The Church and Worship

Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! (Psalm 96:1-9 ESV). Today we begin to look at some of the basics. As I mentioned in yesterday’s devotional, the first of these is in the area of worship. By the way, we should settle the first fundamental. When we talk about worship we are not necessarily talking about what happens when the church gathers together in a building to sing and teach. That can be worship; but, worship should happen throughout our daily lives. It begins with a clear understanding of God’s glory and what he has done for us. That precipitates our worship. The psalmist in our reading today makes it clear that God is worthy of praise. Families of nations and elements of nature praise and worship the creator, sustainer, and righteous judge.

I have been privileges to travel to some of the most beautiful places in the world. One of those is the Kenai River in Alaska. It is difficult to describe the majesty of the mountains that tower over you as you float the river fishing for salmon or trout. I can assure you it is a place that will shout the worthiness of our God and call us to worship. Worship is not primarily something tailored to meet our needs or bring us comfort. Joyful worship that acknowledges God’s holiness and celebrates his grace will lift our hearts. However, worship must be directed toward God. He is the one who is worshiped. When worship becomes a matter of pleasing the worshipers, then our adoration becomes entertainment and our focus is placed on ourselves. One of those fundamentals of our lives ought to center around the adoration and praise of our hearts directed toward God. Whether you are in a building gathered with others in the community of faith, or you find yourself alone surrounded by god’s great creation, remember the One who has made it all possible. Go back to the foundation. Focus on his great grace. Join the psalmist as he worships: Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!

Sky Gazing

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:6-11 ESV).

Soccer season has begun. The fall season is always a little challenging, especially with changing age divisions and getting new players on the team. Perhaps the most challenging is reevaluating all the players to see how they have changed through the summer and where they will best be suited to play. I always start the first few practices with drills that are designed to emphasize the “basics.” By drilling in the fundamentals of the game we are able to help the players return to the muscle memory they have built through the years of playing and teach the newer players proper technique which brings success to the team. As I thought about that I was reminded how important it is for the church to do the same from time to time. In the next few days we will concentrate on the basics of being the church. We’ll look at three basic areas. We can think of them as the fundamentals of the church. They are worship, personal growth, and ministry. As he prepared to ascend into heaven, Jesus called the disciples to be his witnesses. Our reading today says that after the disciples witnessed Jesus’ ascension they were found gazing into the sky. The angels asked the obvious question: “Why do you stand looking up toward heaven?” Especially in a day that seems to have all the earmarks of the last days, it is easy to spend more time, resources, and energy looking forward while neglecting the basics. So, let’s imagine we are starting a new season. The drills and exercises are often redundant and boring; however, let’s review and be encouraged to be the kind of church that our heavenly Father desires. In light of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the Great Commission he has called us to fulfill, we can’t afford to stand around sky-gazing. As individuals and churches, we must worship the Lord, build up ourselves and one, and minister grace to all of creation. These are the basics we must faithfully and diligently put into practice. Let’s not look up as much as we look out.

The Most Difficult Thing I Do

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. (Luke 24:1-12 ESV). Sometimes I am asked what’s the most difficult thing I have experienced in being a pastor. There have been many things that come to mind. Perhaps I could answer helping the grief stricken, especially when death seems to be so untimely. When a child dies, or a parent in the midst of their time of child-rearing; these are always difficult. I could answer that those times when I have walked with people in the midst of their experiences of physical or emotional pain and suffering. When a young family is torn apart in divorce, or when someone is in the midst of their physical battle with disease and treatment; these are difficult times. However, I suppose my stock answer is always getting people to believe in grace. Most church people would be shocked at such an answer. After all, don’t we all believe in grace? We say we do, but we certainly don’t behave as if we do. Our reading makes it very clear there was nothing the disciples had to do to make Easter happen. They didn’t have to pray for it, earn it, or deserve it. They didn’t even have to believe it. And they didn’t believe, at first. They didn’t even have to roll the stone away from the door, as the women discovered. God took care of all the details. Easter just happened. And we receive it. It is a gift, sheer grace. Grace is the unmerited love of God. Grace is something you can never get, only be given. Grace can’t be achieved, only received. You can’t earn it, deserve it, or bring it about, so stop trying. If you go to heaven, it won’t be because you’re good but because God is. You don’t have to earn God’s love because you already have God’s love. All you have to do now is respond to God’s love. The Apostle Paul wrote: Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2 ESV). Make my job easier. Believe it!

The Sky Went Dark

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things. (Luke 23:44-49 ESV).

Monasterboice, better known as Buite's monastery, in Ireland is undoubtedly the best known early monastic site. Though it has an interesting series of early remains including two medieval churches, a round tower, a sundial and some cross slabs, its popular appeal is based mainly on its three high crosses. These date from the late 8th or 9th centuries. Among these crosses, pre-eminence of place must go to the so-called South Cross. Standing almost twenty feet tall, this is the largest of the series, the shaft and arms of which are carved from a single block of sandstone. It is known more widely as Muiredach's Cross, after an inscription on its base that mentions a person of that name. Art historians have equated him with the Muiredach Mac Domhnaill, abbot of the monastery. All of the intricately carved scenes are a marvelous work of art. When we see such works we tend to forget the horror of the actual event. Perhaps the most terrible part of that experience took place when the sun was blotted out and darkness fell on the land. It was as if the sun was ashamed to look down on such a terrible scene. The earth shook, as if creation itself was writhing in pain. Rocks were split in two. Graves sprang open and corpses came tumbling out. After this Luke reminds us that the women went home and rested, as was their Sabbath custom. It somehow seems disrespectful or dishonorable. Some events are so huge, so life-altering, that to maintain your same old routine is an insult. Jesus’ death is an event of monumental sorrow and towering significance. However, the women did what they always did; they go home and rest. We would do well to ask why? Was it habit, or legalism; perhaps they did it because they had to. The ground was shaking beneath their feet, figuratively and literally. They needed a place that wasn’t quaking, a place where they could stand and catch their breath and make sense of what had happened. Sometimes, when your world has been turned upside down, you need to find a place that hasn’t changed; you need some little bit of normalcy, some common custom. The earth shook. The sky went dark. All creation writhed. And women went home and rested. Of course they did. This is a part of what Jesus purchased for us in the cross. He died that we might have a place of rest. No normalcy could ever be hoped for without the death of Jesus. Has he not taken our sin and condemnation on himself, we would have no hope. In this life our respite is often short lived. Just like the women we are called on to go and do the hard work of life after our rest. They still had to finish preparing Jesus’ body for final burial. Little did they know then that even that would be forever altered. Through all our dark days, we would do well to remember that our end has been altered. We have eternal life waiting for us at the end of this journey. Even as time has eroded the Muiredach Cross we can be assured that time will only conclude with our complete restoration and glory! That persuades me to take another step along this difficult journey. As dark as your day may be, the light is coming!

