A Pastor's Thoughts

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

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Perhaps the biggest challenge we face in life is living a worthwhile and happy life each day. We live in a time where depression, anxiety, violence, and self-harm are common everyday occurrences. I cannot help but think how tragic and compelling school shootings were just a few years ago. This week we have experienced another one. It is no less tragic, but it is no longer what dominates our news cycle for days or even weeks. We can almost predict what the various politicians and political leaders will say if asked for a solution. Such happenings, and our reaction to them, point towards our problem. Today’s world is one that is dominated by compulsive seeking. We seek money, fun, and anything we can measure by world standards. That uptight wound-up world brings us down to the depths of depression and anxiety. We are driven to do things and don’t always know why. Our souls are wounded by the desires we are taught are important and relevant. All that we do is please and care for our exterior needs. In doing so, we neglect the care of the soul. What does soul care look like? Soul care understands that we are created in the image and likeness of God. Because of our created origin we are special. We need not scatter ourselves in 100 different directions seeking peace. There are not enough toys, money, popularity, and power on this earth to give us personal and spiritual fulfillment. Our completeness is born through the spirit of God that is in us. His spirit works from the inside out and not the outside in. Our world is baffled by that simple truth.

Soul care begins with slowing down -Not your physical pace but your mind. Give your brain a break, and it will thank you for it. Perhaps you can read things for no particular purpose. Take time out from your work and clear your head. Put down your cell phone for a few 15-minute breaks each day. Take a walk and look at the trees or just listen to music in your earphones. Cook a good meal and enjoy eating it. The list could go on and on, but I’ll leave that to you. You can’t care for your soul without communicating with the one who created your soul. There is prayer, contemplation, reading of scripture, and simple silence. When we pray let us begin with our awe at the fact that there is a God. He knows there will be plenty of time for the requests later. Contemplation is a much-used and much-abused practice. In its simplest form, it is clearing the mind of the world and making room for God. Reading of scripture should be allowing the stories of God to make a difference in your soul. We need to listen more than we try to learn. In that listening, we will learn the mysteries of life. Lastly, there is simple silence. I separate it from contemplation because I have a special instruction. TURN OFF EVERYTHING!  Fast from the TV, computer, cell phone put the book down and hear the natural sound of the world. You can contemplate while, reading, listening to music but silence is fasting from all things.  All things I have mentioned can be ways of discovering God in everyday life. Perhaps one of the best things you can do for Holy Week, or any other week, is to pick a practice and stick with it. As you care for your soul you will love God, yourself and others in a remarkable way. Let us grab for that mystical inner happiness and satisfaction that is so elusive.

PRAYER

Lord, guide me to take an inventory of my inner life. Let me set aside the driving ambition and torrid rush towards the perishable things. Teach me to set new directions that will lead me to peace and happiness.

Amen

No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

~~~ Matthew 6:24 NLT:

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Each day we wake up with a burning desire that all will go right. We want harmony in our family and our relationships. We seek to love and be loved, to forgive and be forgiven so that our lives are a blessing to ourselves and all we touch. We spend time learning and seeking to be the best person that we can possibly become. Our lives are all full of self-improvement plans and schemes for a longer and happier life. When things go wrong, we search for a new plan to make it right again. How can we make it happen?

Our first consideration should be to ask ourselves what is the center/soul of our existence. Contemplative monk Thomas Merton says that our lives must center on the spiritual. Further, he asserts that there is no such thing a “half spiritual” but only fully spiritual. We live in a world that allows us numerous options. These options tell us that somehow we can influence, persuade, push, or buy our way to fulfillment. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Contentment only comes when we realize that we cannot be a servant to earthly things alone. We were created in the image of God and that means our DNA is spiritual, not temporal. The fall of mankind at the beginning of time is rooted and grounded in mankind’s rejection of that reality. With that rejection, we began the constant struggle of doing it for ourselves. That struggle has led to broken relationships, depression, wars, violence, and misery.

Merton and Jesus call us to a new focus. That focus is a reboot of our lives that sets us on a course to understand whose we are and how we live worthy of His image that is implanted in us. It begins with a singular focus on our spiritual nature. Most of us live temporal lives and tune into our spiritual selves when needed or absolutely necessary.

That course begins with a simple decision to live through God and God alone. That doesn’t mean we will isolate ourselves to monastic life. As we commit to live in Him first we live better in the world. Popularity, power, and wealth take on a new meaning and difficult decisions are easier because we know who is in charge. The decision to serve Him brings an incredible freedom to our lives and this freedom takes away so many fears and struggles. Such freedom sets us on a course of fulfillment that can be found in no other place.

It is my hope that each of us can discover that freedom that comes through self-discovery. You, me,all of us, are created in the image and likeness of God and are hardwired to be one with him.

No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other.

~~~Jesus

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PRAYER

Lord, As we travel through the times of brokenness in our lives let us have the trust in you that carries us through. You have given us brokenness so that we may see you in a different and greater light. We invite that light into our broken and shattered lives. We embrace our brokenness as the way that we pass through to greater times and new understanding. Comfort us this day and bring us into tomorrow.

