Praise The Lord!

Praise the Lord from the earth,
    you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
    stormy wind fulfilling his command!

Psalm 148:7-8 NRSV

Let everyone praise the Lord!

I went for a ride with my camera yesterday. The winter scenes are beautiful. They are breathtaking. But, steps outside of the vehicle and the cold will also take your breath away. We adjust to the seasons. They all bring something beautiful to remind us of God, the creator of heaven and earth. Each season also brings various hazards: freezing ice storms, snow storms, hurricanes, tornadoes. But, between those hazards to life we thank God and praise Him for the beauty of the earth and the life we have been given on it and in His Kingdom.

Let all God's children praise the Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Procrastination

"Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it.  Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one."  1 Corinth 9:23-25

Before the sun comes up, I often find myself thinking about running for exercise. I imagine myself running through the woods like the wind. This thinking about it doesn't burn me any calories; it doesn't lose me any weight. It doesn't do my body any good. When I rise, I go about morning devotions and then to work. I can usually find a few minutes to exercise in the living room a few times a week. But, I almost always put off the running 'till another day. I do not exercise a lot of self-control or discipline when it comes to physical exercise.

St. Paul compared the discipline runners employ to the discipline that we need to exercise in order to be spiritually healthy so that when we finish the race here on earth we will receive the imperishable prize that has been prepared for us. We do not want any one to procrastinate and say "I'll get to know this Jesus you talk about, later. I'll have more time to follow him after I retire. I'll have more time to serve, tomorrow." For procrastinators, tomorrow rarely comes. Tomorrow may be too late. Today is the day to get to know Jesus and to live in his presence; in his Kingdom.

Jesus died for you. He died so that all people might live in the presence of God our Father for all eternity. What are you waiting for? The time is now. The Kingdom of God is at hand.

God's Peace - Pr. J  

The Wind Blows

"The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  John 3:8 NRSV

It has been cool and windy for a while here. My husband decided that he would like some warmer weather so headed for South Carolina on his trike on Monday. I think he chose the wrong week. Soon he will be experiencing the winds and rains of Hurricane Joachim as it travels north off of the coast. The wind will blow where it chooses.

And, so it is with the Spirit. The Spirit moves in unexpected ways when we least expect. There are two things that humankind cannot control: the blowing of the wind and the movement of the Spirit of God. All that we can do is go with it making the best of the experience. Regardless of the turbulence we might encounter as we ride the winds; we know that wherever the wind blows or the Spirit moves; God has a plan; a good plan for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Streams of Water

FIRMLY PLANTED BY STREAMS OF WATER.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:2-3

At the least disruption to life there are those who cause so much drama one would think the world was ending. They are like grass blowing in the wind; mowed over at the landowners earliest convenience.

But, one who loves the Lord and considers the way He would have us go is like the tree that is firmly planted in soil beside streams of water. On the riverbanks on which I live, many of the trees have been blown about by the winds. They are old and have been bent down. But, they continue to grow with their roots connected deeply within the soil. The winds nor the waves have been able to take them down.

Such is the person who delights in the law of the Lord. They might bend from time to time. But, they will not break.

May you drink abundantly of the streams of living water provided by Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 14:6-13 God's Peace or His Wrath

Rev 14:6-13 NIV
Today's reading reminds me of the Gospel from yesterday's service where we heard the story of Jesus calming the wind and the sea. Those who worship the Lord will know peace no matter what the might encounter. No matter what might befall them, they will know the peace that surpasses all understanding because Christ is with them and for them. But, those who worship false gods; anyone who would worship the beast, will know no peace. They will drink the wine of God's fury. They will have no rest by day or night.

May the peace of the Lord be with you always!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 12:54-56 The Time Is At Hand

Luke 12:54-56 NIV                                                       
I learned many helpful things about the earth and sky from my mother; things like how not to get lost in the woods and how to discern what the weather is going to be like from watching the birds and other animals or the wind and the sky. She taught me this little saying: "Red sky at night; sailors delight. Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning." Knowing what the weather is going to be like helps one prepare for the day or days ahead.

Jesus told the crowd, "Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?" (vs 56) We have made ourselves wise to the ways of natural science so that we can be prepared for whatever may come; whether blessings or disasters. However, we fail to discern the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. For some (for those who can discern his presence) it is a blessing for others (those who cannot recognize his presence) it can be a disaster.

May God help us to understand the signs of the time so that we might be prepared for his coming again. He has come. He is present. He will come again. Don't wait to be prepared. The time is at hand.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 4:35-41 Jesus Stills All Storms

When we are faced with seemingly over-powering obstacles, we might wonder why God would allow these bad things to happen to us. We might even wonder if God has deserted us completely. Be assured, He has not left us. In fact, in the story of Jesus getting into the boat with the disciples that we read today, the storm does not begin until Jesus gets in to the boat with them and takes a nap.

