He Is Risen!

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19

The sheer insanity of it all! Can you imagine what it would have been like to have witnessed your beloved friend and teacher put to death. How gut-wrenchingly horrific to watch the agony of this one you love. This man that you followed around the countryside; who taught you; who ate with you; who healed the sick and cast out demons before your very eyes is gone. He is dead.

Now, here he is. Alive! Standing before you! Just as he promised, He lives! Watching the movie "Risen" yesterday, it struck me that once the disciples witnessed him alive, they had no alternative; but, to go and share this good news. Who wouldn't? Sure they could've tried to kept their lips sealed to protect themselves. They did not have to tell anyone about this miraculous return of their beloved friend from the dead. But, how would one keep such a secret. Impossible! It is just too marvelous! The news must be shared. And, it was shared. Like mad men; yet, not mad; filled with the Spirit, those first followers of Jesus went out and shared the marvelous news of his death, his resurrection, and his ascension. The good news is that because he is risen and so shall we!

I hear often about churches dying. I wonder why; how can this be? How can a church die when they have such good news to share. Maybe, because the good news isn't being shared. Think about it for a minute. Those who witnessed Jesus alive have his death were few. Yet, from those few the good news has spread  around the world. Even in the smallest of congregations there are at least a dozen who worship God. Don't keep him in the sanctuary. Don't hide your love of God. Go out and tell the world that; although, he was hung a cross until dead, he is risen!

He lives!

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Tradition would tell me this blog would be best for Easter. But, it is good news for every day! I doubt those first disciples quit telling the story during the forty days. One never knows when someone who has not heard the story needs to hear it.

Love One Another

"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-36

Some of you may remember the Beatles song "All You Need Is Love." Love, love, love... Is that all we need? No, it is not. But, when we love one another, we will strive to make sure that all of our neighbors needs for daily life will be met. We will not let them go hungry, or without shelter, or without warmth, or any of the necessities to support physical life.

Jesus had just humbly knelt to wash the feet of his beloved disciples; Judas had just left to betray the one who loved him; when Jesus gave the command to love another even as he loved them. Love, in this sense, is not just a noun. It is a verb. We are to humble ourselves and to actively love and show care and concern for the people around us; indeed, even around the whole world, even as Jesus went forth and died for the world.

This is his commandment: that we are to love one another.

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Colossians 1 Life In This World Is Short

Colossians 1 NIV

From my Community of Saints file (2012)... Some of our
awesome young people, for whom I am always thankful,
on a multi-generational 4-wheel trip into the mountains.

Yesterday was a very sad day. I had no sooner walked through the doors to officiate at the funeral of one friend and follower of Jesus when I heard that another had just died. I have given thanks and prayed for both of them often over the years. I will miss the fellowship and partnership in the gospel of both. I am consoled only in the knowledge that according to their individual gifts they were both vessels of Christ's love and truth. I am consoled that they were rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of the Son, through the Son. It was and is a sad day to lose such friends and fellow servants of God. But, even while I grieve, I am most thankful for having had the opportunity to share their lives in Christ; to walk with them on their journey, for a time. 

Yesterday was a sure reminder to me that our time on earth is not permanent. We are temporary residents of this place. We have only a short time to do what we are called to do and then we are called home. When I woke up yesterday morning, the power was off in my home. I reset the breaker switch not knowing what set it off. Following the funeral, my husband and I came home to figure out why the breaker had tripped and why the kitchen light was not working (the bulb was not burned). Close examination revealed scorched areas on paneling and ceiling. What had tripped the breaker switch had been an electrical fire within the wall and ceiling of my kitchen. Somehow the fire had gone out on its own. It burned only a small area; but, there was enough damage that one wall had to be torn out in order to replace wires that had melted. I had slept soundly through the night. It was yet another reminder that life in this world can come to an end when we least expect it and then we go home. But, while we are here we ought to be using our time wisely, doing what God has called us to do; bearing fruit in Christ so that others may know God's grace and also enter into the Kingdom of the Son.

Paul appreciates and is thankful for the work of Epaphras, his fellow servant in Christ, to the Thessalonians. God does not work through Paul alone. He does not work through any of us alone. We serve together faithfully and joyfully, giving thanks for the partnership of all the saints who would reveal the mysteries of God; proclaiming the good news of eternal life in the Kingdom of God, whose doors have been opened for us through His own Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

I give thanks for having been partners in Christ with both Richard and Alta. Let us not neglect to give thanks always for the faithful partnership we have with others in Christ Jesus. May God grant us the time to let them know that we appreciate their walk in the way of the Lord with us.

