Crown

2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIV

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Last night, I happened to catch an episode of "Frontline" on PBS. It was all about the work of one, small town, familiy-operated funeral home.

The documentary moved, person by person, from the time of terminal illness, through death, to the preparation of the body, funeral and burial or cremation.

I know...good bedtime TV viewing, huh?

For me, though, the show was absolutely captivating...because I felt like I knew all the people involved.

As a pastor, I've been to more than my share of funerals. I've officiated many times, and worked closely in ministry with grieving families and those whose profession is that of caring for the dead and the loved ones left behind.

What does that have to do with Paul's words to us today?

Everything, it seems to me.

In my life, this scripture has become a pillar of strength in times of loss. Many times, I have stood at the funerals of faithful saints who have died in Christ, and shared this scripture with their families and loved ones.

"I have fought the good fight...I have finished the race...I have kept the faith."

Mortality is a reality for all of us. It's not something we choose to dwell on all the time, nor should we.

But it's not to be run from, either.

Do you know, I have known funeral directors who are among the most positive, funny, upbeat people that I've ever met. Given the nature of their work, how could that even be possible?

I think they know the secret that Paul is trying to teach us.

There can be a great freedom found in knowing that life is fleeting, and ultimately beyond our control. One of the great goals of anyone's life, therefore, has got to be making peace with God, here and now, while it's still today.

"Departure" is a real part of being human. But fear doesn't have to be.

There is a race to be run, and the only thing to be afraid of is one day looking back from the departure gate, wishing we'd run it earlier, or more fully.

May God give us the strength to run that race, and not grow weary...and to always appreciate the gift.

Prayer: We remember the Apostle Paul and all who have been "poured out" after running their race in faith. We thank you for those lives that have changed our own. We pray for both fun and safety for the children and families of our communities on this Halloween night.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen

Tomorrow's Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Creation

Psalm 65 (The Message)

1-2 Silence is praise to you, Zion-dwelling God,
And also obedience.

You hear the prayer in it all.

2-8 We all arrive at your doorstep sooner
or later, loaded with guilt,
Our sins too much for us—
but you get rid of them once and for all.

Blessed are the chosen! Blessed the guest
at home in your place!

We expect our fill of good things
in your house, your heavenly manse.
All your salvation wonders
are on display in your trophy room.

Earth-Tamer, Ocean-Pourer,
Mountain-Maker, Hill-Dresser,
Muzzler of sea storm and wave crash,
of mobs in noisy riot—

Far and wide they'll come to a stop,
they'll stare in awe, in wonder.
Dawn and dusk take turns
calling, "Come and worship."

Sometimes, awe and wonder get in short supply in our lives.

And that's the start of lots of problems.

There's a reason we human beings gravitate toward beaches and mountains for times of restoration and rest. We need the perspective of size and place that they can give.

It's easy to spend entire days only seeing the things which we humans can create: buildings, vehicles, roads, televisions, computers, and on and on.

What we then forget is that we don't really create anything at all.

We are part of creation.

We are created.

Think about the names that Eugene Peterson, author of "The Message" paraphrase uses here in Psalm 65 to translate the original text. They're pretty wonderful:

Earth Tamer
Ocean Pourer
Mountain Maker
Hill Dresser
Muzzler of Sea Storm and Wave Crash

God.

The one who is not us.

A couple of nights ago I watched a documentary on the human heart. It is a wonder of engineering and design. When things work as they should, each and every cardiac cell actually "beats," in rhythm with all the rest.

That life-sustaining heartbeat is not something we can "will" for ourselves. It is the handiwork of a mighty God...and every second that we live is a gift from him.

So...today we will work hard. We will create and produce with the gift of life and intelligence that God has given us.

But let's keep some perspective.

Mountain Maker - Sea Muzzler - Sin Forgiver calls us his children. We are wonderfully dependent on him.

Prayer: Your care for us never fails. You are the God of harvest and bounty, the giver of all good things. We praise your greatness, seen through the works of your hands.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Abundance

Joel 2:23-32

23 Be glad, O people of Zion,
rejoice in the LORD your God,
for he has given you
the autumn rains in righteousness.
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before.

24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
the vats will overflow with new wine and oil...

26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
and you will praise the name of the LORD your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed...


28 "And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.

29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days...

