www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
by Tom Robertsen
Psalm 23: 1-6 [King James Version]
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
God maketh me to lie down in green pastures: God leadeth me beside the still waters.
God restoreth my soul: God leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for God's name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
There is hardly any other biblical psalm which sings to us more sweetly or with more comforting assurance than these brief six verses! In fact, some scholars and critics have considered this to be one of the great masterpieces in literary history.
What can say more to us in any tough circumstance than "I shall not want"? And then the psalm writer portrays in one image after another our heavenly Parent as being the inexhaustible, divine Love, which is forever operative on our behalf -- guarding, cherishing, sustaining and protecting us.
While the psalm seems to find its way into nearly every funeral service, it is really not so much about the after-life as about our now-life. In fact, the early Jewish culture gave very little thought to any immortal life to come.
And so, beyond the beautiful imagery of green pastures and still waters, the writer arrives at the point which touches us all so deeply -
"...Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil..."
Not the valley of death, but the shadow of death -- those dark forebodings and fears which come to stand in our way.
I have seen members of my own family -- my parents -- in their declining years often have to face that shadow of death in debilitating illnesses and despair. Yet, in so many ways they seem to see that table of abundance and grace in the wilderness which God provides right out there in the face of all obstacles or enemies.
Perhaps then our truest lesson is in knowing that we dwell forever in the house -- or consciousness -- of the infinite Love, where we can be at one with our heavenly Parent and where we are constantly and continuously lifted up, regenerated and empowered in the divine, eternal workmanship of God.
Yes, goodness and mercy shall follow me. "I shall not want."
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Weekly Meditation April 26, 2009
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Weekly Meditation
by Sandra English
Luke 24:36-48
As they were talking about all this, there he was, standing among them. Startled and terrified, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said "Why are you so perturbed? Why do questionings arise in your minds? Look at my hands and feet? It is I myself. Touch me and see; no ghost has flesh and bones as you can see that I have. They were still unconvinced, still wondering, for it seemed too good to be true. So he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They offered him piece of fish they had cooked which he took and ate before their eyes.
And he said to them, "This is what I meant by saying, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms was bound to be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. "This," he said, "is what is written: that the Messiah is to suffer death and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that in his name repentance bringing the forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed to all nations. Begin from Jerusalem; it is you who are the witnesses to it all" (The New English Bible/Oxford Study Edition)
Resurrection - rise again (1) a rising from the dead (2) a coming back into notice...revival...the rising of Jesus from the dead...(Webster's New World Dictionary).
Resurrection - return to life, transformation, rebirth; see renewal. (Webster's New World Thesaurus).
Hallelujah! We are in the Resurrection. This is the time when we, as Christians, recognize the coming back to life of Christ.
It's also Spring where we are surrounded by new life in the greenery of trees and shrubs. We see the many magnificent colors of flowers and the birth of many different animals. Once dormant, Nature reminds us of the tremendous renewal that has taken place from the sorrow of Lent to the joy of the risen Christ.
The Joy of this Resurrection is that God is doing a new work in us. We are coming to a new understanding of our relationship with God perhaps through your reading of the Lenten devotions, or during Lent putting away or stopping something that was hindering you or your relationship with God, or following the church's pilgrimage to the cross by attending church during Lent, observing the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday meditations.
Hopefully, these spiritual exercises have made you more contemplative and brought you closer to God. Perhaps you're just beginning with these meditations. Know that through this process you will come to a new understanding of your relationship with God just as Jesus opened the disciples minds - bringing peace to quell their fears and an edict to bear witness to all that they had seen.
The Psalmist realizes that through his fears God has been and continues to be an active presence in his life as reflected in Nan Merril's version of Psalm 4:
Commune with the Heart of your heart
as you rest,
and be in silence.
Make peace with your fears,
and trust in Love...
In peace will I spend my days and
sleep at night;
For You alone, my Beloved
take away my fears.
(Psalms for Praying:
An Invitation to Wholeness
By Nan C. Merrill)
We have a new understanding: as we nurture our relationship with God and allow God to nurture us, we will grow. Inspite of the struggles, fears, and disappointments of our everyday life we have the presence of God with us. God's presence gives us a new understanding: that in the midst of difficult things, God ever present gives us peace, love, joy, hope, and courage.
Weekly Meditation
by Sandra English
Luke 24:36-48
As they were talking about all this, there he was, standing among them. Startled and terrified, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said "Why are you so perturbed? Why do questionings arise in your minds? Look at my hands and feet? It is I myself. Touch me and see; no ghost has flesh and bones as you can see that I have. They were still unconvinced, still wondering, for it seemed too good to be true. So he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They offered him piece of fish they had cooked which he took and ate before their eyes.
And he said to them, "This is what I meant by saying, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms was bound to be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. "This," he said, "is what is written: that the Messiah is to suffer death and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that in his name repentance bringing the forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed to all nations. Begin from Jerusalem; it is you who are the witnesses to it all" (The New English Bible/Oxford Study Edition)
Resurrection - rise again (1) a rising from the dead (2) a coming back into notice...revival...the rising of Jesus from the dead...(Webster's New World Dictionary).
Resurrection - return to life, transformation, rebirth; see renewal. (Webster's New World Thesaurus).
Hallelujah! We are in the Resurrection. This is the time when we, as Christians, recognize the coming back to life of Christ.
It's also Spring where we are surrounded by new life in the greenery of trees and shrubs. We see the many magnificent colors of flowers and the birth of many different animals. Once dormant, Nature reminds us of the tremendous renewal that has taken place from the sorrow of Lent to the joy of the risen Christ.
The Joy of this Resurrection is that God is doing a new work in us. We are coming to a new understanding of our relationship with God perhaps through your reading of the Lenten devotions, or during Lent putting away or stopping something that was hindering you or your relationship with God, or following the church's pilgrimage to the cross by attending church during Lent, observing the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday meditations.
Hopefully, these spiritual exercises have made you more contemplative and brought you closer to God. Perhaps you're just beginning with these meditations. Know that through this process you will come to a new understanding of your relationship with God just as Jesus opened the disciples minds - bringing peace to quell their fears and an edict to bear witness to all that they had seen.
The Psalmist realizes that through his fears God has been and continues to be an active presence in his life as reflected in Nan Merril's version of Psalm 4:
Commune with the Heart of your heart
as you rest,
and be in silence.
Make peace with your fears,
and trust in Love...
In peace will I spend my days and
sleep at night;
For You alone, my Beloved
take away my fears.