Not Again

And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” (Luke 17:1-4 ESV).

Who hasn’t seen the cartoons involving the escapades of Wiley Coyote as he chases the Roadrunner? Regardless of how grand a plan he has to catch the Roadrunner, it always seems to backfire in a way that does much more harm to him than the speedy bird. I have often remarked how much like the coyote we are when we fail to forgive those who have offended us. Jesus speaks to that in our reading today. It’s hard enough to forgive someone even once. But seven times? Little wonder the disciples say, “Increase our faith!” Of course, some injuries don’t require forgiveness. I’m thinking about that parade of little hurts and humiliations that are just a part of life. A friend failed to send you a card when you were hospitalized. A co-worker has idiosyncrasies that annoy you. Your neighbor’s dog answers the call of nature on your lawn. To make every minor irritation an occasion for forgiveness is to trivialize a vital issue. Some offenses are anything but trivial. Some wounds are deep and painful. Learning how to forgive is the path to healing in your own life, if not in the offender’s life as well. We begin by understanding that forgiveness is not an event; it is a process. Think of forgiveness as a long, winding road. If you even want to forgive someone, you’re already on the road. You haven’t yet reached your destination, but you’re on the road. You may wander off the road now and then. The resentment may come seeping back into your soul. But don’t give up. Get back on the road. Keep asking God to help you. Keep praying for your enemy. Keep confessing your own sins, and in the knowledge that God forgives you, you will find yourself more and more able to forgive those who hurt you. Above all remember that throughout this process it is not about the offense. Forgiveness does not justify the sin; it applies restoration to the sinner. Ultimately, complete justification and restoration can only come from God; however, our task is to be a part of opening the road for that to take place. Perhaps there are some in your life that you simply need to forgive… again. Do it today. You will be better for it.

Ups and Downs

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’” (Luke 16:19-26 ESV). I’ve always found it a bit amazing how God speaks in some of the most ordinary experiences of life. You would think a playground at the local fast food would not be much of a learning experience; and, certainly it couldn’t possibly be a reemphasis of a very important eternal truth. However, that’s exactly what happened not long ago. I stopped to get a quick bite to eat, but didn’t want to get it to go. So, I went inside and ordered my food. Sitting in a booth where the playground was visible, I noticed two children playing on a seesaw. Since the play area was enclosed in the building, I could hear their laughter and conversation as they played. One of the little girls stopped going up and down and said to her companion, “When I am up, you are down!” As happens more than you might imagine, that took me to a passage of Scripture. Our reading describes a particular teaching using some very vivid imagery. It details the experience of two men, one named Lazarus and another just called “the rich man.” Lazarus was a beggar who would sit at the cleaning table after the rich man had eaten and the servants came to clear out the scraps. He might have had to fight the dogs for what little was left over. It was a terrible existence. However, both men died, though they ended up in very different experiences. At least one of the subtexts of the teaching is, when it comes to food and resources, all the world rides a seesaw. One side is up; the other is down. One side is like the rich man; the other side is like poor Lazarus. The seesaw runs pretty much along north-south lines, the fulcrum being the equator. With one or two exceptions, affluent countries are in the northern hemisphere. That might be seen as the up side of the seesaw. Poorer countries tend to be in the southern hemisphere. That’s the down side. The difference in lifestyle and consumption of resources from one end of the seesaw to the other is mind-boggling. Compared to most of the world’s peoples, most Americans live like lings. Wealthy nations are not at fault for world hunger. It is not wrong to be prosperous. Affluence doesn’t make you bad. It makes you blessed. But there is something dreadfully wrong if those who are affluent can look at Lazarus starving at the low end of the seesaw and do nothing to help him. Perhaps we should rethink our effort to help those less fortunate than we are today.

The Elder Brother

“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” (Luke 15:25-32 ESV). I have found an increasing demand among the people of our culture for control. Our reading today is found at the close of the parable Jesus used to emphasize the love of God in extending forgiveness to his children. The elder of the two sons became angry at the father’s lavish forgiveness. He used his self-righteousness and judgmental attitude to overshadow the good news of his brother’s return and what that meant in the greater scheme of life. Most religious polls are telling us that there is a great and growing religious yearning among people who are either not churched or have been away from church for a long time. The overwhelming conclusion from these polls is that people are indeed searching for something spiritually substantive in life. They seem to be experiencing a real hunger for God. Yet while this spiritual yearning is increasing, the membership rolls of mainline churches, almost without exception, are decreasing dramatically. Even in those churches that report growth, their net gain is less each year. Their “back door” is wider than their “front door.” Having been a consultant to some of these churches, I always like to begin with an examination of the core membership. I wonder if one reason is that they have acquired the reputation of being the elder brother. After all, who’d want to come home to him? I know that reputation isn’t entirely deserved. But neither is it entirely untrue that a lot of churches view themselves as “their club,” rather than as God’s house. That attitude will always drive others away. In any organization, and especially the church, when new people cannot find a place of community where they are welcomed and assimilated with love and compassion, they view that organization as a place full of elder brothers; not warm and inviting, but self-righteous and judgmental. However unfair that reputation may be, the exodus away from the church will only cease when, like the father in the parable, we open our arms to everyone and say: “Welcome home.” Remember, extending that love and compassion will only make us experience love and compassion. And, who doesn’t need more of that!

