Daily Encourager – May 11, 2020

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, - Colossians 3:2

With all that has been going on the world, and even now, with our place in it, starting to open back up, I think this reminder from the apostle Paul is very fitting at the moment.  I read a report in the paper, yesterday, that houses of worship were allowed to begin meeting, with some guidelines; such as everyone wearing a mask, and building capacity no more than 50%. However, even with these guidelines, The Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church will remain closed.  As well as several other denominations, including our sister and brothers at the Sacred Heart catholic church.  I understand the push for places to open, and the desire of people to gather and worship; yet, it is still more loving, life preserving, and caring to remain apart.

When we set our minds on things above, as the apostle Paul reminds us, we may realize that we have been out of the building for 9 Sunday’s now, but our worship hasn’t stopped. We have continued to be able to gather (around a screen) and sing to God, to hear the word proclaimed, and pray for one another.  We see this happen not just for a few minutes on Sunday either, but we have shared in meetings, devotions, and readings.  We have continued to be in mission and ministry, though we have been apart.  While I know we would be excited for the opportunity to be “back to normal” we must also remember that our first call is to care for one another in Christ-like love, and that it may be best for us to remain apart for a little while longer.

When the time comes, and the information is shared with me, about St. Mark being open again, I will quickly and joyfully share it with you.  Until that time, we will continue to keep our minds set on the joy and grace that God is pouring out each and every day.  Let us continue to focus on the life of wonder and abundance that has been given to us in Christ, even as we remain apart.

Much love and grace to each of you as we make it through another week. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 10, 2020

To join our online worship, please go to: https://www.stmarkknox.org/sermons
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What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?
– Psalm 8:4

Today, on this mother’s day, we get to remember that we once where not much of anything.  We didn’t know anything, we needed constant care.  Yes, we were all once infants, and the only reason we survived is because a mother loved and nurtured us. For most of us, it was our biological mother who offered such care, but I am thankful, too, for all the surrogate mom’s out there.  Those who simply take care of others, because it’s the right thing to do.  I find that this kind of love is the closest to the agape love of God any of us can know from another human.

Those with a mothering spirit, and a mother love nurture and care for us, uplift us, make us want to be better, and are there to catch us when we fall.  They are always mindful of us.  Sound like the love of someone greater? Sounds, to me, much like a god-sized love. Our psalm today, exclaims the wonder that God, the one who created the heavens and the earth and everything in them, who created the stars and the planets and put them in place; this God, is also mindful of us.  This God wants to share with us a love that we don’t fully understand.  He cares for us like a mother caring for her children.

I find that this kind of love is more intimate to our being than we realize.  God not only knows all that there is to know about us, but God wants to know us.  God cares about our day, our good times and our hard times. God wants to even know of the mundane in which we feel we just existed (I’ve had a few days like that in quarantine). Yet, God is capable, and desires this type of relationship with every human being that has existed and ever will exist.  But how can we know that? 

I fully believe God starts loving us through our mothers (or mothering figures in our life). Our mothers knew us second only to God. It was most probably your mother who told your father that you were coming.  Your mother prayed for you, wished for you, hoped for you, she held you in her arms, and loved even before you were here.  Why does a mother love her young so? It’s because someone love her in the same way, perhaps her mother, perhaps other mothering figures in their life, but most importantly, we know all love comes from God. “We love because God first loved us” – 1 John 4:19.

God cares for us, loves us, we know this because of Jesus, but we also know because of a mother’s love.  If you have a chance, and are able to do so, tell your mother thank you for showing you the path of love.  If you aren’t able, give thanks to God for mothering you, giving you a mother, and many others who have shown you the path to his loving kindness.  Thanks to all who have offered a mothering love. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 9, 2020

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. – Psalm 138:8

It’s Saturday for those who, like me, tend to lose track of what day is what.  Today, I hope that we can focus on the good that the Lord has done for us, even while we have been locked away, socially distant, and even quarantined.  We may have to think about it, or maybe it hits us right away, but surely we have known the blessings to God’s steadfast love even in these days at home.

For those whom I have spoken, I have mentioned some of the things that have been going on around our house. While I have been keeping up with church and conference meetings, and learning some new skills for ministry; Samantha and I have also been working in our yard to create a little backyard getaway. This project turned out to be a little more involved than any of us expected, but isn’t that how most projects go?  Back in March we cleared out an overgrown area behind the house, we put in a patio, which in turned lead me to install a yard drainage system, then we hauled in 3 trailer loads of dirt to level, or at least lessen the slope of our yard, put down some grass seed and straw, and now we’re just hoping for grass to come soon. 

Truth is, all this work has kept me busy, and I’m thankful that God has allowed us to be able to do these projects, and give me something more to do with my hands to keep me from being idle.  When I think about, this large project would have been something I would dream about for months given schedules had remained normal. I like to stay busy, but rarely do I get to be busy on work for myself or family.  I love working with and for other people, but I am thankful God has slowed down some of the external for me to focus on something that will benefit my family for years to come.  This is just one of the blessings to which I am giving credit to God, yes, it’s been the work of my hand, but it has been at the Lord’s blessing. 