Life is short - live it well for the sake of the gospel - live it in such a way that others may come to know Christ - live it to the glory of God

God's Peace - Pr. J

Galatians 3 Listen to Him! Hear His Promise!

Galatians 3 NIV
We are indeed foolish if we think that we can be saved by keeping the law for not a one of us can keep the law perfectly. There is only way to be saved. We are saved by grace through faith in the promises of God. We are saved by faith in that Jesus died for us.

Just as Abraham was saved by his faith in the promise of God so shall we all be saved by faith. And, where exactly would we expect our faith to come from? It comes from hearing the Word of God. Faith comes from hearing the promises. How can anyone possible believe something that they have not heard? As our reading for Transfiguration Sunday reminded us; "Listen to him." (Matt 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35) Listen to him!

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Good News

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 NIV
I check the local news every morning at http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/. Some mornings the news is usually just lists of scores from sporting events. I am probably one of the few in this country who does not consider sporting events as news. Those things worthy of news should be those things that happen on a very infrequent basis or is a one of a kind event. Sporting events just don't fit into the category of unique. 

It would be good if we could get as excited over the "Good News" as we do when our favorite team makes it to the Super Bowl. Where's the enthusiasm for the new of Jesus Christ? Where's the enthusiasm when we hear or share the news "...of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep." (vs 3-6)

Jesus died for you and yet he lives! Because he lives so shall all who believe in him! Do you really believe it? And, if we do believe; is it not enough to get us up from our couches and share this marvelous news; this news of first importance, with others?

Get excited! There is no other news of more importance. Jesus lives for you! He has won the race! He has triumphed! He has done this all for you!

May the grace of God that is within you share the news that He loves the world so much that He was willing to die that we might live.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Romans 6 Dead And Yet Alive In Christ!

Romans 6 NIV                                                                        

Died in Christ and yet we live! Live life!
Photo: Old Sheldon Church, Beaufort, SC

There are those who think that because we believe, we can keep on sinning; because we are confident in the promise that God has forgiven our sins.  Paul addresses this problem in Chapter 6 of Romans. "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!" This attitude that God's grace will cover everything we can do, whatever or whenever we choose, without worrying about it's consequences is (at least in part) what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called cheap grace. What is cheap grace? Cheap grace is no grace!

We, who have been baptized were baptized into his death. As our old self was drowned in the waters of baptism; we were raised to new life in Him.  We have died once to sin; how and why would we continue in that sin. Assuredly, we will all continue to sin. While we are still in the flesh, we will continue to struggle with the desires of this world. We will struggle as simultaneous sinner and saint. But, those who abide in Christ and He in them will not willfully sin. To willfully sin is cheap grace and then to keep repeating the sin just because you think you enjoy it is to spit in the face of Jesus and actually reject the gift of life given to us in his death.

The old self was crucified with him, so that we might live life in the kingdom of God. Live Life in Him!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

John 19:1-16 The State Listens

John 19:1-16 NIV
He tried but he just couldn't do it. The religious leaders kept insisting that the state do something about this Jesus who had broken their religious law. Yet, their accusation against him is that he opposes Caesar by claiming to be king. Pilate is in a bind. If he frees him; he goes against Caesar himself as the religious leaders claim this man claims he is greater than Caesar. Pilate finds no guilt in Jesus; yet, he cannot allow the crowds to make him (Pilate) look bad in the eyes of Caesar, either. That could be major trouble for him with Rome. He wants no trouble with Rome. It is apparent that the religious leaders want this man to disappear from the face of the earth and Pilate must and will do their bidding.

So, as hard as Pilate tries to reason with the crowd; he ends up handing Jesus over to be crucified. There are times when we may feel thoroughly tired of reasoning with people, as well. Not everyone will bow before the King of Kings (at least not, yet). Many will worship false gods, things and/or people of the secular world. There are many who wish this Jesus and his followers would just go away so that they might not be reminded of their sin. They do not wish to be reminded that Jesus died to take away the sins of the world; their sins because they'd rather think that they have not sinned. They will make many loud pleas to the state to take away this reminder from their sight. In some cases the state has surely listened.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 13:1-17 Serve At The Feet Of Others

John 13:1-17 NIV
Many Christians today are about as enthused about having someone wash their feet as Peter was when Jesus wanted to wash his feet. It is a most humbling experience to be served in such an intimate manner. I wash the feet of young people who are receiving their first Communion on Maundy Thursday. They are not thrilled with this ritual; but, they have come to accept the fact that it is going to happen. I have invited adults to come forward during this service and so far none have. None are willing to have me intentionally sit at their feet to serve them by washing their feet.

