The Authority of Jesus

You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them. Psalm 89:9

The disciples went to Jesus and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. Luke 8:24


REFLECTION:
We often take time to discuss Jesus' gentle nature...

We picture him as kind, forgiving, peaceful, loving, and centered.

What we don't often talk about is the fierceness of God's love as it showed up in Christ. We are sometimes uncomfortable with the story of Jesus flipping over the tables in the temple when he sees people being taken advantage of and a faith being polluted by financial opportunism. Why does this make us uncomfortable?

Are we uncomfortable when we see the "mama bear" instinct come out in a parent, as they defend their child from a threat? Are we uncomfortable when we see a soldier defending freedom by eliminating a threat?

This is a little preview of where my heart is being led for the sermon this weekend...but maybe today it is a good thing for us to contemplate the authority of Christ, and his fiery and fierce passion for us. When he speaks, he speaks with authority. The waves cease.

Maybe Christ is speaking with authority to your waves today. Take comfort in his stern voice, commanding the calm.

PRAYER:
When we are battered by the roiling sea, when we are frightened and in despair, Master of the tempests, speak your peace to us. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

Commandments and Daily Life

Moses said, “You must diligently observe everything that I command you; do not add to it or take anything from it.” Deuteronomy 12:32

Jesus says, “If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:17

REFLECTION:
The commandments are too easily seen as a checklist. But they are so much more.

In his famous "Sermon on the Mount," Jesus re-frames the commandments and actually makes them harder to "check off" as though we have completed them.

He says things like, "You have heard that it was said...'do not murder'...but I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool', you will be liable to the hell of fire." (Matthew 5:21-22).

How many of us have, at some point, been angry with someone else? How many of us have, intentionally or unintentionally, insulted someone? How many of us have, in words all our own, called someone a "fool"? All of us have done this. So, even though we may not have actually murdered someone, we have still broken this commandment according to Jesus.

I believe what Jesus is deconstructing here is our tendency to see the commandments as rules to check off rather than all-encompassing guidelines for living. It isn't as though, just because I have not murdered anyone, that commandment does not apply to me. I cannot take that commandment away from the list of guidelines for my life (see today's Deuteronomy passage above). No, that commandment still has value for me beyond the actual act of murder. Martin Luther would say it means I am called to want what's best for my neighbor in all circumstances. I can ask that God tames my tongue, removes my anger at others, and guides my speech so it builds others up. In that way, even the commandment about murder becomes a guiding force for every day of my life.

Today, may we follow Christ's lead and see the commandments, not as restrictive rules from an angry parental God, but as guidelines toward a healthy life. May we see them for the gift they are, and the gift they can be, if only we ask that God use them to guide today. Specifically today, I am going to ask that God remove any anger I carry towards others; that God help guide my speech so it is not intentionally or unintentionally insulting, and that God move in me so I want what's best even for those who have hurt me.

PRAYER:
We commit ourselves to your word, O Lord. May we live with its claims upon our lives—to love you and our neighbor. May we, through our obedient actions, usher in your kingdom. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

Foundation

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:24

Paul wrote: Through Jesus Christ we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2 (NIV)


REFLECTION:
"On what do you bet your life?" one of my seminary professors used to ask...

If we were to be honest, we bet our lives on a lot. The stock market. The bank account balance. The value of our home. The performance review at work. The parenting we try to master. The plans we have made. The skills we possess.

But all of those can change, and do. Often, without warning, a sweeping change will come and erase what we believe to be our foundation. A stock market tumble. A housing collapse. A mental or physical illness. An unexpected diagnosis. Whatever it is...the stuff that we spend 99% of our day on actually proves to be like shifting sand...not a suitable foundation because ultimately unreliable.

Today, what will be the foundation of my day? My skills? I hope not, because I'm feeling drained. My bank account balance? I hope not, because the "Trump rally" certainly hasn't reached us yet. My own ability to find peace and calm in the storm? I hope not, because today that seems fleeting.

What do I bet my day on? Today, it's God. It's only God. It's Love. It's Peace. It's things I don't create or control. The Lord is my portion...I will be filled by that. The Lord is my foundation...I will stand on that, and place my hope in the one thing that will not shift with the winds of change.

PRAYER:
We thank you that regardless of today’s circumstances, we are assured that your presence will sustain us. We commit this day to you and ourselves to your care. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

What a Pastor Does (and Doesn't Do)

Do as the occasion demands; for God is with you. 1 Samuel 10:7 (NKJV)

Paul wrote: And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17



REFLECTION:
Clericalism is bad for Christianity.

Let me explain.

"Clericalism" is defined as "a policy of maintaining or increasing the power of a religious hierarchy." It is the over-focusing on the power of pastors over against the importance of all other Christians.

Often, in my circle of family and friends, the term "religious hierarchy" makes people think of Roman Catholicism. However, since I am not a Roman Catholic, I can only speak to the way "clericalism" has taken root in the modern Protestant church.

