Dorothy, in “The Wizard of Oz”, was instructed to click her heels of the ruby red slippers three times and repeat, “There’s no place like home.” And so it is with us who seek to be disciples. Dependent on the Holy Trinity (the tree times in the story), clicking the ruby red slippers (the blood of Christ) and understanding that home is where the heart is … the Kansas of our existence. Oh, we might wish to live in a world “just over the rainbow”, but that is only a make-believe world and once there we start to discover that our land of our dreams is filled with all sorts of horrible things. Discipleship is learning to live in a real world. Discipleship is not escaping from the mean people of life nor the situations that make us uncomfortable, but realizing that we have the power and authority to live a victorious life even in the presence of the things that go bump in the night.
Scripture: Matthew 7:21-28
First comes a warning to those who outwardly appear to be God’s prophets, but are His prophets in their words only. Then comes the story of the foolish and wise builders … it is the sand or rock foundation story.
Reflection: How firm is the foundation where we stand? Some choose a foundation built on who they know, while others choose a foundation on how much they have. Still others choose a foundation on their reputation and position, while others choose a foundation on abilities and skills. When all is said and done the only foundation that has any value is the one built on relationship … the one and only relationship that truly matters – Jesus Christ. Once that foundation is secure then no matter what happens we will stand tall. We can fulfill the scripture that states, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil….” (Romans 12:17). We demand justice. We expect the right to retaliate. We get caught up in the Old Testament form of retribution, “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth….” (Exodus 21:22). Could it be that our foundation is threatened? With a strong, rock solid foundation we can stand against all sorts of evil and not feel threatened. There are numerous people looking at us during these personal and national storms of life. They are witnessing how we react to the battering winds of life. They are wondering if our “talk is backed up by our walk”. The strength of our foundation is the first sign of our discipleship.
Prayer: Father, we have to admit that life can get us down. We have to admit that we struggle over too many petty things. And when the mighty winds of a storm strike us we are blown away. We need, we desire a strong foundation … a rock solid foundation … a storm defying foundation … a foundation that will allow us to forgive our enemies … a foundation that will permit us not to worry … a foundation that will give us the strength to deal with any life threatening issue that comes our way. We desire a foundation built on Jesus Christ himself, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Further reflection from Picturing God by Ann Belford Ulanov
“We keep our pictures of God secret from each other and often even from ourselves. For what would others think if we talked of God as a stalking animal, sniffing us like prey, or as an alien, a foreigner whose breath is upon our face, or whose foot is on our neck? What of a God so palpable and near that only an abstract symbol can make it bearable, like Jung’s mandala, to some so calming and capacious, to others only dead artifacts? What of God, as the psalmist says, with great wings under which we hide? Or God’s grace like a large lap into which we crawl, a breast upon which we lean? Or God a warrior calling us out to fight? Or God as Jesus sitting in the back pew of your church…?”
The Struggle: I have always struggled with keeping my eyes on the foundation. There is just so much baggage that keeps getting in the way. When I move away from the foundation disciplines my life becomes shaky, my relationships start breaking down, my thoughts begin to wander in directions that I wouldn’t want to admit to anyone, and my body begins to breakdown physically. Stress, anxiety, worry, depression, and an entire mix of other negative emotions start to take control. Keeping my feet planted on the rock solid foundation takes discipline and once established there I can claim discipleship.
A Story: As you read this story from my teenage years please be reminded that God gets all the glory here … it is not about me, but it is about the power of God at work within me.
I didn’t know that my new faith and relationship was going to be tested so early in my walk. I had just returned from summer youth camp where I had given my heart to Christ when I met up with Dick L – the Manor Park bully … my personal bully. Dick had been on my case for the past five years. He took every opportunity to beat me into the ground. His antics made him a “real man” in the eyes of the girls he wanted to impress. All I knew is that I got bruised battered and blue. It was humiliating and it just made me angry. It touched me at my weakest point. I fought back with all of my might, but Dick was well developed – must of lifted weights and I was the proverbial 100 lb weakling. But the summer camp experience had changed something inside of me. I didn’t hate Dick any longer. I wasn’t looking forward to meeting up with him upon my return, but I didn’t hate him because the preacher at camp had asked us to leave all that “stuff” at the altar.
One late afternoon I and my friend Donnie Hall were leaving the park’s pool when who should be waiting for me to come out, but the bully Dick L. He called me by my name. I kept walking. He called me a few of his other chosen names for me, the girls giggled and I kept walking. The next thing I knew was his hand on my shoulder forcing me to turn around and face him. “Didn’t you hear me *&#@?” I just looked at him and said, “Yes, Dick I heard you, but I don’t wish to fight you any longer.” His punch hit me squarely on the jaw. It hurt. Then came a second one, then a third one. I just stood there. I didn’t say anything back to his taunts nor did I throw a punch. Dick didn’t know what to do. Donnie, my friend, kept encouraging me to defend myself, but there I stood … well, not for long. Another punch or two and I was on the ground being kicked. Finally, he stopped … I breathed deeply and with some effort I stood up. I looked right at Dick and shared, “Dick, this summer I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and I’m not going to fight you anymore. Oh, you can hit me and beat up on me, but I will still love you as a friend.” And then I turned and walked away.
