Lent Devotion: A Saturday Psalm

One of my life's greatest struggles has always been anxiety.  You might not think so when you meet me, but I have really struggled with the overpowering fear that comes along with feeling anxious.  It is never a good thing to be nervous or worried about things to a degree that it affects your ability to live in the present.  I am betting that some of you have faced a similar struggle at some point in your life.  

So for today's Saturday Psalm I have chosen Psalm 91.  This is a Psalm that is often referred to as the "Soldier's Prayer."  It speaks of the power of faith and trust that comes in knowing that God has our back, though that doesn't mean that things are always easy.  Have you ever been overly focused on the "what-if's?" This Psalm reminds us that we dwell in the shelter of the Most High, a safe and restful place.

Psalm 91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

It isn't as simple as saying that if we trust in God everything in our lives will go just as we desire, or that we will not face consequences of our choices.  The good news that I find here is that God is in control of the big picture.  While I get caught up all too often in the smallest details, fretting over the what-if's, God is continuing to sustain and Create - holding the big-picture of the world together.  

With what do you struggle?  How does this Psalm speak to you?  What does it mean for God to be your protection, you shelter, your salvation?

Prayer:  Lord, help me to rest in you.  Help me to find peace even in the things of the world that I do not fully understand.  Help me to trust in the power of your protection and shelter.  Today I pray that you would be present with all who suffer, with all who feel alone, with all who long to know what it is to be truly loved.  Help me too, to understand.  Amen.  

Today's TGIF Devotion: Light the Fire

I never knew how much fun worship could be until I went to college and met people my own age who loved Jesus.  I had no idea that faith could be exciting, that worship could be something that moved my Spirit to act.  The first "praise" song I learned on the guitar is a song called "Light the Fire."  It's an easy song because you just play one chord the whole time, only moving it up a few frets once in a while.  The lyrics to this song often run through my head:

I stand to praise You

But I fall on my knees

My spirit is willing

But my flesh is so weak

Light the fire

(light the fire)

In my soul

(in my weary soul)

Fan the flame

(fan the flame)

Make me whole

(make my spirit whole)

Lord, You know

(Lord, You know)

Just where I've been

(where I've been)

So light the fire

in my heart again

I feel Your arms around me

As the power of

Your healing begins

Your spirit moves through me

Like a mighty rushing wind

Light the fire

(light the fire)

In my soul

(in my weary soul)

Fan the flame

(fan the flame)

Make me whole

(make my spirit whole)

Lord, You know

(Lord, You know)

Just where I've been

(where I've been)

So light the fire

in my heart again

Just reading the lyrics doesn't really do the song justice (maybe we can sing it someday), but it is a beautiful tune that speaks to our Spirit's longing to be in connection with our Creator.  Often it is SO true that our Spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak.

One of John Wesley's most well-known questions comes to my mind tonight:  How is it with your soul?  Think about it, reflect on it, really - How is it?  Do you long to know the healing power of the Spirit?  Do you need a new flame, or to have your passion for life and faith restored?

Prayer:  God you come to us in so many ways:  as Creator and life-giver, as the Christ who loves and challenges, and as the fire of the Spirit which moves and lives within us.   Help me to reconnect to you this day, that I may be set afire again.  Help my flesh to be as willing as my Spirit to live and move and breath in You.  Amen.  

Lent Devotion: Thanks.

Today's devotion is simple:  for what are you thankful?  Take a minute and really think about that.  Can you list ten things, twenty, fifty?  How about people that have shown you love and care?  Are there some from your past and present for which you give thanks?

Psalm 118

1 Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good.
    His faithful love continues forever.

2 Let the people of Israel say,
    “His faithful love continues forever.”
3 Let the priests of Aaron say,
    “His faithful love continues forever.”
4 Let those who have respect for the Lord say,
    “His faithful love continues forever.”

5 When I was in great pain, I cried out to the Lord.
    He answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid.
    What can mere men do to me?
7 The Lord is with me. He helps me.
    I will win the battle over my enemies.

8 It is better to go to the Lord for safety
    than to trust in mere men.
9 It is better to go to the Lord for safety
    than to trust in human leaders.

10 The nations were all around me.
    But by the Lord’s power I destroyed them.
11 They were around me on every side.
    But by the Lord’s power I destroyed them.
12 They attacked me like large numbers of bees.
    But they died out as quickly as burning thorns.
    By the Lord’s power I destroyed them.

13 I was pushed back. I was about to be killed.
    But the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord gives me strength. I sing about him.
    He has saved me.

15 Shouts of joy ring out in the tents of godly people.
    They praise him for his help in battle.
They shout, “The Lord’s powerful right hand has done mighty things!
16     The Lord’s powerful right hand has won the battle!
    The Lord’s powerful right hand has done mighty things!”

17 I will not die. I will live.
    I will talk about what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has really punished me.
    But he didn’t let me die.

19 Open the gates of the temple for me.
    I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord.
    Only those who do what is right can go through it.
21 Lord, I will give thanks to you, because you answered me.
    You have saved me.

22 The stone the builders didn’t accept
    has become the most important stone of all.
23 The Lord has done it.
    It is wonderful in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it on this day.
    Let us be joyful and glad in it.

25 Lord, save us.
    Lord, give us success.
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
    From the temple of the Lord we bless you.
27 The Lord is God.
    He has made the light of his favor shine on us.
Take branches in your hands. Join in the march on the day of the feast.
    March up to the corners of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you.
    You are my God, and I will honor you.

29 Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good.
    His faithful love continues forever.

You'll hear this Psalm again on Sunday if you join us for our Palm Sunday celebration.  What would it be like to stand on the side of the road as Jesus entered in on a donkey?  Would you wave palms and yell with excitement?  Would you be too afraid of the Pharisee's glares to join in?

