Ready

We used to sing the words "Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning...." I am still not quite sure we really knew what we were singing about. And then there was the verse, "Give me gas in my Ford...." Talk about theologically deep songs!

However, in the passage I read this morning Jesus told his disciples "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet..." This sounds strange to us because the culture into which Jesus spoke is foreign to us. Yes, we have wedding banquets - or at least receptions. But we go TO the wedding reception and the groom leaves the reception with his bride. And, we don't carry lamps and keep them burning.

None-the-less, we understand Jesus was not simply talking about weddings and banquets. He was talking about the need for his followers to be prepared at all times for something that may happen at any time - without notice. Just before he left this earth Jesus promised he would one day return and nobody knows when that will take place. It could be anytime.

The question is, are we ready? Would my life be what I would want it to be? Would I be in relationship with God the way I would want it to be should today be the day Jesus comes back? If not, what do I need to do to get ready. It is probably a good idea to get on with doing just that.

O Guilt That Will Not Let Me Go

Guilt is a difficult task-master. All of us have to deal with it somehow. And how we deal with it makes all the difference. Do I try to minimize it? Do I let it eat me up? Do I try to get rid of it by blaming others? Do I let it drive me to penitent behaviour where I try to "pay for" my misdeeds?

Psalm 32 suggests that there is really only one effective way to deal with guilt - for sin, that is. When we sin against God we try to deal with it in different ways. Some of us shrug it off and say that God doesn't exist so how can we be guilty before someone who does not exist? For others, we rationalize that the Bible is not authoritative, so we are not held accountable before God according to what the Bible says. Others of us try to be good enough to help compensate for our sin. Still others wallow in sorrow of self-deprecation.

What is the best way to deal with guilt? God's way. And that is what Easter is all about. And what Psalm 32 is all about.

Blessed is the one who sin is covered. The one whose sin The Lord does not count against him. And that comes through repentance and forgiveness. The Psalmist speaks of how he was literally in pain because of harbouring sin. It is when we acknowledge before God that we have in fact sinned, when we confess it to God, that He forgives us. And God is gracious and just and will forgive us our sin - when we confess (which is acknowledging) it to God.

So, want to deal with guilt? Admit your sin to God and seek His forgiveness. Then's it's gone. Forever!

Hakuna Matata

The Serenity Prayer has come to mind at different times recently. At strange times as well. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."

I suppose we might tend to be anxious about discerning what those things are that we can or cannot change. 

In Luke 12:22-32 we find the teaching of Jesus concerning worry. Of all the teachings of Scripture, one of the passages we frequently completely ignore is this passage. Some people wouldn't dream of committing adultery or of killing someone else. At least wouldn't admit to dreaming about it and certainly would never do it. But worry? No problem! Do that all the time.

And being obsessed with accumulating money and stuff? Much of our time and energy is spent on doing exactly that. Actually our economy depends on us indulging our desires and buying stuff.

Jesus did say... "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:34) And, "seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." (Luke 12:31).

Today, may I live what Jesus taught. And don't worry, I'll be okay.

Optheology

"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put in on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body is also full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it is dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines it light on you." - Luke 11:33-36

A few things that stand out to me as i read this passage this morning.

Usually, when I hear of the account where Jesus talked of not hiding a light under a bowl, the talk is about being a witness to the world around us so people will see Jesus in us. However, here Jesus talks about our eyes being our light and the health of our eyes determining the health of our bodies. Of course, this is figuratively descriptive for us. But it did make me think... Is it possible that we tend to be more concerned about what people will see about us rather than being concerned that we ARE who we ought to be? If we are the people we ought to be, people will see what they should see.

It also made me think about how healthy we keep our eyes. In this case, the picture demonstrates that we need to pay attention to what we fill our minds/lives with that will affect our spiritual and "character" health. Tom Wright encourages us to take note of - even record three times a day - what we have allowed our eyes to see that day. Pay attention to what you gaze upon.

