Author: tbc

God’s Promise: Isaiah 55:1-9

The rich and the poor are on the same page here. They are in the same description of God’s bounty and the same invitation to abundant life. What the rich and the poor have in common is that they need God’s love and are the recipients of God’s promise to make an everlasting covenant with us. Money can’t buy that and poverty does not disqualify one from receiving it. When something is free, money is taken out of the picture. This passage is a picture of God’s bounty, God’s love, and God’s people.

One receives this rich gift of life by listening to God (vv 2-3). God’s word should be our food; God’s promise should be our strength. God’s love for us should be our energy; God’s glory should be the purpose of our living. The lowly shepherd boy, David, became a leader and commander. There is no limit to how God’s glory can be shown when God is our food, our strength, and our energy. Our hope is in God. God’s promise includes nations and opportunities and futures we do not know. God’s presence with us connects this day to that future; it is a gift.

Lent is a time of seeking the Lord. The very act of seeking God brings new perspective to our lives. The lesser things of life must bow when God is near. The things we spend money on and the things we wish for know their place, but do not have to take that lower place until God is present.

The wicked and the unrighteous are as welcome as anyone else to receive God’s gift of life made abundant by God’s presence and perspective. Lent puts things in perspective and levels the playing field. “Let them (the rich, poor, wicked, and unrighteous) return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (v 7). The righteous are not named here, but by this time they have come to realize they are not righteous at all, and they find their place on the list.

All this may not make sense upon first hearing, or given present life circumstances, but God’s thoughts are not like ours; God’s ways are not like ours (v 8). God makes all things new, even our thought processes and standards of assessing worth.

A new way of thinking, of evaluating, of determining worth-these are gifts that cannot be purchased, money or no money. Food for the spirit that becomes more important to us than food for the body-this is a gift that only God can give, and it is offered freely. The heavens are higher than the earth, so heavenly thinking and seeing may make us a bit dizzy as we adjust to it. We may be a bit unsure or uneasy about building our lives on these teachings and promises. But when we accept them and become acclimated to the loftiness, the timelessness, and the abundance of this new perspective, we will bring glory to God and will find new meaning in life.

The “new” and the “more” that the world values must stay at the lower level of importance and worth. The higher thoughts and motivations and perspectives of God lift the life of the one who will receive the gift. If we will accept the gift, our life will encourage everyone, from those around us to folks we don’t even know. Our lives will be encouragement to consider the new reality, the eternal reality of God’s covenant and abundant life. First we must return to God.

God, we accept your gift. We want to see as you see.

Bless us and bless the nations through us.

 

A word about the series

The Lenten season has always inspired many people to create everything from poems, art and music to a completely new direction in their lives.  This Lenten season Tabernacle will be exploring many of those creations in the hope of inspiring you to compose in a medium that is natural for you.   The paintings in the Sanctuary are of the Biblical Stations of the Cross.  The artist, Grieg Leach, completed them in 2010.  They will help us to visualize the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus.  In addition to the paintings there is a Lenten devotional booklet, Return to Me, which is available in print or online.  The Stations of the Cross also inspired these devotions, written by Terry York of Baylor University.   Living with these two bodies of artistic expression based on the Biblical Stations of the Cross throughout the season of Lent should help us as we seek to return our lives to God by walking with Jesus though his final days.

Pray, read, think and return to God.

Something Beyond Words: Luke 9:28-36

To see Jesus as he really is-the Chosen One, the Son of God-can be a dazzling, if baffling, thing. It might even be a bit frightening. Jesus, who was fully human, was and is fully God as well. Peter, John, and James were with Jesus every day, but on this mountain on this day, they were reminded of who Jesus really is. John and James were dumbfounded, and Peter muttered something he wished he hadn’t said. God spoke, Jesus glowed, Moses and Elijah showed up to talk to Jesus, and we, along with the disciples, are reminded of something we are prone to forget. Jesus is the Son of God; he is God the Son. Either way you look at it, we follow a divine Master who knows our dust and our blood.