Within Protestant circles, this rears its head any time we assume that we need a pastor to "fix" the church. I hear it any time church members say things like, "if only we had the right pastor, our church would grow," or "only pastors should do (fill in the blank)." The truth is, at least in the ELCA of which I am a part, there are only a handful of things you must be ordained to do:

1. Preside at Communion (already-blessed bread and wine can be distributed by lay people).
2. Baptize
3. "Marry and Bury" (Weddings and Funerals)

Everything else can be, and often IS, done by other members of the church. And when pastors or churches think that anything NOT on this list is "off limits" to lay people, they are making a mistake.

Plenty of people in the church I serve are amazing at listening and offering comfort; so I should "share" the work of visiting people in their homes, because it gives those members a way to use their god-given gifts to make a difference. Plenty of people have superior gifts to mine in the area of administration and HR matters; so they should be the ones doing much of that work. The list goes on and on. 

I started this devotion by saying "clericalism is bad for Christianity." Why? Because it downplays the everyday ministry of all the baptized people of God. And last I checked, Jesus entrusted this powerful message of reconciliation to twelve everyday, uneducated people. Now, he did raise them up as his disciples, which gets us closer to what the role of pastor should be, to "shepherd" people...but ultimately, we do trust that this incredible message of hope for the world belongs to ALL of us, not just those who have the special training. And, more to the point, we believe that God USES the diverse gifts we all have...plumber, mechanic, engineer, teacher...to reach the diverse people with whom we interact. Martin Luther famously called this concept the "priesthood of all believers." We are all ministers in our own right.

I believe my job as a pastor is to be like the main stage hand at a play...making sure the actors (that's you) have all the lines, the props, the preparation you need to walk out onto the main stage of ministry, which is your daily life. For an hour every Sunday morning, we rehearse. And I run that rehearsal based on the study I have done. That's my role. Then, at the end of the service, the curtain begins to rise. Rehearsal time is over, and the rest of your week is the main stage of ministry; where God uses your gifts to communicate Love in the world. If you need a reminder of a line, I'm here for that. If you need a different prop, or support in any way, I'm here for that. That's my role. But you, the one reading this, are a minister on the main stage. Your main stage may be your family, your office, your circle of friends...but wherever God has placed you all week, that's your stage.

To close with a different analogy...I once heard Shane Claiborne speak, and quoting another pastor, he explained that we are like the donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem on his back. It wasn't about the donkey. It was about the one riding him. Shane said, "we're just the asses that get to carry Jesus into the world...and what a beautiful thing it is that the God of the universe lives IN YOU."

So today, and every day, do what the occasion demands. God is with you. (1 Samuel 10:7). Whatever you do, do it for Christ, and give thanks that pastors aren't all there is. We're just there to make sure you have what you need to speak Life and Love into a world that needs it.

PRAYER:
We remember, Jesus of Nazareth, that you worked with your hands during your earthly sojourn. May we regard all that we do today as a sacred trust from you. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

A Rocky Path

The Lord will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 121:3 (NIV)

Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31 (NKJV)


REFLECTION:
On Sunday afternoon, my daughter and I attended a presentation by her girt scout pack on how to prepare for a long hike. The presentation focused on the pack, camping supplies, you name it.


Listening, I was taken back to my own scouting days and similar presentations. Every single year, my scout troop would hike the Grand Canyon, and we would do several practice hikes beforehand to get everyone ready.

One of the things we often talked about was good footwear. Hiking socks, moleskin for when a blister begins to form, and hiking boots with good tread so you didn't slip on the rocky paths. But, one of our scout masters warned us, no matter how good your footwear is, you will still slip sometimes...and "that's why you never hike alone," I remember him saying. "Because if you fall, there is someone there to help."

No matter what I do right today, there will still be the possibility that I will slip and fall. No matter how prepared I am for today, mistakes will come; unexpected changes will come; temptations, surprises, you name it...the path ahead is not perfectly straight, nor is it perfectly smooth.

That's why I don't walk alone. And neither do you. Today, take comfort in the fact that the one who caught Peter catches you; take comfort in the ancient words of Psalm 121: "The Lord will not let your foot slip."

PRAYER:
When we are frightened, we cry out to you. Thank you for your strong hand which lifts us up and gives us a reason to go on. May we walk today in that assurance. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

Drawing Us Closer

 

1Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. 2You say, ‘We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is in accordance with truth.’ 3Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? 4Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Romans 2:1-4

REFLECTION:

This is one of my favorite passages in the New Testament. For the record, I am aware that I say this a lot, like I say a certain hymn is one of my favorites. I guess that simply tells you that I love singing, and I love reading the Bible.