The Hamster Wheel

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:13-21 ESV). I have discovered an interesting dichotomy with the start of school this year. Both Faith and Logan have entered Middle School. It is a new location from previously with all the attendant “new” things. They have many new experiences in store in the coming weeks and months. Of course, this meant that the first day came with the expected level of both excitement and anxiety. Because of schedules, I was to take Faith to school the first day. It did not go as well as I had hoped. Though we left forty-five minutes ahead of time in anticipation of a little traffic, we were surprised that the normal fifteen minute drive took nearly an hour. She was two minutes “late.” As she saw the time ticking away she asked me, “Where do I go?” I simply answered that on the first day all the teachers would expect some students to be a bit late. Just go where you were going before we were late and all would be fine. Not having experienced this before caused the question. It was unfamiliar. You know, we never seem to have that problem when going to a store for the first time. Take any child to a toy store for the first time, and you will not have to teach the child what to do. Thousands of hours of media advertising have already taught him how to consume, possess, or amass. Take the same child to church for the first time, and they will be disoriented, confused. They will not know how to act.

It underscores a basic principle of fallen humanity. Our sin nature drives us to acquire “more.” This is the lesson Jesus teaches in our reading today. We seem to live our lives on an endless treadmill of acquisition, frantically amassing more and more stuff. And then one day you die, and they give all your stuff away. It is a destructive way to live. It is reminiscent of a hamster on a wheel. This is true of the rich farmer who keeps racing on the treadmill, amassing more and more, oblivious to the source of all his blessings, until the voice of God comes whispering: “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” (cf. v. 20). You can get off the treadmill. It’s okay to possess things; however, refuse to be possessed by those things. Focus on the familiar of the presence of God.

In Trouble Again

Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned. When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. (Luke 8:26-35 ESV) I find that the interval between “in trouble” and “out of trouble” to be shorter as life goes forward. In fact, I seem to be in trouble a lot more than not. As a follow up to yesterday’s thought, I began to explore if there is anything to be gained from being in trouble. I suppose we gain some sympathy or attention; we may even gain some excuse for our problems. However, those are not really things I want to possess, especially as I count the cost of having them. I would rather be out of trouble rather than not. The demoniac of our reading wants to be healed. He falls at Jesus’ feet to worship him. Yet when Jesus commands the demons to come out, a voice snarls: “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” The poor wretch wants to be rid of his demons, yet he wants to hold onto them and they to him. We do strike deals with our demons, for to be rid of them is to be rid of the excuses or the security they provide. We are like the rich young ruler who comes to Jesus looking to be cured of what ails him, yet when Jesus offers the cure the man goes sorrowfully away. He wants to be healed, but he doesn’t want to be healed. It’s a strange truth, but we are often like that. We are attracted to, and repelled by, the grace of God. We want Jesus to help us, but help means change, and change is difficult too. It often hurts. Fortunately, Jesus doesn’t give up on the demoniac; he won’t leave until the man is healed. What do you need Him to change in your life today? He certainly will work in your life. He doesn’t give up on any of us. Embrace your change today.

Half Full or Half Empty?

And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:40-50 ESV).

People approach life with one of two general attitudes: an attitude of scarcity, or an attitude of abundance. An attitude of scarcity says there is not enough. Therefore I must conserve. I must hold back. I must live sparingly. People with an attitude of scarcity go through life with an eye-dropper, carefully measuring out the contents, fearful lest they spend a drop more of themselves than is absolutely necessary. Simon the Pharisee has an attitude of scarcity. An attitude of abundance, on the other hand, says: there is more than enough. There is plenty of everything. Therefore I can be openhanded, openhearted. People with an attitude of abundance go through life with an alabaster jar, lavishly pouring out the contents. The woman who anointed Jesus’ feet has an attitude of abundance. Her glass was certainly “Half Full”! Even in the most challenging of times we ought to recall the great grace of God in the work of Christ on our behalf. It should prompt us to believe there is more than enough love within us; to understand there is more than enough mercy in us; and, there is more than enough forgiveness. We’re not going to run out. Our account of goodness does not decrease when you use some. We can afford to be lavishly generous. We don’t need to portion ourselves out with an eye-dropper, a bit here, a bit there. We have enough time to volunteer. We have enough resources to share. Throw away that eye-dropper. Go ahead, be extravagant. Think about it today. How will you show your glass to be half full? How will you share the abundance God has given to you? Remember the large debt that has been cancelled through the work of Jesus on your behalf.

Humpty Dumpty

On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” And he rose and stood there. And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” And after looking around at them all he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:6-11 ESV).

It might seem a little unusual to use a nursery rhyme to start a devotional for the day; however, it seemed an appropriate place to start. Humpty Dumpty may be one of the most familiar characters in the cast of rhymes that have been passed on from generation to generation for centuries. Nobody knows exactly who or what Humpty Dumpty was. The rhyme was first printed in 1810 and became famous through Lewis Caroll's book, “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” where Humpty Dumpty is shown as a round egg. However, it is a very old rhyme and goes back much earlier than this. It can be placed in the early 1600’s. The rhyme has often been changed, though in its original verse it reads very simply: Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; All the king's horses and all the king's men Couldn't put Humpty together again. There have been many lessons ascribed to the simple rhyme. Today I merely want to focus on one that emerges in our reading. After Jesus healed the man with the withered hand, the religious leaders of the day “were filled with fury.” That’s a perfect description of hostility. Hostility is the settled state of being enemies. Anger, appropriately expressed and properly handled, can be a sign of good mental health. But there is no health in hostility. I once heard of a psychologist whose first question to every new patient was: “Who is wrong with you?” We live in such a world today. Just as no one seemed to really care about the man with the disability except Jesus, no one seems to care about people unless they fit into a personal agenda. Without naming all the names or listing all the interest groups, it cannot be denied that we have not found a way to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. Our streets erupt in riots and our cities burn; innocent people are murdered; and, all the while the fragile egg of peace lays in ruin where it has fallen. Jesus has the cure. He said, “Love your enemies.” He explained, “Do good to those who hate you.” “Pray for those who abuse you,” said Jesus. Pray, not once, but persistently. It is not easy to remain hostile toward someone for whom you pray on a daily basis. That may be the only way for us to truly behave as if everyone matters. By the way, they all matter to Jesus. Perhaps it is time for us to start working together in Christ to accomplish His agenda.

