John 20:1-18 I have seen the Lord
Today is Easter Sunday. When you go to bed tonight and you reflect back on the day, make time to affirm that this scripture is true in your life.
That does not mean that the Lord will come to you in a vision. What I am talking about is seeing Jesus in each other, a kind or significant gesture, when you hold hands with family and friends to say the blessing for Easter Dinner. There are thousands of ways to see Jesus. The key is to open your eyes.
Today is Easter Sunday. Open your eyes today for the love of God. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Good Friday
"They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there." Amen
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Can You Hear God When You Are Talking?
Here are the words from the second reading at Maundy Thursday Service.
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
As I read these words tonight in the service, I heard God. You see, in the Episcopal Church, we hear these words every week during the Eucharist. Somehow though, tonight they took a deeper meaning for me. I do not know if it was because I was reading them. I do not know if it was because of it being Holy Week. What I do believe however, is that the Holy Spirit was there with me as I read the words.
I could not help but envision Jesus as he was depicted in the film "The Passion of Chirst" that was released several years ago. I am sure that the visual impact of this film will never leave me. Perhaps that is why these words at this time in my life, take on new meaning. What Jesus did for us is beyond our human comprehension.
Sometimes, I look at these words I write and the feelings I have and sometimes relate to others and I wonder if folks think that I am a little off center. And, frankly, I have the same thoughts from time to time. But, as I think about this and look deeep inside, I am deeply grateful that God has let me in on these thoughts and how they only strengthen my faith and conviction that He is calling me to a greater service.
Ann told me tonight about some of her feelings as she participates in this journey with me. She is a wonderful woman and a blessing to me. This would all be impossible without her support as well. My prayer this Maundy Thursday night is for you, the readers of this journal, to begin or to continue to discover the wonder of the love of God and the majesty and mystery of the breadth of it.
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
As I read these words tonight in the service, I heard God. You see, in the Episcopal Church, we hear these words every week during the Eucharist. Somehow though, tonight they took a deeper meaning for me. I do not know if it was because I was reading them. I do not know if it was because of it being Holy Week. What I do believe however, is that the Holy Spirit was there with me as I read the words.
I could not help but envision Jesus as he was depicted in the film "The Passion of Chirst" that was released several years ago. I am sure that the visual impact of this film will never leave me. Perhaps that is why these words at this time in my life, take on new meaning. What Jesus did for us is beyond our human comprehension.
Sometimes, I look at these words I write and the feelings I have and sometimes relate to others and I wonder if folks think that I am a little off center. And, frankly, I have the same thoughts from time to time. But, as I think about this and look deeep inside, I am deeply grateful that God has let me in on these thoughts and how they only strengthen my faith and conviction that He is calling me to a greater service.
Ann told me tonight about some of her feelings as she participates in this journey with me. She is a wonderful woman and a blessing to me. This would all be impossible without her support as well. My prayer this Maundy Thursday night is for you, the readers of this journal, to begin or to continue to discover the wonder of the love of God and the majesty and mystery of the breadth of it.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Waking Up In the Night....
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night? Your mind is going at the speed of sound and you can't seem to stop it. There are hundreds of things being processed almost to the point of nausea. This happens to me sometimes. The problem is how to quiet down enough to go back to sleep.
I have found a solution that works for me, I talk to God. I talk to him sometimes about very mundane things of no consequence. I pray for people. I think about solutions that would please God and help youth group members. You know, things like that.
What I find are answers to prayer, more questions, feelings of peace and eventually, rest. I wonder, this evening, is that God waking me up so we can have some time together? In today's readings, specifically from Psalm 94, verses 17-19, it says, "If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, ‘My foot is slipping’, your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." This passage reminded me of these nights when I am awake and through prayer and meditation, I find peace and rest.
This is Holy Week, I pray for all to find God and to find peace and rest.
I have found a solution that works for me, I talk to God. I talk to him sometimes about very mundane things of no consequence. I pray for people. I think about solutions that would please God and help youth group members. You know, things like that.
What I find are answers to prayer, more questions, feelings of peace and eventually, rest. I wonder, this evening, is that God waking me up so we can have some time together? In today's readings, specifically from Psalm 94, verses 17-19, it says, "If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, ‘My foot is slipping’, your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." This passage reminded me of these nights when I am awake and through prayer and meditation, I find peace and rest.
This is Holy Week, I pray for all to find God and to find peace and rest.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Whose job is it really?
