April 13 Palm Sunday New Life Morning Glory

April 13, 2014 New Life – Morning Glory *Isaiah 50. 4-9a Pastor Jacqueline Hines

Palm Sunday has arrived. Even though we did not read the scripture lesson, today we remember Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. As he rode, crowds gathered and placed their coats and palm branches in front of him because the road was unpaved and dusty. They cheered Jesus, almost in spontaneous unison – like a sort of innocent flash mob, a joy-filled parade (slide #1 of a parade). They were happy as they remembered the blessings of Jesus’ ministry. They had been healed and helped in many ways. There was hope for the days ahead. The song they were singing was not easy to hear. It sounded like Hosanna, Hosanna which can mean save us. Save us now – for the people were so oppressed by government for the Romans were known to be cruel.

Surely, there is something we bring to the Lord today, something from which our hearts cry out to be saved.

The crowd also sang “blessed be the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” This was VERY clear. Everyone knew those words from Psalm 118 (slide # 2Psalm 118) written 1000 years before Jesus. They sang their hearts out, and they jumped for joy like little lambs. (slide #3 skipping lambs) (slide #4 more skipping lambs).

It was a time like no other in Jerusalem. EVERYBODY was happy. Jewish brothers and sisters from around the world were celebrating the Passover. It was a feast commemorating the day the blood of a sacrificial lamb was marked on the homes of those whom the angel of death PASSED OVER. It was the night the people of God made their exodus from Egypt – from slavery to freedom. The Lenten season is a season of liberation for us, too. It is a season of examining the suffering of Jesus as well as our own suffering as we wait for our liberation in every area that we need it.

Deliverance came surprisingly quick that Passover night; As the knock came at the door, noting we leave tonight, they barely had time to mix some bread for the journey; there was no time to wait for the bread to rise. That is why the feast of the Passover is also called the Feast of Unleavened bread or flat bread.

Those coming to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover traditionally brought lambs. for the priest to inspect and approve for the great feast; it was to be a male lamb, one-year old, of highest quality, perfect for a formal banquet, sparing no expense. God did not demand perfection for perfection’s sake; standards were set high, for anything less than the highest standard was understood to be an indication of half-heartedness and disrespect.

They were instructed to live with the little lamb for 4 days.  For four days the lamb lived in their homes or wherever they camped as one of the family – often three generations per home. They would all feed the lamb, cuddle it, and love it. When it was time to feast on the lamb at the banquet, it was sure to be a very emotional time as well as a time of great gratitude. (slide #5 lamb tied for sacrifice)

Thousands of pilgrims traveled long distances; it was practical to buy their lamb from the shepherds in Bethlehem, just two miles away.  One might well visualize a long parade of cute baby lambs.  (slide # 6 of a parade of lambs) on their way to Jerusalem. 

Some scholars suggest that Jesus did not just ride in to Jerusalem any old time, but he was a part of that procession of the lambs on their way to the Temple. The crowd cheered because they recognized him. Once you meet him, you can recognize him anywhere.

As he rode into Jerusalem, some must have recalled reading about this day predicted by the prophet Zechariah in chapter 9 which says “Your king is coming riding on a donkey,” a symbol of peace. If Jesus wanted to come into the city as a warrior, he would have ridden a horse, as Aubrey mentioned in his Lenten message on Wednesday.

This morning’s passage is from the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah had predictions of the life of Jesus in many more areas than Zechariah. Isaiah predicted the birth of Jesus as well as his brutal treatment by those who rejected his message. In this morning’s passage, Isaiah sees Jesus as a servant of God. Scholars call these type passages servant songs. We know about peace songs, love songs, silly songs and marching songs. Isaiah gives us servant songs that reflect the universal truth that there are those who serve God, royally and faithfully, no matter what the cost.

The crowd cheering and following Jesus as he rode knew him because he had served them sacrificially. He gave his all, even his very life. Today we also join the crowd. We too remember what the Lord has done for us when we needed him most, how he has served us with liberating truth and blessed assurance.

As the parade passes by, Isaiah is like a spectator on the third floor watching. For him Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is more like the festive Memorial Day parades we’ve seen. (slide # 7Memorial May parade) Songs of loyal patriots invoking God’s blessing are played by marching bands, flags are waving to celebrate, salutes are given to honor the brave returning from battle, and loud shouts are given proudly like sacred offerings to those who have put their lives on the line.

Jesus is the suffering servant coming now as an honored king for all to see. Isaiah describes the servant as one who is great, not because of wars fought and won but because every morning he gets his orders directly from for the heavenly father. The servant willing to suffer is trained military style to endure the faults of many and see their need. The suffering servant does not suffer for suffering’s sake but for the sake of the whole world. He is completely confident and absolutely trusting in God’s guidance and goodness, no matter what happens. What a feeling! Corrie Ten Boon, after all she went through, could say “No pit is so deep that God has not gone there before — and his love is deeper still.”

From time to time, we remind ourselves that there are lessons in our trials. That is ONLY partially true. The deep lessons from our suffering come when we are patient and keep our hearts open and vulnerable to hearing every word that comes from the mouth of God. Our VULNERABILITY positions us to experience GOD’S most vulnerable moment – the Cross. Hearing God’s gentle voice and loving direction in our most vulnerable moment makes our mornings glorious!