After the dark days of Jeremiah's prophecy, and the exile of the people of Judah into Babylon, Joel's words were a powerful sign of a long-awaited hope.

The message is simple, and so important: no matter what, God's faithfulness will not fail.

Sometimes, we have to wonder.

This year's drought in Georgia and throughout the Southeast has been amazing, and at times just plain hair-raising.

As the controversy about the Lake Lanier water supply has played out in the news, it's been sobering to hear some of the statements made by our leaders.

One estimate puts the North Georgia water supply at about 80 days under current conditions.

I don't know all the details of how that estimate is made, and the idea that we could one day see the taps in our homes refuse to respond seems like fantasy.

But that possibility is quite a reminder of how dependent and vulnerable we all really are.

For all of our intelligence, technology and progress...we can't make our own rain.

God is the giver of all good gifts, and Joel's prophecy is an especially relevant reminder for us this year.

...The autumn rains that come in righteousness...and vats that overflow with abundant produce...

In the same way, God promises to flow out his Spirit on his people...and we can trust that his vision will lead us, without fail, just as surely as the rain will sustain.

Prayer: Father God, we depend on you for life, and for all things. This year our world has been dry, but we remember your promise that you will always send the rain that sustains life. May we live today with the peace that comes from knowing you're in control.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Psalm 65:1-8

Persistence

Luke 18:1-8 NIV

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'

"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' "

And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

How long should we keep asking?

At one time or another, probably every Christian wonders about this very question.

Sometimes, God's answer is "no." But that's still an answer.

When we read the parable of the "persistent widow," the lesson is definitely that of never giving up.

But the key is "what" we never give up on.

We might read this story and think, "if I just keep asking and never give up, God will eventually give me what I want."

Well, as the Rolling Stones said, "you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might just find...you get what you need."

We should never give up on God. We should not give up on God's love, justice and grace.

And we should never stop asking that those gifts of justice and grace would come into our lives.

We don't know what shape those things may take. Very possibly, God's work in our lives may not take the shape we imagined.

But we have a need not to give up. That's why Jesus told the parable, Luke tells us. So that his disciples would "pray always, and not give up."

Take a couple of moments and think about the places where you're tempted to give up. Give those things to God. However things turn out, God will not leave us, and his justice will flow quickly to his children.

Prayer: God, with your help, may we see justice come quickly. We pray for the end of war, violence and intolerance, in our lives and in the world around us. Help us to never give up on the big things that seem impossible.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Scripture for Tomorrow (no blog): Jeremiah 31:27-34

We'll see you at SOTH tomorrow for the fall festival! 9 AM Craft Show, kids' games and inflatibles; 6 PM Trunk or Treat and costume contest at 7PM, SOTH Praise Band outdoor worship at 8PM. No bonfire this year due to burn ban and drought. We'll see you there!

Worship this Sunday at SOTH: 9 & 11 AM with SS for all ages at 10:15!

Itch

2 Timothy 4:1-5 NIV

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.


The world definitely has a bad case of "itching ears."

We're all susceptible to that bug sometimes.

We like to hear what we like to hear.

"It's not your fault."

"You're just a victim."

"God wants you to be rich, and if you love him enough, you will be."

"You can make the world just the way you want it to be."

"You don't have to do all that hard work."

"Everybody else is doing it."

"I've got a secret, do you want to hear it?"

Those kinds of things sometimes make our itching ears feel scratched, for a little while.

Paul's message to Timothy...and to all of us?

Keep your head...and do the work. Endurance over shortcuts.

Whatever our ears itch for this morning, remember that there's really just one thing that will soothe them.

The God of the long haul walks with us. Redemption is the gift we have received. Real, joyful work for the kingdom is our response. Sometimes we get lost in the belief that packaging the message of Jesus just right might make it easier to share. But the best "package" for the gospel is embodied in the life of a faithful, loving disciple...who keeps on showing up.


Prayer: We need your help if we are to "keep our head," and do what is right in this world sometimes. Lord, we ask that you help us to know that we never walk through this life alone.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Learn

2 Timothy 3:14-17

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Timothy's mother and grandmother (and perhaps others, but we know about these two because Paul names them earlier in the book) gave this young man a wonderful gift early in life.

They taught him the scriptures.

"From infancy..." Paul says, "you have known..."

Most of us parents have a significant degree of guilt around this very topic, perhaps.

