Isaiah 55:6-9

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” vs. 9

Most of the things that we say about God are more a reflection of ourselves than they are of God. The truth is that our little minds and inadequate vocabularies are incapable of even coming close to describing the Divine Presence. We have a sense that there is a God and occasionally we’ll catch a glimpse of Something that stirs our souls but that’s about the best we can do. But when we combine that with what is revealed in Jesus the Christ, it’s more than enough to satisfy our hearts and minds. In Christ we are enveloped in the mystery that sparked life in the universe and begin to understand that the essence of God is found in love. As individuals we are a part of a reality that is far greater than ourselves and that gives meaning and purpose to our lives. We are a precious link in the creative process and are moving with the rest of creation toward a magnificent completion in Christ. As we journey through those twists and turns of life, experiencing all its joys and sorrows, we don’t have to know everything…but we can imitate Jesus and walk the way of unconditional love, and through us goodness and mercy will prosper. Who could ask for anything more? Even if we can’t know the Lord of the Universe, knowing love is enough!

Thought for the Day: What does Jesus reveal of God?

Isaiah 55:1-5

“Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” vs. 1

The prophet’s words are bold, robust, and invitational. As we read his words our imaginations conjure up a marketplace full of smiling faces, a place where visitors are treated as guests rather than customers, a place of extravagant generosity. As we read on we discover the prophet is offering food for the soul and not for the stomach. His point is plain: the struggle for economic gain and material abundance is only a distraction from what really matters! What counts in kingdom living is feasting on the unconditional love of God and drinking deeply from the fountain of eternal life! Of course there are few in our time who can be lured by such a message. Many feign an interest in the spiritual life and even call themselves seekers, but what turns their crank is wealth and all its trappings. They love their luxury homes and access to gourmet foods and it’s to that lifestyle that they devote their time and energy…even when they know in their hearts that ultimately they will not be satisfied. But some do get it! They know that the best things in life are free and they enjoy them to the fullest. They revel in the experiences of the moment and gladly share their blessings…and theirs is the kingdom of heaven!

Thought for the Day: What turns my crank?

Luke 13:31-35

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” vs. 34

Jerusalem had enormous significance for the Jews of Jesus’ day. In addition to being their religious and political center, it was the “Holy City,” the symbolic residence of God on earth. The books of the prophets and the psalms regularly referenced it as Zion, the City on the Hill, the place to which all nations would one day be drawn. Jesus shared those feelings about Jerusalem and believed that his mission was to restore her holiness, even if it meant his death. As his ministry drew to a close he sensed that her restoration was beyond him and he offers a lament. His words are touching and reveal the extent of God’s love. “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings…!” That image of a mother hen is a perfect metaphor for the warm, protective love that God has for every one of us…especially those who have wandered away. How good it is to know that we can snuggle with God and experience soft embraces! No muscular manly squeezes here! Our Heavenly Mother has nothing but tender kisses and a warm gentle touch for those She loves so much!

Thought for the Day: How does it feel to think of God as mother?

Philippians 3:20-4:1

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” vs. 20

When Paul wrote to the Philippians he could scarcely contain his excitement as he talked about their future in Christ. He knew there was more to come and that we are moving toward transformation beyond our imagination. It’s not that he believed that life on this earth is just a training camp to prepare us for heaven…and that death would be our chance to jump to the major leagues. No, he knew that we’re already in the game…we’re already players on the highest level and this life is to be enjoyed to the fullest, not in gratifying our senses, but in embracing the goodness of creation.As we move through life with all its joys and sorrows we are being transformed and in the fullness of time we will be glorified in Christ. It’s that vision that can keep us sane in the midst of the current madness that seems to have gripped our world. Many are saying that humanity is on the road to destruction, that already decisions have been made that will be the end of our species. But followers of Jesus know that suffering and crucifixion are only a part of the journey. Resurrection awaits and it’s the best part of the story. In the meantime our only job is to see the Christ in others and let the Light of Christ shine in ourselves!

Thought for the Day: How visible is the Christ in me?

Philippians 3:17-19

“Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things.” vs. 19

Not everyone bought in to the message Paul was bringing to the people of God on his missionary journeys and he doesn’t hesitate to use harsh language to describe his detractors. Like Jesus he believed that there are two basic ways to live in this world: we can either tend to the welfare of our souls or we can chase after earthly treasure. He had seen the consequences of both kinds of living and there’s no doubt in his mind which is better. The group that serves the belly and that glorifies the desires of the flesh will have a sorry end. His words strike close to home in our pleasure seeking times. We love to eat and find it hard to avoid rich and fattening foods. Some would even say that gluttony is a national issue and argue that the evidence is all around us. It’s not that overweight people can’t love Jesus…many are his faithful servants…but over-indulgence of any kind is an insidious enemy. Paul encourages his Philippian readers to get back on track by observing how Spirit-filled people live. As we watch those who seem to have it together spiritually we can learn new disciplines…new ways to nourish the soul and grow in faith. It could even be that we can pick up some new pointers about healthy eating.

Thought for the Day: Why is it so hard to be a disciplined eater?