This passage, though, is stunning in what it says, if we would only take it to heart. Right after listing all the things that justly deserve punishment (fornication, gossip, envy, slander, etc.), this is Paul’s next thought. Essentially, don’t try to be the judge. Just as you would never enter a courtroom, march to the front, and steal the judge’s gavel so YOU could be judge for the day, don’t presume to usurp God’s role here. The point is simple; God’s the judge, and you aren’t (because in one way or another, you are doing the same things you want to judge in others).

But it’s verse 4 that is truly beautiful. If someone is worthy of judgment in your eyes, and is not “getting what they deserve” from God, that’s when you think it’s your job to step in and judge them on God’s behalf. To this, Paul says, “do you despise God’s kindness and patience toward them? Don’t you realize that it is God’s forgiveness, and not your judgment, that will lead those people to change?”

Today, let us not forget that our human attempts to judge others only drive them further from God. Leave it up to the one who knows what he’s doing – his forgiveness will draw them closer.

PRAYER:

God of grace, freely offered; free us from the need to judge others, for it only drives them away from you. Help us to trust that you judge perfectly, even when your free grace seems unfair.

Off Our High Horse

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Acts 9:1-5

REFLECTION:

Paul got a glimpse of heaven. It knocked him off his high horse (or donkey) and re-oriented him from his own priorities and purposes to God's. The amazing part about Paul is that those glimpses of heaven were few and far between, and yet they were sufficient to sustain him in an incredible life of service.

You and I, too, are blessed with glimpses of heaven in our daily lives. It isn't just the here-after, but the here-and-now, and it often breaks into our lives when we are least expecting it. Sometimes, it breaks in our Sunday morning, during the prayers, or hymns, or the sermon. Sometimes, it breaks in while we are active serving others. And sometimes, just sometimes – it breaks in and knocks us off our high horses, re-orienting us to God's priorities and purposes.

Today, may we remember that above all else, we are God’s children – and that changes who we are!

PRAYER:

God of the future, teach us to trust in you for all of our tomorrows. Amen.

Thank You

How great are God’s signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. Daniel 4:3 (NIV)

Jesus says, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32

REFLECTION:

I am thinking this morning of the last time I was on the receiving end of an extravagant gift...the last time someone gave me something that seemed overly generous. At first, it is actually an uncomfortable place to be, isn't it? We feel like we don't deserve it. We feel like we'll have to respond in a similar way. We feel embarrassed.

But those emotions are about us. It strikes me, as I read the passages above, that when an extravagant gift comes, those emotions are actually a little selfish. Over-the-top gifts usually come just because the giver wants to give them. There is no expectation of repayment in kind. There is no calculation about our worthiness to receive. The giver simply wants to give. In those moments, the emotions I listed above feel selfish.

I was once told that when someone wants to give you something (or wants to pick up the check for a meal, etc.) the most polite thing to do is simply to say "thank you." If you want to look for an opportunity to do something for them later, that's a different thing. But in the moment, simply say "thank you," and allow them to do the thing they want to do. This is the way to NOT make it about you.

The phrase that touches my heart in the above readings is "good pleasure." The magnificent kingdom over which God rules; the kingdom of peace and mercy; the kingdom of healing and wholeness...that kingdom is the most extravagant gift we can imagine...and God wants to give it. We can try to make it about us by turning this gift into a reason to focus on our unworthiness, but I think that is a strangely selfish move.

Today, may we be moved to gratitude as we look at all the ways we are blessed. And may our day begin and end with the simple prayer, "thank you."

PRAYER:
We are reminded today of your transcendence and power. And we marvel that you, who are above all, make your home with us. Fill us with gratitude today. Amen.*

*Prayer adapted from the Moravian Daily Texts

Never Alone

He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity. Isaiah 53:3

Pilate released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. Luke 23:25 (NIV)

REFLECTION:

We are really good at covering up, or denying...the pain in our lives.

Some of us choose to work harder and ignore the pain.
Some of us choose to put our heads down and power through.
Some of us turn to inspirational quotes and sayings to cover it up.
Some of us keep ourselves busy to avoid having to think about it.

But all of us, in one way or another, have perfected techniques at distracting ourselves from the difficult things, so we have to actually feel the pain as little as possible.

My fear is sometimes the church plays into this.

Yes, Sunday morning should be a time of joy as well; a spirited gathering of Kingdom workers.

But, it can also be a time when those Kingdom workers (that's you) gather to find comfort in a grace larger than themselves, a story older than their own, and a group that stands together through the hard times.

One of the most powerful things about the Isaiah passage above, as we read it each Good Friday, is that it points us toward a fundamental truth: We believe Christ was fully human. While the Isaiah passage is speaking of a "suffering servant," as Christians we believe that is pointing us toward Christ.

Have you ever felt rejected? Jesus, too, was rejected.
Have you ever felt despised? Jesus, too, was despised.
Jesus shares your suffering because he suffered.
Jesus steps into your illness because he was "acquainted with infirmity."

There are moments of suffering in every life, and while we often try to distract ourselves or cover it up when we are in the company of others, there are moments when it cannot be escaped.

