“Easter!!!!”

March 23, 2008
Sunday

Christ is Risen!! He is Risen indeed!
The texts for Easter, using the Revised Common Lectionary are:

Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2,14-24
Colossians 3:1-4
John 20:1-18
Matthew 28:1-10

“To the angel of the church of Pergamum”

March 22, 2008
Saturday

Revelation 2:12-17

It’s Holy Saturday, the day between the death and resurrection of Christ. In some denominations there are prayer vigils or special services. During these times a great deal of reflection and listening to God occurs. In the city of Pergamum, God is calling them to listen to one voice, God’s divine voice. It appears that some are following other teachings and in doing so are leading God’s people into sin. God says to stop and to repent, or else.
On this day, who is it that we are listening to for guidance and direction? Is it the voice of God, sometimes small and other times like a great wind, that calls us to love and serve one another, or is it something else that may bring us temporary satisfaction but offers pain and suffering to others. When folks ask how I know if it’s God speaking to me, I tell them that I consider the results of my actions. While I may not know the final outcome, I can tell early on if I am going to be helping or hurting God’s children. If it helps, if it praises God, it is of God. Hurting does not praise God and it often hurts others. What teachings are we following? Are they helping or hurting? Do they praise God?

“It is finished”

March 21, 2008
Friday

John 19:30

It’s amazing to think that we’ve come to the end of this Lenten devotional. When we were putting together the grant application, the idea sounded great. Returning to the church on November 4th, I realized I had two months to get it all together. Before I knew it, we were at the end of January, and the idea of weekly devotional was born of necessity. Rationalizing, I considered it my Lenten commitment, giving to others instead of giving up a personal vice.
Well, we’re now at the end of the devotional and I can testify that God has worked in my life in exciting ways over these forty days. Reliving the physical journey, seeing how it has enriched my spiritual walk, and causing me to look forward to new directions in my life.
When Jesus said, “It is finished”, he only meant his earthly ministry as a fully human individual. For Jesus, he might not be around but there were others to carry on the Good News. Sometimes they did it well and other times they seemed to stumble along in the dark and unknown.
That’s what I feel like as I finish this week’s entries. As I say, “this devotional is finished”, I know God has more for me to do. I am honored that I am called to lead a congregation and to serve as a pastor with the challenge to equip and empower others to go out to share the love and grace of God in the world. As you finish reading this devotional, what is God calling you to do now? How is God challenging you to equip and empower others to share the love and grace of God with the World? It’s what God wills for us. Shall we do it together?

“Into your hands I commit my Spirit”

March 20, 2008
Thursday

Luke 23:44-46

It’s Maundy Thursday, the day that we remember the Last Supper in the upper room. It’s the night that Jesus sat with the disciples, used the common elements of bread and wine, and called them to remember him through the act of breaking and sharing in that feast. They didn’t know what it meant, but Jesus did. He knew that they would need a way to remember the love God had shared with them, and with all of us, through Jesus.
While in Turkey, there were a few times when I had the chance to touch water, remember my baptism, and give thanks to God. One of those places was in the Church of St. Peter in Antioch. The church was carved out of the side of a hill and is where Barnabas and Paul, among others, came and preached to the early Christians. Over in the corner of the room was a pool that collected water that naturally ran through the rock. When there was a baptism in the church over the years, the collected water was used in the celebration. Touching the water that day, I remembered the sacrifice and love of Jesus for me, of the great cloud of witnesses who carried the message through the generations, and my commitment to follow God’s will. It was a remembering, much like in the breaking of bread and drinking of wine.
When Jesus said, “Into your hands I commit my Spirit” in the last moments of his life, I know without a doubt that he committed his life to be guided by the Spirit. On this night when Jesus died that we might live, are you willing to commit your life to be guided by the Spirit? Don’t be afraid for such a promise offers life, not death.

