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.

Thursday Devotion: Matthew 2:13-23

A reading from Matthew, the second chapter:

13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." 14 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son." 16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more." 19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20 "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." 21 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. 23 There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He will be called a Nazorean."

 ***

It's time.

It's time.

It's the time when the savior of the world is thrown into the world. Not as a warrior king. Not as a mighty colossus of a man. Not as anything other than a human baby. The savior of the world was dropped into a kingdom ruled by man, and his family had to follow the lead of the LORD in order to preserve his life. The faith of his earthly father allowed Jesus to live in the world, to experience the world, to see what the world was going through at this time. This was over 2000 years ago. Sadly, the world hasn't changed that much since the time of Jesus. So, the question becomes what are we doing about it?

Jesus came so that we might live.

Jesus died so that we may be redeemed.

Jesus rose again so that we may know eternal life.

So what are you doing about it? What are you doing with it? What are you called to do?

Advent was the time of longing anticipation, but now it's time for action. Mary and Joseph had to act in order to ensure the life of their son against the powers and principalities of that time. This allowed Jesus to grow and develop into the man who would eventually die and rise again for the very world that he was brought into. We are then charged with carrying that cross out into the world and showing the love and affection that Jesus showed us through his sacrifice--which was started by his earthly parents. It all started with a call from God.

Do you hear it?

Have you experienced it?

Did you take that first step?

Let us pray:

Most gracious heavenly father. We thank-you for the time and effort that you have poured into creating us in your image so that we may be your hands and feet on this earth. We also thank you for the gift of your son, so that we may be redeemed in your sight until the time we when are presented with the eternal gift of life you so graciously provide for us. However, in the mean time we pray that you prepare us, prompt us and push us to do the work that you have called us to do. Through our friends, families and places of business we can be a witness to your love and affection that you have poured out since the beginning of creation. We ask this in the powerful name of your only begotten son, Jesus Christ. Amen.