Today!

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43 ESV). I love this part of the Passion Narrative. Luke recalls the words of Jesus to the thief on one side of him also dying: “… today you will be with me in paradise.” Listen to that word… TODAY! It is not someday; it is not “when the roll is called up yonder.” It is today. That’s some promise. What makes the promise even more stunning is the person to whom Jesus is speaking. He is a common thief. What odd company to be in such close proximity to the divine. There are some interesting details we shouldn’t overlook. Notice how his attention is fixed firmly on the future. He is not overwhelmed by the present, trapped in the immediacy of his dilemma. He obviously doesn’t feel trapped in his present situation. So many today feel as if they are trapped in a painful now; they cannot see any way out of it. It is as if they are shackled in their present trial and cannot be free of it. The penitent thief has his eyes fixed on the future. He has the audacity to claim a future for himself; he can see through what is and claim what is to come. He simply asks Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And what the thief has the imagination to ask for, Jesus has the power to grant: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” The penitent thief is the example to all of us who wonder whether things are too far gone for God to intervene. Things are never too far gone. Things are never as hopeless as they seem. Christopher Reeve said, “Once you choose hope,

anything's possible.” You may remember that Reeve was an actor who achieved stardom for his motion picture portrayal of the superhero Superman. On May 27, 1995, Reeve became a quadriplegic after being thrown from a horse during an equestrian competition. He was confined to a wheelchair and required a portable ventilator until his death in 2004. Like the thief, shortly before his death he confessed his belief in God. His roots were in the Presbyterian Church. Facing the certainty of death he found the path to his future in Christ. He wrote that quote at that time in his life. Hope can always be found when we look into the eyes of our Savior. Everything in your life may have gone terribly wrong thus far. You are only one glance at the Savior away from changing all of that! Today everything can be changed!

I Tremble at the Thought

Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”—a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will. (Luke 23:13-25 ESV). Recently we had a night of hymns at our church. We do it a bit differently than some other churches might in that all of them are sung with a contemporary band. I love the old hymns as much as I do the contemporary choruses. Some of the great hymns that we are all so familiar with bring back great memories and stir our souls with great passion. One of those great old hymns is “Were You There.” It’s an African American spiritual that probably predates the Civil War. "Were You There" was first published in William Barton's Old Plantation Hymns (1899). The spiritual's earlier roots include a white spiritual known in Tennessee as "Have you heard how they crucified my Lord?" Just as modern Jews identify with the Hebrew slaves in Egypt at their Passover Seder ("When I was in Egypt"), we are encouraged in this text to identify with the witnesses to Christ's death and resurrection. With distances of geography and time removed, we become part of that great body of people who come trembling to the cross of Christ for salvation. When I think of that, I wonder what became of Barabbas. I wonder if he witnessed the crucifixion. If you knew that another man had taken your place on the cross, and the execution was happening right now, just a stone’s throw outside the city wall, wouldn’t you go and see? I can imagine Barabbas at Calvary. Whether he knew the other two being crucified or not, he knew the man in the middle. Slowly the truth must have percolated into Barabbas’s head that he was witnessing his own crucifixion. That was his cross. Those were his spikes. We sing songs about Jesus dying in our place but for Barabbas that was literally true. The Bible doesn’t say anything more of Barabbas. Maybe he became a Christian. Maybe he got himself crucified for some other crime. But whatever his outcome, Barabbas may have been the first person ever to understand a great Christian truth: Jesus died in our place. Jesus died in our place. That was my cross. Those were my nails. Like the song says, “Sometimes, it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.” How about you?

The Olive Press

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:39-46 ESV).

Jesus went out from the Passover Meal to the Mount of Olives. It was also known as Gethsemane. The word means “oil press.” In Jesus’ day the contrivance consisted of two massive round stones that ground the olives to a pulp, the greenish oil dribbling down into an earthenware basin. It was a very common piece of equipment in Jerusalem. Even today the olive oil from Israel is world renown. Only some of the oils produced in Sicily rival the consistency and taste of the oil produced in this region. It is not an easy process of production. The green olives are destroyed in the process of grinding. It was a fitting place for Jesus to go in his struggle with what immediately lay before him in the cross. We, too, have our Gethsemanes. These are those places in your life where you’re being pressed, squeezed. It’s like two big stones are grinding you down, squeezing the life out of you. For some people, their marriage is Gethsemane. They can’t bear to stay, and they don’t dare to leave. For some, it’s a job that is squeezing the life out of them. They can’t live with their job; and, they can’t live without it. Gethsemane is the place where you can’t go forward, but you can’t go back. You’re stuck. And you find yourself, like Jesus, pleading for a way out: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me.” Gethsemane is also a lonely place. Friends and family mean well, but like Jesus’ sleepy disciples, they either can’t come with you or they don’t want to come into the garden. After all, it is a painful, difficult process even for those who merely stand by. But God can and does. In Gethsemane we realize that although we are lonely, we’re not alone. God shares our sorrows and prepares for us a future more redemptive than we can imagine. When I find myself in those times I am reminded that they are not eternal. Heaven is, but not this often difficult path on earth. Remind yourself that even on the best days, they are nothing compared to one day in heaven. God’s promise is to walk with us now until we are safely home.

Grace in Failure

On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. (Luke 5:1-6 ESV). Yesterday I wrote a bit about grace in forgetting the past. I mentioned it was equally important to forget our failures and successes. Today’s reading helps us to dig a little deeper concerning the pain and difficulty of failure. Perhaps you have been the student who studies all night and still fails the exam; or, the salesperson who doubles their sales calls and still doesn’t make quota; or, the cancer patient who undergoes a rigorous program of chemotherapy only to discover, six months later, that the disease is back worse than before. Sometimes, like the disciples, we toil all night and have nothing to show for it. It would be easy to classify each of these as failures. However, when we read our text today we see that the failure led to a great success. In the midst of our frustration it is often not the extraordinary, but the ordinary transformed, that brings results. Jesus tells Simon to do once more what he’s been doing all night without success. “If you say so,” says Simon. The nets are let down yet again, and what a catch! “They caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.” The point of the story is not that Jesus was with Simon in his success. The point is that Jesus was with Simon in his failure. If God is with us only in moments of success, then God is not with us very often, for most of us are more familiar with failure than with success. The good news is that God is with us when we toil all night and have nothing to show for it.

