. Whilst the flashing light and voice from the sky were things that happened in a moment, the time leading up to the decision was one that took many twists and turns. It was the influence of many of those he persecuted that helped change Saul. Scripture mentions the martyrdom of Steven as being one of the events that Saul witnessed.
A similar story holds true for many if us. We can’t all point to dramatic moments of decision but many of us are aware that the call of God had been consistently pursuing us over the years… as much through our mistakes as through our triumphs.
Secondly… Notice how personal the call is. Jesus calls his name. “Saul, Saul!” In a similar way the call of God is one that demands our personal response. Belonging to a church, attending services of worship, going through the religious motions… all these are important aspects of belonging to a religious community. But we can do all those things without realizing that there is also an intensely personal dimension to being a disciple. We are called to a personal relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. One of the marks of that relationship will be the realization that God knows who we are… and calls us by name.
Thirdly… To follow God’s way means turning from doing everything our own way! This may be stating the obvious. But we cannot go on doing the things the way we’ve always done them and claim that we are following the new way of Christ. If change is to come to our world, it has to begin with us! The spiritual journey is one of putting away the old and embracing the new.
Prayer: Lord, help me to pursue the new life of Your Spirit. Teach me this week to find Your way amidst the many ways that will seek my attention!
Monday, April 12, 2010
OBEDIENCE
Obedience is not a word we always use in relation to spirituality. It comes into play when we have to make a choice, between what we perceive is God’s way and what we suspect is against God. That was the kind of choice that Peter had to make when the Sanhedrin forbade him to carry on ministering in Jesus name. A sermon based on that passage from Acts 5:27-32 can be found here.
Some additional thoughts on OBEDIENCE.
1. People are quick to notice when they perceive disobedience in the life of Christian leaders. Abuse scandals, money scandals and dramatic falls from grace easily attract the headlines. The kind of thing that never gets reported is the everyday faithful lives of so many Christian folk. Ask them why they pursue certain standards and they may not be able to put it into words. It’s part of who they are. It’s just being obedient to God.
2. Obedience to God is not so much a duty as it is a joy. The desire to do things God’s way grows out of our love for God. Our love for God grows out of the notion that it is a love we are returning, not a love we are earning. In that sense obedience is neither tedious or burdensome but a faithful act of devotion.
3. Obedience is not easy… because we are all rebels at heart. If we encounter something that looks O.K. to us… but somebody says “Stay Away”… we question their advice. As we read scripture we may discover insights that we question. It is at those times that obedience becomes a challenge.
Prayer: “Teach me Lord to do Your will. When my desire is lacking, send Your Holy Spirit to inspire. Help me to live in a way that brings glory to my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen”
Some additional thoughts on OBEDIENCE.
1. People are quick to notice when they perceive disobedience in the life of Christian leaders. Abuse scandals, money scandals and dramatic falls from grace easily attract the headlines. The kind of thing that never gets reported is the everyday faithful lives of so many Christian folk. Ask them why they pursue certain standards and they may not be able to put it into words. It’s part of who they are. It’s just being obedient to God.
2. Obedience to God is not so much a duty as it is a joy. The desire to do things God’s way grows out of our love for God. Our love for God grows out of the notion that it is a love we are returning, not a love we are earning. In that sense obedience is neither tedious or burdensome but a faithful act of devotion.
3. Obedience is not easy… because we are all rebels at heart. If we encounter something that looks O.K. to us… but somebody says “Stay Away”… we question their advice. As we read scripture we may discover insights that we question. It is at those times that obedience becomes a challenge.
Prayer: “Teach me Lord to do Your will. When my desire is lacking, send Your Holy Spirit to inspire. Help me to live in a way that brings glory to my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen”
Monday, March 29, 2010
Three Crosses
Luke’s gospel gives us the account of three men who die on crosses. (Luke 23: 33-43). A sermon for Passion Sunday can be found here.
