Daily Encourager – May 2, 2020

By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. – Psalm 42:8

In our waking and in our sleeping, God is with us.  The beauty of God’s presence, which comes with strength, comfort, and assurance, is that in His presence there are blessings of love.  God’s love has been with us our entire lives.  It is unfortunate that there are those who don’t get to experience God’s love, because of situations beyond their control.  My heart breaks every time I speak with someone who was not shown the love as a child, and the detriments are tantamount. I believe love is something our souls need, typically it is found immediately in a mother’s care, and in a father’s protection. However, there are those times and situations in which these initial loves are missing.

Those who miss out on this initial love, have a harder time accepting it from others later in life.  Yet, there is hope in the love of God that is seemingly relentless as it pursues us to even the deepest corners of our soul, to let us know of the accepting, covering, merciful grace of our God. The psalmist writes in this psalm from a time of longing, a time of distress.  The psalm reminds us that there are times even those who have known the unending love of God, need to draw ever closer, need to have God’s wisper of remembrance that we are not alone, and that his steadfast love is with us by day, and his song by night. 

I’m reminded of another beautiful hymn – Nearer, My God, to Thee.  Like the psalm, it reminds us that no matter where we are spiritually, physically, close or distant, nearer to God is where we desire to be.  Nearer to God, to the source of unending love, mercy and grace.

                Nearer, my God to thee, nearer to thee! E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me.
               Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee. nearer, my God to Thee, nearer to Thee.

Though, like a wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness comes over me, my rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.

There let the way appear, steps unto heaven; all that thou sendest me, in mercy given.
angels to beckon me, nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer, my God to Thee, Nearer to Thee.

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise, out of my stony griefs, Bethel I’ll raise.
so by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee; nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer, to Thee.

May we draw ever nearer to the source of all mercy, grace, and peace. Near to Thee, our God. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 1, 2020

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually – Psalm 105:4

I’ve stated many times, how wonderful it is that the Lord is with us, even now. Even in the midst of this time when we cannot be with one another, the Lord is with us all.  God’s presence is so big and powerful, it units us as one even when we are distant from one another.  

When we become aware of God’s presence with us, however, we also find that we need not rely on our own strength.  God-sized strength is available to us. It’s not necessarily a physical strength, but it is a strength of will and heart.  It is a strength that helps us through difficult times, and a strength that helps us as we share the love of God with others.

Today’s psalm is one of praise for God’s faithfulness to God’s people. The psalm praises God, and reminds the people of God the many times in which God has been present in times of need, how God has provided, and how God was with his people even in the wilderness as they wondered for forty years.

God’s presence does not abandon us, even when people rebel against God’s love and command, we are not abandoned. God is still with us, and his strength is still available as we seek it. 

Maybe we can remember that powerful line in a favorite hymn – Great is Thy Faithfulness. The line that says: “…strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!” It’s a line that is tucked into the third verse of that old hymn, but any time I think about how faithful God is, that’s where my mind goes.  I know that there are blessings abounding in God, and I don’t have to worry about any part of anything that is ahead, because I know I have the strength, from God to make it today, and hope in a better tomorrow.  I know you have this same strength and hope, as you seek the Lord, for he is with you, and all of us. 

May the strength of God’s love, the comfort of God’s presence, and the hope of God’s future be on our minds and in our hearts, today. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 30, 2020

23 Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way; 24 though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand. – Psalm 37:23-24

Late Tuesday evening, we got a new message from Bishop Taylor about churches remaining closed.  There was nothing that surprised me in the message, and I agree that we must remain socially distant as we watch and see how society will respond in areas that are opening back up this week and next.  I think what was most shocking to the soul, is the reality of our continued distance from one another in these steps of re-opening.

The initial call to shut down was 2 weeks, and said that we should be able to worship together again on March 29. By that time, we realized that this virus was not even remotely under control, and the message to close until further notice.  The word, indefinitely comes to mind, here.  Indefinitely, the inability to give definition, or limit; an unspecified period of time. We are in an indefinite period of change in society.

The truth is, our next steps, not only as individuals, but as the whole of humanity matter right now. The ways in which we do begin to interact, the places we go, and how we act and react will matter greatly as we reengage in society.  It’s for this reason, I love the words from the above psalm.  For we are a people who know the power of the love of God, and we have decided that our steps, even those we make at this time, are one that will follow Him.  We know that God in Jesus has already made a way.  We continue to give thanks to God for the people who  serve in the medical and scientific world to make sure that as we go back we will be safe. Our job is to listen to them. To follow the steps that are in place, not go headlong. For as we follow the Lord, the psalmist says, we may stumble, but we will not fall headlong.  It means that we probably, as a society, are going to make some mistakes, but if we slow down, allow the Lord to be our guide, listen to the people the Lord has given to us, who have knowledge and understanding, the lord will hold us by the hand and lead us back to a society in which we can gather again.