They wake him, fearful for their lives. He proceeds to command the wind and the waves to "Quiet! Be still!" (Mark 4:39 NIV) Our Savior has power over even the wind and the waves. Be not alarmed. Have faith. God is with you in every time of trial. The storm will pass! Jesus has power over all storms!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 8 - Jesus and Storms

Faith is a major theme in our chapter today. Trusting in the LORD to make us whole. In today's reading we find Jesus healing the sick and kicking out demons. He, also, tells everyone that there will be a cost to following him. One must be willing to leave everything else behind them in order to truly follow him.

But, the story from chapter eight that has always really intrigued me is the story of Jesus calming the sea. You see, the part that is often missed in this story is that the storm does not begin until after the disciples follow Jesus on to the boat. They join him on the boat and then the rain comes down, the wind rages, the seas roll. Jesus is resting peacefully as if there is nothing to be worried about and there is not anything for them to worry about. Jesus is with them. He has the power and the authority to calm the most raging of seas.

As we leave behind the safety and comfort of all that we have known to follow Jesus there will be many storms. As you get on board with Jesus you will face many obstacles. But, fear not. Jesus is with you through each and every one of them. He will calm your storms. He will calm your fears. Have faith. He will save you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hosea 7 - Hunting Season - Yooper Holy Days

I spent Monday evening at my husband's hunting camp. He is preparing for the Yoopers' (a person who lives in or is from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) grand holy days - that is deer hunting -firearm season. People come from all over to celebrate those last two weeks of November. I find the whole season quite confounding. Men, women and children miss worship services as they are sitting in their blinds and you cannot even begin to imagine how full our taverns get after the sun sets! Lots of drinking and carousing going on... Just a warning: Drinking or drugging and hunting do not make good companions. Stuff happens - bad stuff happens - when sites are not set on the Kingdom of God.

Right now, it is bow season. Not so many participate in this sport.

"They do not turn to the Most High;    they are like a faulty bow." (Hosea 7:16 NIV)

Like a faulty bow that cannot hit a target, so too are all those who refuse to keep their eyes on the goal of the Kingdom. A warped bow is almost impossible to use and one whose faith is skewed will struggle mightily in their journey through the wilderness. Like a bent arrow, we might be aiming for the target, but the slightest wind will cause us to stray.

May God help us all to keep our eyes the Most High and on the target He has given us, which is His Kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

P.S. Just a note to thank God for all of the hunter's who are from out of our area (seasonal residents)somehow manage to make it to Zion to worship during firearm season even while sometimes local members cannot manage it.

Ezekiel 1 - Ezekiel's Vision

Ezekiel's vision.... Just wow!

"This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell face down,  and I heard the voice of one speaking." (Ezekiel 1 NIV)

Ezekiel's vision... Just wow! (I sure hope you read today's chapter). Even if I were to see a vision like the one Ezekiel saw, I'm not sure if I would actually see it. I am afraid that I would not only fall face down, but I would probably have my eyes shut as well. As much as I think and say that I long to see the glory of the LORD, I am not sure if I would be fully prepared.

Are we prepared to see His awesomeness? So often God, the Father, is portrayed as a friendly old grandfatherly figure; Jesus Christ is portrayed as a friendly brotherly or neighborly person who loves little children and His sheep; the Holy Spirit is a gentle wind touching us softly as it blows over us. These images cannot begin to capture the awesomeness of God. Ezekiel's captures a whole different perspective. It is enough to make anyone and everyone fall prostrate, with their eyes to the ground or shut.

God is so much more than a father or grandfather figure. He is even more than a brother or friend. He is more than the gentle, blowing wind found in creation. He is more than any human can imagine and when we truly realize His presence; when we finally see His face, every knee will bow. (Rom 14:10-11) We will all bow with our faces to the ground when we encounter Him face to face on our judgment day.

May His peace be with you on that day! May God, the Creator, grant that you are reconciled to Him; through Jesus Christ, the Redeemer; by the power of the Holy Spirit, who is the Sanctifier, on that day.

God's Peace - Pr. J

 

Isaiah 27 - Leviathan

Kayak Trip with Cassie on Huron Bay

"In that day, the Lord will punish with his sword—his fierce, great and powerful sword—Leviathan  the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea." (Isa 27:1 NIV)

 

Leviathan, the great sea monster, is mentioned a few times in Scripture. In addition to Isaiah 27, you can find mention of Leviathan in Job 3:8, Job 41:1, Job 41:12, Psalm 74:14, and Psalm 104:26.

