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Showing posts with label Corporate Devotions. Show all posts

Monday, February 25, 2013


Opening Prayer: Father God, Creator and Sustainer of all, open our hearts and minds to be receptive to Your Truth, a willingness to submit all of our Being to You will, and a desire to live in the Light of Your Truth.

Readings from the Christian Lexicon Feb 25th, 2013

Reading 1: Daniel 9:4b-10

“Lord, great and awesome God,
you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you
and observe your commandments!
We have sinned, been wicked and done evil;
we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.
We have not obeyed your servants the prophets,
who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes,
our fathers, and all the people of the land.
Justice, O Lord, is on your side;
we are shamefaced even to this day:
we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem,
and all Israel, near and far,
in all the countries to which you have scattered them
because of their treachery toward you.
O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers,
for having sinned against you.
But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!
Yet we rebelled against you
and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God,
to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets.”



Reading 2: Psalm 79:11-13

Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake.
Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.

Reading 3: Luke6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”



Our Reflection: "Sin is not a popular topic"

Many don’t like to talk about the existence of sin, or that certain things or thoughts are sinful. We live in a culture and time when to have such conversations are considered foolish, archaic, judgmental and dangerous. To consider certain things sin is to be consider religious, narrow minded, un-enlightened.

However, we are surrounded by sin – constantly. I haven’t read this morning’s paper yet, and I’m sure they will be a feel good story or two, but that isn’t what makes up much of the first two sections of the paper. It will be about what terrible things one person has done to another – or one nation to another. It will contain how leaders, governments, and companies have been caught in lies, behaviours of dishonestly and self interest. It will also identify the stark contrast and differences between the worlds of the haves and the have nots.

The struggle we primarily have is with those things, that we as creatures consider sin – and those things that God identifies as sin. Too often they are not the same thing. We don’t have to read the New Testament long to discover that the way the religious leaders and lawyers saw reality was much different than how Jesus and therefore God knew that same reality to be. We read in a number of places where Jesus says such things as “you say, do not commit murder, I tell you, if you hate your brother and you have committed murder. You say, don’t commit adultery, I tell you if you view another person with lustful thoughts you’ve committed adultery already”. Our task is to be so acquainted with God and His Word that we seek His heart and vision of reality and we are willing ‘put to death’ our own.

One of the things that messes us up when thinking about this unpopular topic is how God Himself seems to view the nature of sin. It seems He doesn’t have a measuring scale where He determines, ‘well, this one isn’t has bad as that one or this one is a little one, so I can over look – but that one, that is way bad that really is on my naughty list. It appears God view the world in pretty black and white terms. The wages of any and all sin is death – and the crucifixion of Christ is the only sufficient payment. That’s a good news, bad news story for us. The good news is that all our sin is confessable and repentable – we can all receive the gift of God – the bad news is, we must see the world as God knows it to be, not as we wish it was and subsequently confess and repent our sin of not seeing the world as He does. We must acknowledge His Lordship and authority to identify what is and isn’t considered ‘against Him and his purpose’ – or sin.

I had a conversation not too long ago with someone who stated their view of sin was when a person wasn’t being truthful to themselves. There wasn’t much sense in trying to convince this person otherwise because they were not interested in a conversation – but in justification – he had already determined what was the nature and standard of sin. I think however, that too many Christian could be accused of the same – they’re not so interested in conversation either, as they are in the condemning – they equally have already determined that nature and standard.

I think that is part of the warning that comes with Jesus statement “be careful how you judge, for when you try to take a speck out of your neighbours eye you may have log in your own”. God is not saying here that there isn’t any way to determine right or wrong – he just saying we have to be very humble, and gentle and prayerful that we are seeking His heart and not responding out of our heart.

I thought about what my friend said, about sin not being true to oneself – and perhaps he’s not completely wrong - the primary difference is how he and I define ‘being true to oneself’. It goes to the very Origin of the Species. If I am a creature of chance and purposeless beyond what I can manufacture, he’s mostly correct – mostly I say because the conversation of the nature of sin becomes a moot one – there’s nothing absolute to judge sin against in his case – good, bad are completely subjective. At best ‘sin’ is social constructs and at worse it is defined by the survival of the fittest.

However, if I’m a creature of design, the whole universe shifts. And, in essence my friend is still correct in that sin is ‘not being true to one self’. But, the nature of that oneself Being is completely different. We are a Being created in the image of God by design and for a particular purpose. It is that realization that causes David to declare when he finds himself drowning in his sin – “O Lord, against You and You alone have I sinned”. If then God is our Good and Holy Designer, although sin has consequences for us – and certainly it impacts others, sin is first and foremost a violation of God's purpose and vision of ourselves. God doesn’t just arbitrary determine what he doesn’t like it and therefore calls it sin – it is the cost and impact of that sin, of the terrible cost of not being true to how and why God has created those creatures whom he loves and has created by design and for a purpose. All sin has a cost that someone ends up paying for it – or in the case of the one who comes to Christ – Someone.

As I read these passages for this morning, something else about the nature and declaration of Sin is revealed that I think we even as follower of Christ we have lost.Not only do these passages speak of individual ‘sin’, but of the corporate reality of Sin – that WE have sinned, we have rebelled, we have not done what is right in the eyes of God. WE, as children of God just as the people of Israel and Judah where, have a corporate responsibility to God that transcends just the individual. I know we love to accuse the Church of this that and the other thing – the Church as failed, the Church as gotten it wrong, the Church is obsolete - but here’s the rub “WE” are the church. God doesn’t see the separation of denominations in His kingdom – He only sees “His Church”

“I can’t control and change what the church has done” you say. I have in mind all the things the Church has been accused of, not all, but way too much has credence, - the crusades, how it has dealt with gender issues, residential schools, colonialism – failures in its communities to address poverty and racism issues etc etc. – (the Church has done many right things as well, but that’s a conversation for another time) but here’s the truth of it, you can control and change what the Church does --for Christ himself calls us ‘his church, his royal priest hood a people belonging to God” his bride. In reality bashing the church makes about as much sense as hitting yourself in the head with a brick. You are bring pain and destruction to yourself. 

Are there things that we are to repent of?  To declare as sin as injustice against God and his children? Yes. WE have rebelled, we have not done what it is that God would have had us do. It comes back to all of us, as we make up the church and do not define sin in a way that suits us or makes sense to us, or protects us – but in a way that God truly revealed it to be.

We also come to discover God does not identify sin to destroy us, or condemn us, or so he can punish us – But he identifies it so that He can free us, that we can find an abundant and grace-filled life – he identifies it so we may know that he has fully and completely paid the wages and debt of our sin, not only ours, but the whole worlds.

We all know John 3:16, but not so much the following verse,

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

We also discover, Sin and death do not have the final victory – God’s compassion and forgiveness does.

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 
 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sin is only a problem when we refuse to acknowledge and deal with it as God defines it – it is when we refuse to confess and orient our lives under the presence and Being of God that we need to be concerned.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:9-10

Closing Prayer: A Prayer of the Early Christian Church

Look upon us, O Lord,
and let all the darkness of our souls
vanish before the beams of thy brightness.
Fill us with holy love,
and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom.
All our desire is known unto thee,
therefore perfect what thou hast begun,
and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer.
We seek thy face,
turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory.
Then shall our longing be satisfied,
and our peace shall be perfect.