The loud shouts of hosannas sung that day are proof and inspiration that we are free to rise and celebrate because everything is going to be alright. Palm Sunday does carry with it moments with sighs too deep for words, blood, sweat, and some tears, but the sweet is sweeter than the bitter. The word "joy" is mentioned 6 times more than the word "sorrow" in the Bible. "Glad" is used 10 times more than the word "sad." (Barbara Brokhoff Sermons.com)

Isaiah wrote about a servant who said with confidence in verse 9, with everything I go through, “The Lord will help me” and if the Lord is with us, who can be against us? In the Hebrew language, the word for the one who helps the suffering servant and stands by the suffering servant is a legal term for the next-of-kin that stands by your side in a court of law, one who supports, defends, and encourages; an advocate and lawyer who never loses a case because they are just that good. It brings to mind Matlock and Perry Mason – who never lose a case. Isaiah gives the assurance in verse 9 that the adversaries and opponents will wear out and eventually decay like moth-eaten clothes. (Leonard Sweet)

Jesus knew the Lord would help him, though Jesus’ disciples denied him with a curse and betrayed him with a kiss. He intentionally joined the parade of peace with power struggles at every turn. He prearranged his participation in the procession of the lambs. He even sent the disciples to borrow a donkey. So we too, join him with grateful cheers and palms that remind us of our liberation and comfort in times of suffering.  

Thomas Ken was a contemporary of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. They both lived in the 1700’s. Thomas Ken was a bishop in the Anglican Church, but he is not remembered for that. He was once chaplain to Princess Mary at The Hague, but he is not remembered for that. He was once imprisoned in the Tower of London, but he is not remembered for that. He is remembered for four simple, great lines he wrote. They formed the last verse of his Morning Hymn. Later, they were in his Evening Hymn. Then he composed Midnight Hymn, and they are in that, as well. They are familiar to every Christian in the English speaking world. We sing them at nearly every worship service: (Barbara Brokhoff Sermons.com)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Praise Him all creatures here below;

Praise Him above ye heavenly host!

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

For thousands of years, men and women have been inspired to sing praises to God while joining others in the parade toward holiness.  Let the celebration begin! (slide #8 baseball high fives) Amen.

April 6 New Life - Down to the Bone

April 6 New Life – Down to the Bone *Ezekiel 37.1-14 Pastor Jacqueline Hines

Ezekiel was a prophet. His job was to speak the truth to people whose hearts were not right with God. When we look around this world it is clear to see that not everyone cares about being right with God as long as they are right with themselves. We can only hope to avoid being their victims. We can only hope that Lent will help US stay right with God.

In verse 1, Ezekiel testifies that the hand of the Lord came upon him and he was driven into a valley of dry bones. Some versions translate Ezekiel  as saying not simply that the Lord’s hand was upon him but that the Lord GRABBED him, or TOOK HOLD of him, indicating an urgency and fervor in what was about to take place in this valley. Oh yes, have we not felt that God has burst into our lives and drove us straight to a valley where despair and despondency was the order of the day, where we put our head down or our hands up, without preaching, praying, practicing or singing for what seemed like a long, long time, where we pondered the question, “Can THESE bones live?” (slide # 1  Can These Bones Live)

National Geographic had an article showing the bones of elephants. (slide #2 Elephant with tusks).  It told about the underground, organized crime world of illegal poachers, and smugglers who cruelly kill elephants for their tusks. Tusks are teeth that grow out and curl up. They are, for animals, a multipurpose tool and a source of protection. There are other animals like these whales (slide # 3 Whales with tusks) that have tusks, but elephants have the nicest tusks to work with for jewelers, architects, and designers. Thanks to the United Nations, we no longer use animal tusks to make piano keys, pool balls, buttons, or jewelry because removing an animal’s teeth for pleasure is universally considered cruel.  We can picture a valley with thousands of dry elephant bones parched by the noon-day sun. We can picture tusks selling for $1000 per pound by those who could not care less about man nor beast. A valley of dry bones is a reminder of how care - less we can be.

Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones may have been one with horses and humans long forgotten and left behind in a battlefield, somewhere, anywhere. It doesn’t matter; we all know - because we have all been in the valley. We’ve all been in that place where God gets a hold of us, and asks, “Can these bones live?” Is there life after death? Will this nightmare ever be replaced by peace and joy SOME day? After a rough winter, we often thought aloud, “Will spring ever get here?”

Ezekiel’s answer should be the answer that we all give. His was a wise answer in verse 3. He says, “O Lord God, you know.” It is the same answer for all those impossible situations in our lives, for all those times when we are between a rock and a hard place. The answer is God knows!

When we understand that God knows, we hear the command in verse 4 to speak to the places that cause us the most grief and heartache, the situations that are most desperate and painful for us, the ones that leave us feeling threatened and helpless. It is to those situations Ezekiel was instructed to say, “O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.“ That’s what God told him to say.

So WE say, to the dream that seems too impossible to come true – hear the word of the Lord;  to prayers yet unanswered  - hear the word of the Lord; to mental anguish of soldiers and victims of bullying and poverty – hear the word of the Lord; to unemployment – hear the word of the Lord; to unsettling  and unsatisfying relationships – hear the word of the Lord; to the friend or relative who have strayed far, far away from God – hear the word of the Lord. Sickness and distress, shortages and lack – HEAR the word of the Lord!!