I know it’s hard, and I know that we have learned to adapt to so many new ways of life thus far, yet, I know and I believe, that God is with us in all of this.  God is holding us by the hand, day in and day out, God is helping us to have ears to hear what the experts are saying, and I hope and pray we listen.  Soon, and very soon, I know that God will lead us to a time to be with one another again, I hold this hope each and every day, for God delights in our ways, especially as we walk in His. 

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 29, 2020

5 Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?  – 1 John 5:5

Between the days of rain, causing us to be in doors; the lack of schedule or routine moving now toward an eighth week; the innumerable snacks I have doled out to my children and eaten myself, I can’t say that I feel very much a conqueror right now.  In fact, far from it. Some days I feel more like a bump on a log (to borrow an old expression).  I’m sure we all have those days when productivity give way, and we find a more sedentary way of existence. 

I don’t believe those type of days are all bad, though, everyone needs a break, and a time of sabbath. It’s just a matter of not letting those days become the norm.  Right now, I think that is the challenge for many. They days keep ticking on, and we wonder when we will get the green light to get out, and when we do get that go ahead, we wonder if it is really safe? We still know there is a potential danger out there, and out of precaution we have our mask, and see others wearing theirs.  It all makes us realize that it really will be a long time before life seems normal again, if we ever get to what we consider normal again.

It’s hard, and we know it’s going to be harder to get back into routine each day we are without it.  Yet, tucked away at the end of the first epistle of John we find that we already have those things that can help us overcome this time as people have overcome so many times before.  It is through faith.  We have a faith in the love of God that can overcome death, so we must believe faith can overcome the uncertainty that still lies ahead. We don’t have to rush back into all the things, nor should we forgo using good and common sense as we do get back into society.  In faith, we should also look to the ways in which we can show care to those around us.  We should look for ways to help others who may be more freighted or more vulnerable than we are.  We can do the great work of being encouragers, and reminding others of a faith that overcomes.

This overcoming faith, even overcomes our lack of productivity, and we can begin to look and plan with care and attention to the needs of those around us, even now.  We are only a couple of days away from the lifting of the stay at home order, yet many, out of caution will stay at home.  Some businesses are even remaining closed for the time being.  However, hope is not closed, it never has been.  The hope that we bring in the One who conquers the world, remains forever, and we get to rise up with that good news in our hearts and minds.

John closes this first letter with this: 19 We know that we are God’s children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Even when we feel like bumps on a log, we have life eternal in Christ.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 28, 2020

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. – 1 John 4:12

I remember hearing the question once, have you ever seen the wind?  Without hesitation, many of us say yes, we know what wind is, we have seen what wind does, therefore we believe we have seen the wind. But have we really seen the wind? The speaker went on and told us that we have not seen the wind, we have only seen the effects of the wind. 

We feel the wind on a hot summer day as it comes to us as a cool breeze of relief. We see the damage of the wind after a strong thunderstorm or tornado. We have seen the devastation that the winds of a hurricane can bring.  We have understood how to harness the wind to achieve flight, and even energy. We can predict patterns in the wind and formulate weathercasts.  However, no matter how much we understand the wind, or how much we have seen caused by the wind, we still haven’t seen the wind.

The Hebrew language and people hold a deep secret about the wind and as it relates to God, for them the same word means wind, breath, and spirit. Often this word is used to describe the spirit of God, and even the name they give to God, YHWH, in their language sounds little more than a breath.  John plays on this secret as he is teaching new disciples how to listen and to obey God. In the verse above he reminds them (and us) that no one has ever seen God. Just as no one has ever seen the wind, neither has anyone ever seen God.  However, we know God because we have seen the effects of God.  We know that power of God’s love to forgive and to heal.  We have seen the effects of God’s love on individuals who were lost and now are found.  We have felt the power of God’s love in us as we have been transformed into a new creation.

Where we move from here, is now to let God’s abiding love be perfected in us.  And we do so, by sharing it with others.  Sometimes we can’t explain God’s love to people.  Sometimes they don’t want to listen, sometimes we don’t have the words, but like was said yesterday, love is an action.  Love while it may not be able to explained, is best when shown. Love is shown in us as we act out of kindness and compassion.  Love is shown as we gather items to send to those in need. Love is shown as we volunteer our time to help someone. Love is seen in offering a hand up out of a hard situation. Love is shown in numerous ways, and Scripture says “love never ends,” or “love never fails.” 

In today’s world, showing love is a little different because we are distant from one another, but it doesn’t stop love form being shown.  No one has ever seen God, but maybe they have seen God in you as you have shown them the effects of God’s love.