(Augustine, 354 - 430)


Anyway, I was just thinking,

Neil




Ah, not Sin again.....

Monday, February 25, 2013 at 3:00 pm · by Neil · in , , 1 comment


Opening Prayer: Father God, Creator and Sustainer of all, open our hearts and minds to be receptive to Your Truth, a willingness to submit all of our Being to You will, and a desire to live in the Light of Your Truth.

Readings from the Christian Lexicon Feb 25th, 2013

Reading 1: Daniel 9:4b-10

“Lord, great and awesome God,
you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you
and observe your commandments!
We have sinned, been wicked and done evil;
we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.
We have not obeyed your servants the prophets,
who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes,
our fathers, and all the people of the land.
Justice, O Lord, is on your side;
we are shamefaced even to this day:
we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem,
and all Israel, near and far,
in all the countries to which you have scattered them
because of their treachery toward you.
O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers,
for having sinned against you.
But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!
Yet we rebelled against you
and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God,
to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets.”



Reading 2: Psalm 79:11-13

Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake.
Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.

Reading 3: Luke6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”



Our Reflection: "Sin is not a popular topic"

Many don’t like to talk about the existence of sin, or that certain things or thoughts are sinful. We live in a culture and time when to have such conversations are considered foolish, archaic, judgmental and dangerous. To consider certain things sin is to be consider religious, narrow minded, un-enlightened.

However, we are surrounded by sin – constantly. I haven’t read this morning’s paper yet, and I’m sure they will be a feel good story or two, but that isn’t what makes up much of the first two sections of the paper. It will be about what terrible things one person has done to another – or one nation to another. It will contain how leaders, governments, and companies have been caught in lies, behaviours of dishonestly and self interest. It will also identify the stark contrast and differences between the worlds of the haves and the have nots.

The struggle we primarily have is with those things, that we as creatures consider sin – and those things that God identifies as sin. Too often they are not the same thing. We don’t have to read the New Testament long to discover that the way the religious leaders and lawyers saw reality was much different than how Jesus and therefore God knew that same reality to be. We read in a number of places where Jesus says such things as “you say, do not commit murder, I tell you, if you hate your brother and you have committed murder. You say, don’t commit adultery, I tell you if you view another person with lustful thoughts you’ve committed adultery already”. Our task is to be so acquainted with God and His Word that we seek His heart and vision of reality and we are willing ‘put to death’ our own.

One of the things that messes us up when thinking about this unpopular topic is how God Himself seems to view the nature of sin. It seems He doesn’t have a measuring scale where He determines, ‘well, this one isn’t has bad as that one or this one is a little one, so I can over look – but that one, that is way bad that really is on my naughty list. It appears God view the world in pretty black and white terms. The wages of any and all sin is death – and the crucifixion of Christ is the only sufficient payment. That’s a good news, bad news story for us. The good news is that all our sin is confessable and repentable – we can all receive the gift of God – the bad news is, we must see the world as God knows it to be, not as we wish it was and subsequently confess and repent our sin of not seeing the world as He does. We must acknowledge His Lordship and authority to identify what is and isn’t considered ‘against Him and his purpose’ – or sin.

I had a conversation not too long ago with someone who stated their view of sin was when a person wasn’t being truthful to themselves. There wasn’t much sense in trying to convince this person otherwise because they were not interested in a conversation – but in justification – he had already determined what was the nature and standard of sin. I think however, that too many Christian could be accused of the same – they’re not so interested in conversation either, as they are in the condemning – they equally have already determined that nature and standard.

I think that is part of the warning that comes with Jesus statement “be careful how you judge, for when you try to take a speck out of your neighbours eye you may have log in your own”. God is not saying here that there isn’t any way to determine right or wrong – he just saying we have to be very humble, and gentle and prayerful that we are seeking His heart and not responding out of our heart.

I thought about what my friend said, about sin not being true to oneself – and perhaps he’s not completely wrong - the primary difference is how he and I define ‘being true to oneself’. It goes to the very Origin of the Species. If I am a creature of chance and purposeless beyond what I can manufacture, he’s mostly correct – mostly I say because the conversation of the nature of sin becomes a moot one – there’s nothing absolute to judge sin against in his case – good, bad are completely subjective. At best ‘sin’ is social constructs and at worse it is defined by the survival of the fittest.

However, if I’m a creature of design, the whole universe shifts. And, in essence my friend is still correct in that sin is ‘not being true to one self’. But, the nature of that oneself Being is completely different. We are a Being created in the image of God by design and for a particular purpose. It is that realization that causes David to declare when he finds himself drowning in his sin – “O Lord, against You and You alone have I sinned”. If then God is our Good and Holy Designer, although sin has consequences for us – and certainly it impacts others, sin is first and foremost a violation of God's purpose and vision of ourselves. God doesn’t just arbitrary determine what he doesn’t like it and therefore calls it sin – it is the cost and impact of that sin, of the terrible cost of not being true to how and why God has created those creatures whom he loves and has created by design and for a purpose. All sin has a cost that someone ends up paying for it – or in the case of the one who comes to Christ – Someone.

As I read these passages for this morning, something else about the nature and declaration of Sin is revealed that I think we even as follower of Christ we have lost.Not only do these passages speak of individual ‘sin’, but of the corporate reality of Sin – that WE have sinned, we have rebelled, we have not done what is right in the eyes of God. WE, as children of God just as the people of Israel and Judah where, have a corporate responsibility to God that transcends just the individual. I know we love to accuse the Church of this that and the other thing – the Church as failed, the Church as gotten it wrong, the Church is obsolete - but here’s the rub “WE” are the church. God doesn’t see the separation of denominations in His kingdom – He only sees “His Church”

“I can’t control and change what the church has done” you say. I have in mind all the things the Church has been accused of, not all, but way too much has credence, - the crusades, how it has dealt with gender issues, residential schools, colonialism – failures in its communities to address poverty and racism issues etc etc. – (the Church has done many right things as well, but that’s a conversation for another time) but here’s the truth of it, you can control and change what the Church does --for Christ himself calls us ‘his church, his royal priest hood a people belonging to God” his bride. In reality bashing the church makes about as much sense as hitting yourself in the head with a brick. You are bring pain and destruction to yourself. 

Are there things that we are to repent of?  To declare as sin as injustice against God and his children? Yes. WE have rebelled, we have not done what it is that God would have had us do. It comes back to all of us, as we make up the church and do not define sin in a way that suits us or makes sense to us, or protects us – but in a way that God truly revealed it to be.

We also come to discover God does not identify sin to destroy us, or condemn us, or so he can punish us – But he identifies it so that He can free us, that we can find an abundant and grace-filled life – he identifies it so we may know that he has fully and completely paid the wages and debt of our sin, not only ours, but the whole worlds.

We all know John 3:16, but not so much the following verse,

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

We also discover, Sin and death do not have the final victory – God’s compassion and forgiveness does.

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 
 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sin is only a problem when we refuse to acknowledge and deal with it as God defines it – it is when we refuse to confess and orient our lives under the presence and Being of God that we need to be concerned.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:9-10

Closing Prayer: A Prayer of the Early Christian Church

Look upon us, O Lord,
and let all the darkness of our souls
vanish before the beams of thy brightness.
Fill us with holy love,
and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom.
All our desire is known unto thee,
therefore perfect what thou hast begun,
and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer.
We seek thy face,
turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory.
Then shall our longing be satisfied,
and our peace shall be perfect.