After Ezekiel spoke to the terrible valley, commanding lifeless hopes to hear the word of the Lord, God SPOKE. In verse 5, God says, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. Where we are morally dead, God will bring life. ( slide #4  - God blowing into the world) Where our prayer life is on life support, God will bring life. Where our purpose in life has been buried, God will bring life. (slide # 5 Swimmer taking a breath)  God will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.

Not everyone wants to get right with God and live. There are days, I would rather die than give up chocolate ice cream. There are days we would rather die than face an uncertain future. There are days we could rather die than take up the c ross of pain and anguish that is before us.

Nevertheless, the word of the Lord is for each of us today. Ready or not, the breath of God will enter every troubled valley you have, every impossible situation, every place that you have given up on.  God is breathing life into it. God has something to say about it – with a shout of celebration or warning, with a sigh of relief or frustration. God speaks, giving life where there is little or none.

The word for breath is used three ways in the bible. Breath, wind, and Spirit all have the same meaning and characteristics. We may feel God as a strong wind or a gentle breeze. (slide # 6  wheat blowing in the wind)  We may feel the Spirit as a hand on our shoulder or a tug on our forearm to move us forward …or backward. We may notice the Spirit as an intoxicating influence that calms us, rejuvenates or invigorate us, ( slide # 7 man blowing a trumpet ). We may experience a surge of sustaining energy like you can get from Redbull.  The other day a young man from Sprint did me a great favor of helping me transfer my data on my cell phone even though I no longer have Sprint service. When he finished, I said can I buy you a cup of coffee or whatever it is that you 20 year olds drink. He said – Redbull. When you are up all night texting and talking on the phone, I guess you do need some Redbull to make it through the day.

We may feel God’s Spirit in many ways. A few weeks ago, I was contemplating my pledge to the capital campaign. I was praying about various figures and I asked God to guide me not knowing how that guidance would happen. Day after day I waited for some assurance, wanting very much to get it done and check it off on my to do list before the Easter deadline. Suddenly, during worship, it occurred to me exactly what I should pledge. It was more than a passing thought. It was like a gentle breeze that would not go unnoticed, that demanded attention to the message it was carrying. I could not tell what direction it came from and I can’t tell you where the thought is going to lead me in the end. What IS clear is that God breathes life into all of us no matter where we are. God never forgets us and usually surprises us. 

Newborn babies breathe  30–60 breaths per minute. ( slide # 8 baby hand being held) With time our lungs develop and we take fewer breaths. Adults breathe 18-22 breaths per minute. Someone who is taking their last breaths after a long life may breathe 30-40 breaths, becoming like a baby, transitioning into a new life. Every breath counts.

When I was in the 6th grade, the teacher left the room and went out into the hall for a moment. A  student often seeking attention announced that he had something to share with the whole class. He stood in front of the room and proceeded to cut off his breath until he literally fainted. His knees buckled, his head hit the floor with a bang, and he began, with no effort on his own, to breathe.

Whether we are making our protest against life or acting recklessly, eventually the breath of God is a force with which we will contend. There is no way we can avoid getting away from the God who breathes into our hopeless places.

Even where there seems to be no life at all, there is still life. (slide # 9 parched land with a plant) Years ago, professional golfer Lee Trevino was struck by lightning while he was playing in a tournament. He said, "When I got killed by lightning, I realized the passage from life is a tremendous pleasure. "Trevino was sitting under a tree when lightning hit. "It bolted my arms and legs out stiff, jerked me off the ground," he recalls, "and killed me. I knew I was dead. There was no pain. Everything turned a warm, gentle orange color. I saw my mama who had been dead for years. I saw other people from my life. It was a newsreel like you read about -- my life passing before my eyes. But it was so pleasant, so wonderful; I felt great. I thought, boy, this dying is really fun. It's when I woke up in the hospital badly burned and in pain that I knew I had come back to life again for some reason."  (slide # 10 child looking with expectation) (sermons.com)

God has a purpose and a plan for breathing life into us. (slide #11 – woman on a hill with a breeze blowing)  It is not always our plan. It is not always an easy plan. We believe it is the best plan for the good of all.

Every day the Social Security Administration is apt to make computer errors by declaring about 40 people dead that are very much alive. Is there a record somewhere that claims a part of your life is without life and hope?  That all good has ceased to exist, discontinued? Jesus came that we might have life and have it abundantly.  When he breathed his last on the cross, (slide #12 lit cross on hill) it was the beginning of a new life for us. We may be surprised at what kind of life we will have with each breath God breathes into us , but we will never be forgotten, and ready or not, new life is coming. Let everything that has breath just praise the Lord. (slide #13 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ) And we will go to higher heights and deeper depths of God’s mercy, truth and love. (slide # 14 – balloons in air. ) Amen.

 

Courts - Believable

March 30 Psalm 23, *John 9.1-23, Courts – Believable  Pastor Jacqueline Hines

Like the man born blind who was healed in John’s gospel, many of us have challenges with our sight.  We have also experienced help and healing for our sight through corrective lenses, surgeries, eye drops, dark shades, guiding canines, wisdom for limited night vision, and good friends who provide all the help we will ever need.