As my oldest son and I watched Star Wars together this weekend, a guilt pang rang through me as I realized that perhaps he knows more about the drama of Darth and Luke than David and Goliath.

Could Timothy really have known the scriptures "from infancy?"

It's almost as though Paul implies that Timothy carried a God-implanted yearning for knowledge about his creator from the time of his birth.

I don't know if that's far from the truth.

I have found that my children, and all the ones I know at church, are amazingly curious about the Bible and its stories.

I have actually found that same curiosity and interest to be alive within us older folks, too.

There is a magnetic field around the Bible somehow. It does draw us, even though we may find it frustrating or difficult at times...the question always lingers..."what if this book can really teach us the ways of God?"

In the 10 years that I've been involved in pastoral ministry, I've heard a lot of excuses for not reading the Bible. I've made many of them myself from time to time.

"I just can't understand it...I need to take some classes...I need to learn how to read it first..."

My great-grandfather, Ernest, was not a classroom-educated man. He didn't have that opportunity. But he got the greatest theological education that anyone could ever have. He read the Bible.

His belief was that God's power and Holy Spirit would be present to guide the honest reader, and to show us what we need from scripture.

In 84 years of life, his curiosity never failed. He yearned for God and found him in the worn pages of his special book.

Prayer: We believe by faith that all scripture is breathed by you for our salvation. But there are words we find there that we still don't understand. There are verses that we just find too hard and there are words that give us great peace. Teach us to humbly learn all that we can of your word as you guide us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Suffer

2 Timothy 3:10-12 (NIV)

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted...

The Apostle Paul says that he was known for his teaching, way of life, faith...and persecutions and sufferings.

Persecution for our faith isn't something that we often think of or talk about because of the time and place in which we live.

We definitely should be thankful that we're allowed to practice our religion freely, and we should protect and respect everyone's right to do that.

There are, however, still places in the world where following Jesus could lead to persecution.

I get email updates from a friend who is a missionary in a foreign country. His messages always begin with, "do not duplicate, forward or distribute this message." It's a matter of security, because for him the threat of persecution is real.

What about us? Does Christianity have a cost?

I tend to think that I'm suffering if the cable goes out for an hour.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously said that "grace is free, but it is not cheap."

Somehow, following Jesus has to make us different. It will cause us to stand out and apart from others at times.

And it's the nail that sticks up that gets hammered down...right?

Jesus knew that those who really tried to hear his teachings...who allowed him to change their hearts and really began to follow him in powerful ways would face adversity. He knew that there would be misunderstanding and sacrifice. Jesus thinks and acts differently than the world. He is a fundamentally counter-cultural presence, in the best possible way. Swimming upstream always brings a degree of friction.

I am not, and never will be, an advocate of "holier-than-thou" pseudo-Christian self-righteousness and judgmentalism.

But I do think that Jesus-followers have to embrace being different. Like Paul, our trust is in Jesus, not what the world can give us. There is always a promise of rescue. We are not alone.

Prayer: Help us to follow humbly in the footsteps of Jesus. Show us his way, and help us embrace whatever new way of life that may mean. May we know that we are never alone.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Wisdom

Psalm 119:97-104
King James Version

O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

How hard do you work for "understanding?"

It really depends on your personality. Different people attack life in all different kinds of ways.

Some people (like me) mostly try to "figure it out."

When presented with a problem, or situation, or options, my natural inclination is to make a thorough review of all the possibilities, weigh them deliberately, and act only after having understood things to the greatest of my abilities.

That's why it's always tough (but maybe a little bit relieving) to run headlong into scripture that puts human understanding into perspective.

Life is not, ultimately, about what we can know and figure out.

Interestingly...wonderfully...scripture tells us that the best kind of wisdom is obedience.

"Thy commandments have made me wiser than mine enemies..."

Sometimes, especially in Psalms, the King James just rings beautifully, doesn't it?

"I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts...through thy precepts I get understanding..."

Efforts to understand life are excellent...when that effort is applied through scripture. Real wisdom and "understanding" is the learning and application of God's word. It's not easy, but it is absolutely worth the effort.

Prayer: Father God, we pray that you would lead us into every right path. May you give us the wisdom needed to truly love your law.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:8-10

Thankful

Luke 17:11-19 (The Message)

It happened that as he made his way toward Jerusalem, he crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

Taking a good look at them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests."

