"Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying 'I will be king.'" 1 Kings 1:5

Adonijah was the son of David. He decided he should be king. He didn't ask his father. He didn't ask his father's advisors. He just got a bunch of his cronies together and they had a party saying he was king. From the appearance of things it looked like he was successful. He had fighting men behind him so he could enforce his rule. It looked like he won.

But God had different ideas. King David was alerted (he was really old by this time and could give up his rule) by Bathsheba and Nathan the Prophet. David had promised Bathsheba Solomon would be king.

Long story short: Solomon became king, really became king.

One thing came to mind while I was reading this this morning. God has the last word in his children's lives. We might come up against someone or something that tells us one thing. But if it isn't what God has planned, it isn't going to stick.

People can say what they want. Our God is our Father and this is His world. If we keep believing and resting in Him we can be assured His purposes will come to pass and as Hebrews 11:6 says, "he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."

This doesn't mean we should expect easy living and Christmas every day. But, it does mean that when things look bad, feel bad, are bad, we can be assured that God is still there and He's working the plan out. There are all sorts of people and circumstances that are involved we can't see. He sees the big picture.

"Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the LORD’S contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments." Exodus 35:21

"Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful person in whom the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it." Exodus 36:2 

Have you ever felt your heart stir? Have you ever felt within you that feeling that you really want to do something for or give something to God?

I believe your answer must be yes for you were created to be in a vibrant relationship with God.

But if you can't answer yes, if you aren't sure, here's the question: are you holding your heart tight inside, keeping it safe? Think of your heart as a little bird (come on, be creative). If that little bird is sitting on your hand and you grab that bird tightly, covering it with both your hands, it won't move. It will be frightened. And it will eventually die (sooner than you think).

But if you let bird have room to move, to sing, to even fly, it will add its beauty to the world.

Your heart's like that. Holding your heart tight within you, not letting it be vulnerable will keep it from getting hurt. But it will also keep it from experiencing real life.  It takes courage. You have to be able to live within the unknown. All your questions won't be answered.

But you'll be able fly.

"I do not nullify the grace of God" Galatians 2:21a

Do I? This is what I asked myself this morning.

"Are you foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" Galatians 3:3

Are there parts in my life I try to manage without God? Are there parts in me I handle myself because I want to be in control? Do I get irritated when my routine is changed? How about when things don't go the way I want them to, what is my response? It is telling of who is in charge of my life.

Do I try to be a "good" Christian, or "good" person? Is it a show? Is it work and strife on my part?

I love Psalm 46. Here it is from http://Biblegateway.com:

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. 
                         Selah.
 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the I)'>(I)city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
                         Selah.
 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
10 Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
                         Selah.

Read verse 10 again. That is always good advice. Have a glorious weekend. I'll talk to you Monday.

"And when the men had come to Him (Jesus), they said, 'John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?'" Luke 7:20

If you've heard this story you know Jesus didn't give them a direct answer. He didn't tell John's disciples "Yes I am the One." Instead He reminded them of all the miracles that were happening: the lame walk, the blind see, the sick are healed. And then Jesus said after He listed a bunch of miracles, "And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me." Luke 7:23

I don't know if I've ever gotten that before. This morning I did (at least in part). Jesus' answer was one that encouraged John to look at the big picture, to see all that was going on, to help his eyes get on God rather than his own circumstances. When we rip our eyes off ourselves and the circumstances that are causing us pain or hardship and put them on God, our souls can rest in Him. We remember He's got a bigger plan than we can see. Our circumstances fit into that plan, but for them to work within it we have to trust Him, be at peace.

We stumble over Jesus when our eyes are on ourselves and our situations. When we find ourselves saying, "Why is God doing this to me?" or "Why is God letting this happen?" in a way that somewhere inside us we are accusing God of gaining great enjoyment from watching us suffer. This is never the case.

Sometimes suffering/pain is necessary, but God allows it only then.

Last week my Maggie had surgery. She's been in pain since. But daily she's getting stronger and is quite proud of herself when she can walk farther than she did the day before. I'm not enjoying her pain whatsoever. But I allowed the surgery because I know after she heals she will grow straighter and it will benefit her whole body and mind.

"Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine." Job 41:11

"I know that Thou (God) canst do all things, And that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted." Job 42:2

If I could I would just kick my inner self right now -- that part of me that thinks and feels. I guess that's my soul. Our souls are so filled with world brainwashing. Well, mine is. From the womb on up the entire society is trying to get you to rely on yourself rather than God.