The next September he and I went to different Junior High Schools. I breathed a prayer of thanks for that small blessing. For some reason for the next 2 years our paths didn’t cross at Manor Park even though we both lived only a block away from each other. But then came Miami Edison Senior High School and there we were … in the same school, in the same grade. I prayed hard that our paths wouldn’t cross much and they didn’t until one afternoon …
I was in the small motorcycle parking area. I had a small bike and was picking it up to go home when who should appear before me, but members of the Little River Rats – a notorious bad gang that attend, when they wished, classes at the high school. “Hey, Martin, we are going to borrow your bike.” I knew that if they “borrowed” my ride I would never see it again so I stood my ground. They started to move in my direction. I knew what was about to happen and wasn’t looking forward to the experience. Then they simply stopped. From behind me came the voice of Dick L., “If you touch Jimmy you will have to deal with me!” It was a stand-off, but eventually they left. I turned around and thanked Dick. He just stared at me, shook his head and said, “Jimmy, you know I still don’t understand you, but I do respect you.”
I praised God all the way home that day and every day thereafter … it was a hard lesson in Discipleship and foundation building.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Working on the meaning of being a true disciple without jumping through church created hoops
The overriding question this week is what does it mean to be a true disciple? The answer reveals much about how we view God. There are those who place a bunch of Old Testament style demands and expectations upon a disciple such as, have to be in church every Sunday, have to read the Bible every day, have to tithe, have to “button-hole” others about their relationship with God, have to do this and have to do that. But what does the Lord require of us, but to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God, to quote Micah 6:8. Everything else, I believe, grows out of that relationship.
Scripture: Psalm 18:1-19
This Psalm shares the fact that God is our strength. He is strong and to be trusted regardless how dark the world becomes and how threatening life becomes God is always there to rescue us and to support us against all. The Lord is the rock, the fortress and the deliverer.
Reflection: How easy it is to allow problems to overwhelm us. From my perspective, it simply means that we have lost our focus. When we focus on the problems instead of the solution-maker then it is rather easy to be overwhelmed. The enemy does surround us. The challenges to life do have a tendency to buildup. The reality is that our problems are more numerous than we first imagine. But the truth is stronger than our problems. The truth is that God is on our side and he will not allow us to stumble nor fall. If God is for us that what or who can stand against us. Our focus simply needs to be placed squarely on him and although it would seem that we are living inside a tornado we will survive!
Prayer: Gracious God, I seek to be a true disciple and not get caught up in all of the “trappings” of what others say about what makes up a true disciple. Help me to seek out justice in all matters, not retribution or “equaling the score”; help me to love mercy and forgiveness above all else regardless of the wrongs that I might have suffered, and help me to keep my focus on you and to walk humbly with you in all things. Help to realize it is not about me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Further reflection from Picturing God by Ann Belford Ulanov
“Picturing God must precede any speaking about God, for our pictures accompany all our words and they continue long after we fall silent before God. Images – the language of the psyche – are the coin of life; they touch our emotions as well as our thoughts; they reach down into our bodies as well as toward our ideas. They arrive unbidden, startling, after our many years of effort to craft them.”
The Struggle: Wouldn’t it be great if there was some kind of celestial check list of things that we could do and accomplish that would make this discipleship living much easier? All find in scripture concerns relationship – how I relate to others, how I relate to my enemies, how I forgive those who do all sorts of evil things against us … this stuff is hard. I would much rather check off the “read-the-Bible-go-to-church” kind of stuff. Those things are easy. It is something that I can accomplish on my own. I don’t need God … opps, that’s the problem isn’t it. Discipleship requires God to be accomplished. The normal “stuff” that churches often speak about when it comes to discipleship is just the everyday kind of things that we can accomplish on our own. Therein lies the problem … we would rather live our life without God and still be a disciple, but God wants a relationship with us. Thus, the number one requirement of discipleship is to be in a relationship with him. In that relationship we can ask the harder questions about living – how do I relate to an Osama Bin Laden type people in love and mercy; how do I forgive my enemies; how do I truly seek justice for everyone; how do I relate to that smelly homeless person; how do I spend my energy, my time, my resources – that the more simple approach to a church-style discipleship allows us to avoid.
I Want a Principle Within by Charles Wesley
I want a principle within of watchful, godly fear,
a sensibility of sin, a pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel of pride or wrong desire,
to catch the wandering of my will, and quench the kindling fire.
A Story from Eating Problems for Breakfast by Tim Hansel:
To: Jesus, Son of Joseph
Woodcrafter's Carpenter Shop
Nazareth 25922
From: Jordan Management Consultants
Dear Sir:
Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; and we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.
The profiles of all tests are included, and you will want to study each of them carefully.
As part of our service, we make some general comments for your guidance, much as an auditor will include some general statements. This is given as a result of staff consultation, and comes without any additional fee.