They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus' feet, so grateful. He couldn't thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus said, "Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?" Then he said to him, "Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you."

What do you do when you have those wonderful, transcendent moments of clarity ---- those moments when you really realize the great good that God does in your life?

You have those, right? I really hope that you do.

I wish that those moments of realization came more often in my own life. Most likely, we all do.

But they do come. Moments when one of my children laughs and smiles in a beautiful way. Moments when friends and family remind me that I am loved and accepted. Moments of community and beauty and hope that God really can make things right in this world.

When those amazing moments of healing come --- what comes next?

While on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus met ten lepers. These folks were desperately ill, both physically and emotionally. They were shunned by their communities because of their disease. They were ritually (religiously, in the eyes of ancient Judaism) unclean.

"Taking a good look at them," Jesus sent them on the way to the priests....knowing that they would be healed and that the blessing of the priests could signal their re-entry into the community.

One of the lepers, while still on the way, had a moment of realization. He realized that he was healed...and what came next was gratitude.

What a wonderful lesson for all of us. No matter how things may seem to you on the surface of your life today, there is so much to be thankful for.

There is power in thanking Jesus. Christianity, at its core, is a life lived in gratitude for the grace and gift that we receive.

Gratitude is an amazing way of life. May God cultivate that kind of life in me, and in us all.

Prayer: We name before you in our hearts those things for which we are truly thankful. Your blessings in our lives know no end. May we live in response to the good things you always give.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen. Tomorrow's Scripture (no blog): Psalm 66:8-12

We'll see you in worship this Sunday at SOTH! 9 and 11 AM with Sunday School for the whole family at 10:15!

Truth

2 Timothy 2:14-15 (NIV)

Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

As a pastor, I've gotten to be privy to some pretty amazing intra-family Christian disputes over the years.

I've seen families almost disown each other because one member joins a new denomination. I've seen quarrels over when and how a person should be baptized. I've seen fights over who will or won't take communion with someone else. I've seen congregations refuse to work with other congregations because they are of different Christian denominations.

Family fights like these are just plain ugly.

But really...anytime Christians, of whatever denominational stripe, belittle and argue with one another...it looks just like an ugly, stupid family fight to the rest of the world.

Paul's got some pretty clear opinions about this for Timothy.

The church is made up of human beings, and we all fall short. We're prone to defend our own opinions, and to put down people who disagree with us.

But there just can't be any place for that in the work of the Church for that kind of craziness.

The work is simply too important.

"It only ruins those who listen."

I'm a United Methodist pastor, and I'm proud of our history and heritage. There are some wonderful, distinctly Wesleyan theological emphases that I'm glad to talk about with anyone who is interested and wants to learn more. I'm formed in that tradition --- but at its best, it is a tradition that teaches me that Methodists have no monopoly on truth.

It was Wesley himself to whom quotes like these are attributed:

"In essentials unity, in all else, freedom."

"...think and let think..." and "if your heart is as my heart, take my hand."

Jesus-following isn't about being filled with dissension and argument. In fact, (though many would dispute this), it isn't even about trying to constantly prove that you are right, so that you can "win."

It's about redemptive relationship. Redeemed by our relationship with Jesus, we are given a model of loving relationship with others.

May we always listen before speaking...and learn to correctly handle the "word of truth."

Prayer: Father, forgive us when we have wrangled about words and driven away those who would have learned more about you. May we serve in love, so as not to be ashamed.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Stick

2 Timothy 2:11-13 (The Message)

This is a sure thing:
If we die with him, we'll live with him;
If we stick it out with him, we'll rule with him;
If we turn our backs on him,
he'll turn his back on us;
If we give up on him, he does not give up—
for there's no way he can be false to himself.

Paul's continuing appeal to Timothy presents itself in an interesting way in this scripture.

On the surface, we might be tempted to believe that God's love for us in Jesus is directly proportional to our own faith.

Undoubtedly, and as with any relationship, our experience of relationship with God will be proportional to the faith and work that we put into it.

But thankfully, verse 13 reminds us that everything is not ultimately dependent on us.

Through faith, we become part of the "body of Christ," and Jesus "can't be false to himself."

In short, God will never, ever give up on us.

Can you think of a person in this world who will never give up on you? If you can, that person must be of enormous value in your eyes. What a blessing that kind of relationship really is.