(Psalms for Praying:
An Invitation to Wholeness
By Nan C. Merrill)
We have a new understanding: as we nurture our relationship with God and allow God to nurture us, we will grow. Inspite of the struggles, fears, and disappointments of our everyday life we have the presence of God with us. God's presence gives us a new understanding: that in the midst of difficult things, God ever present gives us peace, love, joy, hope, and courage.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Remembering Lisa Wagaman 1943-2009
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/
OTHER REFRENCES~ http://stlgayhistory.livejournal.com/29491.html
http://thevitalvoice.com/node/3231
http://spirithelpcenter.blogspot.com/2009/01/lisa-wagman-mccgsl-cornerstones.html
http://www.umsl.edu/~whmc/guides/whm0542.htm
Lisa Wagaman, Longtime St. Louis GLBT Community Activist and Pride St. Louis Board Member Dies At 65
By Colin Murphy - Senior Writer - Posted on April 16th, 2009
Blog Category: News
BY: COLIN MURPHY - SENIOR WRITER
The Vital VOICE has learned of the death of longtime St. Louis GLBT activist and Pride St. Louis Board Member, Lisa Wagaman. She was 65.
"It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that our dear sister Lisa Wagaman has died of natural causes," announced Danny Gladden, Communications and Volunteer Ministries Director for Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis in an email to the LGBTA ListServe. "Lisa was very active both in our greater community and in the MCC congregation for over 35 years."
According to Gladden, arrangements are pending while the St. Louis Medical Examiner tries to locate next of kin for Wagaman.
"As Lisa's family of choice, we remember the life of a wonderful person who has given so much to the LGBTQA community," Gladden concluded.
In additon to a grateful GLBT community, Wagaman leaves behind her beloved cats who for just recently she was trying to find a new home before moving into senior housing.
Lisa Wagaman was born May 2, 1943 in New Jersey. She grew up in the Garden State, then moved to several large cities including Toledo and Indianapolis before settling in St. Louis in 1972.
Wagaman's activism in the St. Louis GLBT community began in 1974 with her activities in the Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis. In addition to her work with MCC, she had been a member of Pride St. Louis since it's inception in 1979, serving both as member in good standing and Board Member. She was most recently the Director of Public Safety.
Over the years, Wagaman was associated with an impressive list of organizations including the former Metropolitan Life Service Center, an early GLBT organization which started the Gay and Lesbian Hotiline; as a delagate to the Regional Planning Committee for the 1987 March on Washington; and the St. Louis and Missouri chapters of NOW.
Wagaman, a transwoman, was equally active around transgender issues and organizations over the years.
Known online as MO DYKE, Wagaman also held the distinction of being Missouri's only officially recognized "Dyke" given her uniqe vanity plate which was granted to her after a brief fight with the state.
In 1992, a large collection of Wagaman's papers were donated to the St. Louis GLBT Archives housed at UMSL.
Funeral or memorial arrangements for Wagaman will be reported as they are announced.
In October 2002, in honor of Gay and Lesbian History Month, this reporter profiled Wagaman in the Vital VOICE as part of a story around St. Louis GLBT leaders recalling the early days of activism in the Gateway City. Below is a portion of that story:
GAY HISTORY MONTH
Movers and Shakers Recall St. Louis' GLBT Lore
BY COLIN MURPHY - SENIOR WRITER
Not all that long ago, most of Gay history was passed from one person to another orally. We were too afraid to put the proverbial pen to paper and write it down for fear of being found out. In honor of Gay History Month this October, I spoke with three community activists who together have a combined 80-years in the trenches for the advancement and betterment of our community. Individually, and in their own unique way, they tell a tale of where we have been, where we are and most importantly, where we are going.
LISA WAGAMAN
Born and raised in New Jersy, Lisa Wagaman moved to St. Louis as an adult in 1972 when the St. Louis GLBT community as we know it was in its infancy. She had previously lived in several large cities such as Toledo and Indianapolis, but has called the Gateway City home ever since.
Wagaman is a shy, if not reluctant activist and balks when you suggest that she's been "in the trenches." This, dispite having been active in the St. Louis GLBT community since her arrival. Wagaman has been an active member of the Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis (MCC) since its founding in 1974. She was also involved with the former Metropolitan Life Service Center (MLSC), a GLBT community organization that started the Gay and Lesbian Hotline in the mid 1970s.
Wagaman served on the Hotline for many years, assisted with training of Hotline volunteers , and served on the MLSC Board of Directors. She also spoke to several college classes on behalf of the organization, in addition to being interviewed on TV and radio talk shows on the subject of GLBT rights. (The hotline was later taken over by The Gay Academic Union, a national organization, and most recently by Challange Metro.)
"The MLSC was the first gay and lesbian community center, if you will, and the brainchild of the late Gailen Moone," said Wagaman. "His thoughts were that there were many community members who were gay but extremely closeted [and needed a place to go.] It was set up at the MCC on Watermen, then moved to McPherson and Euclid; then to a house that was burned but remodeled."
Wagaman has seen many changes come to the St. Louis GLBT community since her arrival three years after Stonewall.
"Today it is amazingly different," Wagaman explained. "MCC was the first organization in the state to own property. We had been renting space from a Presbyterian Church on Olive and then moved to the property on Waterman. The community was basically centered around the bars; which to some degree, it still is. But now, we are far more politically engaged."
Wagaman recalls when the St. Louis GLBT community started its polital engagement when Rick Garcia from the Metro East began mobilizing against Anita Bryant speaking in Kansas City as part of her 1977, "Save the Children" anti-gay campaign. She went on to explain that the political engagement grew from there, and when the AIDS crisis hit, it pushed if further.
In 1979 Wagaman became involved with the Magnolia Committee, which helped to plan the first celebration of Gay and Lesbian Pride in St. Louis at the Washington University campus in 1980. This organization later became what is known as Pride St. Louis of which she is a member in good standing and recently was elected Secretery.
Wagaman still remembers that first Pride celebration, which was called "Lesbians, Gays and Friends Walk for Charity" very well. She described a young woman who had dressed like a clown to disguise herself and the Pride Committee passing out masks to the marchers so they could hide their identity from the media.
"It's been an interesting and rewarding experience seeing the changes I've seen over the years," Wagaman stated. "Now people think nothing of marching in Pride. [And that is due to] the basic recognition of gays as something other than an abnormality or a disease."
"I also think a lot of young people are engaged," Wagaman continued. "There are exceptions to the rule; but look at the organizations here in the schools. We couldn't have done that back in the 1970s and 1980s."
Wagaman has served as an area representative to several conferences of the International Association of Lesbian/Gay Pride Coordinatiors and been an active member of the Metro St. Louis Chapter of the National Organization of Women.
Wagaman's "claim to fame" is that she is the only "officially recognized" Dyke in the state of Missouri by virtue of her unique license plates, "DYKE" which were given to her after a brief fight with the state.
