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The art of Giving it away

4/19/2016

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Scripture: Acts 6:1-7
But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
Observation: A need arises in the community because of the Holy Spirit's disturbing the reality of the community.  The 12 decided they didn't want to wait tables and rather dedicated themselves to prayer and teaching.  they decide to invite this opportunity and give away their leadership for the purpose of the need that arises.

Application:  As a person in pastoral leadership, I hear the apostles drawing a line in what they are about and giving their leadership away.  Brilliant.  This is the opposite of pruning.  It is giving away ministry to others who are capable of leading.  Brilliant!

This has stirred me.  The question that is stirring is not what I can give away but what are the important foci of what God is drawing me into?

Prayer: Lord help me give away opportunities for the needs that arise, but mostly Lord help me hear what is important for me to be spending my time.
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Imitation

4/18/2016

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Scripture: This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy.
We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
May God give you grace and peace.
We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.
And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.

Observation: Paul is giving thanks for the work that The Holy Spirit led in the church in Thessolonika (Acts 17).  Paul is giving thanks for the work and the faith that these believers in the church of Thessolonika are exemplifying.  Paul gives credit to the Holy Spirit in the 
work that is being done through these new believers.  Living into the promise that Jesus gives in the resurrection appearance in Acts 1:8, 'you will receive power when the Holy Spirit falls on you.'  Not only with words but also with power, the Holy spirit gives assurance.

Application:  The thing that struck me in this passage is that Paul continues to talk about imitation.  I am reminded of the move in discipleship from information to imitation.  As disciples we don't need more information we need a modeling, an imitation to see what this resurrection life looks like.  Paul and Silas provide this for the church in Thessolonika.  The question then becomes; 'do I lead a life worth imitating?'
Would the disciplines and faith practices that I have in the rhythm of my life be worth repeating in others?

Prayer: Lord, for the life of faith and the practices and disciplines that help reveal you to us, we give you thanks.  We ask your help to shape the lives we lead around you.  Encourage us with the power of your spirit so that we might imitate the life of Jesus!


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Mawidge and resurrection

3/2/2016

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Scripture: Mark 12:18-27
18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 
19 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 
20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children.
21 The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third.
22 In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. 
23 At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”
24 Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? 
25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 
26 Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 
27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”

​Observation: Jesus is asked about resurrection by Sadducees who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead.  In Jewish law, if a man marries a woman and dies, his brother is supposed to marry her, then if he dies, the other brother etc.  In this scenario, if she is raised from the dead, they ask whose husband is she (since she would have had 7 husbands)? This is an observation in missing the point.  Jesus shares with them that is not how resurrection works, we are not tied to earthly relationships in the resurrection.  We will be like angels, our focus will be on the heavenly realm.
 
Application: I have married over 20 people in the 3 plus years @ St. Mark's.  Every time I meet with the couple I encourage them to go to the courthouse and get married and I can do a blessing ceremony to announce God's blessing on their union.  Not one has taken me up on it.  The basis for my argument is this scripture.  Lutherans do not hold matrimony as a sacrament like the Catholics.  But I have found it difficult to announce this same truth of human relationship and the resurrection at the death of a loved one.  The human condition is so focused on the love of our husband or wife that we want that love to continue in the life promised forever.  Yet Jesus speaks this truth about resurrection so unapologetic.

The kingdom always takes president and my earthly ties keep distracting me from these kingdom truths.

​Prayer: In resurrection joy, thank you for claiming me as your own Lord.  Help me celebrate the relationship I do have in this life, especially my marriage to Becky.  Remind us of your power God, remind us that you are not the God of the dead but of the living.


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Teach me your ways

2/29/2016

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Scripture: Psalm 86:8-13
No pagan god is like you, O Lord.
    None can do what you do!
All the nations you made
    will come and bow before you, Lord;
    they will praise your holy name.
For you are great and perform wonderful deeds.
    You alone are God.
Teach me your ways, O Lord,
    that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
    so that I may honor you.
With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.
    I will give glory to your name forever,
for your love for me is very great.

    You have rescued me from the depths of death.

Observation: The psalmist invites the Lord to teach The Lord's ways to God's people.  This invitation is communal and individual.  the reason is to live according to God's truth.

​Application: I'm getting back in the rhythm of devotions starting this week.  For 
reasons and seasons, I have gotten out of this rhythm.  Interestingly enough, here is today's reading. BAM!

What does it mean to invite the Lord to teach me God's ways?

I am reminded of the reading in Isaiah 55, the prophet tells from God's mouth..."My thoughts are not your thoughts and My ways are not your ways."

inviting God into teaching me The Way is to be guided by God in relationship to hear God's promises and provide a way of living that looks more like God's kingdom than the ways of this world.

Prayer:  Lord I thank you for the timing of this lesson in the hearing of your word.  Guide me into your ways and thoughts so that I might live according to your truth.

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Storms of life

1/20/2016

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Scripture: Mark 4:35-41
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 
36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 
37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 
38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

​Observation: Jesus preaches to the storm, the storm calms, and the disciples are left in wonder.

Application: Why are you so afraid? This question gets asked of us a lot.  You expect it from your parent or your teacher or maybe even your boss. Don't really expect if from Jesus though.  The point in which the storm comes might make us afraid.  To be sure, there are plenty of storms that rage in our lives.  You can probably name 5-10 off the top of your head right now.  I know I can.

