Awesome

I was rereading the introduction to one of my favorite devotions books, Ted Loders’s Guerrillas of Grace, this morning.  It tweaked my minds in several ways.  

Of course he wrote about grace and prayer.

He wrote about the liberation of the imagination.  

And he reminded me of a quote by St. Augustine:  

“Without God , we cannot;  without us, God will not,”

He writes about the Mystery of God.

And he asked two questions that have created in me some interesting reflection.

“Could it be that the images of poets and artist (and pray-er) not only precede scientific discovery in some instances, but that they actually help create what the scientist later discovers?”

“Indeed, could prayer be one of the fundamental ways ‘the universe becomes conscious of itself,’ to use that intriguing phrase by which some cosmologists explains not only how the universe seems to be unfolding, but why it is unfolding at all?”

What do these thing bring into your thinking?

At this point my mind is too overloaded with thoughts to think.

But I do want to remind us all that prayer is a most powerful thing that we can do.  “Prayer works” I learned years ago.

So lets use our imaginations to imagine how God has moved in and out of history thus far creating change, progress and inventions that can only boggle our simple little minds.  

Just for today, pray for a better world to come into being by the grace of God.

The World Is "Standing Still." Really?

The comment was made, during last night’s evening  news, that the world is “standing still.”

And I thought to myself, those who think that way must not live where the trees are blooming, the crocus have poked their little flowers above the still cold soil.  Where daffodils bless the landscape; and the fields are being prepared for the summer crops.

Then this morning I looked out my patio door and saw my Little-Lime Hydrangea tree with healthy green leaves covering it branches.

¹ O Lord, our Sovereign,

   how majestic is your name in all the earth! ...(Ps. 8)

In the mid-west the phrase: Spring has sprung is a true statement. 

Spring has moved the earth — the world — into a bouquet of life; nothing is staying in the winter’s bleakness.

Lawns need weekly mowings.

The air is clean with the Spring rains bring new growth becoming evident every day.

The earth is booming with possibilities.

Windows and door stand open to let the fresh clean air into winter’s closed up homes.

People have put on their shoes walking, or running, outside in the cool air.  

Bikers are seen more frequently on the streets. 

Golfers are on the golf course. 

Tennis player, socially distanced, move around the courts mastering that little yellow ball.

The whole world is alive with new, fresh, life.

My eyes do not witness any evidence of a world that has grown dormant.

The Good Spepherd

This next Sunday, in the Lutheran Church, is Good Shepherd Sunday.  A day when we recognize the total trust we can put in Gods providence — divine superintendence.

In the earliest of times a shepherd was one who took complete care of the flock.  God was called Israel’s  Shepherd who went before the flock guiding them to water and food, and protecting them, and giving them shelter.

As time went on Jesus became the Good Shepherd (John 10).  He was the “gate,” the “way,” the “bread,” the “living water,”  the "life" — the dwelling place.” 

When we think about all of the things a shepherd did for his sheep; it helps us to understand the reason that Psalm 23 has become the most precious of Bible verse down through time.

It offers is an extremely reliable God.  

A God who attends to both one’s spiritual needs as well as physical needs.

Read the psalm paying close attention to all that God does for us.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 

²   He makes me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside still waters; 

³   he restores my soul.

He leads me in right paths

   for his name’s sake. 

⁴ Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

   I fear no evil;

for you are with me;

   your rod and your staff—

   they comfort me. 

⁵ You prepare a table before me

   in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

   my cup overflows. 

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

   all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

   my whole life long.(Ps. 23)

A God who:

                shelters,

                   anoints,

                      comforts,

                         restores souls, 

                            gives shelters,

                               leads in right paths, 

                                   gives in abundance.

Now asked yourself: in our world today, as well as in the worlds of ancient history, how possible is it for people to believe in such a God?

How possible is it that a Good Shepherd exists among the poor, homeless and hungry of the world?

How is it possible that God is in  a world that is experiencing this pandemic — as well as all world pandemics in the past?

I don’t have an answer to those wonders.

However I will tell you truly, I totally believe and trust in this extraordinarily steadfast and faithful God with all my heart and mind.

What Is Jesus Really Saying?

I am reminded this morning what Jesus said: 

²⁰For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

This was said to the crowds who where following Jesus.  It is recorded in Matthew 5 where Jesus was explaining many important issues of the time.  

He was making clear, to those listening, that they should not put him in their well ordered mental boxes, with a limited definition of his mission.  

It occurred to me as I read that line for the millionth time:

“It wouldn’t take much for us to "exceed" the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.  After all, they weren’t very righteous actually.”

I am wondering if those in the crowd caught Jesus’ subtle meaning?

So often people assume that they are not “good enough,” or suitable enough, for God.

The assumption is that it takes a very good — virtuous — person to be acceptable to God.

When you begin to think like that, I suggest that you read where Jesus spent most of his relaxing time.  

It certainly was not with the scribes and Pharisees.

No, it was with the less desirable people of society.  Those who were seen as undesirable by the social norm. The peons, so to speak, understood as ordinary labors who were commonly used as slaves. (See Mark 11:19)

Like the tax collector who prayed: 

 ¹³But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”(Lk. 18)

There is a theme that runs through Jesus’ teachings and actions — humility.

Jesus never fails to allow us our human frailties.  No judgments, just unlimited mercy, love and forgiveness.

Jesus never fails to accept us just the way we are — flawed and all.

17 ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the 

prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. ¹⁸For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. ¹⁹Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.(Mt. 5)

Just One More "Different."