Here's my struggle: before I know it my eyes get off God and onto my situation and I begin to scheme inside on how I could "fix" it myself. God doesn't need me doing this. It totally wastes time, at least within me. It also negates my belief in Him.

He wants me to hold onto Him no matter what. He wants us to depend on Him wholly.

Now, I am not talking about lazy living and sitting around waiting for God to rain down whatever you need from heaven. We do need to do what He's called us to do. We do need to be active in our faith. We do need to do what He's put us before us. We do need to be responsible in our lives, care for what He's entrusted to us.

But we cross the line when we begin to try to figure it all out, when we then cross into worry and fretting.

One of my favorite verses is John 6:29: "Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.'"

When we believe we are doing God's work. Believing is hard work because everything around us tells us we can't rely on God, we can't take His words the way we read them (''And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.'" Matthew 21:22). We are told we have to modify them so they can be swallowed by our practical mind-sets.

That is not God speaking to us. That is our flesh and the world (as in the world-thought system).

Before I go today, I want ot share a couple links with you. The first one is a blog entry from "The Catch" a blog written by Author, Writer and Musician John Fischer. Today, it is a very tender, sweet entry that touched me, almost made me cry. Here's the link: http://catchjohnfischer.wordpress.com/2011/05/25/sacred-moments/#comment-1910

And today is the day my column Perfectly Blunt is run in the Pierre newspaper. This week's column is a bit silly but I think you'll like it. Here's the link: http://capjournal.com/articles/2011/05/25/opinions/perfectly_blunt/doc4ddc677317282079034993.txt

Thanks so much for reading. You encourage me!

"I pursued my enemies and destroyed them, And I did not turn back until they were consumed. And I have devoured them and shattered them, so that they did not rise; And they fell under my feet. For Thou hast girded my feet for battle . . . Then I pulverized them as the dust of the earth, I crushed and stamped them . . . (God) is a tower of victories." 2 Samuel 22: 38-43, 51a

This is David talking. He got rid of his enemies thoroughly! We should do the same.

I'm not talking about human ones, ones we can see. Our enemies are unseen in the invisible realm. Check out Ephesians 6:12:

12For our W)'>(W)struggle is not against X)'>(X)flesh and blood, but Y)'>(Y)against the rulers, against the powers, against the Z)'>(Z)world forces of this AA)'>(AA)darkness, against the AB)'>(AB)spiritual forces of wickedness in AC)'>(AC)the heavenly places.

Why do we have to make sure we destroy our enemies? If we don't they will come back and bite us in the butt or hit us on the head or somehow cause us pain and frustration. They will torment us until they are gone. God's given us the strength to destroy them. God + you is a majority. There is nothing stronger than God. There is no spiritual power which can defeat you when you're relying on God.

Maybe you don't know what your enemy is. Think back on your life. What is the thing you've struggled with again and again? Maybe there's several. Maybe there is just one. Those areas are the enemy. Those areas will continue to torment you until you have victory in them.

One of my enemies is the fear and apparent reality of inadequate finances. I remember worrying about it in college. How would I pay what I needed to pay? And it got even worse when I got married. Now it was not just me but a bunch of children that needed to be taken care and a house to pay for and care for.

Over and over God has shown Himself faithful in this for me. After I'd been married for eight months or so we were expecting our first child. Both my husband and I were in the army stationed at Fort Bragg. If you've been in the service or are in the service you know you can be deployed at any moment. At Fort Bragg we had to be ready to go in 18 hours. I didn't want to do this to a child. So I knew I needed to get out. During the nine months of pregnancy I prayed and prayed. On my husband's salary there was no way we could make it. He paid a lot in child support and we both had car payments. After these were taken out we had $300 left for the month (before paying rent which was $350 and utilities and food and everything else). But I talked to God about Moses mom. She got paid to be his mom! And so I asked God to make it possible for me to stay home with my not-yet-born baby.

That baby will be 16 years old this summer. And we have five more children younger than him. I've never had to work outside the home. It's been hard but God has made it possible. I've made money writing several times. I've freelanced. Sometimes we had no clue how things would be taken care of (that has been most of the time and still is) but God came through.

(Working outside the home is a good thing if you can do it. For our family situation it just doesn't work, mainly right now due to my 11 year old son's disabilities.)