The first man dies hurling insults at Jesus. He sees nothing redemptive in the acts that are taking place. He is embittered and hardened to the fact that the Savior of the world was right at His side. “Save others? He can’t even save Himself!” It is a fact that the message of Holy Week will be lost on so many who have no appreciation of who Jesus is and what He can do for them.
The second man has an understanding of the significance of Jesus. He realizes that Jesus had done nothing deserving crucifixion. He senses that something significant is taking place. He asks “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom!” Such faith is rewarded by a promise “Today you will be with me in paradise”. This Holy Week is an opportunity to reconsider the significance of the life and death of Jesus and figure out how the events all those years ago apply to our lives today.
The third man is the Savior Himself. He offers prayer for those who persecute Him. “Forgive them Father for they do not know what they are doing”. As we go through our “Not knowing what we are doing” lives we should rejoice that our failures and sins meet their match in the love of God. The grace of God is sufficient to meet our deepest needs.
Prayer: “Lord, during this week leading towards Easter help us to be those who receive Your Spirit and are made new. Help us to hear Your rich promises and grant to us a deeper understanding of the death of our Savior” Amen.
The first man dies hurling insults at Jesus. He sees nothing redemptive in the acts that are taking place. He is embittered and hardened to the fact that the Savior of the world was right at His side. “Save others? He can’t even save Himself!” It is a fact that the message of Holy Week will be lost on so many who have no appreciation of who Jesus is and what He can do for them.
The second man has an understanding of the significance of Jesus. He realizes that Jesus had done nothing deserving crucifixion. He senses that something significant is taking place. He asks “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom!” Such faith is rewarded by a promise “Today you will be with me in paradise”. This Holy Week is an opportunity to reconsider the significance of the life and death of Jesus and figure out how the events all those years ago apply to our lives today.
The third man is the Savior Himself. He offers prayer for those who persecute Him. “Forgive them Father for they do not know what they are doing”. As we go through our “Not knowing what we are doing” lives we should rejoice that our failures and sins meet their match in the love of God. The grace of God is sufficient to meet our deepest needs.
Prayer: “Lord, during this week leading towards Easter help us to be those who receive Your Spirit and are made new. Help us to hear Your rich promises and grant to us a deeper understanding of the death of our Savior” Amen.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Lotion Devotion
In John 12:1-8 the actions of Judas and Mary are in stark contrast. Mary overflows with devotion. Judas is revealed to be less than graceful. A sermon on just such a theme can be found here.
For myself the passage challenges me to consider the nature of our relationship with God. For Judas, it appears he is possessed by an attitude that afflicts so many of us… “What’s in it for me?”.
When Judas observes Mary unashamedly anointing the feet of Jesus and kissing His feet, he is offended. Such outward shows of devotion were uncalled for! And what a waste of good perfume. That money could be put to better use. It could, for example, be given to the poor. However John comments that Judas was not in the least concerned about the poor, but rather consumed with self interest.
For Mary the question is one of love. Her life has been touched by the grace of God and she gives thanks in the best way she knows how. She does not care an iota what others may think, either of her actions or the way she chooses to spend her limited income. She loves Jesus and expresses that love in a personal and powerful way. Jesus approves of Mary actions.
What of our love for God? Are we like Judas who is constantly on his guard, wondering how much discipleship may cost? Or are we like Mary? Giving of our best because we know our lives are blessed beyond measure by God’s overflowing grace?
Prayer: “Lord, help us to turn aside from selfish concern as we consider the way Jesus gave Himself, heart and soul, to the world. As we reflect on the price He paid for our salvation, may our response become one of overflowing love. Amen.”
For myself the passage challenges me to consider the nature of our relationship with God. For Judas, it appears he is possessed by an attitude that afflicts so many of us… “What’s in it for me?”.
When Judas observes Mary unashamedly anointing the feet of Jesus and kissing His feet, he is offended. Such outward shows of devotion were uncalled for! And what a waste of good perfume. That money could be put to better use. It could, for example, be given to the poor. However John comments that Judas was not in the least concerned about the poor, but rather consumed with self interest.
