Who am I?
I am not the person I was and am not yet the person I will be. In view of God’s great mercy, in the presence of God’s great grace, in the community of His great love, I have been transformed. I am made new by the life and death and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. I continue to change because God’s love never has, and never does, and never will.
As John – the fisherman, the “son of thunder,” the chronicler of Lazarus’ story, the beloved disciple – writes, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins…We love because he first loved us.” {1 John 4:10 & 19}
Amen.
Jennifer Shaw
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 31st
Not many people know this . . . But I was born prematurely.
I wasn’t fully formed in the womb.
Only instead of an incubator, I needed a church.
While nature and nurture helped form me physically, I was spiritually malformed well into my thirties.
Ascension Lutheran Church was – and continues to be – my spiritual incubator.
Surrounded by a congregation of loving people – saints, really – about 20 years ago I began to take baby steps of faith.
As my stride increased, I began testing the waters upon which Jesus invited me to join him. My wife and kids joined me in that adventure. They, too, were undergirded by a loving congregation, my children both having attended Ascension Lutheran School.
As my faith journey progressed, I persistently tested those waters, trying new, more challenging things in service to our Lord. Teaching, preaching, leading, interceding. Continually pushing the envelope in following what I believed Jesus was calling me to do.
Most of the time my efforts were successful; other times I failed miserably, sometimes embarrassingly so. But my congregation stood alongside me, celebrating my accomplishments (like when my book, The Jonah Factor®, was first published) and dusting me off when I crashed and burned (like the time I delivered a men’s breakfast devotion that involved using a big stack of charcoal briquettes – don’t ask!).
Transformation is not a solitary process. It requires the life-changing help of Jesus and of people who traverse the sometimes difficult pathway of faith alongside of us. It requires the community of God.
I’ve been transformed by the great love of my Savior, the wise mentoring of my pastors and the caring incubator of my congregation.
Forever changed. Changed forever.
Lord, help us to be a people always on the lookout for others to come alongside of as you work in them to transform their lives. Amen.
Ed Klodt
I wasn’t fully formed in the womb.
Only instead of an incubator, I needed a church.
While nature and nurture helped form me physically, I was spiritually malformed well into my thirties.
Ascension Lutheran Church was – and continues to be – my spiritual incubator.
Surrounded by a congregation of loving people – saints, really – about 20 years ago I began to take baby steps of faith.
As my stride increased, I began testing the waters upon which Jesus invited me to join him. My wife and kids joined me in that adventure. They, too, were undergirded by a loving congregation, my children both having attended Ascension Lutheran School.
As my faith journey progressed, I persistently tested those waters, trying new, more challenging things in service to our Lord. Teaching, preaching, leading, interceding. Continually pushing the envelope in following what I believed Jesus was calling me to do.
Most of the time my efforts were successful; other times I failed miserably, sometimes embarrassingly so. But my congregation stood alongside me, celebrating my accomplishments (like when my book, The Jonah Factor®, was first published) and dusting me off when I crashed and burned (like the time I delivered a men’s breakfast devotion that involved using a big stack of charcoal briquettes – don’t ask!).
Transformation is not a solitary process. It requires the life-changing help of Jesus and of people who traverse the sometimes difficult pathway of faith alongside of us. It requires the community of God.
I’ve been transformed by the great love of my Savior, the wise mentoring of my pastors and the caring incubator of my congregation.
Forever changed. Changed forever.
Lord, help us to be a people always on the lookout for others to come alongside of as you work in them to transform their lives. Amen.
Ed Klodt
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, March 30th
“When we move forward out of our tombs, we take steps toward becoming generous and grateful…As the money, energy, and time flow out, God becomes a richer presence in our lives.” - Stephen Smith, “The Lazarus Life”
One Sunday morning during an Adult Education lesson on the Gospels, Dr. James Kallas took a moment to discuss the geography of the Holy Land. The Sea of Galilee, he explained, flows into the Jordan River, and the Jordon River flows into the Dead Sea, which has no outlet. The Sea of Galilee teems with life, and the Dead Sea…is dead. Dr. Kallas compared this to faith. If we share what God gives us, if we “continue the flow,” we will be full of life; if we don’t…we won’t.
It’s a compelling analogy. Giving of our time and talent and treasure is not an obligation or duty but the simple outpouring of, as David puts it, a cup that overflows. Paul speaks to this in his request of generosity from the church in Corinth: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound in you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8)
We have all that we need to give.
Lord, create in us grateful and generous hearts. Amen
Jennifer Shaw
One Sunday morning during an Adult Education lesson on the Gospels, Dr. James Kallas took a moment to discuss the geography of the Holy Land. The Sea of Galilee, he explained, flows into the Jordan River, and the Jordon River flows into the Dead Sea, which has no outlet. The Sea of Galilee teems with life, and the Dead Sea…is dead. Dr. Kallas compared this to faith. If we share what God gives us, if we “continue the flow,” we will be full of life; if we don’t…we won’t.
It’s a compelling analogy. Giving of our time and talent and treasure is not an obligation or duty but the simple outpouring of, as David puts it, a cup that overflows. Paul speaks to this in his request of generosity from the church in Corinth: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound in you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8)
We have all that we need to give.
Lord, create in us grateful and generous hearts. Amen
Jennifer Shaw
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 29th
Of all the parables that Jesus tells my favorite is the one that he tells in Matthew 13:44:
“The kingdom of God is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
Not only am I impressed at Jesus’ ability to tell a story in a verse but for me this little story is the story of what the life of transformation is all about.
Life is worship. It is a radical, voluntary realignment of my values to his values.
Why would I do this? Because His way is better. It just is. Loving my enemies, for example is the better (not easier) way than hating them. Being a servant is the better way than being selfish. Seeking understanding and forgiveness is the better way than living with anger and contempt for others. Honor and humility are better than lust and pride.
And why is Jesus’ way better? There are many reasons. The world just works better according to his way. Jesus way is life giving. But really in a word, to honor the One who could tell a story in one verse… it is joy.
Lord, may I live today as the one who, in his joy went out sold all his possessions so that he could purchase the field which contained a treasure like that was like your kingdom. Amen.
Pastor Tim
“The kingdom of God is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
Not only am I impressed at Jesus’ ability to tell a story in a verse but for me this little story is the story of what the life of transformation is all about.
Life is worship. It is a radical, voluntary realignment of my values to his values.
Why would I do this? Because His way is better. It just is. Loving my enemies, for example is the better (not easier) way than hating them. Being a servant is the better way than being selfish. Seeking understanding and forgiveness is the better way than living with anger and contempt for others. Honor and humility are better than lust and pride.
And why is Jesus’ way better? There are many reasons. The world just works better according to his way. Jesus way is life giving. But really in a word, to honor the One who could tell a story in one verse… it is joy.
Lord, may I live today as the one who, in his joy went out sold all his possessions so that he could purchase the field which contained a treasure like that was like your kingdom. Amen.
Pastor Tim
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Saturday, March 27th
Hello, my name is Lazarus and I am a recovering sinner.
Because of sin, I died and was buried in a dark and empty tomb. The tomb was sealed by a rock and I was left there alone to rot. I heard the voice of Jesus calling, “Come Out” and I answered “yes” to the Lord and called upon His Name and He saved me. I was born again into the family of God. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit which began to work within me that I might have life. Awakened by the call of Christ, I staggered to the tomb door.