Most of us are still tense at the thought of losing any part of our sight, but we are less afraid when we experience the goodness of God through help and a healing touch. The Lenten season calls us to trust in God’s love, rest in God’s presence, and to believe that God is working things out for the good of all. There is no way to trust, or rest, or believe without God’s supernatural help.

Supernatural healing happened for the man born blind in John’s gospel. He did not ask for healing. It just happened. Healing is like a river flowing in us and through us. We live in a world where health and wholeness are everywhere. It is God’s nature to shower us with healing love. We also live in a world where brokenness is everywhere, and healing love overcomes the world’s brokenness.

The disciples saw the man born blind as broken, and they immediately became interested in his case. They were ready to learn something important, something that mattered, so they asked Jesus questions since he was the master teacher. They wanted answers to life’s hardest questions. They wanted to know what happened to the blind man and why. Did he do something wrong? Did his parents do something wrong? Did he go to the wrong doctor?

Jesus indirectly responded to their implied accusations. He pointe them in the direction to see no matter what happens, God intervenes to get the glory. Jesus got busy focusing on glorifying God by doing the man some good. Jesus gave the disciples something else to stare at. He mixed dirt and saliva and put it on the man’s eyes. That must have meant that he trusted Jesus and Jesus trusted him. No one puts their saliva on you like that unless they know you, unless they are bone of your bone and flesh of your flesh. No one puts dirt on you unless they are bone of your bone and flesh of your flesh. No one sends you away to wash unless they care deeply about YOU!

Healing happens wherever we are busy focusing on what God focuses on, doing each other some good. No matter how broken our circumstances, God is still a healer. No matter how much we fear we have lost, God is sending someone to do us some good. Healing is everywhere. It is God’s nature to heal.

Buckminster Fuller was a brilliant architect and inventor in spite of physical challenges. He died in 1983. He was president of Mensa  - an organization that gathers the most intelligent people in the world. Mensa is the Latin word for “table” as in round table of intelligent people regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, age, politics, educational or social background. Fuller was expelled from Harvard, not once but twice. His intelligence was not the ordinary kind.

He was granted a patent for the geodesic dome in 1954. [slide #1] This one is from the Epcot Center in Walt Disney World Florida. Has anyone been there? The geodesic dome appealed to Fuller because it was extremely strong for its weight, it was stable, and a sphere encloses the greatest volume for the least surface area. These domes were once used in green houses as well as during the war, to provide early warnings of any sea-and-land invasions.

Fuller tells that his courage to be creative came from a situation in his childhood. When he was very small child, he lost his sight.  He went to bed one night able to see and awoke the next morning blind. Medical experts were not able to explain the cause of his horrific and sudden blindness. There was no reason for it. It just happened. For several years he was blind. Then, just as suddenly and as inexplicably as he had lost his sight, he regained it. Without any indication as to what was coming, one morning he woke up able to see again (sermons.com). The years of blindness challenged him to see God’s world and the many things that could be created if he used his God-given intelligence.

Good things happen. Terrible things happen. Whether good or terrible, we don’t need to know how it happens. We need only to see Jesus working good in the situation. We need to be eye-witnesses. We need to be able to testify that God is good and his mercy endures forever.  We need to watch and pray so that we can learn to do what we see Jesus doing. Our testimony needs to be believable so that others can trust in God’s love, rest in God’s presence, and believe that God is working the situation out for the good of all.

The disciples were judging the man who was born blind. They soon saw Jesus was not judging the man and his condition. They saw that Jesus was joining him, as if he mattered, as if her were very important.

The Pharisees were another story. They did not see Jesus as the disciples learned to see him. The Pharisees saw Jesus as a competitor, an enemy that needed to be tried, convicted, and eliminated. The Pharisees charged Jesus according to the law for healing on the Sabbath. It was illegal to do any work on the Sabbath.

Some of us know about illegal activity on the Sabbath. Who remembers the blue laws? They were set up by Pilgrims in the US colonies and continued up to the 1990’s.They were designed to set up stiff regulations against working, buying, selling, traveling, public entertainment, or sports on a Sunday. The original purpose was to honor God and encourage church attendance.  The scriptures, however, are not like some laws that become more politically rigid than religious. There are many, many ways to honor God. Jesus says the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath, or as the Message version puts it - “The Sabbath was made to serve us; we weren’t made to serve the Sabbath. “

The colonial blue laws may have been called blue because they were written on blue paper or because they were so strict as to make people blue. In some stores, all the beer cans were covered with blue tarp on Sundays so they could not be seen for purchasing. We all have different ideas about how far is too far with government laws and religious laws. We debate every day about who should marry and who should not marry. Who should play bingo for money and who should not? Even today in Orthodox Judaism, according to domestic abuse advocate Marie Fortune, Rabbis wrestle with an old law that allows a man to divorce his wife, but the wife cannot divorce a husband without the husband’s permission. The original idea of the law was for a man to take responsibility to love his wife like Jesus loves the Church. Any interpretation of a law that allows less, allows abuse, and that’s not good.

The Pharisees refused to see the good Jesus was doing. They would not acknowledge or testify that God was good and his mercy endures forever. There is none so blind as those who will not see. They ignored God. The Pharisees would rather not see ANY man healed and helped, if it meant Jesus got the glory instead of them. They had a different agenda; they were up to no good.

