Monthly Archives: April 2017

LOVE TO TELL THE STORY

“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.” (Psalm 78:4)

“Once upon a time in a land very far, far away . . .” They were the opening words to some of our favorite childhood stories. Sometimes they were told at bedtime or another special time of day, and our eyes would be wide open with a deep gaze of anticipation. Whether it was a fairytale like Alice in Wonderland or Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, the art of storytelling was passed down through the generations. These stories stimulated our imagination and pretty much insured that as we grew slightly older, we would be making up our own tales as we dared to outdo our friends with a ghost story at our first sleepover. I can still recall short stories and poems recited by my grandmother which somehow also became etched into my memory. The stories told by parents and grandparents help us to understand their history and our heritage, developing strong and loving bonds. Dating back to a simpler time before technology took over, they became one way that our ancestors lived on long after they were gone.

As he looked out at the congregation, he prompted them saying just two words, “It’s Friday” – to which they shouted in reply, “But Sunday’s comin.” The speaker was Rev. Tony Campolo who is one of the best Christian story tellers there is. He recalls preaching in his home church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania decades before. On that particular Sunday when several ministers would speak in this African American Church, he was really preaching his heart out to an urging congregation. After he finished, he sat down by his pastor and said something like “bet you can’t top that” to which the elderly Black minister said, “Son, sit back cause the old man is gonna do you in.” Campolo said for the next hour and a half his pastor preached one of the best sermons he has ever heard using the recurring phrase “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s comin.” The theme of the message illustrated how dark and gloomy things appeared for the followers of Jesus at Calvary. But the good news is that it did not end there, for it was only Friday. The motivational message goes on to reinforce that when Sunday arrived, everything changed.

If we are lucky, we too have memories of special times when we were inspired by a Bible story after bedtime prayers, or as we gathered with our friends during the children’s message at church or during a summer Bible School. One of the best storytellers was Jesus who would frequently use parables to illustrate a truth or moral lesson. He was once asked by His disciples why He spoke in parables to which He replied, “To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them” (Matthew 13:12).  The Lord’s parables are rich in imagery and not easily forgotten. It’s been said that the parables of Jesus are earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. They are a blessing to those with willing ears. But for those who were unwilling to hear His message, they did not understand and were declared spiritually deaf.

A good story teller may at some point publish a novel. But just as well, they could become a songwriter or capture the hearts of children at a Saturday morning public library reading hour. Or just for a moment, they might rekindle the fractured memory of a nursing care resident with dementia as they share the reading of a once-familiar scripture or a verse of a frequently sung hymn somehow retained in the cobwebs from Sunday School decades before. Good stories invite us to experience make-believe life through their fictional characters, but God’s story invites us to experience truth through Christ’s Word. Paul pleaded: “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:14). We should not allow ourselves to become complacent In assuming that Bible stories and old hymns are such a precious part of our heritage that they will always be remembered. God has chosen people to be the primary communicators of His gospel. He has entrusted us to be His storytellers. Take time to share His great story, so it becomes part of theirs.  If not you . . . then who?

REFLECTION: Has storytelling been part of your family tradition?  How have you made an effort to keep it alive and, in particular, share those personal and Biblical reflections of faith?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., MAY 6, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED

WATCHING FROM THE CLOUD

“Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?”  (Job 37:16)

A friend of mine told me recently that she had contacted a lawn care service because she had concerns about the increased number of weeds in her lawn. The phone representative asked for her email and home address so that additional information could be sent out to her. During the conversation, he said, “I can see that you have a really nice home” as he described her house and its surroundings with detailed accuracy. She stated that at one point she was a bit “creeped out” with the fact that he could see her home so clearly. She discontinued the conversation and told the representative that she would call back later if there was further interest. I informed her that it’s easy to see your house from space using internet software that grabs imagery from thousands of earth observation satellites. While the pictures displayed on the many available tools rely on historically-captured images, we are quickly moving into an era where ‘real time’ viewing from space will be the norm.