I emerged from the tomb still wearing the grave clothes of the old man, the old self. Then Christ ordered the small group of people around me to remove those tomb rags. I began to be transformed through the unwrapping of the grave clothes: the rags of pain and distress, sin and separation that had bound me in the tomb.
The family of faith into which I was born loved and accepted me. In that safe surrounding of family, I was able to be honest about my life and confess and work out the hitches and glitches of my transformation. In fact, we were all able to help one another in reaching our goal of being transformed more and more into His likeness. Our small family group has been a blessing to ourselves and others. I am looking forward to the day when we shall all be completely transformed in a twinkling of an eye and we will all be “clothed with …immortality…” and live with Him in His Kingdom completely and forever.
R.S.
Because of sin, I died and was buried in a dark and empty tomb. The tomb was sealed by a rock and I was left there alone to rot. I heard the voice of Jesus calling, “Come Out” and I answered “yes” to the Lord and called upon His Name and He saved me. I was born again into the family of God. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit which began to work within me that I might have life. Awakened by the call of Christ, I staggered to the tomb door.
I emerged from the tomb still wearing the grave clothes of the old man, the old self. Then Christ ordered the small group of people around me to remove those tomb rags. I began to be transformed through the unwrapping of the grave clothes: the rags of pain and distress, sin and separation that had bound me in the tomb.
The family of faith into which I was born loved and accepted me. In that safe surrounding of family, I was able to be honest about my life and confess and work out the hitches and glitches of my transformation. In fact, we were all able to help one another in reaching our goal of being transformed more and more into His likeness. Our small family group has been a blessing to ourselves and others. I am looking forward to the day when we shall all be completely transformed in a twinkling of an eye and we will all be “clothed with …immortality…” and live with Him in His Kingdom completely and forever.
R.S.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday, March 26th
We have a number of clocks in our home.
One’s an antique German regulator clock from the late 1800s. Another, larger timepiece was assembled 20 or so years ago. A third is a cuckoo clock my parents brought back from the Black Forest in Germany. (Pity the poor guest who spends the night in our house and hasn’t learned how to tune out the different chimes, gongs and cuckoo calls.)
Each timepiece is different, but they share one thing in common – all need to be wound up and reset regularly. Even the most precise of our clocks – oddly enough the 100-plus-year Teutonic timepiece – loses a minute or two every month and needs to be reset.
That speaks to our faith walk and the importance of Christian community, as well.
Day in and day out we do pretty well. We don’t notice the seconds we’re losing or the fact that we’re slowly becoming unwound in the midst of demanding jobs, piled-high schoolwork, the challenges of raising children or in the caring of elderly parents.
It’s not until we come together in worship, prayer, celebration or Bible study that we realize how much we really need the fellowship of other believers. And we walk away from those experiences refreshed, energized and, well . . . reset.
Surely that’s why Paul in his letters continually reminds us of the importance of Christian community. In 1st Thessalonians he exhorts us to “encourage one another and build each other up . . .” (1 Thes. 5:11).
Winding up and resetting the clock. That’s what he writing about.
Prayer for those currently enjoying being in a strong Christian community: Lord, thank you for the encouragement I receive from those believers you have surrounded me with. Please bless me through them so that I can bless them, as well, and invite others into that community. Amen.
Prayer for those seeking Christian community: Lord, please guide me as I seek (a church, a Bible study, a small group, etc.) so that I can be nurtured and grow in my relationship with you. Amen.
Ed Klodt
One’s an antique German regulator clock from the late 1800s. Another, larger timepiece was assembled 20 or so years ago. A third is a cuckoo clock my parents brought back from the Black Forest in Germany. (Pity the poor guest who spends the night in our house and hasn’t learned how to tune out the different chimes, gongs and cuckoo calls.)
Each timepiece is different, but they share one thing in common – all need to be wound up and reset regularly. Even the most precise of our clocks – oddly enough the 100-plus-year Teutonic timepiece – loses a minute or two every month and needs to be reset.
That speaks to our faith walk and the importance of Christian community, as well.
Day in and day out we do pretty well. We don’t notice the seconds we’re losing or the fact that we’re slowly becoming unwound in the midst of demanding jobs, piled-high schoolwork, the challenges of raising children or in the caring of elderly parents.
It’s not until we come together in worship, prayer, celebration or Bible study that we realize how much we really need the fellowship of other believers. And we walk away from those experiences refreshed, energized and, well . . . reset.
Surely that’s why Paul in his letters continually reminds us of the importance of Christian community. In 1st Thessalonians he exhorts us to “encourage one another and build each other up . . .” (1 Thes. 5:11).
Winding up and resetting the clock. That’s what he writing about.
Prayer for those currently enjoying being in a strong Christian community: Lord, thank you for the encouragement I receive from those believers you have surrounded me with. Please bless me through them so that I can bless them, as well, and invite others into that community. Amen.
Prayer for those seeking Christian community: Lord, please guide me as I seek (a church, a Bible study, a small group, etc.) so that I can be nurtured and grow in my relationship with you. Amen.
Ed Klodt
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday, March 25th
“And Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind, and with all they strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these’.” (Mark 12:29-31)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart…soul…mind…and strength. Give to God your first and full devotion. Seek His will and glory in all you do.
Love your neighbor as (you do) yourself. Desire the good of others as consistently and earnestly as you desire your own good. Be as patient and understanding and kind and gentle with them as you are with yourself. Know that we are all God’s beloved.
Love your neighbor as (you are) yourself. Be who you are - not who you might hope or pretend to be, not who others might expect you to be, not who you wish you were. That person doesn’t exist, and can’t love. Know that you are treasured.
Love everyone you know with everything you are.
Lord, let us know and share your love. Amen
Jennifer Shaw
Love the Lord your God with all your heart…soul…mind…and strength. Give to God your first and full devotion. Seek His will and glory in all you do.
Love your neighbor as (you do) yourself. Desire the good of others as consistently and earnestly as you desire your own good. Be as patient and understanding and kind and gentle with them as you are with yourself. Know that we are all God’s beloved.
Love your neighbor as (you are) yourself. Be who you are - not who you might hope or pretend to be, not who others might expect you to be, not who you wish you were. That person doesn’t exist, and can’t love. Know that you are treasured.
Love everyone you know with everything you are.
Lord, let us know and share your love. Amen
Jennifer Shaw
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday, March 24th
I’m tapping this blog into my laptop as I sit waiting in a terminal at O’Hare International Airport.
I’m on standby for a flight home.
I’ve been traveling on business all week, and I’m learning patience in what I thought would be a simple check-in, flight and landing. However, I’ve been on standby now for two flights to Los Angeles, both of which were full. People got on, the planes pushed back, and they took off without me.
So I wait. I wait to go home.
Spiritual transformation occurs while we wait – while we wait to go home. Only instead of the crowded waiting area of a terminal, we wait in life to board a flight that will carry us to eternity.
The transformation can occur in many ways. Forced to wait, as Lazarus in his tomb, we learn godly patience, starting to see God’s plan in kairos time as opposed to our chronos time. We discover godly compassion, becoming aware of the needs of others and then slowing down to attend to them. We get peeks at godly wisdom, lingering in prayer, Scripture reading and worship, providing sufficient time to hear God speak to us instead of jabbering on about our needs and disappointments.