For Mary the question is one of love. Her life has been touched by the grace of God and she gives thanks in the best way she knows how. She does not care an iota what others may think, either of her actions or the way she chooses to spend her limited income. She loves Jesus and expresses that love in a personal and powerful way. Jesus approves of Mary actions.
What of our love for God? Are we like Judas who is constantly on his guard, wondering how much discipleship may cost? Or are we like Mary? Giving of our best because we know our lives are blessed beyond measure by God’s overflowing grace?
Prayer: “Lord, help us to turn aside from selfish concern as we consider the way Jesus gave Himself, heart and soul, to the world. As we reflect on the price He paid for our salvation, may our response become one of overflowing love. Amen.”
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Beware of the Trees
I was out walking in the woods when the wind stated to blow. As I made my way home the weather grew worse. Suddenly, with a loud crash, a tree fell to the ground, narrowly missing me. I was a little shaken! Pondering the experience later in the day I reflected on those times when the unexpected happens. A sermonizing of such thoughts can be found here.
In Luke 13:1-9 the disciples are asking Jesus the ‘Why?’ question. A group of Galileans have been slaughtered by Pilate. A tower in Siloam has collapsed and killed a number of people. Why did these things happen? Were the people worse sinners than the rest of us? Was it a case of ‘What goes around, comes around?”
Jesus uses the event as a teaching moment. Life is very fragile. Any moment we could be transported to eternity where we will stand before God. His words seem harsh; “I tell you; unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did” (Luke 13:3).
I am reminded that our salvation is by the grace of God alone. Every day we enjoy life on this earth is a gift. Every time we wake up to greet a new day is a miracle. Not because we are good (or because we are bad) but because life is a great mystery and none of us truly know why we are here or when our time may come to depart. There may well be a tree in the forest with our name on it. Or not.
Make the most of the moment! There is great wisdom in the quote “‘Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’ve never been hurt, and dance like you do when nobody’s watching.’ We never know what tomorrow brings so we best live a faithful life today.
Prayer: “Lord, Your words call us to remember that nothing in life is certain except the depth of Your love for us. When we are full of questions that find no answer help us to cast all our cares on You and then… get on with living each day to the fullest! Amen.”
In Luke 13:1-9 the disciples are asking Jesus the ‘Why?’ question. A group of Galileans have been slaughtered by Pilate. A tower in Siloam has collapsed and killed a number of people. Why did these things happen? Were the people worse sinners than the rest of us? Was it a case of ‘What goes around, comes around?”
Jesus uses the event as a teaching moment. Life is very fragile. Any moment we could be transported to eternity where we will stand before God. His words seem harsh; “I tell you; unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did” (Luke 13:3).
I am reminded that our salvation is by the grace of God alone. Every day we enjoy life on this earth is a gift. Every time we wake up to greet a new day is a miracle. Not because we are good (or because we are bad) but because life is a great mystery and none of us truly know why we are here or when our time may come to depart. There may well be a tree in the forest with our name on it. Or not.
Make the most of the moment! There is great wisdom in the quote “‘Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’ve never been hurt, and dance like you do when nobody’s watching.’ We never know what tomorrow brings so we best live a faithful life today.
Prayer: “Lord, Your words call us to remember that nothing in life is certain except the depth of Your love for us. When we are full of questions that find no answer help us to cast all our cares on You and then… get on with living each day to the fullest! Amen.”
Monday, March 1, 2010
Foxes, Hens and Chickens.
In Luke 13:31-35 Jesus proclaims “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under wings, and you would not have it !” He also describes Herod as a fox. A sermon reflecting on Foxes, Hens and Chickens can be found here.
Foxes
Foxes are not favorably inclined towards chickens other than as a food source. Scripture warns us that Satan is not a fox, but a ‘roaring lion’ out to frustrate all those who seek the path of discipleship. However we view such images the lesson remains the same… the spiritual road is fraught with dangers. There are things that can destroy our faith and sap our desire to follow. We need to take care that our pride doesn’t blind us to our fragility.