“I am Thirsty”

March 19, 2008
Wednesday

John 19:28

One of the interesting aspects of our time in Turkey was having water with our meals. It didn’t matter whether we were eating at a local restaurant, on the top floor of a hotel, or in a fine establishment, water was never served with the meal. By that I mean that in the US, when we go to a restaurant, we can often ask for water with our meal and they will serve it for free with or without lemon. In Turkey, we only had water with the meal when someone in our party purchased it. While in Turkey I realized how I had come to expect free water at a restaurant.
In our faith walk, what do we take for granted? Do we simply assume God is with us every step of the way? Don’t worry, God is always there, but what do we do with the knowledge? What about a relationship with Jesus Christ? How do we show that we understand the power and presence of that relationship in our lives? Is a free response or do we expect something in return?
When Jesus stated he was thirsty, it was physical. He has had a truly horrible day and his body needed nourishment. On the other hand, spiritually, Jesus had the strength he needed as he was drinking the water that springs eternal within all of us. Do we know the difference?
My question for today is, knowing that we live in a land in which we can find water to nourish our body almost anywhere to meet our physical needs, how is our soul doing? Are we thirsty for living water? Are we having a hard day, week, year, life? Could we use something to give us strength to endure? If so, say to God, “I am thirsty” and then drink of the water of life that quenches all thirst.

“Here is your mother”

March 18, 2008
Tuesday

John 19:25-26

Above Ephesus, on Bulbul Mountain, is the House of the Virgin Mary. It is supposedly the place where Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the Apostle John lived during the last days of her life, and where she was eventually buried. Much of the house is closed off to the public but there is an area, that looks a great deal like a chapel, where folks can walk through and pay homage.
I figured seeing the “house” it would be a “Catholic” pilgrimage—using the stereotype that if it had to do with the Virgin Mary, it had to be Catholic. The other three persons on the tour were Catholic, so I decided I’d go through the motions as I knew it would be an important place for them. I later found out it was also a place of pilgrimage for Muslims because Mary was the mother of one of their prophets and is mentioned many times in the Koran.
The place was packed with tourists as the cruise ships were in town. We followed the line past a nun and into the house. I was immediately moved by the sacredness of the moment. This was holy ground for me! Why? How? I don’t know. What I do know is that God spoke to me in that place, in a way that reminded me how dangerous stereotypes can be. I was also very much aware that God seeks us out even when we aren’t looking for God. As we moved through the house, I felt love, grace, peace, and comfort. Had Mary and John really moved here at some point after the death of Jesus? It didn’t matter. I knew in that moment that I was a child of God and that I was in the presence of my divine parent. It was amazing! Do you have such a relationship with God? Would you like to? I invite you to give it prayerful thought. I’d love to talk with you about it.

“Today you will be with me in paradise”

March 17, 2008
Monday

Luke 23:39-43

When Jesus is talking with the thief hanging beside him about paradise, I often think of heaven, of God’s kingdom where all are invited to live out eternity. However, on this day, I would invite is to remember the words of Jesus when he says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2) and also “strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Why? Because these words of Jesus remind us that the kingdom is not just something that we die into but also something we can live in each and every day of our lives, on earth and in heaven! As I reflect over our journey to Turkey, I would say that being able to spend three months with my best friend and love of my life was paradise. Some of the various sites that we saw as well as the foods that we ate, could very well be found in paradise. Seventeen days of blue sky and temperatures that were comfortable could be easily considered paradise. The opportunity to read from the Bible in sacred spots representing communities or events, was paradise.
As we enter Holy Week, and reflect of some of the last words of Jesus, I challenge us to not just look back and remember, or look forward and anticipate, but to also look at the present, seeking, seeing, and living in the paradise that God created, and is creating. For today we are with Jesus in paradise, God’s kingdom on earth!

"Passion Sunday"

March 16, 2008
Sunday

Today we walk with Christ from when he enters Jerusalem on the back of a donkey as the world’s savior to his death on the cross as a rejected king. We must experience each event to truly understand the power of Easter. Take time to read….
Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 26:14-27:66

“Paul’s well”

March 14, 2008
Friday

Acts 9:1-18

On our fifth day it Turkey, we traveled to Tarsus, to see the house where Paul is purported to have lived. Today Tarsus is a very busy city. We turned off a main street and found Paul’s place in the midst of a bunch of back streets. But wait, it looked too modern as it was made of wood and had no walls. What was going on? We got out of the van, walked through the gate, got our tickets (everything has a ticket in Turkey!), and moved towards the structure. Our guide had us look down to see Paul’s house. Underneath a clear cover laying flat to the ground, about 10 feet below the ground were the remnants. “This is thought to be the Apostle Paul’s home”.
As I looked around there was a well in working condition. “They call it Paul’s well and some say the water has healing powers, “ continued the guide. “If you want, they will bring up some water for you to have.” What would it be like to baptize someone with water from Paul’s well? That would be cool! But would it be any more special because it came from the site of Paul’s house? I then remembered how Paul was concerned that folks in Corinth were dividing the church. “Were you baptized into the name of Paul?” No. Then I thought of my baptism in the name of God, Christ, and the Spirit and chose to use that moment, as I did at other times on the journey, to remember my baptism and give thanks to God for first loving me so that I could love others. The water, no matter from where it comes, is meaningless unless we understand the glory of baptism, of rejoicing in God’s grace, and celebrating our life as a gift from God. It is our response to God’s amazing love and grace in your life. Do you remember your baptism? Whether you do or not, do you remember why you were baptized? If you’ve not been baptized yet, maybe we could talk about it.

