Exodus to Exile? // Hard Decisions, New Paths

Well, this is awkward. I really dropped the ball on writing devotions, updates and general productivity over the course of the Easter season. I took up some practices for Lent and let those fail too, imagine that. However, I have noticed that over the course of letting my practices slip, my level of enthusiasm and interest have dwindled as well.

I've been less excited about church.
I've been less excited about life.
I've been less... everything!

So, I wanted to get some of that excitement back, especially since my "Entrance Interview" is next week, which is one of the official steps toward me officially being a pastor (for real this time). May 5, at 11am I will be traveling up to the synod office to fill out some papers and meet with the nine member team that has the power to set me on my way toward something, or stop me cold in my tracks. There is a lot of optimism surrounding me, my wife is confident, my home congregation seems excited and I'm sure those of you who have been waiting for my blogging return are excited too. However, I'm not so sure. A lot of thoughts, questions and concerns have settled into my mind that has me questioning my path, which is where I come to you from tonight.

Within the next 4 years of my life, my time with my wife, my time in the city, my time with my family, there are so many things that could happen. There are so many things that should happen. There are so many things that I dream about being able to do. However, the question remains do I need to go through 4 years of school, which brings more debt to the table, in order to make any of those things happen? The answer remains an obscure no. I do not need to go to school again to do anything. There are plenty of people in the world who have accomplished amazing things with far less "formal education" than I have obtained already. So, what am I trying to prove?

To be honest, I don't want to prove anything, but I do want to see things change. As I have journeyed with my wife with her congregation, it is clear that there is a lot of work to do in the church, and ever since I started being affiliated with the church I have wanted to see that change, and help bring that change into being. However, again, does it take 4 years of school? Not really! So, what am I doing?

I'm going to seminary in order to develop the skills that will make my effort more valiant. I am going to seminary in order to build a network of support with like-minded and different-minded thinkers. I am going to seminary to learn new techniques for studying and applying the teachings of the Bible. I am going to seminary because it's what I feel I should have done a long time ago. I was thinking about seminary since 2005, however I did know that's what it was called at the time. I have been on this path for a long time now, and I would like to think that my lack of excitement with just that fact. I am stepping onto the path that I was supposed to be, so instead of being excited I am comfortable--even though there are still all of concerns listed above. So, what comes next?

I know Summer Greek is a real thing that is coming up very soon. In addition to that I wait to hear about my entrancing decision from the synod, and wait to hear conclusively what program path I will be walking down. There are a couple of different options, but it is a waiting game, so I'll just leave it at that for now. I may have talked about it in previous posts about this journey, but for now it's just about getting back into the flow of writing. It's been a church season since I last sat and wrote, so this is a good step in the right direction.

In other news I'm leading a team of a couple of people install a Little Free Pantry at the church, which has been fun. We should have it in the ground very, very soon and operational just after that. I also have other ideas for regaining our position as a community church, but I have to find a way to work it into all of the drama that is the church. You would think people would be open to ideas, but fear of outsiders is a very real thing and it kills the church community. There is no new life blood, there is no way to gain new insights into the community if we are not actively engaged with what is happening outside of our walls. We'll see what happens. I have ideas and my wife (the pastor) supports them. However, the need to not step on toes is a very real thing too. If I run in guns blazing with ideas I could alienate everybody who has been there forever and they won't like me anyway. However, in reality we were talking tonight, and it isn't about being friends and protecting our past. It is about living, preaching, and spreading the gospel which is all about loving our neighbors. So, can we just do that? Can we love our neighbors without leaving the safety of our fortress? Yes, we can, but we have to step outside of those walls. We have to escape our past and embrace the future that our church may look a little different. Might feel a little different. Might feel a little different. God is with us, and it will be okay.

This is step one. Welcome back into the fold. I hope to be better about this for a little while, and hopefully we can grow together and closer over the days that come.

Thank-you!

Sincerely,
A Pastor's Husband

Thursday Devotion: Ezekiel 37:1-14

A reading from Ezekiel, the 37th chapter:

1 The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. 3 He said to me, "Mortal, can these bones live?" I answered, "O Lord God, you know." 4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord." 7 So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." 10 I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude. 11 Then he said to me, "Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, "Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.' 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. 14 I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord."

***

To prophesy.

To foresee.

To foretell.

To speak.