However...  As a female pastor who also owns an adult care facility I have been most privileged to be able to kneel at the feet of many as I put socks and shoes on them or otherwise help them to prepare for the day or night. I have also had the extreme privilege of being able to serve some of our members (and members of the whole community) in this manner, as well.

Visiting members and others in the community is one of the special privileges that pastors have. I normally do not call ahead because; when I do, I find that people tend to get nervous about my visits and go to extreme measures to make preparations (clean their homes, prepare food) to entertain and/or serve me. That's not what I go for. So, I surprise them :) When making impromptu visits, all kinds of opportunities to serve avail themselves to me. I have shoveled sidewalks, made the coffee, washed dishes, folded clothes, and all other kinds of household chores for shut-ins who have had difficulty doing these things. I have walked in on people who are going through withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. Yes, on more than one occasion, I have spent hours holding others while they shook and vomited and begged me not to take them to detox. At least one did beg me to take her to detox.

I have visited people in some unusual circumstances and places, including the bathroom of a nursing homes. I remember one woman, years ago, who, when I stopped by to see her in a nursing unit, called to me from the bathroom, and invited me in - that is in to the bathroom. I was a little reluctant to invade that particular space; but, also reluctant to refuse her request as she sounded very desperate. She was very, very ill. I sat on the floor of the bathroom for a couple of hours as we talked about Jesus and about her faith in him; then helped her back to her bed. We prayed together that God would grant her wholeness in his sight. She went to sleep. A few hours after I got home that evening, I received a call from the family informing me that she had died. I will never forget her or her willingness to allow me to sit at her feet and minister to her in her last hours of life here on earth. I will never forget her desire to see Jesus.

One evening, early on in my ministry, I stopped by to visit an elderly lady who was no longer strong enough to walk on her own. She was bound to a wheel-chair and needed assistance to get in and out of it. She had caregivers who lived near by, who came by throughout the day to help her. Her caregivers had gone out for the evening. So, I made coffee for us and washed her few dishes. I ended up staying longer than I had planned to as her caregivers were already late in checking in on her and I did not want to leave her alone just in case they did not show up. Finally, it got so late, she asked me if I would help her prepare and get into bed. I did. We prayed before I left and she cried. She admitted that when the congregation had called me to serve them, she was one of the most adamant that a woman should not be called as their pastor. She had, in the end, reluctantly voted to call me. She said that she would, never in her life, have imagined that she would need a pastor who would be willing and able to serve her in such a manner and now understood that God could send women to serve congregations in ways that male pastors never could. I just smiled. You never know whom God will send to serve you - even a woman!

Peter did not want Jesus to kneel before him to wash his feet. There are a few things that we might not desire; but, need. We all, like Peter, need to humble ourselves and allow Jesus to minister to us. We need to allow him into the most intimate aspects of lives so that we might be made completely whole.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. I remember reading one of Martin Luther's sermons years ago. I can't find it now. But, in it he was talking about who could baptize. He said, if no one else was available, even a woman could. LOL

John 7:1-8 Show Yourself - Give The World A Sign

John 7:1-8 NIV
Show us a sign! Show the world a sign! Show yourself to the world that everyone might believe you! Jesus' own brothers did not believe in him. They tried to encourage Jesus to reveal all the works that he could do to the world. Isn't that what we want before we give our lives to follow him, as well? We want some spectacular miracle before we will believe and we want to see it with our own eyes. The testimony of others is not enough. The testimony of Scripture isn't even enough for many. They want to see a miracle. Well, all I can say is that in order to believe in Jesus, you are going to have to believe the testimony of Scripture. For in it is revealed the greatest, most awesome miracle of all.  Even though we dead in our sins, Jesus died for our sins; he descended into hell; then rose from the dead. He overcame death for us! Because he lives, so shall who believe in him. And, if that's not enough of a sign that Jesus is the Messiah: In full view of his disciples Jesus ascended into heaven.