And we've seen God do financial miracles in other ways too (paid for two adoptions which were mighty expensive).

But, this enemy has not yet been defeated because I still deal with it. God wants it destroyed. God wants me to have belief no matter what in this area. I think actually God wants to do something cool in this area through me.

Think about the area that is your enemy. I am guessing whatever that area is could end up being an area of strength and ministry for you to others through God. This is why it is attacked so much.

We gotta hang on to God and keep facing and attacking our enemies in anyway we can until they no longer torment us. Then, God will use that area in a mighty way. I know this is true.

"and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." Revelation 5:8

Have you ever been around incense? I have but it's been a long time. I do remember that if someone is burning incense the smell fills the entire room. You notice it right away. And the smoke itself is kind of intoxicating.

Okay, now read the verse above again. This is what our prayers are in heaven. Our prayers actually gain physical substance in heaven, in the unseen realm.

I have a crazy thought, but it might actually be true.

You know how God spoke a word (and still does) and that word becomes creation? He creates when He speaks (think Genesis 1..."Let there be light and there was light").

What if when we pray we create in the unseen realm? There is so much more going on with our prayers than we realize. I think when we get on the other side one of our regrets (if we have any) will be we wish we would have prayed more.

So, get back to this: what we say in prayer here to God gets made into a substance that is held in golden bowls. Those elders must be pretty huge if they can hold all the prayers! But maybe each prayer is a grain of incense that is then burned into smoke.

And did you see where these prayers are? Right before God's throne.

Today I was praying and writing in my journal (I write a lot of prayers out) and the one thing I am not happy with is that I am lately forgetting to pray throughout the day. I have a whole list of people I really need to pray for, who I plan on praying for daily, but often I don't get through the whole list because I just forget. I can't tell you what my mind is thinking about because I think it is just in la-la land. I talk to God throughout the day, but I need to work on this prayer thing.

How's your prayer life? In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 we are told to "pray without ceasing."

Prayer should be like our breath.

That's what I'm going to try anyway.

Thanks for reading. You encourage me. I hope I encourage you.

"For God's secret plan, now at last made known, is Christ himself. In Him lie hidden all mighty, untapped treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:2-3

Fabulous verse! Think of it -- the more we delve into Jesus, get closer to Him, let Him into all the secret parts of our lives and souls and into our thoughts, we will find "mighty untapped treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

I cannot even imagine what we don't know yet. Oh, how silly that sounds!

I've missed interacting with you, my wonderful readers and friends. How much God wants to teach us! Oh, how much He wants to show Himself to us, show His love to us, show His plans to us.

Abide In Jesus. That means, live in Him. Rest in Him. If your mind is racing, if you are worried, if you are stressed, you aren't resting in Him. Rest in Him. That is life. That is where you will find yourself. That is where everything really starts.

Hey, I so appreciate you stopping to read this blog. I pray you are touched deep in your heart, that God really speaks to you.

But I'll be gone Tuesday through Thursday this week -- not sure if I'll be able to post or not, so I thought I'd share with you my column. Please check out Perfectly Blunt. The website of the current column is: http://capjournal.com/articles/2011/05/16/opinions/perfectly_blunt/doc4dca019854690416461017.txt

and then for the choice of columns go to this link: http://capjournal.com/opinions/perfectly_blunt/.

Those two links will give you plenty to read if you miss reading this blog. Let me know what you think. And if you really like Perfectly Blunt, you can get it in your local paper quite easily (though you'll have to persuade the editor).

Thanks for reading!

"And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty." Exodus 28:2

My daily reading took me to Exodus 25 - 28. These chapters include the directions God gave Moses for the building of His tabernacle. It includes tons of colors, precious jewels, porpoise skin, goat hair hides, linen, ram skin dyed red, silver, gold everywhere.

God's plans included lots of expensive stuff and the need for a lot of skilled and talented people.

The end of that scripture above says "for glory and for beauty."

Sometimes God does things just cause they are beautiful. Sometimes He does it just so He and we can take pleasure in its appearance. I'm thinking of the lilacs that are beginning to bloom, the colors throughout the summer, the light diamonds on a running creek, the green of the new grass.

If you truly see beauty you will experience God.

And when it gets to people, we all are different: skin colors, eye colors, hair colors, body shapes and sizes, placement of freckles even! All of these differences are beautiful. The media (and ourseves) do a disservice to us elevating one look above another look. All people are beautiful especially when love and compassion and God shine through them.

