Along the way ... February 4, 2014

            Sunday in my sermon I said because God’s kingdom has come exclusively in Jesus we have a choice to make.   Jesus extends an invitation to all of us who believe to live the new way in His kingdom, but we each have a choice; we can accept Jesus’ invitation or reject it. 

            Now let me be clear, I believe there are two invitations, although one directly follows the other.  First Jesus invites us to believe; to believe God’s promises are being fulfilled in Him.   Salvation (forgiveness of sins and eternal life) come to all who accept Jesus invitation to believe in Him.  Yet once we accept that invitation, Jesus invites us to embrace a new way of living; life in His kingdom where increasingly sad things are coming untrue.

            Yet this second invitation is the one we most often refuse.   Why?   I suppose because it requires sacrifice.  It is the world where we are called to set aside our “rights” and “privileges” for the good of others.  It is the world where we are called to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, give more than is required, love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, offer forgiveness freely, set aside judgment, let go of worry, etc.

(see Matthew 5-7).   It is not about earning our salvation or even adding to it.  Jesus took care of that at the cross.   Rather it is about living in the way God always intended for us to live.  And now we can because the Holy Spirit lives in us.

            I was reminded last night of the scene from “The Matrix” when Morpheus offers Neo a choice between the “red pill” and the “blue pill”.  If he chooses “blue” his life will go on as it always had, he will know nothing more, and he will be unchanged.  However, if he chooses “red” then his eyes will open, truth will be revealed, and his life will forever be changed.   I believe Jesus is offering His children the same choice when He invites us into kingdom living.  

            So the question remains for each one of us:  Are we going to accept Jesus’ second invitation?  Will we accept his invitation and begin to live the new way as we journey together along the way….?  

Along the way ... January 28, 2014

Sunday I preached on two stories from Jesus' life - two stories that are sometimes called a "Markan sandwich" - Jairus' sick and dying daughter and the woman with a 12 year illness.  (Luke 8:40-56 and Mark 5:21-43)  Jesus heals them both miraculously, and in lots of ways unexpectedly to show that in Him God's kingdom has come.

But what caught my attention was the words of children's author Sally Lloyd-Jones who wrote,

"Jesus was making the sad things come untrue.

He was mending God's broken world."
(Jesus Storybook Bible, p. 220)

I have wrestled with defining the kingdom of God since seminary, and yet I believe Ms. Lloyd-Jones has captured it beautifully.  I know there are all kinds of theological terms that can be used to describe and/or define God's kingdom, but in reality this is the one that captures for each of us what God's kingdom means to us.  - Jesus came to make the sad things in God's broken world come untrue!

What a wonderful sentiment!  What an amazing truth!  The sad things are coming untrue!

Now I imagine each one of us can think of some sad things we wish were untrue, and the good news is that those things are coming untrue and one day will be completely untrue!  On that day, the day of Jesus' return, "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4).  

I know for me this has become especially significant as I have dealt with my dad's recent death.  If not for the hope of the resurrection and the promise that the sad things are coming untrue, I would not know how to go on.  However, in light of God's promises, I know I will see my dad again and right now he is experiencing no pain or sickness, he is already made new, as all things will be one day.  

So what about you?  What sad things are you glad will one day become untrue?  

Along the Way ... January 21, 2014

Sunday I taught on Simon's call story from Luke's perspective (Luke 4:38-5:12).  It is always interesting to compare the accounts of the different gospel writers of the same events.  For example, for Matthew and Mark (Matthew 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18) it is easy.  "At once they left their nets and followed him."  But Luke offers a few more details that give us insight into the process by which Jesus called Simon in particular.

As I have been reflecting on Simon's call story, I have been challenged to think about my own call story, and the developing process it has been and still is.

My call began at my baptism.  I was baptized as an infant, and at that time God promised me that I was His child, and as I grew older I came to realize that God's promise was fulfilled in Jesus.  So I placed my faith in Jesus and accepted the name I had been given in my baptism; child of God.

As time has passed, through the work of the Holy Spirit, I have grown in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.  I have come to realize that the good things I do cannot make God love me more, and the bad things I do cannot make God love me less.  His love is consistent, or as the author of the Jesus Storybook Bible puts it, "God loves us with a never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always, and forever love."  This has freed me to really love and serve God and others.

So I no longer (at least most days) seek validation in what I do, but realize that God loves me for me simply because I am His child.  This frees me to serve in greater ways.  I can serve every person (big or small, rich or poor, important or those on the margins) because God sees us all the same.   We are all created in His image, and reckoned to Him in Christ.  At the cross, the ground is level.

And this is why I serve as a chaplain in the New Mexico Air National Guard.  I serve because God is present and war fighters need to hear of His love and grace, they need to be reminded that God loves them no matter what, and they need to know that Jesus is the proof of God's love.   This is not something I knew so well 20 years ago when I first served in the US Air Force, so I would not have been as good a chaplain then, as I believe God has equipped me to be now.

I could go on about how God has pursued me, but I want to invite you to share your own story.  How has God shaped you for kingdom service, and what opportunities is He giving you today to serve?

Along the way ... January 14, 2013

This weekend I was serving those who serve in the New Mexico Air National Guard, and I was reminded of the power of presence in representing Jesus.