This passage is a glowing reminder that the Christ who is in us is not bound by anything on earth except his love for us. We follow him now not because we must, but because of love. He is our example; our trials and struggles are his, and his glory is ours.

When Jesus the human changed, it was transfiguration. When we humans change, it is transformation, but both are in the same direction-toward the brightness of who Jesus really is. Peter revealed what we all think: Jesus, let’s stay here on the mountaintop where you glow and Bible characters come to life and earthly hassles are beneath us. We’ve thought it; Peter said it.

But Jesus didn’t come to earth to be above it all. He came to earth to be in the midst of it all. Emmanuel, God is with us. We usually save the name Emmanuel for Christmas, but Lent has its Emmanuel, too. God is with us in the midst of pain, fatigue, disappointment, betrayal, dirty feet, weeping and virtually everything else you can name. God in Christ has experienced all this and more, and knows how to be present with us when we have the same experiences. Jesus is Emmanuel all the time; God with us on the mountain and in the valley. It sounds trite until it is us he is with.

“Listen to him.” That is God’s instruction to Jesus’ disciples (v 35). Listen to him. He glows and he weeps. He talks to the prophets of old and the prostitutes of last night. In the beginning he was the Word and in the end he was the Lamb. Listen to him. God says, “Listen to him,” because Jesus stands alone (v 36). Moses and Elijah left heaven long enough to listen to him. Peter, James, and John listened to him. “Listen to him” is good advice for us.

The last sentence of this passage is intriguing. Peter, James, and John, “kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen” (v 36). Aren’t we supposed to tell the good news? Is there anything about Jesus we are not supposed to share with the world?

Some things are too personal to tell to the world, even things between Jesus and us. Some things are to be held between Jesus and us not because they are secrets or are bad, but because they hold the intimacy of our relationship to him. Some things need to be pondered and processed before we know exactly how to tell them and to whom to tell them. Sometimes that pondering and processing can take awhile. We need to be silent about some things we know about Jesus because others wouldn’t understand, or would not yet understand.

Sometimes silence is the most appropriate response to something that is beyond words.

Speak Lord; we listen.

 

A word about the series

The Lenten season has always inspired many people to create everything from poems, art and music to a completely new direction in their lives.  This Lenten season Tabernacle will be exploring many of those creations in the hope of inspiring you to compose in a medium that is natural for you.   The paintings in the Sanctuary are of the Biblical Stations of the Cross.  The artist, Grieg Leach, completed them in 2010.  They will help us to visualize the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus.  In addition to the paintings there is a Lenten devotional booklet, Return to Me, which is available in print or online.  The Stations of the Cross also inspired these devotions, written by Terry York of Baylor University.   Living with these two bodies of artistic expression based on the Biblical Stations of the Cross throughout the season of Lent should help us as we seek to return our lives to God by walking with Jesus though his final days.

Pray, read, think and return to God.

On Being a Christ-Follower: Philippians 3:17-4:1

Right in the middle of this passage of scripture is the key to understanding what it means to be a Christ-follower and how we are to relate to the life we are living: “our citizenship is in heaven” (3:20). This truth reorients everything. It is the ultimate “different drummer.” We are citizens, first and foremost, of heaven. It is, “from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (3:20). With this orientation, there is no other savior; there is no other source of hope or strength. Paul, the writer of this letter, weeps for those who think their lives can be saved by consumption or achievement.

This world does not bring Paul to tears. Rather, his tears are for those who put their hope in the very things that are bringing them down. Paul speaks in 3:21 of a “transformation.” This is a church word that is not just a church word. We know of transformation from toys to makeovers. The church usage of the word speaks of a spiritual change that affects how we see the world and the meaning of life.