Amen

We’ve all had them. Those special moments frozen in time. Those moments that will be remembered when we are very old and sit daydreaming about life. They are gifts of God to cherish into eternity.

Everything is more sharply focused to that instant, time stands still, the rest of the world disappears. For this one tiny piece of life, everything is more precious, and God grants a brief interlude in the usual business of living.

The very last time I saw my grandmother, we shared a long, speechless look that no words could capture. In that look, we relived a lifetime of love. In that first second that I looked into the tiny face of our newborn son, the awesomeness of God, the Creator of life, was so real to me I could almost feel His physical presence in that room. Touching moments. Funny moments, Heart-breaking moments. Eternal moments.

Jesus must have had such moments while He was here among us. The look of love on John’s face as he baptized him. The look of shame on the face of the woman caught in adultery. The look of hatred on the face of the Pharisees. The look of heartbreak on Mary’s face as she watched her boy die. The look of joy on the face of Peter when he saw his Savior alive again.

If we are not careful, we will let these special times slip by unnoticed. They can never be recalled. Once passed, they are lost in an eternity of seconds, minutes, hours, days. Learn to recognize when you are part of something much larger than yourself. Take notice of “God moments” in your life.

Monica Boudreaux

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for the special moments in life that are from you. Help me to live each one to the fullest.

“Only one thing I know. I was blind, but now I see”

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He was born blind. A perfectly formed, beautiful baby boy kicking his tiny legs and swinging his arms in a sea of darkness. He had little hope for a quality life in first century Jerusalem. His father daily led him to his unofficial, but reserved location near a small pool. Others who had forfeited in some way God’s blessing spent their wretched days there – begging. Some days he collected nothing. Some days a hateful boy stole the few pennies resting in his cup. Everybody in Jerusalem knew that either he or his parents had a great sin for which God was exacting vengeance by taking his sight. They all wished they knew what that family had done wrong!

 One day, just like thousands of other black days, Jesus passed by. He put some mud on those sightless eyes, gave instructions to wash off the mud in a nearby pool, and left the man to respond in faith. At first, he saw a blurry light, then large shapes. He blinked quickly several times. His vision cleared! He could see! Out of darkness! When questioned by religious authorities already concerned about the miracle worker, the formerly blind man could only explain the phenomenon this way: “Only one thing I know. I was blind, but now I see.” What joy!

Many of us born with sight, still have a clouded vision of Jesus. We’ve allowed so much to distort our image of the Savior! The Bible is full of stories of people who did the same. Let’s learn from them.

 He’d been in the field all day, but as he approached the house, it was evident something big was happening. It was a party! Why in the world, in the middle of the work week, with no previous notice would Father be throwing such a huge party? Confusion gave way to anger when he saw him. So, he was back – the spoiled little brother who took his inheritance and left home to have fun. He’d lost it all! The older brother couldn’t feel relief that his younger brother was alive, joy for his father, hope that things had changed – just ANGER!

Jesus was coming for lunch. Martha had peeled the vegetables, cooked the lamb chops, mixed the fruit salad, and baked the bread. She had straightened the house, set the table, washed up all the cooking utensils, mopped the kitchen floor, and dusted the living room. Mary, her sister – sat! Jesus and Mary were talking and laughing and Martha was jealous. Why did Mary always get preferential treatment from everyone? Jesus was telling Mary and Lazarus about his work, but Martha was too JEALOUS to listen!

He was young, handsome, wealthy, – a good man. Although everyone thought he had it all – he knew he did not. He spoke out of a sense of frustration when he inquired of Jesus, “What am I missing? What’s this hole in my heart that my possessions cannot fill?” Jesus, testing his commitment, suggested he give away all his possessions in order to clear up his priorities. The rich young man wouldn’t even consider the suggestion. He preferred his POSSESSIONS to Jesus.

  The disciples were riding out choppy waves on the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus, not needing a boat, simply walked out on top of the water to join them. Impetuous Peter wanted to walk on the water, too. What a thrill! Jesus probably chuckled to himself as he gave Peter permission to join him. At first, Peter managed the miraculous, but after a few steps he took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. Panic replaced exhilaration because SELF-RELIANCE replaced faith.

Pontius Pilate had a chance to be history’s greatest hero. He had the power to set Jesus free. He knew he should. He recognized his innocence. He vacillated in his judgment, but the crowd won out. Pilate was people-pleaser. He didn’t want trouble from the Jews and a reprimand from Caesar, so he compromised his integrity and ordered the death of the Savior. He made a ceremony of washing his hands of the Messiah’s innocent blood, but OTHER PEOPLE kept him from allowing the stain to be washed from his soul.

James and John – brothers looking out for each other. They didn’t feel completely comfortable with the question, but the obsession for power and recognition overshadowed the guilt. They sucked in their breaths, and nonchalantly asked Jesus for a little favor. The request – to sit on either side of Jesus on His heavenly throne. After all, wouldn’t it be lovely to be recognized throughout all eternity as Jesus’ favorites? How powerful the feeling would be as all the saints of all the ages took note of their importance. Jesus dealt the brothers a powerful blow with His reply – they had missed the whole point! Those who find their joy in service are great, not those who find their joy in POWER or RECOGNITION.