Your heart will look like what you look at.

Teach Us To Pray

I wonder what the disciples were thinking? What were their motives? What were they really asking?

In Luke 11:1 we find Jesus praying and he had just finished. What were the disciples doing? Was Jesus praying quietly? Were the disciples sitting around listening? Or had Jesus gone off by himself and then came back to the disciples when he was done? What were they doing while he was praying? We don't know. We may never know.

We do know that when Jesus was finished praying the disciples asked him to do something for them. They wanted him to teach them to pray. Interesting. Why? They must have heard (or seen) that John had taught his disciples to pray. So they also wanted to learn. It would be fascinating to get my hands on a copy of John's teaching. I wonder what John included in his teaching on prayer. Would it be anything like what Jesus taught?

Whatever the case, Jesus taught them how to pray. The strange things is that they didn't ask Jesus to teach them a prayer - but HOW to pray. Fascinating isn't it, that we have taken that teaching and turned it into a prayer for us to repeat?

Communication is always far more than simply the words we utter. Yet, so often we get caught up in the words. If I am to pray in a group am I not more concerned about how I am praying and what people think of my prayer than in communicating with God? Maybe that's just me. I have to discipline myself to forget about what people think about the "words" I am using and focus on communicating with God.

After all, that is what prayer really is all about.

Who Is Your Neighbour?

Most of us have heard of the Good Samaritan. Either the actual story or at least references to someone as a good Samaritan. What is that story about anyway?

In the reading this week from Luke 10:25-37 we hear Jesus tell a story. The story is in response to a question from a lawyer. And, chances are, when a lawyer asks a question he is trying to get you to say something that will incriminate you. But Jesus was too sharp to be trapped. He answered the question with a question of his own - referring the lawyer back to the Law.

The question? "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" My first response was "how do you 'inherit' eternal life anyway?" Jesus' response was "What does the Law say? How do you interpret the Law?"

The Lawyer, obviously familiar with the Law, gave an accurate answer. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and, Love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus commended him for his answer and told him to do what the Law said.

But the Lawyer wasn't finished. He didn't really want to do what was stated so he cross-examined Jesus. "Who is my neighbor?"

Jesus replied by saying that it was really anyone who was before him at any given moment. Even if it was someone from a group (race or otherwise) that he despised and culturally should have nothing to do with that person. Someone helpless, voiceless and generally despised. "Love that person."

Ouch! Who is that for me? Who is that for you? Will I do what God asks of me or will I get a lawyer?

What's Your Excuse?

Today's excerpt from Tom Wright's book "Lent For Everyone - Luke" for our Lent reading today re Luke 9:37-62.

So: what's your excuse?

One of my students once gave me, as a present, a book called something like The Penguin Book of Excuses. It was supposed to remind me of all the times when he turned up late, or not handed an essay in on time, and had come up with more and more wonderful 'reasons' for why things hadn't worked out.

Sooner or later, most of us who know in our heart of hearts we want to follow Jesus find ourselves coming up with excuses as to why his particularly sharp demands don't really apply to us.

God knows we're human and need a rhythm of rest and refreshment. But God also knows, and Jesus obviously knew, that once we start down that road it's easy to make exceptions to all the rules when it comes to our own case. So the demand goes out. Now in this way, now in that way, Jesus is saying, 'Look! This is God's kingdom we're talking about, not a comfortable way of being religious that will let you settle down and take life at your own pace!' Are you up for that?

Yes, I know: those were special circumstances. Jesus' public career was short, and he needed people to t get on with the job at once. And yes, many of us are called to get into a longer-term mode, not to burn out with frenetic activity in a short spirit. But, again, you can't use that as an excuse for avoiding the sharp edges of God's call. Jesus never said, 'Come with me and all your happiest dreams will be fulfilled.' He said, 'Take up your cross and follow me.' Don't expect an easy time: having nowhere to call 'home' may come with the job. Don't expect that you will be able to fulfill all your social obligations: 'burying your father', whether literally or metaphorically, was one of the highest obligations in Jewish society, and Jesus says that the demands of the kingdom come before it.