Hens
The imagery of God as the mother hen who wishes to gather up her flock in her wings is one of the most tender in all of scripture. Though there are dangers on the road, God desires to shield us and protect us. To hold us close and reassure us. When life gets crazy it can be a healing thing to take in a deep breath and imagine God wrapping warm wings of protection around our lives.
Chickens
Chickens are the brood that the hen seeks to protect. Unfortunately the chickens are headed away from the hen and towards the dangers that can destroy them. We have that same tendency in our selves. Sure we know what Scripture teaches… but we’ll try things our way instead! And then we complain that things haven’t turned out as we expected. The good news is that God still desires our ingathering!
Prayer. “Lord we confess that we have stupid chicken days. We know we should turn to You but we carry on as if there were no dangers to disrupt our calm or destroy our faith. Help us to see that Your desire is to bless us and protect us. Restore to us a rightful mind! Amen.”
Monday, February 22, 2010
Temptation
In Luke 4:1-13 Jesus is led into the desert and faces a number of temptations. A sermon on that passage can be found here.Dealing with temptation
"Turn the Bread into Stones". In other words ‘solve all your problems with a quick-fix’. Be it world hunger or personal diet there are offered to us endless solutions. ‘Send money here’. ‘Buy this’. Global poverty issues canot be solved by throwing money at them any more than our waistlines can be trimmed down by puchasing the latest keep fit DVD course. There are no quick fix options for discipleship. It's the long haul that brings results and builds solid commitment.
“It’s all yours”. Satan offers Jesus dominion over all creation and peoples. Of course it comes at the expense of compromising His beliefs. How many times have we heard that voice? “Forget your convictions for a moment, take a short cut, it will get you what you want”. In so many areas of life we are fooled into believing that the end… namely our personal influence and power… justifies us using means that are less than godly. We foolishly compromise on what we believe rather than allowing God's Word and the inner voice of the Holy Spirit be our guide.
“Jump of the Roof… God will catch you!” Of course God loves us! But that doesn’t mean that we can live however we please. We are invited to return that love… not strain it to breaking point. ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test” comes the voice of Jesus. The danger is that if we persistently refuse to learn, refuse to see and refuse to hear…then we become a person who has not learnt, nor can see, nor can hear anymore the loving call of Jesus saying, "Come to me and be made new".
Prayer: Lord, Scripture teaches us that You truly understand the temptations we face in our lives. The desire for things we shouldn’t have. The search for instant answers for our complex and deep rooted problems. Our tendancy to be presumptious of Your love. Forgive us. Renew us. Strenghten us through the power of Your Holy Spirit. ‘Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.’ Amen. “
Monday, February 15, 2010
Don’t Blame Peter
“Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" - not knowing what he said.” (Luke 9:33)Luke 9:28-36 gives us the account of an event known as the Transfiguration. It’s an awesome moment. Jesus is transfigured by the glory of God and seen communing with two great figures of the Old Testament, Moses (representing the 'Law') and Elijah (representing the 'Prophets'). Peter is in awe! A sermon on this passage can be found here.
Peter should have kept silent but instead he speaks out. At other times in his life, when he should of spoken out, he kept silent. Don’t blame Peter. We are all guilty of acting just like him. I’m sure you can think of things you wished you had never said and actions that you now regret having taken.
One wonderful thing about this story is that although Jesus corrects Peter, Jesus doesn’t disown Peter. It’s not a comfortable thing to have your faults exposed. Yet until they are, spiritual growth is unlikely.
It is for us to take our whole lives and apply to them the scrutiny of the love of God. Seek for God to show us our faults, and God will do so. But be aware… this may be a humiliating process. Not because God is in anyway unkind, but because our own faults are hard to face. We quickly turn the spotlight on other people’s shortcomings, but if we ourselves wish to be transfigured by the glory of God, then we need to shine the light of God’s love upon ourselves.