(Augustine, 354 - 430)


Anyway, I was just thinking,

Neil




Tuesday, February 19, 2013


    Is 55:10-11

Thus says the LORD:
Just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
And do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
Giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
So shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.

Ps 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.

The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.

When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.

Gospel Mt 6:7-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

“If you forgive men their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”


Talking to God:

One of the most difficult and yet most wonderful and amazing things about the Christian faith is the belief that we can talk to God and He hears us.  Throughout scripture we told over and over that God hears the prayers of his people and that he responds.

Now there are times in scripture when he seems not to respond.  Particularly we see this non-answering God when Israel and Judah became a “stiff necked people”.  When there is obvious and un-confronted sin in their, in our,  lives, it created a separation between God and his people and he says “I cannot hear you,”  “I turn my eyes away” or worse he ‘sees’ and he takes action but not in a way that seems at the moment to be good at the moment, but in the end, draws the people back to repentance.
Other times, we see like in Daniel life when he prayed fervently and the prayer was slow in being answered because of the opposition from the enemy.

God and his Word are inseparably linked and that Word is more than a construction of letters that make sense to us.  The opening chapter of John is a most incredible revelation, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God”.  In the following verses of that 1 chapter of John we see that, that Word was the very source of the Creation in Genesis 1.

If I am honest, many times when I pray – or have times when I don’t – I have forgotten too whom it is that I speak.  Prayer has become common place – at meals, at the openings of events, in pre-ordained spots and times in our services that it comes mundane – and more ritual and habit than it is encounter.
We’ve been going through the ‘Story’ at church – it’s a sermon series that covers the main stories of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and highlights the upper story of God and the lower story of humankinds journey.  This past week was focusing on Daniel and his friends being taken from Israel as young men and growing to be old men in captivity in Babylon.  One verse stands out that explains their ability to stand in the face of all the oppositions of fiery furnaces and lions dens and other life and faith threatening events.  “Daniel resolved in his heart not to defile him with the Kings table”.  We know that this was more than just an issue of food and drink for Daniel and his friends – it is repeated in Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We see in today’s readings that God’s Word is neither void nor empty – His Word is full of purpose and reason.   He hears the cries and the words of His people when they come humble and broken-hearted and not filled with pride and sin.
Psa 24:3-5
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

If you’re like me when you hear the words of the Psalmist, I wonder, how can I ascend that hill or stand in His holy place?  Then I remember the wonderful words of Hebrews 4:15-17

 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I am not the one without sin, He is.  My boldness and my ability to come and speak directly to God through no mediation are because of righteousness and holiness are not mine, but of His.

We constantly need to keep the promise God makes to us squarely in our hearts and minds “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”  - I need that daily remembrance, moment by moment, not as a get out of jail free card – it is a get our out of jail card, but it certainly isn’t free.  My, our, ability to speak boldly and free to God and know that He hears us comes at a great and terrible cost – the crucifixion.
This week is the beginning of lent in the Christian calendar – the of Body of Christ remembers together the events of our Lord and Saviour as he turned his face toward Jerusalem and began to make that journey toward the Cross with full knowledge of the pain and anguish that awaited him there.  Yet, so that we may be able to pray and that God our Father would hear and respond to us – he did not turn away.

1.    When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
2.    Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
3.    See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4.    Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
 
Closing Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. A-men

Anyway, I was just thinking.
Neil

A God who hears

Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 8:53 am · by Neil · in , , , , , , No comments


    Is 55:10-11

Thus says the LORD:
Just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
And do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
Giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
So shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.

Ps 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.

The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.

When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.

Gospel Mt 6:7-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

“If you forgive men their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”


Talking to God:

One of the most difficult and yet most wonderful and amazing things about the Christian faith is the belief that we can talk to God and He hears us.  Throughout scripture we told over and over that God hears the prayers of his people and that he responds.

Now there are times in scripture when he seems not to respond.  Particularly we see this non-answering God when Israel and Judah became a “stiff necked people”.  When there is obvious and un-confronted sin in their, in our,  lives, it created a separation between God and his people and he says “I cannot hear you,”  “I turn my eyes away” or worse he ‘sees’ and he takes action but not in a way that seems at the moment to be good at the moment, but in the end, draws the people back to repentance.
Other times, we see like in Daniel life when he prayed fervently and the prayer was slow in being answered because of the opposition from the enemy.

God and his Word are inseparably linked and that Word is more than a construction of letters that make sense to us.  The opening chapter of John is a most incredible revelation, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God”.  In the following verses of that 1 chapter of John we see that, that Word was the very source of the Creation in Genesis 1.

If I am honest, many times when I pray – or have times when I don’t – I have forgotten too whom it is that I speak.  Prayer has become common place – at meals, at the openings of events, in pre-ordained spots and times in our services that it comes mundane – and more ritual and habit than it is encounter.
We’ve been going through the ‘Story’ at church – it’s a sermon series that covers the main stories of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and highlights the upper story of God and the lower story of humankinds journey.  This past week was focusing on Daniel and his friends being taken from Israel as young men and growing to be old men in captivity in Babylon.  One verse stands out that explains their ability to stand in the face of all the oppositions of fiery furnaces and lions dens and other life and faith threatening events.  “Daniel resolved in his heart not to defile him with the Kings table”.  We know that this was more than just an issue of food and drink for Daniel and his friends – it is repeated in Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We see in today’s readings that God’s Word is neither void nor empty – His Word is full of purpose and reason.   He hears the cries and the words of His people when they come humble and broken-hearted and not filled with pride and sin.
Psa 24:3-5
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

If you’re like me when you hear the words of the Psalmist, I wonder, how can I ascend that hill or stand in His holy place?  Then I remember the wonderful words of Hebrews 4:15-17

 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I am not the one without sin, He is.  My boldness and my ability to come and speak directly to God through no mediation are because of righteousness and holiness are not mine, but of His.

We constantly need to keep the promise God makes to us squarely in our hearts and minds “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”  - I need that daily remembrance, moment by moment, not as a get out of jail free card – it is a get our out of jail card, but it certainly isn’t free.  My, our, ability to speak boldly and free to God and know that He hears us comes at a great and terrible cost – the crucifixion.
This week is the beginning of lent in the Christian calendar – the of Body of Christ remembers together the events of our Lord and Saviour as he turned his face toward Jerusalem and began to make that journey toward the Cross with full knowledge of the pain and anguish that awaited him there.  Yet, so that we may be able to pray and that God our Father would hear and respond to us – he did not turn away.

1.    When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
2.    Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
3.    See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4.    Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
 
Closing Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. A-men

Anyway, I was just thinking.
Neil

Monday, November 19, 2012


I’ve recently been challenged with Paul’s bold and dangerous statement in 1 Corinthians 11:1“And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” - if we backup just a bit into chapter 10:33 , “I too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved”.

Sounds a lot like Mark 10:45, where Jesus states “The Son of Man did not come to be serve, but to serve”. I am additionally challenged by Heb 1:3 that remind us that Christ is the perfect reflection of the Father. The very nature of God is to serve and do what is best for others.