And finally, plough a straight furrow. Looking back to see whether it's been straight so far will guarantee that the next bit won't be.

Today - Talk to God about the excuses you make to him. Ask him ot help you to follow him wherever he leads, and to give you the strength not to look back.

Thirsty or Just Dry?

What a wonderful expression to God.

You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
Psalm 63:1-4

I am deeply challenged by there words from the Song Writer. Do I earnestly search for God? Do I truly thirst for Him? Like the dry and parched land longs for water? Or am I more like the West Coast where we know the land needs water, but we would be hard pressed to call it longing and thirsty for moisture.

My prayer is that my desire for God will continually grow.

Hope

"Unless you repent, you will be destroyed in the same way." Twice, Jesus made this shocking statement in Luke 13:1-9. What was he saying?

First he told a story of Pilate having people executed because of rebellion. Secondly, he talked about an accident where a number of people were killed. After each he stated the quote above.

Jesus was not passing judgement on the people. He was there to provide hope. To provide a way for people to escape impending disaster. Jesus came to give his life so that we need not face eternity without hope. However, he could do everything he did, but there is a part we need to play. That part is to repent. We are called to repent, turn from sin and trust in Christ for our eternal rescue.

Why Follow Jesus?

Why become a follower of Jesus? Why am I a follower of Jesus? Why would anyone want to be a follower of Jesus?

Our reading for Lent for today is found in Luke 9:1-36. In this reading we find Jesus sent out his 12 disciples and he empowered them to cast out demons and heal the sick. He instructed them to go out and teach people about the Kingdom of God, cast out demons and heal the sick. When they came back, Jesus had them organize the crowds that were following him so he could feed all of them using a boy's lunch. Miraculous! Wow! God was at work and He was using them! Cool!

But then the question. "Who do people say that I am?" Jesus asked. And then more specifically, "Who do YOU say that I am?"

What is our answer? What is your answer? Who do you say Jesus is? Is he your divine travel agent - providing a means for you to get to heaven? Is he your "service provider" who is here to meet your needs, answer your prayers and generally make life easier for you? Is he The One whom you follow - wherever he leads?

If we in fact declare Jesus to be the Son of God - the Messiah - we have no option but to follow Him according to his rules, not our own. Jesus said,

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?  Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26)

Is today all about MY life? Or is it about Jesus?

"Hurry Jesus"

"Please hurry Jesus! My only daughter is dying!"

Not caring what the other synagogue leaders would have to say, Jarius approached this man who was 'turning people away' from the way that had been taught for centuries. When you are the dad of one child and she is your 12 year old daughter, you would do anything to save her.

I can only imagine dad wringing his hands, crying, anxious and angry at the crowds that are slowing Jesus. There is not much time left! And then Jesus stopped because a woman with a minor problem (in his mind) has touched him?!? And wouldn't you know it? These people delayed Jesus so much that the daughter died before he could get there.

Immense grief! Disbelief! Anger! If only...

But then Jesus showed up. Who will believe this? "She was dead, honest! But then Jesus showed up and wow! Jesus made her come back to life!"

I know, if that were to happen today the story would be all about the daughter and we would have a book written about her. All the background, psychological impact, so on... We don't even know this girl's name. It was all about Jesus! But I digress.

Jesus is never too late!!

I have ideas of how I would like Jesus to intervene in the dilemmas we face. And sometimes Jesus doesn't do what I ask/tell him to do. Then, later, looking back I see how Jesus stepped in at just the right time to make a much bigger difference than had he done what I wanted.

And then there was the woman who tried to remain anonymous...

What a Ride

"Of course you will be safe! Jesus is in the boat with you! What can possibly happen?"