I can understand that it is somewhat disconcerting to think that someone has the ability to look down on us. It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, “Big Brother is Watching.” As technology is developed, just imagine satellites able to check out our neighborhoods for what kind of car we drive, whether packages have been delivered to our front porch, or zoom in with high resolution to see what kind of food we are having for the weekend picnic on our deck. New terminology like ‘cloud storage’ only adds to the wonderment, causing some to question just where our personal information is being stored and who has access to it.  But as a society we like the expediency of being able to access our files from anywhere or have the ability to start watching a movie on one device and finish it on another without missing a scene. In many ways, we appear willing to sacrifice some of our privacy in order to gain optimal performance and immediate discovery to whatever we desire.

The reality is that ‘the cloud’ (as it has come to be known) is far from some mist floating overhead. It’s a very sophisticated network of information storage enabling quick retrieval for our convenience. Just for fun one day, I pulled out my iPhone and asked Siri where she lives. The response: “Wherever you are, that’s where I am.” I thought to myself, “Why, that’s rather scriptural.” God spoke to Jacob in a dream, stating “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15). After the death of Moses, the Lord spoke to Joshua: “This is my command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Therefore, it should not surprise us that Jesus affirmed this same message after His death and triumphal resurrection. In what has come to be known as The Great Commission, He reassured those closest to Him stating, “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Isn’t it inspiring to know that we have a God who loves us so much that He is always watching over us and can reach us from anywhere?  That means that even in the most turbulent times and in the most unpredictable places, He can protect us. He is not trapped somewhere in the cloud. Our God is all-knowing; He is omniscient. The psalmist David understood that God’s omniscience is personal and relational. “You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home… Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand” (Psalm 139:2-3, 6). God knows where you are and what you are thinking about this very moment.  He is able to view us in ‘real time.’ That should give us great comfort in an age when we might wonder what the motives for others who are looking down on us might be.

REFLECTION: Have you ever thought about the immediate access we have to God? Why do you think we sometimes become overwhelmed with the volume of information available to us today and somehow forget that God never becomes burdened with His watchful care for each one of us?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., APRIL 29, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED

SPOILER ALERT

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Since the advent of the digital video recorder, commonly referred to as the DVR, it has become possible to ‘binge watch’ multiple episodes of your favorite show at one time. With the explosion of online streaming services, you can start a series from the beginning and catch up at your leisure. The only problem is if you hang out with other fans of the show who assume that you are at the same episode, they may ruin it for you by revealing one or more key turn of events. That’s why movie previews or appearances of stars promoting newly released movies never discuss critical scenes.  Their desire is to entice you into wanting to see more but never to tell you too much.  They want to be teasers but at no time spoilers.

Have you ever given a book to someone to later find out that before deciding to devote their time to reading it, they looked at the last chapter?  Most people cannot understand why someone would want to do that. However, there are folks out there who have to know the ending before they will dare to invest in the beginning. Often those individuals do not grow very deep in their relationships.  They will only commit so far, because they lack the ability to feel secure in their decisions without knowing how things will eventually turn out.  In some ways, our society has also moved in this direction. Unless there is definitive scientific evidence of how something came to be, it encourages skepticism. There are times that sort of doubt is true for each of us in our faith as well, if we try to define God in human terms. The Old Testament prophet cautions us: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” (Isaiah 55:8).

I am always amazed at the rebirth of our earth each Spring. Martin Luther said, “Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone but in every leaf of springtime.” The fact that plants become dormant and then revitalize in the warmer seasons of the year is nothing short of a miracle.  Botanists can clarify the growth, biochemistry and development of plants. But if we keep asking the basic question ‘how’ – they will eventually reach a point where any explanation defies logic and can only be attributed to something beyond normal reasoning. Jesus affirmed this when He said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come” (Mark 4:26-29). The storyline is somehow incomplete without the provision of a higher power.