It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.
Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew had been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus definitely have radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale.
One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind, and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious, and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right-hand man. All of the other profiles are self-explanatory.
We wish you every success in your new venture.
Sincerely, Jordan Management Consultants
Scripture: Psalm 18:1-19
This Psalm shares the fact that God is our strength. He is strong and to be trusted regardless how dark the world becomes and how threatening life becomes God is always there to rescue us and to support us against all. The Lord is the rock, the fortress and the deliverer.
Reflection: How easy it is to allow problems to overwhelm us. From my perspective, it simply means that we have lost our focus. When we focus on the problems instead of the solution-maker then it is rather easy to be overwhelmed. The enemy does surround us. The challenges to life do have a tendency to buildup. The reality is that our problems are more numerous than we first imagine. But the truth is stronger than our problems. The truth is that God is on our side and he will not allow us to stumble nor fall. If God is for us that what or who can stand against us. Our focus simply needs to be placed squarely on him and although it would seem that we are living inside a tornado we will survive!
Prayer: Gracious God, I seek to be a true disciple and not get caught up in all of the “trappings” of what others say about what makes up a true disciple. Help me to seek out justice in all matters, not retribution or “equaling the score”; help me to love mercy and forgiveness above all else regardless of the wrongs that I might have suffered, and help me to keep my focus on you and to walk humbly with you in all things. Help to realize it is not about me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Further reflection from Picturing God by Ann Belford Ulanov
“Picturing God must precede any speaking about God, for our pictures accompany all our words and they continue long after we fall silent before God. Images – the language of the psyche – are the coin of life; they touch our emotions as well as our thoughts; they reach down into our bodies as well as toward our ideas. They arrive unbidden, startling, after our many years of effort to craft them.”
The Struggle: Wouldn’t it be great if there was some kind of celestial check list of things that we could do and accomplish that would make this discipleship living much easier? All find in scripture concerns relationship – how I relate to others, how I relate to my enemies, how I forgive those who do all sorts of evil things against us … this stuff is hard. I would much rather check off the “read-the-Bible-go-to-church” kind of stuff. Those things are easy. It is something that I can accomplish on my own. I don’t need God … opps, that’s the problem isn’t it. Discipleship requires God to be accomplished. The normal “stuff” that churches often speak about when it comes to discipleship is just the everyday kind of things that we can accomplish on our own. Therein lies the problem … we would rather live our life without God and still be a disciple, but God wants a relationship with us. Thus, the number one requirement of discipleship is to be in a relationship with him. In that relationship we can ask the harder questions about living – how do I relate to an Osama Bin Laden type people in love and mercy; how do I forgive my enemies; how do I truly seek justice for everyone; how do I relate to that smelly homeless person; how do I spend my energy, my time, my resources – that the more simple approach to a church-style discipleship allows us to avoid.
I Want a Principle Within by Charles Wesley
I want a principle within of watchful, godly fear,
a sensibility of sin, a pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel of pride or wrong desire,
to catch the wandering of my will, and quench the kindling fire.
A Story from Eating Problems for Breakfast by Tim Hansel:
To: Jesus, Son of Joseph
Woodcrafter's Carpenter Shop
Nazareth 25922
From: Jordan Management Consultants
Dear Sir:
Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; and we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.
The profiles of all tests are included, and you will want to study each of them carefully.
As part of our service, we make some general comments for your guidance, much as an auditor will include some general statements. This is given as a result of staff consultation, and comes without any additional fee.
It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.
Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew had been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus definitely have radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale.
One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind, and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious, and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right-hand man. All of the other profiles are self-explanatory.
We wish you every success in your new venture.
Sincerely, Jordan Management Consultants
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Striving to be the shepherd under the True Shepherd as indicated in Paul's farewell speech in Acts 20:17-38
To hear no other voice except the voice of the True Shepherd is a blessing … a desired spiritual goal … a longing of our souls … a prayer of our spirit … to hear no other voice but the only voice that matters … the only voice that can bring salvation … the only voice that brings with it restoration … to hear our name spoken by that voice … the voice of the True Shepherd.
Scripture: Acts 20:17-38
This is Paul’s farewell speech to the Ephesians Elders. It is a word of warning and a word of hope. It is a farewell that addresses the reality of what Paul was heading towards and the needs that they will face in his absence. It is an encouraging word to be shepherds to those placed in their care by God who bought them with his own blood.
Reflection: Sometimes we are dependent on the presence of others for our spiritual strength as the Ephesians elders where on Paul. But, the time comes when our spiritual mentors do leave us and the spiritual work of the fellowship of believers falls into our hands. It is good to be reminded that the people in our care, as their shepherds, are not ours, but Gods … and our strength for serving them and helping to meet their needs doesn’t come from us but from God … if we are but dependent on God’s word and his grace.
Prayer: May I, True Shepherd, be worthy of the trust that is being placed in my hands to shepherd your people and look after their spiritual needs. May I stand upon your word and allow your grace to work through me … now and always. In the name of that eternal grace Jesus Christ. Amen.