 

On the rare occasions that I've found myself out on the lake in the midst of a storm I think of God overpowering Leviathan. OK - so they are not rare occasions. It seems like the wind picks up almost every time I am out on a boat (big or small) on a large mass of water. I actually warn people that they should not take me fishing unless they want a storm or their motor to conk out... Others should not take me out with them if they don't want to play with Leviathan, or maybe it's God, out in the middle of the water. I don't mind the storms. I know that the LORD is with me, even in the storms. The rushing wind reminds me of the power of the Holy Spirit. God is big enough to destroy Leviathan. He is big enough to protect me, if that is His will. But, if I'm not up to another storm, I stay as close to home as I can with my kayak...

 

Symbolically, the sea refers to a large number of people. So, for those of you who are big into the Revelation of John, the dragon that comes out of the sea in the book of Revelation most probably refers to the fact that the evil one will come from among the people. "The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name." (Rev 13:1) We are not looking for a literal dragon to come out of a literal sea, but an evil that comes from the midst of the people. Revelation is filled with symbolism. Please, do not take it literally.

 

The picture of the evil one may be a bit alarming, but remember the promise found in Isaiah today: The LORD will slay the evil one in the midst of the people. There may be times when things seem just awful. There may be times when your leviathan decides it's time to play with you. But, know this: the LORD will surely rescue His people. He is our very help in the time of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ecclesiastes 2 - Everything Is Meaningless

It's sounding like Solomon feels like a lot of people in the U.S. today. He's not pleased with the prospect of having his wealth being redistributed. But, Solomon is concerned with having it redistributed after he dies. People today are concerned that they will have to work hard and have the government redistribute the fruits of their hands to others while they still live.

Our politicians come up with such grand plans to save the country, to save the world. But, it appears to me that these great plans are nothing more than attempts to please themselves and the lobbyists, to please egos, not God. And, when the planning is over and we are through planning and try to implement so many of these great plans we see that "everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." (Prov 1:11b NIV)

Everything is meaningless. In the pursuit of wealth, there will be no joy. There will be no happiness. There will only be much hard labor, with the end result being that we die. We will leave this earth and we will leave all our things to another.  But, the wisdom of Solomon tells us that even though the same fate takes us all "wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness. The wise have eyes in their heads, while the fool walks in the darkness. (2:13b-14a)

In the end Solomon finds that enjoyment can only come from the hand of God. He writes: "A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.  (Prov 1:24-26)

May God bless you with peace of heart and mind as you pursue the plans He has for you. Pr. J

2 Chronicles 7 - Fire Came Down and the Wind Blew

I'm running a bit late this morning...  Fire came down from heaven last night or maybe it was the wind and split my apple tree in two, with half of it laying on the ground.  The power has been out since 1:30 a.m..  Since, I still had stuff left in the church basement to haul to St. Vincent DePaul's from the youth rummage sale, figured I'd come to the church and work for a bit. 

Before I went to bed last night, I said a prayer:  thanking God for my little home that He gave to me out in the middle of the woods and at the mouth of a river.  (You will hear a lot about this place from me - I love it and thank God everyday for it!) Thing about the location is that when it rains real hard the water comes right up to the back door.  That's not necessarily all that bad.  When the power goes out and we have no water, because the pump on the well won't work without electricity, I can step off the back deck and take a bath.  The lightning was flashing so steady last night, I didn't even need a flashlight to get around the house.  Each bang and boom from the thunder was joined with the sound of may other thunderous claps - made for quite a concert.

The rain and lightning don't bother me much.  I suppose if the lightning struck something I was about to cook (as in the reading today) that might bother me and yeah I'd probably fall on my face and start praising God pretty quick, too.  What bothered me a little more than it usually does, were the high winds.  I really do live in the woods.  I have huge cedar, pine, oak trees (to name just a few) surrounding my little yard.  I mean "really big" as in 70 to 80 feet tall. So tall the eagles like to sit in them and watch out over the bay.  Well, if one of these come down and my little home, it and I would be smooshed.  So, before I fell asleep, as I watched them swaying in the wind, I thanked God for the home that He has blessed me with and asked Him to keep it intact throughout the night. 

When I woke up this morning, the water was up to the back step, but the roof of my house was still on.  No huge trees down.  The only thing on the ground, beside for a few branches, was half of the apple tree which I just asked my husband last week to prune :)

God is good.  He is very, very good.  His steadfast loves endures forever!

P.S. I pray that God has kept your home and you safe throughout these storms we've had of late.