Believe me, there are lesser signs than this all around us; but none so great as the work of the cross that Jesus accomplished for us.

May God open our eyes, our ears, our hearts, and minds that we might acknowledge this work (sign) that Jesus accomplished for us and then follow in his footsteps into the eternal kingdom.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 16:16-18 Law and Kingdom

Luke 16:16-18 NIV
Until the time of John there was only the law and hope for salvation to come in the future. But, John brought more. He brought the Good News of the Kingdom at hand. Yes, it was still hope; but, the realization of the fulfillment of that hope was closer than ever before and the people were excited. Jesus was/is the fulfillment of that hope. No, not one law has disappeared from the books. But, it has been fulfilled in Jesus. The one without sin died for us sinners. He was the living sacrifice so that we might receive mercy through trusting that through Him we might receive forgiveness for the laws that we have broken.

After John the Baptist the good news of the Kingdom of God was preached. In Jesus Christ, it is definitely at hand. It has come near. Now, that is something to be excited about!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 14:66-72 - Denying Christ

Mark 14:66-72 NIV
As much as he loved Jesus, when it came to being willing to die for him, he denied him. He denied him, not once, but three times.

We want to serve Jesus. We would really like to say that we would even die rather than deny him. But, when it comes right down to it, none of us really know if we what we would do when faced with that situation. Most of us will never be called to face this type of trial. But, there are those who have faced death and refused to deny Jesus, even in our day. There are those who have died confessing their faith in Him. Let us give thanks for all the martyrs who have taken up the cross and died for the sake of His Holy Name. May God help us to be faithful in confessing all that He has done for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 26:31-35 - Will You Deny Jesus?

Then 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.’

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. (Matt 26:31-35 NIV)

The Lord knows that Peter is not going to keep this promise. In fear for his own safety, Peter will deny him thrice that very night. Even today people around the world are persecuted; are threatened with torture and even death for His sake. We may wonder how Peter, who knew Jesus so intimately, could desert him? But, what about us? Jesus died for us! He died that we might live! Would we deny him? Do we love the Lord enough to consider dying for his sake? Are we honestly able to declare "Even if I have die for Jesus' sake, I will never deny Him;" let alone keep that vow?

Consider too, this day, how it is that we might be denying him, not by just our words, but by what we have done and by what we have left undone.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jonah 4 - Jonah Is An Angry Man

God calls some of the most unlikely people to do His will. Jonah is an angry man. He's upset because after going through the ordeal with the fish; then relenting and doing God's will by going to the people of Nineveh to warn them to repent; they repent and God saves them! And... Jonah is angry. After all of his trouble, God saves the people, anyway. Jonah is angry because God did not destroy the people.

Jonah goes out to the wilderness to pout under the shade of the tree that God provides for him. God sends a worm to destroy the tree and Jonah is angry because God destroyed the tree.

"But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” (Jonah 4:10 NIV)

Jonah is an angry man. Are you an angry person, as well? Have you ever considered the trivialness of those things that upset you; that make you angry? Think about some of those little things that you allow to take away your peace. Is it really worth it? Should we rather not take pity and pray for those who can't figure out their right hand from their left rather than lose our peace by being angry with them?

Trust in the LORD. Trust that all that He does is for the good of those whom He loves and He loves you.

May the peace of the LORD be with you always.  Pr. J

Amos 3 - Straight to the Point

"It's not snowing!" That's one of the replies that I get from my husband, every now and then, as he responds to some of my queries about a plan for the day. This answer does not make sense and rather irritates me. I would much rather my questions are answered in a direct response; one that is understandable to me.

Today we read that God reveals His plan to us.
"Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing
    without revealing his plan    to his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7 NIV)

However, we read some pretty strange questions from the LORD in this third chapter of Amos. They are the kind of questions that make me a little frustrated and wishing that whomever was speaking like this would just get straight to the point.

"Do two walk together
    unless they have agreed to do so?
Does a lion roar in the thicket
    when it has no prey?
Does it growl in its den
    when it has caught nothing?
Does a bird swoop down to a trap on the ground
    when no bait is there?
Does a trap spring up from the ground
    if it has not caught anything?
When a trumpet sounds in a city,
    do not the people tremble?
When disaster comes to a city,
    has not the Lord caused it?⁽" (Amos 3:3-6)
It takes a while for the prophet, Amos, to get around to it; but, the point is that God has spoken against all of His people and there is going to be a consequence for the sins of His children.