First, I was privileged to attend a Yellow Ribbon event with a group getting ready to deploy down range.  This particular group is one with whom I have spent a good amount of time since joining the Guard last May.  I spent the day basically "hanging out" with them, listening to their stories and situations, and eventually leading a class later in the day.  Many of the airmen expressed appreciation for my presence with them and through my presence God gave opportunities for me to speak truth in ways that brought encouragement.

Second, as I reflected on that day, I thought about the sermon text I had chosen for Sunday: John 8:12.  Jesus said, "I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  Along with the recognition that Jesus is the light of the world, I also pointed out that in Matthew 5:14, Jesus also said, "You are the light of the world ..."   This teaching is for all who put their full trust in Jesus, believing God's promise fulfilled in Him, and receiving the Holy Spirit.  A few verses later, Jesus highlights how our lights shine brightest.  "Let your light shine before people, so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."  Jesus says our lights shine brightest in what we do.  That's particularly relevant to a military community where proselytization is frowned upon, and I believe it is also relevant to each of us living and working in our society today.  People will see Jesus in us, and they see Him best in who we are and what we do.

I invite you to reflect on the truth that Jesus is the light of the world, and the related truth that Jesus says "you" are the light of the world, and then share your thoughts as we journey together along the way ...

Along the way ... December 30, 2013

Yesterday I attended worship at the Rock Church in San Diego, CA.  Guest preacher Derwin Gray challenged us to write a love letter to God thanking Him for adopting us in Jesus.  So from here on that is what this post will do.

Dear Father,

I count it a privilege to call you Father and to be known as your son because of Jesus.   This year especially this privilege is a real gift.  As you know, a few months back I lost my earthly father.  He was a great dad, not perfect, but I am thankful he was my dad.  The day after he died, I was sitting alone preparing to take the first of two major tests in Officer's Training and I silently whispered, "Father you are now my only father."  And I cried a little.  Those tears were because I missed my dad, but also because I knew I would never be alone because you will not ever abandon one of your children.  I don't know what it was like for you to have to forsake your son in order to adopt me,  but I imagine it must have been extremely difficult.  Thank you God for not abandoning me, and thank you Father that no matter what may come I know I will never be alone.

Your loving and grateful son,

Joe

Along the way ... December 24, 2013

"Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.

This day is sacred to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!" 

(Nehemiah 8:10)

Nehemiah says these words as Ezra reads the law and God's people, who have just returned from exile, weep.  "Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!"

Many of us have heard those familiar words before, but what do they mean?

Most Bible commentators imply that somehow divine joy has filled you, so you can be strong no matter what.  But that does not seem to fit the context, in my humble opinion.   The people are weeping because they have broken God's law, they have offended Him, and they fear He will punish them again.   Yet Nehemiah says, "Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!"

This is obviously not some inner divine joy that chases the tears away, rather it is the LORD's joy (the joy God chooses to find; the delight He chooses to take, in His people, in spite of their sin) that is their strength (refuge or fortress).

The same is true for us today!

As we celebrate Christmas, we remember the LORD's joy, the same joy that enabled Jesus to endure the cross (see Hebrews 12:2), is our strength.   We can stand before Him and sing praises, we can stand before Him and present our thanksgiving and our requests because His joy is our strength!  We are forgiven and forever set free from condemnation because His joy (available to all who believe God's promise fulfilled in Jesus) is our strength!

Merry Christmas everyone, and may the LORD's joy be your greatest strength!

… Along the way - December 3, 2013

Well it's Christmastime again.  As I prepare to celebrate the coming of the King, and anticipate His glorious return, I want to pause to consider the benefit of the "commercialization" of Christmas.

Yes, you read that right the "benefit" of the commercialization of Christmas.

So what possible benefit could there be to the commercialization and apparent devaluing of the Savior's birth?

Well to answer that question, I think we have to consider the benefit of commercials in general.

I recently attended military training, which involved 23 training days.  On Day 12 most of us began to recite a GEICO commercial where a camel walks around asking everyone, "What day is it?"  The answer of course is "Hump Day" meaning Wednesday.  However, in our context "Hump Day" was the halfway point of training.

I tell that brief story to illustrate the benefit or value of commercials.  Commercials make us all remember a company's name "GEICO" and their slogan that "you could save 15% or more on car insurance by switching to GEICO", but commercials also give us a common language, a frame of reference from which we can all relate.  I did not know any of the other 128 officers before I entered training, we all came from different places, different backgrounds, and even different career fields, yet the GEICO commercial was a common language we all spoke!

This is where I find the benefit or value of the commercialization of Christmas.  I think we could call it pre-evangelism.  I find that there are a lot of people in my community who would not know the name Jesus except for Christmas.  They know the general parts of the story.   They know him as a baby born in a stable, visited by shepherds and wise men, heralded by angels, and highlighted by a star!  They know the basics of the story because the commercials speak His name!

It seems we may have it all wrong.  Perhaps instead of lamenting the commercialization of Christmas, we should take advantage of it!  Everyone knows the name Jesus, now they need to know the answer to the question posed in a famous Christmas carol, "What Child is This?"  If they can come to know the true identity of the child in the manger, then they can have the opportunity to put their faith in Him - Immanuel (God with us) - the one who came to save His people from their sins!