Thankful for Discipleship

 For over a year now I've been meeting with a group of men most Wednesday mornings at 9 to help spur one another on to growth in Christ. We have un-officially adopted Proverbs 27:17 as our theme. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." We meet usually for about 90 minutes, sometimes we go longer, sometimes its shorter. We share concerns and prayer needs in our lives and the lives of our families. We pray together. We read and study scripture together. It's not fancy. Even during 2020 we met via Zoom several weeks. This time together each week helps me to know there are others trying to follow Jesus, who I can identify with. We don't pretend to be super spiritual. We each readily acknowledge that we need Jesus...desperately. We need grace, because as Brennan Manning said, we know that our cheese is falling off our cracker. I'm thankful for these men, their wives, and their families. 

Discipleship is essential for one to grow in our faith. My prayer this Thanksgiving is that you would be able to foster relationships with others that can help sharpen your faith commitment. 

The Contemplative Pastor

I have long admired Eugene Peterson. The former pastor, professor, and translator of The Message has a way of speaking truth in the most subtle of ways. Peterson's primary vocation was as a pastor. His knowledge of pastoral ministry and his insight into the demands and joys of pastoral ministry is in many ways unmatched. Perhaps his experience and knowledge is so significant because he is able to use the precision of a surgeon's knife to trim the dead parts of the pastor's heart so it can beat as God intends.

I have not read everything by Peterson, but I'm working on it. A book I ordered a while back from a second hand book website was sitting on my shelf in my office when I was looking for a different book for a quote last week. As my eyes scanned the shelf, they fell on The Contemplative Pastor. I pulled it off the shelf and considered re-shelving it right away, because it wasn't on my list. Yes, I made the discipline to sketch out a reading list at the beginning of each year to help guide my reading time. I'm a bit of a nerd with it, I sketch several titles under different headings and genres. When I complete the book, I note the date of completion on the list. I also write a few sentences or a paragraph in the back of each book as a summary of what I thought of the book. I told you, I'm a bit of a book nerd. I add some books to the list through the year, but I try to stick to the list as much as possible. I had two other books by Peterson on my list, so I thought, I don't need to read that one right now. I thumbed through it for a minute and decided I'll read a few pages and see if it grabs me. Well, it did.

The world is at a standstill because of Covid-19. Last week was Holy Week. I was feeling overwhelmed by the reality of doing ministry in this new paradigm while also trying to be the husband and father God has called me to be. If social media posts and conversations I have had with other people over the last few weeks are any indication, most people regardless of their vocation are struggling with caring for family, doing their jobs, and practicing self-care and well-being. So when I read Peterson's admonitions to pastors to stop, slow down, and look at the world God has made and see where he is at work all around us, I knew this was a book that I needed to read now.

Peterson chooses three adjectives to help redefine what being a pastor means: unbusy, subversive, apocalyptic. I won't spoil the whole book for you, but if you are in ministry, please take the time to add this book to your reading list. You will be stretched and challenged in your own faith and your vocation as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

There are several quotes I could share with you, but I've chosen to share two from the Foreward and one other.

So the task is not to get God to do something I think needs to be done, but to become aware of what God is doing so that I can respond to it and participate and take delight in it (4).

My job is not to solve people's problems or make them happy, but to help them see the grace operating in their lives (5). 

The cure of souls, then, is the scripture-directed, prayer-shaped care that is devoted to persons singly or in groups, in settings sacred and profane (57).