I hope this will encourage you to think about new ways to share God’s love in the days and weeks ahead as we begin to see society look to get out of the house, while still cautiously protecting self and others.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 27, 2020

 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in action and in truth. – 1 John 3:17-18

Here’s a simple truth to remember; love is a verb.  Hopefully we remember from grammar school that a verb is a word that puts action to something, it is the moving part, the part that directs us in a particular way as we read.  So often when we think about love, we make it stationary, we love something, but truth is, we only love it as much as it brings meaning to us at a particular point in time.  Our love might fade, or become common, and it may no longer have the same emphasis that it once had on a particular subject.

True love, however, is something that should grow over time. We might be reminded of what the apostle Paul says about love in 1 Corinthians 13 in the grad list of things love will and will not do, yet, the most important thing for us to remember is that love is a verb.  Love is active, and it active in all directions.  Love comes from God, who first loves us (1 John 4:19). We are loved by a God who sent his son to forgive us of all the ways we had mistreated and misinterpreted love, and in such forgiveness we find that we are truly free to be loved by God.  In our love from God, we begin to turn and love God, we love God for the forgiveness and freedom that we have, we love God for the removal of guilt, we love God for the renewal of life that we have found in the resurrection.  With this, we find that God then asks us to use our freedom to love others.  So we look out into this world and we start to love what God created, who God created, but it is limited. Even though we have an unlimited love from God our love is limited.  We might find people who think like us, act like us, enjoy the same things as us, they are easy for us to love.  However, we are called to love all our neighbors.

When Jesus wanted to teach those who would listen about what it meant to love one’s neighbor he told a story, of a good Samaritan (Luke 10). In the story the one that was most different from those hearing the story was the one who understood love as a verb.  In the same way, John reminds us that we can claim the love of God all we want, we can speak about, we can preach about, we can tell others how to show it. However, unless we show such love in our actions, as the truth of who we are, we are still missing out.

Love in a verb, love is the actions we show to others because sometimes words aren’t understood, sometimes words aren’t enough.  Love is best known when it is lived through treating others in the same way if not better than we, ourselves hope to be treated.  Let love be in the actions you perform this week, from home, in work, in everything, let love be the verb.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 26, 2020

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…but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. – 1 Peter 1:25

Today is the second sermon in our Pathway of Hope series. Peter continues to speak about the living hope that we know in Jesus Christ and the power of the resurrection we proclaim as Christians.  Further, we find that this new life that we have given comes with a new identity.  We have been raise with Christ, and we have become children of a heavenly father.  Understanding this part of our new identity is also hearing the call to be like children once again, as we listen to what God is now calling us to do in this life.

As everything is set right now, our stay at home orders in Knoxville are set to expire on April 30, and a beginning phase of reopening society will begin on May 1.  I have found that news comes with very mixed reviews.  Some can’t wait, are ready to be able to get back to life as they believe it should be lived. Other are nervous, they think this is too soon, and they are worried about a resurgence of illness. Others still are excitedly cautious, they are glad that society will begin to reopen, but also want to keep others at a distance because of fear, or even love.  I find, I fall more into the last category.  I do want to see some things begin to open, but I worry for the most vulnerable among us, and I hope that others will join me in continuing to help care for those who are in the fearful category. 

We don’t know yet, as I write this, what the guidelines will be for businesses that do begin to reopen, or how long it will take for society to be into something similar to what we remember.  We still do not know when we will be able to gather again as a church on Northshore drive.  However, I am grateful that the message shared by Peter in the first century has continued to ring true for us.  The passage from this morning ends with the above verse, which reminds us of the ever enduring word of the Lord, which will remain forever.  No matter how society changes or transforms, God’s word and love remain constant in the midst of change.  Furthermore, this is the good news that we have known, that we have shared, and that we have been living as we continue to check on one another, care for one another, love one another even as we have been apart.  I know that God is doing a great work in us, and I look forward the conversations that will come soon with the ideas and inspiration to continue to flourish in ministry together at St. Mark.

Until that day comes, may God’s blessings continue to meet you anew each and every day. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 25, 2020

Daily Encourager – April 25, 2020

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. – 1 John 3:1

There are so many ways in which we have been disoriented from the world these past many weeks.  It’s hard to think about it, but tomorrow will mark the seventh Sunday we have not been able to gather in person.  However, church is not the only way we have been displaced.  For many every aspect of life have changed, whether displaced from work, from family, from everything.  It’s safe to say that the world doesn’t look the same, nor will it ever again (I’ve started to come to terms with that idea).