The point of this story in scripture is that Jesus is in charge.  Jesus is the one to calm the storms of life.  Our faith and trust in this promise is the point in which Jesus asks the question: "Why are you so afraid?"  Fear can overtake us away from the trust that we have in Jesus.  I am often struck by the amount of times 'do not be afraid' occurs in scripture.  Every time there is cause to be afraid.  But there is also cause to trust that Jesus has got this storm under wraps, and it won't last for long.

Prayer: Lord help me trust that you have this all under control.  Quiet the storms that are raging in my life so that I might experience your peace.


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Family

1/19/2016

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Scripture: Mark 3:31-35
31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 
32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”
33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.
34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 
35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Observation: Jesus turns the idea of family around.  The identity of family is not bloodlines but of kingdom goals.

Application:  It is funny to me that we use the word family to talk about what it means to be church because that word 'family' has so many attachments from any one person.  When we talk about the family of faith, as in the body of Christ, it begins to look a bit different than my family or your family.  Whoever is doing God's will, God's work is my brother and sister and mother.

A few months ago I began removing the last names of people I baptize because of this understanding of family.  I am not sure anyone noticed but I began teaching this to the baptized parents and godparents.  I explain that we don't use your last name because you are joining a family that goes beyond bloodlines and in baptism we leave that particular identity of being a Fetters', a Webster, a Beranek, a Colgrove, a Geiger, a Marquardt, a Gerner, a Smith or a whoever.  We have now been claimed by one who will share a new identity of brother and sister and mother.

Prayer: Lord thank you for your Son who gives us a new identity of what it means to be family.


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Streams in the desert

1/18/2016

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Scripture: Psalm 126
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
1 When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,
    it was like a dream!
2 We were filled with laughter,
    and we sang for joy.
And the other nations said,
    “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!
    What joy!

4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    as streams renew the desert.
5 Those who plant in tears
    will harvest with shouts of joy.
6 They weep as they go to plant their seed,
    but they sing as they return with the harvest.

Observation:
The supreme kairos moment 
(both moments of joy and sorrow that interrupt life) in the life of the people of God was Exile.  The return from exile brought about joy for those who were once filled with sorrow.  The psalmist uses language of farming to articulate the nuances of God's action in the world.  The transformation process is often different than what we expect.

Application: We have experienced a lot of transformation where I serve, the people of St. Mark's.  Whether it is the through intentional prayer groups like HHH (hurts, hang ups, and habits), or in discipleship huddle, or in the prayers during communion (both individual and 
corporate), or in the service of healing, or in the Wednesday night worship, or through serving opportunities.....God is bringing a harvest out of the seeds of tears.  Kairos (both moments of joy and sorrow that interrupt life) is certainly a being processed and offered over to God.  Through these kairos moments of our individuals and the life of the community of faith we are beginning to witness the transformation God offers and the psalmist testifies about.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for moving in ways that we see transformation; offering streams to those who walk in desert lands.



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Drive Thru's and dives

1/12/2016

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Scripture: Mark 2: 23-28
23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”
25 He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”
27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Observation: According to the law, it was perfectly fine to take the heads of grain from the field (first drive thru?) of someone as you were passing by, as long as you didn't take more than a share.  This instruction was for the good of the community.  The problem is that Jesus breaks the law by doing this on the sabbath.

Application: According to the principles of sabbath rest that God lays out; daily, weekly, yearly, every 7 years....I am not very good at recognizing the need for sabbath rest.  Well, that isn't true either.  I recognize the need but I am terrible about taking it.  In a go-go-go action and production valued society, rest seems to be laziness.  Yet it is what God wants for us.  So much so that we are instructed to participate in it and Sabbath was given to us, for us, because God loves us.  Sabbath is not about the 'shoulds' - I should do this, I should do that....but it is about claiming the desire for God to bring us rest by abiding in him.

​Prayer: Lord help me find rest daily, weekly, yearly, and sabbatically. Help me work from rest.  Strengthen me to say no to the constant demands of the world. 


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From the rising of the sun

1/7/2016

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 Scripture: Psalm 113

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Observation: The psalmist gives praise to God at all times.  From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same.

Application: One of the most important faith formation events of my growing up was attending church camp as a family.  It was a time to hear scripture in fun and exciting ways, often through music.  One of the songs was an articulation of this very song. It's not as hokey as the below but it is the same version.  As soon as I started reading that psalm, I started to sing this song.  It is carrying this song in my heart that I appreciate about learning a simple way to praise God!
​
Prayer: Lord, you are always worthy of our praise!  May we carry these songs in our heart.
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Sing for Joy

1/5/2016

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Scripture: Isaiah 42:10-20

Observation: The prophet encourages us to sing a new song. All creation, the seas and coastlands sing for Joy.  Yet this song ends with a lamenting God, expressing prayers uninformed by the revelation of God, alarmed by Israel's disobedience.

​Application: You know it happens, you get a song stuck in your head, it stays there for it seems like forever.  Recently, a friend of our family gave us a CD.  It was a Christian Rock CD for children.  Now, before I tell you anything else, I am always suspect of all Christian 'worship' music cd's.  They can go sideways theologically very quickly.  We packed this CD with us on our way on a long road trip.  We turned it on to let the kids sing a long to it or at least keep them entertained.  In short we took a risk knowing very well these new songs could be terrible.  However, we were really surprised, that CD got played several times during that trip and continues to be a connection to God for our family while we drive from place to place in our car.

One of these new songs that has become one of our family's love languages (Click on the youtube video to hear it below)
"My God, you supply all my needs, according to his Word, according to his riches and glory." 
Prayer: Lord in this new year, help us to sing new songs of you joy!  May we become people of Sela!
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