“Will you say “Caesar is Lord?’”

March 13, 2008
Thursday


While in Izmir, we visited the Church of Polycarp. It is a Catholic church dedicated to honoring this direct pupil of the apostle John who was tortured and killed at the age of 86 because he would not proclaim that “Caesar is Lord” and offer a small pinch of incense to Caesar’s statue. Polycarp said, “Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” As a result of his unwillingness to denounce his faith in God, Polycarp was burned alive at the stake.
As we walked through the church, I was struck by the ornateness of decorations and color. It was an amazing place. Pictures painted on the walls and ceiling were of the Christian story, including the role Polycarp had as “the father of the Christian Church”. It was very comforting to see the Bible at the back of the church opened to one of my favorite stories, “The Walk to Emmaus”. However, the most unique aspect of the visit was seeing a relic of Polycarp. In the Catholic tradition, relics tie believers to the saints who have gone before them. For Polycarp, the relic, contained in a case, was a part of his skull bone.
As I reflected on Polycarp and his role as a martyr who died rather than live without Christ, I was reminded of our Christian brothers and sisters around the world today who willingly giving up their freedom, and sometimes their lives, to remain faithful to Christ. As we think of how Christ suffered and died for us, are we willing to say that we would be willing suffer and die rather than deny Christ in our lives? Are we willing to die to live for all of eternity with Christ? It’s something to ponder during this season of Lent.

“First Nicene Creed”

March 12, 2008
Wednesday

Near the end of our journey, we traveled to the city of Nicea, where the seven councils of Nicea were held. First we visited the church in which Councils 3-7 were held. When we asked where the first two councils were held, our guide pointed at the lake. “It’s out there, off the point.” (If you go to the website you’ll see a picture of it!)
The First Nicene Council, some 300 strong, gathered in 325 to discuss the heresy of Arius, (Arianism) which denied the divinity of Christ. In response, the Council created the Nicene Creed. The second council crafted the Nicene Creed that many of us know. Below are the words of the first Creed. By what statement of faith do we live?

“We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father, that is, of the substance [ek tes ousias] of the Father, God of God, light of light, true God of true God, begotten not made, of the same substance with the Father [homoousion to patri], through whom all things were made both in heaven and on earth; who for us men and our salvation descended, was incarnate, and was made man, suffered and rose again the third day, ascended into heaven and cometh to judge the living and the dead. And in the Holy Ghost. Those who say: There was a time when He was not, and He was not before He was begotten; and that He was made out of nothing (ex ouk onton); or who maintain that He is of another hypostasis or another substance [than the Father], or that the Son of God is created, or mutable, or subject to change, [them] the Catholic Church anathematizes.”

Today I walked where Paul walked...part 2

March 11, 2008
Tuesday

Today I walked where Paul walked and I wondered what he felt as his steps fell before mine so many years ago. Was he anxious, nervous, or excited to journey through these lands?

To walk among the people who worshiped so many gods, to offer them the one true God in whom they all could trust. Did he feel great confidence or was he walking scared?

Was he working on what next to say or trusting it would come? Was he looking forward to the synagogue or fighting to get into the theater to share the Word he knew so well that he wanted just to share, to offer people eternal life, salvation, and grace beyond compare.

Today I walked where Paul walked and recognized the call, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with any and with all. In places that I know for sure as well as those away, to continue the journey begun so long ago as God has called me to do. To walk among the merchants, the friendly and the foe, the rich and the poor, the lonely and the lost.

With fear, excitement, nervousness and awe that goes with such a call. To recognize that another will walk where I have walked and not have them wonder if I was true. To share the love of God as Paul did when he walked the path before me... “

“Today I walked where Paul walked…” (An original Poem)

March 10, 2008
Monday

I’d like to start this week out by sharing a poem that I wrote at the end of our journey through Turkey. Because of it’s length it is continued onto Tuesday as well. I would invite you to consider what it means to walk with Christ in your life in the 21st century.

“Today I walked where Paul walked two thousand years ago to share the Word of God with those he met and I found myself in awe.