The important thing for me is that while I wait, I don’t do so alone. I wait and become transformed alongside others – my family, the members of my congregation at Ascension Lutheran, the people in my weekly small group Bible study and the countless fellow believers I’ve come to know during my years in ministry. How cool is that.
In the process of waiting, I’ve been called out of the tomb. And through the love and help of the Christian community that surrounds me, I’ve come face-to-face with Jesus.
Prayer: Lord thank you for surrounding me with people who model your love, compassion, generosity and grace. I lift them up to you today (think of at least one or two people you especially want to lift up in prayer today) in gratitude for all they have done and for all that you have done for me through them. Amen.
Ed Klodt
I’m on standby for a flight home.
I’ve been traveling on business all week, and I’m learning patience in what I thought would be a simple check-in, flight and landing. However, I’ve been on standby now for two flights to Los Angeles, both of which were full. People got on, the planes pushed back, and they took off without me.
So I wait. I wait to go home.
Spiritual transformation occurs while we wait – while we wait to go home. Only instead of the crowded waiting area of a terminal, we wait in life to board a flight that will carry us to eternity.
The transformation can occur in many ways. Forced to wait, as Lazarus in his tomb, we learn godly patience, starting to see God’s plan in kairos time as opposed to our chronos time. We discover godly compassion, becoming aware of the needs of others and then slowing down to attend to them. We get peeks at godly wisdom, lingering in prayer, Scripture reading and worship, providing sufficient time to hear God speak to us instead of jabbering on about our needs and disappointments.
The important thing for me is that while I wait, I don’t do so alone. I wait and become transformed alongside others – my family, the members of my congregation at Ascension Lutheran, the people in my weekly small group Bible study and the countless fellow believers I’ve come to know during my years in ministry. How cool is that.
In the process of waiting, I’ve been called out of the tomb. And through the love and help of the Christian community that surrounds me, I’ve come face-to-face with Jesus.
Prayer: Lord thank you for surrounding me with people who model your love, compassion, generosity and grace. I lift them up to you today (think of at least one or two people you especially want to lift up in prayer today) in gratitude for all they have done and for all that you have done for me through them. Amen.
Ed Klodt
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tuesday, March 23rd
I found this picture in on the internet as I was thinking about the phrase “no man is an island” that comes from John Donne’s Meditation XVII. The idea I get from reading Donne’s meditation is that God created us as an interconnected community. As community we all need support, encouragement, and accountability. Sometimes we need help and sometimes we need to help. And God works through us to accomplish his purposes when we do. I suppose a picture is worth a thousand words though.
Gracious God, may we know and be true community. Amen.
Pastor Tim
Monday, March 22nd
A few months ago at a family gathering, we asked my nephew, who is two and a half, if he wanted some milk. He said, quite resolutely, “no.” Then we asked if he wanted to do this or that, and the response was repeatedly the same. More humorous questions ensued, culminating with “Are you a human being?” “No.” “What are you then?”
“I’m just Max.”
If only we could answer grown-up questions of identity with such easy confidence. Who am I? What should I do with my life? What do I really want? Am I a good parent…child…sibling… worker…boss…friend…neighbor…human being?
These questions are important. It matters deeply what we do and how. It matters because of who we are. It matters because of whose we are. However else we may define ourselves, we are quite simply those whom God has created and loves. It is in Him that our true and only identity rests. It is in Him that we shed sin and weakness, false assumptions and misguided expectations, and become purely ourselves. Just who we are.
Lord, let us hold in our hearts that we are your children, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Jesus appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. {1 John 3:2}
Jennifer Shaw
“I’m just Max.”
If only we could answer grown-up questions of identity with such easy confidence. Who am I? What should I do with my life? What do I really want? Am I a good parent…child…sibling… worker…boss…friend…neighbor…human being?
These questions are important. It matters deeply what we do and how. It matters because of who we are. It matters because of whose we are. However else we may define ourselves, we are quite simply those whom God has created and loves. It is in Him that our true and only identity rests. It is in Him that we shed sin and weakness, false assumptions and misguided expectations, and become purely ourselves. Just who we are.
Lord, let us hold in our hearts that we are your children, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Jesus appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. {1 John 3:2}
Jennifer Shaw
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Saturday, March 20th
I have been in a bad mood lately. I have been short with my loved ones. I have been a bit disconnected. I have not been as joyful as I usually am.
Here is why: I have recognized some grave clothes that I now need to deal with. Lent, this book, well let’s just come out and say it… Jesus has caused me to have to look at my life and as I have done so, I have discovered some things that if I am going to grow into the person God wants me to be, I know I need to change. I have also discovered it isn’t going to be easy to do. In fact, it would be much easier just to avoid.
It’s easy to avoid stuff. I can just pretend that it’s not that important. Or I can pretend that I am too busy. Or I can say it’s not my fault. But when it comes down to it, if I want to heal, if I want to grow, if I want to talk off these particular grave clothes I have to change. Dang.
Here is a paraphrase of a prayer that I heard once. I don’t even know who originally said it. But I like it and it seems a good first step:
Lord, I don’t want to change. I don’t even want to want to change. But Lord, I want to want to want to change and I pray this is enough for you to work with. Amen.
Pastor Tim
Here is why: I have recognized some grave clothes that I now need to deal with. Lent, this book, well let’s just come out and say it… Jesus has caused me to have to look at my life and as I have done so, I have discovered some things that if I am going to grow into the person God wants me to be, I know I need to change. I have also discovered it isn’t going to be easy to do. In fact, it would be much easier just to avoid.
It’s easy to avoid stuff. I can just pretend that it’s not that important. Or I can pretend that I am too busy. Or I can say it’s not my fault. But when it comes down to it, if I want to heal, if I want to grow, if I want to talk off these particular grave clothes I have to change. Dang.
Here is a paraphrase of a prayer that I heard once. I don’t even know who originally said it. But I like it and it seems a good first step:
Lord, I don’t want to change. I don’t even want to want to change. But Lord, I want to want to want to change and I pray this is enough for you to work with. Amen.
Pastor Tim
Friday, March 19, 2010
Friday, March 19th
I Am Lazarus: I am going from rags to riches!
Like Lazarus we are often bound with the rags, residues or remains of life. Sometimes just one rag wraps around us and binds us and sometimes many. Sometimes we obsess on one thought or one feeling, some times on many. We can be bound in part or in full by guilt and sorrow over sins, by the feeling that life is unfair and unjust, by feelings of unworthiness, by the fear of loss, by the fear that our secret sins may be exposed, or by the fear of illness and death. There are so many hurtful, harmful and binding facets of life that can impinge on our thoughts and feelings and either keep us from doing that which is good and joyful, or drive us to doing that which is bad: into seeking revenge, hiding ourselves, stealing, mocking, hating, blaming others, or blaming God. This is death. This is the tomb. This is darkness. And Jesus said, “I have come into the word as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (NIV John 12:46).
With belief in Jesus, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who works in us to unwind the rags that bind our lives and to transform us into the children of God. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1:12-13 NIV). God works in us “to will and to act according to his good purposes. (Philippians 2:13)”: to change our rags into His Riches. The process of transformation begins when the rags that bind us are unwound. This unwinding process may happen quickly for some rags and slowly for others. Some rags will come off with a little tug and others will require great effort. Our many rags of sin and guilt can be stripped away from us by the power of the shed blood of Christ. All of our sins can be hung on the Cross of Christ, since we know that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV). The rags of fear can be stripped from us by receiving the perfect love of God, for perfect love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18). Our feelings that life is unfair can be stripped away from us when we understand “…that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). We must take hold of these truths and forgetting what is behind, press on toward the goal ahead, the goal of transformation. (Philippines 3:12-13).