It is easy to appreciate how the disciples became confused when Jesus began to talk about leaving them to be with the Father. He said, “You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:4-5). It was as though they had started a novel, were told about the ending, but were missing the intervening chapters for further understanding. Jesus said. “Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do” (John 14:11). And therein lies the foundation of our faith: Jesus assertion that He was the Son of God, who was crucified, and three days later would rise from the dead thereby confirming He was who He claimed to be. If Christ is not risen, then as Christians, everything we proclaim to believe would be worthless. Paul stated it frankly: “And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless” (1 Cor. 15:14). For the Christian, what might otherwise be our final chapter is good news. When we die and someone arbitrarily says, “They’re gone” – the answer to the question, “Where?” has already been promised.  For “He is not here. He has risen” (Luke 24:6). It’s a spoiler alert worth sharing but indeed not the end of His story . . . nor ours.

REFLECTION: How would you explain to a new Christian that the existence of their faith is grounded in the resurrection? What are some things about God that you just have to accept as being beyond human comprehension? Why is it not necessary to understand all the details, as long as we learn to trust God?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., APRIL 22, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

FREE FOR THE TAKING

“He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.” (1 Timothy 2:6) 

Several years ago, a survey was taken involving people in line for free tattoos at a New York City nightclub. When asked if they would get a tattoo if they had to pay for it, 68% stated they would not. However, here they were having something done to their bodies that was practically permanent simply because it was free.  I used to find it amusing when I would attend trade shows where companies would display their products or services utilized in my profession. Vendors would give away anything imaginable from pencils and mugs to drawing entries for a larger prize, just to get you to visit their booth. The smart ones learned to engage you in conversation to obtain your contact information before they would give you the free stuff. I was surprised how many of my colleagues would participate in this monotonous chit chat for hours simply to get their gift bags filled with these giveaways.

It’s true for most of us at one time or other that the opportunity of getting something for nothing is enticing. I used to appreciate the garage where I would take my car to be serviced because inevitably when I went there, they would give it a courtesy wash. It kept me going back for many years until the manager changed, as did the service. An observant restaurant owner will admit that a complimentary glass of wine provided to a frequent patron will promote loyalty and recurring business. I well-remember when I bought my first car that the manufacturer was endeavoring to increase their sales by offering two free domestic airline tickets with the buying of a new model. Even though I perceived those tickets to be free, I am sure the cost was hidden somewhere in my purchase price. But because I had never flown, I took advantage of the offer by traveling from one coast to the other.

Sadly, marketers have stripped much of the meaning away from ‘free’. Our society has convinced us, for instance, that when we buy bottled water we obtain a superior product even though most communities offer excellent tap water. Spiritually, we get an even better deal. When John had his vision of a “new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1), he spoke of a different water. “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new…I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life” (Revelation 21:5-6). How did this “water without cost” come to be?  It’s called grace, and Jesus paid the price in full when He died on the cross at Calvary. He accomplished what Adam began when the original sin created distance between God and man. This ‘fall of man,’ as it is often referred, resulted in an inherited death sentence for all humans thereafter. “Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people” (Romans 5:18). A price so high we could never pay – Christ did for us on the cross what we were incapable of doing for ourselves.

What’s the catch, you ask? As much as we love the idea of anything being free, we have learned to be suspicious of anything classified as such. There’s an old story about a man who purchased a new refrigerator for his home and wanted to dispose of the old one as easily as possible. He placed it outside on the curb and taped a sign on it: “FREE for the Taking.” It sat there for days, and he wondered what he might do differently to get rid of it.  So he put another sign on it which read – “Refrigerator For Sale …$50.” He looked out his window the next morning, and it was gone. One can only assume it was taken because it was now perceived to have value. Likewise, some struggle to accept salvation as a free gift. “We can never redeem ourselves; we cannot pay God the price for our lives, because the payment for a human life is too great” (Psalm 49:7-8a). Fortunately for us, because we are of God’s own creation – He placed a great value on our lives. He gave His Son to pay the price so that we might have Eternal Life. All He wants in return is to steal your heart. There is no hidden agenda. It truly is free for the taking.