We can be changed and/or transformed by the same power that “enables [Christ] to make all things” (3:21). Understanding our heavenly citizenship as more important than our earthly citizenship is both one of the results of our transformation in Christ and one of the evidences of it. We are encouraged to, “stand firm in the Lord in this way” (4:1). For many of us, standing firm in this citizenship, or this orientation, will have to be preceded by a return to the Lord. Lent slows us down, gets our attention, and reminds us that such a turning is possible.

In the first verse of this passage, Paul lets us know that this transformation is learned. It may be instantaneous for some, but Paul is focused on those of us who must learn the ways of transformation. Christ in us is the beginning and the necessary starting point of the learning process. Paul suggests we imitate him [Paul] and others whom we know to be transformed toward Christ-likeness by their heavenly citizenship. There are beginners and there are masters, but they are all in the process of being transformed by Christ. All are learning what heavenly citizenship means. It’s awkward at first, unnatural, but deep inside we know it’s right. We stumble, but Jesus-our teacher, our model, the Master-helps us back to our feet and back on the path. He orients us. His teachings in scripture and his Spirit within us give us the guidelines.

There is another orientation in this passage that is very helpful. Paul suggests that we are brothers and sisters with any and all who are also in this transformation process toward Christ-likeness. We are brothers and sisters with any and all who know their first citizenship is their heavenly citizenship. The definition of family has expanded and gathered around us, and this is a source of warmth and strength. Knowing we are not alone encourages us. A transformed citizenship puts everything in a different and proper perspective.

The season of Lent calls us to turn or return to this knowing, this understanding, this perspective and orientation. Paul says, “Stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.” Philippians 4:1 (4:1).

Let my heavenly citizenship reorient my earthly day;

let Christ be seen in me.

 

A word about the series

The Lenten season has always inspired many people to create everything from poems, art and music to a completely new direction in their lives.  This Lenten season Tabernacle will be exploring many of those creations in the hope of inspiring you to compose in a medium that is natural for you.   The paintings in the Sanctuary are of the Biblical Stations of the Cross.  The artist, Grieg Leach, completed them in 2010.  They will help us to visualize the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus.  In addition to the paintings there is a Lenten devotional booklet, Return to Me, which is available in print or online.  The Stations of the Cross also inspired these devotions, written by Terry York of Baylor University.   Living with these two bodies of artistic expression based on the Biblical Stations of the Cross throughout the season of Lent should help us as we seek to return our lives to God by walking with Jesus though his final days.

Pray, read, think and return to God.

Come to Me: Luke 13:31-35

Jesus was undeterred by threats on his life and, as a result, his commitment is our example. Too much of our life is oriented by fear. We fear terrorists, illegal aliens, liberals, conservatives, economic trends, people of other ethnicities; the list continues and the paranoia shapes our world. Return to me, says Jesus, come to me like little chicks congregating under their mother hen’s wings. Come, put your fears at rest and learn of me, learn of peace.

Jesus weeps over those who are oriented toward killing and stoning and creating fear. He laments the fact that people do not want to be known as chickens. Peace has been given a bad name. Peace is ignorance, irresponsibility, naivete, and cowardly in our culture (we can stop saying “post 9-11 culture”). The Pharisees warned Jesus, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you” (v 31). Jesus did not change his plans, his life, or his values because someone had targeted him.

Jesus’ love and ministry could not be altered by threats. Come, little chicks, learn of this courage, return to this life-orientation; but they would not. Jesus lamented the fact that fear could change them so deeply, so quickly. Does Jesus still lament the fear-orientation of his children? On the cross Jesus was forsaken by his Father (Mark 15:34). In Jerusalem Jesus was forsaken by his followers. He cried out his lament both times. Does Jesus still weep?

A returning to the Lord by his children during this Lenten season could change a nation, could change a world. Jesus simply calls for a change in his children. “Stop running away from me. Return to me. But they were not willing.” (v 34). An orientation of fear is an orientation away from God. Lent says return. It invites us to come in the name of the Lord. Come back to his teachings. Return to his example, to his courage.