Have you ever been minding your own business when all of a sudden the urge to communicate with somebody overcame you? Well, if not, don't be surprised because there aren't a lot of accounts of such a prophetic unction being passed around these days. However, the need to speak life into "dry bones," is everywhere.

We find ourselves sitting in the church pews waiting to be brought back from the land of bones. We have depleted our reserves throughout the work week and we are looking to be brought back to life, refueled for the upcoming week, to be lifted back to our feet to continue the work that we have been called to do. However, where does this life, this fuel, this lift up come from? Where do we find the sustaining power to keep on fighting the good fight?

The word of God.

From the very beginning of our holy text, the word of God has moved across the void to bring into existence all creation. This very word continues to move across our world to bring into life new creations all around us. The trees, the wind, the new born babies, the job opportunities, the ministry opportunties, the kind words from a stranger, the written word, the spoken word, the loving look of a child to a parent.

The word of God.

We often hear in church the phrase, "...as a called and ordained minister of the church of God..." or some such thing, and this is the power that is bestowed on the pastor of our congregation. They have been set apart in order to facilitate certain ceremonies and rites, however we are all called to speak life into the world. In times like now, we need to speak MORE life into the world. We are residing in the valley of the dry bones, and God has placed a hand upon our shoulder and bekoned us to prophesy life into these bones, that they would come to life, full of muscle and tissue, full of spirit, so that they may fully realize the love and power of the all mighty.

We have it in us.

We have been called.

We have been empowered.

We can do it.

Let us pray:

Lord your word moved across the void in the beginning, which brought into being all the we have before us and more. Allow your word to flow through our mouths, minds and hearts as we encounter dry bones on our journey. Allow your word to flow into our own dry bones so that we might be revitalized to do your will. In our times of struggle and need you are ever present to speak life into us. Continue to do this so that we might remember your name in our darkest of days. Strengthen us, enliven us, and set us on our way to bring your glory into our world. Amen.

Thursday Devotion: John 9:1-41

The holy gospel according to the book of John, the ninth chapter:

1 As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes, 7 saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, "Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?" 9 Some were saying, "It is he." Others were saying, "No, but it is someone like him." He kept saying, "I am the man." 10 But they kept asking him, "Then how were your eyes opened?" 11 He answered, "The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, "Go to Siloam and wash.' Then I went and washed and received my sight." 12 They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know." 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, "He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see." 16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?" And they were divided. 17 So they said again to the blind man, "What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened." He said, "He is a prophet." 18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19 and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" 20 His parents answered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself." 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him." 24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, "Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner." 25 He answered, "I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." 26 They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" 27 He answered them, "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?" 28 Then they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." 30 The man answered, "Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." 34 They answered him, "You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?" And they drove him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36 He answered, "And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him." 37 Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he." 38 He said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind." 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, "Surely we are not blind, are we?" 41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, "We see,' your sin remains.

***

Wow.

To be able to witness a miracle and still find the gusto to deny that it actually happened.

Welcome to the world of the Pharisees. Everything outside of their socio-religious realm of operation simply could not be accepted as fact. Here we have a man who was born blind, lived his entire adult life as a beggar, because what else was he to do? Then along comes Jesus, wipes some mud in his eyes and allows him to truly see the world. However, when brought before the religious council they are seeking empirical evidence to explain away the miraculous nature of what happened.

Surely this is merely a different man.

Surely he wasn't born blind.

Surely his parents will side with us.

Surely... surely.... surely it was a miracle (albeit performed on the sabbath).

So, what does this have to do with us? What does this have to do with our faith? In a word, everything. We see more miracles in a given day than we will ever be able to comprehend, and yet we are still ever seeking the empirical evidence to justify things away.

Every morning the sun rises--miracle. 

Every morning we wake up to an alarm--miracle.

Every breath we take--miracle.

Every beat of our heart--miracle.

Every moment--miracle.

But not really! We get so caught up in the way we have to accomplish things, get things done, achieve great works, that we forget to realize the miracles of this life for the gifts that they truly are. Every moment is a gift from God, a moment that we are provided to make this world just a little bit better. Miracles are everywhere, but we refuse to allow the presence of God to embolden us, and work through us.

Let us pray:
Our heavenly miracle worker, we take this moment to thank-you for the all of the miracles that you bestow on us. Especially the mighty miracle of grace... without your gifts we would be forever lost in the darkness. So, we come to you this day to thank-you for all of these things, known and unknown that you have provided for us. It is with these gifts that we are empowered, strengthened, and sent into the world to proclaim the good news to the rest of the world. Amen.