Because Christ died for us while we were yet sinners and the Holy Spirit works within us, we can clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14) and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12). We can seek to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12). We can put on the whole armor of God, including the breastplate of His righteousness, which gives us peace; the shield of faith, which can extinguish the flaming arrows of evil, of anguish, of self-doubt, of fear; the helmet of salvation, which can protect our minds against thoughts of guilt and unworthiness; and, the sword of the sprit which is the word of God, which can guide us as we become the sons and daughters of light, the children of God.
Lord help us to exchange the rags that bind our lives, our grave clothes, for the riches that you have prepared for use. Amen
R.S.
Like Lazarus we are often bound with the rags, residues or remains of life. Sometimes just one rag wraps around us and binds us and sometimes many. Sometimes we obsess on one thought or one feeling, some times on many. We can be bound in part or in full by guilt and sorrow over sins, by the feeling that life is unfair and unjust, by feelings of unworthiness, by the fear of loss, by the fear that our secret sins may be exposed, or by the fear of illness and death. There are so many hurtful, harmful and binding facets of life that can impinge on our thoughts and feelings and either keep us from doing that which is good and joyful, or drive us to doing that which is bad: into seeking revenge, hiding ourselves, stealing, mocking, hating, blaming others, or blaming God. This is death. This is the tomb. This is darkness. And Jesus said, “I have come into the word as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (NIV John 12:46).
With belief in Jesus, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who works in us to unwind the rags that bind our lives and to transform us into the children of God. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1:12-13 NIV). God works in us “to will and to act according to his good purposes. (Philippians 2:13)”: to change our rags into His Riches. The process of transformation begins when the rags that bind us are unwound. This unwinding process may happen quickly for some rags and slowly for others. Some rags will come off with a little tug and others will require great effort. Our many rags of sin and guilt can be stripped away from us by the power of the shed blood of Christ. All of our sins can be hung on the Cross of Christ, since we know that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV). The rags of fear can be stripped from us by receiving the perfect love of God, for perfect love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18). Our feelings that life is unfair can be stripped away from us when we understand “…that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). We must take hold of these truths and forgetting what is behind, press on toward the goal ahead, the goal of transformation. (Philippines 3:12-13).
Because Christ died for us while we were yet sinners and the Holy Spirit works within us, we can clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14) and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12). We can seek to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12). We can put on the whole armor of God, including the breastplate of His righteousness, which gives us peace; the shield of faith, which can extinguish the flaming arrows of evil, of anguish, of self-doubt, of fear; the helmet of salvation, which can protect our minds against thoughts of guilt and unworthiness; and, the sword of the sprit which is the word of God, which can guide us as we become the sons and daughters of light, the children of God.
Lord help us to exchange the rags that bind our lives, our grave clothes, for the riches that you have prepared for use. Amen
R.S.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Thursday, March 18th
“It’s one thing to become a Christian. To be a Christian is more challenging. To be a Christian means to be continually involved in the transformation process.” (Stephen Smith, The Lazarus Life)
Faith is a daily affair. The manna God gave to the children of Israel did not last the night. Joshua challenged his people to “choose this day whom you will serve.” We ask for our daily bread in the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus instructed his disciples not to worry about tomorrow. Paul forgot what was behind and pressed on.
In the aptly titled A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, William Law writes, “Do not therefore please yourself with thinking how piously you would act and submit to God in a famine or plaque or persecution, but be intent upon the perfection of the present day; and be assured that the best way of showing a true zeal is to make little things the occasions of great piety.”
The perfection of the present day. We are daily transformed by this effort. We seek this by God’s grace. We have this day because of His great love for us. Because of His great love for us, we have all the days to come.
Lord, thank you for the blessing of this day. Amen.
Jennifer Shaw
Faith is a daily affair. The manna God gave to the children of Israel did not last the night. Joshua challenged his people to “choose this day whom you will serve.” We ask for our daily bread in the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus instructed his disciples not to worry about tomorrow. Paul forgot what was behind and pressed on.
In the aptly titled A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, William Law writes, “Do not therefore please yourself with thinking how piously you would act and submit to God in a famine or plaque or persecution, but be intent upon the perfection of the present day; and be assured that the best way of showing a true zeal is to make little things the occasions of great piety.”
The perfection of the present day. We are daily transformed by this effort. We seek this by God’s grace. We have this day because of His great love for us. Because of His great love for us, we have all the days to come.
Lord, thank you for the blessing of this day. Amen.
Jennifer Shaw
Wednesday, March 17th
It was a popcorn question meant as an opening at our group’s recent Tuesday night Bible study.
“In your faith walk in recent years, what kinds of things have held you back from moving toward or deepening your relationship with Christ?”
The challenge opened a flood of responses around the table.
“Fear!”
“Money!”
“Friends!”
“Career!”
“The culture!”
In the course of the evening, several people shared how important this Bible study group – which was formed through Ascension and has been meeting weekly for more than 20 years! – has been in their faith walk and in helping them deepen their relationship with Jesus. It has helped all of us overcome obstacles that previously distracted us or held us back.
That’s the blessing of community, the ability to gather, be lifted up, encouraged, strengthened and better able to discern God’s will in our lives.
It’s also the reason the early church flourished. Small groups, usually gathering in homes, ministering to one another. Iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17).
Do you participate in a small group? Perhaps it’s just what your faith walk needs right now.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the encouragement of and fellowship with others. Please bless those (specific names?) who have been such an important part of my faith walk and have shown me your love in sometimes remarkable ways. Bless them, and please bless me today. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Ed Klodt
“In your faith walk in recent years, what kinds of things have held you back from moving toward or deepening your relationship with Christ?”
The challenge opened a flood of responses around the table.
“Fear!”
“Money!”
“Friends!”
“Career!”
“The culture!”
In the course of the evening, several people shared how important this Bible study group – which was formed through Ascension and has been meeting weekly for more than 20 years! – has been in their faith walk and in helping them deepen their relationship with Jesus. It has helped all of us overcome obstacles that previously distracted us or held us back.
That’s the blessing of community, the ability to gather, be lifted up, encouraged, strengthened and better able to discern God’s will in our lives.
It’s also the reason the early church flourished. Small groups, usually gathering in homes, ministering to one another. Iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17).
Do you participate in a small group? Perhaps it’s just what your faith walk needs right now.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the encouragement of and fellowship with others. Please bless those (specific names?) who have been such an important part of my faith walk and have shown me your love in sometimes remarkable ways. Bless them, and please bless me today. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Ed Klodt
Monday, March 15, 2010
Tuesday, March 16th
“There is always an enormous temptation in all of life to diddle around making itsy-bitsy friends and meals and journeys for itsy-bitsy years on end...... We are making hay when we should be making whoopee; we are raising tomatoes when we should be raising Cain, or Lazarus. "
— Annie Dillard
I put this quote by Annie Dillard in the blog knowing that it might be misunderstood. But it is an important quote to me and to my wife. It is our reminder that life is meant to be lived boldly and out loud. Some of the grave clothes that cling to me are the grave clothes of itsy-bitsy. In other words: “don’t take a chance,” “be safe,” “take no risks.”