One more thing (and I know today's blog is a bit scattered - -I'm thinking of my mare who might have had a foal this morning ...if she did I'll post pictures), God can all our skills and talents for His glory. If you feel you need to do something, if you feel God wants you to do something, no matter how wacky it is, do it. Others don't have to understand it. The "show" talents get extra play because they are in front, but they aren't more important than other skills. Whatever your talent, your passion, your skill - - God can use it all. Let Him.

    31"I cling to Your testimonies;
         O LORD, do not put me to shame!
    32I shall run the way of Your commandments,
         For You will B)'>(B)enlarge my heart." 
                                                            Psalm 119:31-32

There's power in the word. God wants us to take it and believe it and hold onto it and His promise in it, and not let go until it comes to pass. Here's God's response:

    10'Do not A)'>(A)fear, for I am with you;
         Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God
         I will strengthen you, surely B)'>(B)I will help you,
         Surely I will uphold you with My righteous C)'>(C)right hand.'
    11"Behold, D)'>(D)all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored;
         E)'>(E)Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.
                                                                                                        Isaiah 41:10-11 

But this enlarging of our hearts can really hurt! Bad! Think about it. If you are on the surgeon's table because your physical heart needed some work on, it would be horrible to be wide awake while he cut into you. It would be unbearable to lay there and feel that pain.

But that is kind of what is going on when God is enlarging our hearts spiritually. We have to trust and believe while the situation we are in crushes us. Most people cave. Most people get off that spiritual operating table and go back to the comfort of worldly thought ways to live -- that one phrase "she's too heavenly-minded to be earthly good" is bogus as well as "God helps those who help themselves."

Neither of these are in the Bible. Both have a bit of truth in them, but neither are good ways to approach the faith life.

I'll tell you what I am waiting for God to come through and there's a big part of me that tells me I look very foolish, ridiculous and naive. Maybe, maybe. Once you let God enlarge your heart you can't go back to living like you did before.

I've got so much to share today I can't wait to get started! So many thoughts and feelings are rushing around inside my brain, I hope it comes out in a coherent fashion! Let's start with some scripture:
 
1A)'>(A)"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, B)'>(B) . . . was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness  2for C)'>(C)forty days, being tempted by the devil." Luke 4:1-2a

There was a definite leading of Jesus while He was in the wilderness. When we are in a wilderness it might feel like there is no order, just chaos and hardship, but this just isn't true. God is in control.

God is putting us into situations which will show us where we are at spiritually. He wants us to rise up to the occasion. He believes in us.

13"When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time." 
Luke 4:13
God says to Satan, Okay, you can do your thing with my kid, but only this far. God puts limits on him. God uses Satan to prove our faith. Satan might think he's getting away with something, but he's not getting away with anything. God is using him to show us and the world we are His kids and we are definitely trusting in Him.

31"Simon, Simon, behold, A)'>(A)Satan has demanded permission to B)'>(B)sift you like wheat;  32but I C)'>(C)have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, D)'>(D)strengthen your brothers." 
Luke 22:31-32

Jesus knew Peter would turn back to Him. Yes, Jesus knew Peter would deny Him, but He didn't focus on that. He focused on Peter coming back to Him. Only when Peter boasted that he would never deny Jesus did Jesus talk about his denial in detail.

Why wouldn't Satan be going to God the same way with His other kids? Satan hates all of God's kids, especially the ones who are wholly in trusting in God. If you are, then be sure that Satan hates you and plans on making you stumble.

But our lives aren't led by Satan. Our trials and hardships aren't even led by him even when he thinks he's the dude. God never takes His hand off us. He says to Satan, Hey, have you seen this beloved child of mine? She loves me. She is strong in me. She is going to trust me through this hardship. Just watch!



 

 6Then they took Jeremiah and cast him into the A)'>(A)cistern of Malchijah the king's son, which was in the court of the guardhouse; and they let Jeremiah down with ropes Now in the cistern there was no water but only B)'>(B)mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud.  7But C)'>(C)Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a D)'>(D)eunuch, while he was in the king's palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern Now the king was sitting in the E)'>(E)Gate of Benjamin;  8and Ebed-melech went out from the king's palace and spoke to the king, saying,  9"My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet whom they have cast into the cistern; and he will die right where he is because of the famine, for there is F)'>(F)no more bread in the city." Jeremiah 38:6-9

We're never alone. No matter how deep the hole, no matter how the dark the surroundings, we're never alone. God always has a plan. He can send someone to help us, someone we don't even know exists! God is not limited by anything!