Thursday Devotion: John 4:5-42

The holy gospel according to John, the fourth chapter:

5 So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. 7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." 8 (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, "Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." 11 The woman said to him, "Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?" 13 Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." 15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water." 16 Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back." 17 The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, "I have no husband'; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!" 19 The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." 21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." 25 The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us." 26 Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one who is speaking to you." 27 Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you want?" or, "Why are you speaking with her?" 28 Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, 29 "Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?" 30 They left the city and were on their way to him. 31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, "Rabbi, eat something." 32 But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." 33 So the disciples said to one another, "Surely no one has brought him something to eat?" 34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. 35 Do you not say, "Four months more, then comes the harvest'? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. 36 The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, "One sows and another reaps.' 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor." 39 Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I have ever done." 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world."

***

In a perfect world everything would make sense.

No riddles.

No puzzles.

No quandaries.

No questions.

We're not so lucky, because our world is full of uncertainty, full of doubt, and full of questions that will remain unanswered until the end of time. However, there is an answer if we just look to the well... the place where the woman meets the messiah. The well of life, the place where the water is always flowing, that is where we will find Jesus.

Now, instead of talking in riddles about a magical well where there is water for everybody to drink, we direct our eyes to the cross where the water was ultimately poured out for us--the blood of Jesus. It was poured out so that we might live, it freed us to love our neighbor with everything we can muster and then some. We are charged with taking this message back to our home and telling people about it. We are to be like the woman at the well.

The woman in this story is hesitant in picking up what was being told to her--granted it was kind of cryptic--but when she put all of the pieces together she got the message. Following this eureka moment, she was instructed to go back and tell all her friends. In doing so the entire town was brought to Jesus for a little talk about living water.

No riddles.

No puzzles.

No quandries.

No questions.

Jesus is the water that sustains life. We can buy into all of the promises of this world but we will ultimately remain thirsty. There might even come a time when the water from the worldly well will dry up, and to whom will you turn then? Will you seek out the next best thing, or will you turn to the source of life? These are the questions that make us wonder, what am I buying into? What am I putting my faith into? I have been given access to an ever present flow of life and I have returned to the world for my sustenance. To what end? Death, that's the end.

Return to the well of life so that Jesus might sustain us and make us whole again...

Let us pray:

Our most gracious heavenly host. You pour out the living water for all to partake in for the ultimate cost--you sacrificed your son so that we might know eternal life. We ask that you allow your spirit to guide us to drink from the well of ever flowing water and be sustained for life. Guide us, strengthen us, and sustain us in the days to come as we grow weary from the water from the worldly well. In your son's precious name we pray. Amen.

'Tis the Season for Updates // Making Moves

Well, well, well... fancy meeting you here.

I realize that I've been M.I.A. for a couple weeks now and haven't been updating you very much either. So, I have decided that now, on this Sunday, would be a good time to do just that. A lot has been happening in the life of this pastor's husband, and I want to let you know what those things are. However, the question is, where to begin? Let's just make a list and see where that gets us!

1. I have been doing a long term substitute job since before Christmas, and it is coming to a close this week.
2. I have officially mailed the paper work to begin the entrancing process for becoming a Pastor.
3. Instead of writing devotions for the past couple of weeks I wrote my entrancing essay, and was lazy for a day.
4. Lent has begun and I have wanted to do any number of things as a spiritual discipline, but haven't really landed on anything in particular.
5. We bought a brand new, 2017, car. The first brand new car of my entire life.
6. We are planning a trip to California.
7. I am visiting Wartburg and Luther Seminaries in the "final" steps in my discernment journey.
8. My wife and I are starting to push forward with some difficult conversations: relocating, having kids, making more life together.
9. I'm struggling to stay ahead of the reading game, consistently falling behind on my Goodreads count.

So, that wasn't as meaningful as I would have hoped, and it didn't really update you on any meaningful piece of information. However, it is something of an update. I could take the time to expand on each of the things listed above, but I'm not feeling it tonight. I'm not really sure what it is that has been going through my mind as of late. There has been so many things going on, personally, professionally, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. In order to really capture the essence of what has been going on, to really update you, it would take a long time and a lot of words. However, considering I'm not sure how many people are actually going to read this, I can't be sure how many words I want to put on this screen.