And yet the Christian life is about taking a chance, stepping out of our comfort zone. That is why it is called faith. That is why I have always enjoyed the title of one of John Ortberg’s books: “If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat.”
Pastor Tim
— Annie Dillard
I put this quote by Annie Dillard in the blog knowing that it might be misunderstood. But it is an important quote to me and to my wife. It is our reminder that life is meant to be lived boldly and out loud. Some of the grave clothes that cling to me are the grave clothes of itsy-bitsy. In other words: “don’t take a chance,” “be safe,” “take no risks.”
And yet the Christian life is about taking a chance, stepping out of our comfort zone. That is why it is called faith. That is why I have always enjoyed the title of one of John Ortberg’s books: “If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat.”
Pastor Tim
Monday, March 15th
I’m not much of a dancer. Just ask my wife.
In fact, at weddings and other get-togethers when the band cranks it up, I’m usually on the sidelines. When people ask why I’m not out on the dance floor, I often wink at them and say, “That’s why men get married . . . So they don’t have to dance anymore.” I know; bad joke.
It’s not that I don’t love being arm in arm with Lyn. It’s just that I’m embarrassed by my dancing.
Those times that I do glide by the bandstand with her, I always feel like I have to hold back. I don’t know how to lead. I’m concerned about stepping on her shoes. I’m afraid I’ll look silly. I’m fearful that people will find out what a klutz I am and that I have three left feet.
To relate it to the story of Lazarus, the graveclothes that wrap me up and hold me back are my unwillingness to risk looking ridiculous.
That says a lot about my relationship with my Lord, as well. To me, a deep relationship with Jesus is like a dance with him. When he leads and I follow, it’s a wondrous thing to experience and to watch. Yet, to do so, I have to be willing to look ridiculous to others. I also have to hold him close, very close.
King David wasn’t afraid of looking silly. In 2 Samuel we read that once, in front of a large crowd, this powerful king “danced before the LORD with all his might” (2 Sam. 6:14). Nothing held back – just dancing like a fool because he was so in love with his God.
It’s time to get back onto the dance floor.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thanks for your grace and for your incredible love for me and for humankind. Let’s keep dancing. Amen.
Ed Klodt
In fact, at weddings and other get-togethers when the band cranks it up, I’m usually on the sidelines. When people ask why I’m not out on the dance floor, I often wink at them and say, “That’s why men get married . . . So they don’t have to dance anymore.” I know; bad joke.
It’s not that I don’t love being arm in arm with Lyn. It’s just that I’m embarrassed by my dancing.
Those times that I do glide by the bandstand with her, I always feel like I have to hold back. I don’t know how to lead. I’m concerned about stepping on her shoes. I’m afraid I’ll look silly. I’m fearful that people will find out what a klutz I am and that I have three left feet.
To relate it to the story of Lazarus, the graveclothes that wrap me up and hold me back are my unwillingness to risk looking ridiculous.
That says a lot about my relationship with my Lord, as well. To me, a deep relationship with Jesus is like a dance with him. When he leads and I follow, it’s a wondrous thing to experience and to watch. Yet, to do so, I have to be willing to look ridiculous to others. I also have to hold him close, very close.
King David wasn’t afraid of looking silly. In 2 Samuel we read that once, in front of a large crowd, this powerful king “danced before the LORD with all his might” (2 Sam. 6:14). Nothing held back – just dancing like a fool because he was so in love with his God.
It’s time to get back onto the dance floor.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thanks for your grace and for your incredible love for me and for humankind. Let’s keep dancing. Amen.
Ed Klodt
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Saturday, March 13th
“Never, never, never give up.” Winston Churchill
Perseverance doesn’t get a lot of play nowadays. We live in a culture accustomed to the first flush of love in romantic comedies, the instant gratification of Google and Wikipedia, the convenience of wireless technology, and fast food, and fast lanes, and fast passes at amusement parks. We expect instant results with minimum labor.
We are often disappointed. While everyone knows “good things come to those who wait,” we don’t really want to believe it. Concentrated investment, hard work, dedication, patience – by their very nature these things are not quick or easy. But they are essential.
Joseph persevered while a slave and a prisoner. Abraham kept traveling. Joshua wondered though the wilderness. Elizabeth awaited a child. They may not have seen all the good ends God intended in the midst of their confusion and heartbreak and suffering, but they kept going, because they saw God. It is in Him that we live…and have our being…and move…
We “press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of us.”
Lord, may we “know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection of the dead.” {Philippians 3:10-11}
Jennifer Shaw
Perseverance doesn’t get a lot of play nowadays. We live in a culture accustomed to the first flush of love in romantic comedies, the instant gratification of Google and Wikipedia, the convenience of wireless technology, and fast food, and fast lanes, and fast passes at amusement parks. We expect instant results with minimum labor.
We are often disappointed. While everyone knows “good things come to those who wait,” we don’t really want to believe it. Concentrated investment, hard work, dedication, patience – by their very nature these things are not quick or easy. But they are essential.
Joseph persevered while a slave and a prisoner. Abraham kept traveling. Joshua wondered though the wilderness. Elizabeth awaited a child. They may not have seen all the good ends God intended in the midst of their confusion and heartbreak and suffering, but they kept going, because they saw God. It is in Him that we live…and have our being…and move…
We “press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of us.”
Lord, may we “know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection of the dead.” {Philippians 3:10-11}
Jennifer Shaw
Friday, March 12, 2010
Friday, March 12th
I AM Lazarus: I have seen the Light, and I want to glow!
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai his face was radiant (Exodus 34:29). On a high mountain, Jesus was transfigured so that His Face, “shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light” (Matthew 17:2). People who have experienced the transforming power of God are often shown as glowing. In the picture of the Rising of Lazarus by Giotto di Bondone, we see Lazarus, Jesus and many of the people around them encased in light. An outer glowing is a reflection of an inner transformation. Those who have been transformed by God become “the sons of light“(John 12:36).
Our journey to Jesus is much like the Journey of Lazarus from the tomb to Our Lord: We begin in bondage to sin and death. We hear the voice of Jesus who calls us “come out”. We struggle to follow the leading of that voice. When we reach door of the tomb, we suddenly become aware of an awesome light. This light can be blinding and our eyes must adjust so that we can see. Then we see Jesus. Our faces are unveiled and we behold Him. We receive Him as Lord and Savior and are imbued with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Christ becomes the model, the ideal, the transforming figure which we seek to emulate. We then realize that the old self must be shed and a new self, formed in the image of Christ, must be put on. We know that by ourselves, we are unable to change, to become what God would have us become. But through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit works in us to perfect us so that we may become like Him. “…he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior” (NIV Titus 3:5-6.) “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lords glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (NIV, 2 Corinthians 3:18). The journey to Jesus is a stumbling journey filled with repentances and renewals until we finally reach Him and are completely transformed by the power of God in mind, in spirit, and in body.
Lord, we ask you in every way and during every day to increase your presence in our lives. Change us through the Holy Spirit so that we may be more like You: that we may increase in love, increase in hope, increase in faith, and increase in the fruits of the Spirit so that we may more fully reflect You in our lives. Transform us Lord, so that the lights of our lives may so shine before men that they will glorify You. Amen
R.S.