However, we are reminded in the epistles by those who were forming the church, early in the days after the resurrection, that those who hold on to the hope of an eternal resurrected life in Jesus the Christ, they are no longer a part of this world that has kept on turning.  It reminds of something I began to understand as a teenager, that as Christian we were to be considered resident aliens (a phrase that became the title of a book by two Methodist theologians, Stanley Hauerwas and William WIllimon).  The idea is much older, however, it comes from understanding that we can no longer call this place our home, we don’t belong here on earth, we belong to a kingdom that eternal, that is in heaven.  Yet, we continue to live in this place, and even more we begin to hear the words of the prayer taught to us as children ring ever true (…thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…).

We begin to understand that we are here on earth as aliens, citizens of a heaven so far away that we long for, yet, while we are here we are heaven’s representatives.  We are consulate, the ambassadors, we are the ones who will share that others might know the glory of heaven. Furthermore, John reminds us that the Father loves us so much, that we are not just ambassadors of heaven, but we are children of heaven.  We are those who have an inheritance that is far greater than we deserve or could imagine.  The world has changed, and we have become disoriented in it, but that matters not, because we never belonged in the world in the first place.  This world can keep on changing, and we will adapt to it, continue to share the glory of the place we know is greater than this world can ever be this side of the new creation.  Even great, is that we know the new creation is started already, in us.

May the world look at us, and be reminded of the love of God that desires to make it better each and every day. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager - April 24, 2020

And the world and it desires are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever. - 1 John 2:17

I was watching the news the other day, and they were doing a report on Earth Day, and the effects that this pandemic, and more so, the time of quarantine was having on the planet.  We had previously heard reports from Italy, how in Venice dolphins were swimming in the canals.  The report went on to talk about how wildlife was moving around in areas that are usually occupied by humans.  Furthermore, that greenhouse gas emissions were being recorded at their lowest level in decades.  The report also showed images of mountains and other natural formations that were actually visible because the air quality is better than it has been in quite some time.  

I don't know if there is a grand correlation, however, what I saw in the those images was God who was making the world new again.

So often our desires, or even the functions of everyday life in modern society don't let us appreciate this world in which we live, and the beauty found herein.  God may be teaching us some lessons in this quarantine that many of us have neglected to learn.  We may be learning how driving less, doing less, and having less is allowing us to live more. The time we have to enjoy that morning cup of coffee, to sit and look out on the beauty of spring.  Yes, there are probably things on our minds that distract us still, items on our to-do list that still need to get done; however, the enjoyment of seeing the world that comes form God's love, which lasts forever... that's something worth enjoying.

I hope you enjoy the view of God's beauty from wherever you are today. 

Grace & Peace, 
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 23, 2020

Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. – 1 John 2:8

I sure hope you enjoyed the day outside yesterday like we did.  The beauty of East Tennessee in the spring time simply amazes me. Even though I’ve lived in this region my whole life, I am still take away by the beauty of God’s creation here.  Also, because I have lived here my whole life, I know that things can change in a matter of minutes. So, like I said, I hope you got to enjoy some of the beauty of yesterday.

Things do have a way of changing, and sometimes rather quickly, but as we read in 1 John, we have a light that comes from God that is causing the darkness to fade away.  Each day, now, we move closer and closer to our quarantine, or “safer at home” time expiring, and for many the idea of being able to get out again is brining light and life.  However, today, I also want to remember and think about those who have heightening anxiety over society reopening.  We need to remember that though the curve is flattening, and though we are seeing less sickness, the virus has not, and probably will not simply go away. 

We need to remember that we have been shown love, that we might also share love. Some of the best ways in which we can use our soon-to-come freedom is by helping others who may still fear leaving the house because of pre-existing health conditions.  Many may still fear getting out to get essential items, and what a beautiful thing it will be as we continue to care for them. The end of this time of isolation could become the opportunity for our light to shine before all people, that they might see and praise their Father in heaven.

We already know the new commandment, because it is reflected in the words of Jesus as he was about to ascend into his place at the right hand of God the Father almighty – “love one another, as I have loved you.”  May we, now more than ever, increasingly live into the love in which God has first loved us.

Much love and prayer to each of you. Our time apart is coming ever closer to an end, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 22, 2020

whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as he walked. – 1 John 2:6

Have you ever heard the phrase “do as say, not as I do”? It’s funny little line that is usually said by an older generation to a younger in order for them to act differently, or perhaps better than the older generation that may be stuck in their ways, so to speak.  I can think of that old phrase being used to try to keep children from picking up a bad habit of a parent, or as a way to deter a teenager from making a mistake that they might one day regret.  I don’t know how that phrase came to be, but as a we work through the first epistle of John, we find a call that is much more appropriate to the Christians walk.

John tells the followers of Jesus, that if they truly abide in him, they ought to walk as he walked.  In other words, do as Jesus did, not just what he said, but actually live in the same manner, share the same love, and treat people in the same way in which we observe the Master in the light of the gospels. 