Let us just say this. In the coming days I am going to need your prayer and support as my wife and I take steps together down this new life path. She is finding her place as a pastor, I'm starting down a similar path, and we're both trying to figure out what it all means and what it will look like--together. It is my hope that in the upcoming days I will get back on the update train, the devotional production, and hopefully start advancing some of my other project ideas that have been floating around in my head for a while. Now, we all know that talk is cheap and my follow through isn't very good. So, we shall see what comes of this next stage of the journey.

We'll see. Together.

Sincerely,
A Pastor's Husband

Thursday Devotion: Leviticus 19: 1-2, 9-18

A reading from Leviticus, the nineteenth chapter:

1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

9 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the Lord your God. 11 You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. 12 And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the Lord. 13 You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning. 14 You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the Lord. 15 You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the Lord. 17 You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

***

In our daily walks through life we come across any number of strangers: waiting for the city bus, walking through the mall, and even chance encounters in the local grocery store. Everywhere we go, there is a chance that we will have an opportunity to engage with somebody who was once a nameless face. However, the question becomes what do we do? How do we engage those who are unknown to us?

More often than not we don't. We simply go about our business, walking past those we do not know, possibly giving a friendly nod of gratitude if they hold the door open for us. However, beyond that we are slow to engage with people who have no reason to belong in our circle of influence. It isn't that we don't care about them. We just have no real reason to invest or divest in their lives, except when Jesus calls us to love our neighbor. Oops, did you forget that part of the New Testament? Probably not, but chances are you have found yourself in the age old argument over the specificity of neighbor. Just who is our neighbor anyway?

To make it easier on us, the Levites have provided us with plenty of ways to love our neighbor--granted most of them fall under the umbrella of "thou shall not," however this then can empower us to do the mere opposite of what is forbidden.

Remove stumbling blocks from the path of the blind.

Tell the truth to our neighbors.

Provide for the poor.

Cloth the naked.

Visit the prisoner.

Care for the widow.

Feed the hungry.

The list goes on and on and on. However, it all comes back to the call to love our neighbor. So, as we continue down our daily journey, the daily grind of work, the struggle to keep our heads above the rising tide, what can we do to make the lives of those around us just a little more bright. What words of encouragement can we offer? What helping hand can we lend? What steps could we take off our path to make the path of the other a little easier to traverse?

Let us pray:

Our lord, our savior, our guide, our example, we ask that you shine a light into our lives where we may be of assistance to our neighbor. Allow us to see the needs of our community and take steps off our daily path to lend a helping hand. Empower us to make those tough decisions, and give us the heart to do it out of the love and grace that you have provided us. We seek to gain nothing but to do your will on earth as it is in heaven. Be with us, guide us and protect us as we journey forward into your grace. Amen.

Thursday Devotion: Matthew 5:21-37

A reading from Matthew, the fifth chapter:

21 "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, "You shall not murder'; and "whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, "You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. 27 "You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. 31 "It was also said, "Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, "You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' 34 But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be "Yes, Yes' or "No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

 ***

What does it mean to be in relationship with another? Under the prospects of the law we have developed a set of rules that protect us from prosecution: Do not murder, do not steal, do not lie, do not commit adultery, etc. Under the umbrellas of these laws we can live an easy life.

I don't lie (very much).

I've never stole anything.

I've never cheated on my wife.

I've certainly never killed anybody.

However, what we do on a daily basis is sometimes far worse than living under the protection of the umbrellas we have created. This is wear Jesus comes in. He reminds us that our daily operations with the people around us are, more often than not, just as treacherous as the things we claim we don't do. He takes the law and firmly plants in in a position of judgement, prosecution, and death. Jesus reminds us that there are a million little things that work to condemn our earthly relationships, and we should work to protect and prosper those relationships.

We often lose track of all of the slights that we make against our neighbor. We forget the small, discouraging word we gave to our loved ones. We exaggerate the truth to make ourselves feel just a little bit better, but Jesus is hear to remind us that these things are the same as killing, lying, and committing adultery.

No sin is greater than another, and we are guilty of all of them... and then there's Jesus!

Jesus is the bridge between rightful death and the graceful embrace of a loving God. Jesus is there to remind us of our shortcomings so that we may become fully aware of just how unworthy we are of the free gift of grace that was given for us. Thank God for the gift of Jesus, otherwise we would never truly be set free from the chains of death that result from the law.