Those may be our thoughts and responses when we have Jesus with us. In our western culture in the Church we have this mindset that with Jesus present, life will be safe and secure and we will have an abundance of everything we need (translated: want). But is that really how it is - or should be?

In Luke 8:22 we find Jesus invited his disciples to get in a boat and they were going to go for a boat ride. No worries, with Jesus in the boat it would be smooth sailing. But what happened? Part way across the lake a storm came up. It was so frightening that the disciples were afraid they would die! Really? Jesus was there! At least they had the faith to wake Jesus to see if he would rescue them.

Sure sounds familiar. We begin a journey where Jesus has has invited us to join him. We assume that will be the safest place to be. Then we hit nasty stuff. "Hey wait! I thought Jesus led us here! How can this be happening if Jesus led us here?" We are tempted to blame Jesus. "Don't you care? How could you let this happen?"

Jesus is far more concerned about us journeying through the storm with him than having us avoid the storm entirely. It is in those storms that we see the amazing power of God at work. It is in those storms that we learn to actually trust God.

So how about it? Shall we get in the boat?

Trick or Treat

I love the way Jesus dealt with people!

When he came across those who were desperate and recognized their helplessness, Jesus reached into their lives and healed them. When people were humble and teachable Jesus impacted their lives in powerful ways. However, when they were trying to trick him or being super religious, Jesus was either very direct with them or he turned their entrapping questions back on them.

In Luke 7:18-50 we find several instances where Jesus miraculously rescued people in desperate need. We see here Jesus' compassion and care for the downtrodden.

But then there are those who tried to trick Jesus so they could get rid of him or discredit him. Jesus didn't fall into their trap. He turned and skilfully, with questions of his own, revealed their schemes and hypocrisy.

What questions do we ask of Jesus? Do we come with humility and genuinely ask for his divine intervention? Or do we come with our demanding religious superiority?

Good Grief

I can't even imagine! What do you do now?

Life has been hard since you lost your spouse - and that, way too young. You have one son and are trying to get by. Now he has died. Grief, sorrow, pain, loss. There is nothing you can do but go out in public, join the others and bury your son. How will you face the next few days, never mind moving on from there.

While on the funeral procession a stranger has the audacity to approach those who are carrying your son. He reaches out to touch and commands your son to get up! What's up with that? How many times haven't you told him to "get up?" How could someone just stop buy and say that? Doesn't he know how hard this is already?

But then, to your utter amazement, shock and surprise, you son sits up! You're kidding me! What kind of a trick is this? But no! He really is getting up and starting to talk! Amazing! Tom Sawyer, you've got nothing on this kid!

What do you do when you are hopeless and in pain without anyone to turn to and Jesus steps in and changes your world? What would you do if he did that today?

May you experience God's amazing liberating and life-giving touch today!

Hate To Wait

David begins Psalm 27 with:

"The LORD is my light and my salvation - Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life -
of whom shall I be afraid?"

Then he ends the Psalm with

"Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD."

I have to admit that one of the hardest things to do in life - especially in our world of instant everything - is to wait. I suspect that I am not alone in this. We get so impatient and we expect God to step in and bring deliverance and relief immediately. We get sick and we want to be healed instantly - or sooner if possible. We struggle with relationships and we want resolution ASAP.

And much of our impatience is due to fear. Fear of all the "what if's" that we come up with.

It seems to me that David had some idea of what he was talking about in the Psalm. He affirms strong confidence in the rescue that God will bring and he ends with the admonition (maybe a reminder to himself) to wait for God. To be strong and wait for God.

Amazing Love

In Luke 13:31-35 we find Pharisees coming to Jesus to warn him that Herod has plans to kill him. At that point Jesus laments over Jerusalem. The very people he has come to rescue are determined to, and eventually will, kill him.