REFLECTION: Have there been times in your life that you have been offered something labeled as being ‘free’ and you have refrained from taking it because you were sure that there had to be a catch?  Does that recollection make it a little easier to understand others’ skepticism as you speak to them about the free gift of salvation? How can knowing and reflecting upon what Jesus went through to pay for your freedom change how you personally embrace that freedom and present it to others?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., APRIL 15, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

NO JOKE

“But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it.” (Luke 24:11)

On April 1, 1957, the BBC reported that Swiss farmers were experiencing a record spaghetti crop and showed footage of people harvesting noodles from trees; numerous viewers were fooled. If you were around on the first day of April in the 1990’s, you may have attempted to buy a ‘Left-Handed Whopper’ at Burger King, the fake sandwich of the day promoted by the food chain. If not, you may have been caught up in the falsehood that Taco Bell was going to purchase Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell and retitle it using their restaurant’s name.  Although the exact origin remains a mystery, it is believed that the practice of playing practical jokes on April 1 has existed in many cultures for several centuries. English pranksters began popularizing the annual tradition of April Fools’ Day as early as 1700. In some places, it is known as All-Fools’ Day which makes sense, since the goal is to get as many people to buy into the fake story as possible and as a result be fooled. And when you fall for it, of course – the joke is on you.

It’s one thing to play harmless practical jokes on others during an expectant day of frivolousness.  But when you’re vulnerable and misunderstood, being the target of a joke can be hurtful. The story has been told of a terminally-ill boy by the name of Jeremy who at the age of 12 was still in second grade, seemingly unable to learn and frustrating to his teacher. Jeremy sometimes drooled and made unusual noises making it easy for his fellow students to poke fun at him.  Nearing Easter, the teacher gave each of the students an empty plastic egg with the assignment to place something in it that represented new life and bring it back the next day. Her intention was to contact Jeremy’s parents that evening to explain the project so that he would be successful, but several interruptions prevented her from doing so. The next day, the teacher began to open each egg of her nineteen students. The first one contained a flower, and the teacher affirmed that it indeed represented new life. The second had a butterfly in it, and everyone agreed it accomplished the goal. A third egg was a stretch, but the teacher found a way to explain how a moss-covered rock demonstrated new life as well. But when she opened the fourth egg, it was empty. So she laid it down without comment. Jeremy spoke up and asked why she didn’t say anything about this egg which happened to be his. Flustered, she said, “Jeremy your egg is empty.” Looking up at the teacher, He simply replied, “Yes but Jesus tomb was empty too.” Three months later, when Jeremy died, his theology was represented by nineteen plastic eggs on his casket . . . all of which were empty.

After Jesus crucifixion, the religious leaders of the day went to Pilate, concerned that someone might take His body. Not wanting any kind of foolishness, they told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ We request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.” Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” So, they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it. (Matthew 27:63-66). The Jewish leaders remembered well that when they had demanded miraculous signs to prove His authority, He had responded in this manner: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ They replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?’ But the temple he had spoken of was his body” (John 2:19-21).

Early on the first day of the week, several women who loved Jesus visited His tomb to find it empty. In their fright, they were reminded of His words. “They rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them” (Mark 16:13). Generally, most of them did not believe until they saw and met the resurrected Christ. Suddenly appearing to them behind locked doors in the midst of their fear (John 20:19-20), there had to be someone in the group who dared to think, “is this a joke?”  Instead, it was the fulfillment of a promise. For it is His resurrection which completed the story that He was who He had proclaimed to be – the very Son of God. And that, my friends, is very good news for each one of us.  No joke!

REFLECTION: How does the concept of a “risen Christ” satisfy some and raise doubt in others?  How is everything changed by the empty tomb? Why is the Resurrection is the greatest of Christ’s miracles?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., APRIL 8, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.