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai his face was radiant (Exodus 34:29). On a high mountain, Jesus was transfigured so that His Face, “shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light” (Matthew 17:2). People who have experienced the transforming power of God are often shown as glowing. In the picture of the Rising of Lazarus by Giotto di Bondone, we see Lazarus, Jesus and many of the people around them encased in light. An outer glowing is a reflection of an inner transformation. Those who have been transformed by God become “the sons of light“(John 12:36).
Our journey to Jesus is much like the Journey of Lazarus from the tomb to Our Lord: We begin in bondage to sin and death. We hear the voice of Jesus who calls us “come out”. We struggle to follow the leading of that voice. When we reach door of the tomb, we suddenly become aware of an awesome light. This light can be blinding and our eyes must adjust so that we can see. Then we see Jesus. Our faces are unveiled and we behold Him. We receive Him as Lord and Savior and are imbued with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Christ becomes the model, the ideal, the transforming figure which we seek to emulate. We then realize that the old self must be shed and a new self, formed in the image of Christ, must be put on. We know that by ourselves, we are unable to change, to become what God would have us become. But through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit works in us to perfect us so that we may become like Him. “…he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior” (NIV Titus 3:5-6.) “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lords glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (NIV, 2 Corinthians 3:18). The journey to Jesus is a stumbling journey filled with repentances and renewals until we finally reach Him and are completely transformed by the power of God in mind, in spirit, and in body.
Lord, we ask you in every way and during every day to increase your presence in our lives. Change us through the Holy Spirit so that we may be more like You: that we may increase in love, increase in hope, increase in faith, and increase in the fruits of the Spirit so that we may more fully reflect You in our lives. Transform us Lord, so that the lights of our lives may so shine before men that they will glorify You. Amen
R.S.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Thursday, March 11th
The apostle Paul must have been a gutsy poker player.
Why else would he write in his letter to the Philippians “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ . . .” (Phil. 7-8).
In poker parlance, Paul was “all in.”
He bet his entire stack of chips in the hopes of winning one important hand – to know Christ and to live a life pleasing to him.
The desire for wealth, power, earthly adornments and even the admiration of others had been squelched by his profound experience of the living Christ on the road to Damascus.
He was willing to lay a wager that changed his life – and the lives of countless others. In fact, his hand-scrawled letters are still changing lives today.
He risked everything in his pursuit of being Christ’s ambassador – in chains, no less (Ephesians 6:20).
Am I willing to go all in?
Ed Klodt
Why else would he write in his letter to the Philippians “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ . . .” (Phil. 7-8).
In poker parlance, Paul was “all in.”
He bet his entire stack of chips in the hopes of winning one important hand – to know Christ and to live a life pleasing to him.
The desire for wealth, power, earthly adornments and even the admiration of others had been squelched by his profound experience of the living Christ on the road to Damascus.
He was willing to lay a wager that changed his life – and the lives of countless others. In fact, his hand-scrawled letters are still changing lives today.
He risked everything in his pursuit of being Christ’s ambassador – in chains, no less (Ephesians 6:20).
Am I willing to go all in?
Ed Klodt
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wednesday, March 10th
It is hard to admit but… sometimes staying inside the tomb is the more comfortable option.
The reason for this is that the One who calls us out of it is calling us into His life. And His life is not easy. It is joyful but it is not easy. It is real but it is not easy. It is abundant but it is not easy.
Jesus’ heart broke for the poor and the outcast. He calls us to have the same heart. Jesus spoke the truth in love and He calls us to do the same. Jesus stood by his convictions in wonderfully graceful ways and we are all called out of our tomb to do the same. Oi!
Can you feel the tension? Can you understand why not coming out of the tomb might be the more comfortable option?
And yet, at the end of the day or week or…well… really long periods of time those who have followed Jesus’ call out of the tomb get to know something that those who don’t never understand. It is the power of resurrection.
Dear Lord, today with its challenges is a good day to walk in the light of your love. Please help me do it. Amen.
The reason for this is that the One who calls us out of it is calling us into His life. And His life is not easy. It is joyful but it is not easy. It is real but it is not easy. It is abundant but it is not easy.
Jesus’ heart broke for the poor and the outcast. He calls us to have the same heart. Jesus spoke the truth in love and He calls us to do the same. Jesus stood by his convictions in wonderfully graceful ways and we are all called out of our tomb to do the same. Oi!
Can you feel the tension? Can you understand why not coming out of the tomb might be the more comfortable option?
And yet, at the end of the day or week or…well… really long periods of time those who have followed Jesus’ call out of the tomb get to know something that those who don’t never understand. It is the power of resurrection.
Dear Lord, today with its challenges is a good day to walk in the light of your love. Please help me do it. Amen.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Tuesday, March 9th
Our faith journey isn’t a tightrope; it’s a river.
For too long my faith walk had me thinking of myself as a high-wire aerialist. One misstep and I’d plunge into the chasm that would lead to my destruction. An ill-timed expletive, a blunt push for a promotion at work or even laughing at a Bart Simpson taunt were among what I thought would derail me from the tightrope of faith I had placed myself upon.
I put other Christians on that same high-wire, often evaluating them by how well they walked that rigid tightrope. After all, as fellow believers we were all on the same narrow path, right? In fact, didn’t Jesus say “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction . . . (Matt. 7:13)?
Over time I’ve come to understand Jesus’ words as being far more profound than I had first imagined. If Jesus is, indeed, “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6) then it’s my faith in him – not how well I cling to the high wire – that allows me to enter through the narrow gate.
In that way, our faith journey together is less like a tightrope and more like a river.
In the river, there’s lots of room for all of us to swim around, and each of us are in different areas of the waterway. While some are swimming with the current, others are still in the shallows testing the depths. Some are momentarily caught in whirlpools of doubt. Others are in murky seasons of life, temporarily drifting in muddy waters or under dark bridges. Still others are simply trying to learn how to swim or simply goofing off in the cattail reeds.
Shores provide the boundaries. Keep away from them. Stay in the water. As long as we keep swimming and probing the river of faith together we’ll do fine.
Chances are that you’re a little farther down the waterway than many of us are. That’s the beauty of faith journeys – we’re all in different places. Will you extend grace to the rest of us as we learn to navigate the awesome river of faith that flows through that narrow gate?
Perhaps it’s time to turn our personal faith walk . . . into a faith swim.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your grace, in which you allow me to learn and make mistakes. Please help me to extend that same grace to others as they engage in their own faith swim. Amen.
Ed Klodt
For too long my faith walk had me thinking of myself as a high-wire aerialist. One misstep and I’d plunge into the chasm that would lead to my destruction. An ill-timed expletive, a blunt push for a promotion at work or even laughing at a Bart Simpson taunt were among what I thought would derail me from the tightrope of faith I had placed myself upon.
I put other Christians on that same high-wire, often evaluating them by how well they walked that rigid tightrope. After all, as fellow believers we were all on the same narrow path, right? In fact, didn’t Jesus say “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction . . . (Matt. 7:13)?
Over time I’ve come to understand Jesus’ words as being far more profound than I had first imagined. If Jesus is, indeed, “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6) then it’s my faith in him – not how well I cling to the high wire – that allows me to enter through the narrow gate.
In that way, our faith journey together is less like a tightrope and more like a river.
In the river, there’s lots of room for all of us to swim around, and each of us are in different areas of the waterway. While some are swimming with the current, others are still in the shallows testing the depths. Some are momentarily caught in whirlpools of doubt. Others are in murky seasons of life, temporarily drifting in muddy waters or under dark bridges. Still others are simply trying to learn how to swim or simply goofing off in the cattail reeds.