"11So Ebed-melech took the men under his authority and went into the king's palace to a place beneath the storeroom and took from there worn-out clothes and worn-out rags and let them down by ropes into the cistern to Jeremiah.  12Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, "Now put these worn-out clothes and rags under your armpits under the ropes"; and Jeremiah did so.  13So they pulled Jeremiah up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern, and Jeremiah stayed in the G)'>(G)court of the guardhouse." Jeremiah 36:11-12

And look -- this man was not only courageous he was understanding and compassionate toward Jeremiah and his physical pain!

If I had been the rescuer I don't know if I would have thought to get padding for Jeremiah's armpits.

Never despair. Never. God hasn't forgotten you no matter how it feels. God always has a plan. Nothing is too hard for Him. Nothing!

Hang on no matter how desperate the situation looks. Hang on no matter how dark or uncomfortable or painful it is. God's coming. He's never late. He's always right on time.

"I am watching over My word to perform it." Jeremiah 1:12b

Do you read the power in that? God watches over His word to perform it, to make it happen. So, this means, that if we apply His word to our lives, if we speak it, believe and wait for God to make it happen, He is going to. We gotta apply belief without doubt.

So, for example, read Matthew 21:22 which says, "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive."

Now, apply that to your life. And realize God wants to make that happen. He wants us to tap into the power of His word. When we do, when we believe without doubting, it gives Him the freedom to use it wholly in our lives.

I can hear the naysayers -- how do we know it is God's will? How can we believe that verse? Maybe it isn't God's will for such-and-such to happen, you say. Oh that is a cop out! That is the lazy Believer's excuse when things don't happen.

If our request isn't against God, isn't against His principles and how He works; isn't against people (etc, etc. etc.) then we can ask and rest in God and believe it will come about. It might take a while, even years for some requests because things happen in the perfect time and only God knows the perfect time. But keep believing.

I am going to be very open here and risk being seen as a fool (which isn't too hard). The last year and a half we've had a rough time with our house situation. We got behind in our payments due to many circumstances. Last December we were finally served papers by a local deputy. We've been to court. On paper it presently looks like we will have to move sometime soon, but I've asked God to work this out. It is His house. I know He isn't done with us here. I know it as much as I know I need air and my lungs to breathe.

We've done what we could in this realm. We're getting help with a couple loan modifications, but no word yet about the answer to this prayer.

I am not tied to this house. I just know God isn't done as far as His Kingdom work with us here.

I am believing. I am not doubting. I am taking God at His word.

Oh, I know how it sounds. It sounds ridiculous and foolish and naive and stupid to the commonsense and pratical mindset. Commonsense and practical stuff aren't wrong or bad. But sometimes we have to just grab hold and ride it out.

Today I am going to share a sermon an old friend of mine, Rev Dr. Arthur Bergren, preached at his church Easter Sunday. Arthur is the pastor of First Lutheran Church in Geneseo, Il. His church's website is found at http://firstgeneseo.org/ and if you like this sermon he's got a whole bunch more listed on his website where you can actually listen to him preach. So here it is (Thanks Arthur for giving me permission):

No matter how cold our hearts can become, God makes them burn again.

Good News: Days of infamy are overcome by the power of Easter.

Infamy is not a word we use so much in our vocabulary

            It’s root is infamous which means an evil and horrendous reputation

            Infamy ultimately meaning having those qualities

The word became a part of the American landscape by President Franklin Roosevelt

            The occasion was the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese

            His words were short and powerful

            Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy –

                        the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked

                        by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

            2400 people died that day

            World War II was now in full swing

            For that generation, all you needed to do was mention 12-7 and it was a metaphor

For this generation, the day of infamy is September 11, 2011

            A day when four jets where used as missiles against the American people

            The World Trade Center Towers and the Pentagon were hit

            2700 died that day

            The other night I watched a retrospective on the events of 9-11

            Once again, I was brought back so easily to that terrible moment

            The beautiful blue skies of the day with the backdrop of death

Just like December 7, September 11 is a metaphor

            A symbol of a terrible day – a day of pain and injustice

            We even use it to describe our lives when they shift for the worst

            When death in whatever form comes our way, it’s our own personal 9-11

When days of infamy come our way, it leaves our hearts cold

            As we witness the pain and injustice of the moment,

                        we are drained of faith, hope and love

           