So today, take heart. The message of the cross is that God himself has entered our suffering and stood with us, redeeming it and us from the inside out. You do not carry this cross alone. You do not suffer alone. And the present pain will never have the final say about you.

But for now, let us rest in the knowledge that there is no depth of suffering that is beyond God's reach. There is no pain we feel that isn't felt in heaven. God is with you. Now.

PRAYER:
Lord, we confess that when we ourselves suffer, we are tempted to react bitterly. May we look to you for the grace to bear our own suffering, especially when it is undeserved...and to trust that you walk every step of our paths with us, leading us to the freedom of Easter morning. Amen.*

Prayer adapted from one used in Moravian Daily Texts

The Hand of Providence

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage. Psalm 16:6

Paul wrote: God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

REFLECTION:
I want to start today with a funny story, but I promise it's going somewhere...

Jessica just returned from a Spring Break trip to New York City with her students from Marquette. Among the many funny and crazy stories were tales of the students encountering the infamous New York City rats; the size of small dogs, they feast on the piles of garbage that line the streets. One of Jess' students saw a trash can moving and made the mistake of poking her head down near the opening to see what was going on. She was met face-to-face with a rat pulling out an entire piece of pizza. We joked that this rat was the "provider," bringing home the (Canadian) bacon to his rat family!

The reason that ridiculous story came to my mind this morning is because there is one word that really struck me in today's readings; PROVIDE.

We talk about people being "breadwinners" or "providers," but I am resting this morning in the thought that there is One even above that daily "rat race" - one whose very identity is wrapped around providing.

When I was a teenager, I used to listen to Michael W. Smith music a lot. He was big in the Christian music scene back then, and he had an old song that never made the big charts...but it was one I loved. In it, he sang about "The Hand of Providence" reaching out to help us on our way.

I'll provide the lyrics below, but I am going to invite you to read the scriptures above again; consider what it is you need today...and then trust. Trust that God's very name is "Providence," and that God regularly chooses to provide us with every blessing in abundance, so we too can share back in good works.

PRAYER:
God, you richly provide us with all we need. Help us to rest in the knowledge that our feverish activity is not what secures us. Help us to be still, and to be confident that providing for us is who you are. Amen.

"Hand of Providence" by Michael W. Smith:

Providence, Providence
See it laying down the cornerstone
The Hand of Providence, it's evident
For we could never make it on our own
Apportioning the power
Weighing all that it entails
Giving us the fulcrum
And a balance to the scales

Oh, the Hand of Providence
Is guiding us through choices that we make
Oh, the Hand of Providence
Is reaching out to help us on our way

Providence, ever since
Any thesis ever entered man
The Hand of Providence
Has been our best defense
Tho' his ways are sometimes hard to understand
From the dying of a heartbeat
To another soul reborn
From in between and circling
Our thoughts of love and war

Oh, the Hand of Providence
Is guiding us through choices that we make
Oh, the Hand of Providence
Is reaching out to help us on our way

Unfiltered

Why do I keep on suffering? Why are my wounds incurable? Why won’t they heal? Do you intend to disappoint me like a stream that goes dry in the summer? Jeremiah 15:18 (GNT)

Paul wrote: Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face.  1 Corinthians 13:12

REFLECTION:
Sometimes, Christianity is about the questions more than the answers.
Sometimes, our faith is expressed in tears, or blank stares, or fists shaken at the sky.

Think of the closest relationship you have. Whether a friend, a spouse, a family member...think of the person you can be most "unfiltered" with. Then realize; that relationship, as powerful as it is, is a dim reflection of the power, passion, and fierceness of the love God has for you.

If we can be "ourselves" unfiltered with even frail people, how much more can we be ourselves, unfiltered, with God?

The Scriptures bear witness to this. You hear it in the Jeremiah reading above. You hear it in the psalms, like the one Jesus quotes on the cross (Psalm 22): "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Today, may we have the courage to name, in unfiltered, imprecise and raw words, how we are feeling. God can take it. God wants to take it. God steps into that mess with you. That's the promise of the cross. God's not afraid to sit in the darkness with you, and when the time is right, to carry you to the Light.

So today, name it. Be real. Be raw. Be honest. Don't use polished "religious" language. God is with you even when...or ESPECIALLY when...you are unpolished.

PRAYER:
God, as you carry your cross, you carry ours too. Give us enough courage and trust to be honest with you, and give us enough faith to believe, however we can, that you will never leave us alone in the darkness. When we can't shine, Lord, shine for us. Amen.

Ponder

My eyes are awake before each watch of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. Psalm 119:148

Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

REFLECTION:
There is a wisdom we seem to forget in our middle years...

Kids think it is perfectly fine to just sit and play. They are experts at "wasting" time doing something unproductive. Their default is not to watch the clock and make appointments; their default is to be fully present and engaged in whatever they are doing RIGHT NOW.