Firstly, I’m not sure that I feel as bold as Paul to be able to say to others “you should imitate me…” Yet, that’s not what Paul is saying, he IS saying only imitate me as I imitate Christ. The focus is not Paul, but Christ.

Many may not consciously state “do as I say, not as I do…” however; we tend to behave in that manner. We hold or expect something different than what he in fact hold ourselves too. The problem is I think that really I expect people to behave better than I am will to do myself.

Paul says “I try to please everyone in everything I do; I don’t just do what is best for me”. But we need to dig a little deeper into his motivation – “I do what is best for others, so that they may be saved.”

What I need to understand is that the Kingdom of God isn’t ‘over there’ or ‘just for Sunday’ – the Kingdom of God overarches our entire being – the physical, spiritual, emotionally, the mental. When we come to work – we don’t leave the Kingdom of God behind, it’s here – we’re in it. We’ve talked about this before, and we know this. For the Christian, they are in and are representatives of the Kingdom of God where ever they may be. The only thing that makes Christian Horizons different than any other work place is that we have the rare opportunity to be working alongside Kingdom minded people.

Living in this Kingdom mind set ticks me off sometimes. My wife does a much better job – I was reminded of this recently while at a restaurant. I have an expectation that when I go to a restaurant, I will be treated and served well – and I tip accordingly. If the service is lousy, it definitely affects the tip I leave. It affects the tip my wife leaves as well, but in the opposite direction. This drives me crazy. I know that when we have received lousy service, its’ going to cost me – because, she will tip more rather than less. Her belief is, in spite of bad service, her witness of goodness and grace to another is more important and vital than ever.

I however have pointed out the incongruently of her argument, because when I do less around the house, I don’t get reward more.

All that aside, I am deeply challenge by how I bring the imitation of Christ into existence in all aspects of my life that doesn’t’ depend on the actions or expected reward of another, but solely on the desire to be a living witness of gospel. I certainly believe that is essential when living before people that don’t know Christ. But, we are to do so no less for those that do know him.

Back to my restaurant rant, I don’t know if this is true or not, but I have heard people from the service industry say, that Christians groups can be some of the worst groups to serve because of their attitudes and expectations, and they can the worst tippers.

My point is not to advocate for better tipping – What I am convicted by is the experience others have me and whether they could conclude “I am seeking to imitate Christ” and whether I make things easier – or more difficult for them.

I certainly don’t think Paul’s promoting a spineless, wish washy approach. In fact we can point else in Paul’s writings where he is anything but a dish rag. What he is saying how we interact with one another matters – how we honour, respect – how we follow authority. Every action I undertake either represents the kingdom well – or it does so poorly. I hear in this passage, that I have to take responsibility for my actions, opinion and attitudes – for how I respond – and the frustrating thing for me is, that how I am to respond in my imitation of Christ, has little if nothing to do with the actions, behaviours and decisions of another.

Psalm 1 comes to mind.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

The psalmist identifies three specific actions here, walking, standing, sitting. I think it is a conscious progression, one that I have seen in myself too often. I can easily get caught up in the ‘walking of grumbling and complaining – I react, I pull another in, we walk along together initially in the problem, if I don’t get a handle on it, it isn’t just a chance meeting of other walkers, I’m standing, I’m looking to draw people, to drag them into my compliant – by standing I’m becoming an obstacle that others might bump into an now I’m trying to get others to stand with me. If I don’t stop standing, I sit. Not only am I obstacle, now I become a stumbling block for others to trip over. I become entrenched and get others to entrench – to dig in with me.

When this happens I’m a long way from Paul’s call to imitate, to do what is best for others so that they might be saved – or having them experience the Kingdom of God through me.

I would contend that Paul’s idea of ‘saved’ is broader than simply ‘converted’ – certainly that is part of Paul’s hope and agenda, but I believe he has the idea of ‘redeemed’ more in mind – redeemed to be Kingdom livers.

I think Paul would be urging us to wrestle with how can Live, work, be with one another that brings God’s Kingdom into reality – that when we encounter each other, we’re bringing the Kingdom into a fuller existence in this place, in one another’s lives.

As a group of Kingdom people gathering in this place, we return to our Psalm passage, it is necessary and appropriate for us together to mediate on His law – day and night. But that mediation translates into a changed life – one that more fully reflects Christ and the Kingdom of God.

It is the delight of God I think to see us as his people imitate his Son with one so that we become a tree firmly planted by streams of water – his sustaining and life giving power. A gathering which yields nourishing fruit to one another here, and outward to those whom we will be in contact with.

I guess this can sound kinda corny – and ‘feel goody’ or pietistic but I think it really depends on how we understand the Kingdom to God. Is it something we move in and out of – or is it the very existence of our collective beings.

Anyway, I was just thinking,

Neil

Imitate me?

Monday, November 19, 2012 at 9:08 am · by Neil · in , , , , , , , , No comments


I’ve recently been challenged with Paul’s bold and dangerous statement in 1 Corinthians 11:1“And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” - if we backup just a bit into chapter 10:33 , “I too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved”.

Sounds a lot like Mark 10:45, where Jesus states “The Son of Man did not come to be serve, but to serve”. I am additionally challenged by Heb 1:3 that remind us that Christ is the perfect reflection of the Father. The very nature of God is to serve and do what is best for others.

Firstly, I’m not sure that I feel as bold as Paul to be able to say to others “you should imitate me…” Yet, that’s not what Paul is saying, he IS saying only imitate me as I imitate Christ. The focus is not Paul, but Christ.

Many may not consciously state “do as I say, not as I do…” however; we tend to behave in that manner. We hold or expect something different than what he in fact hold ourselves too. The problem is I think that really I expect people to behave better than I am will to do myself.

Paul says “I try to please everyone in everything I do; I don’t just do what is best for me”. But we need to dig a little deeper into his motivation – “I do what is best for others, so that they may be saved.”

What I need to understand is that the Kingdom of God isn’t ‘over there’ or ‘just for Sunday’ – the Kingdom of God overarches our entire being – the physical, spiritual, emotionally, the mental. When we come to work – we don’t leave the Kingdom of God behind, it’s here – we’re in it. We’ve talked about this before, and we know this. For the Christian, they are in and are representatives of the Kingdom of God where ever they may be. The only thing that makes Christian Horizons different than any other work place is that we have the rare opportunity to be working alongside Kingdom minded people.

Living in this Kingdom mind set ticks me off sometimes. My wife does a much better job – I was reminded of this recently while at a restaurant. I have an expectation that when I go to a restaurant, I will be treated and served well – and I tip accordingly. If the service is lousy, it definitely affects the tip I leave. It affects the tip my wife leaves as well, but in the opposite direction. This drives me crazy. I know that when we have received lousy service, its’ going to cost me – because, she will tip more rather than less. Her belief is, in spite of bad service, her witness of goodness and grace to another is more important and vital than ever.

I however have pointed out the incongruently of her argument, because when I do less around the house, I don’t get reward more.

All that aside, I am deeply challenge by how I bring the imitation of Christ into existence in all aspects of my life that doesn’t’ depend on the actions or expected reward of another, but solely on the desire to be a living witness of gospel. I certainly believe that is essential when living before people that don’t know Christ. But, we are to do so no less for those that do know him.