Shores provide the boundaries. Keep away from them. Stay in the water. As long as we keep swimming and probing the river of faith together we’ll do fine.
Chances are that you’re a little farther down the waterway than many of us are. That’s the beauty of faith journeys – we’re all in different places. Will you extend grace to the rest of us as we learn to navigate the awesome river of faith that flows through that narrow gate?
Perhaps it’s time to turn our personal faith walk . . . into a faith swim.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your grace, in which you allow me to learn and make mistakes. Please help me to extend that same grace to others as they engage in their own faith swim. Amen.
Ed Klodt
Monday, March 8, 2010
Monday, March 8th
Lord, thank you: “I am not what I ought to be.
I am not what I want to be.
I am not what I hope to be.
But by your grace, I am not what I was.”
(a paraphrase of a prayer of John Newton’s)
Last Saturday was a funeral for one of my heroes of the faith, Ward Rineman. I had the privilege to speak at it. Preparing for speaking was a good exercise for me because it forced me to put my thoughts together on why he was such a hero to me. I remembered various times that I interacted with him. I remembered him doing what he did so well which was welcoming new people to church. But as I thought about it, the common theme in all of my memories of him was his perseverance. It was the fact that I could count on him to have the same passion, the same love the same care for others, day in and day out. It did not matter whether it was a good day or a bad day, I just knew that if Ward could be there welcoming and reaching out to others then there was no question that he would- even when he was 96 years old. It was no act. It just was who he was through and through.
That is the way I want to be. I don’t feel like I am that way yet but Ward gives me a marker, a target, a hero in the flesh to emulate. I thank God for the privilege of knowing Ward.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Saturday, March 6th
I Am Lazarus: God Loves Me
Lazarus was in a death and life situation. He was in his tomb and his old life was gone. The grave had robbed him of his being and his aspirations. There was only cold emptiness and stillness. Then God said “come out”, and within his lifeless corpse there was a spark, a life giving light in the darkness which grew and overcame that darkness until Lazarus was changed from death into life. Within the darkness of the tomb, he became a new creation by the hand of God. Behold, “he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). He became what Christ wanted him to become, a living example of the power of God to bring life out of death and light out of darkness.
I have learned over the years that my aspirations, the things I wanted to achieve had to die in order for the aspirations of God for me, the things He wanted me to do, could come to pass. I had to learn to do what God put before me, to undertake the opportunities He gave me and respond to His callings. By doing so, I have participated in a great many exciting, amazing, and wonderful live experiences. There were many “tomb experiences” in my life where I have had to give up things that I wanted to do in order to earn a living, perform a duty, be a parent or friend, or respond to a call to serve, Thank God. I have also learned that, when I am experiencing a “tomb experience” and do not give it over to God, I simply remain in the tomb!
In order to give up my aspirations and self directed control over my life’s activities, I have had to learn to trust God and surrender myself to what opportunity He has given me or what call He has made on my life. I am still learning to do it “His Way” rather than “my way”. I have also found out that the term “my way or no way” simply means “no way”. I am engaged in a life long learning process with God. I am learning that “God loves me”, I am learning that “God provides,” and I am learning to overcome fear, or rather to let God overcome the fear that is within me.
When I become afraid, I find that I am bound in the tomb of worry and care. However, since I have experienced the love of God in my life and have come to know that, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…(1 John 4:18)” I have found “the peace that transcends understanding.” Because God loves me, I trust him and know that “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)”. These are some of my Lazarus experiences.
R.S.
Lazarus was in a death and life situation. He was in his tomb and his old life was gone. The grave had robbed him of his being and his aspirations. There was only cold emptiness and stillness. Then God said “come out”, and within his lifeless corpse there was a spark, a life giving light in the darkness which grew and overcame that darkness until Lazarus was changed from death into life. Within the darkness of the tomb, he became a new creation by the hand of God. Behold, “he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). He became what Christ wanted him to become, a living example of the power of God to bring life out of death and light out of darkness.
I have learned over the years that my aspirations, the things I wanted to achieve had to die in order for the aspirations of God for me, the things He wanted me to do, could come to pass. I had to learn to do what God put before me, to undertake the opportunities He gave me and respond to His callings. By doing so, I have participated in a great many exciting, amazing, and wonderful live experiences. There were many “tomb experiences” in my life where I have had to give up things that I wanted to do in order to earn a living, perform a duty, be a parent or friend, or respond to a call to serve, Thank God. I have also learned that, when I am experiencing a “tomb experience” and do not give it over to God, I simply remain in the tomb!
In order to give up my aspirations and self directed control over my life’s activities, I have had to learn to trust God and surrender myself to what opportunity He has given me or what call He has made on my life. I am still learning to do it “His Way” rather than “my way”. I have also found out that the term “my way or no way” simply means “no way”. I am engaged in a life long learning process with God. I am learning that “God loves me”, I am learning that “God provides,” and I am learning to overcome fear, or rather to let God overcome the fear that is within me.
When I become afraid, I find that I am bound in the tomb of worry and care. However, since I have experienced the love of God in my life and have come to know that, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…(1 John 4:18)” I have found “the peace that transcends understanding.” Because God loves me, I trust him and know that “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)”. These are some of my Lazarus experiences.
R.S.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Friday, March 5th
Are you still having trouble understanding how much God loves you even in your mess? How crazy He is about you even if you don’t stand out in the crowd (or if you do stand out for all the wrong reasons)? If you are, have you considered:
Matthew, the hated tax collector who sold out Israel to Rome by becoming a tax collector but who God turned into a disciple?
Jacob who was a swindler until God in his steadfast love got a hold of him and gave him a new identity as a patriarch of Israel?
Saul the murderer who God transformed into the great apostle Paul?
The unnamed woman in John 8 who was in adultery and who (though everybody else wanted to condemn and even kill her) Jesus just could not condemn but instead forgave and loved?
Or how about Peter who betrayed Jesus in a deeply shameful way but who Jesus forgave and turned into Peter, The Rock.
Somehow people still seem to think that they have to be “good” Christians in order to be worthy of God’s transforming love. But they don’t.
Father may we know your radical, graceful, call of love in our life today. Amen.
Matthew, the hated tax collector who sold out Israel to Rome by becoming a tax collector but who God turned into a disciple?
Jacob who was a swindler until God in his steadfast love got a hold of him and gave him a new identity as a patriarch of Israel?
Saul the murderer who God transformed into the great apostle Paul?
The unnamed woman in John 8 who was in adultery and who (though everybody else wanted to condemn and even kill her) Jesus just could not condemn but instead forgave and loved?
Or how about Peter who betrayed Jesus in a deeply shameful way but who Jesus forgave and turned into Peter, The Rock.
Somehow people still seem to think that they have to be “good” Christians in order to be worthy of God’s transforming love. But they don’t.
Father may we know your radical, graceful, call of love in our life today. Amen.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thursday, March 4th
Before introducing us to Jean Valjean, the central character of Les Miserables, author Victor Hugo details the life of Monsieur Myriel. He is “an upright man…well-read, even learned…a sage.” He is well-versed in Scripture and wise. He is respected and eloquent. He is “one of those strong, tested, and indulgent souls, where the thought is so great that it cannot be other than gentle.” This is a man who knows God.
