Posts from April 2020 (Page 2)

It’s occurred to me that Noah and his family were the first to shelter in place.  With many women studying Genesis 1-11 this year, we see similarities between Noah and his family being shut in the ark while the waters prevailed and our being shut in our homes as the virus seems to prevail.  But God remembered Noah and God remembers us too.  He told Noah when to disembark and He’ll tell us when we can leave our homes and return to work,…

This Sunday we begin a new series in the Gospel of John. The title of this series will be “Come and See.” The entire Gospel of John is an invitation to all of us to “come and see” who this Jesus really is.  Come is the first word of command spoken by Jesus in John. He invites us to come, and in coming and encountering him, we will see (John 1:39). And, when we do, we will have – LIFE! Life abundant and life eternal!  That’s the ultimate invitation from Jesus…

Redefining the “Good”             The corona virus has stopped the world in its tracks like nothing else in our lifetime. Wherever we turn we are confronted with loss on an unprecedented scale—the loss of life, income, jobs, companionship, sports, concerts, recreation, travel…the list goes on. It can be so overwhelming, that I found it necessary to monitor how much news I listen to, lest I spiral into the dark hole despair. Never before have I seen the apostle’s command to be “transformed by…

Like Christmas, Easter is so big that a one day celebration seems inadequate.  Wouldn’t you agree?  After all, Christ has defeated death!  This is why the church throughout the centuries has celebrated “Eastertide” for fifty days, until Pentecost Sunday (May 31st this year).  The point of Eastertide is to allow the implications of Christ’s resurrection to sink in deeper.  Paul says that we have been raised with Christ which means we can begin living “resurrection power” now, as Joel preached…

This is a Holy weekend.  One that is full of reflection of what our Savior has done for his people and acknowledgement that His work is continuing through His Spirit. Most years as we approach this weekend I find myself rushing from Good Friday to Resurrection Sunday, often overlooking the Saturday between.  But in this different space we’ve been in, I have found myself reflecting on what this day would have been like for the disciples.  It had to have…

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12

I usually remember to pray for things or events that I’m anticipating and then once they’re over, I try to remember to give thanks.  However, about eight years ago I was introduced to the Prayer of Examen, an ancient practice that helps me see God’s hand at work in my experiences.  Also called the Examination of Consciousness, this spiritual exercise has helped me learn to notice God ‘s presence in the rearview mirror.  Often before I go to sleep, I pray backwards through…

On Tuesday mornings a number of us have been working our way through one of the most beautiful poems in the Bible, Isaiah 40-55—the book of “comfort” to Israel’s exiles in Babylon. The Hebrew term “comfort” (nicham) is not merely receiving sympathy, but being consoled by a radical “change” of circumstances. God’s comfort “changes” things—“he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness an Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord” (51:3). We’ve found the prophet’s words…

As we begin the Passion week, the shadow of the cross begins to take shape over us.  We like to look ahead and focus on Easter, but the path to this great celebration goes through the cross and Good Friday.  The cross was a sign of utter repulsiveness in the Roman world, yet now, we wear it around our neck?  It makes sense that the first disciples did not understand.  Who would have?  I know I wouldn’t have. When Christ…

For a musician, the term “sitting in” refers to playing on stage with a group of musicians you don’t usually play with. Depending on your mind’s focus the experience can be very rewarding or very stressful.  As we shelter in place, it wouldn’t be a far stretch to say that we all have been “sitting in” with new situations. The familiar people we normally spend most of our day with has changed, some more drastic than others.  This was never more apparent for…

“Replace what you don’t know about the future, with what you do know about God.” I realized I don’t know anything about the future. I never have. I just trick myself into thinking I do. Now, I know for sure, I know nothing about what may happen today, let alone tomorrow. So, what do I do? How do I settle my anxious, worried heart? How do I stay calm in this turbulent sea? I remember God. God is my refuge…

I’m a visual person.  I visualize certain places or things to help me engage with God.  Scripture gives us many images of God.  These days I find comfort in Him as my Great Shepherd, leading me through these uncertain times.  I also think of Him as my Solid Rock, like a super tall granite mountain, the kind where I have to tilt my head and even then, can barely see the top.  Nothing can move that mountain, it’s unshakeable.  That’s how I think of God.  When I’m…