Your can email Colin Murphy at colin_murphy@sbcglobal.net
Thursday, April 16, 2009
April 19th WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL
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Weekly Meditation
by Lena Petty
JOHN 20:19-29
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.' After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Parent has sent me, so I send you.' When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.'
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord.' But he said to them, 'Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.'
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.' Then 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.' Thomas answered him, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, 'Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.'
When Jesus entered the place where the disciples were (behind locked doors), He greeted them and immediately showed his hands and side. Then the disciples rejoiced. Was there a need for the wounds to be shown, in order for Jesus to be identified or possibly relieve their fear? In the first part of chapter 20 it talks about Mary going to the tomb and thinking she was talking to the gardener. Was Jesus cloaked, or just in his pre-ascended state, unrecognizable?
This passage is a lesson of continued sacrifice, patience and tolerance. Despite all that Jesus had done in plain view, for some it was not in clear sight but clouded sight. All that the prophets had foretold unfolded right in front of Thomas and the others. There were those who witnessed the same thing and yet saw something different.
Jesus could have rebuked Thomas (and the others) but instead of getting angry at them, Jesus demonstrated Patience and shows his scarred hands and side. When Jesus reached out to soothe and remove all their doubt, Thomas responded accordingly, "my Lord and my God!" Jesus showed them Love inorder to reassure those that doubted, instead of proving a point and being right.
We must be consciously aware that everyone along this journey (though we are journeying together), is not growing, maturing and learning at the same rate. But we are all growing, learning and maturing.
To close: Remember the next time you and someone else are having a conversation or watching something and you notice that the other one did not see or hear what you did, extend Grace to them. Jesus was not concerned with being right more than Jesus was concerned with being true to his ministry and being even in the resurrection as in life "Rabboni" (teacher).
Weekly Meditation
by Lena Petty
JOHN 20:19-29
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.' After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Parent has sent me, so I send you.' When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.'
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord.' But he said to them, 'Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.'
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.' Then 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.' Thomas answered him, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, 'Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.'
When Jesus entered the place where the disciples were (behind locked doors), He greeted them and immediately showed his hands and side. Then the disciples rejoiced. Was there a need for the wounds to be shown, in order for Jesus to be identified or possibly relieve their fear? In the first part of chapter 20 it talks about Mary going to the tomb and thinking she was talking to the gardener. Was Jesus cloaked, or just in his pre-ascended state, unrecognizable?
This passage is a lesson of continued sacrifice, patience and tolerance. Despite all that Jesus had done in plain view, for some it was not in clear sight but clouded sight. All that the prophets had foretold unfolded right in front of Thomas and the others. There were those who witnessed the same thing and yet saw something different.
Jesus could have rebuked Thomas (and the others) but instead of getting angry at them, Jesus demonstrated Patience and shows his scarred hands and side. When Jesus reached out to soothe and remove all their doubt, Thomas responded accordingly, "my Lord and my God!" Jesus showed them Love inorder to reassure those that doubted, instead of proving a point and being right.
We must be consciously aware that everyone along this journey (though we are journeying together), is not growing, maturing and learning at the same rate. But we are all growing, learning and maturing.
To close: Remember the next time you and someone else are having a conversation or watching something and you notice that the other one did not see or hear what you did, extend Grace to them. Jesus was not concerned with being right more than Jesus was concerned with being true to his ministry and being even in the resurrection as in life "Rabboni" (teacher).
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Holy Saturday Devotional - 4-11-09
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Holy Saturday, April 11, 2009
John 19:38-42
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Joseph of Arimathea loved Jesus and he was determined to show his respect and love by honoring the cultural traditions. To care for the body of someone we love, in life and in death, is a very intimate thing. In the ancient world there was no such thing as embalming a body to preserve it after a death occurred. The custom of wrapping a body in linen strips that had been dipped in spices certainly addressed issues of discoloration and odor that would naturally occur.
Joseph took a huge chance of being labeled as a follower of Christ by asking Pilate for the body of his beloved Jesus. Surely he had seen what the Roman authorities had done to him, the humiliation, the taunting, the torture and the horrible asphyxiation as he hung on the cross. Yet his love and commitment to Christ, whom he had followed in secret, brought him not the other disciples, the ones who had openly followed Jesus, to Pilate.
Joseph was a man of courage; daring to proclaim his faith when everything, even his life, was at stake. Fair weather friends are many but those who are willing to take risks for us, these are a precious few. The disciples were happy to travel the countryside with Jesus as he healed and preached from town to town. And yet, Joseph, not present for the exciting and uplifting events shows up to make sure that Jesus is treated respectfully. May we recognize the opportunity to step out in faith, doing the right thing, no matter what the cost. rsy
Holy Saturday, April 11, 2009
John 19:38-42
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Joseph of Arimathea loved Jesus and he was determined to show his respect and love by honoring the cultural traditions. To care for the body of someone we love, in life and in death, is a very intimate thing. In the ancient world there was no such thing as embalming a body to preserve it after a death occurred. The custom of wrapping a body in linen strips that had been dipped in spices certainly addressed issues of discoloration and odor that would naturally occur.
Joseph took a huge chance of being labeled as a follower of Christ by asking Pilate for the body of his beloved Jesus. Surely he had seen what the Roman authorities had done to him, the humiliation, the taunting, the torture and the horrible asphyxiation as he hung on the cross. Yet his love and commitment to Christ, whom he had followed in secret, brought him not the other disciples, the ones who had openly followed Jesus, to Pilate.
Joseph was a man of courage; daring to proclaim his faith when everything, even his life, was at stake. Fair weather friends are many but those who are willing to take risks for us, these are a precious few. The disciples were happy to travel the countryside with Jesus as he healed and preached from town to town. And yet, Joseph, not present for the exciting and uplifting events shows up to make sure that Jesus is treated respectfully. May we recognize the opportunity to step out in faith, doing the right thing, no matter what the cost. rsy
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday, April 10, 2009
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Good Friday, April 10, 2009
John 13: 36-38
Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward." Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.
Jesus was very astute when it came to understanding human nature. Fear is a powerful force that causes many of us to falter on the pathway to righteousness. We deny, both to others and within our own selves, that which we know to be true. Peter was only being human; thinking that he would be able to stand up to fear when, in reality, he would fall short of his ideal behavior and lie to save his own life. We fail to face those people in our lives that want us to take a stand; we hide behind our own lies and half truths, believing in their momentary protection rather than having faith that dares to speak its name in the midst of enemies.
I often ponder how it is that Jesus did not run when the soldiers came for him in the Garden of Gethsemane. He stood and told the truth and went with them, offering no violence or attempts to flee their calculatingly painful plan. He saw the full measure of what was to come, his systematic humiliation, brutal torture and excruciating murder and, yet, he saw beyond them.