Back to my restaurant rant, I don’t know if this is true or not, but I have heard people from the service industry say, that Christians groups can be some of the worst groups to serve because of their attitudes and expectations, and they can the worst tippers.

My point is not to advocate for better tipping – What I am convicted by is the experience others have me and whether they could conclude “I am seeking to imitate Christ” and whether I make things easier – or more difficult for them.

I certainly don’t think Paul’s promoting a spineless, wish washy approach. In fact we can point else in Paul’s writings where he is anything but a dish rag. What he is saying how we interact with one another matters – how we honour, respect – how we follow authority. Every action I undertake either represents the kingdom well – or it does so poorly. I hear in this passage, that I have to take responsibility for my actions, opinion and attitudes – for how I respond – and the frustrating thing for me is, that how I am to respond in my imitation of Christ, has little if nothing to do with the actions, behaviours and decisions of another.

Psalm 1 comes to mind.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

The psalmist identifies three specific actions here, walking, standing, sitting. I think it is a conscious progression, one that I have seen in myself too often. I can easily get caught up in the ‘walking of grumbling and complaining – I react, I pull another in, we walk along together initially in the problem, if I don’t get a handle on it, it isn’t just a chance meeting of other walkers, I’m standing, I’m looking to draw people, to drag them into my compliant – by standing I’m becoming an obstacle that others might bump into an now I’m trying to get others to stand with me. If I don’t stop standing, I sit. Not only am I obstacle, now I become a stumbling block for others to trip over. I become entrenched and get others to entrench – to dig in with me.

When this happens I’m a long way from Paul’s call to imitate, to do what is best for others so that they might be saved – or having them experience the Kingdom of God through me.

I would contend that Paul’s idea of ‘saved’ is broader than simply ‘converted’ – certainly that is part of Paul’s hope and agenda, but I believe he has the idea of ‘redeemed’ more in mind – redeemed to be Kingdom livers.

I think Paul would be urging us to wrestle with how can Live, work, be with one another that brings God’s Kingdom into reality – that when we encounter each other, we’re bringing the Kingdom into a fuller existence in this place, in one another’s lives.

As a group of Kingdom people gathering in this place, we return to our Psalm passage, it is necessary and appropriate for us together to mediate on His law – day and night. But that mediation translates into a changed life – one that more fully reflects Christ and the Kingdom of God.

It is the delight of God I think to see us as his people imitate his Son with one so that we become a tree firmly planted by streams of water – his sustaining and life giving power. A gathering which yields nourishing fruit to one another here, and outward to those whom we will be in contact with.

I guess this can sound kinda corny – and ‘feel goody’ or pietistic but I think it really depends on how we understand the Kingdom to God. Is it something we move in and out of – or is it the very existence of our collective beings.

Anyway, I was just thinking,

Neil

Monday, April 02, 2012

The following is meant to be a reflection for us as we approach Good Friday and Easter Monday. 

Opening Prayer: 


Jesus, may all that is you flow into me.
May your body and blood be my food and drink.
May your passion and death be my strength and life.
Jesus, with you by my side enough has been given.
May the shelter I seek be the shadow of your cross.
Let me not run from the love which you offer,
but hold me safe from the forces of evil.
On each of my dyings shed your light and your love.
Keep calling to me until that day comes,
when, with your saints, I may praise you forever. Amen.


Rephrasing of an Christian ancient prayer, a favorite of Saint Ignatius.


Readings




Isaiah 42
The Servant of the LORD
 1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
   my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
   and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
   or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
   and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
 4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
   In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
 5 This is what God the LORD says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
   who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
   who gives breath to its people,
   and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
   I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
   to be a covenant for the people
   and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
   to free captives from prison
   and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
 8 “I am the LORD; that is my name!
   I will not yield my glory to another
   or my praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have taken place,
   and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
   I announce them to you.” 

Psalm 36
Psalm 36[a]
    For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD.
 1 I have a message from God in my heart
   concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:[b]
There is no fear of God
   before their eyes.
 2 In their own eyes they flatter themselves
   too much to detect or hate their sin.
3 The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful;
   they fail to act wisely or do good.
4 Even on their beds they plot evil;
   they commit themselves to a sinful course
   and do not reject what is wrong.
 5 Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens,
   your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
   your justice like the great deep.
   You, LORD, preserve both people and animals.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
   People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
   you give them drink from your river of delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
   in your light we see light.
 10 Continue your love to those who know you,
   your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 May the foot of the proud not come against me,
   nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 See how the evildoers lie fallen—
   thrown down, not able to rise! 

 
Hebrews 9: 11-15The Blood of Christ
 11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here,[a] he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining[b] eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,[c] so that we may serve the living God! 15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. 

John 21:1-11 Jesus Anointed at Bethany
 1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
   7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you,[c] but you will not always have me.”  9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

Passion Week Reflection:

One of the things that stands out to us when reading the gospels is the frequency that Jesus spoke of his impending death, and the equal frequency of the disciples failure to understand what He was saying.  

Even up to the point of the Last Supper and the Garden – they could not grasp what was about to happen - to the point that they were lulled to sleep on the most terrible and wonderful events of all time. I wonder if some of it was that they had seen Jesus do so many miracles – and also slip out of the grip of the religious leaders so many times before when they tried to corner him, or stone him that they were fully confident He would do so again.  Who could conceive that the Messiah that had finally come after 1,000’s of years of waiting would be tortured and murdered in the cruelest of ways. 

A suffering and dying servant, in any form, just didn’t fit their ideas, let alone in the great humiliation he underwent.  It wasn’t till after the resurrection that they begin to grasp the necessity and nature of that death – for them – for their sins for the whole world for all of time.  It was this event that we know as Good Friday that caused them to abandon any earthly aspirations that might have remained and completely sell out for the cause and call of Christ – even to the point of their own terrible deaths. 

As I stand on this side of the Cross, I am concerned – concerned that I too, even though I have the gospel record in my hands – have heard a half century of Good Friday and Easter sermons (a preached more than a few) – I too have largely failed to understand what He was saying, what happened, and what is about to happen.  That in many ways, I too have been lulled to sleep, and in danger of missing the point.  I wonder in the years following the disciples reflect on this event, as well as the parable of the 10 Virgins that Jesus told, thank God for His mercy and grace. (an interesting connection I hadn't thought of till now -- I'll need to think about this more and deeper)   I know the words I know the songs however the real evidence of my understanding lays in my behaviour.  Do I live my life in the reality of the Cross? Have I truly relinquished lordship of my own life? Am I fully willing to do things His way, and for only His purpose?  When I look at my behaviour I question my own willingness to completely sell out for the cause of Christ – no matter the cost.   

In a way, I’m afraid that I have become too familiar with Good Friday and Easter Sunday – to the point that I find comfort as one does with a well known story. I love “My Saviour Lives, My Saviour Lives” songs – but I equally must embrace “My Saviour died, My Saviour died”.  God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die so that I might live.  Suddenly I find myself singing “How can it be that I should gain, an interest in the Saviour’s blood!  Died He for me? Who caused His pain! For me? Who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be? That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?”    

May God in mercy and grace, reveal His presence in our lives this Passion Week.  May we more completely understand His death and the power of the resurrection that it transport us from this world of fleshly pursuit to His Kingdom of grace, truth and purity.