Most of my most "seasoned" friends and colleagues (those who are significantly older than I am) seem to have returned to this pace of life. They are better than I am at being still; at listening; at being fully present and engaged in whatever they are doing, and whoever they are with RIGHT NOW.

The "productivity" of our middle years, it seems, makes us forget these deep wisdom. Many of us rush from task to task or event to event...rarely pausing to be still.

Yet, when Mary was confronted with the message from the angel, she didn't begin rushing around getting a nursery ready. She pondered. The psalm writer talks about being awake and meditating on the promises of God.

Today, I am asking that God reconnect me (and you, dear reader) to this deep wisdom. May we learn from a child and be fully engaged in whatever we are doing right now. May we learn from those who are more adept at being still. May we make the choice now to pause today, recognizing the deep value of being still, even for a moment, and asking God to fill us with peace.

So, here's the challenge I am going to undertake today, and I would invite you to do the same; take three opportunities today to pause what you are doing, even if only for 30 seconds, take three or four deep breaths, and pray silently, "God, fill me with your peace."

There is deep value in being unproductive for a few moments to ponder and meditate the Love that gives us our very life and breath. May we all follow the psalmist's and Mary's lead, and be still to ponder today.

PRAYER:
O Heavenly Father, remind us to pause within the busyness of our day, to feed our souls with your words of peace. For it is in those words that we find our strength, our hope and our purpose. Amen.

God, You Supply My Need

You have been a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm. Isaiah 25:4 (NIV)

Paul wrote: Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:35,37'

REFLECTION:

There are so many metaphors in the Bible for God's love. More than can be listed here, for sure. Even in the few brief verses with which we start today, there are three: God's love is a shelter from the storm, a shade from the heat, and armor for the battle to help us be conquerors.

The Bible is 66 books written at different historical periods by different human hands, but inspired by the same God. Through those 66 books and thousands of pages, hundreds and hundreds of different images are used to try to capture a snapshot of what's God love is like.

The thing I find so beautiful as I start this day is that no metaphor captures the entirety of the Love that spoke the world into existence yet cares for me and the details of my life. Yes, God is a shelter. But God is more than that, too. Yes, God is a shade from the heat. But God is more than that. Yes, God arms us for the battle so we can conquer the difficulties. But God is more than that. God is peace, passion, fire, water, breath, wind, love, life, light, joy, comforter, creator, redeemer...the list goes on and on and on...

Can we trust today that God will be what we need? If you are feeling covered by the storms of life, God is your shelter. If you are feeling burned by the heat of others' anger or anything else, God is your shade. Truly, the beauty of this dynamic is this: What you need, God is.

So what do you need today? May our prayer be that God supplies for every need...

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for the Love that refuses to give up on us. Thank you for the tenacity which holds onto us when we are too weak to help ourselves. Help us to remember that we are your beloved children. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from Moravian Daily texts

Teachers

Jesus says, “You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am.” John 13:13

REFLECTION:

As I read this passage this morning, the word that jumped out at me was "teacher." It made me think of my favorite teachers over the years, and what made them my favorites.

I have very fond memories of my sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. Bishop. What I remember is that it truly felt like she liked us...LOVED us even. She would still get exasperated with us when we were crazy, but I just remember thinking that she cared about us as people, and wanted us to succeed...not to boost test scores and school funding, but because she genuinely thought we mattered.

There was my band teacher in Junior High, Mr. Durham...same thing. It felt like he gave 110% every day, and pushed us to do the same, not to make the band program reflect well on him, but because he believed in us. My home life was pretty chaotic in Middle School, but Mr. Durham went above and beyond, sending the message that I mattered.

In retrospect, I don't believe it is possible for me to overestimate the impact that teachers like Mrs. Bishop and Mr. Durham had on my life. And while they, and many others like them, were good teachers, what set these two apart was that they genuinely loved their students. No doubt, living in an open-hearted way like that made each year's graduation difficult because they were saying goodbye to kids they cared about...but it made all the difference in the world, at least to this kid.

I am touched by the fact that as my teacher and Lord, Christ loves me deeply. Some teachers pass on knowledge; others offer you their whole life, and care about your whole life...and that makes all the difference in the world. Today, I am giving thanks that Christ is my teacher and Lord...and offers his whole life for mine.

I will move about in the world today in gratitude for Mrs. Bishop, Mr. Durham, and the Divine Love that daily enfolds me through people like them. May you and I offer the same to those we encounter today!

PRAYER:
God, we give thanks to you for the millions of ways your Love daily surrounds us; the ways we notice, and the ways we miss. Today, we give thanks for teachers that have touched our lives, and for the One who leads the way in loving us. Amen.

Building Today on the Rock

Jesus says: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” Matthew 7:24

REFLECTION:

There's a lot of clay in the ground in Menomonee Falls, WI. Almost nine years ago, when my family and I were here searching for a house ahead of our move, we toured house after house that had cracked basement walls. The realtor explained to us that it is a common issue in the Falls, because of the high clay content in the soil.