But he also knows God. When Jean Valjean - out of prison after nineteen years with no friends, no resources, and no place to stay - needs shelter, M. Myriel takes him in. When Jean Valjean steals his silverware in the middle of the night, M. Myriel accepts this as a contribution to a poor man. And when Jean Valjean, captured by the police for this crime, is brought back to M. Myriel, the priest not only forgives him, but gives him the candlesticks as well. Then he says, “Do not forget, ever, that you have promised me to use this silver to become an honest man.” The rest of the story is Jean Valjean’s attempt to do so.
M. Myriel acts in love, and changes a stranger’s life. This learned man, this eloquent priest, is also a man of heart. As Hugo writes, “He did not study God, he was dazzled by Him.”
Lord, help us to truly know you.
Jennifer Shaw
But he also knows God. When Jean Valjean - out of prison after nineteen years with no friends, no resources, and no place to stay - needs shelter, M. Myriel takes him in. When Jean Valjean steals his silverware in the middle of the night, M. Myriel accepts this as a contribution to a poor man. And when Jean Valjean, captured by the police for this crime, is brought back to M. Myriel, the priest not only forgives him, but gives him the candlesticks as well. Then he says, “Do not forget, ever, that you have promised me to use this silver to become an honest man.” The rest of the story is Jean Valjean’s attempt to do so.
M. Myriel acts in love, and changes a stranger’s life. This learned man, this eloquent priest, is also a man of heart. As Hugo writes, “He did not study God, he was dazzled by Him.”
Lord, help us to truly know you.
Jennifer Shaw
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Wednesday, March 3rd
During my sophomore year in college, I was on the new student orientation team under the leadership of a Resident Advisor. I’d worked with that same Advisor during my freshman year, which was for me, as it is for so many adjusting to college and what lies beyond, a tough one. He knew this, and one day, when we were discussing the new student handbook, he stopped and said, “You know, Jen, God doesn’t just love you. He likes you. He chose you.”
I carry those words in my heart. I carry them along with the words of love, and encouragement, and correction, and guidance that people in my life have been kind enough to share. And I carry with these the wise words of C.S. Lewis, and William Law, and Dallas Willard. And Psalm 23, Jeremiah 29, Romans 8, Galatians 5, Matthew 7. And that still, small voice that stopped me in my tracks on a morning hike to tell me “it’s okay.”
I carry in my heart the Word, Jesus our Savior and Lord, who calls to us as surely as he called to Lazarus. He is the messenger and the message that God wants His children to hear. God doesn’t just love the world. He loves you.
Lord, we pray that being rooted and established in love, we may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. {Ephesians 3:17-19}
Jennifer Shaw
I carry those words in my heart. I carry them along with the words of love, and encouragement, and correction, and guidance that people in my life have been kind enough to share. And I carry with these the wise words of C.S. Lewis, and William Law, and Dallas Willard. And Psalm 23, Jeremiah 29, Romans 8, Galatians 5, Matthew 7. And that still, small voice that stopped me in my tracks on a morning hike to tell me “it’s okay.”
I carry in my heart the Word, Jesus our Savior and Lord, who calls to us as surely as he called to Lazarus. He is the messenger and the message that God wants His children to hear. God doesn’t just love the world. He loves you.
Lord, we pray that being rooted and established in love, we may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. {Ephesians 3:17-19}
Jennifer Shaw
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Tuesday, March 2nd
Self-esteem gets a lot of air play as an essential way to feel good. Make people proud of their accomplishments and give them a sense of self-worth, we’re told, and their outlook on life will improve dramatically.
That’s never worked for me. It misses an important, very biblical, first step – allowing ourselves to be loved. Springtime only enters the winter of our lives once we open the gates to allowing others to love us and then returning that love.
In fact, author Smith in The Lazarus Life tells us – at least twice – “the crucial step in being transformed is learning to let yourself be loved. Skip this step and transformation will not happen” (pg. 73).
He’s right, isn’t he? Until I open myself to God’s love – as scary as that can be sometimes because it’s such a huge, gaping, pulsing heart of love – I cannot be transformed into the image of Jesus. And at the core of that image is love.
In fact John tells us, “We love because God first loved us” (1 John 4:19). In other words, our ability to love our God and one another is built on our ability to first open ourselves to the agape love that God has for us.
Frankly, it’s this concept that sets Christianity apart from every other religion – ever. That God so loves humankind that he sacrifices his own son so that we can have life with him today and forever. That’s the guts of John 3:16, right? No other religion or faith system professes that kind of love between God and humankind where God reaches out purposefully to initiate that loving relationship. It’s as unique to Christianity as spots are to a leopard.
I love that God loves us so much. Sure improves my self-esteem.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for continually reaching those big, ole’ loving arms around me, even when I don’t realize you’re doing it. Amen.
Ed Klodt
That’s never worked for me. It misses an important, very biblical, first step – allowing ourselves to be loved. Springtime only enters the winter of our lives once we open the gates to allowing others to love us and then returning that love.
In fact, author Smith in The Lazarus Life tells us – at least twice – “the crucial step in being transformed is learning to let yourself be loved. Skip this step and transformation will not happen” (pg. 73).
He’s right, isn’t he? Until I open myself to God’s love – as scary as that can be sometimes because it’s such a huge, gaping, pulsing heart of love – I cannot be transformed into the image of Jesus. And at the core of that image is love.
In fact John tells us, “We love because God first loved us” (1 John 4:19). In other words, our ability to love our God and one another is built on our ability to first open ourselves to the agape love that God has for us.
Frankly, it’s this concept that sets Christianity apart from every other religion – ever. That God so loves humankind that he sacrifices his own son so that we can have life with him today and forever. That’s the guts of John 3:16, right? No other religion or faith system professes that kind of love between God and humankind where God reaches out purposefully to initiate that loving relationship. It’s as unique to Christianity as spots are to a leopard.
I love that God loves us so much. Sure improves my self-esteem.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for continually reaching those big, ole’ loving arms around me, even when I don’t realize you’re doing it. Amen.
Ed Klodt
Monday, March 1, 2010
Monday, March 1st
“Accepting the reality of our broken, flawed lives is the beginning of spirituality not because the spiritual life will remove our flaws but because we let go of seeking perfection and, instead, seek God, the one who is present in the tangledness of our lives. Spirituality is not about being fixed; it is about God's being present in the mess of our unfixedness.” (Mike Yaconelli, Messy Spirituality)
I love this quote because it reminds us that God isn’t looking for perfect people. Instead, He is looking for open hearts. He is looking for people who are willing to make a little room in their lives for Him. It is why the spiritual life can truly be called the “Lazarus” life because “Lazarus” is a good Hebrew name that means “one whom God helps.”
I think it was author Ann La Mott who said that she really has just two prayers when it all comes down to it. The first prayer is “Help me, help me, help me, Lord. Amen.” The second is “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord. Amen.”
Help me, help me, help me, Lord. Amen.
I love this quote because it reminds us that God isn’t looking for perfect people. Instead, He is looking for open hearts. He is looking for people who are willing to make a little room in their lives for Him. It is why the spiritual life can truly be called the “Lazarus” life because “Lazarus” is a good Hebrew name that means “one whom God helps.”
I think it was author Ann La Mott who said that she really has just two prayers when it all comes down to it. The first prayer is “Help me, help me, help me, Lord. Amen.” The second is “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord. Amen.”
Help me, help me, help me, Lord. Amen.
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