Welcome One Another

4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b] on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing the praises of your name.”[c]

10 Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”[d]

11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
    let all the peoples extol him.”[e]

12 And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up,
    one who will arise to rule over the nations;
    in him the Gentiles will hope.”[f]

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.    - Romans 15:4-13

Even in the best of times the work of unity, the efforts for harmony, and the toils toward peace often prove difficult. Why is that human beings make this process harder than it has to be? Despite the best intentions, ancient practices of isolation and exclusion continue to demolish any attempt made at building unity. Recently I came across Romans 15 and its method for eradicating the primal traditions of segregation and rejection, which is to simply make one another feel welcome.

While most others turn to self-help books for transcendental support, Romans 15 urges brothers and sisters in Christ to turn God's word for guidance on conflict resolution and administering justice. For God's word is full of the resolute encouragement we need when despair threatens to tear away at our unity. Moreover, Romans 15 indicates that God is glorified by our worship only when harmony permeates in and among the body of God's church.   

Sure there are times when extending our welcome seems impossible. However, Romans 15 declares that Christ's death and resurrection already secured the most difficult welcome of all. And by doing so Christ not only made it possible to welcome us, but made it feasible for us to welcome each other as well. Having not the mind of a master, Romans 15 says disciples would do well to follow Christ's example and extend their welcome with the heart of servant.

Because Christ fulfills promises of past, present, and future; Romans 15 declares that Gentiles and all undesirables now have a seat at Christ's table. In response to such a gracious welcome, Romans 15 urges disciples to the let our unending praise become both a thanks to God and a witness to others for all that God has done in our lives. Built on faith, Romans 15 says our praise and witness gives us the hope we need to welcome Christ's rule over our lives.

For it is our hope that will protect us when grief and suffering seek to stop the melody of our song or dim the glow of our witness. No where in Romans 15 do we read that with faith comes despair and anxiety. Instead, Ro 15 reminds us that joy and peace will always accompany faith. Ro 15 concludes by saying genuine hope is a hope that doesn't stay small for long. Rather, true hope is a hope that constantly grows with each new day. Whether it be joy, peace, or hope; Romans 15 says it is the Holy Spirit that makes all things grow inside us.

So this week let us reaffirm our commitment to the cause of unity by extending the reach of our welcome. Remember, it's never as hard as it seems. What's hard is a life consumed with turmoil and division. What's difficult is a table with no place to sit. Our world aches for peace if only for one minute. Our neighbors desire a place to sit down if only for one meal. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we can deliver the peace our world needs and supply the fellowship our neighbors crave; and it starts when we welcome one another.   

CJE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simon Says

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 

47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”- LUKE 7:36-50

Good morning. I want to start our time this morning by reminiscing about the games we use to play as children. Growing up, I can recall countless summer days playing red light-green light, king of the hill, and hide-n-seek with other kids on my street.

Then there was the game, “Simon Says.” Regardless of where you were born, I have to believe that all of us played Simon Says at some point in our childhoods. If you recall, one person is designated as Simon, while everyone else are the players. Standing in front of the group, Simon tells players what they MUST do.

However, the players must only obey commands that begin with the words "Simon Says." If Simon says, "Simon says touch your nose," then players must touch their nose. But, if Simon simply says, "jump," without first saying "Simon says," players must not jump. Those that do jump are out.

One must follow Simon’s directions to stay in the game for as long as possible. The last player standing wins and becomes the next Simon. You see when you become Simon; your objective is to try to dupe the players to follow your commands when they shouldn’t. History is filled with examples of many anxious to play such a game.

For as long as there have been those with power and those without, there have been bullies duping the weak into meeting their demands through threat and intimidation. As long as there have been rich and poor, there has been wealthy tricking the needy into accepting lesser pay and fewer benefits.

And with regard to our story this morning, as long as there have been male and female there have been men conning women into believing they were second-class citizens, unworthy of love and respect. In Luke 7, we read about one woman’s struggle to survive when she enters the home of Simon, a Pharisee, in search of Jesus.