Another word for lament is grieve. We grieve because we cannot return to the way it used to be. Jesus grieves because we will not turn toward the way it can be. “Return to me,” with wings spread, “Return to me,” but they were not willing. Lent echoes the call.

Jesus does not force us to turn. He will allow us to live in the house we are building, a house of fear. (v 35a) We are building a house with barred windows, “keep out” signs, guns locked and loaded, surrounded by high fences. Jesus’ house is a house of prayer where all are welcome. Come home, return to me, live like this, but they were not willing. We can turn. We can return. We can gather with those who are content to be sheltered by his wings, by the span of his love and grace.

This passage of scripture underscores the importance of Lent and a proper orientation toward the cross. Jesus said/says to the disoriented, “You will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ “(v 35-Palm Sunday for us). If we do not see him entering Jerusalem in defiance of fear, we may not see him at all.

Lord, in response to your tears, I come.

 

A word about the series

The Lenten season has always inspired many people to create everything from poems, art and music to a completely new direction in their lives.  This Lenten season Tabernacle will be exploring many of those creations in the hope of inspiring you to compose in a medium that is natural for you.   The paintings in the Sanctuary are of the Biblical Stations of the Cross.  The artist, Grieg Leach, completed them in 2010.  They will help us to visualize the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus.  In addition to the paintings there is a Lenten devotional booklet, Return to Me, which is available in print or online.  The Stations of the Cross also inspired these devotions, written by Terry York of Baylor University.   Living with these two bodies of artistic expression based on the Biblical Stations of the Cross throughout the season of Lent should help us as we seek to return our lives to God by walking with Jesus though his final days.

Pray, read, think and return to God.

(sorry for delay: administrator’s computer broke down over the weekend)

An Outlook for the Day: Psalm 27

The writer of Psalm 27 was a well-balanced person who was having a good day. The dangers, difficulties, and frustrations that could happen are acknowledged, but not feared. They neither occupy the psalmist’s mind nor slow him down. Each potential darkness is met with the declaration that “The Lord is my lightÖwhom shall I fear?” (v 1a) Each potential set-back or defeat is met with the confidence that “The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (v 1b) David is neither paranoid nor naÔve. Rather, he is alive in the Lord, aware of God’s presence, and present within the day.

Worship is on the psalmist’s lips, in his heart, and in his weekly routine. Prayer, for the psalmist, is both petition and praise, spoken and sung. His faith is not just about the afterlife, it exists in his day and in his circumstances. It is dynamic. His day contains activity and waiting-waiting on the Lord; silence as prayer. The psalmist is embracing responsibility as well as releasing his heart and life to God.

Lent is a call to balance, something that is needed in every life. “Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me” (v 6). David can face the realities he sees and hears because he does not face them alone. Worship, both personal and corporate, is woven throughout this psalm. Prayer seems to be conversational. David prays that he might, “live in the house of the Lord all the days of [his] life” (v 4). That doesn’t mean that he wants to move into the chapel, it means he wants to live knowing that God is in him and around him, in front of him and behind him.

David certainly had his share of down days, but he prepared for them in the up times and in the routine times. His routine was not mundane; it was time spent with God. His down days were days of falling back on God and humbling himself before the present God.

Lent calls us to return to that kind of routine, that kind of deep joy and awareness of God’s presence. The key to all of this is found in verse 11. “Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level pathÖ.” There’s a prayer for you, an outlook for the day, a strategy for facing reality: God’s way and a level path. It’s refreshing just to consider it. Lent suggests that we might join David, the psalmist, in his prayers. This is a great psalm to pray. You’ll have to keep your eyes open to read it, but enter into the reading with the same verbal formula you use for prayer. Put, “In Jesus’ name, amen,” at the end of verse 14. Then sit in silence, thinking about what you just prayed/read, and sense God’s agreement and companionship. This is the “waiting for the Lord” that is suggested in the psalm. This is how your heart signs up and “takes courage” (v 14). It’s really quite an amazing exercise.