Further reflection from And the Angels Were Silent by Max Lucado
“Go to the effort. Invest the time. Write the letter. Make the apology. Take the trip. Purchase the gift. Do it. The seized opportunity renders joy. The neglected brings regret.”
And from Classics of Western Spirituality Series by George Herbert
“Lord, who hast form’d me out of mud,
And hast redeem’d me through thy blood,
And sanctifi’d me to do good.
“Purge all my sins done heretofore:
For I confess my heavy score,
And I will strive to sin no more.
“Enrich my heart, mouth, hands in me,
With faith, with hope, with charity;
That I may run, rise, rest with thee.”
The Struggle: The reality of my ministry is that all too often when I stand up for Jesus I simply stand in his way instead of allowing him to work through me. Being a pastor to a people is truly a trust … a sacred trust … that comes not from church elders, but by God himself. The struggle, at least for me, is to keep that ever before me … to follow his agenda and not mine … to fulfill his desires for the congregation and not mine … to express God’s opinion not mine … to bring about God’s desire for the body of believers and not mine … to keep him ever before the people and fade into the background … to allow the people to see only Jesus and not me!
Have Thine Own Way, Lord by Adelaide A. Pollard
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou are the potter; I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.
Scripture: Acts 20:17-38
This is Paul’s farewell speech to the Ephesians Elders. It is a word of warning and a word of hope. It is a farewell that addresses the reality of what Paul was heading towards and the needs that they will face in his absence. It is an encouraging word to be shepherds to those placed in their care by God who bought them with his own blood.
Reflection: Sometimes we are dependent on the presence of others for our spiritual strength as the Ephesians elders where on Paul. But, the time comes when our spiritual mentors do leave us and the spiritual work of the fellowship of believers falls into our hands. It is good to be reminded that the people in our care, as their shepherds, are not ours, but Gods … and our strength for serving them and helping to meet their needs doesn’t come from us but from God … if we are but dependent on God’s word and his grace.
Prayer: May I, True Shepherd, be worthy of the trust that is being placed in my hands to shepherd your people and look after their spiritual needs. May I stand upon your word and allow your grace to work through me … now and always. In the name of that eternal grace Jesus Christ. Amen.
Further reflection from And the Angels Were Silent by Max Lucado
“Go to the effort. Invest the time. Write the letter. Make the apology. Take the trip. Purchase the gift. Do it. The seized opportunity renders joy. The neglected brings regret.”
And from Classics of Western Spirituality Series by George Herbert
“Lord, who hast form’d me out of mud,
And hast redeem’d me through thy blood,
And sanctifi’d me to do good.
“Purge all my sins done heretofore:
For I confess my heavy score,
And I will strive to sin no more.
“Enrich my heart, mouth, hands in me,
With faith, with hope, with charity;
That I may run, rise, rest with thee.”
The Struggle: The reality of my ministry is that all too often when I stand up for Jesus I simply stand in his way instead of allowing him to work through me. Being a pastor to a people is truly a trust … a sacred trust … that comes not from church elders, but by God himself. The struggle, at least for me, is to keep that ever before me … to follow his agenda and not mine … to fulfill his desires for the congregation and not mine … to express God’s opinion not mine … to bring about God’s desire for the body of believers and not mine … to keep him ever before the people and fade into the background … to allow the people to see only Jesus and not me!
Have Thine Own Way, Lord by Adelaide A. Pollard
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou are the potter; I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.
Friday, May 13, 2011
The special relationship that exists between us and the True Shepherd as illustrated in 1 Peter 5:1-11
There are times in all of our lives that it feels that we are living in a foreign land ... a dessert even … a land that is barren, dried up, empty and forsaken. We feel that we have been cutoff from anything meaningful. No friends are insight. No hope rises on the horizon. Then we cry out to the only one who will listen … to the only one who has an answer … to the only one who holds the possibility of hope for us. We cry out and the True Shepherd hears our cries.
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-11
Here Peter writes instructions to the human shepherds who are responsible for God’s flock. We are to serve this flock with humility and care not looking after our own welfare, but what is best for the flock. If we are faithful in the task that is set before us God will bring the glory and we will be restored.
Reflection: We are always looking over our shoulders, especially when we are much younger, to see who is paying attention. “Look at me, daddy,” says our daughter or son. Even if they say nothing they still are looking out of the corner of their eyes to see if we are paying attention … because their world revolves around them. When we become adults the attention shifts or at least it should. We are not the center any longer. Life doesn’t revolve around us any longer. It is our responsibility to be the caregiver, the one who pays attention to the needs of others, whose focus is squarely on those around us, those that have been given over to our care. We are the shepherd or should I say, the under-shepherd. We are under the authority of the True Shepherd. The flock belongs to God, but he has entrusted it into our care. We are to be faithful in all matters and if there is any glory, any recognition, any honor to be received it will be God who brings it … no matter who might be looking at us while we serve God’s flock.