Closing Prayer

God to enfold me,
God to surround me,
God in my speaking,
God in my thinking.
God in my sleeping,
God in my waking,
God in my watching,
God in my hoping.
God in my life,
God in my lips,
God in my soul,
God in my heart.
God in my sufficing,
God in my slumber,
God in mine ever-living soul,
God in mine eternity.
Ancient Celtic prayer collected by Alexander Carmichael (1832-1912),

God's Blessing you, your homes, and your families this Holy Week

Neil 





What's in a Week?

Monday, April 02, 2012 at 3:16 pm · by Neil · in , , , No comments

The following is meant to be a reflection for us as we approach Good Friday and Easter Monday. 

Opening Prayer: 


Jesus, may all that is you flow into me.
May your body and blood be my food and drink.
May your passion and death be my strength and life.
Jesus, with you by my side enough has been given.
May the shelter I seek be the shadow of your cross.
Let me not run from the love which you offer,
but hold me safe from the forces of evil.
On each of my dyings shed your light and your love.
Keep calling to me until that day comes,
when, with your saints, I may praise you forever. Amen.


Rephrasing of an Christian ancient prayer, a favorite of Saint Ignatius.


Readings




Isaiah 42
The Servant of the LORD
 1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
   my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
   and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
   or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
   and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
 4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
   In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
 5 This is what God the LORD says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
   who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
   who gives breath to its people,
   and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
   I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
   to be a covenant for the people
   and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
   to free captives from prison
   and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
 8 “I am the LORD; that is my name!
   I will not yield my glory to another
   or my praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have taken place,
   and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
   I announce them to you.” 

Psalm 36
Psalm 36[a]
    For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD.
 1 I have a message from God in my heart
   concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:[b]
There is no fear of God
   before their eyes.
 2 In their own eyes they flatter themselves
   too much to detect or hate their sin.
3 The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful;
   they fail to act wisely or do good.
4 Even on their beds they plot evil;
   they commit themselves to a sinful course
   and do not reject what is wrong.
 5 Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens,
   your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
   your justice like the great deep.
   You, LORD, preserve both people and animals.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
   People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
   you give them drink from your river of delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
   in your light we see light.
 10 Continue your love to those who know you,
   your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 May the foot of the proud not come against me,
   nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 See how the evildoers lie fallen—
   thrown down, not able to rise! 

 
Hebrews 9: 11-15The Blood of Christ
 11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here,[a] he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining[b] eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,[c] so that we may serve the living God! 15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. 

John 21:1-11 Jesus Anointed at Bethany
 1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
   7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you,[c] but you will not always have me.”  9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

Passion Week Reflection:

One of the things that stands out to us when reading the gospels is the frequency that Jesus spoke of his impending death, and the equal frequency of the disciples failure to understand what He was saying.  

Even up to the point of the Last Supper and the Garden – they could not grasp what was about to happen - to the point that they were lulled to sleep on the most terrible and wonderful events of all time. I wonder if some of it was that they had seen Jesus do so many miracles – and also slip out of the grip of the religious leaders so many times before when they tried to corner him, or stone him that they were fully confident He would do so again.  Who could conceive that the Messiah that had finally come after 1,000’s of years of waiting would be tortured and murdered in the cruelest of ways. 

A suffering and dying servant, in any form, just didn’t fit their ideas, let alone in the great humiliation he underwent.  It wasn’t till after the resurrection that they begin to grasp the necessity and nature of that death – for them – for their sins for the whole world for all of time.  It was this event that we know as Good Friday that caused them to abandon any earthly aspirations that might have remained and completely sell out for the cause and call of Christ – even to the point of their own terrible deaths. 

As I stand on this side of the Cross, I am concerned – concerned that I too, even though I have the gospel record in my hands – have heard a half century of Good Friday and Easter sermons (a preached more than a few) – I too have largely failed to understand what He was saying, what happened, and what is about to happen.  That in many ways, I too have been lulled to sleep, and in danger of missing the point.  I wonder in the years following the disciples reflect on this event, as well as the parable of the 10 Virgins that Jesus told, thank God for His mercy and grace. (an interesting connection I hadn't thought of till now -- I'll need to think about this more and deeper)   I know the words I know the songs however the real evidence of my understanding lays in my behaviour.  Do I live my life in the reality of the Cross? Have I truly relinquished lordship of my own life? Am I fully willing to do things His way, and for only His purpose?  When I look at my behaviour I question my own willingness to completely sell out for the cause of Christ – no matter the cost.   

In a way, I’m afraid that I have become too familiar with Good Friday and Easter Sunday – to the point that I find comfort as one does with a well known story. I love “My Saviour Lives, My Saviour Lives” songs – but I equally must embrace “My Saviour died, My Saviour died”.  God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die so that I might live.  Suddenly I find myself singing “How can it be that I should gain, an interest in the Saviour’s blood!  Died He for me? Who caused His pain! For me? Who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be? That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?”    

May God in mercy and grace, reveal His presence in our lives this Passion Week.  May we more completely understand His death and the power of the resurrection that it transport us from this world of fleshly pursuit to His Kingdom of grace, truth and purity.

Closing Prayer

God to enfold me,
God to surround me,
God in my speaking,
God in my thinking.
God in my sleeping,
God in my waking,
God in my watching,
God in my hoping.
God in my life,
God in my lips,
God in my soul,
God in my heart.
God in my sufficing,
God in my slumber,
God in mine ever-living soul,
God in mine eternity.
Ancient Celtic prayer collected by Alexander Carmichael (1832-1912),

God's Blessing you, your homes, and your families this Holy Week

Neil 





Tuesday, October 19, 2010

In Acts 1:8 we have the last earthly words of Jesus. Although all the words of Jesus are important and powerful – there needs to be special consideration given here. Jesus knows that these are the last words that he is to speak in the flesh before his return to heaven. He is about to leave the 11 that he has walked so closely with and he is looking back on the last 33 years and forward to his crucifixion. He knows the difficult road ahead for the 11, as well as his church until his return. The self limiting earthly restraints are no longer binding on him. He will be returning to his place at the right hand of God – yet, he takes with him the human body, still bearing the scars of our sin - not because he couldn’t remove them – but because he won't. Not because he needs them – but because we do. Not because he needs to remember – or remind God – but because we need to remember, to be reminded – and to recognize him as our Lord and Saviour. These last words are words that Jesus knows he is not just speaking to that small group standing on that hill top – but to all of history – to us.

“but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth”

This is THE Call of all those who would say they are followers of Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit – we exist for one purpose, and one purpose only – to live as a witness of the story of Christ – from Genesis to Revelation.

We need to look at this word ‘witness’ not firstly as a verb – as we generally do, (witnessing), but as a noun. The difference is significant –“witness” as a verb is something that we do – whereas, as it is found here in this verse, it is a noun – someone we are. Too often the problem with our witnessing is not with the words necessarily, but with the witness of our own lives, to those words – our ‘being’. That is the amazing revelation of Christ himself. He is not witnessing about the Word – he IS the Word.