When I think about trying to live a life like Jesus, I tend to focus on my shortcomings, on all the ways I don’t live us to such a high standard, and I will often criticize my own behavior, because I think I should be able to do better.  Some of this is due to me being a 1 on the Enneagram.  (For those wondering, Enneagram, is a personality typing system that breaks personalities into 9 different types, with some spill over between similar types).  While I don’t buy into personality typing often, I do find that the traits of a 1, especially, the “inner critic” is quite on point for me.  Therefore, when trying to live up to the standard of Christ, I know all the ways in which I fail minute-by-minute, yet, failure isn’t really failure, but experiences to help us learn.  In this case, learning to be more like Jesus.

It makes me wonder, how would Jesus respond to the world in such a time as this?

Jesus was no stranger to isolation, he would often go off on his own to pray, to be one with the Father. We often think of Jesus as being around large crowds, and he was for most of his ministry, but we also must remember that before he even called his first disciples, he spent 40 days in the wilderness, alone, being tempted.  For Jesus this time of isolation would be a chance to reset, to focus on remember his purpose, to focus on giving praise in all things to the Father, and to allow the Holy Spirit to offer counsel and comfort.  In these days, of isolation, I hope that we can think a little about Jesus and his responses.  I don’t believe Jesus would be anxious, but in absolute trust, would know that things will be better soon, that God will bring healing and restoration to us and our land. We simply need to watch, pray, and know the counsel and comfort begin offered to us now, then when the time is right, we will know how to truly abide and walk as Jesus walked when this time of isolation is over.

May God’s word speak peace to weary souls today, Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 21, 2020

…that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. – 1 John 1:5

The first epistle of John is full of imagery of light versus darkness.  John compares God and the promise of hope with the light, while the darkness is that which causes us to stray from God’s love.  John tells us that God is the light, and in God we will not find any darkness. This reminder is for us to realize that God’s deeds are out in the open, they can be seen by all, they are well known, and there is a warmth to knowing the love of God.

Each day we are moving further into spring. In our area of the world, we are seeing the light grow longer each day.  With the growing spring and light, comes the beauty of a new creation springing up all around us, reminding us that God is bringing beauty into our world yet again.  Perhaps we are finding the time to notice a little more this year than others. Even though this season of quarantine has been filled with darkness, the darkness does not overcome the light.  Light overcomes the darkness time and time again, and I believe that even the dark days of the COVID-19, coronavirus are dwindling. 

I hear that we may soon have our “safer at home orders” expire and our city and the cities around us may begin to open.  I am excited for this, but I still say that we should be cautious even when that time comes.  We want to ensure that this named darkness does not come back strong.  We need to continue to care and show love for our neighbors by not putting them at risk. I believe that brighter and brighter days are coming. I am thankful for all who have worked so diligently to get us to where we are, and I hope and pray that once we are living into a new normal, we continue to show our love and support to them. We can do this by following healthcare officials guidelines, and being thankful for each person who is a helper. 

Expressing gratitude is the greatest way to share the light of God. 

This past weekend, I had to make a trip to the local hardware store for some needed items for a continuing project called “my back yard,” As I approached the store, I noticed how everyone was getting into a line, at an appropriate distance form one another, and a clerk was checking, counting, to make sure they were limiting the number of people in the store.  As I moved to the front of the line, I was asked to wait.  I said to the young guy at the door, “not a bad way to spend 8 hours on a nice day like this.” He said, “your right, it really hasn’t been too bad.” He then told me that most people have been very gracious in their waiting, a few have grumbled, and there were a few who got mad and left; yet the majority were understanding. This young man was just doing the job his boss gave him to do, but it was nice to hear that the majority of people were understanding of this new normal.

We will need to continue to be understanding, continue to show gratitude, and continue to walk in the light of God’s love as we begin to go out into the world once more.  May God’s light shine on all of you today, and offer you blessings abounding, in Jesus name. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 20, 2020

…concerning the word of life— 2 this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— 1 John 1:1-2

Have you learned anything about life during this time of social distance, and staying at home? I know for some of us life has changed drastically. Our family has traded constantly following and balancing everyone’s schedules, to simply being at home, together.  We have always tried to have dinner together as a family when possible, but now we find that being together all day long we are sharing much more.  It’s a time of learning new lessons, new life skills, and sharing love in many different ways.  (If we yell at each other, it’s out of love too, I promise).  The point is life is being revealed in many different ways, and while some of our ways of living have changed, we are thankful for the life we get to share together, even apart from everyone else. 

John talks about a life that revealed, of which we have become a testimony and a witness.  The life that John shares the life eternal that comes through the word of life, and if we understand the prologue to John’s gospel, then we know that word is Jesus.  Jesus gives us a new life to share each and every day. The key to the life that Jesus gives, is found in the sharing of it.  I know that we aren’t sharing as much these day, at least not in the same way we did before.  However, we still get to share the joy of the life eternal.  We do this by showing care to those around us, by spreading kindness, and by loving one another as Jesus has first loved us. 