Believing this does not mean we will overcome failure. It means that failure will not overcome us. Henry Ford understood this principle well. These days, Henry Ford is a household name, but it hasn’t always been that way. At 23, Ford was just a machinist’s apprentice with big aspirations. A few years later, he was known as an intelligent, yet failed engineer who just couldn’t produce. But it was these early failures that taught him valuable lessons and sparked his future success. He never gave up the concept of beginning again, nor should we. We have the Lord of creation who partners with us in every task of our lives. If you have failed, consider it an opportunity to merely cast your nets again! God may have plans for a full net this time!

Grace and Forgetfulness

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (Philippians 3:12-16 ESV). One of the things that are most intriguing about getting older is how easy it is to forget. Some of us spend a lot of time trying not to forget things. Small stuff like where we left our keys; bigger things like friends’ names; biggest of all are blessings to remember and promises to keep. And of course Paul knows this. What he wants us to forget is anything that hinders us in reaching our goal of knowing Christ. We should forget, for example, our sins and failures.

We have recently acquired a vehicle that has a rear camera. When I first learned that it had that feature I thought it would be a waste and I’d never use it. I was sorely mistaken. I have become more and more dependent on it. As soon as I place the transmission in reverse the camera gives me a view of the rear and details the distances to the objects it detects that are behind me. It will sound an alarm if I am getting too close to anything in the path of the car. It is always a bit exciting pulling out of a parking space at the store. It would seem to be safe and free of anything until someone walks behind the car then the alarm sounds and I am immediately alerted. I must confess that I always hit the brake when it sounds. I suppose that’s not all bad. However, driving with the rear camera or mirror would be a disaster. Yet this is often what we do in our lives. We allow our minds to become clogged with the stuff of past failures making for impossible progress. Of course we are to learn from our sins and ask God to forgive us; but, then, we must move on. We dishonor God, belittle his grace, and do ourselves no good by torturing ourselves with memories of an ill-spent past. God gives new beginnings. It is equally important to forget past successes. It is tempting to say to ourselves, “I’ve done more than my share, let someone else take over.” People will sometimes grow in spiritual maturity and service up to a certain point, and then the success smothers the progress. They decide to relax and take it easy. The older you get, the more you realize that finishing well is not automatic; we all need grace in forgetfulness. Ask the Lord to help you with your past today; press on toward the high calling you have been given.

Grace in the Church

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2:12-18 ESV). I have worked in many different churches. Some were small, others were large; some were formal, others informal; some were urban, others were rural; each carried their own personality and ministry focus. However, all of them had one thing in common. They each required the right kind of organizational structure. There are those who lament that the church is too much like an “organization.” Perhaps that is true. Though, as someone said, maybe the organization is to the church what the bark is to a tree. Both exist to protect the life that is inside. Of course, a church is more than its organization, just as a tree is more than its bark. Paul here addresses the church in Philippi as his beloved. This word suggests the lover in Paul. Here there are feelings of tenderness and affection that unite pastor and people in one family: Beloved. Raymond Carver wrote: “And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so? I did. And what did you want? To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth.” Every Christian should be able to say these words. As members of the church, we can say that we’ve gotten what everyone most needs from life. We are the beloved of God and of each other. This love is the life-blood of the church. Every ministry ought to reek with this application of grace. The sermon should center around it; the ministry should abound with it; and each member should communicate it to each other. We rejoice in the love God shows us, and we seek to bless one another in love. Listen to Jesus: “But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (cf. Matthew 19:14). This is one of my favorite stories in the Gospels. In a society that, in many ways, treated children as little more than property, Jesus refused to let them be brushed aside. Rather, he spent time with them, blessed them, and make a special point to teach his followers that his Kingdom was made for “such as these.” He was outlining a clear path to bless one another in love. In short, if we truly desire to have grace in the church, we ought to lift up the broken, enlarge the small, and favor the weak. How are you doing today?

Grace and Competition

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:1-4 ESV). I could not help but dig a bit deeper in our reading from yesterday. The apostle says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (vv. 3-4). Paul is talking about competition.

We are in the midst of the 2016 Summer Olympics, known officially as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad. We commonly refer to these games as “Rio 2016.” They are a major international multi-sport event in the tradition of the Olympic Games of ancient times. Opening rounds in certain events began on August 3rd, two days before the opening ceremony, and will formally run from August 5th to 21st this year. There aren’t many more competitive environments that the Olympics. While this is both normal and good in that setting; competition in our relationships are neither normal nor good for the child of grace. The admonition of the apostle is so counter intuitive for us. Paul knows that the life he describes does not come to us naturally or even by trying hard. He bases his appeal on the assumption that we have a richly satisfying life in God, that we know what it is to be encouraged in Christ, consoled by the Father’s love, and in fellowship with the Spirit (v. 1). This is what frees us from the all-consuming need to look out for ourselves. On an airplane, a flight attendant will instruct the passengers what to do in an emergency. Few pay attention, but there is one bit of advice that is eminently worthwhile. We’re told that if there is a lowering of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the overhead. We are first to put the oxygen mask over our own mouth and nose, and then assist our children. We’re no good to our children or anyone else if we are gasping for air ourselves. As Christians we are to first breathe in deeply the powerful love of the; this frees us to then give our attention to others. That is the heart of a life immersed in the grace of God through Christ. Stop your competing within your relationships of family and friends. We can all be winners in Christ.