Have you ever been asked to be a witness to something? If you have then you were asked – “What did you see…What did you hear… What experience makes you a credible witness?” I’ve been part of a few situations where because of what I saw, heard or directly experienced changed the outcome of a decision. I was a witness of an accident. Initially the person protested and was saying something different, but when they saw there was a witness – they didn’t contest it. Fortunately, it meant I didn’t have to go to court. Just the power of knowing that there was a witness in this case was enough.

It’s what makes the words of 1 John 1:1 so powerful: “what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled concerning the word of Life”.  1 Jn 1:1

When John, the disciple of Jesus, writes these words so many years later – after being a witness to Christ’s life, being present with him that day when he ascended to heaven, being in the room when the tongues of fire descended – he was a witness.   How he lived, along with the rest of the disciples was a result of what he had witnessed in his encounter with Christ. His witnessing was born out of his being a witness of the events.

A slight change of gears for a minute, but – it ties in.

Paul writes in Phil 3:20 – For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ who will transform the body of our humble state in to conformity with the body of his glory by the exertion of the power He has even to subject all things to Himself.

We typically view this verse as a verse that reminds us that we are to forget the things of earth – and transcend the material things of this world. The earth is something we leave behind and look to the future – which while it has truth, is not what Paul meant here.

The people of Philippi would have heard this verse much differently. Paul takes a very familiar, yet powerful phrase and turns it upside and co opts its meaning and power. Philippi was a Roman colony and the Roman’s had a very successful strategy in taking over the surrounding territories and making them loyal to Rome. Rome had their own Gospel – their own good news. The word or idea of gospel is not unique to the Bible. What they would do is capture the citizenry of a town and take them back to Rome while at the same time they would take ‘witnesses’ of Rome – it’s splendor, benefits and opportunities and transplant them into the city they had just captured.. Then these transplanted citizens of Rome would at every opportunity demonstrate and talk about the power of Rome, the magnificence and justice of the Roman system – of the benevolence of Cesar. All that was required (in theory) was that at least once a year, the citizens of that town would come and pay homage to Cesar, give a sacrifice and declare – “Cesar is Lord” They could keep all their gods, business, homes, their beliefs and practices – they just had to make Cesar the supreme god – and they would receive all the benefits of membership. The Roman’s would seek to influence and change the very culture of that city from being what it was, to one that was Roman like. They knew if they changed the minds and hearts of the people - and you don’t need an army – belief in the end holds more power than sword.

However, to reject this ‘kind and gracious’ offer meant that you might join the citizenry of the crucified. There are witness reports that at times on a common hi-way leading into Rome there could be hundreds of those who rejected the graces of Rome roped to wooden cross leading into the city. And these were not quick deaths, as most would die of dehydration and exhaustion. People traveling the roads would be ‘witnesses’ of the futility of rejecting Roman.

The phrase, “I am a citizen of Rome” carried great weight – as Paul himself had invoked it when the Jews where going to put him to death.

Rome would use these witnesses, as they moved them into the captured towns and villages to be ‘the presence of Rome’ – as people asked, “What’s it like? What happens if…? What did you see? What did you hear? What did you witness?” These Roman citizens where expected to be a faithful presence to Rome in the city to which they had been assigned. As a result, the people of Philippi would see the wonderful evidences of these ‘witnesses’ of Rome.

So, when Paul says “we are citizens of heaven” to the Philippians, they knew exactly what was being asked of them. They were to live, work and play in Philippi – or wherever, as citizens of heaven – as a witness of God’s Good News in their own lives. They were not to remove themselves and become separate, but live with and amongst the people so that when people encountered them – whatever they were doing – they were encountering people whose citizenry was in heaven. As those from Rome sought to be a faithful and attracting presence for the good news of Cesar – those who were disciples of Christ were called to live as faithful and attracting witnesses of the power of God and the work of Christ in their lives.

We are not called to withdraw from the world and be a separate people, but to live as salt and light in the world. We are called to be a light on a hill at night that can bring hope, direction and salvation.

We citizens of heaven are to live and work with each other, in the city of Kitchener, before a watching government – with our staff, in serving those with exceptional needs as a faith witness (the noun – who we are). It’s not that we are not to be witnessing – but how we go about that witnessing is firstly and foremost rooted in ourselves being a witness of – and too our encounter with God. The power and invitation to engage in witnessing comes from being a witness to others. As they inquire, “Who, why, how?” they observe and experience an evidence of the faith that lies within.

Paul reminds us in I Timothy :12 “ I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service; even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. And yet I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ.

I know more than I want to about who I am or can be as part of the power and presence of Christ in my life. I know what I’m capable of because it still occasionally leaks out. As a citizen of heaven, a witness of God’s mercy, grace, forgiveness and hope in my own life, I am called to be a living witness of the power of God that has come upon me. May we live faithful witnesses so that we too are asked “What did you see, what did you hear, what did you touch, what has touched you?”.

Anyway, I was just thinking….

Neil
Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 7:31 am · by Neil · in , , No comments

In Acts 1:8 we have the last earthly words of Jesus. Although all the words of Jesus are important and powerful – there needs to be special consideration given here. Jesus knows that these are the last words that he is to speak in the flesh before his return to heaven. He is about to leave the 11 that he has walked so closely with and he is looking back on the last 33 years and forward to his crucifixion. He knows the difficult road ahead for the 11, as well as his church until his return. The self limiting earthly restraints are no longer binding on him. He will be returning to his place at the right hand of God – yet, he takes with him the human body, still bearing the scars of our sin - not because he couldn’t remove them – but because he won't. Not because he needs them – but because we do. Not because he needs to remember – or remind God – but because we need to remember, to be reminded – and to recognize him as our Lord and Saviour. These last words are words that Jesus knows he is not just speaking to that small group standing on that hill top – but to all of history – to us.

“but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth”

This is THE Call of all those who would say they are followers of Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit – we exist for one purpose, and one purpose only – to live as a witness of the story of Christ – from Genesis to Revelation.

We need to look at this word ‘witness’ not firstly as a verb – as we generally do, (witnessing), but as a noun. The difference is significant –“witness” as a verb is something that we do – whereas, as it is found here in this verse, it is a noun – someone we are. Too often the problem with our witnessing is not with the words necessarily, but with the witness of our own lives, to those words – our ‘being’. That is the amazing revelation of Christ himself. He is not witnessing about the Word – he IS the Word.

Have you ever been asked to be a witness to something? If you have then you were asked – “What did you see…What did you hear… What experience makes you a credible witness?” I’ve been part of a few situations where because of what I saw, heard or directly experienced changed the outcome of a decision. I was a witness of an accident. Initially the person protested and was saying something different, but when they saw there was a witness – they didn’t contest it. Fortunately, it meant I didn’t have to go to court. Just the power of knowing that there was a witness in this case was enough.

It’s what makes the words of 1 John 1:1 so powerful: “what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled concerning the word of Life”.  1 Jn 1:1

When John, the disciple of Jesus, writes these words so many years later – after being a witness to Christ’s life, being present with him that day when he ascended to heaven, being in the room when the tongues of fire descended – he was a witness.   How he lived, along with the rest of the disciples was a result of what he had witnessed in his encounter with Christ. His witnessing was born out of his being a witness of the events.

A slight change of gears for a minute, but – it ties in.

Paul writes in Phil 3:20 – For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ who will transform the body of our humble state in to conformity with the body of his glory by the exertion of the power He has even to subject all things to Himself.