Lent is a reminder to check our agendas, to be willing to get close enough to Jesus to hear his heartbeat, to go wherever we are sent to be washed – to church, to the poor, to a family member, to a neighbor near or far, to make a pledge, to start something new, to stop something old.

The man Jesus healed was told to GO to the pool of Siloam. [slide #2] The word Siloam means “sent.” Siloam was a pool developed 700 years before Jesus, King Hezekiah built it. He wanted to protect a water spring that was located just outside the protective Gates of Jerusalem. It was called the Spring of Gihon. The king built a secret water tunnel, hidden from the enemy. It was dug 1800 feet long through solid rock, an engineering marvel. The water from the spring was hidden as it flowed into the city into the pool of Siloam [slide #3]. Jesus sent the man to this awesome pool and his life was changed forever. Wherever Jesus sends us is awesome. Wherever Jesus sends us has special meaning and roots in something very important. Surely, the blind man trusted God’s love. He found rest for his soul in the presence of Jesus.  He believed everything would be alright, and he helped others to believe it too.

It’s not easy to believe. A young girl was suffering from anorexia. Her counselor assigned her the task of drinking a glass of milk, but she just could not bring herself to do it. AS she stared away as the milk lay on the table, the doctor walked in and asked her if she knew the story of Jesus healing a blind man after putting mud on his eyes. She said, “Yes.” “Do you believe it?” asked the doctor. She said, “Yes.” “Then drink your mud.” (Preachingtoday.com)

Amy Grant is an award-winning singer of Contemporary Gospel music. She has extraordinary gifts from God. It seemed so easy for her to record albums and go platinum. Her life appeared glamorous and perfect, but in the 80’s her marriage was shipwrecked when she discovered her husband’s cocaine addiction.

"For a few days,” she says, “ I just stayed in bed and mourned my life. The only hope I could seem to see was just junking it all, moving to Europe, and starting everything all over again. It was then my sister, in a last-ditch visit, marched up right beside my bed and said, Fine, go to Europe, leave it all behind, start your life again. But before you go, tell (my little girl) how you can sing that Jesus can help her through anything in her life, but that he couldn't help you.' "(sermons.com) Amy got up and began to put her life back together.

When our greatest fears become a living nightmare, we can trust, rest, and believe that God will be our healer. Amen.

March 23 2014 Courts - Arguments

March 23 Romans 5.1-11, * Exodus 17.1-7, Courts – Arguments Jacqueline Hines

Moses was a superhero. He remains a superhero for all Christians, as well as in the hearts and minds of our Muslim and Jewish friends. Moses was the key character in God’s plan to rescue people from a sad situation. Amazing things happened when Moses followed God’s guidance. Waters were divided to make a path for them to get away from Pharaoh’s army.

Every now and then, our circumstances seem to warrant a superhero’s rescue. It is safe to say that all of us have at one time or another been catapulted into very distressing seasons. It is also safe to say that God has been like a superhero and has rescued US in one way or another.

When Moses led God’s people out of THEIR sad situation, they did not go straight to the good life. Their first stop was not easy street. Their first stop was a wilderness, the Wilderness of Sin – short for Sinai. If we had OUR way, all our days would be trouble-free. When trouble does come, we want to be rescued as soon as possible.  

During this Lenten season, we take an inventory of our troubles, especially the trouble caused by our own sin. We hope for God to be a superhero, but just like those who followed Moses discovered, we discover that being rescued from trouble may not mean going straight to Easy Street. After our deliverance, we may find ourselves in a wilderness, on our way to the Promised Land. We may have to do the hard work of repenting and some wrestling with challenges before we can relax and enjoy the land that flows with milk and honey, peace and prosperity.

The main complaint about the wilderness was that there wasn’t enough water.  Physiologists tell us that a person can live 40 days without food but only 3 days without water. It had been three days for the Israelites. Persons deprived of water could experience 3 stages of thirst - eudipsia, "ordinary thirst," hyperdipsia, "temporary intense thirst," and polydipsia, "sustained excessive thirst" that drives one to drink anything, salty water, etc. etc.

In our land of plenty, we enjoy indoor taps with clean water, for drinking, recreation and every necessity. God has sent us engineers who enforce regulations that provide the water we need to survive. There is work to be done and a price to be paid. Someone had to do the work of digging a well and the water had to be piped in. It has all been arranged and taken care of for us. It is unimaginable that we could ever spend three days without water.

Not everyone is blessed with water in this world, yet. According to UNICEF, 768 million people still do not have access to clean water. One third of these people live in only ten countries, including China, Pakistan, Kenya, and India. Fourteen hundred children die every day because of a lack of water. It was a blessing to hear one of our young people at Bethel say that he had taken action to help develop a water well in another country that needs it.

Without water, the people of God began to argue out of great frustration.They argued about whether their superhero had actually made the best decision to leave Egypt or had used the most strategic route. They argued about the timing of the departure and the adequacy of the preparations.

What do you argue about? A study found that most American couples argue about money. They debate about what a “need” is as distinguished from a “want” to justify their spending. Their arguments prove again and again, that the weaker the arguments, the stronger the words. Very few, however, said they took the time to actually sit down and discuss their ideas in a loving, rational and adult manner. Results of another study showed that couples who knew how to fight fair, had the longest and healthiest relationships.