As I walked along the cobblestones in places like Ephesus, Sardis, and Philadelphia I wondered what he saw; the shops, the merchants, the lost and lonely, the rich and the poor; those who noticed and ignored him this man from away. As he passed the shops along the way what did they have to offer this man who had so much to offer them? Were they selling figs and olives, skins and fancy cloth, idols made of wood and silver, or spices and medicinal drinks sure to heal the common woe?

I wondered about the sounds of selling and of yelling, of moving and of flow. As I looked at the ruins of sand and rock it is so very hard to tell. I found myself listening to the voices of the many silenced so many years ago.

“Pray for the church and it’s ministries”

March 9, 2008
Sunday

As on every Sunday, I invite you to attend worship and to share in the celebration of God’s grace and love given to you through God’s Son, Jesus the Christ. If your church is following the Revised Common Lectionary, the readings for this day are:
Ezekiel 37:1-4 Psalm 130
Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus”

March 8, 2008
Saturday

Revelation 2:1-7

What does God mean that the church of Ephesus has forgotten their first love? Their actions certainly seem to indicate that they are faithful to God—they, don’t tolerate wicked men or phony preachers. But God is concerned.
How many times in our faith journey have we been so busy being a Christian that we forgot about why we are doing it? By that I mean, how many times do we prepare a casserole for the supper, purchase cookies from the kids, attend every meeting we should, and get frustrated at the energy we are expending? These should not be obligations but rather ways to show our love for God through Christ. It’s our way to say “thank you for loving me in such an awesome way”. I tend to realize I’ve forgotten about living out my faith in Christ when I begin to feel all dried up inside. It’s then that I go to the well and drink again of the water that quenches all thirst. Have you forgotten your first love? If so, God invites you to come, rest, and sit in God’s presence and remember with thanksgiving your love for Christ in response to God’s love for you.

The Aspendos Theater

March 7, 2008
Friday

The Aspendos Theater

This is not the theater in Ephesus but the picture gives a better perspective of how all of the theaters were created. Those little specks in the middle of the picture are Lisa and the other members of our tour. It’s amazing how easy it was to hear their voices!
What I find so amazing is that we are even smaller specks in this whole world and yet God hears our every prayer and every thought. Do we believe that? Do we think we need special words or actions in order for God to really hear us? Do we think we need to be in a special place for God to understand what we are saying?
Might I invite you to talk with God, in your everyday voice, using the words you always use, and see just how clearly God can hear you. And, if you will sit in listen, God will speak to you as well. Thanks be to God.

“A Prayer for you”

March 6, 2008
Thursday

Ephesians 3:14-22

When I pray I often sit in a chair and lean back. On Sunday mornings, when I am preparing for worship, I either sit in the front pew or kneel at one of the prayer rails (they have cushions from the old church) facing the altar. I notice that some folks come forth after receiving communion and they kneel on the wooden steps up front while others stand. Where do you pray? In the pew? On your knees? Beside your bed? Does it matter?
When we entered into the mosques throughout Turkey we found no pews, no kneeling rails and no cushions. When the people come in to do their daily prayers they kneel, facing towards Mecca, and pray. Before entering the mosque we were required to take off our shoes and as I walked around inside I noticed that there seemed to be a little (and I mean a little) cushion underneath the carpet as to walk on it brought comfort to my feet. I guess you could say it brought comfort to my sole!
You see, I don’t think it’s as important where we pray as the fact that we do pray. For some folks, they can kneel on carpet for long periods of time in prayer while for some laying prostrate on the floor is where they feel closest to God. In these words from Ephesians, Paul talks of kneeling before God but what is most important is what he prays about. This is a prayer of hope, strength, thanksgiving, empowerment, and amazement for the people of Ephesus. Do we pray similar words for others? If we are disciples of Jesus, we should! Today let’s pray Paul’s words for our church with the same expectation that Paul had for the church in Ephesus.

“I can hear you!”