When we are affected by the fear that lures someone else into a trap of deceit, irresponsibility or procrastination, let us remember that each of us has the capacity to react like Peter and also to forgive like Jesus. When we ourselves, stand in place and time that has the power to define us, let us remember that we stand with a God that will see us through the most difficult circumstances of our lives and that there is no finer human experience but to conquer through faith one's deepest fears. rsy
Good Friday, April 10, 2009
John 13: 36-38
Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward." Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.
Jesus was very astute when it came to understanding human nature. Fear is a powerful force that causes many of us to falter on the pathway to righteousness. We deny, both to others and within our own selves, that which we know to be true. Peter was only being human; thinking that he would be able to stand up to fear when, in reality, he would fall short of his ideal behavior and lie to save his own life. We fail to face those people in our lives that want us to take a stand; we hide behind our own lies and half truths, believing in their momentary protection rather than having faith that dares to speak its name in the midst of enemies.
I often ponder how it is that Jesus did not run when the soldiers came for him in the Garden of Gethsemane. He stood and told the truth and went with them, offering no violence or attempts to flee their calculatingly painful plan. He saw the full measure of what was to come, his systematic humiliation, brutal torture and excruciating murder and, yet, he saw beyond them.
When we are affected by the fear that lures someone else into a trap of deceit, irresponsibility or procrastination, let us remember that each of us has the capacity to react like Peter and also to forgive like Jesus. When we ourselves, stand in place and time that has the power to define us, let us remember that we stand with a God that will see us through the most difficult circumstances of our lives and that there is no finer human experience but to conquer through faith one's deepest fears. rsy
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Maundy Thursday Devotional
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Maundy Thursday, April 9, 2009
John 17
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, "Parent, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life; that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Parent, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
"I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them.
And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Creator, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.
"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Parent, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Creator, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. "Righteous Parent, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
In the gospel of John, Jesus is a philosophical guru of sorts, a metaphysician who reveals God's reign to all who truly understand who Christ is and why he came to save the people. Jesus points to a fundamental spiritual truth, a metaphysical principle that defines his understanding of faith. God's love permeates everything; there is nothing left untouched by God's love. We, as followers of Christ, are called to be bearers of that unconditional love. Through our own openness to God's healing spirit we can bring transformative power to the world.
Our brokenness, our failure to respond in love, separates us from God and from others. When we stop moving about and get quiet in our souls, we can experience Christ in us, the kingdom of God dwelling inside of us. Once we know that we abide in Christ and Christ abides in us, what on earth do we have to be afraid of? God's healing power envelopes us and we are whole, right now, in this very instant. We belong to God; we know our rightful place in the world, beloved child of God, bearer of Christ's light and love. We also know that we interact daily with other beloved children of God; ones made in God's image and likeness. rsy
Maundy Thursday, April 9, 2009
John 17
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, "Parent, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life; that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Parent, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
"I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them.
And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Creator, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.
"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Parent, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Creator, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. "Righteous Parent, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
In the gospel of John, Jesus is a philosophical guru of sorts, a metaphysician who reveals God's reign to all who truly understand who Christ is and why he came to save the people. Jesus points to a fundamental spiritual truth, a metaphysical principle that defines his understanding of faith. God's love permeates everything; there is nothing left untouched by God's love. We, as followers of Christ, are called to be bearers of that unconditional love. Through our own openness to God's healing spirit we can bring transformative power to the world.
Our brokenness, our failure to respond in love, separates us from God and from others. When we stop moving about and get quiet in our souls, we can experience Christ in us, the kingdom of God dwelling inside of us. Once we know that we abide in Christ and Christ abides in us, what on earth do we have to be afraid of? God's healing power envelopes us and we are whole, right now, in this very instant. We belong to God; we know our rightful place in the world, beloved child of God, bearer of Christ's light and love. We also know that we interact daily with other beloved children of God; ones made in God's image and likeness. rsy
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Lenten Devotional 4-8-09
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
John 12:27- 36
http://www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
"Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say-'God, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.." The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Humankind must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Humankind?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.
To be able to accept what seemed an impossible situation, your own crucifixion approaching, with such clarity and grace; Jesus' faith was truly extraordinary. He could see beyond his own painful circumstance, to a purpose that was far bigger than he was; he trusted that God knew exactly what God was doing. God can use any circumstance to bring people to God's love. God transformed a form of Roman torture that ended in agony as the crucified one suffocates while hanging, into a victory for all people; even death is conquered. Defeat becomes victory.
Being children of the light is a call to see our challenges as opportunities for God to do great things through us. God can use us if we open ourselves to be bearers of light and love. If we can honestly say that we are able to give thanks in all circumstances, then we are blessed beyond measure. We are able to be a witness to the triumphant truth of God's love in our lives. When the trials come, and they surely will, we need only look to Jesus to see that even the worse outcome we can imagine only lasts awhile. God can move to transform only those who willingly will risk it all. rsy
John 12:27- 36
http://www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
"Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say-'God, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.." The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Humankind must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Humankind?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.
To be able to accept what seemed an impossible situation, your own crucifixion approaching, with such clarity and grace; Jesus' faith was truly extraordinary. He could see beyond his own painful circumstance, to a purpose that was far bigger than he was; he trusted that God knew exactly what God was doing. God can use any circumstance to bring people to God's love. God transformed a form of Roman torture that ended in agony as the crucified one suffocates while hanging, into a victory for all people; even death is conquered. Defeat becomes victory.
Being children of the light is a call to see our challenges as opportunities for God to do great things through us. God can use us if we open ourselves to be bearers of light and love. If we can honestly say that we are able to give thanks in all circumstances, then we are blessed beyond measure. We are able to be a witness to the triumphant truth of God's love in our lives. When the trials come, and they surely will, we need only look to Jesus to see that even the worse outcome we can imagine only lasts awhile. God can move to transform only those who willingly will risk it all. rsy
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Lenten Devotional 4-7-09
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
John 12:20-26
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Humanity to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Heavenly Parent will honor.
John's Jesus speaks in riddles to his followers. He turns the world upside down. In order to save one's life, one must be willing to lose it. Jesus denounces fear; his words confound the wise. When we are willing to give ourselves completely then God can transform us. When we concern ourselves with being cautious, or constricted then God cannot use us as we are to be used. I'm not suggesting that we exhibit poor judgment; we are, however, called to do great things for and with God. We are called to be bold in our faith, risking everything to follow God's call. When we are willing to get out of God's way in our lives and truly live as Christ's hands in the world; we can have all of the blessings that God has in store or us.