 What clouds our vision of Jesus? Like the blind beggar who responded in faith, let Jesus give you clear sight. What joy!

He was young, handsome, wealthy, – a good man. Although everyone thought he had it all – he knew he did not. He spoke out of a sense of frustration when he inquired of Jesus, “What am I missing? What’s this hole in my heart that my possessions cannot fill?” Jesus, testing his commitment, suggested he give away all his possessions in order to clear up his priorities. The rich young man wouldn’t even consider the suggestion. He preferred his POSSESSIONS to Jesus.

The disciples were riding out choppy waves on the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus, not needing a boat, simply walked out on top of the water to join them. Impetuous Peter wanted to walk on the water, too. What a thrill! Jesus probably chuckled to himself as he gave Peter permission to join him. At first, Peter managed the miraculous, but after a few steps he took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. Panic replaced exhilaration because SELF-RELIANCE replaced faith.

Pontius Pilate had a chance to be history’s greatest hero. He had the power to set Jesus free. He knew he should. He recognized his innocence. He vacillated in his judgment, but the crowd won out. Pilate was people-pleaser. He didn’t want trouble from the Jews and a reprimand from Caesar, so he compromised his integrity and ordered the death of the Savior. He made a ceremony of washing his hands of the Messiah’s innocent blood, but OTHER PEOPLE kept him from allowing the stain to be washed from his soul.

James and John – brothers looking out for each other. They didn’t feel completely comfortable with the question, but the obsession for power and recognition overshadowed the guilt. They sucked in their breaths, and nonchalantly asked Jesus for a little favor. The request – to sit on either side of Jesus on His heavenly throne. After all, wouldn’t it be lovely to be recognized throughout all eternity as Jesus’ favorites? How powerful the feeling would be as all the saints of all the ages took note of their importance. Jesus dealt the brothers a powerful blow with His reply – they had missed the whole point! Those who find their joy in service are great, not those who find their joy in POWER or RECOGNITION.

  What clouds our vision of Jesus? Like the blind beggar who responded in faith, let Jesus give you clear sight. What joy!

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PRAYER

Father – Allow me to see you clearly as I remove all the obstacles from my life that cloud my
vision.

let us return to the Lord;

   for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us;

   he has struck down, and he will bind us up.

After two days he will revive us;

   on the third day he will raise us up,

   that we may live before him.

Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;

   his appearing is as sure as the dawn;

he will come to us like the showers,

   like the spring rains that water the earth.’

What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?

   What shall I do with you, O Judah?

Your love is like a morning cloud,

   like the dew that goes away early.

Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets,

   I have killed them by the words of my mouth,

   and my judgement goes forth as the light.

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,

the knowledge of God rather than burnt-offerings.

~~~Hosea 6:1-6

 

Question

What is God leading you to repent from this Advent?

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, Help me to look deeply into myself as I ponder the need to repent. Too often we see repentance as something for the other. Guide me to see my need.

Amen

 

LUKE 15:11-32

In the grand scheme of written material, we have only a few words that Jesus actually said. Because they are so few, they are all the more precious and meaningful. Jesus often taught using parables – short, easy to remember stories that teach an important lesson in faith. Without exception, these stories are portraits of grace that stir our minds and hearts. They are forever relevant keys to growth in kingdom living that challenge our natural inclinations to prejudice, selfishness, judgementalism, misplaced priorities, and self-righteousness. They teach us that when we do acts of mercy, love, and compassion we are truly living in the kingdom of God. Parables teach us that grace is a gift of God to be passed on to all we meet, that forgiveness is not an option, that each person is of equal yet priceless value, and that knowing God is the only treasure that matters. They give us insights to the nature of the Father through the stories of the son. One of my favorite parables is the Prodigal Son, or more accurately the Gracious Father. The central truth of this story is the Father’s eager forgiveness and unconditional restoration of his wayward child. He had lived so long with the awful gnawing fear that his son was dead. He had relived countless memories of when he was a little boy. He had remembered in detail the funny, sweet things the boy had done. He had imagined his smile and the way laughter just bubbled out of him when he played. He had thought about how he looked when he was asleep and the times he had held him when he was hurt or afraid. Now he was here! He was alive and he was home! Nothing else mattered! The image of the Father running down the road to meet his son with open arms of love and acceptance takes my breath away. That image stays with me in one of my most precious memories. Our son returned to Fort Hood, Texas, after a year-long deployment to Iraq. When his battalion came marching across the parade ground, I spotted him in formation just by the way he walks. When the welcome home speeches were made and the ropes holding back the families were removed, I took off in an all-out sprint! For so long I had lived with the awful fear that I would never see him again. In that year, I had recalled hundreds of sweet memories: the way he smiles, his first steps, stitches in his foot, rocking him to sleep. Now he was here! He was alive and he was home! Nothing else mattered! So, it is with God the Father. He anguishes over our hurts and our loneliness, our rejection and our sins. But, we are reconciled to Him, because He RUNS to us with open arms of understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness. We are home! Nothing else matters! Reflection – When has the Father run to you with forgiveness, acceptance and hope?