Psalm 27:7-14

“If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.” vs. 10

It would be wonderful if every person born in this world would be welcomed into a family that oozed with love and kindness. And wouldn’t it be terrific if all children would have parents who were slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love? Unfortunately that’s not the way it is! Too many children grow up in an atmosphere of turmoil and tension…abuse and neglect is rampant. In the United States we’re much more likely to treat our pets better than our kids. That is certainly not God’s intention! Some of us know this sad story all too well…we’ve grown up feeling unloved and unwanted. Many of us have unresolved issues with fathers or mothers…and lots of painful memories. Evidently such situations are not new…the psalmist knew the feeling and suggests that we can find our consolation in the Lord. That sort of thing happens regularly in our congregations. In the company of the saints we can find the kind of love and acceptance that’s been missing from our lives. In a very real sense our brothers and sisters in Christ become our fathers and mothers too; the Church becomes our family. What a blessing it is when those who have been rejected by their own flesh and blood are embraced and encouraged by the Body of Christ!

Thought for the Day: How is my congregation like a family to me?

Psalm 27:1-6

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” vs. 1

Fear is probably the greatest obstacle any of us face in the course of our lifetimes. It stifles our curiosity, undermines our adventures, and sabotages our good intentions. Fear paralyzes! While the benefits of healthy fear are obvious and prudential living is to be encouraged, too often fears can keep us from being our best selves. The psalmist knew about fear too, and had learned to lean on the Lord for his salvation. He boldly proclaims that when the Lord is one’s stronghold, there’s no need to be afraid of anything. Theoretically many of us would agree…and we’ve even learned not to be afraid of death. But it’s the little fears that plague us: the fear of missing a putt, the fear of being rejected in a relationship, the fear of looking foolish before our peers. Could it be that trusting in the Lord can keep us from even those kinds of fears? There’s no reason why it can’t work…if we can trust that God gives life in the face of death, surely we should be able to find that kind of confidence in other areas of life too. Some people can! We can see it in the way they walk and talk with assurance along the Way. They don’t care about failure…they laugh at their mistakes…they have no fears. It really is the best way to live.

Thought for the Day: How can I learn to be confident in all I do?

Genesis 15:7-12, 15-16

“On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates…’” vs. 18

There is no doubt that the Hebrews who emerged from the wilderness and forcibly occupied the land of Canaan believed that they had been given that land by the Lord. Their tribal narratives make that very clear. In their eyes they were not invaders…they were simply taking over what already belonged to them. That presumption continues to guide many contemporary Israelis, especially those who have established settlements in what are known as the occupied territories. Quite obviously there are many who do not agree with that notion…and the result has been continuing turmoil in what has been called the “Holy Land.” Whatever we think about this conflict, it’s obvious that compromises are going to have to be made. Even the ancient tribes ended up making accommodations with the people who had lived in the land and ultimately Israel included a multitude of ethnicities. Perhaps some day in the not too distant future Israelis and Palestinians can learn to live together in peace in this land that has given birth to some of the world’s great religions. The God of Abram, Jesus, and Mohammed is more than a tribal god…our God is the Lord of the universe and desires that all tribes and nations live together in harmony.

Thought for the Day: What makes a land holy?

Genesis 15:1-6

“After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’” vs. 1

Almost all the “big name” folks in our scriptures relied on direct encounters with God for direction and strength. Abram is no exception. His connections with the Lord came through a series of visions…the same was true for Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Elijah, Isaiah….the list goes on and on. Visionaries have been leading the people of God for centuries and the pattern continues today. They write books, preach sermons, give lectures, offer counsel…and all who encounter them are blessed. Through them we receive new insights as we grow to understand God in different ways. Always their inspiring words will calm our fears and give encouragement for the challenges of daily living. They will not be like the demagogues who stir our passions and arouse our inner demons…such persons speak out of ignorance and have little or no connections with the God of Abram. Those leaders who have communed with the Lord and drunk deeply from the water of life will speak kindly and reek of humility and compassion. In their presence we too are put in touch with the God of steadfast love and mercy. Through the influence of such spirit-filled people we daily experience the rewards of life in this amazing universe. Through them the word of the Lord comes to us as surely as it did to Abram.

Thought for the Day: Through whom have I heard the Lord speak most clearly?

Luke 4:1-13

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.” vss. 1-2

Our forty days of Lent are intended to replicate the time Jesus spent in the wilderness following his baptism. It may even be that some of us have chosen to do some less intensive fasting (forty days would be a stretch). For Jesus the fasting was an act of self-denial in order to receive spiritual insight and direction. As his body was deprived of physical nourishment he saw visions and heard the voice of the Temptor. All kinds of possibilities for ministry along with fragments of scripture flashed through his mind. It was a period of intense testing. Even the minimal fasting that we might do can provide opportunity for reflection on the state of our souls. As we feel pangs of hunger and say no to the gratifications of the flesh our focus sharpens and the choices of life become more clear. Some might even find the courage to move in a whole new direction or at least explore new ways to order our days. Jesus emerges from the wilderness with a clear vision for his future and began proclaiming that the kingdom of God had come near. If we’re diligent in our Lenten disciplines we should expect that when these forty days are over we too will have been strengthened spiritually for wherever our journey leads.

Thought for the Day: What fasting experiences have I had?