Initially, Simon invited Jesus to dinner not to trap him in contradictory rhetoric, but rather to see if Jesus really was who the prophets spoke of.  When Jesus takes his place at the table, however, this woman makes her way to Jesus carrying an alabaster jar of ointment. Unable to contain the pain and the grief any longer, her tears soak Jesus’ feet and she uses her hair to dry them. She then proceeds to kiss Jesus’ feet while anointing them with the ointment.

Here it is important to ask, what caused this woman to weep? Most would point only to her sin as the source of her tears. However, I would suggest that the weight of her sin comprised only a part of her grief. Besides her sin, this woman had suffered the torment that comes with being rejected and excluded from her community.

In verse 37, Luke describes her as, “a woman of the city.” You see she was no longer someone’s daughter, no longer someone’s mother, no longer someone’s wife; only a woman of the city abandoned by the very institutions that had the resources to redeem her. Who knows how many doors were slammed in her face? Who knows how many nights she went hungry?

Ultimately, the one place is she welcome is the street, among the forsaken people like herself. Simon clearly showed little understanding, and even less appreciation for the hardships endured by this woman. Simon’s concern is not for this grieving woman, but with the fact that that Jesus doesn’t expel her from his presence.

In this woman there is an ancient desire stirring that has been a desire of all women down through history. Though our generation has managed to put a rover on Mars, we seem unable to keep many women today from bearing terrible hardships few men could endure. Whether they are victims of scarce justice where their male assailants can serve just 3 months in prison for violating them. Or they are casualties of doubled standards of Christian universities who expel unwed females students who get pregnant, while unwed fathers go on to graduate.

Then there is the case of my own mother.  In 1982, my mom just 27 years old and a unit clerk at a local hospital. At the time she was pregnant with Marcus and going over some paperwork to prepare for maternity leave. Amongst the stack of papers was a letter of resignation where my mom was told she had to resign from job upon starting her maternity leave.

My mom was told that she could reapply for job, but her employer could not guarantee a job be available when she able to return to work. The employer saw this young 27-year-old woman thinking they could run over her without any resistance. Clearly, this employer did not know Amy Ewing very well. Because Amy Ewing was a woman would let herself be run over.

My mom proceeded to compose a letter to administrators a couple levels about her own boss. In the letter, my mom pointed several of the unethical practices of a policy that penalized women for being pregnant including the fact none her male co-workers were asked to sign a letter of resignation when their wives gave birth.

Eventually, my mom was able to secure a job for after giving birth to Marcus. However, she was not able to return to old post, but had to float between departments as unit clerk. Hearing my mom tell this story makes me want to encourage all young women in high school and college to consider going to law school so as to defend young women who are led to believe unjust treatment is just the way it is.

What the woman in Luke 7 wanted is what all women living in a world that largely ignores them want, and that is a community of forgiven and forgiving sinners. A community of reconciled and reconciling offenders.  A community of redeemed and redeeming delinquents.

So how can we create and sustain such a community? Well much of it will depend on how we speak to one another and how we talk to the Cheviot/Westwood community at large. And with that being the case, allow me to review a breakdown of basic grammar.

Lets begin the term, Participle. According to Webster’s dictionary, a participle is a form of a verb that is used to indicate a past or present action and that can also be used like an adjective. Now what is an adjective is a word that says something about a noun or pronoun Finally, what is a noun? A noun is a word or phrase that is the name of something (as a person, place, or thing).

So if you and I are the noun, and forgive, reconcile, and redeem represent both the action taking place and a description of those participating in the action; then we must conclude that the verb and the adjective, the action and the description are eternally inseparable. You see one cannot be forgiven and remain vengeful. One cannot be reconciled and stay divisive. One cannot be redeemed and keep on rejecting others.

It is preposterous to think that by obtaining one’s own forgiveness, he or she somehow can eliminate their obligation to participate in the practice of forgiving. It is outlandish to believe that by procuring one’s own reconciliation, he or she in some way can reject their responsibility in contributing to the mission of reconciling. It is ridiculous to assume that by acquiring one’s own redemption, he or she somehow can abolish their duty to be about the business of redeeming. 