Prayer: There are times, O Lord, that I see only myself … my needs, my wants, my wishes, my desires … to the detriment of the responsibility that you have given to me. I have failed you. I failed your flock. I failed to be faithful. Please forgive me and restore me to your Promised Land. In the name of Jesus the restorer. Amen.
Further reflection from Together in Solitude by Douglas V. Steere
“Ministers of the gospel have many occupational hazards and diseases and these have frequently been diagnosed with telling power. But all too seldom have the ministers been reminded of the unmatched spiritual opportunity that has been almost uniquely lavished on them by God, namely the opportunity of being confronted hour after hour with human problems that are utterly beyond their own strength to unravel, and which drive them back to listen for, and to draw upon a deeper wisdom and strength than they are able in themselves to supply. How often are ministers drawn back into the supernatural life of God, back into what Tauler calls ‘suffering in God’ by their own weakness and the sheer abysmal personal needs of those who call on them for help?”
The Struggle: The scriptures and the reflective reading hit at the heart of my own journey. Ministry is a constant reminder for me of my own failings and shortcomings. It continues to be a source that illustrates my inadequacy. I was raised in an environment that instilled in me to be “the problem solver,” “the one with answers,” “the take charge person”. Over and over and over again being in ministry simply reminds me of my “inhumanness” … less than God had created me to be. So, once again I am picking up the responsibility of pasturing a church. Once again I am having the mantle of shepherd placed upon my shoulders. Once again I am accepting the duties to be the one who stands in the gap for a people. Once again … I do it with great trepidation because I know my own inadequacies. The struggle is to keep my spirit focused on God, giving him the glory for all things and in all things. I must rely on him for all things and keep my ghosts of failure buried in the scriptures and under the blanket of prayer. I need the True Shepherd’s help to keep my eye on the prize and run this race with a faithful heart.
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us –attr. to Dorothy A. Thrupp
Early let us seek thy favor,
Early let us do thy will.
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With they love our bosoms fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-11
Here Peter writes instructions to the human shepherds who are responsible for God’s flock. We are to serve this flock with humility and care not looking after our own welfare, but what is best for the flock. If we are faithful in the task that is set before us God will bring the glory and we will be restored.
Reflection: We are always looking over our shoulders, especially when we are much younger, to see who is paying attention. “Look at me, daddy,” says our daughter or son. Even if they say nothing they still are looking out of the corner of their eyes to see if we are paying attention … because their world revolves around them. When we become adults the attention shifts or at least it should. We are not the center any longer. Life doesn’t revolve around us any longer. It is our responsibility to be the caregiver, the one who pays attention to the needs of others, whose focus is squarely on those around us, those that have been given over to our care. We are the shepherd or should I say, the under-shepherd. We are under the authority of the True Shepherd. The flock belongs to God, but he has entrusted it into our care. We are to be faithful in all matters and if there is any glory, any recognition, any honor to be received it will be God who brings it … no matter who might be looking at us while we serve God’s flock.
Prayer: There are times, O Lord, that I see only myself … my needs, my wants, my wishes, my desires … to the detriment of the responsibility that you have given to me. I have failed you. I failed your flock. I failed to be faithful. Please forgive me and restore me to your Promised Land. In the name of Jesus the restorer. Amen.
Further reflection from Together in Solitude by Douglas V. Steere
“Ministers of the gospel have many occupational hazards and diseases and these have frequently been diagnosed with telling power. But all too seldom have the ministers been reminded of the unmatched spiritual opportunity that has been almost uniquely lavished on them by God, namely the opportunity of being confronted hour after hour with human problems that are utterly beyond their own strength to unravel, and which drive them back to listen for, and to draw upon a deeper wisdom and strength than they are able in themselves to supply. How often are ministers drawn back into the supernatural life of God, back into what Tauler calls ‘suffering in God’ by their own weakness and the sheer abysmal personal needs of those who call on them for help?”
The Struggle: The scriptures and the reflective reading hit at the heart of my own journey. Ministry is a constant reminder for me of my own failings and shortcomings. It continues to be a source that illustrates my inadequacy. I was raised in an environment that instilled in me to be “the problem solver,” “the one with answers,” “the take charge person”. Over and over and over again being in ministry simply reminds me of my “inhumanness” … less than God had created me to be. So, once again I am picking up the responsibility of pasturing a church. Once again I am having the mantle of shepherd placed upon my shoulders. Once again I am accepting the duties to be the one who stands in the gap for a people. Once again … I do it with great trepidation because I know my own inadequacies. The struggle is to keep my spirit focused on God, giving him the glory for all things and in all things. I must rely on him for all things and keep my ghosts of failure buried in the scriptures and under the blanket of prayer. I need the True Shepherd’s help to keep my eye on the prize and run this race with a faithful heart.
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us –attr. to Dorothy A. Thrupp
Early let us seek thy favor,
Early let us do thy will.