What strikes me this morning is that Jesus had every reason to abandon us as humanity. We turned against God over and over again throughout history. Then God himself came down - born as man - Jesus. And while on earth was followed by some, but abandoned by most and ridiculed, beaten, tortured and horribly executed in the end. Well, not in the end because that was not the end.

Why did he keep going? Why didn't he give up? Why didn't he quit?

He didn't because "God is love." (1 John 4:16). "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16).

Amazing love! How can it be? That you my King would die for me?

Radical Faith

Radical stuff! At times it seems that Jesus was intentionally trying to aggravate people. Especially those who had it all or thought they knew it all. Luke 6 for example.

Jesus deliberately heals on the Sabbath. He knows he will be challenged, yet he does it anyway. I can just hear some advisers suggest he choose a different day - if his main purpose is to heal people. But was that his main purpose?

And then there was his teaching. It sure didn't sound like he was tying to make friends with those in places of power.
"Blessed are the poor, those who hunger now, who weep now, who are hated, rejected and insulted because of the Son of Man..."
"Woe to those who are rich, well fed, laugh now, and those spoken well of..."

It seems to me that Jesus was preaching a radical faith. Many of us have been taught that as followers of Christ we need to make sure we don't look like the "world." Don't smoke, don't drink, don't dance, don't wear fashionable clothing, etc. It seems to me that Jesus taught something completely different. It is not what we "get people to think of us" that sets us apart. It is what we become as we follow Jesus that sets us apart. As we allow the Spirit of God to change us, that change will be evidence enough!

And, the changes will be radical!

Fishing Tales

What a fishing story!

You've been working hard. You are tired and dirty. Now this teacher is hanging around with a crowd flocking around him. It is a bit intriguing. Why are they here? Why right here where we have been cleaning up our fishing nets?

Now what is going on? This teacher is getting in your boat and wants you to push the boat a bit from shore. Really? Ok! You continue your work as you hear him speaking to the crowd gathered on the shore. It looks like he is finished.

"What was that? You want to go fishing now? But, we were fishing for a long time & nada!" In spite of your objections you agree. Now this teacher (what does he know about fishing) wants you to put the nets on the 'other' side of the boat. Like that's gonna help! But you do it anyway. And would you believe it? Fish - tonnes of them! "Who is this guy?"

Then he asks you to leave your fishing behind and follow him. Well, he certainly got more fish than you did before he showed up. Fishing for men? That sounds really strange, but if the teacher can get the fish to hop in the net like that, maybe he knows something you need to know.

Not your usual fishing story. Of course, we look back and see what Jesus was up to; but, I wonder how we respond to Jesus when he walks into our lives today? Do we respond reluctantly or with scepticism? When he says let's go fishing, do we go? Today, what is he calling you to be and do? Will you say "yes?"

Preach It!

"We all want to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity"
"We all know what we want God to do. We are not so good at bringing our hopes and intentions in line with what God has in mind."

Our reading for Lent, as we are following Tom Wrights book "Lent For Everyone - Luke," is Luke 4. Several times we are told that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit. Full of the Holy Spirit he spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness. BTW, he was not full of the Holy Spirit because he fasted. After the 49 days he began to preach - full of the Holy Spirit.

As he was teaching and preaching all the people were thoroughly impressed. They raved about his
preaching! His ratings were through the roof! As a human - wow, that feels good! However, Jesus was not there to feel good. He was there to communicate a message.

Jesus got to the point of his message. And that made some of the church folks really angry. "How dare he be here to impact the lives if those who are not in church?" They got so mad they wanted to get rid if him!

What a turn around!

As I sit here on my flight to Calgary for a Rocky Mountain College board meeting I reflect on my pastoral training. I am grateful for the profs I had that emphasized that we are not here to try to please people and preach what makes our congregations feel good about us. We are here to preach what we believe God is directing us to preach.

May I always be a disciple of Jesus and follow His lead - even when it comes to preaching.

"Listen, I hear something"

Something was going on! Something extraordinary!