Lent 2020 Day 47 EASTER

Scripture Reading

Matthew 28:1-10

The message of Easter is that out of utter darkness God gave life and light. At Easter we often have Easter lilies in our homes or at church. A lily begins as a flower bulb that is kept in a cool, dark place. Out of this dark place a beautiful flower grows. "Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light things that are now hidden in darkness" (1 Corinthians 4:5). In the same way, God turned the darkness and despair of Christ's death on the cross into something beautiful. This season of Lent that we have committed ourselves to, have been preparation for today. Today is the day we have awaited.  We have touched the ashes in repentance over our sins, we have remembered the Last Supper that Christ had with his disciples, we have been reminded of the servanthood of Christ by seeing his example of washing the disciple's feet. We mourned on Good Friday as we recalled the events of Christ's suffering and death. Finally, today we come to our celebration. It is not about the candy, the baskets, the Easter Bunny, the new clothes or anything else that preoccupies our hearts and minds. It is about the incredible passion of Christ's love for us. Greater than the love of family or friends, it is love that exceeds our expectations, imaginations, or even what we deserve. Grace, God's grace is pouring down from heaven to us. Not because we are worthy of his love, but because he loved us enough to provide a way for us to have a relationship with him. Christ's blood was shed. His resurrection from the dead was the ultimate victory over the death and the grave. Today we celebrate. Let us worship and adore God the Father, Jesus his son, and the Holy Spirit. May our hearts be turned to him alone and our mouths be dripping with thanksgiving and praise. We worship a God that has conquered death. 

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparable great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 1:18-20). 

This same power that God used to raise Christ from the grave we have inherited as his children. As believers we have this incredible power and strength at work in our lives. God is at work in our lives, the same as he was in Christ's life. This Easter I pray that we will embrace the power of the resurrection. It is already ours. We must claim it as our own and let it infiltrate every part of our soul and body. May Christ's power shine through us a bright light to a dark world. Praise God! Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again!

Prayer: Praise God from who all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above the heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. 

Lent 202 Day 46

Scripture Reading

Matthew 27:62-66

The Jewish religious leaders wanted to make sure that Jesus' death was final. They knew the dedication and commitment of the disciples. The religious leaders believed that the disciples would even try to steal Jesus' body so that it looked like he had risen from the dead.

Pilate agrees to have extra protection against such a thing from happening. The details of the security of the tomb are included in Matthew to illustrate the supernatural event of the resurrection. Jesus did NOT faint or go into a coma while he was on the cross, he really died. His heart stopped. His life expired. He stopped breathing. Jesus' death was as real as your life. His resurrection wasn't something that humans could have accomplished, it was completely and totally the work of God. How can we do anything but believe it?

Prayer: God, thank you that the resurrection was not a trick by the disciples but was the most real and amazing thing that could ever happen. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 45 Good Friday

Scripture Reading

John 19:23-30

Imagine that you were there. You are one of Christ's followers and you are there at the foot of the cross. Can you hear the crying, the moans of Christ's pain? Can you see him as he gasps for air and struggles to speak? Do you see his mother weeping and the crowds around her cheering his death? The stench of hatred and death are around you and the one that you love and believe to be the Messiah is hanging on a cross before you? Now...someone tells you that this is "good." It seems unreal that anything good could come from what is around you. You want to believe, but how can it be good? 

The Christian life at times is hard for us to understand. Throughout scripture we are told things that on the surface do not make sense. If we give up our lives, we gain life. The poor in spirit will inherit the Kingdom of God. The meek will inherit the earth.  And the death of Christ is good. On that Friday, it must have been unimaginably difficult to believe that what was before their eyes was anything but heinous and painful. How difficult it must have been to try to see beyond the pain. How hopeless they must have felt. It would have been so overwhelming. Surely, it would have been difficult to remember and trust in Christ's words that he would live again. Maybe they didn't believe. Maybe they didn't understand. Oh, how Christ wanted them to know that his suffering was for the good of all mankind.

This day was for us. It is "good" because Christ's sacrifice allowed us to have a relationship with God. It restored what had been broken. For us, it is the single most important act of love that was ever done for us. Out of death, God brought goodness. Out of what was ugly and despicable to the world, God created beauty and hope. Today we grieve over the suffering that Christ experienced for our sake, but we celebrate that God made all things good through him.

Prayer: Father, thank you for sacrificing your Son for me. Thank you for your plan of redemption and the plan you have for my life. I pray that my life would reflect my gratitude. I praise you for your great and matchless gift of Christ. 