When there is ultimate trust, acceptance and commitment, there can be real freedom. In that freedom, true love can grow and true health becomes possible.

And so, Paul makes God's offer to us very clear. "Die with me," Jesus says, "and die to all that is false and afraid in this life." We are offered the opportunity for real, honest relationship based on acceptance.

Even if we give up, God won't. Knowing that truth might make all the difference.

Prayer: Grant us the peace of knowing that your faithfulness does not depend on ours. Strengthen our faith, and help us not to fail. Thank you for loving us, even when we do.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:14-15

Chains

⁹¹⁰

2 Timothy 2:8-10 (NRSV)

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

The Apostle Paul had experienced the ultimate in attitude adjustments, and it stuck.

He was a leading Pharisee, an expert in Jewish law, zealous (by his own account) for all things to do with law-keeping and persecution of those who didn't.

In the first days of Christianity, he was the biggest opponent of the Gospel. He sought to arrest and kill Christians for their faith.

And then, the Gospel happened to him. He didn't "hear" it, it happened to him.

"Remember Jesus Christ," Paul says, "raised from the dead...that is my Gospel."

On the Damascus road, in a blinding light, Paul had seen this risen Jesus face to face.

Attitude...everything...got adjusted in the days that followed. Years later, Paul would write the words of today's scripture while sitting in a prison, chained for proclaiming the very story that he once persecuted.

There have been moments in my life when I have wished that I could see with my own eyes, just like Paul did. Then, surely I could have his kind of faith.

The experience must have been terrifying, amazing, and certainly life-changing.

But the truth of this scripture is what it serves to remind us. Powerful faith in Jesus doesn't come from simply reading about a historical character from another time, whose philosophies seem nice and interesting.

Christianity is a dynamic way of life...a relationship with a living, resurrected messiah. If we learn to look, and open ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit, it's possible to see him each day.

Paul knew that power. Even though he was chained, he proclaimed that the "word of God is not chained."

2,000 years later, the same word...the same Jesus...seeks to show himself on whatever road we walk.

Prayer: May we know true freedom, not chained by sin but free through the word of God to serve you.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Deliver

Psalm 66:1-7 (NRSV)

Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise.

Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds!
Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you.

All the earth worships you;
they sing praises to you,
sing praises to your name.’

Come and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.

He turned the sea into dry land;
they passed through the river on foot.

There we rejoiced in him,
who rules by his might for ever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations—
let the rebellious not exalt themselves.

I remember what my worship professor had to say years ago, when I was in seminary:

"A congregation's joy in worship will be directly proportional to its sense of having been 'delivered by God.'"

Do you know what that means?

I was afraid of that.

Joyous worship really is connected to a deeply held sense that God is present and active in our lives.

The people of Israel could "make joyful noise," praise God and give him glory because they had a real, living memory of what he had brought them through.

The sea had parted. The feet of their ancestors (and vicariously, their own) had touched the bottom of a dry sea bed. God had delivered them, and God remains in the delivery business.

Whether we believe that, and whether we experience that deliverance in our own lives is directly proportional to how joyous our worship can be.

To be "delivered," is to be rescued...brought through...from death to life...from darkness to life...not by our own power, but completely because of God's love and strength.

If we think we take care of ourselves, our worship is going to be pretty stiff and stayed.

Look for the deliverance you have experienced in your own life --- and then open your heart to joy.

Prayer: Father God, may we know how awesome your deeds are throughout the earth. May we look and see what you have done in our own lives and be thankful.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:8-10

⁹¹⁰¹¹

2 Timothy 1:8-14 (NRSV)

Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace.

This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him.

Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.¹²¹³¹⁴

Shame is a powerful emotion.

Have you ever felt like someone was ashamed of you? Have you ever been ashamed of yourself?
The answer is certainly, "yes."

Shame is a bad feeling.

Isn't it interesting to read this scripture and hear that Paul must have been afraid that Timothy would be ashamed of his imprisonment?

His greater fear was that Timothy might somehow become ashamed of the "gospel," that is, the story of Jesus Christ.

Crucifixion was a shameful, horrible event in the ancient world. It was a punishment designed not only to kill, but also to shame.

The amazing truth of Christianity is that it can change that tool of intended shame into a symbol of God's love and triumph. The cross was not the end, but the path that led to life...resurrection.