We speak often in our church about abundant life. How many of us really can lay fear aside and live as if God's provision for us will never run dry? In these tough economic times we are called to share our resources, our daily lives and everything that God has blessed us with: our money, our compassion, our abilities, talents, gifts, and our labor so that all people will live with enough. To get to the kingdom of heaven a rich person is supposed to be willing to part with goods of this world. We can live in an amazing world where all bellies have enjoyed the earth's bounty, all minds and hearts have mastered compassionate thought and all spirits soar to follow God's plan. rsy
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
John 12:20-26
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Humanity to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Heavenly Parent will honor.
John's Jesus speaks in riddles to his followers. He turns the world upside down. In order to save one's life, one must be willing to lose it. Jesus denounces fear; his words confound the wise. When we are willing to give ourselves completely then God can transform us. When we concern ourselves with being cautious, or constricted then God cannot use us as we are to be used. I'm not suggesting that we exhibit poor judgment; we are, however, called to do great things for and with God. We are called to be bold in our faith, risking everything to follow God's call. When we are willing to get out of God's way in our lives and truly live as Christ's hands in the world; we can have all of the blessings that God has in store or us.
We speak often in our church about abundant life. How many of us really can lay fear aside and live as if God's provision for us will never run dry? In these tough economic times we are called to share our resources, our daily lives and everything that God has blessed us with: our money, our compassion, our abilities, talents, gifts, and our labor so that all people will live with enough. To get to the kingdom of heaven a rich person is supposed to be willing to part with goods of this world. We can live in an amazing world where all bellies have enjoyed the earth's bounty, all minds and hearts have mastered compassionate thought and all spirits soar to follow God's plan. rsy
Monday, April 6, 2009
Lenten Devotional 4-6-09
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Monday, April 6th
John 12:9-19
When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.
The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,' Hosanna'! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord- the King of Israel!' Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: 'Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!' His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify.* It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. The Pharisees then said to one another, 'You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!'
Isn't typical of human nature to want to "see" something? When an accident happens on the highway or street we often experience the slow down because we want to "see" what happened. The people of Jesus' day were no different than we are today. By now everyone had heard of the miracle performed of raising Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus and Jesus are at dinner in Bethany. In your imagination, can you picture the evening news anchors all converging at dinner to interview Lazarus? Asking him to recount the story of how he had been raised; drilling him with question after question? We are not told that any of that happened in this story but we all know how people are; inquiring minds want to know. We are also told that many of the Jews now believe in Jesus. The chief priests have also heard what has happened and have planned to put Jesus to death, as well as Lazarus.
Why is it that when we don't understand something or when someone is different than the "norm" we have to extinguish it? We can maybe understand that the religious leaders are trying to protect 'their way" of doing things; keeping the law and minding the status quo of all the rules and regulations of their teaching, holding it very sacred and dear because that's the way they've always done things and it has always worked, until now. Jesus brought to their attention on many occasions that people ought to be healed regardless if it's on the Sabbath day or not. It's actually important to do some work and help your neighbor, even if it may go against the rules and regulations, because people are more important than the rules themselves which were set up to protect people in the first place!
How do we as a body of Christ react differently than the "religious leaders" of Jesus' day? Can we be open to new experiences or situations that might be different than the way we've always done it? How can we learn to embrace change with an open mind and heart? The scriptures in the Old Testament had already prophesied the outcome of Jesus' fate long before he came on the scene. Since we have the scriptures as a guide and instruction tool let us learn from the mistakes and victories of others and live our lives open to new possibilities and experiences in Christ Jesus our Lord. gmc
Monday, April 6th
John 12:9-19
When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.
The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,' Hosanna'! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord- the King of Israel!' Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: 'Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!' His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify.* It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. The Pharisees then said to one another, 'You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!'
Isn't typical of human nature to want to "see" something? When an accident happens on the highway or street we often experience the slow down because we want to "see" what happened. The people of Jesus' day were no different than we are today. By now everyone had heard of the miracle performed of raising Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus and Jesus are at dinner in Bethany. In your imagination, can you picture the evening news anchors all converging at dinner to interview Lazarus? Asking him to recount the story of how he had been raised; drilling him with question after question? We are not told that any of that happened in this story but we all know how people are; inquiring minds want to know. We are also told that many of the Jews now believe in Jesus. The chief priests have also heard what has happened and have planned to put Jesus to death, as well as Lazarus.
Why is it that when we don't understand something or when someone is different than the "norm" we have to extinguish it? We can maybe understand that the religious leaders are trying to protect 'their way" of doing things; keeping the law and minding the status quo of all the rules and regulations of their teaching, holding it very sacred and dear because that's the way they've always done things and it has always worked, until now. Jesus brought to their attention on many occasions that people ought to be healed regardless if it's on the Sabbath day or not. It's actually important to do some work and help your neighbor, even if it may go against the rules and regulations, because people are more important than the rules themselves which were set up to protect people in the first place!
How do we as a body of Christ react differently than the "religious leaders" of Jesus' day? Can we be open to new experiences or situations that might be different than the way we've always done it? How can we learn to embrace change with an open mind and heart? The scriptures in the Old Testament had already prophesied the outcome of Jesus' fate long before he came on the scene. Since we have the scriptures as a guide and instruction tool let us learn from the mistakes and victories of others and live our lives open to new possibilities and experiences in Christ Jesus our Lord. gmc
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Lenten devotional 4-4-09
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Saturday, April 4th
John 11:28-44
When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, 'The Teacher is here and is calling for you.' And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, 'See how he loved him!' But some of them said, 'Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?'
Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.' Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, 'Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.' Jesus said to her, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?' So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, 'Creator, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.' When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.'
This time we hear Mary verbalize the same thing that Martha her sister expressed earlier in this passage. Lord if you had only been here our brother would not have died. When Jesus saw Mary weeping and the Jews with her he also begins to weep. How often do we see Jesus actually weeping? We have seen in the Gospels the statement that he was moved with compassion and he healed their sick but we don't see such great emotion where Jesus weeps. And obviously by his reaction he loved this family very much. They were a part of his followers and ministry. Jesus doesn't stay in his grief for very long, but moves quickly to action. He says, "Take away the stone." Martha says, Lord, by now he stinking because his body has started to decay. He doesn't pay any attention to her words this time. He prays to the Creator, I thank you that you heard me and I know you always hear me but for the sake of the crowd standing here that they may believe you sent me. Then he says, Lazarus, come out, and out comes Lazarus, bound in strips of cloth looking like a hopping mummy. Then he says, unbind him and let him go.
Wow. This would be the topic of conversation around Jerusalem for a while. No one could deny Lazarus was dead or that Jesus used some type of trickery to pull this miracle off. There is no mention again of him using a demon to perform miracles any longer. All who were witnesses of Lazarus death and his resurrection had proof first that Lazarus was dead and now alive, of who Jesus was and who sent him that day.