I think it's easy to keep our thanksgivings to ourselves, to keep them inside, or even to forget to be thankful.  When is the last time you gave God thanks?  

Prayer:  God you are so good at blessing me, help me to count them.  Show me how to share gratitude with others, and to recognize the gift of relationship and community.  I want to be a blessing to You!  Amen.

Lent Devotional: Two Red Hats

What a beautiful day we had today, I hope you were able to take a few moments to enjoy the warmth and sunshine.  One of the best parts of my day was spending some time at the park with some children and their grandma.  It is spring break here, so the park was packed with families and friend playing and having picnics.  I think the warm sun drew everyone out to celebrate the day.  

In one of the studies I am teaching we are asked to ponder a question each week.  Our question for this week was, "Where have you seen the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God?"  Today I saw the Kingdom of God in a beautiful way.  I happened to catch a picture of it:  

Two red hats getting ready to head down the slide at the park.  One worn by a young man only beginning his journey of life that is confident and clear about what he wants.  The other worn by a man who I have grown to love through our Open Door Ministry - where dinner is served every Tuesday night for anyone who walks through the door.  James has some limitations but is an active member of our community (and our church).  He was having fun at the park today too - and was pretty happy to share the slide with this little one.  Two red hats covering the heads of God's most wonderful creations.  

In The Lord's Prayer we pray, "Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven."  What does this phrase mean to you?  How have you encountered the in-breaking of the Kingdom in the midst of your days?  When has God's presence surprised you or caught you off-guard? 

Prayer:  God, today I give you thanks for the unique way you have made each of us.  I pray that rather than focus on our differences you would open me up to your image that is alive in others.  Help me to see with your vision the movement of Your Kingdom in the midst of the everyday.  Help me to grasp onto Your hands at work in the world, while opening myself up to opportunities to serve others.  Again I thank you for the gift of faith and life, fill me again with your Spirit this day.  Amen.  

Lent Devotion: Build Each Other Up

I have struggled to write this devotion today.  It's the first day that I have stared blankly at the computer screen just praying something profound (or at least interesting) would come to me.  Here it is 10:15pm and I'm just now getting started.  My brain may have decided to take spring vacation without my permission.  Maybe I just have spring fever?  Maybe it is the full-moon making things a little crazy?  (Anybody see a werewolf?)  

As I stare at my computer screen I looked up at the bulletin board above my desk.  On it are a variety of things:  Pictures of the cutest niece in existence, planning calendars, and a variety of interesting post-it notes.  These notes show up from time to time and always bring a smile to my heart.  Sometimes before worship, the youth get a hold of the post-its.  Today I found some wonderful little notes, wishing me a beautiful day.  One told me I was "the best" and another told me that "I am out of tape."  Some may call it clutter, but for me these little notes remind me to pray and help me to focus on the big picture of ministry.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 reminds us of the power of our words.  

"God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation buy our Master, Jesus Christ.  He died for us, a death that triggered life.  Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him!  So speak encouraging words to one another.  Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind.  I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it."  

How important it is for us to do what we can to build each other up - to build up hope, since we really are all in this journey of life together.  How have you encouraged someone today?  What might you do to be a hope-builder?  I pray that you have little encouraging reminders in your life, that as you look around your home or office you can find evidence of loving relationships and joy.

Prayer:  Lord, help me to encourage others.  Show me how to build up rather than tear down, to be a giver of hope rather than discouragement.  I pray that the power of your love and grace would overcome those places in my where feelings of sorrow or discouragement exist.   Tonight I pray that you make me more like You.  Amen.  

Lent Devotion: WAKE UP!!!!!

I have been given a compliment in recent days by a couple of different people.  They said, "You are the only pastor who has kept me awake for the sermon."  Personally, I don't think it has anything to do with me.  I've watched from the front as women get in a good elbow on a sleeping husband, or vice versa. 

I've always thought it would be handy to have a squirt gun for moments just like this, when the weight of sleep overpowers every effort to keep eyes open.  A little squirt of water could do just the trick, don't you think?

No really, this "compliment" always makes me think about a very interesting Scripture from the book of Acts.  Paul has been doing everything possible to spread the Gospel message...then this happens in chapter 20:

7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

Can you imagine?  These days we do our best to wrap worship up in an hour.  After all, it IS lunchtime.  Paul was so excited to share the Gospel with his audience of fresh ears that he couldn't stop!  Poor Eutychus fell so sound asleep that he fell right out the window!!!  Gracefully and powerfully he was brought back to like by Paul who immediately went back upstairs to eat.  Then he kept preaching until daylight!   

As we enter into the events surrounding Jesus' death, you  might remember that Jesus finds the disciples asleep, though he has asked them to remain awake.  Perhaps God knows how easy it is to "fall asleep" to the Gospel.  When we think we know the stories and have a pretty good handle on all things spiritual we sometimes zone right out.  It is a challenge to keep Scripture fresh and new, alive to our senses, yet we too are called to stay awake.

Have you taken in any new, perhaps unexpected, learning this Lent?  Any of the old familiar Scriptures offer a new perspective for you?  Take a few minutes to look up one of your favorites, read it looking for new insight or perspective.

This is what it means for Scripture to be alive, though written thousands of years ago. The Holy Spirit opens us up to experience it's teachings in new and meaningful ways.  It's never just a book that we've "read before."  

Prayer:  God of wisdom and intellect help me to stay awake to the life within Scripture.  Challenge me to hear your voice and see you in the things of everyday.  Open my perspective to the power of experience and its deep foundation of truth.  Amen.