Have you ever known that someone was proud of you? What a good feeling. Dare to believe, and don't ever be ashamed of it.

Prayer: May we never be ashamed to live and proclaim the good news given to us in Jesus Christ.

Scripture for Tomorrow: (No blog) 2 Timothy 2:1-7

See you in church this Sunday @ SOTH: 9 & 11 AM and Sunday School for all ages at 10:15

Flame

2 Timothy 1:1-7 (NIV)


Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

To Timothy, my dear son:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.


I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.


For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

I love the survival shows that are so popular right now on the Discovery Channel. My favorite is "Survivorman," where this crazy Canadian, Les Stroud, goes out into the wilderness alone for a week and films himself.

Usually, he doesn't take anything with him but a multi-tool and maybe a flint. Sometimes, he doesn't even have the flint. There's nothing better on the show than watching him start a fire from scratch out in the woods.

He uses the "rub two sticks together" method, and sure enough, after a lot of trying, he'll get a fire. It's not easy. The little sparks that the friction finally create have to be lovingly tended.

They have to be placed perfectly in the dry tinder. They need oxygen, but not too much or they'll go out.

When, finally, he has "fanned into flame," he usually lets out a whoop of celebration. Fire is a good thing, and we take it for granted at the flip of a switch in our modern world.

Spiritual fire is a great thing. It's the best thing. And it has to be tended.

Timothy was a young Christian, "on fire," when Paul wrote him his instructions. Many mentors had tended that flame of faith.

Timothy's mother, and grandmother had created the sparks and brought them forward into fire. Paul's letter was intended to do the same.

"I remember your tears," Paul says, with the strong implication that Timothy should as well.

We all should. Survival out there isn't too easy without a strong sense of God's presence in your life. Fan that spark of faith into a flame --- in your own life, and even someone else's.

Prayer: O Lord, we ask that the gift you have placed within us might be "fanned into flame," as it was in Timothy's life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen. Tomorrow's Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:8-14

Sing

Psalm 137:1-6 (NRSV)

¹By the rivers of Babylon—
there we sat down and there we wept
when we remembered Zion. On the willows^* there
we hung up our harps. For there our captors
asked us for songs, and our tormentors asked for mirth,

saying,‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’

How could we sing the Lord’s song
in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
let my right hand wither!

Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth,
if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy.
⁴⁵⁶

The Old Testament histories recount the exiles of God's people. The people of Judah lost their way, turning from God to worship other idols. When their faithfulness waned, God gave them into the hands of their enemy, the Babylonians.

Psalm 137 recounts the bitterness of that captivity. By the "rivers of Babylon," they sat and wept...and remembered.

Their captors mocked them, forcing them to sing "the songs of Zion."

Yet in the singing, there was a memory, and a deeply held pledge not to forget Jerusalem. Even in exile, God's people would not give up their identity, and eventually they would be restored.

Yesterday, I got to be present for a few moments of worship at my old seminary. I happened to be on the Emory campus at just the right time, and stopped by the chapel to see what was happening.

The worship music was provided by the "Georgia State Prison Women's Chorus."

About 15 female prisoners, together with women from the seminary choir, sang songs of praise with emotion and power.

"God did not give us a spirit of fear," they sang.

I don't know what any of them did, or how their lives unfolded to land them inside prison.

I do know that even in exile, they are remembering their identity. They sing, and they remember that they are loved children of God.

A wonderful lesson for us all.

Prayer: Father, may you remember us, even when we sit and cry by the "Rivers of Babylon" in our own lives.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-7

Duty

Luke 17:7-10 NIV

7"Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'?

8Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'?

9Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.' "

When you were a kid, did you try to wheedle extra money out of your parents for doing your chores?

Maybe (hopefully) you had the kind of parents who pointed out that room, board and clothing (and everything else you could need) were provided for you and that helping out around the house was a family responsibility to be shared by everybody.

Right?

"Duty," is a tough sell. Jesus was constantly involved in that struggle with his disciples.

They wanted to be first, or considered best, or certainly to be recognized for their works and accomplishments.

The world we live in tells us to value ourselves based on how we are compensated for the work that we do.

But what Jesus seeks is relationship --- based on love, respect and admiration. Our "duty" in serving him is to be motivated to action by the need to reciprocate the love he has shown us.

We serve in the field of the one who loves us, who saves our lives forever. The duty of serving could be seen as privilege enough in itself.