I hope this might be a Monday reminder to check on someone, to make the call, send the email, and continue to share in life, even if you simply share what new crazy thing you found the back of the closet/basement/attic you said you’d clean when you found the time.  We all have the time now.  Life may be revealing many things right now, so find the best parts, share them with those that matter, and enjoy living, praising God, and testifying to the blessings each new day brings.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 19, 2020

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By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… – 1 Peter 1:3

There’s an old Methodist hymn, written by Charles Wesley, and is often believed to be the opening hymn of the early Methodist Conferences.  Each time the pastors and laymen would assemble together to talk about new possibilities in ministry, and to report on what had been done so far, they would first sing this hymn – And Are We Yet, Alive.

To this day, each time Methodist gather for Annual Conference, General Conference and many other times of holy conferencing, that same song is sung.  It reminds us that through times of trials and testing, through troubles and fears, in glory, preserved by power divine, we are yet here, we are yet alive. Perhaps, when this time of quarantine and social distancing is over, and we can gather at St. Mark, again for worship, we should bring out that old hymn and remind ourselves that we have made it through.

I bring this up, today, because we enter now into the Second week of Easter.  Easter is so much more than a day, it is an entire season, and beyond that, Easter is a way of living into the greater hope of life eternal.  The passage from 1 Peter, today, reminds us that when we come to the foot of the cross, when we witness, and experience the death, and the resurrection of Jesus, when we believe in the power that overcomes the grave; then we enter into a new life.  We are born again.  We might remember some old revivalist talking about being a born again Christian and we may or may not have understood what that meant when we heard it.  But to be born again, is to start fresh, to recognize the new life we have been given in Christ.  This new life, is one that comes with a new kind of hope too – a living hope. 

A living hope, another phrase we might not fully comprehend yet, but a living hope is what Wesley and many Methodists of old had as they made their way through trials and troubles, as they persevered to start Methodist bands and societies, as the circuit riders forged from place-to-place with only what they could carry on horseback, so that churches might be established all across our land.  No one does so without a hope in something bigger or better, no one does so unless they know the joy of a living hope that is found in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today, we continue to celebrate the resurrection, and strive forward, because we are yet alive.  The final verse of that hold hymn give us this hope in which we strive:

Let us take up the cross / till we the crown obtain,
and gladly reckon all things loss / so we may Jesus gain.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 18, 2020

Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. – Psalm 145:2-3

To help make sure the children are good and ready to go to bed at night during our quarantine, we try to get them active after dinner.  It’s not that we need them to go to bed because they have to get up the next day, it’s that we need them to go to bed (period).  So, beyond the walking around the neighborhood, and playing in the back yard, the kids have decided that old childhood favorite, hide-and-go-seek, will get them tired enough to go to bed.  So after cleaning up dinner here we go.  Someone counts, everyone else goes and hides.  Well, I say everyone, but typically Summer just runs around and points out where everyone is hiding.  She’ll get the concept one day.

I’m sure you’ve played the game before, even if it’s been a few years. The whole point is to hide well enough not to be found, or to seek well enough that there is no good hiding place.  Of course when we get older the one whom we try to hide from the most is God, or from what God is trying to tell us about ourselves.  The psalmist’s responds to this by telling us that God “searches me and knows me…” God knows everything there is to know.  But once we are found, the game changes, we are no longer hiding, but seeking, and to that end, we read the words from today, “…his greatness is unsearchable.” 

Once we have found the glory of knowing God, or better, being known by God, we tend to want to know just how deep, high, long, and wide does God’s greatness go.  We want to know the full extent of God’s love for us.  Of course when we look inward, we know that God loves us to the our very core, that not even death would stop God’s love, nor does death stop God love.  For God so loved us that his only son died and rose again that we might know such love.

When we enter into our faith seeking to take it deeper, to become more intimate with God, what we find is the vastness to which God is involved in the whole of creation.  We begin to see God everywhere, or God at work everywhere.  Then we realize that God has always been with us as close as a breath is on our lips. So, we breathe in, knowing the grace that has come for us to wash over us, and we can’t help but breathe out praise.  For every day, with every breath we can’t help but praise the Lord.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 17, 2020

You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. 29 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, or his steadfast love endures forever. – Psalm 118:28-29

For those who may be wondering, today is Friday.  I only remind you, because I find Samantha and I reminding each other all the time, what day it is, or questioning what day it is.  There was a time when Friday was the day to relax from the week, to unwind, and to be prepared for the coming Sunday, day of church and worship.  Now, we just call each day “today” they all seem the same, but the beauty of each day being the same, is that each day is a day of praise, of worship, and there are moments in each of our “today’s” that have helped us to have a hope in a better tomorrow.