Prayer: Lord, I’m hesitant to invite You to shine Your light into the darkest corners of my life. Remind me that healing will not come to those places until I’m prepared to let You in to heal the hurt. Thank You for the renewing power of Your love in forgiving the failings we hesitate to name. Amen.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Super Bowl Disciples
Only a small number of people ever get to play in a Super Bowl game. The demands placed on the players are incredible. Win or lose, they have to give their all to their game.Jesus calls us to be disciples with a high level of commitment. A sermon reflecting on that theme can be found here.
In common with disciples of all times and all places following Jesus involves leaving something behind. In the first fisherman's case it was their work and home. For our selves it can be our habits and ways of thinking that need changing. What kind of things might Jesus be calling you to leave behind at this point in your spiritual journey?
Discipleship also involves taking on something new. The first disciples had to become "Fishers of men". Allowing our lives to be embraced by God’s love adds a new dimension to our daily life. Are there any ‘new things’ that God is calling you to embrace this year?
For the first disciples following Jesus meant they had to go somewhere else. They had to move beyond the comfort zone of their familiar surroundings. Where met God be inviting you to reach beyond your comfort zones?
To succeed at any venture takes not only inspiration but also determination. Be it NFL success or spiritual maturity … the call is to press forward with all that we are.
Prayer: “Lord help me to respond to Your love with determination and allow Your love to change me. And when I fail, pick me up again and remind me that Your love is stronger than my weakness. Amen. “
Monday, February 1, 2010
Misplaced Pride
Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves; vanity, to what we would have others think of us.(Jane Austen)
When Jesus preaches in His hometown the people are not impressed. After all isn’t He just Joseph’s son? A sermon reflecting on the story can be found here.
Misplaced pride can be a tremendous barrier to spiritual growth. There is a right sort of pride to have in ones self or ones community. The sort of pride that comes from thankfulness and from rejoicing in whatever good has taken place.
Misplaced pride is the sort of pride that sees only the positives and ignores the negatives. It is ‘rose-tinted glasses’ pride. It refuses to acknowledge that there can be room for improvement or any need of change. Most disastrously of all it blocks out grace from having free reign in our lives.
We must caution ourselves against being so proud that we fail to recognize the potential in the familiar. When Jesus sought to work wonders the home-town crowd just couldn’t accept that wonderful things were meant to happen in their ordinary day to day to experience of people and places. And the result? Nothing happened!
Do not join them in their unbelief. Do not allow misplaced pride to prevent your spiritual growth. Believe.
Prayer: Lord I believe. Help thou my unbelief! Help not to exclude my daily, familiar and routine life from the sphere of Your blessings. Amen.”
Monday, January 25, 2010
What’s it all about?
In the first sermon recorded by Luke, Jesus gives us His mission manifesto."The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are downtrodden, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord"
A sermon on this text can be found here.
Central to this proclomation is the idea that Christ’s coming was the dawning of the time of the Lords favor. The poor would have some good news. The struggling ones would find release. The ones who couldn’t see would receive vision. The ones who felt like they were being walked all over would walk free.
We can apply this text to our own lives. Where do we feel in poverty? What are we seeking to be released from? In what areas do we feel life is trampling all over us? Where in in our life are we seeking direction?
To believe that Jesus Christ is a Saviour means allowing Him to save us! To preyerfully seek His perspective on the struggles of our lives. To seek to apply the scripturs teaching to our daily dilemmas.
The promise remains the same. The Holy Spirit is still the Counsellor, Comforter and Guide. Christ’s living love has not lost any of it’s power to renew and refresh our lives.
Prayer: “Lord help me today to apply Your love to the situations I am struggling through. Remind me when I give up on myself that You never give up on me. May this day be a day of the Lords favor! Amen.”
Annual Sports Fest
Sunday, January 31st, 2:30-6:30 p.m. the Church is having its Annual SportsFest . . . Fun and Games Afternoon. There will be bowling for all who are interested (cost for bowling is $8.00 for 2 games and shoe rental) at the Baldwin Bowling Alley on Grand Avenue. If you don’t bowl, there will be bridge, scrabble and other board games for adults at the Church. All activities followed by a Pizza Supper in Beyer Hall. All are welcome to this fun-filled event!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
DID YOU SEE THAT?