This is the image that Jesus pulls out in Matthew chapter 7. One thing we often miss is how great Jesus was at avoiding the lofty religious language of his day and using everyday images to make the message understandable and applicable. Here, he simply says, "if you hear these words and act on them, you are building your life on a solid foundation."

As an idea, this sounds great. But I thought I would list for myself, and for you, the words he is referring to. What did Jesus just get done saying that he is referencing? What wisdom has he shared that can function like a solid foundation for us? 

Well, this verse comes right at the end of his famous "Sermon on the Mount." Here is a paraphrased summary of the foundation-wisdom on which we are encouraged to build our lives:

1. The commandment against murder means being careful not to even harbor anger or resentments against our neighbors.

2. The commandment against adultery means being careful not to even nurture lustful thoughts.

3. Do not respond to violence with more violence (turn the other cheek)

4. Love and pray for your enemies

5. Be secretly generous and prayerful

6. Don’t brag about your own holiness. This isn't about you.

7. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

8. You cannot serve both God and wealth

9. Do not worry, but trust in God’s providence.

10. Don’t point out the speck in your neighbor’s eye while ignoring the plank in your own; be careful of judging others; it is a slippery slope to arrogance and blindness to your own faults.

11. In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you.

Notice Jesus isn't saying, "if you don't do these things, God will punish you." Jesus is saying, "these are guidelines for a healthy life."

So, here's my prayer for all of us today: May we ask God to remove anger and lust; may we be filled with the desire to make a difference and not need recognition to do it; may we invest our money and time in things that matter; may we be freed from worry; may we be humble, avoiding the temptation to judge others, and may we love others in the way we want to be loved.

This feels like a solid way to build the day ahead. And tomorrow, may the same prayer be on our lips.

Shielded

He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30

Paul wrote: The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

REFLECTION:

When I visited Papua New Guinea with my Lutheran Campus Ministry in college, the men in our group had the chance to be trained in the use of a shield and spear. There is a special area of the village in which the women aren't allowed; where the men pass on to the boys the things taught to them about how to fight. I remember being handed the shield and being struck at just how large it was. Not much shorter than me, if I crouched behind it, it completely covered and protected my entire body.

That is the image I have in my mind as I read the first passage above.

I have no idea what today will bring, but I know I have been handed a shield large enough to shelter me. I know that I can genuinely take refuge in God's care for me. I know this shield is faithful, and will guard me. I know that no part of me is exposed.

May you know the same thing today; that no matter what today brings in its mix of blessing and challenge, YOU...your core, your identity...YOU...will be guarded. You can take refuge.

PRAYER:
God, thank you for being our shield, our comfort, our peace. Help us to trust no matter what happens today, you will guard our hearts, our spirits, and our lives. Open our eyes to see anyone we pass today who we might be called to shield as well. Amen.

The Whole Story

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. Psalm 42:11

Jesus says, “Your sorrow will be turned into joy.” John 16:20 (NKJV)

REFLECTION:

There is something beautiful about starting each day with a snippet of Scripture. Often, these ancient words of promise, hope, and challenge start us off on the right foot.

However, there is a danger of just using "snippets" of Scripture, too. The short phrases are ripped from their contexts and placed on this page, devoid of the stories surrounding them that give them meaning. In some ways, it is akin to picking up a novel, opening to a random page, pulling out a sentence, and then trying to discern what that sentence means outside of the larger story around it.

So, let's just say this: God is interested in the WHOLE STORY.

At first glance, Jesus' words above from John 16 seem like a trite religious platitude. They don't seem to go deep enough, especially for those of us reading this today with very real sorrows in the back of our minds. Simply saying those sorrows will be turned into joy feels like a religious band-aid on a gaping wound.

But I'll say it again: God is interested in the WHOLE STORY.

In the narrative, these words from Jesus are his consolation for the disciples who are despairing that they won't seem him again. He even uses the analogy of childbirth; that the temporary pain gives way to a deep and abiding joy. And as any mother will tell you, that's not a simplistic joy. The joy of having children is a complex joy, filled with sacrifice, love, difficulties and triumphs. The final result for many is the robust joy of the parent-child relationship.

The joy from God is the same kind of robust joy. It has room to hold our current sorrows, not erase them. So if you are reading these words today as you face very real and seemingly overpowering sorrows, simply trust there is room for those, too. The fierce love that God has for you can hold YOUR WHOLE STORY; joys and sorrows; and weave them all into a fabric that is vibrant, loving, and joy-filled.

So, today may we trust that our whole story has a place in the heart of God; and may we trust the promise that however unlikely it seems to us now, that whole story will have a deep, abiding joy. May you, the one reading this, pause today to know that you do not walk this road alone.