The miracle is that Jesus calls us brothers and sisters. We are adopted into God's family, and given a seat (as our communion liturgy reminds us) at the heavenly banquet.

For today, let's ask God to "show us where the work is."

Prayer: May you strengthen us to find joy in doing our duty as your servants.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen. Scripture for Tomorrow: Psalm 137:1-6

Faith

Luke 17:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble.

Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, “I repent”, you must forgive.’

²³⁴

5 The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.⁶

Have you ever planted a tree?

It takes some work. You need a shovel. In Georgia clay, you need determination and a little bit of physical stamina.

Modern gardening wisdom says that you should only dig as deep as the tree's root ball, but you should dig 3 to 5 times as wide, loosening the dirt so that the roots can spread and get really healthy.

That's a lot of dirt to turn, but the results are immediate and gratifying. A tree is planted, and the hope of years of shade and enjoyment stretches into the future.

Jesus' talk of mustard seeds and mulberry trees is a little more abstract.

What does it take to "plant a tree in the sea?"

According to Jesus, "faith." The Greek word behind this text is "pistis," perhaps best translated as, "conviction."

Deeply held belief.

If we have the tiniest kernel of conviction, Jesus says, the impossible moves within our grasp.

Think a mulberry tree in the ocean is impressive? What about forgiveness?

Restoration of broken relationships?

Healing? Newness of life?

Jesus says it's possible. Do we believe it?

Prayer: Father God, increase our faith and "conviction." From a mustard seed planted within us, may you move mountains.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Convinced

Read Luke 16:19-31 (Message)

27-28 "The rich man said, 'Then let me ask you, Father: Send him to the house of my father where I have five brothers, so he can tell them the score and warn them so they won't end up here in this place of torment.'

29"Abraham answered, 'They have Moses and the Prophets to tell them the score. Let them listen to them.'

30"'I know, Father Abraham,' he said, 'but they're not listening. If someone came back to them from the dead, they would change their ways.'

31"Abraham replied, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the Prophets, they're not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead.'"

It's one of Jesus' most vibrant parables. He tells his listeners the story of a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who lay outside the gate of a wealthy homeowner.

Eventually, both Lazarus and "the rich man" die, and Jesus' story follows them to their eternal destinations. By the story's end, the rich man pleads with Father Abraham, "let Lazarus warn my five brothers."

In the story's saddest moment, Abraham replies, "they're not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead."

There's much to grab our attention in this story. But today, I wonder if we shouldn't consider the fate of those five brothers the rich man seeks to warn.

After all, for right now, we are the folks on this side of eternity.

The Christian message says that someone has come back from the grave --- to save us.

This week's readings have been all about that very same message. Will we dare to believe in the message of salvation, and will it change who we are here and now?

Christian author and pastor Rob Bell has said that "heaven and hell are extensions of the decisions that we make in this world. Our decisions can also help create heaven or hell in the world in which we live."

Somehow the rich man's hardness of heart followed him beyond this life. There's not much that's more pitiable than mourning over lost opportunities.

It's definitely not about "earning" our way to heaven. But the path is about giving our hearts completely to God, who loves us. It's about priorities and decisions.

It's about following in the path of Jesus, our teacher and redeemer, with honesty and openness.

Disciples are those people who seek to help bring the Kingdom of Heaven, through the work of God within us, both in the here and the hereafter.

Prayer: While we are in this world, help us to see those in need around us. May we live in this world in the light of Christ.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Scripture for Tomorrow: (no blog) Jeremiah 33:36-42

We'll see you for worship this Sunday at SOTH! 9 and 11 AM with Sunday School for all ages at 10:15!

Salvation

Psalm 91:14-16 (NIV)

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

God's 1-800 line never closes. This promise from scripture is powerful and peace-giving.

When we "acknowledge" God by calling on him, he will always answer. He doesn't leave us, and actively works to deliver us from trouble.

Do we believe that?

It's hard, sometimes. Negative loops can run through our minds. We're good at playing out lists of our troubles, but probably not quite so accomplished at acknowledging what's good all around us.

When we're in the midst of trouble, sometimes it's hard to imagine that God is actively working for our salvation.

Yet in Psalm 91, there's the promise.

The hebrew word used in verse 16 and translated in English as "salvation" is "yeshuwa."