Grace in Relationship

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:1-11 ESV). There are two new things I will be involved with in the coming months. They are both exciting to me. Both of these will be offered through the ministry of Gospel City Church in Arlington, Texas. The first is a “marriage tune-up” which will involve three one-hour sessions in which we look at the basics of relationship and how to best relate to your spouse in the midst of conflict. The second is a brief group study dealing with parenting. During these four sessions we’ll cover subjects that deal with various aspects of the relational dynamics within a family. Both are essential in today’s culture. In fact, I read somewhere recently that every marriage is six months away from a divorce. I’m not sure of the accuracy of that assertion; however, it cannot be denied that a relationship, no matter how strong is always vulnerable to the hurts and difficulties of challenging circumstances. Some injury is not forgiven, it festers, causes harsh words, more slights, a distance develops, and the marriage is in jeopardy. Relationships are fragile. Our reading today speaks to that issue. The church in Philippi is nowhere near collapse. There are hints of trouble in the previous chapter, and there is some difficulty between Euodia and Syntyche (cf. 4:2), but Philippi is no Corinth. Nevertheless, Paul knows there is always the potential for divisiveness. Our egos swell quickly, they want their own way, and are easily bruised. In all groups, a family, a social or service club, a church, a corporation, or an athletic team, the primary problems involve not the task the organization exists to perform, but conflict management between people. Thus the apostle’s concern and appeal to be watchful, to be of the same mind and love. Grace simply demands that we be like minded. It is Paul’s way of saying that we adopt a conciliatory manner in life. That’s real grace in relationship.

Practical Grace

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. (Philippians 1:27-30 ESV). Grace is wonderful as it relates to our future; however, it should be said that it is not a future gift alone. It has very practical implications. Paul is clear in our reading today about the necessity of living this lie in a way that reflects the gift of grace in our lives. Grace must make a difference in our life here and now. A.W. Tozer spoke to that point as well: He feels supreme love for one whom he has never seen. He talks familiarly every day to someone he cannot see, expects to go to Heaven on the virtue of another, empties himself in order that he might be full, admits that he is wrong so he can be declared right, goes down in order to get up. He is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he is poorest, and happiest when he feels worst. He dies so he can live, forsakes in order to have, gives away so he can keep, sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passeth knowledge. A good deal of our practical, everyday living begins with the estimate we have of ourselves. It may be high or low, wise or foolish, but it informs the choices we make. Today there are those who deny humanity’s privileged standing as the crown of creation. Paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould has said that a crab is not lower or less complex than a human being in any meaningful way. Another argues: “All forms of life are equally remarkable and equally expendable.” It is hard to imagine that such views will not diminish and demoralize people. After all, how do you live a life worthy of someone no higher than a crab? More ominously, what happens when people are viewed as equally expendable with any other animal? Paul calls us to live a life worthy of our identity as the beloved of God. This means, as Paul will spell out later, that selfish ambition, vain conceit, grumbling and angry disputes are inappropriate. There are some things we will insist on doing because they fit us, while other things we refuse to do because they are simply beneath us - too stingy, too mean, too “beastly.” This is not false pride. It is a healthy Christian self-image. Today, let’s remind ourselves of how great a future we have and how great that makes our present. Live a life today that reflects that in every relationship you have.

Unafraid

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. (Philippians 1:19-27 ESV) One of the many benefits of grace in our lives is found in the fact that we no longer need to fear the future. We can live unafraid. This is true because it settles the question of life after death. There are those who minimize the belief in life after death. They would have us imagine there is no heaven. Their mantra is to live this life to the fullest and be satisfied. However, that simply is not enough to live unafraid. In fact, should we decide to truly adopt that philosophy it would alter the nature of life profoundly. If death were the end, life would be a steady descent, not a long ascent; a growing sadness, not a deepening joy; and, an ultimate tragedy, not a great adventure. God’s love would be inferior to our love. Our love would not, had it the power, permit death to claim those precious to us. The wailing siren of an ambulance gives eloquent testimony to human love’s fight against death. Christ’s victory would be a minor victory. His lordship would have minimal range. The world would still be enslaved to death. My response to any thought that this life is the end is a little too graphic for this venue! Suffice it to say that would be a nightmare, and the apostle Paul certainly opposes such a belief. His declaration is that in Christ’s resurrection, a new, unending day has dawned. Paul writes: “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” (v. 23), to depart not in the sense of escaping life, but in the sense of entering it more fully. This is a direct result of an understanding of grace. The very foundation of grace is that Jesus has not merely made the atonement for our sin, but he has become our leader into eternal life. His death was essential; but, his resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith. Because he has died and been resurrected, it proves to us that this life is mere prelude. This life cannot compare with the greatness that awaits us. Whatever circumstance we face today is inconsequential compared to what awaits us in heaven. No opponent, real or imagined, can shake us. Now that’s a great gift of grace! Live unafraid!

Advance to Go

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:1-2 ESV). Faith and Logan have “invented” a game. They have called it “Atheleteopoly.” As you may guess from the name it is based on the old stand-by board game of Monopoly. You may recall Monopoly first originated in the United States in 1903 as a way to demonstrate that an economy which rewards wealth creation is better than one in which monopolists work under few constraints and to promote the economic theories of Henry George and in particular his ideas about taxation. The current version was first published by Parker Brothers in 1935. It is now produced by the United States game and toy company Hasbro. Players move around the game-board buying or trading properties, developing their properties with houses and hotels, and collecting rent from their opponents, with the goal being to drive them all into bankruptcy leaving one monopolist in control of the entire economy. Since the board game was first commercially sold in the 1930s, it has become a part of popular world culture, having been locally licensed in more than 103 countries and printed in more than thirty-seven languages. Faith and Logan’s version substitutes the names of famous athletes for the properties, though the rules remain the same. They have a Chance Card that advances the player to “Go.” As you know, as the game progresses, that card is most welcome at times. It gives you a “salary” and keeps you from landing on someone else’s property where you are required to pay rent.

Returning to “go” is often a good thing. I have found that returning from time to time to the beginning of our faith and hope is always helpful. That’s why the Apostle Paul always begins his letters with grace. It is going back to “go.” For the apostle Paul grace is the sum total of God’s goodness toward his children. Karl Barth, defines grace as that merciful “Nevertheless!” with which God steps out from the mystery of his majesty and holiness and turns to address us as “beloved.” Grace isn’t grace without that “nevertheless.” We are sinners; nevertheless we become beloved saints when we receive God’s grace. To know this grace is to experience peace, a deep sense of well-being, of being saved. A remarkable footnote to all this is that this grace and peace flow to us from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Our salvation is a joint venture. Jesus is no mere preacher who must wait till the fourth century and the Nicene Council to be assigned a divine status. From the very beginning he is the Lord who works for our total peace. For the next few days we are going to examine grace a bit. Today, return to “go.”