Let us pray:

We thank you God for sending your son to both remind us of the law, but also provide us with an escape route. Without your son we would perish under the weight of the law, regardless of how well we feel we have escaped the sting of death. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus we were freed from that sting so that we may fully live and pump life into the world around us. We ask you to continue to remind us of the law, but also continue to strengthen us to embrace the life you have provided. Guide us, protect us, and provide us with the necessary tools to make your will manifest on this plane. In your son's holy name we ask these things. Amen.

Thursday Devotion: Matthew 5:13-20

A reading from Matthew, the fifth chapter:

13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

***

The American Dream.

Manifest Destiny.

Going boldly where no man/woman has gone before.

This is what we see for ourselves. We want to accomplish all of the things our parent's couldn't. We want to reach for the stars, grab them and make them into funny shapes. We want to be remembered for something when we pass on from this life to whatever may await us on the other side. 

The question is, though, how often do we, proverbially, shoot ourselves in the foot? How many times have we taken one step forward and subsequently 100 steps backwards? Honestly, more often than we are ever going to admit. Be it because of our lack of confidence, our inability to sustain momentum, or the ever present fear of failure and ridicule, we always seem to find a way to dampen our efforts to soar among the clouds.

In today's reading we are reminded that salt that loses it's power to be salty is thrown out, and further reminded that a light is not lit and then hidden from the world. We are called to be salt and light in the world, but not in a way that would get us thrown out and trampled under foot; nor to be hidden under a basket. We are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world, knowing full well that we have the support of the Holy Spirit at all times. Our efforts are not in vain, and we are fully within the command of God to do great things in and for the world.

We get caught up in the ways of the world so much that we lose sight of the power that is connected to us from God by the spirit. Just like Jesus told his disciples (paraphrased), "You have seen me do all of these miraculous things, but the thing is you're going to do all of these things and more!" That's a challenge bigger than the American Dream or Manifest Destiny. That is a divine mandate to go out and out work Jesus; a challenge that we are very reluctant to take up in the modern age of medicine, technology and hypocrisy. So, what are we waiting for?

Our sweat is salty and we were raised singing the song "This Little Light of Mine." Therefore, let us use what we have been given to make a real difference in this world. We are called to do a lot of things: feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit the prisoner, and pray for those who persecute us. What's stopping us? Why are we hiding our light under a bushel? Why have we allowed our saltiness to be thrown out and trodden under foot? We have work to do, and a divine mandate to accomplish these things by the spirit and call of the LORD.

Let us pray:

Our most challenging heavenly creator. We call on you to give us the strength and endurance to rise to your challenge of being more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees. Your son challenged his disciples, and by proxy us to match his work and do more, and yet we find ourselves hiding our light under various containers and our saltiness has been lost. Revitalize us, renew our spirits, and remind us to whom we belong. In the name of our divine supporter, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Thursday Devotion: Matthew 5:1-12

A reading from Matthew, the fifth chapter:

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

***

 At the end of the service the pastor instructs the congregation to "receive this blessing," and continues with "may the Lord bless you, and keep you; may the Lord's face shine upon you and be gracious to you; and give you peace." Then we exit the sanctuary back into our every day lives, hoping that God will do those things that were just prophesied into our paths. However, the question remains, what makes us worthy of that blessing?

Are we worthy just because we showed up to church?

Are we worthy just because the pastor told us to take it?

Are we worthy just because that phrase is written in the bible (the book of Numbers)?

I would hesitate to claim that we are ever worthy of such a blessing, but as we look to the first section of the teachings found in the book of Matthew there seem to be some pretty specific circumstances for which people are to be blessed by God: be pure of heart, be meek, be peacemakers, be poor in spirit, those in mourning, etc. The list could probably go on forever, but Jesus had a lot of teaching to do and this is merely the tip of the Iceberg. In the 5th chapter of this gospel we have the Sermon on the Mount, the "core teachings" of Jesus. So, what is there to be gleaned from here? A lot.

We'll start simple. All of those deemed worthy of a blessing in this passage are active.

They're doing something.

They are involved with something.

They are active in their community.

They are making an effort.

Blessed are those who do, try, fail, get up, try again, keep failing, keep getting up, keep participating. We are blessed so that we may be a blessing. So let us be apart of something that is blessed in the eyes of the Lord so that we may in turn funnel that blessing into other groups of people who are doing as well.