PRAYER:
O God of all comfort and grace, be especially near to those who are suffering from illness and pain. May their souls and bodies be flooded with the light that penetrates our deepest darkness. Send your healing presence this day. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

...and that phrase is true beyond the issue of Biblical interpretation.

A Late Night Walk That Changed My Life

Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God. Psalm 147:1

Paul wrote: Speak to one another with the words of psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing hymns and psalms to the Lord with praise in your hearts. Ephesians 5:19 (GNT)

REFLECTION:

One of my favorite topics is gratitude. I am at my best when I am grateful. I believe this to be true for all of us. When we are counting what we HAVE instead of what we DON'T HAVE, we are bound to be the best versions of ourselves.

I was converted to this idea late one night in college, as I walked back to my dorm.

My girlfriend and I had just had a big fight. When I left her dorm, I was feeling heavy and dark, like something that really mattered to me might be "over." But as I walked, I remember thinking the only way to make it through hard things is to count my blessings for all the things that aren't hard. At the time, I would have told you I had no idea where that thought came from. Now I know, because the steps of that walk have extended into my entire life. I have no doubt the Spirit whispered something to my soul that night; something I needed to hear then, and still need to hear now.

It occurred to me that I should try to use the rest of the 10-minute walk to list everything I had to be grateful for.

At first, I hit the easy things; friends, family, health...but then I still had 9 minutes left to walk. So, I challenged myself to fill every step of that walk with a list as long as I could muster of everything for which I was grateful.

So, I thanked God for sufficient footwear that made this walk comfortable, knowing full well that many in the world lack this. I thanked God for the bed I would sleep in that night, for the blanket that was on that bed, and for the hands that made that blanket. I thanked God for the meal I had just eaten, and the ones I would eat tomorrow...and for the many hands of farmers, workers, and cooks who would be part of bringing that meal to my plate.

On and on I went, and what began as a heavy and slow walk began to pick up pace. I noticed my steps were lighter, and my attitude had shifted from darkness to light. I felt as though someone had taken 50 pound bags off of my shoulders, and before I knew it, I was back at my dorm. The rest of the walk had flown by, and I still had so much more to list!

I was converted that night to the true spiritual power of gratitude. And I felt like praising. No, I didn't break out in hymns right there...that's not the point of the scriptures above. The point is...gratitude. The point is taking a break from the we-don't-have-enough-of-anything narrative that surrounds us to pause and count our blessings.

It sounds trite, because everyone says it. But the next time you find yourself feeling heavy and dark, just try it. Try listing, in detail, every little thing for which you are grateful. I would bet you all the money in my bank account that afterward, you will feel lighter, brighter, and deeply grateful. You might not break into song right there, but you'll understand the feelings of those who have written the greatest hymns.

PRAYER:
O God from whom all blessings flow, when the echoes of songs and praises from Sunday grow dim, revive them in our hearts and minds. May the songs of grace accompany us to our classrooms, offices and homes this day. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

Where You Go, I Go

Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16

REFLECTION:

The story of Ruth and Naomi is one of the most beautiful in the Hebrew Scriptures. After losing everything, these two women are left with each other in a world that saw them as valuable only if they were married, or had children. Tragedy has removed both of these identities, but it cannot remove the identities they bear as friends, allies, and partners.

Ruth makes this clear in her statement to Naomi, quoted above. She says definitively, my primary identity is not national, it is relational. I am with you. Your people will be my people. My first identity is as a partner for you.

Today, whatever we are facing, I wonder if each of us can hear the voice of God in these powerful words. The same God who traveled with the people through their desert wanderings, and showed up in an offensively ordinary birth in Bethlehem...that same God says clearly; where you go, I will go. Your people are my people.

May we all commit to the courage to trust this promise, and the work of making it real for others as well.

PRAYER:
God, I trust you are with me, whether I sense your presence or not. Help me avoid the mistake of thinking my feelings are an accurate judge of your nearness. Thank you for walking with me today. Amen.

Sensing God's Presence

Indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:3

REFLECTION:
Our five senses are how we interact with the world. In the first moments after birth, eyes open, ears begin to take in the familiar sounds of adult conversation, the touch of doctors, nurses and other adults are first felt, smells guide our search for our mother's milk, and taste provides assurance that we have found the sustenance we need.

It is obvious to us that these are all important for a completely healthy child to thrive. If one or more of the senses is absent, we make accommodations for that child in order to help them live fully. Once we are adults, however, I think we often lose perspective on how important all of these are to integrate with our world and those in it.

God gave us these bodies, and these senses...but too often in Christian history, we have acted as though the "sensual" part of our lives was somehow more connected to sin than the intellectual pursuit of faith.