Today, we read in the 118th Psalm, that the steadfast love of the lord endures forever.  Again, and again we hear that phrase from the psalmists, they want us to always remember that even today, no matter how good, or how ill, how up or how down; today is a day that the steadfast love of the Lord endures.  The steadfast love of the Lord endures forever. This phrase is a victory chant of Israel not for anything that they have, but because they know that everything good comes form the Lord their God. 

Today, as we come to a close of the first week of Easter, we know that the Lord who raised Jesus from the dead, who is raising us to eternal life with Christ, is the Lord whose steadfast love endures forever.  Today gets to be a day when we proclaim, and acknowledge that love. The love that lifted us from the depths into life abundant and eternal.

I hope you remind someone, today, of the steadfast love of the Lord, that you remind someone of the joy of Easter that resides in your heart.  May we all speak words of encouragement, grace, and love to anyone whom we speak. Perhaps remind your spouse, or your children, that the steadfast love of the Lord endures forever, and though we are stuck together, apart from others, that same steadfast love will see us through.  The steadfast love of God did not abandon Jesus to the grave, nor will it abandon us now, for such love does endure forever uplifting our hearts even now to pursue life, to share life, to be united in God’s love separately until such love gathers us together again.

Praise be to God for today, one of the infinite “today’s” in which his steadfast love endures; for his love endures forever. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 16, 2020

The Lord sets the prisoners free; 8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. 9 The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow – Psalm 146:7-9

Back when life was normal, and the church was full of our SMEEP children through the week, one of my favorite blessings was chapel time.  Each week, I would gather with the children in the sanctuary. We would sing songs and I would share a story that helped them understand the gospel. It was one of the highlights of each week. One of the songs that we would sing was one I had sung since I was a child – “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”

It’s such a simple song, but the beauty of the message is the reminds that God’s got us, he’s with us, and just as the psalmist says, he watches overs and upholds even the least fortunate among us.  The great and the small, the little bitty baby, you and me, all of us, God’s got in His capable hands.

The greater truth found in Psalm 146 is that the Lord is a help for all who need it. We have this great call to place our trust in God above any worldly power.  While the world may promise many things, while we have to listen to those leaders in many respects, and while they may be in charge to an extent; even they will answer to God.  Our hope is in the one who was and is and is to come, we place our trust in the God who created the heavens and the earth.  We place our hope in the One who raised Jesus from the dead, and who offers us life abundant and eternal.

The great joy of knowing that God is in control, is that he’s got us in His most capable hands, and that no matter what is going on, we are safe and secure.  We have the Lord, in whom we place our hope, our trust, and our love.  With him even in isolation, we are free. We freely sing with great joy the praises of our God, for he’s got us, the whole world in His hands.   

May the God of joy and love shine brighter than the sun on you today, and I hope you enjoy the beauty that God has created all around you. I miss you all.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 15, 2020

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I  am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.
 – John 15:4-5

The late Fred Craddock, preacher and teacher of preaching, tells a story of the early days in his ministry when he was sent to the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee to do the work of a pastor.  In those days it was common, he says, for the Vacation Bible School to last for two weeks. Craddock spoke of one year, in the midst of Vacation Bible School, the material that was sent to them was on Nature and seeing God in creation and in the world. It was all well and good, he said, except he ran out of material by the third day.  The material wasn’t very deep, there wasn’t much there to go on.  Craddock had the group, at the time called Juniors, they were 10-13 year-olds.  So he got this great idea.  Since the theme was on nature, and they were in a rural area, he decided he would send them out.  He told them, I’ll ring the bell once, and you kids go out and find something that reminds you about God.  After you find it, I’ll ring the bell a second time, and you can bring it back and share.

Craddock remarks that after he rang the bell, and they ran off, he initially had no intention to ring the bell the second time. He relented, however, and rang the bell to call them back to the group.  The kids all lined up with something in their hand.  One little boy had a rock in his hand. What does this tell us about God? That God is stout and strong.  Good. 

The next little girl had a flower in her hand. What does this tell us about God? That God is pretty.  Great. 

Another girl had some huckleberries in her hands.  And what do these huckleberries tell us about God? That God feeds the birds of the air, and us.  Excellent. 

Finally, Craddock comes to Jimmy.  He remarks that Jimmy was one of those boys that when he was absent, everyone kind of sighed of relief.  But Jimmy was standing there, and in his hand was the little hand of his young sisters who was in the first grade class. And what does that tell you about God? 

Jimmy thought for a moment, dug his tow in the ground, and said “I don’t know.” His sister snatched her hand away and said, “Jimmy, your silly” and ran off…

Abide, is the word Jesus uses for his disciples, even as he is preparing to leave. Abid is a simple word, it makes for an excellent theme, but what does the word really entail, and further, what does it mean for us as the body of Christ?