We all know that story of the sun and the wind arguing about which one of them was stronger. At last, the sun said, "Look at that traveler down there. Let's see which of us can get him to take off his coat. I'll let you begin." While the sun hid his face behind a cloud, the wind began to blow; but the harder he blew, the more firmly the poor fellow held his garment tight around him. Finally, the wind gave up. Then the sun came out and shone so warmly that the man soon removed his coat.

When the people of God realized that water was nowhere in sight, they probably felt there was nothing left to say. That conversation would not help. They were so thirsty that they probably did not want to talk to God at all. It seems their resentment had grown greater than their faith, like weeds grow greater than a vegetable garden, and cause the fruit to diminish. Perhaps in their heart of hearts their faith was such that they were demanding a relationship where God would do all the work and they could sit in the shade and enjoy the benefits.

Not long ago, they had been rescued with superhero strength, now they were asking “Is the Lord with us or not?” It is understandable that they had doubts and questions, but still one had to wonder, “Where was THEIR faith?”

It is a natural tendency to complain and gripe in the wilderness, but when our complaints are louder than our thanks, we risk real problems. Educators suggest our conversations should have nine positive affirmations for every one negative comment. Doing so sweetens our waters; coming short of that goal, pollutes the system.

Moby Dick is inspired by a true story of thirst that resulted after a shipwreck. The first mate wrote in his journal, "The privation of water is justly ranked among the most dreadful of the miseries of our life. . . The violence of raving thirst has no parallel in the catalogue of human calamities."  (Allen Perkins. sermonCentral.com)

Witnesses (Nathaniel Philbrick) describe weeks without thirst as more intolerable than hunger. Not knowing how long it would be before they were rescued, they rationed half a pint of water per day, barely enough to keep the mouth moist.  The throat raged with fever, saliva thickened and tasted foul, the tongue would cling irritatingly to the teeth and the roof of the mouth. Even though speech was difficult, sufferers complained ceaselessly about their thirst until their voices become so cracked and hoarse they could not speak. Finally, the tongue swelled and hardened, leading to a brutal end. After being shipwrecked they were surrounded by salty sea water. Those who could not resist drinking it quickly became dehydrated and subject to hallucinations, which were “contagious. “

Moses’ followers were without water for only three long days, not three months like those at sea. They were at risk for losing their health and their wellbeing. They were uncomfortable, afraid and angry. The scriptures say they began to quarrel, to argue with Moses. Arguing with each other can be the exact same thing as arguing with God. Theirs was not a healthy debate. Nor was it a helpful dialogue. No, this was a session of nagging and scolding. Their complaints, criticisms and challenges outweighed their courage, kindness, contentment, and comfort. Their egos got the best of them. You know EGO stands for Easing God Out.

They got up in God’s face. They collected evidence for their case against God being with them to help them in their time of greatest need. They shouted at God and to Moses, “Is the Lord with us or not?”

That is a question we have all asked at one time. When relationships flounder, we ask “Is the Lord with us or not?” When arthritis flairs up with searing pain, we ask “Is the Lord with us or not?” When disease strikes taking more than its share of time and money, we ask “Is the Lord with us or not?” When someone fails us or disappointment distracts us, we ask “Is the Lord with us or not?”

It wasn’t long before God did provide water in superhero style as only God can do.  Verse 6 tells us Moses hit a certain rock as God directed him and fresh water was released.

In this Lenten season, we are reminded that the Lord IS with us, that we can expect to be rescued again and again, one way or another. For this we give God more thanks and praise than complaints, for this we give each other more thanks and praise, than complaints. Let it be so. Amen.

Solid Love February 16

February 9 Scout Sunday Isaiah 58.1-9a, *Matthew 5.13-20, Light Love

Jesus, a master of perfect examples, gives us as Christians two identities in the gospel of Mathew. The first identity Jesus gives us is salt. As Christians we are the salt of the earth. Salt is awesome because it is considered a stable compound.  That is to say, it can be relied on time and time and time again. Salt is not likely to corrode, decompose or explode under normal conditions. We can always count on salt to preserve food throughout several seasons and lengthy travels. Salt gives food a nice taste, and draws heat so water boils faster when you sprinkle in some salt.

Salt was so valuable in Bible days that it was often traded ounce-for-ounce with gold. Roman soldiers were paid in salt. In fact, the word “salary” is derived from the word for salt. If a Roman soldier didn't do his job, he wouldn't get all of his salt. That's where we get the phrase, "He is not worth his salt," if someone does not do a good days work. So when Jesus identifies us as the salt of the earth, we are reminded that we can be counted on to be a very stable and valuable influence. We are a commodity that has no expiration date. We can even stir up life-giving waters and bring a much needed momentum. We are like salt.

The second identity Jesus says we are is the light of the world. How many of you were without power in this last storm? It was great to finally see the light. [slide of city lights] How many are still without power? What a challenge!! In the twinkling of an eye, everything changes when there is a power shortage. We are forced to adjust our meals. Our routine water sources no longer exist; we walk into a room and automatically turn the light switch to no avail. All our habits shift. This state of affairs can be distressing as well as refreshing. In the darkness, we remember how blessed we are to have the light. We remember how much we rely upon the light to live the lives we live.

Because we know how important light is, we all the more need to let our light shine. That’s exactly what Jesus tells us to do, let our lights shine, to let the world know we have values and standards and behaviors that bless our lives. Before  the days of electricity, people would come to church with their lanterns and hang them at the end of the pews. If you did not come to church, that area of the sanctuary in the House of God was dark.