However, this rejection of the physical wasn't present in early Christian worship. Ancient forms of worship involved all five senses. Today, in the Protestant church, we have retained part of this. Our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters, however, have retained a bit more. Ideally, worship is to engage all of who we are. Eyes see beautiful decorations that point our eyes to Christ. Ears hear music that stirs our soul to praise. We touch our fellow Christians by sharing the peace, and we feel the bread placed into our hands. We smell the incense and it calms our minds and spirits (aroma therapy is nothing new!) And of course, we taste the bread and wine, knowing that God's Love is not just an idea, but a lived reality that becomes a part of us.

This is no mistake that worship is supposed to be a whole-body experience. The message is clear; faith is not just an intellectual exercise. God's love is meant for every part of us, not just our minds.

Today, may all five of your senses remind you that God is present, blessing and preserving you. May the sight of a sunrise, or of a loved one, fill you with love. May the smell of crisp air fill you with love. May the sounds around you remind you that you are never alone and fill you with love. May the touch of a friend, lover, or animal companion remind you that that you are never alone and fill you with love. And may the food that sustains you today remind you that God will sustain you. May you taste and see that the Lord is good.

PRAYER:
We are so grateful for your kindness to us. We are so grateful that we have been granted another day of life. We ask that you open our eyes to all the graces and blessings that you offer this day. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

Already, Not Yet

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? Psalm 42:3

and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? Romans 8:23-24

REFLECTION:
I remember well the day before my wedding. I remember the strange mix of emotions from that day; anticipation, anxiety, stress over the items left to do, excitement, exhaustion. In many ways, it was a GOOD day, but in many ways it was a HARD day.

It was an interesting feeling. For all intents and purposes, our lives were already united. We had already opened a joint checking account, so our money was together. We had a joint storage unit, so most of our stuff was together. Rings were bought. Deposits were paid. The apartment we would move into together just a week later was already waiting for us. We were basically married already. Except we weren't.

In church-nerd speak, theologians call this the "already-not yet" dynamic, and it is the place we live in as modern Christians. Christ has already been victorious over death, so its power has been broken. But we have not yet seen the full consummation of that promise. Love has already won, but we have not yet seen every source of hate defeated. Like me the day before my wedding, we live in this middle period, where we know the promise of what is coming, we have seen many glimpses and previews of it, we have enjoyed its beauty, but we have not yet lived in the full reality that's coming.

In many ways, the days we live are GOOD. In many ways, the days we live are HARD. But we have a promise that sustains us; a promise that already has changed who we are, even if the changes are not complete just yet. The language Paul uses in Romans is beautifully and painfully accurate; we groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, but we know that we are already claimed, and that the final papers making it official are about to be signed.

There are so many ways we live in the "already-not yet." As we wait for test results, as we wait to hear from a loved one, as we face daily challenges with the faith they will never have the final say, we are living in this middle period. But we know the promise holds fast.

Jess and I have been married almost 14 years. The wedding day was great, but living in the promise is better. May God fill us with hope, trust, and grace today as we yearn for the final fulfillment of the promises we know are true.

PRAYER:
When darkness overshadows us, we cling to your mercy. When hopelessness pervades, we cling to your promises. We wait for you to come, dear Jesus. We place ourselves in your loving care. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts

The Face of God

The Lord said to Moses, “You cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.” Exodus 33:20

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. Hebrews 11:1–2

REFLECTION:
Emotion can be conveyed through voice...but it's more effective if you can see the face of the other.

This is why carrying out discussions over e-mail or Facebook is so ineffective. If the topic involves any level of debate or disagreement, words on a page or a screen alone often create more problems. Unable to see the body language and the face of the people to whom we are speaking, we are free to make our own assumptions about how they are feeling and the intentions behind their words.

This is much more difficult to do in person. In person, we can get a sense of where the other is coming from mostly because we can see their face. In human relationships, our faces convey emotion in a way nothing else can.

In the story of the Exodus, we are reminded that Moses can't look directly at the face of God. He can only see it reflected in the mighty deeds of God; providing the covenant that would guide them, leading by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night; freeing slaves through a series of awe-inspiring "plagues." God's emotions and intentions shine through these acts.

If God is Love, as the New Testament tells us, then it makes sense that we are unable to face it directly. Pure and unadulterated, fierce and intense, Love itself is too much to take in directly. So, we see it mirrored in all the places God chooses to show up;

In forgiveness when it is needed most;
In reconciliation between parties who are tired of fighting;
In the laugh of children and the tears of sympathetic friends;
In the sun that rises to warm the earth and the rain that waters and brings life;
In ancient words of Scripture streaming through the years to speak directly to me, today;
In the breath that fills my lungs, and the electrical currents that cause my heart to beat;
God's Love is there.
Maybe we can't see God directly today, but we can see the things listed above, and so much more.

As we begin our Lent journey toward Easter today, may we ask that God increase our faith...

PRAYER:
Lord, give us faith that behind it all, the one who is Love itself holds everything together. Lord, give us faith that what we cannot see directly still reigns supreme. Lord, give us faith that Love has the final say about us and our world. Amen.