That is what occurred for the two disciples of Jesus on the road to Emmaus

            One was named Cleopas

            The other is known only to God

            They experienced their own day of infamy

                        Their own December 7, their own September 11

            It was the crucifixion of their friend, leader and teacher

            Jesus of Nazareth

There hearts had grown cold

            With Jesus dead and gone, there was nothing left to do but go home

            So they packed their bags and began their 7 mile journey

            They were traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus

            As they walked along, they were sharing their pain over the injustice

What happens next is exactly why I am a Christ follower, a Christian

            Into the middle of their own December 7th and September 11th

            Into their day of infamy

            Into their pain and injustice

            Jesus joins them on their journey

I love the details of this story

            Notice Jesus walks side by side with them

            Even though they fail to recognize him, Jesus is still present

            He listens to them before he speaks

            When he speaks he frames the conversation about his identity as the Christ

            When they finally reach Emmaus, Jesus breaks bread with them

            Did you catch that?

            Jesus comes to them in Word and Sacrament

            Let me repeat myself, Jesus comes to them in Word and Sacrament

            It isn’t what they do, it’s what God does

            That’s the power of Easter

And Cleopas and his unnamed friend described their transformation

            Their hearts shift

            They shift from being cold to burning

            They are on fire with the power of Easter

So when the magnitude of December 7th and September 11th break into world history and our lives

            Days of infamy that fill us with pain as we witness the injustice

            Days which leave us with empty hearts

            That is the moment Jesus joins us on our journey

            Gives us the power of Easter in Word and Sacrament

            Transforming us and giving us hearts that burn with love

So when September 11th unfolded, the nation paused

            Remembered in prayer in churches, synagogues and mosques alike

            Those who were suffering

            We ministered to each other and joined each other in our pain

            God was there

           

Then last week, word came that our special forces took out Bin Laden

            Now we as Christians do not rejoice in the death of any human

                        Not even an evil one

            But we do recognize the hand of providence

            Just the same way Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany fell, Al Queda has fallen

            Bin Laden is no more

            God was there

One of the powerful images of September 11th for me is a cross found in the ruble of the ground zero site in NYC

            As they were cleaning up the site

            They found a cross made up of I – Beams

            It went on display, still located at St. Peter’s Church in NYC

The cross is a symbol of Easter

            A symbol that transcends and overcomes the 12-7 and 9-11 of life

            A symbol that reveals God’s entering into our pain

            A symbol that reveals God’s commitment to justice

            A symbol that makes our hearts burn once again

            And if God can handle world history, God can handle your personal history

           

Over the last three weeks of our Easter celebrations, we have heard how Easter’s power comes to us

            It came to Mary as recorded in St. Matthew

            It came to Thomas as recorded in St. John

            It came to Cleopas as recorded in St. Luke

            It comes for you as recorded in the book of life

So when the magnitude of December 7th and September 11th break into world history and our lives

            Days of infamy that fill us with pain as we witness the injustice

            Days which leave us with empty hearts

            That is the moment Jesus joins us on our journey

            Gives us the power of Easter in Word and Sacrament

            Transforming us and giving us hearts that burn with love

"All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;" Hebrews 12:11-15

Discipline isn't a word we rejoice over usually, but when it has to do with us and God we actually. It means something, a good something! Discipline is necessary for us to get stronger in our faith. Think of an athlete. If an athlete doesn't train, no matter how much natural talent she has, she won't be at her best. The spiritual life is the same.

I want to share some words from Kay Arthur on this subject. Here goes:

God's disciplines "are evidence of His love, the certainty that He has a plan, a purpose for you that is not yet complete. We are not to take the discipline of the LORD lightly. We are not to faint under it. We are instead to 'be subject to God' to not rebel, walk away, say it is too much, not fair. If we do, we jeopardize our Christlikeness and our future . . . Sin is not the end of life . . . Don't faint: rather, endure."

And I would add that discipline doesn't just come when we sin. Discpline is part of the growing process whether or not sin is involved.

Rejoice if you have a lot of challenges right now in your life. God will use each and every one to deepen you and make you more like Him!