These holy participles and their suffixes teach us that the past actions of Jesus Christ should describe not only my present behavior, but come to encompass my entire identity. If it is by Christ’s death I am forgiven, then I am one who expresses their gratitude for being alive by my willingness to forgive the worst of wrongs.

If it is by Christ’s burial I am reconciled, then I am one who demonstrates their appreciation for existing by my readiness to reconcile the deepest of divides. If it is by Christ’s resurrection I am redeemed, then I am one who shows their thankfulness for breathing by my eagerness to redeem the sorriest of souls.

You might say to yourself that such a community of healing and restoration sounds too good to be true and given the state of our world I don’t blame you. However, I still believe that God’s church can be that community for women and all marginalized peoples looking for solace and refuge.

Though traditionally imperfect, God’s church can still be that community where women are safe from attack and degradation. Though historically flawed, God’s Church can still be that community where women are endowed with worth and purpose in advancing God’s kingdom. Just as God’s kingdom is not your average kingdom, neither is God’s church your average church for it declares to women and all the ignored peoples of the earth, “You are welcome here.”

Now within God’s church, its husbands and fathers are charged with a special responsibility. It is incumbent upon husbands and fathers to not let more than a week go by without telling their wife and daughters just how beautiful they are. It is required of husbands and fathers to not allow more than a couple hours pass without telling their wife and daughters just how much they love them.

I may not be married and I may not have a daughter, but even I know that wives and daughters cannot hear enough of words like beautiful and love. Moreover, I am convinced that some of the most egregious errors committed by husbands and fathers are moments when they let beauty go unnoticed and times when they let love go unsaid. Because if they don’t hear it from those who love them, then I promise you there are countless Simons out there ready to tell them the exact opposite.

Just watch a commercial sometime or flip through the latest style magazine and you’ll see the Simons of the world say to them that “you’ll never be as pretty as her unless you have this or do that.” With shame as their ally, the Simons of the world won’t hesitate telling them, “Why even bother? Who could ever love you after what’ve you done.”

 Now if anything stands in the way of God’s church embodying this community, it is when men and women allow their lives and their faith to be defined by what Simon says. You see Simon says there is no loosening the past from around our necks.  Simon says that what you were… is what you are and….it is what you will always be….a sinner.

Living by what Simon says is precisely what causes some to distance themselves from struggling people so as to “defend” the cause of righteousness. Living by what Simon says is exactly what makes others give up in desperation because their past gives them no reason to hope.

And herein lies the message of Luke 7 that you need to hear this morning. For if there was one thing I would want you to remember this morning, then I would want you to remember that it is precisely in our most desperate moments when Jesus speaks up. In periods of disease, we can close our eyes and hear say Jesus, “…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

In stretches of poverty, we can be still and hear Jesus say, “…do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

In times of loss, we can lift our heads and hear Jesus say, “…Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me.2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

And so it was in this moment of despair in Luke 7 that Jesus spoke up not only for the sinful woman at his feet, but for all of us saying, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” It is at this point I believe Simon started sweating profusely. Luke 7 makes it quite clear that those who mistreat and degrade women put themselves on the wrong side of Jesus. And take it from Simon; that is not the side you want to be on.

Of course, Jesus did not have the time to speak on every crazy situation brought to him. However, I find it remarkable how often Jesus chose to speak up when women are being attacked or rejected. Besides our story in Luke 7, there is the account of the ostracized Samaritan woman in John 4 that Steve talked about last week, and then there is the woman caught in adultery who stood on the verge of death in John 8.

I might be speculating on this point, but I believe Jesus’s deep concern for persecuted women arose out of his own childhood. Because though most believers revered Mary, I suspect Jesus heard an equal number of non-believers heap every kind of slander and abuse on Mary and her ridiculous claim of a “virgin” birth. Even though Mary was faithful and never committed adultery, I believe when Jesus asks Simon to look upon this woman’s suffering that he was subtly asking Simon to look upon a piece of his own mother’s heartache.   