We typically view this verse as a verse that reminds us that we are to forget the things of earth – and transcend the material things of this world. The earth is something we leave behind and look to the future – which while it has truth, is not what Paul meant here.

The people of Philippi would have heard this verse much differently. Paul takes a very familiar, yet powerful phrase and turns it upside and co opts its meaning and power. Philippi was a Roman colony and the Roman’s had a very successful strategy in taking over the surrounding territories and making them loyal to Rome. Rome had their own Gospel – their own good news. The word or idea of gospel is not unique to the Bible. What they would do is capture the citizenry of a town and take them back to Rome while at the same time they would take ‘witnesses’ of Rome – it’s splendor, benefits and opportunities and transplant them into the city they had just captured.. Then these transplanted citizens of Rome would at every opportunity demonstrate and talk about the power of Rome, the magnificence and justice of the Roman system – of the benevolence of Cesar. All that was required (in theory) was that at least once a year, the citizens of that town would come and pay homage to Cesar, give a sacrifice and declare – “Cesar is Lord” They could keep all their gods, business, homes, their beliefs and practices – they just had to make Cesar the supreme god – and they would receive all the benefits of membership. The Roman’s would seek to influence and change the very culture of that city from being what it was, to one that was Roman like. They knew if they changed the minds and hearts of the people - and you don’t need an army – belief in the end holds more power than sword.

However, to reject this ‘kind and gracious’ offer meant that you might join the citizenry of the crucified. There are witness reports that at times on a common hi-way leading into Rome there could be hundreds of those who rejected the graces of Rome roped to wooden cross leading into the city. And these were not quick deaths, as most would die of dehydration and exhaustion. People traveling the roads would be ‘witnesses’ of the futility of rejecting Roman.

The phrase, “I am a citizen of Rome” carried great weight – as Paul himself had invoked it when the Jews where going to put him to death.

Rome would use these witnesses, as they moved them into the captured towns and villages to be ‘the presence of Rome’ – as people asked, “What’s it like? What happens if…? What did you see? What did you hear? What did you witness?” These Roman citizens where expected to be a faithful presence to Rome in the city to which they had been assigned. As a result, the people of Philippi would see the wonderful evidences of these ‘witnesses’ of Rome.

So, when Paul says “we are citizens of heaven” to the Philippians, they knew exactly what was being asked of them. They were to live, work and play in Philippi – or wherever, as citizens of heaven – as a witness of God’s Good News in their own lives. They were not to remove themselves and become separate, but live with and amongst the people so that when people encountered them – whatever they were doing – they were encountering people whose citizenry was in heaven. As those from Rome sought to be a faithful and attracting presence for the good news of Cesar – those who were disciples of Christ were called to live as faithful and attracting witnesses of the power of God and the work of Christ in their lives.

We are not called to withdraw from the world and be a separate people, but to live as salt and light in the world. We are called to be a light on a hill at night that can bring hope, direction and salvation.

We citizens of heaven are to live and work with each other, in the city of Kitchener, before a watching government – with our staff, in serving those with exceptional needs as a faith witness (the noun – who we are). It’s not that we are not to be witnessing – but how we go about that witnessing is firstly and foremost rooted in ourselves being a witness of – and too our encounter with God. The power and invitation to engage in witnessing comes from being a witness to others. As they inquire, “Who, why, how?” they observe and experience an evidence of the faith that lies within.

Paul reminds us in I Timothy :12 “ I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service; even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. And yet I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ.

I know more than I want to about who I am or can be as part of the power and presence of Christ in my life. I know what I’m capable of because it still occasionally leaks out. As a citizen of heaven, a witness of God’s mercy, grace, forgiveness and hope in my own life, I am called to be a living witness of the power of God that has come upon me. May we live faithful witnesses so that we too are asked “What did you see, what did you hear, what did you touch, what has touched you?”.

Anyway, I was just thinking….

Neil

Monday, September 27, 2010

Major Dale Pilgrim Pastor Kitchener Community Church, Salvation Army, led our devotions at Corporate this morning. His challenge to us was ‘did you wake up with a clear purpose this morning, or did you just stumble into your ‘job’?” He said even as a Pastor, he can end up looking at his ministry as primarily employment and easily forgets the greater purpose for which he exists. It led him to write a book entitled God’s Personal Strategy - or GPS for short. He shared an illustration of how when he first started using a GPS (which he calls Nina) he didn’t really trust her and would often second guess or think he knew better – which of course he didn’t and he’d end up off course. Another time, he just figured he knew where he was going, and left ‘Nina’ at home, only to discover he didn’t and had to call his wife for directions. He discovered a button on his GPS which gave him a satellite view of his journey. It showed him the start and end points at one glance. This totally changed his perspective and trust in the power and ‘truth’ of his GPS. God’s Word is the GPS in our lives. I came away this morning challenged that this is so much like God’s Word in our life, our GPS. We can second guess, and follow our own instinct even though our GPS is calling us to follow another path. We find ourselves in unintended destinations. The GPS of God’s Word clearly identifies our start and end points – we need to align our daily purposes, directions and pathways with His Word – while our GPS may not have the voice of “Nina”, it does have the voice of the “Holy Spirit” – we need to listen, especially when we hear the ‘bing bing RECALCULATING”. I glad that God gives us that warning of recalculating. He does not leave us lost, but is willing to give us the clear and shortest directions of getting back on course – if only I willing to trust and follow.




If you are interested in reading Dale’s book you can find it here http://www.dalepilgrim.com/2009/11/press-release.html



Anyway, I was just thinking.

Neil

God's Personal Strategy or Our GPS

Monday, September 27, 2010 at 10:59 am · by Neil · in No comments

Major Dale Pilgrim Pastor Kitchener Community Church, Salvation Army, led our devotions at Corporate this morning. His challenge to us was ‘did you wake up with a clear purpose this morning, or did you just stumble into your ‘job’?” He said even as a Pastor, he can end up looking at his ministry as primarily employment and easily forgets the greater purpose for which he exists. It led him to write a book entitled God’s Personal Strategy - or GPS for short. He shared an illustration of how when he first started using a GPS (which he calls Nina) he didn’t really trust her and would often second guess or think he knew better – which of course he didn’t and he’d end up off course. Another time, he just figured he knew where he was going, and left ‘Nina’ at home, only to discover he didn’t and had to call his wife for directions. He discovered a button on his GPS which gave him a satellite view of his journey. It showed him the start and end points at one glance. This totally changed his perspective and trust in the power and ‘truth’ of his GPS. God’s Word is the GPS in our lives. I came away this morning challenged that this is so much like God’s Word in our life, our GPS. We can second guess, and follow our own instinct even though our GPS is calling us to follow another path. We find ourselves in unintended destinations. The GPS of God’s Word clearly identifies our start and end points – we need to align our daily purposes, directions and pathways with His Word – while our GPS may not have the voice of “Nina”, it does have the voice of the “Holy Spirit” – we need to listen, especially when we hear the ‘bing bing RECALCULATING”. I glad that God gives us that warning of recalculating. He does not leave us lost, but is willing to give us the clear and shortest directions of getting back on course – if only I willing to trust and follow.




If you are interested in reading Dale’s book you can find it here http://www.dalepilgrim.com/2009/11/press-release.html



Anyway, I was just thinking.

Neil

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