Amen.

Thursday Devotion: Matthew 4:12-23

A reading from Matthew, the 4th chapter:

12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 "Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." 17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." 18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

***

In this current day and age if a strange man would come up to us while we were working there is very little chance of us dropping everything and joining his crew. It just wouldn't happen. We have to feed our families, we have to pay our bills, we have to work to make money, which is our ultimate comfort, right? We are fulfilling our civic and spiritual duty by doing our job; joining in on the daily grind of paying taxes, clocking in, clocking out--wash, rinse, repeat; day in and day out. However, this isn't what happens in this weeks gospel.

Jesus walked up to these fishermen and they dropped everything and followed him. Now, the important part is, these men were doing just what we do: they were working for their livelihood. They supported their families, paid their bills and went on vacations from the money garnered from these fish. However, when Jesus strolled up and said, "Hey, let's go!" They dropped their nets, left their families and became students of Jesus. There was no money, there was no way to continue supporting their families, there was Jesus and a new mission. The kingdom of God was coming near and it was time to let people know. They were moved so strongly that they walked away from everything to follow the teacher of a new way.

What about us?

Where does that leave us?

Do you feel a calling on your life?

What are you willing to do to accept that call?

More often that not we are unwilling to step out on faith because there is no money, there is no way to support our families, there is no promise of earthly gains to keep us on track to our earthly goals. However, what we gain by following Jesus is much more. The kingdom is drawing near, those living in shadows see a great light, those with great diseases were cured--all by following Jesus. The heavenly gains to be made far outweigh anything we might possibly gain in this life. It is up to us to accept the call, drop everything and follow...

Let us pray:

Most gracious heavenly father, we thank-you for sending your son to show us the way; to beckon us to follow in order to gain the heavenly gifts that you offer to us. At the same time, we have to ask you to provide us with the strength, courage and willingness to accept the calls you place on our hearts. We get so caught up in the greatness of this world that we lose focus on the greatness of your love. So, we ask that you be with us as we struggle through this life. In the name of your only son, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

All Signs Point to "Yes" // Decisions, Decisions

Well, well, well.

It's has been a good, long while since I have sat down and just blogged about what has been happening in the life of this pastor's husband. I have kept up on the weekly devotions though, so if you haven't read those yet--what are you waiting for? Needless to say I have been doing a lot of thinking, reading, talking and sleeping since we last saw each other. Unfortunately, there are no real updates to be shared, and considering it's Wednesday, there isn't a whole lot of drive to be sitting here writing. However, I'm here and my fingers and flying across the keys in order to share the news with you.

I was going to write earlier today, but figured it would be better to wait until after my meeting with the Assistant to the Bishop of our synod, which happened earlier this evening. I went up to the synod offices to meet with him about the candidacy process, which is the official step to be taken for me to become a pastor. Just like my wife had to go through, and every other ELCA pastor had to go through before me. They screen you, test you, and support you through the various levels of pastordom, and I wanted to meet with them in order to show that I'm seriously considering it, and see if there is any new information to be gained for my research purposes.

Needless to say I've still not committed to a particular path yet, which is frustrating for me. I really just want to know what I'm supposed to be doing, and work towards that. This business about figuring things out is what has led me to walking away from the church so many times. There have been plenty of times when I was ready to jump headfirst into the church business but then stalled out so long that I just gave up on the notion all together. I feel that this is starting to happen again; now as I sit here and go through the motions of figuring out a life path. I feel as if there is only so many thought experiments that can be done in this situation, so many times I can re-hash the same scenarios and come up with the same conclusions.

All signs point to yes!

I have been over the thoughts, steps and potential outcomes at least a million times and it always ends up the same. There is nothing to lose, except for some time and money, in taking the next steps. It will only hurt a little bit if it doesn't work out, but if I never take that step I'll always be idling at the starting line questioning what I'm supposed to be doing. However, even with all of the affirmations and support I am still hesitant to commit to anything. I fear making the wrong choice, losing both time and money, as well as losing the potential for finding a full time teaching gig. Although, there's something to be said about not wanting that to happen as well... I have been having a hard time feeling comfortable in the teaching positions that I've had lately. The more I get behind the scenes the less I feel good about it. I'm not sure, but I haven't really stopped to really be present in those moments in order to discern what the issue is. However, I still have time in the classroom scheduled, so there will be plenty of opportunities to be present in moments of concern, joy, sorrow and otherwise. I just feel like I'm just going through the motions, that there is something else, or more I am supposed to be doing.