John 2:1-11 records for us the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine. As you read through the account you become aware that a lot of the people present at the wedding feast missed out on the fact that any miracle had taken place. All they knew was that for some reason the host had saved the best till last. We can so easily miss out on what God is doing around our lives. Miracles can happen and we miss them.
A sermon on that theme can be found here.
Sometimes we sing a hymn or hear a piece of music and we may think ‘Well that’s nice". But so often there is a story behind a song that can take our appreciation to a new level.
Consider a hymn such as Frances Ridley Havergal’s ‘Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to Thee’. Frances was the daughter of a rector in Worcester, England… who was in his day one of the finest church musicians around. She, like her father, was exceptionally gifted but prone to periods of doubt and depression. Though constantly in a religious atmosphere she struggled for many years to accept herself as a child of God. It took a real act of surrender for her to allow Christ to take His rightful place in her life. Having struggled personally to break through into a living faith she was anxious to share her journey with others.
The hymn ‘Take my Life" came out of an experience she had staying with a family where religion was on the back boiler. Aware of her hosts low spiritual expectations when she arrived she prayed "Lord, give me all in this house". Over a period of five days she led every member of the household into a deeper faith with the exception of two daughters.
Retiring to her bed on the last night she was awoken by the governess who told her the daughters were in great distress. She counseled them and led them to faith in Christ. When she returned to her room she was too excited to sleep. She records in her diary ‘I passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own conscecration, and these little couplets formed themselves and chimed in my heart one after another …"
She speaks elsewhere in her diaries of how writing for her was praying. Rather like she had, as a child, asked her Father when composing a poem "What do you think I should say next?", so her hymns came out of her relationship with God who gave her, in her own words; ‘not merely thoughts and power, but also every word, even the very rhymes. Very often I have a most distinct and happy consciousness of direct answers."
It’s easy to sing a hymn with the mindset of those who saw no miracle at the wedding feast when Jesus turned water into wine. It is only human to think… well that’s a nice tune or pleasant little rhyme… without realizing that behind the words are often some wonderful stories of the grace and love of God.
As we go through our lives it easy to take so much for granted and miss out on daily miracles taking place all around us. It is the work of God to take the common place and make it into a special place of blessing and wonder. Keep the eyes of your heart open because you don’t want to miss a thing!
Prayer: "Lord forgive me for my low expectations. Help me to be awake to the daily miracles all around my life. Amen"
A sermon on that theme can be found here.
Sometimes we sing a hymn or hear a piece of music and we may think ‘Well that’s nice". But so often there is a story behind a song that can take our appreciation to a new level.
Consider a hymn such as Frances Ridley Havergal’s ‘Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to Thee’. Frances was the daughter of a rector in Worcester, England… who was in his day one of the finest church musicians around. She, like her father, was exceptionally gifted but prone to periods of doubt and depression. Though constantly in a religious atmosphere she struggled for many years to accept herself as a child of God. It took a real act of surrender for her to allow Christ to take His rightful place in her life. Having struggled personally to break through into a living faith she was anxious to share her journey with others.
The hymn ‘Take my Life" came out of an experience she had staying with a family where religion was on the back boiler. Aware of her hosts low spiritual expectations when she arrived she prayed "Lord, give me all in this house". Over a period of five days she led every member of the household into a deeper faith with the exception of two daughters.
Retiring to her bed on the last night she was awoken by the governess who told her the daughters were in great distress. She counseled them and led them to faith in Christ. When she returned to her room she was too excited to sleep. She records in her diary ‘I passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own conscecration, and these little couplets formed themselves and chimed in my heart one after another …"
She speaks elsewhere in her diaries of how writing for her was praying. Rather like she had, as a child, asked her Father when composing a poem "What do you think I should say next?", so her hymns came out of her relationship with God who gave her, in her own words; ‘not merely thoughts and power, but also every word, even the very rhymes. Very often I have a most distinct and happy consciousness of direct answers."