David says rather confidently and conversationally, “I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (v 13). I believe he did; I believe you can. There is light in Lent.

Prayer for today: pray this psalm.

 

A word about the series

The Lenten season has always inspired many people to create everything from poems, art and music to a completely new direction in their lives.  This Lenten season Tabernacle will be exploring many of those creations in the hope of inspiring you to compose in a medium that is natural for you.   The paintings in the Sanctuary are of the Biblical Stations of the Cross.  The artist, Grieg Leach, completed them in 2010.  They will help us to visualize the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus.  In addition to the paintings there is a Lenten devotional booklet, Return to Me, which is available in print or online.  The Stations of the Cross also inspired these devotions, written by Terry York of Baylor University.   Living with these two bodies of artistic expression based on the Biblical Stations of the Cross throughout the season of Lent should help us as we seek to return our lives to God by walking with Jesus though his final days.

Pray, read, think and return to God.

 

Our worship service centers on Luke 22:47-53, the betrayal of Jesus. Julie Gaines’s sermon is entitled, “Think Again”.  Worship leaders include Ah Char Ngwa, Sui Sui, Sah Hay Moo, Erin Braford, Jean Finley, Sanctuary Choir and the Church Staff.

Putting Fear in Its Place, Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

Practical realities are not to be ignored; boundaries of age, health, and territory exist. They are part of the practical realities that we must factor in to the decisions we make. Our boundaries are the results of decisions that have been made for us and of decisions we have made for ourselves. Abram joins us in listing realities that must be considered if we are to be responsible individuals.

God doesn’t deny the facts that Abram presents; God simply refuses to be bound by them. What Abram can’t do or can’t imagine are starting points for God. These starting points are introduced by this statement, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great” (v 1).

One of the hidden concerns brought to light during the Lenten season is fear. We are afraid that we can’t or that God can’t, or that we won’t or that God won’t. Fear is not choosey because it will work with any form of doubt. “Don’t be afraid” is a frequent greeting in the Bible. Heaven knows that fear permeates the air on earth. It’s how we approach much of what we don’t understand. The more sophisticated form of fear is called caution. We hold it up and call it good. When caution begins to look like counting the cost, we declare this refined fear to be biblical. We are very good at distilling fear. God and the angels cut to the chase and simply say, “Don’t fear.” It saves time and paves the way for important announcements and conversation.

In today’s passage, God is trying to get past Abram’s fears and practicality so that he can be blessed and be a blessing. Abram does get by the barriers in this passage, and his believing is rewarded each time. The blessings Abram receives are of benefit to him, but that is just the beginning. The real reward is in what is passed on to his heirs. Generations of offspring, as numerous as the stars, will inhabit the land between the two most important rivers in their part of the world. The symbolism is of the grandest proportions.

It makes one wonder what blessings are bound up behind other fears. Could it be that as Lent calls us to face fears, failures, disappointments, and darkness, it is also calling us ever closer to blessings with generational implications? Is this because Lent is a call to return to God, the God who’s always saying, “Don’t be afraid”?

Come forward fears, and let God reveal the blessings you hide. Fears are formidable and will not go away without a struggle, but eventually peace will come, peace and sleep. These are blessings all their own. We have learned that Advent blossoms into blessing. Let us learn the same of Lent. It, too, can blossom.

Abram’s believing counted as righteousness as far as God was concerned (v 6). Believing pushes past fears and, while acknowledging realities, puts them in their place.

Lord, as I confess the realities of my life and heart, put them in their place.

Allow me to participate in your blessing.