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With they love our bosoms fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Trying to discern between the voice of the Good Shepherd out of all the voices demanding our attention
(This blog was originally posted on May 12th but because of technical difficults it had to be reposted)
It is one thing to hear the Shepherd. It is an entirely different thing to heed what you hear. Failing to respond to the Shepherd’s voice is dangerous. We place our very soul in peril. In Psalm 80 once again we witness Israel crying out to be rescued. They had failed to follow the guidelines for living as faithful people and ended up in trouble. This was repeated continuously in their history. Unfortunately, we are no different than the Israelites. The True Shepherd, the Good Shepherd, the ever present caring Shepherd always comes and always rescues and always restores us to the Promised Land, aka an ongoing relationship with himself.
Scripture: John 10:1-18
Jesus shares the difference between the good shepherd and the bad shepherd. One comes to protect and lead the sheep; the other comes to rob and kill. One the sheep will follow; the other the sheep will run away from. One brings life; the other brings destruction.
Reflection: Oh, the voices! Oh, the multiple and varied voices … each demand, expecting, requiring that we do it their way. Each voice offers an inviting and interesting alternative to what is happening in our life at the present. Each voice gets our attention for a season. Yet, we soon discover that we are being manipulated not for our benefit, but for the benefit of the one speaking. Sometimes we make this discovery too late. There is a personal cost to following the wrong advice, heeding the wrong voice, accepting the direction of the wrong individual. Unfortunately, we make this discovery only when the land goes dry, we are in bondage to a horrible way of thinking and living. Only the True Shepherd brings life, abundant life.
Prayer: Help us gracious Shepherd to so hear your voice that it drowns out the competing voices for our attention. May we live so close to you that our thoughts will be your thoughts, our feelings will be your feelings, and our ways will be your ways. In the name of the way of life, Jesus Christ himself. Amen
Further reflection from Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado
“When God became flesh and was the victim of an assassination attempt before he was two years old, he didn’t give up. When the people from his own home town tried to push him over a cliff, he didn’t give up. When his brothers ridiculed him, he didn’t give up. When he was accused of blaspheming God by people who didn’t fear God, he didn’t give up…. God would give up his only son before he’d give up on you.”
The Struggle: Haven’t each of us always wanted to do the right thing? But, our own personal agendas and our own personal desires and our own personal opinions have gotten in the way. That is why we are so attracted to the bleating of bad shepherds. On the surface it sounds great. On the surface it appears to be correct and true. On the surface … but then we turn around and we are in trouble. The real struggle, at least for me, is discerning the voice of the True Shepherd from all the voices that continuously sound off in my ear. Our hearts are in the right place. Our intentions are worthy. Our desires and hopes are praise worthy … but our actions often trip us up because we are listening to the wrong shepherds.
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us – attr. to Dorothy A. Thrupp
Early let us seek thy favor,
Early let us do thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With thy love our bosoms fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
It is one thing to hear the Shepherd. It is an entirely different thing to heed what you hear. Failing to respond to the Shepherd’s voice is dangerous. We place our very soul in peril. In Psalm 80 once again we witness Israel crying out to be rescued. They had failed to follow the guidelines for living as faithful people and ended up in trouble. This was repeated continuously in their history. Unfortunately, we are no different than the Israelites. The True Shepherd, the Good Shepherd, the ever present caring Shepherd always comes and always rescues and always restores us to the Promised Land, aka an ongoing relationship with himself.
Scripture: John 10:1-18
Jesus shares the difference between the good shepherd and the bad shepherd. One comes to protect and lead the sheep; the other comes to rob and kill. One the sheep will follow; the other the sheep will run away from. One brings life; the other brings destruction.
Reflection: Oh, the voices! Oh, the multiple and varied voices … each demand, expecting, requiring that we do it their way. Each voice offers an inviting and interesting alternative to what is happening in our life at the present. Each voice gets our attention for a season. Yet, we soon discover that we are being manipulated not for our benefit, but for the benefit of the one speaking. Sometimes we make this discovery too late. There is a personal cost to following the wrong advice, heeding the wrong voice, accepting the direction of the wrong individual. Unfortunately, we make this discovery only when the land goes dry, we are in bondage to a horrible way of thinking and living. Only the True Shepherd brings life, abundant life.
Prayer: Help us gracious Shepherd to so hear your voice that it drowns out the competing voices for our attention. May we live so close to you that our thoughts will be your thoughts, our feelings will be your feelings, and our ways will be your ways. In the name of the way of life, Jesus Christ himself. Amen
Further reflection from Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado
“When God became flesh and was the victim of an assassination attempt before he was two years old, he didn’t give up. When the people from his own home town tried to push him over a cliff, he didn’t give up. When his brothers ridiculed him, he didn’t give up. When he was accused of blaspheming God by people who didn’t fear God, he didn’t give up…. God would give up his only son before he’d give up on you.”