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
There is a tall order. How different would our world be if this was how we all lived? Create in me a clean heart...perhaps, to personalize this we should change it around some and add a couple of words, Let try, "Help me, O God, keep my heart clean."
This puts the responsibility for this on us, not God, and I think perhaps what God might really mean in this scripture from today's readings. It is Holy Week. I pray these words, Help me, O God, keep my heart clean. Amen
There is a tall order. How different would our world be if this was how we all lived? Create in me a clean heart...perhaps, to personalize this we should change it around some and add a couple of words, Let try, "Help me, O God, keep my heart clean."
This puts the responsibility for this on us, not God, and I think perhaps what God might really mean in this scripture from today's readings. It is Holy Week. I pray these words, Help me, O God, keep my heart clean. Amen
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Facing Life
I have a friend right now who is facing some very difficult things and not very well equipped to face them. Sometimes, life is hard. It is supposed to be for that is how we grow; by facing these things, either conquering them or them conquering us and then learning and growing from the experience.
At my age of 51, there are still things that I do not like to or want to face. I do find however, that after I have done what I should, that most times it was not as difficult as my imagination had projected. I have also discovered that if I would move aside my mortal fear and anxiety, trust God and work hard; the answers and work comes much easier.
Having said that, I pray for my friend. I pray that they will find the courage to face life, that they will discover the help of God and those around them to face life and that especially, they will grow both spiritually and psychologically in the process. Thanks be to God.
At my age of 51, there are still things that I do not like to or want to face. I do find however, that after I have done what I should, that most times it was not as difficult as my imagination had projected. I have also discovered that if I would move aside my mortal fear and anxiety, trust God and work hard; the answers and work comes much easier.
Having said that, I pray for my friend. I pray that they will find the courage to face life, that they will discover the help of God and those around them to face life and that especially, they will grow both spiritually and psychologically in the process. Thanks be to God.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Mark 10:17-31. Jesus, looking at him, loved him.
I wonder how much different our world would be and how much different the person in the mirror would be if these six words were how we lived, played and worked with those around us?
How many time I catch myself making a snotty remark about someone to myself when I should be following this example of Jesus. While it is not easy to love those you disagree with on whatever level, Jesus calls us to live these words. They are part of the great commission.
It is Lent. I am to look at myself and discover God in myself.
Jesus, help me to be more like you and these words, to look at them and to love them. Help me to live these words that others may find you in how I see them. Amen
How many time I catch myself making a snotty remark about someone to myself when I should be following this example of Jesus. While it is not easy to love those you disagree with on whatever level, Jesus calls us to live these words. They are part of the great commission.
It is Lent. I am to look at myself and discover God in myself.
Jesus, help me to be more like you and these words, to look at them and to love them. Help me to live these words that others may find you in how I see them. Amen
It's almost Holy Week
It's almost Holy Week. Life is crazy. We are busy and Satan is at work.
When Satan fails to penetrate your faith, he makes you so busy, you don't have time for it. Have you ever looked at it that way? That is how it is in my life some times. But, I take this time to reflect and to search for God.
The last two years have been a constant test of my faith. I began to answer my call and begin the discerment process only to be met by no discernment process for the diaconate in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. It has taken two years for it to be defined. [Thank you Father for this test of resolve.]
We are now to a point where the process is defined and in the final approval stages. I remain faithful to the call to the diaconate and to take my ministry to a new dimension. There have been many affirmations to me that this is still where God wants me to go. There have been equally as many or more detours at the same time.
Today, I take the time to pause, breathe and focus on God. It is nearly Holy Week, life is crazy and Satan is at work. In my life however, thanks be to God.
When Satan fails to penetrate your faith, he makes you so busy, you don't have time for it. Have you ever looked at it that way? That is how it is in my life some times. But, I take this time to reflect and to search for God.
The last two years have been a constant test of my faith. I began to answer my call and begin the discerment process only to be met by no discernment process for the diaconate in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. It has taken two years for it to be defined. [Thank you Father for this test of resolve.]
We are now to a point where the process is defined and in the final approval stages. I remain faithful to the call to the diaconate and to take my ministry to a new dimension. There have been many affirmations to me that this is still where God wants me to go. There have been equally as many or more detours at the same time.
Today, I take the time to pause, breathe and focus on God. It is nearly Holy Week, life is crazy and Satan is at work. In my life however, thanks be to God.
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