We need to let our lives shine.  in verse 16 of this morning’s gospel, Jesus tells us to  let our lights shine. Why? So that others may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

We are to let our lights shine in a world that is in urgent need of light to live. We are the light that reflects the goodness of God. We overshadow evil with good. We overshadow terrorist threats in Sochi. We overshadow angry men who kill fathers just because they are texting their children in a movie theatre during the previews. We overshadow floods of anxiety and fear, catastrophe and tragedy. We remind the world to light their candle rather than curse the darkness. We need to let our light shine. It makes the world a better place.

We need to let our light shine so that the world can see clearly the lessons God has given us. What we have learned does not make us better than someone else. What we have learned does not mean we have achieved perfection, but God’s high standards are our goal.

The world has dog-eat-dog standards. The world does not always care. Old Testament standards relied upon the eye-for-an eye and a tooth-for-a-tooth mentality. So if a conflict resulted in one party losing an eye or knocking out a tooth, that party reserved the right to gouge out the eye or knock out the tooth of the offender. As harsh as that sounds that was really a good legal compromise. For, we know that there are masses of people today who declare enemies and hold grudges. When one of their brothers or sisters is offended, they think nothing of killing thousands of the offender’s family members and friends. How sad. So when we consider the weapons of mass destruction that the world stashes, we can appreciate one eye for one an eye and one tooth for one tooth, rather than one eye for thousands of eyes.

There is a couple known as the tiger couple. As Yale law professors, they are successful by the world’s standards. Amy Chua and her Jewish husband Judd  Rubenfield  have researched 8 groups of Americans who are disproportionately successful. Their claim is that they are successful for three reasons – they think they are special, they are driven to prove themselves to a world that makes them feel insecure, and thirdly, impulse control. All three components seem to make a world of difference for success anywhere.

We are known as a Christian nation. Our lifestyle testifies to that. A stronger case for Christian influence may be being made by the church in Korea. Even though there are 35 million Buddhists, and only two million evangelical Christians, Christian values dominate that culture. Are Korean Christians more influential, and if so, is it because they have more of a sense of how special they are to God, how driven to prove God’s goodness, and how much impulse control they have not to be distracted? Perhaps.

 I heard about a man that was walking through a county fair when he met a tiny little girl who was carrying a gigantic fluff of cotton candy on a stick, which was almost as big as she was. He said to her, "How can a little girl like you eat all of that cotton candy?" She looked up at him and said, "Well, I'm really much bigger on the inside than I am on the outside." That’s what the Holy Spirit does for each of us, makes us bigger on the inside than we appear on the outside. We have a capacity to be what the world so urgently needs. We are the salt of the earth. We are the light of the world. Pass the salt. Let there be light. Amen.

 

February 9,2014 Light Love

February 9 Scout Sunday Isaiah 58.1-9a, *Matthew 5.13-20, Light Love

Jesus, a master of perfect examples, gives us as Christians two identities in the gospel of Mathew. The first identity Jesus gives us is salt. As Christians we are the salt of the earth. Salt is awesome because it is considered a stable compound.  That is to say, it can be relied on time and time and time again. Salt is not likely to corrode, decompose or explode under normal conditions. We can always count on salt to preserve food throughout several seasons and lengthy travels. Salt gives food a nice taste, and draws heat so water boils faster when you sprinkle in some salt.

Salt was so valuable in Bible days that it was often traded ounce-for-ounce with gold. Roman soldiers were paid in salt. In fact, the word “salary” is derived from the word for salt. If a Roman soldier didn't do his job, he wouldn't get all of his salt. That's where we get the phrase, "He is not worth his salt," if someone does not do a good days work. So when Jesus identifies us as the salt of the earth, we are reminded that we can be counted on to be a very stable and valuable influence. We are a commodity that has no expiration date. We can even stir up life-giving waters and bring a much needed momentum. We are like salt.

The second identity Jesus says we are is the light of the world. How many of you were without power in this last storm? It was great to finally see the light. [slide of city lights] How many are still without power? What a challenge!! In the twinkling of an eye, everything changes when there is a power shortage. We are forced to adjust our meals. Our routine water sources no longer exist; we walk into a room and automatically turn the light switch to no avail. All our habits shift. This state of affairs can be distressing as well as refreshing. In the darkness, we remember how blessed we are to have the light. We remember how much we rely upon the light to live the lives we live.

Because we know how important light is, we all the more need to let our light shine. That’s exactly what Jesus tells us to do, let our lights shine, to let the world know we have values and standards and behaviors that bless our lives. Before  the days of electricity, people would come to church with their lanterns and hang them at the end of the pews. If you did not come to church, that area of the sanctuary in the House of God was dark.

We need to let our lives shine.  in verse 16 of this morning’s gospel, Jesus tells us to  let our lights shine. Why? So that others may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

We are to let our lights shine in a world that is in urgent need of light to live. We are the light that reflects the goodness of God. We overshadow evil with good. We overshadow terrorist threats in Sochi. We overshadow angry men who kill fathers just because they are texting their children in a movie theatre during the previews. We overshadow floods of anxiety and fear, catastrophe and tragedy. We remind the world to light their candle rather than curse the darkness. We need to let our light shine. It makes the world a better place.