Happy Trails

The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:20-24 ESV).

“Happy Trails” was the theme song by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans at the end of all of their programs. It is still remembered fondly today by thousands. The lyrics were: Happy trails to you, until we meet again. Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then. Who cares about the clouds when we're together? Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather. Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again. As I wrote yesterday about the grandeur of the creation and God’s great gift of life to us through Christ, I couldn’t help but think of how different Adam and Eve might have felt as they were banished from the garden. I have told that story many times. I always remember to finish the story with the inclusion of God’s grace. Even with that being true, I have been told a time or two that talking about God banishing Adam and Eve is a very depressing story. One particular instance took place after Vacation Bible School when a mom came to me and said that she really didn’t understand why we need to tell children such depressing things. The truth is that the Bible is filled with stories about God’s people making poor choices and suffering the consequences. Our personal stories are filled with those choices as well. We don’t enjoy the consequences of the poor decisions we make. However, it only serves to remind us of the good news. We must not forget that before God sent them out of the garden to face the harsh world fallen as a result of their sin, he also made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. Not only did that act take care of their immediate need, it prophesied the provision he would make for their ultimate need. God always knew what would happen when he created man. He also knew the solution. While the beginning of the story might be difficult, the end of the story can be so much better. Through Jesus God really did provide a means for all of us to have “Happy Trails.” Trust in the work of Christ on the cross. He is the only means by which you may have eternal life!

Bam! Take It Up a Notch!

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. (Psalm 148:1-6 ESV).

“Bam! Take it up a notch!” was the now familiar exclamation from Emeril Lagasse as he added some special seasoning to his recipe. He actually began using the phrase early in his television career. He explains that while they filmed seven or eight shows a day without a studio audience, he and the few crew members would take a break for lunch in the middle of a day’s filming. They would eat whatever he had cooked earlier in the day and always be sleepy in the afternoon. He simply decided that the food need to be “taken up a notch” to keep them awake. The phrase caught on and has been a part of his reputation ever since. Thinking through our reading today I am taken back to some of Emeril’s cooking shows. I love his enthusiasm for his culinary creations; however, they are nothing compared to the creation of God. Our reading today relates some of the wonder he felt when he thought of God’s accomplishment. I love telling the creation story to children. You know, none of them ever ask me if I’m an old or new earther; they don’t ask if I really think God created the world in six 24-hour days; not one of them asks how God came into existence; and, there’s never a question about evolution. Typically they just sit with mouth agape in a time of wonder and amazement. Sometimes I’m really glad to be an adult who is able to think abstractly. However, no matter how much I try, I can’t possibly fathom how God could have done it all. It is well beyond my imagination how he could have hidden so many secrets in his universe and how he pays attention to everything that happens at the same time. All I can understand is that I’m deeply grateful that he placed me in it and that he watches over it the way it does. Perhaps that how I manage to smile my way through this life. Think of it. God has created everything up to man. On that sixth day, he surveys all he has done thus far. Remember, he’s only had to speak and creation happened. He might have looked at everything, lions, tigers, bears (oh my) and said, “I think it’s time to finish. Bam! Take it up a notch!” And, then man existed. Now, that’s a God I can trust to always do good on my behalf. Even if that were not enough, he has sent Jesus to do everything necessary to win forever life for me. Now, that’s cooking!

A Big, Big God

I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.] (Psalm 145:1-13 ESV). About fifteen years ago, a wonderful song was released with a targeted children’s resource, “Our God Is a Great Big God.” It was designed to emphasize the wonder of the majesty and power of God. Originally developed through Vineyard Ministries, the lyrics are: Our God is a great big God, Our God is a great big God, Our God is a great big God And He holds us in His hands.(repeat) He’s higher than a skyscraper And deeper than a submarine. He’s wider than the universe And beyond my wildest dreams. He’s known me and He’s loved me Before the world began. How wonderful to be a part Of God’s amazing plan. David writes the thought wonderfully in our reading today. Perhaps you are feeling a bit overwhelmed today. My encouragement is to remember just how big God really is. He is big enough to shoulder our responsibilities; he is big enough to share our deepest and darkest secrets; he is big enough to carry us when we feel as though we aren’t strong enough to take another step; and, he is big enough to ensure that every one of our days have been planned out for us. That’s good news! Our God is a big, big God!

The Great Imponderables

Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed for him his way, or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’? “Remember to extol his work, of which men have sung. All mankind has looked on it; man beholds it from afar. Behold, God is great, and we know him not; the number of his years is unsearchable. (Job 36:22-26 ESV).

There are always questions that make us scratch our heads and simply respond with a “hmmm”. For example, “Why don’t cats like to swim?” or, “Do penguins have knees?” or, “Why do clocks run clockwise?” Sometimes there simply isn’t an adequate answer to our question. David Feldman has written a series of eleven wonderful little books asking some of these “imponderables.” They are filled with wit and humor, and cause us to think a bit more deeply about a life we often take for granted. The study of Theology is something like that. It causes us to think a bit deeper about the character and nature of God. It also helps us to formulate an answer to some of questions we have about God with something other than “just because.” I have heard it said that all the great theological questions have been asked by three- and four-year-olds. Art Linkletter once said, “Kids say the darndest things.” He was certainly right. I read of a teacher who each year in her preschool class would ask a “buddy” class of fourth graders to visit her classroom to write letters to God with the younger children. Some of the questions were priceless: “Where exactly is heaven?” and, “How do you hear everyone’s prayers?” and, “Will I see my grandma there?” and “God, how can you be three people at the same time?” and, finally, “Will we eat in heaven?” Pretty simple, but they are “head-scratchers” all at the same time. I am struck by how many are the same questions I have heard through the years. Perhaps you have some of these questions, or others that simply cause you to wonder. The temptation to become impatient as we wait on an answer that simply is not forthcoming often causes us to trust the first voice that seems to be reasonable. Often the correct answer is not reasonable by the estimation of human logic. The cross is such an unreasonable truth. The apostle Paul said it this way: For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” (1 Corinthians 1:18-19 ESV). So, as you ponder the imponderables, rest in this fact. God loves you so much, he gave His only Son to deliver you in His grace!