What we find, is that to abide with Christ, we have to break free from many of our cultural norms that we have allowed to set in over time.  We have been formed in a society that has led us to believe that everything is about the individual experience.  It’s all about having everything you want, the way you want it.  Yet, even as we begin to get thing when we want the way we want, what we find is that there is an emptiness still inside that needs to be filled. The call of Jesus to abide reminds us that what we are missing is community.  A community that abides what Christ and abides together.

Right now, that seems harder than ever, I have even seen a few remarks that this time is like being a teenager all over again, gas is cheap, but we’re grounded and can’t leave the house. We long for community, for connection, we long to abide.  But even as we are separate, I know we can bear much fruit as we continue to reach out to one another, check on one another, and care for one another. Keep it up, and keep looking for God in the world.

Jimmy came back when the bell rang, and in his hand was the hand of his little sister, and what does this tell us about God?  God wants us to be together, to abide as one body, one people, one communion as we abide in His love, and to go out and find those whom God would have us nurture in this same love.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 14, 2020

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. – Isaiah 30:18

I heard the announcement yesterday, in the evening.  I knew rumors were bouncing around, I knew it was going to be a possibility, but now it is confirmed. Stay at home orders extended until April 30, 2020.  I get it, Lord, we will wait to be safe. We will wait to gather in your house again. We will wait because of our love for neighbor and our desire to keep them well as we would ourselves. 

I know and believe that patience is a virtue, but in that regard I have never been very virtuous.  It’s not a matter of an inability to wait, but once a task gets started I want to see it through.  I have learned to wait on starting a project until I know all contingencies, and have all funds and materials at hand. I have learned to have patience with others when things are out of their or my control.  Yet, even in learning, I still don’t enjoy the waiting.

Isaiah has a word for us, it comes at the end of a section entitled “A Rebellious People.” At the time of his writing, Isaiah was trying to warn, to prepare the people of God for a time when God would leave them to their own devices, that God would allow other nations to come and conquer them, for they had rebelled against God’s word, and against God’s love. Therefore, the Lord will wait to save them.

Yet, in the time of exile, Isaiah give hope to the faithful. For God will delay, but God does not abandon. The Lord waits, but his waiting ends with graciousness. God’s waiting ends with mercy. And, for those who choose to wait on God, a blessing will come.

So, we wait, and we wait a little more, but I will learn, and I hope you will learn with me, that as we wait, we can look forward to the sweet blessings God will bring in grace and mercy to us. 

May such grace be new every morning, and such mercy bring calm each evening as we wait on God’s blessings, Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 13, 2020

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones. – Isaiah 49:13

We continue to celebrate the joy of resurrection. I truly hope you each had a very blessed Easter yesterday, and I want to share a little joy with you today.  We are one day closer to the end of this time of separation. It may seem odd to say that, as we do not yet know the exact day, hour, or minute that we will feel as though we can go back to life as usual, however, I know this, each day that passes is one closer to the day when we can gather and celebrate the coming to life again of our nation, our city, and our church.

When Isaiah is writing the words recorded in this chapter, his heart is heavy.  He has seen from the Lord the ways in which the people have been disobedient, they plans of destruction that will come to Jerusalem.  For him, the signs are in place of the Lord’s wrath at the hands of other nations.  However, even though they will be in despair for a while, Isaiah knows that are not without hope.  Isaiah talks of a savior, talks of a time of salvation, and talks of the joy of returning home.

We have learned, in this time of social distancing, that we also are not without hope. Each and every day new messages of hope come to us through neighbors, friends, people checking on us, or sending a simple message.  We know that though we are apart, God is keeping us together. Yes, we do long for the day when we can gather again, but that does not keep our hearts from singing.  Our family very much enjoyed singing the songs of Easter yesterday, and ending the day listening to the song of the gentle rain, are reminder that all things are washed and made new.

God will have compassion on his suffering ones as he has since times of old.  Hang in there, we are comforted, we are loved, God is singing over us songs of joy that will inspire our hearts to join the chorus. 

Hymn writer Charles Wesley gave us these great words of hope that help us rejoice in the victory:

Rejoice the Lord is King / Your Lord and King adore /Mortals give thanks and sing /
And triumph evermore / Lift up your heart / lift up your voice / rejoice again I say rejoice.

This hymn give us plenty to rejoice about, it tells the story of Jesus our savior being the very truth and love of God, that he purged our sin, reigns on high, his kingdom shall not fail, he rules over earth and heaven, and holds the keys of hell and death.  Jesus, the risen, reigning lord is our glorious hope.  Therefore we shall sing and rejoice with all creation, because we have the news life promised in his resurrection.

Have a blessed Easter Monday everybody,
Sam