We need to let our light shine so that the world can see clearly the lessons God has given us. What we have learned does not make us better than someone else. What we have learned does not mean we have achieved perfection, but God’s high standards are our goal.

The world has dog-eat-dog standards. The world does not always care. Old Testament standards relied upon the eye-for-an eye and a tooth-for-a-tooth mentality. So if a conflict resulted in one party losing an eye or knocking out a tooth, that party reserved the right to gouge out the eye or knock out the tooth of the offender. As harsh as that sounds that was really a good legal compromise. For, we know that there are masses of people today who declare enemies and hold grudges. When one of their brothers or sisters is offended, they think nothing of killing thousands of the offender’s family members and friends. How sad. So when we consider the weapons of mass destruction that the world stashes, we can appreciate one eye for one an eye and one tooth for one tooth, rather than one eye for thousands of eyes.

There is a couple known as the tiger couple. As Yale law professors, they are successful by the world’s standards. Amy Chua and her Jewish husband Judd  Rubenfield  have researched 8 groups of Americans who are disproportionately successful. Their claim is that they are successful for three reasons – they think they are special, they are driven to prove themselves to a world that makes them feel insecure, and thirdly, impulse control. All three components seem to make a world of difference for success anywhere.

We are known as a Christian nation. Our lifestyle testifies to that. A stronger case for Christian influence may be being made by the church in Korea. Even though there are 35 million Buddhists, and only two million evangelical Christians, Christian values dominate that culture. Are Korean Christians more influential, and if so, is it because they have more of a sense of how special they are to God, how driven to prove God’s goodness, and how much impulse control they have not to be distracted? Perhaps.

 I heard about a man that was walking through a county fair when he met a tiny little girl who was carrying a gigantic fluff of cotton candy on a stick, which was almost as big as she was. He said to her, "How can a little girl like you eat all of that cotton candy?" She looked up at him and said, "Well, I'm really much bigger on the inside than I am on the outside." That’s what the Holy Spirit does for each of us, makes us bigger on the inside than we appear on the outside. We have a capacity to be what the world so urgently needs. We are the salt of the earth. We are the light of the world. Pass the salt. Let there be light. Amen.

 

February 9 2014 Wise Love

February 2, 2014 Souper Bowl Sunday Micah 6.1-8, *I Corinthians 1.18-31, Wise Love

The church in Corinth was a struggling church. They struggled in their relationships, morally and emotionally. They struggled for independence from the Roman government. They struggled to be strong in a world that thought they were weak unless they focused on gaining lots of money, power, status, and stuff for themselves. They struggled to love their God with a wise love as opposed to a worldly love.

As Christians, we have seen that all that glitters is not gold. We know what it is to build our lives on the solid rock instead of a flimsy materialistic rock. We hunger and thirst, not for food alone but for every word that comes out of the mouth of God.

What we find valuable is considered weak and foolish by the world’s standards. Still Paul reminds the struggling Corinthian church in verse 25 that God at the minimum, God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. Even what is to us the silliest animal can have an important purpose. The strongest man in the world can lift 1100 pounds but God’s strength is even greater than that.

Some may say that Christianity is foolishness that appeals only to the weak. We know that being a Christian requires great strength. It takes great strength to say no when it is time to fast; to sing and pray when we’d rather play; to sacrifice when we’d rather be selfish. Was Mother Theresa weak and unwise when she picked the maggots off of the dying homeless people?

It takes great strength to be a Christian, to do the three things Jesus asked us to do, to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. Who in the world wants to deny ourselves? Is it true that only the foolish would take up a cross that leads to Calvary?

Who in the world wants a cross? As foolish as it sounds, we do. We cherish that old rugged cross. We cling to it because we know what happens when we carry the cross. In spite of the pain, the sorrow, the fear, and the anguish of carrying our cross, there is peace that surpasses our understanding and our misunderstanding. There is joy that comes in the morning. There is divine strength that only comes from heaven, and there are marvelous moments when time and eternity synchronize situations and people at the seemingly impossible moment and at the right place, against the odds. We might call them miracles. We know what happens when we love God enough to deny ourselves, take up whatever cross is ours, and follow everywhere God leads us, for we are in fellowship with his sufferings as well as his resurrection. We know what happens.

The story is told of a prince who wanted to find a maiden suitable to be his queen. One day while running an errand in the local village for his father he passed through a poor section. As he glanced out the windows of the carriage his eyes fell upon a beautiful peasant maiden. Day after day, he saw her and soon fell in love and wanted to marry her, but how? He could command her to be his bride, but he knew that would not work. Even a prince wants his bride to marry him freely and voluntarily and not through coercion. He could put on his most splendid uniform and drive up to her front door in a carriage drawn by six horses. But if he did this he would never be certain that the maiden loved him or was simply overwhelmed with all of the splendor. As you might have guessed, the prince came up with another solution. He would give up his kingly robe. He moved, into the village, entering not with a crown but in the common clothes of a poor person. He lived among the people, shared their interests and concerns, and talked their language. In time the maiden grew to love him for who he was and because he had first loved her.

Just as the love of God has moved into our lives and loved us, when we fall in love with our creator, we move into the lives of God’s children with a love wiser than the world’s love. God’s love is wise, even when it seems foolish. Amen.