 

 

A word about the series

The Lenten season has always inspired many people to create everything from poems, art and music to a completely new direction in their lives.  This Lenten season Tabernacle will be exploring many of those creations in the hope of inspiring you to compose in a medium that is natural for you.   The paintings in the Sanctuary are of the Biblical Stations of the Cross.  The artist, Grieg Leach, completed them in 2010.  They will help us to visualize the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus.  In addition to the paintings there is a Lenten devotional booklet, Return to Me, which is available in print or online.  The Stations of the Cross also inspired these devotions, written by Terry York of Baylor University.   Living with these two bodies of artistic expression based on the Biblical Stations of the Cross throughout the season of Lent should help us as we seek to return our lives to God by walking with Jesus though his final days.

Pray, read, think and return to God.

Confronting Temptation, Luke 4: 1-13

Temptation: its taunting stretches from the earliest records of human beings to today’s newest technological gadgets. People make money flaunting it and trying to cure it. Temptation washes over us and erodes the ground on which we stand. Lent forces us to look at our particular confrontation with it.

Temptation was waiting for Jesus to dry off from his baptism; it practically handed him the towel. For forty days Jesus was led by the Spirit and tempted by the devil (vv 1-2). A tug of war in the wilderness may sound all too familiar to some who read these words. It’s not any fun. In fact, Jesus would later include, “Lead us not into temptation,” in his model prayer for his disciples. He’d had enough of that, even though he knew how to defeat it. Jesus was fully human, and we get as much hope from that as we do from the fact that he was also fully divine.

According to scripture, Jesus returned to God in his battle with temptation. Angels could have ended it; Jesus and the devil both knew that. Miracles could have ended it, and they both knew it. But scripture was tested even as Jesus was tempted, and the devil learned that scripture was a formidable weapon. The lesson is there for us to learn as well.

The scripture didn’t function as a magic spell or formula; instead, it served as light for each step through the wilderness of temptation. Lent puts us in touch with some enlightening scripture-strange and tough stories of just enough light in otherwise dark surroundings. The way out is the next step revealed, believed, and acted upon. We are tempted to think of that as overly simple and naive. But Lent tells us that the step-by-step journey in the footsteps of Jesus is not an easy path.

Jesus’ journey through the wilderness was just the beginning. His steps would finally lead him up the slope of Mount Calvary, involved in a tug of war all the way. Jesus got the upper hand on temptation, but it never left his side; neither did the Holy Spirit (v 1) or scripture. From the cross Jesus quoted Psalm 22 as his deep and lonely cry.

Temptation: its defeat by the Holy Spirit and Holy Scripture stretches from the journeys of Jesus to today’s step-by-step struggle. Temptation is personal, spiritual, and opportunistic. Lent calls temptation from the shadows and calls the tempted to return to God. Lent is an arena for the great struggle, but Lent demands that the struggle be on God’s terms.

Angels are always standing by, and it would be wonderful to be whisked away, a proven winner with no scars. But we walk the path behind Jesus and we know what he thinks about the angel option. We also know that, despite the temptations he faced, he was faithful. We know that he bears scars on his back, head, side, hands, and feet for the temptations we face. Now, when the devil shows up, we have Spirit and scripture, rehearsed each Lenten season, pointing to the scars on the Man who also walks beside us.

We have scars, but in Christ we will stand before God, spotless. We are healed by his stripes.

Jesus, we would walk with you,

for temptations lose their power when you are near.

 

 

A word about the series

The Lenten season has always inspired many people to create everything from poems, art and music to a completely new direction in their lives.  This Lenten season Tabernacle will be exploring many of those creations in the hope of inspiring you to compose in a medium that is natural for you.   The paintings in the Sanctuary are of the Biblical Stations of the Cross.  The artist, Grieg Leach, completed them in 2010.  They will help us to visualize the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus.  In addition to the paintings there is a Lenten devotional booklet, Return to Me, which is available in print or online.  The Stations of the Cross also inspired these devotions, written by Terry York of Baylor University.   Living with these two bodies of artistic expression based on the Biblical Stations of the Cross throughout the season of Lent should help us as we seek to return our lives to God by walking with Jesus though his final days.

Pray, read, think and return to God.