March 5, 2008
Wednesday


The theater architects of 2000 and longer ago were fantastic! They could create a space where people, without the benefit of microphones could be heard from the first level of seats all the way to what we now know as the nosebleed section! During our trip we visited 5 or 6 of these theaters. Each time we’d enter on the floor level I would climb as high as I could and listen to Lisa talk from the stage. She would talk in her normal voice and I’d hear what she was saying. No need to raise her voice just to be heard, just speak and I was listening. She could also hear me as I spoke to her from at least 100 to 200 feet away. Amazing!
Think about it. Why, in a much smaller space like our sanctuary do we need a microphone to be heard and boards to deaden the sound? Amazing! As I stood looking down at those gathered on the floor of the theater it helped me to understand a few things from the scriptures. For instance, it gave me a better perspective of how Jesus might be able to stand on a boat and preach to the crowds with the hills behind them. I was not as surprised about the 5,000 men plus others who followed Jesus with the expectation that they’d hear him as he spoke.
These folks didn’t worry so much about creating the perfect place from which to speak using the right sound enhancing and dampening equipment (I know that sounds contradictory) but rather they used what God had created as an example as to how they could serve humanity. Amazing!
What examples from God’s creation might we use to serve humanity today rather than trying to create something new by ourselves??

“Hearing voices”

March 4, 2008
Tuesday

Acts 19:23-41

If we read the whole chapter, we find out that Paul has been in Ephesus for over 2.5 years before Demetrious decides to take action. After all, the making of silver shrines and images was big business for Demetrious and his friends. Ephesus was known for its great temple to Artemis (one of the seven wonders of the world at that time) and if Paul’s words discredited the temple, it would be their worship and economic ruin. So Demetrious gets his friends riled up and then the whole town, which was a huge coastal city at the time. They move to the theater, where thousands upon thousands of folks gather for a rally against the Christians. Things did not look good at all and Paul wanted to go into the theater and try to talk with the unruly crowd. His followers talked him out of it, fearing for his life.
Standing outside the Ephesus theater, reading this text aloud, the tourists inside were talking and making noise. What was it like 2,000 years ago, with up to 25,000 people screaming, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”. How scary and intimidating it must have been. Yet Paul still wanted to go inside. I guess that was part of Paul’s directness and unwillingness to step away from a challenge to share the good news of Jesus Christ. But this time, I think his followers were right. As often as we want to jump in and defend Christ or argue for Christ’ sake, sometimes it’s best to trust God to take care of things. God did and it allowed Paul to continue on in his ministry. Sometimes we should enter the fray but other times we must stand down. In all cases we should listen for God’s voice directly or through others.

“What should we wear?”

March 3, 2008
Monday

Ephesians 6: 10-18

According to the information we received from our tour company, the weather was supposed to be in the fifties and sixties while we were in Turkey. Even though it was only mid-September, I had visions of a beautiful Maine fall day. We packed accordingly with long pants, jackets, and a couple of summer things, just in case. However, when we arrived in Turkey, we experienced a wonderful Maine summer and we were ecstatic. The only problem we had was what we had to wear. Having packed only a few summer things and with limited, and expensive, access to laundry facilities, we spent a portion of each evening washing clothes for the next day. The good thing is that the others on the trip had to do the same!
By the time we arrived in Ephesus, we were used to seeing the same clothes on everyone and tired of carrying a suitcase full of useless clothes.
In today’s reading from Ephesians, Paul challenges us to be strong in the Lord and to put on the full armor of God. This armor is not heavy, though at times challenging to wear. It does not need to be cleaned each night though we should keep up with it. It does not keep the sun out but does protect us from the heat of evil. It doesn’t require checking with the weather person or fashion expert but rather fits all situations. It gives us strength and the ability to withstand the storms of life. It is a gift from God. Amen!

“Celebrate”

March 2, 2008
Sunday

As on every Sunday, I invite you to attend worship and to share in the celebration of God’s grace and love given to you through God’s Son, Jesus the Christ. If your church is following the Revised Common Lectionary, the readings for this day are:
1 Samuel 16:1-13 Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41

“To the angel of the church of Laodicea”

March 1, 2008
Saturday

Revelation 3:14-22

“Make up your mind!” Throughout my life I’ve been accused of wanting to know all of my options before making a choice, even to the point of being indecisive. I say it’s because I want to make sure I have all the facts so I can make the right decision. On the other hand, I once had a supervisor who said it’s better to do something than nothing because at least you are taking action. God wants the folks of Laodicea to make a decision about their faith commitment. Be hot or cold! They were a very rich community but God says they were poor in Spirit. “Make up your mind!”
Where do we stand with God? Do we do the things that look good, to cover up the many things we should or shouldn’t be doing? God wants these folks to get off the fence and make a decision and God challenges us today to do the same thing. We can’t live half-in and half-out of the Kingdom! We must make up our mind. Christ is knocking. Do we answer and enter? I did and I thank God everyday!!! What about you? Make up your mind.