This word is the root of Jesus' own name. Salvation.

It's always a good time to pray. God is at work for us today.

Prayer: Today, O Lord, we call on you. We believe what you have promised: you will answer.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Shelter

Psalm 91:1-6 (NIV)

¹ He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

² I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

³ Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

It's supposed to rain tonight in Douglasville.

This morning, the breeze is cool enough and humidity low enough that I can sit on my back patio and ponder the truth of Psalm 91 along with you.

But by tonight, it's supposed to rain. I plan to seek shelter.

We have that much sense, don't we? ...Enough to get in out of the rain.

I'm thankful to have a roof over my head, and if it rains tonight (or even if it doesn't), I plan to use it. Shelter is a good thing.

What about the needed spiritual shelter that God seeks to give his children?

I don't take advantage of that so easily. Usually, the rain of stress and turmoil has to get me pretty drenched before I take shelter. Learning to "dwell" and "rest" in the shadow of the Almighty is a worthy pursuit.

But there is so much to do today. There are a lot of people, with a lot of demands. Much depends on us. What if "x," "y," or "z" happens (or doesn't happen) at the wrong place and time?

All I know is that the most productive people I've ever met have had some deep down sense of core confidence and faith. Fear paralyzes, but shelter sustains.

Our covenant for today: When the "plague of midday" comes, we will remember that, "he is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."

Prayer: Father, may we live today in the "shelter of the most high." Please deliver us from the snares around us and use us for your works of grace.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen. Tomorrow's Scripture: Psalm 91: 14-16

Rich

I Timothy 6:11-19

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses...

...Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Two nights ago, my oldest son found the 90's Macaulay Culkin, "Richie Rich," movie on TV. He'd never heard of the comic book or the old cartoon but the title caught his attention and he wanted me to watch it with him.

There was the kid who has everything...amazing mansion, staff at his beck and call, private helicopter. In the opening scene he was practicing his baseball hitting on the front lawn of the estate...with Yankees' Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson making an appearance as his instructor.

Not bad.

Of course, you know how the story goes: the boy who has everything really is missing the things that money can't buy. He sees kids playing baseball together in the city, but isn't allowed to play. His dad, the amazing provider, doesn't have time to spend with him. By the end, everything is resolved perfectly, in the way it only happens in the movies, and Richie learns what life is all about.

So, what about us? Following on yesterday's scripture, Paul tells Timothy to "fight the good fight" for a life full of things that will last. And then he reminds him of an amazing thing: "God richly provides us with everything for enjoyment."

That's so easy for me to forget. The beautiful sunshine and amazing fall breeze were there for everyone to enjoy yesterday. Soon, the amazing colors will put on their show, with no admission charged.

Maybe today you'll see the smile or hear the voice of someone you love.

Those things aren't for sale. Not even for Richie Rich.

God is still good, even when I forget it.

Prayer: O God, we pray that today you would help us fight the good fight. And we pray for all of those in our community and around the world who struggle in the reality of poverty.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Psalm 91:1-6

Content

⁷

I Timothy 6:6-10

Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. ⁸⁹¹⁰

"There is great gain in godliness combined with contentment."

I don't think truer words could be spoken.

All of us would probably agree that there just couldn't be a better goal in life than "godliness combined with contentment."

Contentment equals peace. Godliness equals health and justice and love, and so many good things.

First, let's acknowledge that it's a journey that lasts a lifetime. Second, let's stop beating ourselves up for whatever progress we feel we haven't made.

Let's think instead about what it takes to follow Jesus in that kind of mature, "godly," and "contented" way.

The "love of money is the root of all kinds of evil," because it points toward the Big Lie that we all sometimes buy into.

The world would teach us that we better take care of ourselves, at all costs. We love money because it represents safety, security, independence, prosperity, power and comfort.

It's powerful because it is tangible, immediate and gratifying. But that power could make us lay down ethics and morality to obtain it. "The root of all kinds of evil."

Godliness and contentment don't come from anything the world can offer us. Wealth is not the path to growth. Discipleship is about dependence, not independence. The goal of our walk with Jesus is that one day we too could say, "we are grateful for the food clothing of this day...we are content."

A radical, powerful, counter-cultural message. It's the message of Jesus.

Prayer: Father God, teach us to be truly content in you. Save us from the love of money, which is the root of all kinds of evil.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: I Timothy 6:11-19