The Struggle: Haven’t each of us always wanted to do the right thing? But, our own personal agendas and our own personal desires and our own personal opinions have gotten in the way. That is why we are so attracted to the bleating of bad shepherds. On the surface it sounds great. On the surface it appears to be correct and true. On the surface … but then we turn around and we are in trouble. The real struggle, at least for me, is discerning the voice of the True Shepherd from all the voices that continuously sound off in my ear. Our hearts are in the right place. Our intentions are worthy. Our desires and hopes are praise worthy … but our actions often trip us up because we are listening to the wrong shepherds.
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us – attr. to Dorothy A. Thrupp
Early let us seek thy favor,
Early let us do thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With thy love our bosoms fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Can the True Shepherd forgive me yet again?
Can anyone of us remember when we discovered our name? Probably not, but we soon discovered how important it was to have those around us call us by our name. We delighted in hearing it. We repeated it often. There was real joy to be experienced ... all in and through just our name. The true shepherd knows the name of each and everyone of his sheep. He knows my name and yours. He calls us by our name. He knows me … peace rolls down our soul like a mighty river.
Scripture: Jeremiah 31:10-34
Israel, because of their wicked ways, is scattered, but here is a promise from God that God will gather his children once again to him, forgive their wickedness, make a new covenant with them, be there God and restore the Promised Land for them.
Reflection: There are times that most of us feel that we have been so bad that God just couldn’t forgive us ... especially for the umpteenth time for the exact same stupid mistake. When will we learn? And why do we have that overriding sense that we can reach a point that God will not forgive us? Because we have experienced the unforgiving nature of our fellow human beings. Once the unforgiveness of others is experienced it is hard to unlearn that lesson and easily transfer the same nature over to God. Yet, God operates from a different standard. God is quick to forgive. God is constantly ready to restore. God is forever drawing his straying sheep back into the fold.
Prayer: Eternal and True Shepherd, we have strayed far from your love. We have followed our own desires. We have longed for the freedom of “doing it our way.” We have pursued our own appetites and have fallen victim to our devices. Thank you for the promise that no matter how bad we might have been nor how far we might have wandered from your love and protection you will always bring us back. Thank you for being there. In the name of the only true and faithful shepherd, Jesus Christ himself. Amen
Further reflection from Therese of Lisieux
“If I did not simply live from one moment to the next, it would be impossible for me to keep my patience. I can see only the present, I forget the past and I take good care not to think about the future. We get discouraged and feel despair because we brood about the past and the future. It is such follow to pass one’s time fretting, instead of resting quietly on the heart of Jesus.”
The Struggle: My biggest struggle is taking over. God leads me to a situation. Blesses me beyond my wildest imagination. I say “thank you God” and then begin to take charge, make suggestions, alter the divine plan to suit my ideas … and every time I end up shooting myself in the foot. I need to learn to live in the moment, trust God to bring the glory and be faithful to my call to be the under-shepherd. God knows my name. I know that. God knows my future. I know that too. God has a perfect plan for all that is before me. I believe that … now comes the challenge to trust what I already know.
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us –attr. to Dorothy A. Thrupp
Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse and power to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
We will early turn to thee.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
We will early turn to thee.
Scripture: Jeremiah 31:10-34
Israel, because of their wicked ways, is scattered, but here is a promise from God that God will gather his children once again to him, forgive their wickedness, make a new covenant with them, be there God and restore the Promised Land for them.
Reflection: There are times that most of us feel that we have been so bad that God just couldn’t forgive us ... especially for the umpteenth time for the exact same stupid mistake. When will we learn? And why do we have that overriding sense that we can reach a point that God will not forgive us? Because we have experienced the unforgiving nature of our fellow human beings. Once the unforgiveness of others is experienced it is hard to unlearn that lesson and easily transfer the same nature over to God. Yet, God operates from a different standard. God is quick to forgive. God is constantly ready to restore. God is forever drawing his straying sheep back into the fold.
Prayer: Eternal and True Shepherd, we have strayed far from your love. We have followed our own desires. We have longed for the freedom of “doing it our way.” We have pursued our own appetites and have fallen victim to our devices. Thank you for the promise that no matter how bad we might have been nor how far we might have wandered from your love and protection you will always bring us back. Thank you for being there. In the name of the only true and faithful shepherd, Jesus Christ himself. Amen
Further reflection from Therese of Lisieux
“If I did not simply live from one moment to the next, it would be impossible for me to keep my patience. I can see only the present, I forget the past and I take good care not to think about the future. We get discouraged and feel despair because we brood about the past and the future. It is such follow to pass one’s time fretting, instead of resting quietly on the heart of Jesus.”
The Struggle: My biggest struggle is taking over. God leads me to a situation. Blesses me beyond my wildest imagination. I say “thank you God” and then begin to take charge, make suggestions, alter the divine plan to suit my ideas … and every time I end up shooting myself in the foot. I need to learn to live in the moment, trust God to bring the glory and be faithful to my call to be the under-shepherd. God knows my name. I know that. God knows my future. I know that too. God has a perfect plan for all that is before me. I believe that … now comes the challenge to trust what I already know.