Therefore, Jesus takes the opportunity to teach Simon a new game with an entirely different set of rules. A game whose objective is not duping its players to follow commands they shouldn’t, but a game whose objective is encouraging its players to follow commands they should. And you can probably guess as to what this game is called…Jesus says.  

Using the parable of the two debtors, Jesus says that this sinful woman was forgiven much not because she judged much or suppressed much, but because she loved much. For the commendable quality of this woman was not only her profound faith, but her deep love.

 Now if what Simon says hinders God’s church from being a safe and purpose-driven community, then its success is surely found when what Jesus says directs the lives and faith of men and women in God’s church. For Jesus says it is I who can loosening the past from around our necks. 

Though Simon is concerned with telling us what we were, Jesus is focused on telling us who we are. Jesus says that who you were… is not WHO YOU ARE and …who you can become… my daughter…my son. Jesus says that just because that’s the way it was…or that’s the way it is…doesn’t mean that’s the way it has to stay.

Rather then distancing ourselves, living by what Jesus says is precisely what causes us to move toward one another with forgiveness and a blessing of peace. Rather than us giving up, living by what Jesus says is exactly what keeps us going because our hope now has a future.

This morning my encouragement to all of us this is week is to stop playing Simon’s game meant to trap us. Instead, let this be the week we start playing the Savior’s game intended to liberate us.  Les we stop giving power to the Simons of the world who rule over our past. Rather, let this be the week we give control to the Lord who holds sway over the future.

In deciding which game to play, I suppose the question we need to ask is, “which do I want? My past or a future?” And while you think about your answer, you should know that God has already made his choice. Long ago the Lord proclaimed to Jeremiah, “…For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” So when it comes to deciding between dwelling in our past or pressing on toward the future, we as disciples of Christ should choose the future that God has to offer.

And if it is a future we want, then as God’s church let us gather up all vestiges of racism and sexism, and leave them at the doorstep of the past. If it is a future we desire, then as God’s church let us collect all remnants of violence and degradation, and set such garbage on curb for the past to come and pick up. If it is a future we seek, then as God’s church let us collect all traces of oppression and suppression, and return them to the past in exchange for something that works.

There may be some here this morning exhausted from having their life governed according to what the Simons of the world say. Perhaps you don’t know who talk to, or you’re not even sure whom you can trust. If we’ve absorbed anything from Luke 7 this morning, it is that you can trust Jesus. We’ve also learned to give no weight to Simon’s harsh judgments, and instead rest on the sturdiness of Jesus’ promises.

While Jesus’ promise are many, I want to review the three that appeared in Luke 7. First, when there is one to defend us, Jesus promises to speak up for us. Second, when there is no one to notice us, Jesus promises to see us. Finally, when everyone else abandons us, Jesus promises to be with us to the end…no matter what Simon says.

CJE

PSA 2: Not Everyone Likes Dogs

It's time for another "important" PSA. For the many who are unaware, not everyone likes dogs and I count myself as one of them. We might constitute a small minority, but we have a voice and should be heard :). All we ask is that you listen to our grievances and if possible do a better job of keeping your slobbering, germ carrying dog from invading our personal space.

What's so terrible about dogs? Well lets start with their cringing bark, which all dogs do no matter what their owner says. I've never heard a owner say to their dog, "Oh dog. You're bark is so beautiful and soothing. Please bark to me some more!" In reality, I constantly hear the owner shout at their dog saying, "Be quiet!" Now the solution is simple for those owners bothered by their dog's bark, don't have a dog. 

Second, dogs prevent their owners from enjoying the company of fellow human beings. I can't tell you how many times I'm having a great time with friends at a birthday party or social function, and they have to leave early because their dog needs to be taken for a walk or needs fed. Even worse, I've had friends who cancelled vacations because they couldn't find anyone to watch their dog. Again the answer is not complicated for those owners wanting to stay at the party longer or not miss their vacation, don't have a dog.

Finally, many dogs have access to more food and better healthcare than children wasting away in third-world poverty. While some might think this point ridiculous, it's a fact that there remain countless children in the world dying of hunger and disease while groceries keep their shelves stocked with dog food and pet pharmacies offer mail-order services so save the dog the hassle of waiting in line at their local pharmacy.