Do we know why Jesus waited four days? There are two answers to that question. The first reason is the Jews of that day believed the soul hung around for three days after death before finally departing. If he had come any sooner they would have dismissed it the miracle or if he had just healed him before he died, they probably would have thought it was any ole ordinary miracle. Jesus wanted to be sure that there would be no denying the miracle performed that day. But most importantly He wanted to bring glory to God. As followers of Christ we to in everything we do and say should only bring glory to God. gmc
Saturday, April 4th
John 11:28-44
When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, 'The Teacher is here and is calling for you.' And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, 'See how he loved him!' But some of them said, 'Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?'
Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.' Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, 'Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.' Jesus said to her, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?' So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, 'Creator, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.' When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.'
This time we hear Mary verbalize the same thing that Martha her sister expressed earlier in this passage. Lord if you had only been here our brother would not have died. When Jesus saw Mary weeping and the Jews with her he also begins to weep. How often do we see Jesus actually weeping? We have seen in the Gospels the statement that he was moved with compassion and he healed their sick but we don't see such great emotion where Jesus weeps. And obviously by his reaction he loved this family very much. They were a part of his followers and ministry. Jesus doesn't stay in his grief for very long, but moves quickly to action. He says, "Take away the stone." Martha says, Lord, by now he stinking because his body has started to decay. He doesn't pay any attention to her words this time. He prays to the Creator, I thank you that you heard me and I know you always hear me but for the sake of the crowd standing here that they may believe you sent me. Then he says, Lazarus, come out, and out comes Lazarus, bound in strips of cloth looking like a hopping mummy. Then he says, unbind him and let him go.
Wow. This would be the topic of conversation around Jerusalem for a while. No one could deny Lazarus was dead or that Jesus used some type of trickery to pull this miracle off. There is no mention again of him using a demon to perform miracles any longer. All who were witnesses of Lazarus death and his resurrection had proof first that Lazarus was dead and now alive, of who Jesus was and who sent him that day.
Do we know why Jesus waited four days? There are two answers to that question. The first reason is the Jews of that day believed the soul hung around for three days after death before finally departing. If he had come any sooner they would have dismissed it the miracle or if he had just healed him before he died, they probably would have thought it was any ole ordinary miracle. Jesus wanted to be sure that there would be no denying the miracle performed that day. But most importantly He wanted to bring glory to God. As followers of Christ we to in everything we do and say should only bring glory to God. gmc
Friday, April 3, 2009
Hidden Treasures of St. Johns (a repost from 2008)
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/"God Buries His Workmen... but carries on his Work" ( stain glass window that was located in St. Johns UMC 63108) donated by the "Ladies Aid" group. *time unknown
I used to pass this window at St. Johns as I came in for worship each week. I never really payed much attention to it really. I was more gravitated to the courtyard space between the Chapel, and Sanctuary. But really my experience at the St. Johns UMC, facility was much like a Baptism, a HUGE rush, and before I knew what had happened it was over.
I really began to visit MCCGSL in earnest around January of 2007. Nearly 10 years after I first visited. I used to live nearby, and was a regular (sporatic) visitor from 1997-2000.
I met this person named Daniel McCree around Christmas time, and while I was in a happy 6year relationship- This was truly the SPIRIT OF GOD grabbing me, and told me very clearly... one of the exact words kinda of Spirit telling....
" You are supposed to know this person the rest of your life." but I also knew this was not intended to change the relationship I was in. And thus began the friendship, that was an embodiment of GODS LOVE, as pure as it comes.
Our freindship continued, even though the situation really fell from the sky. But we were both very Christ oriented and really felt in our heart that this was Divine. Daniel was on a spiritual quest of a driven inspiration. He was a man on a mission, and had a clear direction (which changed from minute to minute)... invariably :) He was a COMPELLER, compelling those around him into action. For the betterment of themselves and the world surrounding them.
Daniel struggled Greatly, on many battlefronts. He was in the midst of a four theatre WAR.
He stuggled with his health, nearly dying in 2003 from HIV, and coming back to living a healthy lifestlye. He kicked a nasty drug habit with meth, and truly lived in ways that most of us who call themselves "Christ- like" would envy. He was an embodiment of Christ. Giving his own foodstamp money to feed his neighbors, and picking up homeless people, and giving them a warm place in his own small apartment. He was the food and homeless shelter both! In fact Tonji (Tonya) became a fixture who stayed in his place even after his death. oops. I spilled the TEA.
The biggest struggle in Daniel's life, was LOVE. Being in love, loving, being loved, God love, Loving God, Or Could God?.... yes, Daniel struggled around the Grace of God. He had truly lived his live, in many ways. not always within his best potential. (read more at http://www.danielmccree.org/ )
Daniel insisted I should become active at MCCGSL. He himself, lived in Belleville, IL, without a car, and walked three blocks to the MetroLink train station, then rode the train west for 45min. Ariving a full MILE south of church, where he would walk to St. Johns UMC. More times than not, arriving at least 10min into services. "Never a reason not to come" he would say. This same advice got me to choir practice this past week, when I was late leaving work.
Okay, Im getting to my long drawn out POINT, YES THERE IS A POINT TO ALL OF THIS--
Daniel passed away in July 2007, around the time we found out that St. Johns was closing. We held his funeral at St. Johns, and suddenly the kid that always made fun of the "older people's" attachment to churches, found myself a grown adult, still ripe with grief-- and facing in what seemed like only weeks, the certaintly of leaving the CWE location. I still miss sitting in that courtyard, as Daniel and I used to smoke a cigarette after church there, and enjoy some quiet time together.
I was so incredibly blessed by God to have known Daniel, and God truly lead me through the experience. Ironically, I always knew to say everything to Daniel, and not hold anything back. For somehow I knew time was not something we would be afforded much of. I really had no idea he would commit suicide while in Miami, although I must admit to myself, my spirit may have known more than it lead on. If you were to go back and read the emails I sent to him on the final days of his life, one would not have to stretch the imagination that I felt the storm was coming. Daniel had some spiritual abilities, I will never understand. It was much as if he had a direct line to God. We somehow always had the ability to understand each other, without talking much. We just did. and we spent a lot of time, exchanging emails. In fact we may not see each other but maybe twice a week, as he was a full-time art student at SWIC.