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us –attr. to Dorothy A. Thrupp
Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse and power to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
We will early turn to thee.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
We will early turn to thee.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Day 2 of struggling with the ramifications of God as the Good Shepherd
God is our shepherd. Slowly that sinks in. Israel came to see God as their shepherd. The early followers of Jesus saw Jesus as their shepherd. We are motivated to seek out a good shepherd, but to do that means that we are in a position to hear his voice, realize his protection and agree to his presence in our life. The good shepherd’s voice is known to the sheep, his staff is calming and as he walks among us we can live with the calming assurance of his shadow upon our backs and the sound of his footsteps is pleasing to our ears.
Scripture: Ezekiel 11:14-21
Ezekiel proclaims a word from God to the scattered people of Israel. It is a word of restoration. It is a word of promise. It is a word of faithfulness. It is word that the people will once again be gathered together in the Promised Land and God will be their God.
Reflection: The Psalm for this week (Psalm 80) also has an overriding theme of restoration. It is easy to get lost in this world. Our attention is demanded by competing sources. Our energy is divided among a variety of activities and we remain tired. The news media brings the constant stream of information to our attention and we are overwhelmed. The 24/7 of life almost becomes more than we can honestly deal with. Our souls cry out for a shepherd, for one voice that makes sense, for a single source of possibility and purpose. It is easy to get lost in this world. There is a desire to be restored … to restore some sense of purpose … to restore a standing among the people … to restore a sound foundation in world that appears to be coming apart. We need a shepherd. We need and desire a good shepherd!
Prayer: Gracious Parent, you know me better than I know myself. I am painfully aware that I need your guidance, your shepherding. Restoration sounds good, but that means you demand and expect my 24/7 attention, commitment, surrender and loyalty. Help me from going astray. Amen.
Further reflection from Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado
“And though God’s people often forgot their God, God didn’t forget them. He kept his word…. He never gives up. When Joseph was dropped into a pit by his own brothers, God didn’t give up. When Moses said, ‘Here I am, send Aaron,’ God didn’t give up. When the delivered Israelites wanted Egyptian slavery instead of milk and honey, God didn’t give up.”
The Struggle: I am my own man. I’ve worked hard to achieve my independence. I longed for it. I prayed for it. I wished for it … and all the while I’ve prayed for your will, your purpose, your direction … and when it comes I begin to question the wisdom of what I asked for because I have to give up being my own person, my independence. I don’t’ do that easily thus the struggle that causes me to lose sleep (I am back into my sleep for 4 hours, up for 2 and then back down for 2 cycle). As the plaque that my wife gave me several years ago states: Give God the night shift. I have to learn to trust the shepherd as he is the one who restores, he is the one who gathers, he is the one who brings success … he is the shepherd.
Like a Shepherd Lead Us – attr. to Dorothy A. Thrupp
We are thine, do thou befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear, O hear us, when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear, O hear us, when we pray.
Scripture: Ezekiel 11:14-21
Ezekiel proclaims a word from God to the scattered people of Israel. It is a word of restoration. It is a word of promise. It is a word of faithfulness. It is word that the people will once again be gathered together in the Promised Land and God will be their God.
Reflection: The Psalm for this week (Psalm 80) also has an overriding theme of restoration. It is easy to get lost in this world. Our attention is demanded by competing sources. Our energy is divided among a variety of activities and we remain tired. The news media brings the constant stream of information to our attention and we are overwhelmed. The 24/7 of life almost becomes more than we can honestly deal with. Our souls cry out for a shepherd, for one voice that makes sense, for a single source of possibility and purpose. It is easy to get lost in this world. There is a desire to be restored … to restore some sense of purpose … to restore a standing among the people … to restore a sound foundation in world that appears to be coming apart. We need a shepherd. We need and desire a good shepherd!
Prayer: Gracious Parent, you know me better than I know myself. I am painfully aware that I need your guidance, your shepherding. Restoration sounds good, but that means you demand and expect my 24/7 attention, commitment, surrender and loyalty. Help me from going astray. Amen.
Further reflection from Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado
“And though God’s people often forgot their God, God didn’t forget them. He kept his word…. He never gives up. When Joseph was dropped into a pit by his own brothers, God didn’t give up. When Moses said, ‘Here I am, send Aaron,’ God didn’t give up. When the delivered Israelites wanted Egyptian slavery instead of milk and honey, God didn’t give up.”
The Struggle: I am my own man. I’ve worked hard to achieve my independence. I longed for it. I prayed for it. I wished for it … and all the while I’ve prayed for your will, your purpose, your direction … and when it comes I begin to question the wisdom of what I asked for because I have to give up being my own person, my independence. I don’t’ do that easily thus the struggle that causes me to lose sleep (I am back into my sleep for 4 hours, up for 2 and then back down for 2 cycle). As the plaque that my wife gave me several years ago states: Give God the night shift. I have to learn to trust the shepherd as he is the one who restores, he is the one who gathers, he is the one who brings success … he is the shepherd.
Like a Shepherd Lead Us – attr. to Dorothy A. Thrupp
We are thine, do thou befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear, O hear us, when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear, O hear us, when we pray.
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