Your Happy Dance

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. (Romans 4:16-21 ESV).

As I help us break into our happy dance because it’s Friday, can I dig a little deeper so that we can celebrate as much on Monday through Thursday? I know this may have been the week that ends all weeks as far as challenges are concerned. It may be that things started out messed up on Monday and each day seemed to get worse. The more you tried to untie the knot of mistakes, disappointment and failure, the tighter the knot became. It may be that there was one challenge on top of another and you seem to have reached your breaking point. The end of this day will be a signal to just breathe and start over on Monday. I’ve had those kinds of weeks. In fact, I’ve had those kinds of years! Sometimes life is just like that. Sometimes we can identify the direct results of our sin, failure, and disobedience. Sometimes, we don’t see any connection, things are just messed up. Circumstances just seem to swell to a depth that we simply cannot continue to tread the depth any longer and sinking seems like a wonderful alternative. We do have hope. It is not just that the weekend has arrived. With a brief review of Abraham’s life (c.f. Genesis 12-16), it is very clear he did not live a peaceful, trouble-free life. He certainly made mistakes. He also was responsible for some of his bad times. But there were other times when he was the picture of faithfulness and still life seemed to rise up to drown him in trouble. It’s these times in his life that we learn much about faith under stress. It all revolved around his “trust.” Go back to our reading today. Look at the “trust”: Paul talks about “hope believed”; “without weakening”; “did not waver”; “strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God”; and “fully persuaded.” That’s an incredible picture of trusting. Through all of this he kept trusting in God (v. 21). Through all his mistakes, sins and failures, Abraham kept on trusting. And God “credited it to him as righteousness.” He does the same for you and me. With that truth firmly entrenched in your heart and soul… please resume your happy dance!

Summer Vacation

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:1-9 ESV). Our reading today gives us a glimpse of the courage of Joshua. It couldn’t have been easy for him to take the lead in delivering Israel into the Promised Land without Moses. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that God understood this fear and gave him information he needed to be able to accomplish the calling to lead. In many ways the month of August is something of a scary month for many people. This is especially true of children and teens with the start of school coming in just a few days or weeks. For many of them there are lots of questions to be answered. It is like being on the border of a new country. Adults face the same temptation to fear as well. There are very few of us who can say with certainly what our day will be like. There is always a sense of uncertainty about our immediate future. Like Joshua we can easily be shaken with a real reason to be frightened. Think about Joshua. He had been Moses’ helper, but now the responsibility for all these people was his. Plus they were supposed to strike off into new territory and wage war on the inhabitants. God knew Joshua was scared. In one paragraph, he commands Joshua three times, “Be strong and courageous!” It sounds much easier than it really is to do. However, the key is that God is always gracious. God brackets this powerful paragraph with a twice-repeated promise (verses 5 and 9b): “I will be with you everywhere you go.” What new venture does God want you to start? Trust him to be with you and empower you. Listen, obey, trust God and begin!

The Big Picture

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:18-30 ESV).

Life is full of puzzles. Some of them are fun. Faith and I have recently finished an Aggie puzzle that can be displayed in any of three different ways. We chose to display the football field. I always enjoy jigsaw puzzles. There was a time when I always had one in the process of being put together. They are a great reminder concerning the vagaries of life. We all have experienced the frustration of life’s puzzles. At times they seem to sweep the joy of life away. When we are confronted by the challenges of life it can seem as though we will never find a solution. And, then as often is the cased with a puzzle, that one piece that seems to be the key to the rest simply appears. I find it easier when I continue to focus on the picture of what the competed puzzle should look like. We may be certain that we cannot solve the puzzles of life by looking within ourselves. We don’t have the strength, the insight, or the resources to solve the puzzles of life. And, that’s the key. We must keep our eyes fixed on the distant goal. The distant goal in our reading today is our eager expectation of the glorious freedom and the final transformation of believers. Life’s puzzles have a purpose. God designs them to do good in our lives. Life’s puzzles seem less alarming when we focus on the glory God has prepared for us. Look at the big picture again!

Another Day Closer

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:17-21 ESV). Today’s devotional may seem a bit morose. I hope you will stay with me until the end of this short bit of rumination. While I am writing this a few days early in order to get it to the publishers of the web site, I am looking forward to celebrating my sixty-seventh birthday on this day. I have chosen today’s reading because it seems to be a summary of one of the greatest temptations of our day. As I grow older I can only count the days, months, and years in terms of how much closer I am to the end of this earthly life. That’s the morose part. Please be assured that I am doing all that I can to follow the doctors’ orders to extend that time as much as possible. And, I now have several other “care-takers” that watch closely over my behavior. In fact, now that my granddaughter has a cell phone, whenever I do something that doesn’t seem to be in my best interest, she immediately texts both her grandma and her parents to “tattle.” I suppose that’s a good thing, though it does seem a bit extreme. At any rate, go back to our reading for a moment. The Apostle Paul draws a clear contrast between those who are enemies of the cross and those who are not. He says, “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” In these sixty-seven years I have seen the relevance of this description to our culture. People do seem more interested in satisfying their personal desires (belly); they do seem to celebrate their rebellion (glory in their shame); and, there is little doubt that their concentration is on temporal pleasure (earthly things). Paul’s answer to all of that is that we remember our citizenship is heaven. This is simply not our home. With that thought, he comes to the conclusion that our struggles and failures all will be completely swept away in the power of our Savior. Now, that is a thought that is worth celebrating. I cannot say with the apostle that you should imitate me. I have had plenty of moments that can only be classified as a failure; however, that moment in 1969 when I was born again takes all of those moments and casts them aside in favor of the overwhelming victory I have through Jesus. I am one day closer to receiving the reward of that great gift of grace in a way that cannot be imagined now in this life. So, celebrate with me that we are both one day closer!