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

If you aren't seeing God as loving, if you can't trust Him to be loving and good in your life, something is wrong. If your mind is filled with someone else, if this someone else is messing you up emotionally, you're allowing that person to control you, have power over you. This is wrong and it isn't as God wants it to be.

Jesus' yoke is easy. His burden is light. In Him you can have peace immediately no matter what is happening in your life.

You do not need to fear anything or anyone. Threats from others cannot touch the child of God inwardly.

If you're dealing with some very difficult people and you're afraid, God wants you to trust Him. God wants you to realize He is the God of Love and these people are not like God.

Who did Jesus yell at? Who did Jesus get after when He was walking around on the earth? The ordinary sinner? The every day person? No. He rebuked the pharisees, the ones living by the law; the ones who said they represented God and God's rules. They didn't represent God. They represented man's religion at its worst.

The other one Jesus got after was satan and Peter when Peter let Satan use him.Jesus said to Peter, "Get behind me Satan" when Peter said Jesus would not go to the cross and die.

Do not let others mess with you inwardly. Do not let others have power over you. Go to Jesus. Rest in Him.

Another verse comes to mind:
"Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
 But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God." Psalm 20:7

I also want to share a powerful website with you. God can use any of our talents to share His message. This website uses animation in a powerful way. It is found at: http://worship.com/2011/05/all-i-have-is-christ-an-animation-2/#comment-9764

The one I site is a animation video put to the worship son "All I have is Christ."

God is so creative. He will use everything we give Him for His glory.

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Not a lot to share today, but a couple of quotes (and maybe a couple of thoughts). We are all connected. Our lives are stories being played out. And we are part of God's story. Author Frederick Buechner says all of them can be called sacred stories. I agree with him. 

From his introduction to The Sacred Journey I will share some quotes:

It seemed to me then, and seems to me still, that if God speaks to us at all in this world, if God speaks anywhere, it is into our personal lives that he speaks.

Deep within history, as it gets itself written down in history books and newspapers, in the letters we write and in the diaries we keep, is sacred history, is God's purpose working itself out in the apparent purposelessness of human history and of our separate histories, is the history, in short, of the saving and losing of souls, including our own.

 . . . the story of any one of us is in some measure the story of us all.

"in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you." Exodus 20:24

That's a promise. God was promising this to His children during their time in the wilderness when Moses was leading them.

There's power in a name. This is the first question people who don't know you ask you usually -- what's your name?
What happens when someone knows your name? Once your name is known, it is a way into your life.They can call on you. They can get your attention. They know a bit more about you then they did before. Depending on your name, they might know where you are from, who you are related to, your history.

When God's name is remembered, something incredible happens.

When God's name is spoken, power is evident.

Wow. This reminds me of Rahab speaking to the spies before Israel conquerored Jericho. She said to the spies:

"know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath."

Names are powerful. Something to think about....

"And I will wait on Thy name" Psalm 52:9c

Waiting is a life-long lesson. We learn to wait when we're children. We conquer that kind of waiting (like for Christmas, our birthdays, summer vacation). Then, as adults we realize we have to wait for a lot of things especially in regard to our faith and prayer requests.

Looking up "wait on" in the Hebrew, I found something very thought provoking. This is part of it:
 wait for, look for, to hope for . . . The root meaning is that of twisting or winding a strand of cord or rope, but it is uncertain how the root meaning relates to the idea of hope.  . . the word also means to be gathered and refers to the gathering of waters (Ge 1:9) and of people (jer 3:17)."

So, I decided to take this challenge this morning, to think of possibilities of what this root meaning as to do with hoping, and waiting on God. When we learn to wait well we are building up our spiritual muscles. It is a way of God preparing us for what is next in our lives. It is very necessary to learn to wait well. But in this waiting, something is going on within our souls, our minds, etc. I think we are getting stronger. It is a twisting of a rope -- the twisting of strands together makes a rope stronger and able to do so much more. The twisting of strands together is what makes it a rope. Without that twisting it is just a bunch of strands. And without the twisting there is no strength.

So too with us. Without the waiting and learning to wait well with expectation we don't get strong spiritually. It is vital to our spiritual growth, to us learning to believe no matter what, to be who God created us to be. If we don't do this we will always be sitting on the fence with our faith even if we aren't in our words. Inwardly we will be in chaos. We must learn to use our eyes of faith, see life with them.

I hope this makes sense. I am writing as I am thinking and sometimes it doesn't come out right.