So My point is, I simply want to give some Credit to my beloved Daniel McCree, for it is in his spirit, that the website of The Hope and Help Center came to be. When I was creating Daniel's website, it was as if he was sitting on my shoulder telling what to put where, and specifically what songs to put on his playlists. (still does sometimes) When I was asked to do the website for THE HOPE AND HELP CENTER, I heard Daniels voice tell me DO IT!... so I began a time of prayer and relfection, for guidance. What to a visitor of the website seems like a daunting task, was truly a labor of Love, and much like Daniel's website, I felt the spirit really lead me through the initial stages of its development. Still today, the sprit leads- other members contribute greatly to the Center.
"God Buries His Workmen... but carries on his Work" ( stain glass window that was located in St. Johns UMC 63108) donated by the "Ladies Aid" group. *time unknown
Lenten Devotional for FRIDAY April 3rd
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Friday, April 3rd
John 11: 1-27
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus,* 'Lord, he whom you love is ill.' But when Jesus heard it, he said, 'This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.' Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus* was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, 'Let us go to Judea again.' The disciples said to him, 'Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?' Jesus answered, 'Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.' After saying this, he told them, 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.' The disciples said to him, 'Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.' Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.' Thomas, who was called the Twin,* said to his fellow-disciples, 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.'Jesus the Resurrection and the Life
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus* had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles* away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.' Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life.* Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah,* the Son of God, the one coming into the world.'
This passage reminds me of a similar incident when we see Jairus, who is one of the leaders of the synagogue come, fall at Jesus' feet and begging and saying repeatedly, "My little daughter is at the point of death, come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live". So Jesus left immediately to follow Jairus so he could answer this request. So many people followed and pressed in on him that he stops because he felt power leave his body. The woman with the issue of blood had touched his garment; he stopped to get her testimony and says to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well, go in peace and be healed of your disease". While all of this was going on, some people from Jairus' house come and say not to bother Jesus, because his daughter is already dead. Talk about drama! Where is the compassion? Jesus is so calm, cool and collected. He over hears the conversation and just says, do not fear, only believe! He allows only Peter, James and John to continue with him. When they arrive, there are people weeping and wailing, carrying on and making a commotion. Jesus says, "Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child's not dead but asleep". Then they laugh at him; he puts them out and he raises the girl up.
Don't you think the same kind of scene is happening at Mary and Martha's house? Do you think they are wondering why Jesus did not immediately come to their rescue to heal Lazarus before he died? If only he had come sooner! If we were in their shoes most of us would be thinking exactly that. Four days later Jesus shows up at Bethany and Martha rushes out to meet Jesus, but Mary stays at home. Do you think Mary might have been a little upset? Martha verbalizes what everyone was thinking, but adds a surprising twist with the second part of her statement, "Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died. But...I know even now God will give you anything you ask for". Jesus says your brother will rise again! There are more words exchanged, but ultimately Jesus makes the point, 'I am the resurrection and the life.* Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah,* the Son of God, the one coming into the world'.
What great faith Martha had and proclaimed! May we, like Martha, remember in whom we believe and exhibit that same kind of faith when we face life's challenges each day. gmc
Friday, April 3rd
John 11: 1-27
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus,* 'Lord, he whom you love is ill.' But when Jesus heard it, he said, 'This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.' Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus* was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, 'Let us go to Judea again.' The disciples said to him, 'Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?' Jesus answered, 'Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.' After saying this, he told them, 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.' The disciples said to him, 'Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.' Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.' Thomas, who was called the Twin,* said to his fellow-disciples, 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.'Jesus the Resurrection and the Life
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus* had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles* away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.' Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life.* Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah,* the Son of God, the one coming into the world.'
This passage reminds me of a similar incident when we see Jairus, who is one of the leaders of the synagogue come, fall at Jesus' feet and begging and saying repeatedly, "My little daughter is at the point of death, come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live". So Jesus left immediately to follow Jairus so he could answer this request. So many people followed and pressed in on him that he stops because he felt power leave his body. The woman with the issue of blood had touched his garment; he stopped to get her testimony and says to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well, go in peace and be healed of your disease". While all of this was going on, some people from Jairus' house come and say not to bother Jesus, because his daughter is already dead. Talk about drama! Where is the compassion? Jesus is so calm, cool and collected. He over hears the conversation and just says, do not fear, only believe! He allows only Peter, James and John to continue with him. When they arrive, there are people weeping and wailing, carrying on and making a commotion. Jesus says, "Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child's not dead but asleep". Then they laugh at him; he puts them out and he raises the girl up.
Don't you think the same kind of scene is happening at Mary and Martha's house? Do you think they are wondering why Jesus did not immediately come to their rescue to heal Lazarus before he died? If only he had come sooner! If we were in their shoes most of us would be thinking exactly that. Four days later Jesus shows up at Bethany and Martha rushes out to meet Jesus, but Mary stays at home. Do you think Mary might have been a little upset? Martha verbalizes what everyone was thinking, but adds a surprising twist with the second part of her statement, "Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died. But...I know even now God will give you anything you ask for". Jesus says your brother will rise again! There are more words exchanged, but ultimately Jesus makes the point, 'I am the resurrection and the life.* Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah,* the Son of God, the one coming into the world'.
What great faith Martha had and proclaimed! May we, like Martha, remember in whom we believe and exhibit that same kind of faith when we face life's challenges each day. gmc
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Lenten Devotional 4-2-09
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Thursday, April 2nd
John 10:19-42
Again the Jews were divided because of these words. Many of them were saying, 'He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?' Others were saying, 'These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?'
At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah,* tell us plainly.' Jesus answered, 'I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Creator's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Creator has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Creator's hand.* The Creator and I are one. The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, 'I have shown you many good works from God. For which of these are you going to stone me?' The Jews answered, 'It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.' Jesus answered, 'Is it not written in your law,* "I said, you are gods"? If those to whom the word of God came were called "gods"-and the scripture cannot be annulled- can you say that the one whom God has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, "I am God's Son"? If I am not doing the works of my Creator, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand* that the Creator is in me and I am in the Creator.' Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, 'John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.' And many believed in him there.
How many times did Jesus actually tell them who he was? He states in this passage and numerous others exactly who he was and the "religious leaders" of his day did not want to believe him. Perhaps they had a hard time wrapping their brains around the fact that someone who was raised in their midst, who grew up around their children, who went to temple and received the same teachings and education that all Jewish males did in their region could be the messiah. Do you think they knew his family, his half brothers and sisters, his mother and stepfather?
What about Jesus' actions and his words made them so angry they wanted to stone him for blasphemy? Wouldn't you think if someone healed the sick, opened blind eyes, made the lame to walk, healed leapers and raised people from the dead they would believe he was at the very least a prophet? And why couldn't someone performing good and healing "works" be the messiah?
The passage of scripture Jesus quotes is from Psalm 82: 6 'I say, "You are gods", children of the Most High, all of you.' He quoted the word, their "law" to them and stated it was God who was the power behind the works and to at least believe "the works" if they could not believe who he was. Their response was to try and arrest him. If we would put ourselves in the shoes of Jesus for a moment, we probably would be thinking, "What do I have to do here to catch a break!" for someone to believe what I am saying and doing? Will anyone believe me? Can you hear the plea in his words?