John the Baptist was preaching - some tough stuff. In Luke 3 we find John preaching in the wilderness. And I thought, "Seriously? He's preaching in the wilderness? No social media to let everyone know what kind of stunt he was pulling off. No YouTube to play clips of his sermons. Why would anyone head out to the wilderness to hear a fellow preach? And what he had to say was pretty convicting!"

But they came. And they heard how they must change their behavior and stop cheating others and to help those who were in need around them. Not only did people come to listen, they asked for more. How would we respond today if people asked during a sermon or at the end of a sermon how they might apply Biblical teaching to their own lives?

I believe the answer lies in the fact that John was not simply preaching for an audience. Not just for personal notoriety. The Spirit of God was on John and he began to preach what the Spirit told him. God was doing something! And the people responded to God. When God is at work, people respond.

Today I ask, "Speak Lord."

A Church Kid

"I don't have an exciting testimony," she said. "I grew up going to church and have always known Jesus." Of course she was suggesting her life and testimony were boring and not worth talking about.

On the other hand, there was the other fellow who had been through all kinds of "stuff" from which he needed to be rescued. One day he found Jesus and his life was radically changed - even if he still had issues he had to work through.

Which of these two demonstrate the grace of God?

Both!!

Jesus was one of those "church kids." In our reading today (Luke 2:22-52), Jesus was brought to the temple as a youngster as was the custom and law. Joseph and Mary were astonished when old Simeon took Jesus in his arms and blessed him and prophesied over him. Not only that but there was that other prophet - what's her name? We have heard of Simeon - but Anna? Yes, Anna also prophesied concerning Jesus. Then at the age of 12 Jesus was again brought to the temple and he engaged the teachers in deep theological discussions.

Talk about a church kid. And who wouldn't want to be like Jesus? Somehow Jesus grew up connected to "the church" but kept his connection with the world around him. He was truly an example of being in the world, but not "of" the world.

May my life be like Jesus. May I walk close to Him, in fellowship with His Church, while being genuinely engaged in the world which God has called me to reach.

Deliverance Through Trial

Our reading for Lent today is Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16. Essentially this Psalm states that whoever trusts in God and depends on Him will find safety. Verses 14-15 state:

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.

It is important to note that the Psalmist does not say that God will keep us from facing trouble. Nor will we be kept from struggles such as ill health, financial decisions and relational issues. However, in whatever we face, the Lord will be with us - and will ultimately bring deliverance. 

It makes me wonder what I consider to be considered deliverance. 

God's concern is not that we have an easy life where we can become fat and lazy. He intends for us to become what he wants us to become. And that means we will face tough stuff. That is not necessarily pleasant. But it is worthwhile.

We can always have the confidence that whatever we face, God is aware and nothing will happen to me today without passing through my Father's hand.

Three Questions - Three simply profound answers

Forty days of fasting in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13)! Why?

Because Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and the Spirit led him there. This was not some spiritual adventure of Jesus' choosing. He was full of the Spirit of God, and the Spirit led him to the wilderness. At the end, there were 3 challenging questions. And Jesus gave 3 Biblical answers which turned back the challenger.

Chances are, we all face those same 3 challenges at some point. They may just be phrased differently for each of us.

Q1. If you really are who you claim to be, prove it!
A1. “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

The enemy loves to try to undermine our identity in Christ. He tries to get at us in the very areas where we may feel week and vulnerable. He tries to make us think we can do this on our own without God's intervention. We need to remember that our needs are often much deeper than what seems to be the pressing desire. And God can meet that need!

Q2: If you worship me, I can give you power and possessions! Everything you want!
A2: “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

Idol worship - of course we would not participate in something so obviously pagan. But then... what consumes our time, energy and creative thought? I wonder what it is that gets us motivated and excited? I wonder what it is that I am tempted to serve - instead of God? God in the only One that is worthy of our worship. Everything else needs to be subject to our relationship with Him!