Lent 2020 Day 44

Scripture Reading

Matthew 26:26-29

The words of our Lord Jesus as he instituted the Lord's Supper are so precious to my heart. We have all participated in the Lord's Supper many times. The question for each of us is, "How often do we really worship God as we participate in it?" Do we just take it in a ritualistic way not remembering the significance of Jesus' death on the cross? As you reflect on these words remember that the bread and the cup represent the body and blood of our Savior who suffered immeasurable agonies on a hill outside of Jerusalem so that we might have a relationship with God. 

The Lord's Supper is called several different things: The Lord's Supper, Communion, the Eucharist. Whatever we choose to call it, it reminds us fo the love of God stretched across the sky for you and for me. 

There are many theological understandings of how the bread and the cup function as we participate in the Lord's Supper. Some Christian's believe it becomes the actual body and blood of Jesus, others believe that Christ is physically present in the elements (the bread and wine); while some believe that he is only spiritually present in the elements. Still others believe that it is simply a memorial or symbol of the crucified Savior. Regardless of one's theological understanding of the Lord's Supper, whenever we partake of it we should do three things. First, give thanks to God for his love and for sending Jesus to die on the cross to save us. Second, remember the event of the crucifixion and that it was because we were unable to have a restored relationship with God that Jesus had to die. Third, we look forward to Christ's return and his earthly kingdom when we will be able to celebrate the Lord's Supper with him. 

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the death of Christ and for the opportunity that I have to remember it especially during the Lord's Supper. I look forward to Christ's return and his reign that will never end. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 43

Scripture Reading

Matthew 26:14-25

Have you ever betrayed someone? Betrayal...even the word evokes horrible images. Betrayal can take the form of unfaithfulness to a spouse or love one, lying or telling partial truth. It can take many different forms. Have you ever spoken cruelly about someone behind their back or have you chosen to not stand up for someone who is the punch line of an ugly joke? Have you ever broken a promise to a friend or family member? I am guilty of all these things. We are quick to cast stones at Judas. Obviously, with good reason, he betrayed Christ into the hands of those who would crucify him. Judas was a part of God's plan for the world's redemption. I have to ask myself, in what ways am I like Judas? What in my life, in words, in heart and in actions, is betraying my devotion and love for God? What am I willing to "sell" my relationship with God in exchange for something else? There is always something that competes for our loyalty to Christ. Somehow we always find ourselves in situations where we are having to choose to stand out and be different for the sake of our beliefs verses betraying our commitment to Christ and his commandments. Even within the church walls, in fellowship with other believers we are tempted to betray Christ. Gossip, slander, judgmental attitudes, hatred, and selfishness disguise themselves in "I shouldn't say this, but..." I have often wondered if Judas really thought thirty pieces of silver was worth it. I also wonder if my few seconds of a laugh at another's expense is worth the pain it causes my Lord. Instead of standing firm, Judas cracked. He fell to temptation and followed his own desires. Forever, in history he is remembered for his heinous sin. What do we want to be remembered for? For the way we stood boldly for Christ or do we want to be remembered for our betrayals to others and towards God. The other apostles and many early Christians had many opportunities to disown Christ. However, they are examples of the ultimate sacrifice. Many were martyrs for their faith. For the sake of the gospel, Paul was killed by a sword to the neck. Peter was crucified (upside down according to tradition). Matthew was speared to death. Andrew was crucified. Mark was burned. Bartholomew was beaten, crucified, skinned, and beheaded. What is your relationship with Christ? Are you willing to betray him and replace him with silver or some other worldly possession or glory? Judas, as scripture writes, came to a point of guilt and shame for his actions. Are we repentant of our lack of boldness as sin? This Easter, I challenge each of us to stand boldly for Christ and live out the example of Christians that sacrificed everything for Christ and remind ourselves that to betray our God only leads to destruction. 

Prayer: Father, thank you for your forgiveness and tenderness. I ask you to forgive me of the many times I have turned my back on you and selfishly believed that something the world offered was more important than you. I pray that I would learn to stand boldly and be a witness for the gospel. Amen.