Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” Mt. 19:14.
Awhile back an acquaintance gave me a really nice present. It was something I wanted and eventually might have purchased for myself. But before I began enjoying this gift, all I could think of was, “What can I buy him in return?”
Adults are strange. We have difficulty just saying, “Thank you!” and leaving it at that. It is ingrained in us that there is no such thing as a free lunch or gift. We don’t like to be in another’s debt, and so we feel that we have to pay back this kindness.
Children aren’t this way. As Jesus points out, they can receive a present and go their merry way. They enjoy the gift and play with it so enthusiastically that it makes the giver feel good.”Wow! I wish everyone got so much good out of my gifts!”
We have been given through Jesus a way of life, abundant life. To accept this gift with a “Thank you!” and to experience it as best we can daily is the fitting response.
Prayer: Gracious God, we praise you for giving us in Jesus Christ what we need to live life fully. There is no way we can pay you back for this gift. We can only enjoy it, which is your intent. Amen
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Pastor's Column August 15, 2010
I think it is unclear what we Christians mean by the word “love.” Why? Our culture uses “love” to refer a variety of feelings, most often a romantic feeling. For ex., Sarah, who has no feelings for Bob, loves Sam, but then fell out of love with him because she is more attracted to Bill. The above sentence has nothing to teach us about God’s love other than God’s love is different.
When we read, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son,” God’s feelings have less to do with it than God’s willpower. Sure, God is attracted to humankind. God “likes” us, has feelings for us. God desires the best for us and through Jesus wants to enter into a relationship with each and every human being. In this relationship we receive God’s guidance and support so we might live full, joyful lives.
But because we choose to do things our ways rather than God’s way, i.e., sin; the sort of love based primarily on feelings is not enough. God “chooses” to love us, meaning, constantly seek our wellbeing. It is a matter of willpower, and it is costly. If God dealt with us based upon feelings alone, God would fall out of love and leave us.
Likewise, the sort of love that we as Christians are to have for others, even those who regard us as their enemies, is based on willpower more so than feelings. In my opinion, one of the best statements of Christian love is Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you.” -DJ
When we read, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son,” God’s feelings have less to do with it than God’s willpower. Sure, God is attracted to humankind. God “likes” us, has feelings for us. God desires the best for us and through Jesus wants to enter into a relationship with each and every human being. In this relationship we receive God’s guidance and support so we might live full, joyful lives.
But because we choose to do things our ways rather than God’s way, i.e., sin; the sort of love based primarily on feelings is not enough. God “chooses” to love us, meaning, constantly seek our wellbeing. It is a matter of willpower, and it is costly. If God dealt with us based upon feelings alone, God would fall out of love and leave us.
Likewise, the sort of love that we as Christians are to have for others, even those who regard us as their enemies, is based on willpower more so than feelings. In my opinion, one of the best statements of Christian love is Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you.” -DJ
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Pastor’s Column (August 8, 2010)
What is overlooked about Psalm 23 is that it says two different things about God. It could have been two psalms instead of one.
Most everyone knows what is being said in the first portion of Psalm 23, vss. 1-4, “The Lord is my shepherd.” We can look to God for guidance and support no matter where we are on life’s journey. God is “with” us and will get us “through.”
The second thing said is less known, God is our sanctuary, vss. 5-6. The situation envisioned here is that of one’s enemies chasing him through the countryside, wanting to do him harm. They are hot on his heels when he sees a tent in the distance. Lungs bursting, the fellow races to the tent and grabs one of the flaps.
It was widely accepted – the law, in effect - that pursuers could not touch a person holding onto the flaps of another’s tent. The one who dwelled in the tent at that point had to make a decision: either turn the fellow over to his pursuers, or grant him sanctuary. In Psalm 23, God is living in the tent and grants the psalmist sanctuary. To say that God prepares “a table before me in the presence of my enemies,” is to say that the psalmist is dining inside the tent, flaps open to catch the breeze, while his enemies glare at a distance, cursing their luck.
A variety of enemies may be hot on our heels – addictions, family problems, work problems, grudges, guilt, sin, etc. The good news is that God hospitably provides us rest and renewal, strength for the journey ahead, when we need it. This puts all else in perspective. “Only goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” - DJ
Most everyone knows what is being said in the first portion of Psalm 23, vss. 1-4, “The Lord is my shepherd.” We can look to God for guidance and support no matter where we are on life’s journey. God is “with” us and will get us “through.”
The second thing said is less known, God is our sanctuary, vss. 5-6. The situation envisioned here is that of one’s enemies chasing him through the countryside, wanting to do him harm. They are hot on his heels when he sees a tent in the distance. Lungs bursting, the fellow races to the tent and grabs one of the flaps.
It was widely accepted – the law, in effect - that pursuers could not touch a person holding onto the flaps of another’s tent. The one who dwelled in the tent at that point had to make a decision: either turn the fellow over to his pursuers, or grant him sanctuary. In Psalm 23, God is living in the tent and grants the psalmist sanctuary. To say that God prepares “a table before me in the presence of my enemies,” is to say that the psalmist is dining inside the tent, flaps open to catch the breeze, while his enemies glare at a distance, cursing their luck.
A variety of enemies may be hot on our heels – addictions, family problems, work problems, grudges, guilt, sin, etc. The good news is that God hospitably provides us rest and renewal, strength for the journey ahead, when we need it. This puts all else in perspective. “Only goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” - DJ
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Pastor's Column August 2, 2010
It is said that here are three kinds of givers, be it the giving of money or time or ability. One is the flint, the second is the sponge, and the third is the honeycomb. Which are you?
To get anything from the flint, you have to hammer away at it. Even then, all you get are chips and sparks. The flint gives nothing away if it can help it. To get anything from the sponge, you have to squeeze it. It obviously yields to pressure: the more it is pressed, the more it gives. Still, it doesn’t give of its own volition. Another has to squeeze it. To receive from the honeycomb, though, all you have to do is collect what freely flows from it. A honeycomb gives its sweetness generously, without pressure, and without being hammered. - from Keith Wagner
To get anything from the flint, you have to hammer away at it. Even then, all you get are chips and sparks. The flint gives nothing away if it can help it. To get anything from the sponge, you have to squeeze it. It obviously yields to pressure: the more it is pressed, the more it gives. Still, it doesn’t give of its own volition. Another has to squeeze it. To receive from the honeycomb, though, all you have to do is collect what freely flows from it. A honeycomb gives its sweetness generously, without pressure, and without being hammered. - from Keith Wagner
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