To set the scene, our home is on a dead-end street right next to a corn field.  Very little noise of any kind.   Except of course when that field is being plowed.

I am sitting here and a strange feeling has  come over me.  It is gray and windless day.  

We have had no wireless, no internet, no phone, no television for almost twenty-four hours.

As I ate my dinner last night it felt very lonely.  No one to talk to, no TV to keep me company; and not even the apps on my I-pad worked.

My thought?  This is how it must have been on a country farm many years ago.

Sort of a Little House On The Prairie kind of life.

Just very simple possibilities of face to face connection, a hand written letter and maybe a phone to call someone.

The only thing that wakes up my distant thoughts is, out my window, I see my neighbors house right next door.

For a chronologically challenged person, or any aged person, in the world of “different.”  Our minds are constantly faced with change today. 

Yesterday, and last night, were kind of like the ultimate challenge in an other wise “normal” every day existence.  

Just one more thing calling me to do it differently.

This journey back in time is not at all upsetting or depressing.  Actually it has been quiet interesting.

Life was, in many ways, much simpler on The House On The Prairie.  

Although I’m sure it had its own challenges.

And just now I saw, in the Ash tree outside my window, the first beautiful red  Cardinal of the year.

                
The sign? 

      The hope of Spring, new life. 

          The promise of God to all of creation.

Have a great day even if your wireless goes out.

Time

Random thoughts on a cool, cloudy spring morning:

“Timing is the world set to God’s pace.” Thought Jacob. (p. 44 Jacob’s Ladder  Noah benShae)

Intriguing!

There are many people who might be questioning God’s pace in the world today.

However I am wondering if this time, I’ll say of unnatural living, might be a time to regroup — to rethink — how we do many things in our well ordered life.

Now truly I say that now, but when I looked into the mirror this morning and saw my unruly short hair; I would question God’s timing completely.

My haircut is my vanity point.  

Always has been.   

                   Probably always will be.

Yet at the same time, I do have to ask myself what it is that I am learning in this odd time in my life?

What is it that makes this time in history, in some ways,  comforting; and maybe even offers a sense of security? 

Yet even that thought challenges my thinking.

“Timing is the world set to God’s pace.” Thought Jacob.

Then I think about how we are all being force, actually, to do things — to do time — differently.

Instead of just going about what comes naturally.  We are faced with using our imaginations.  Moving outside our nicely composed — free from agitation — boxes.

We are so use to moving about the day with the ease of familiarity.  Not much thinking is required to do most anything we do.

Same-old-same-old-same-old things.

It is not a boring time in this year of the virus.  

It is to be sure an intriguing time.  

What are your random thoughts?

God Comes

I was enjoying a nice dream with many old friends, from the church I served for many years, in Hartland Wisconsin.  In this dream a young lady, who was in high School during my time of service there, was to get up and give a sermon.  She stood in the pulpit for a quiet moment.  Then came down to the pews; and showed her father her unfinished sermon. “ That Is all I have.” she told him.

On the paper was written one short sentence: “God Comes.”

When I saw those words, my mind whispered: “Yes God comes.”

What a great sermon, simple and to the point, I thought;  and then my mind began to complicate her simple sermon.

God comes in our thoughts.

God comes in the voice of another.

God comes in the eyes and smile of others.

God comes in the sunrise and sunset.

God comes in traffic jams and clogged faucet . 

God comes in a call from the doctor that the pathology report is good news.

God comes in erupting volcanos, blazing forest fires, thunder and lightening.

God Comes in the breath of the gentle breeze.  The rushing river ebbing and flowing over the hard rocks; as well as the stillness of a quite pool.

God comes in the quietness of early mourning stillness by the mirror-like-lake.

God comes in the generosity and kindness of others.

God comes in a crowded hospital, and city streets.

God comes in the worst and the best of times: 

Floods,

  cancer cells,

         heartaches,

              tears and laughter,

              the darkest of nights,

                  the brightest sunshine
 or a viruses pandemic.

     

No matter where we are, or what we are doing, or how we feel, or what happens.

God Comes.


 ....remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ (Mt. 20)

Do You See The Joy?

26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ ²⁷Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ ²⁸Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ ²⁹Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’(John 29)

Jesus is speaking about those of us living thousands of years after Thomas needed to put his fingers on Jesus’ wounds.

⁸Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1Peter 1)

Peter is speaking to those who lived much closer to the times that Jesus walked on earth.

The message from both readings, for the Second Sunday of Easter, bring the same message.   

…you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

How often do we feel an “indescribable and glorious joy” in todays crazy world?

That joy wove in and out of my life yesterday.  

It reminded me again of the blessings that live in you and me because of our  trust and faith in God’s presence in our lives and in our world.

Yes, in our world right now, God is very much present and actively moving about touching our live.  

Touching our lives whether healthy or not.

So today I am inviting you to reverse focus for just a moment.   Reverse the truth that slams us in the face in the news, on our computers, phones and I-pads — the horrific Covid-19  pandemic.

Mostly all we hear are the worst of results.

Today I ask you to think of all of those who have survived.

All of those who smile and cry with those they tend to in hospitals.

Those who work behind closed doors getting the business needed done

Those who work in closed restaurants making food we can pick up and enjoy.  When we could make at home, and don’t want too.

Those who walk outside in the fresh spring air because there is very little else to do.

                 which makes them healthier.

You can now name your own perceptions of the positive around you.

There is positive news that is not being focused on in this virus infested world.