You see it's not that I am necessarily anti-dog, but rather I am pro-people. Is it so crazy to think that we should extinguish world hunger before we expanse the billion pet industry any further? Am I so insane to want my friends to value our friendship more the demands of pet ownership? Is it so outrageous that to want my yard filled with the song of the birds rather the shrill bark of a neighbor's dog.

Well I hope you've found this PSA helpful as pet owners and human enthusiasts look for ways to co-existence. And that's what it is really about, each group having a space they can occupy. So If I am willing to accept your abnormal desire for dog clothes or unhealthy inability to be away from your dog for more than a couple hours, then all I ask is that you keep your dog from licking my face after it has just licked its butt. Agreed?

CJE  

 

 

 

I'll Sing Once More

In that day you will say: “I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense[a]; he has become my salvation.”3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

4 In that day you will say:“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. 6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”    - Isaiah 12

Have you ever met a person who doesn't love music? Me either. No matter where you live or what you believe, everyone possesses the need for music and song. I've long believed that for every moment in life there is a song, and I'm pretty sure Van Morrison and Brian Wilson wrote all of them. Whether about love or pain, music is there to tell our story. Ever since the loss of Marcus and others, there have been moments when I couldn't hear the music, times when I couldn't sing the song.

This week I came across Isaiah 12 and I believe it was written precisely so that the music might keep playing while we keep singing. For no matter how great the loss, Isaiah 12 proclaims that the believer always has a song to sing. A song, according to Isaiah 12, that goes on endlessly about all that God has done for us. While I most certainly experience bad days on occasion, I want to resist seeing any of those as my worst day.

The more my relationship with God grows and evolves, the more I understand that my worst day would be the day God gave up on me and left me for good. However, Isaiah 12 declares that my worst day will never come thanks only to God's grace choosing to deny a right to vengeance for the sake of my salvation. According to Isaiah 12, this amazing grace always gives me a song to sing about a God who I can trust to be my comfort and strength. Ultimately, Isaiah 12 finds that it is one's trust in God that drives out all fear.

While our song to God is deeply personal, Isaiah 12 encourages us to share our song with the world as well. It is through our sonic witness that a desire in others to know God can begin to stir. In a world where far too often one hears about what Satan is doing, Isaiah 12 wants our song about what God has done to reach every corner of the earth. Whether good or bad, our circumstances must not keep us from singing longer and louder so that God's name might be lifted up high above our own.           

But what should the verses of our song be about? Whether it be setting the stars in place or making our heart beat for the first time, Isaiah 12 suggests a good opening verse could tell of His wonderful works. As for the chorus, Isaiah 12 recommends making mention of the undeniable truth that God makes joy possible. And when we are in need of a refrain, Isaiah 12 suggests referring to the incredible reality that God has chosen not to stay away, but to be among us. 

I'm not sure if you can hear the music right now, nor do I know if you've stopped singing. What I do know is that if I take time to comprehend God's grace, understand the joy He makes possible, and realize that God is right next to me; then I will always find a reason to sing. And despite times when my heart is lonely,  I can take my song into God's presence trusting I will be blessed with the sound of music and know I'll sing once more. 

CJE

The Wait Is Almost Over

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. - Matthew 4:17-23

Despite my best effort to wake from this terrible nightmare, Trump America is here and with it the installation of a "leader" who lacks any measure of remorse or compassion. And yet I am resolved to not let the approaching darkness extinguish my fire for reaching the forgotten and rejected, nor permit it to dim the glow of my hope for everlasting peace and widespread reconciliation. For no matter how the events of history unfold, Matthew 4 tells me that the kingdom of heaven draws closer with each passing day.

By referencing this scripture I do not mean to imply that the current administration will bring about the apocalypse. Rather, I find Matthew 4 both a support and a guide for all believers in times when the kingdom of heaven seems to be slipping away or in moments when we're unsure of how to respond to those we do not understand. With the help of Matthew 4 we can see the years ahead not as the end of the world, but as ushering in a new era of reconciliation and healing. 