Q3: You are invincible! Go ahead, jump! God will protect you, won't he?
A3: “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

I wonder how we put God to the test? "God, if you are really who you say you are, why am I struggling with this illness?" "Why can't I get that job?" "Why did I not get that promotion?" The questions can seem so innocent and diverse. Somehow we expect God must prove himself to us - in the ways that WE demand or expect. God has proven himself over and over. I have seen it with my own eyes. Why should God do ANYTHING when the enemy puts doubt in our minds? God has proven himself. It is up to me to believe Him and TRUST Him!

Who would believe it?

What would you do?

In today's reading (Luke 2:1-21) we find shepherds minding their own business, doing what they do every night - look after their sheep. I presume one night was pretty much like the next. But not this night! We have heard the story so often we are not surprised when the angels suddenly appear to the shepherds; but believe you me, the shepherds had no clue this was coming! 

Who will believe you if you tell them? "You were hanging out with your sheep at night - like usual? Then you saw ANGELS?? And bright lights and such? And they told you to go to 'the Town of David' (Bethlehem) to go to a stable? To see a Baby that has just been born and he will be in a feeding trough? Seriously? What did you have for supper? And you went? And it happened just that way? Really??"

And it really happened! It was confirmation that indeed God was doing what he had promised for hundreds of years. He was sending the Messiah - the Son of God - to rescue the world. An incredibly important point in the history of the world!

I cannot help but think about what I do when God shows up. What is my response? After all, God send His Spirit to live within us. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God comes to live within us. Just as amazing! And he guides us. Teaches us. Speaks to us. And yes, people may not believe us either.

The question is... will I keep what the Spirit tells me to myself? After all, we may seem like fools if we talk about it. What will I do with what God tells me today?

Small Town Chatter

"Can you believe it?" "Breaking tradition!" "How can they do a thing like that!" And so the buzz scattered from town to town.

Zechariah & Elizabeth were about to have a son. Zechariah didn't believe it when he was first told the news he would have a son. In order to prove to Zechariah that this was indeed God's plan for them, the angel declared that Zechariah would not be able to speak until the son was born. "Oh, by the way, you are to give him the name John." I wonder what rumours spread around the countryside about this priest having lost his voice?

The day came when the son was born. It was time to name the baby, and the custom was to name him after his father. But no, Elizabeth wanted to name him John! Are you kidding me? What was she implying? What would Zechariah think about this? They all look at Zechariah, and what do you know, he finally talks and blurts out "his name is John."

Big news! 

64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 All the neighbours were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. (Reading from Luke 1:57-80)

Not only did Zechariah speak, but he broke into song - a new song.

Tom Wright encourages us to ask these questions of God... "Lord, where do I fit into this new picture? What task have you prepared for me? Where can I bring hope to the fearful, and daylight into darkness?"

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent 2014. My aim is to take time for daily reflection using the Gospel of Luke and N.T. Wright's book, "Lent For Everyone - Luke" as my guide. I will try to post about my reflections each day. Please forgive me in advance for those days whey I might not get to write on this blog.

Today's Bible reading is from Luke 1:1-56.

"11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear." 

How do we respond when God "shows up" when I am not expecting him? Are we "startled and gripped with fear?"

This passage introduces the reality that The Lord introduces HOPE into the world! The Virgin Mary is informed that she will have a son - conceived by the Holy Spirit of God. This Son - of God Himself - is the One the people have been waiting for. They now have hope like never before. If only they would recognize him!

I cannot help but be full of hope when I read these words in Luke 1. We live in a world that desperately needs hope. With all the chaos, struggle and hopelessness that many face around us, we need not despair - Jesus is our hope and he desires to enter the centre of the chaos and conflict and do what only He can do! Bring freedom! Will we allow him - even invite him in?

Here is a good article concerning Lent written by Mark D Roberts.