Jesus retreated at that moment, and went back to the Jordan where John had been baptizing and proclaiming who Jesus was. Many came to him there and recognized that while John didn't perform miracles, everything John said about Jesus was true. Thanks be to God many believed in him there.
My hope for today and for the rest of our lives is that like those who met Jesus at the Jordan we too will believe in him. That we will believe in the power of his message and resurrection that continues as we display the love and compassion of Christ to all people. As true followers of Christ, may we minister the same grace and mercy he gave to us toward others every day, and be blessed. gmc
Thursday, April 2nd
John 10:19-42
Again the Jews were divided because of these words. Many of them were saying, 'He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?' Others were saying, 'These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?'
At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah,* tell us plainly.' Jesus answered, 'I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Creator's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Creator has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Creator's hand.* The Creator and I are one. The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, 'I have shown you many good works from God. For which of these are you going to stone me?' The Jews answered, 'It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.' Jesus answered, 'Is it not written in your law,* "I said, you are gods"? If those to whom the word of God came were called "gods"-and the scripture cannot be annulled- can you say that the one whom God has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, "I am God's Son"? If I am not doing the works of my Creator, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand* that the Creator is in me and I am in the Creator.' Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, 'John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.' And many believed in him there.
How many times did Jesus actually tell them who he was? He states in this passage and numerous others exactly who he was and the "religious leaders" of his day did not want to believe him. Perhaps they had a hard time wrapping their brains around the fact that someone who was raised in their midst, who grew up around their children, who went to temple and received the same teachings and education that all Jewish males did in their region could be the messiah. Do you think they knew his family, his half brothers and sisters, his mother and stepfather?
What about Jesus' actions and his words made them so angry they wanted to stone him for blasphemy? Wouldn't you think if someone healed the sick, opened blind eyes, made the lame to walk, healed leapers and raised people from the dead they would believe he was at the very least a prophet? And why couldn't someone performing good and healing "works" be the messiah?
The passage of scripture Jesus quotes is from Psalm 82: 6 'I say, "You are gods", children of the Most High, all of you.' He quoted the word, their "law" to them and stated it was God who was the power behind the works and to at least believe "the works" if they could not believe who he was. Their response was to try and arrest him. If we would put ourselves in the shoes of Jesus for a moment, we probably would be thinking, "What do I have to do here to catch a break!" for someone to believe what I am saying and doing? Will anyone believe me? Can you hear the plea in his words?
Jesus retreated at that moment, and went back to the Jordan where John had been baptizing and proclaiming who Jesus was. Many came to him there and recognized that while John didn't perform miracles, everything John said about Jesus was true. Thanks be to God many believed in him there.
My hope for today and for the rest of our lives is that like those who met Jesus at the Jordan we too will believe in him. That we will believe in the power of his message and resurrection that continues as we display the love and compassion of Christ to all people. As true followers of Christ, may we minister the same grace and mercy he gave to us toward others every day, and be blessed. gmc
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Lenten Devotional April 1, 2009
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Wednesday, April 1st
John 10:1-18
Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.' Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Creator knows me and I know the Creator. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Creator loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes* it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Parent.'
There is so much imaginary in the Gospel of John. Trying to summarize different passages is sometimes very difficult, but there are several verses that seem to jump out in this particular section; verse 10, "The thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy and I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly." This is a key verse that can be useful to keep in the forefront of our minds as we live life everyday. We live in a fallen world that is not perfect. It wasn't the way God intended for it to be but we are here and we have to deal with living life. When things go wrong and bad things happen, we don't need to ask God why? Or question where is it coming from? The answer is right here in verse 10. We all have an enemy or thief and that thief has a job; to steal from us, kill us and destroy us plain and simple, but Jesus came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. The amplified bible quotes it this way," I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have life in abundance (to the full, till life overflows)." Jesus came to give us abundant life.
The rest of this passage in John parallels much of Psalm 23. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want". God takes care of us, knows us by name and we know God and hear God's voice and we don't listen to or follow a stranger. God makes or causes us to lie down in green pastures, lead us besides still waters. God restores our soul and leads us in the right paths.
Wherever we are going, as long as we allow the good shepherd to lead us and stay on the path God has outlined for us, our souls are restored and we will continue to find rest. Even though Jesus states we have an enemy to contend with in this world, we have hope knowing that the bad things are not from God and that even though we may temporarily walk through (not stay stuck in forever) the darkest valley, we have nothing to fear for God is in us and with us and God comforts us. God even prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies and anoints our head with oil and overflows our cups. More confirmation about bringing us abundant life! We have the promise that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our abundant life and we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. "Thank You, Jesus, for being our good shepherd who laid down your life and picked it up again through the resurrection to give us our abundant life, Amen." gmc
Wednesday, April 1st
John 10:1-18
Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.' Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Creator knows me and I know the Creator. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Creator loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes* it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Parent.'
There is so much imaginary in the Gospel of John. Trying to summarize different passages is sometimes very difficult, but there are several verses that seem to jump out in this particular section; verse 10, "The thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy and I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly." This is a key verse that can be useful to keep in the forefront of our minds as we live life everyday. We live in a fallen world that is not perfect. It wasn't the way God intended for it to be but we are here and we have to deal with living life. When things go wrong and bad things happen, we don't need to ask God why? Or question where is it coming from? The answer is right here in verse 10. We all have an enemy or thief and that thief has a job; to steal from us, kill us and destroy us plain and simple, but Jesus came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. The amplified bible quotes it this way," I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have life in abundance (to the full, till life overflows)." Jesus came to give us abundant life.
The rest of this passage in John parallels much of Psalm 23. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want". God takes care of us, knows us by name and we know God and hear God's voice and we don't listen to or follow a stranger. God makes or causes us to lie down in green pastures, lead us besides still waters. God restores our soul and leads us in the right paths.
Wherever we are going, as long as we allow the good shepherd to lead us and stay on the path God has outlined for us, our souls are restored and we will continue to find rest. Even though Jesus states we have an enemy to contend with in this world, we have hope knowing that the bad things are not from God and that even though we may temporarily walk through (not stay stuck in forever) the darkest valley, we have nothing to fear for God is in us and with us and God comforts us. God even prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies and anoints our head with oil and overflows our cups. More confirmation about bringing us abundant life! We have the promise that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our abundant life and we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. "Thank You, Jesus, for being our good shepherd who laid down your life and picked it up again through the resurrection to give us our abundant life, Amen." gmc
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