Like the brothers Jesus came upon in Matthew 4, brothers and sisters in Christ become useful in service to the kingdom when engaged in common purpose. Regardless of blood or creed, I firmly believe that God designed an inherent impulse in all men and women to work together. And yet Matthew 4 reveals that committing to such important work is not easy. For such an effort demands sacrifice and trust of all who undertake it. For one pair of brothers it meant leaving behind their father, but for all the brothers it involved fully trusting in Jesus.

So what exactly is the nature of this important work that Jesus calls his Church to continue? Well it is clear that the rest of the world continues to engage in escalating acts of hate and intensifying incidents of isolation. However, Matthew 4 concludes with the understanding that the Church should be about the Kingdom work of teaching those who don't know, preaching to those who are not saved, and heal those who are not well. If we put our energy and effort into any enterprise other than the work of the kingdom, then we will have exhausted ourselves with nothing to show for our effort.

Now the work of kingdom may not grab headlines or make the evening news, but it is still worthy of our time and sweat. For I can't think of a better way to turn back the tide of hate than to bring one into the knowledge of God's love for the first time. I can't conceive of any greater means of defeating the powers of fear than to preach the hope cemented in Christ crucified. Nor do I know of any grander approach to eradicating the ills of partisan allegiances than healing EVERY disease and sickness. 

Despite maddening delays and heart breaking setbacks, those dedicated to work of the kingdom do not labor in vain. For each soul saved and every relationship reconciled brings more of the Kingdom into its fullness. Yet several times in a given week I find myself asking God, "What are you waiting for?" "How much more tragedy must we witness before you decide to come back?" In moments of quiet contemplation I hear Jesus reply, "the kingdom of heaven has come near," and a peaceful excitement comes over me knowing that the wait is almost over. 

CJE

 

 

 

 

 

 

The God Who Carries

7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised,  according to all the Lord has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.8 He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me”; and so he became their Savior.9 In all their distress he too was distressed,  and the angel of his presence saved them.[a]In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.  -Isaiah 63:7-9

Good morning. In recent years I’ve made a more concerted effort to meditate on the kindnesses of the Lord both in my quiet time and in my prayers. Like me, I’m sure all of us find that the more time we set our thoughts on such things, the more of His kindnesses the Lord reveals to us.

Whether they are grand kindnesses such providing a loving family and steadfast friendships or tiny kindnesses like giving quiet trails to walk and beautiful sunsets to behold. Yet for all of our thinking on the kindnesses of the Lord, Isaiah 63 convicts us by asking, “how often do we tell about them?” And the honest answer is not as often as we should. Perhaps it’s because we mistakenly assume that our individual collection of His kindnesses are sufficient, and therefore you have no need for my stories, nor do I possess a need for your stories.

Isaiah 63 corrects such thinking for not only are the Lord’s kindnesses big and small, they are many. Now I think all of us would agree that when it comes sustaining faith and hope in a broken world, one can’t hear enough of the kindnesses of the Lord in each other’s lives. Isaiah 63 also declares that the Lord’s greatest kindness was to make us His people. Compelled by His compassion, the Lord claimed us as His own with an unwavering confidence in our capacity for obedience and faithfulness. Now if the Lord of the universe believes in us, then just maybe we can believe can in ourselves.

And yet we know that are times when our own effort isn’t enough, moments when our own strength fails us. However, Isaiah 63 attests to the truth the kindnesses of the Lord remain. For the Lord is not unmoved by our heartache and kindly agrees to suffer with us, while also offering the promise of redemption made possible by His love and mercy.

So when heartache and suffering knocks us down and we feel like we can’t get up, Isaiah 63 assures us that kindness of the Lord will be there to pick us up. But neither does the kindness of the Lord stop there. For when grief and sorrow consume our strength and we feel like we can’t take another step, Isaiah 63 pledges it will be the kindness of the Lord that will carry us.

So this week I encourage all of us to not just think on the kindnesses of the Lord, but to tell of them to believer and non-believer alike. For the believer needs to be reminded, and the non-believer must know that we just don’t worship the God who lifts, we worship the God who carries.

CJE