Thanks be to God for Jesus the Christ, who, on the cross, bore our sin and the consequences of our sin for us. That is not confusing. That is straight to the point. Jesus died for us. Jesus died that we might live reconciled to God our Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proverbs 17 - Remembering and Fasting

"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife." (Prov 17:1 NIV)

Lots of words of wisdom that, if followed, will help us to have peaceful, pleasant lives. Since, it is Holy Week and today is Good Friday, a day of fasting and mourning, I want to reflect a bit on the partying that Christians participate in on holydays. That was not a typo. I intended it. Holidays in many parts of the world are a time for partying, for feasting and not for reflecting what our LORD has done for us throughout the ages.

When I grew up, holydays, like Christmas and Easter were filled with a lot of alcohol and not just in my family, but a good majority of the community celebrated with feasting which ended up in strife. From observation, I have seen that this practice has not diminished.

Yesterday, was Maundy Thursday. We remembered the Passover. We remembered how the LORD delivered Israel. We remembered how the LORD was betrayed and in His last hours gave to His followers the Sacrament of Holy Communion - His Body and Blood. This morning, we remember that Peter, as he sat in the darkness around a fire, denied Him to save His own skin. Today, we remember that Jesus gave His life for us so that we might live abundantly in His presence, eternally. Tomorrow, is the Vigil of Easter, when once again, we remember how God has delivered His people, as we await the celebration of His resurrection.  That is something to be celebrated! Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night, are not times for feasting that may well end up in strife. It is a time for celebration as we remember and give thanks to God for all that He has done.

Today and tomorrow, would be well spent, quietly remembering and fasting, with service to God and neighbor. It would be a misuse of the holy days to be indulging and feasting. You might be able to block out the fact that Jesus died for us because we are miserable sinners with alcohol and drugs, but it doesn't change the facts. He died for you. He died for me. He had to. We cannot save ourselves. Jesus' life was given that we might live. Today we honor and give thanks to the one who would give us such a life giving gift.

"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife."

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 137 - Remembering and Weeping

"By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered..."  (Psalm 137:1 NIV) Having a bit of a hard time focusing this morning on Psalm 137 as I am sitting here, remembering and weeping. So I am taking this psalm out of context.... I am stopping at verse one.

Yesterday, a wonderful friend and brother in Christ died. I am so grateful that we were able to spend our vacations these last two summers with D.J. (Everaldo DeJesus) and his wife Mikki (Megdalia). It had been about 20 years since we'd seen them before we got together again. D.J. and my husband served together in the U.S.M.C. at a couple of bases. I remember so many wonderful evenings wandering the streets of Rota.  D.J. and Howard out front. Mikki and I following behind. For those who have never experienced Marine Corps life, you should know that the Marine Corps is a very small branch of the service and those whom you serve with and their families become your family. Separated from your birth family for years, even decades, the Marine Corps family becomes your own.

Howard and I talked often in the following years about going to Puerto Rico to visit, but it never happened. It was D.J. who finally figured out how to get us together for the vacations the last two summers. We will be flying for Puerto Rico later this week. But, D.J. is not there.  And, so I sit here, remembering and weeping. 

If there is any joy today, it is D.J. who knows that joy. I remember the promise that all who believe in Jesus Christ will not perish, but inherit eternal life in the presence of God, in His glorious Kingdom. In that, there is comfort. For the privilege of knowing D.J., I am grateful. Yet, there is still grief. Life here on earth is so short and we waste so much of the time given to us by God.

May God help us all to learn not to just love, but to live that love, to live life experiencing the love of God and the love of the people He gives to share our lives with.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

1 Samuel 14 - Rash Vows

Most of us have made them - vows in haste - vows made without thinking. But, what was Saul thinking? He declares a fast for this multitude of men and threatens them with a curse if they break it! Maybe, the new found authority and power he had went to his head as he didn't bother to think that somone among these people would break it without thinking.

The LORD's hand is with Jonathan as he overthrows the band of Philistines. Yet, Jonathan is condemned by his own father's rash vow. Thanks be to God - the people interceded for Jonathan and "ransomed" him so that he was allowed to live. We too have been condemned by the rash words of our lips. Yet, there is one who intercedes for us. Thanks be to God - for Jesus the Christ who on the cross ransomed himself for us; who died that we might live.