It’s easy to sing a hymn with the mindset of those who saw no miracle at the wedding feast when Jesus turned water into wine. It is only human to think… well that’s a nice tune or pleasant little rhyme… without realizing that behind the words are often some wonderful stories of the grace and love of God.
As we go through our lives it easy to take so much for granted and miss out on daily miracles taking place all around us. It is the work of God to take the common place and make it into a special place of blessing and wonder. Keep the eyes of your heart open because you don’t want to miss a thing!
Prayer: "Lord forgive me for my low expectations. Help me to be awake to the daily miracles all around my life. Amen"
Monday, January 11, 2010
BE PRAYERFUL
There’s a little detail in the account of the baptism of Jesus that is easily missed. The Holy Spirit did not alight upon Jesus the moment He was baptized, but the heavens opened as He was praying. Luke 3:21 reads; "Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven opened".A sermon reflecting on the timing of the praying and the coming of the Holy Spirit may be found here.
In religious life there things we need to do together and things we can only experience for our selves… on a one-to-one with God basis.
Baptism is one of the together things. So are Communion and Corporate Worship. There are many mission adventures that we cannot embark upon alone. From the start ‘Church’ has been all about community.
But there is also a very personal side. On a personal level we need to develop a living faith in Jesus Christ that is energized through prayer. Time and time again Jesus withdraws to lonely places to recharge His spiritual batteries one on one with God. If such a practice was necessary for Him, how much more so for us!
A wonderful New Year resolution to make is "BE PRAYERFUL". It is as we pray the Holy Spirit transforms our life journeys. It was when Jesus prayed that the Spirit came and empowered Him for the journey ahead. To repeat some words from our sermon…
"If you want to be a real treasure to your church, to your family, to those you love, to your community, and you value your own personal growth and your own well being, then let 2010 be a prayerful year.
This is a win-win resolution to make. You are not being asked to give anything up. You are being invited to deepen your relationship with God. You are being invited to deeper fellowship with God and a deeper experience of God’s love."
Prayer: Lord, help me to make 2010 a year of prayerful journeying. Amen.
Monday, January 4, 2010
A NEW YEAR PERSPECTIVE
Paul writes from the confines of a prison to his friends in the Phillipian Church : "I forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead" (Phillipians 3:13). As we begin a New Year his perspective of leaving the past behind and pushing forward to the future is a great attitude to embrace.A sermon on that very thought can be found here.
What sort of things might Paul have been leaving behind him?
Resentments: Being in prison does not appear to be the best strategy for launching a world wide mission. Paul could have complained about his lot, even given up on the idea that Christianity had anything worthwhile to offer the world. Yet instead of cradling his hurts, he allows God’s Spirit to put it all behind him.
Worries: There was a lot Paul had to worry about. But that’s not the choice he makes. Instead he simply trusts in God. He has faith and trust in God over and above his worries. He believes God’s love is strong enough to hold his life in His care.
Failures: Paul had been a one-time enemy of Christ. He had stood by and held the coats when Stephen was stoned to death. He had caused a lot of pain and created a lot of enmity towards the church. But that was then and this was now. Yes… he had failed. But now he lived in the freedom of the forgiving grace of Jesus Christ.
What things keep Paul moving forward?
He realizes he is only human. He speaks of doing his best. He doesn’t sit back and wallow in self-pity. He does not regard grace as a cheap commodity without implications. He actively pursues a higher goal.
He finds his strength in Jesus Christ. Elsewhere Paul complains that in his human nature he lacks the power to move on. He rejoices that God’s Holy Spirit grants him a power to travel beyond his own limited resources and achieve things that otherwise would not be possible.
Prayer: Lord, as we enter into a New Year help us to put all our resentments, worries and failures behind us. Empower us through Your Holy Spirit to move forward in faith and in the knowledge that You will walk with us throughout the coming days. Amen.
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