Nonetheless, I'm still alive. Still married. Still going to church weekly. Still teaching as a substitute. Still everything that I was before, however I'm one step closer to taking an official step towards becoming a pastor. We'll see what happens in the months that come. There is still a lot of things to consider before making any official decisions: a new car, previous student loans, children (potentially), and all of the things that will inevitably come up between now and forever. Although, I made one of those tough phone calls the other day, I had mentioned them in previous posts--I think--and contacted my first pastor (ever). She informed me that she's now 87 years old, that being a pastor is hard, and so is being married. When I told her I was thinking about being a pastor again, she asked me, "Why are you thinking about it? Just do it!" So, even my first pastor is pointing to yes and she hasn't seen me in at least 10 years, if not longer. It was really a powerful moment in the past few days: talking to her for the first time. She has been wanting me to call for several years now as I checked in with her via letters and event invitations. However, I finally got around to it last week.

All signs point to yes.

What does the future hold for this pastor's husband? Only time and God know.

I could still be a teacher.
I could be going back to school.
I could become a pastor.
Only time and God know.

We shall see what happens, but I feel the decision is mine, and mine alone. God has a plan in place, it's up to me to find the willingness to follow it fully, instead of being pulled around all the time. Is it time to submit, take the plunge and get some pastoral education? I don't know.

All signs point to yes... but we'll see!

Sincerely,
A Pastor's Husband

Thursday Devotion: John 1:29-42

A reading from John, the first chapter:

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, "After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' 31 I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." 32 And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, "He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God." 35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" 39 He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed ). 42 He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter ).

***

When you walk down the street do people take notice of you? Do they make comments behind your back? Do they make funny faces in your general direction?

 

When you walk down the street do you take notice of people around you? Do you notice the homeless guy soliciting change on the corner? Do you realize that people are giving you weird looks?

 

Perception is [our] reality.

 

People see us.

People see you.

People see me.

People are always looking; what do they see?

 

When Jesus was walking down the street, John knew he was the messiah because there was an air about him. The spirit of God had descended from heaven and taken up residence about his person. It shone like a light in the darkness--it set him apart from those around him--and people noticed. Lucky for us we are welcomed into that as well. In our baptism we are given a new identity, we are welcomed into life with Jesus and the spirit of God takes up residence about our person.

 

God dwells in us.

God shines through us.

God surrounds us.

People notice.

 

It is said that their are fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, which manifest themselves in our lives through the assistance of the holy spirit. This is what people notice, whether they know our faith journeys are not. This is what the world needs, and we can be that light in the darkness.

 

Let us pray:

Most gracious God let my light so shine the world that the people take notice. Allow your spirit to manifest all of the good fruits into the world around me so that people will see you through me. All signs point back to you; all gifts are from you; allow those gifts to flow forth so that the world becomes a better place for all who still reside here...

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Amen.

 



Thursday Devotion: Matthew 3:13-17

A reading from Matthew the third chapter:

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

***

In this passage we see Jesus walking up to John in order to be baptized, just like the hundreds of people who came before this trip. Naturally, John threw a fit because Jesus was the messiah and should be the one to do the baptizing--it was kind of his MO, being the son of God and such. However, it had to be done. In order for Jesus to fully participate in the physical world in which he was residing he needed to experience baptism like we do.

God became flesh.

God came to earth.

God joined us in the mire and muck.

God was baptized by John in the river Jordan.

In being baptized, Jesus sends an open invitation for the rest of us to join him in the experience. We too can experience the heavens opening up, and God referring to us as the beloved as we bring pleasure to God. We are welcomed into that kingdom through the actions of Jesus in the river. This is because we are then joining him in the death and ressurection. It is our invitation to die and rise again in Jesus.

We are buried.

We die.

We are raised.

We live a new life in Jesus.

It is this invitation that opens our hearts to the newness that is created through God... and then the spirit hits.

Let us pray:

God we must thank-you for sending Jesus to show us the path toward becoming your beloved. Through his baptism, death and resurrection we are created new in your eyes and are wrapped up in your grace. We ask that you continue to press down on us so that we might remember and recall your presence in our lives, so that we might continue to freely live in the world today. Empower us, guide us and sustain us as we travel forth into your glory. Amen.