The psalmist proclaims that an experience of God’s help, but further, this experience is because of the very nature and character of God.  God’s steadfast love, which endures forever. n Old Testament thought, God's "name" is more than just the "handle" that God goes by. It is God's very identity -- and, by extension, God's very presence. To praise the Lord's name is both to acknowledge who one trusts, but it is also claim God's presence. When one speaks the name of the Lord, one claims the relationship that one has with God -- and, indeed, when one speaks God's name one makes known that one is in God's presence.

I have no doubt that those hours spent working in the yard, blessed me, for I was working in the presence of the Lord.  I hope you take some time to give thanks to God for the experience you have had in his presence, even in your own home.  Take a moment, today, name it before God, and give thanks for all He has done.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 8, 2020

Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever. – Psalm 40:11

Safety, especially personal safety is on the minds of more people now, than ever before. Especially as more people are starting to get out. I must admit, it is strange to see people wearing masks everywhere I go.  And I’m still getting used to wearing one myself. However, I know it is the best practice to keep myself and others safe, though, it’s not a guaranteed safety.

While many of us have lived through times in which we felt a potential risk to our safety, whether from war, or being drafted, or robbed or things of such nature; this current threat is much worse.  It’s a threat to our health, our well-being, and is effecting every aspect of life.  Yet, we do not lose hope. 

Our psalm today, give us a reflection of a time when life was just as fragile, and truthfully life is always this fragile, we just usually have a grander illusion of safety.  In Christ, in a relationship with the divine, our true safety is not an illusion, but a reality.  The psalmist knows that God has helped before, and God will help again. God is the rock upon which we know that we can stand.  There’s another great hymn the speaks to us this truth – God Our Help in Ages Past.

The opening verse of this grand hymn by writer Isaac Watts reminds us:

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home;

Like the psalmist, Watts, also knows that God has been with us in the past, and God will be with us in the future, and we can rest assured that God is with us know. God’s steadfast love and faithfulness will keep us safe forever, for we are in his almighty grip, and we have received his endless mercy.  Thanks be to God for knowing that our true safety and security is found in God’s divine hand.

Yes, it’s true, we may not feel safe in this world anymore, or for a little while. We will have to make some changes in our daily lives, but our praise for God’s grace and mercy, that will never cease.  He has been our help in ages past, and he will be our eternal home.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 7, 2020

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness. – Psalm 115:1

Who gets the credit?  Ok, so if we’re honest, we all like it when someone tells us that we have done a good job.  We all like to get complements; words of encouragement has even been deemed a “love language” (5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman).  When we receive a complement, or someone tells us that we have done well, we honestly believe we have gotten that credit.  However, in humility, we know that anything we have done, is not because of us, but because of the love of God that is in us. 

I love the opening reminder found in today’s psalm, for it is not to us, but to the name of the Lord, that all credit, all glory is due.  Here, we find that we may have gotten something right, or may have done something well, but it’s only because the steadfast love and faithfulness of God has worked in us and through us.  When someone thanks us, or complements us, we should be reminded to turn and thank God for giving us the strength and love to accomplish whatever it was that was done.  Believe it or not, there are some who teach that this is not just in the big things, either, but even in the ordinary and the mundane. If something we have done, was done well, it is a reason to give thanks and credit to God.

In his book, Practicing the Presence of God, monk, Brother Lawrence teaches that there is an opportunity to praise God in everything.  One of my favorite ideas in that book, is that Lawrence, while working in his monetary, took on every assigned job as if it was to be done for God. If he was washing dishes, then the dishes would be washed to the glory of God; if tending the garden, then tending to the glory of God; if cleaning the lavatory, then cleaning to the glory of God.  You get the idea, even in the mundane tasks of life we can give credit, and praise God. 

I have done quite a few mundane tasks over these weeks at home. I’ve also found the time to tackle a few larger projects as well. It’s felt good to work with my hands, and do the things that need to be done around the house. It has also been good to hear and offer words of appreciation for things done. Yet, I have to remember that I don’t get the credit. These are things I’ve done out of love, out of a desire to have a tidy house, (Yes, it has been a challenge to instill any type of chore-doing in our children), also out of a desire to add beauty and usefulness to areas in the house. Yet, it is all done for the glory of God. Even if I want the credit, I should remember that the credit is not mine, but God's.

We may reap some of the benefits for the work that we do, but it is not to us that the glory belongs, but to the Lord, who continues to instill his steadfast love and faithfulness into us. May we work all the more for His credit, and for His glory. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 6, 2020

Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise. – Psalm 119:41

I’ll be honest, I have enjoyed finding items I’ve needed online from some time now.  Especially, when it comes to gifts for other people.  In our extended family, there’s an unspoken rule, that if you want something specific for a birthday or Christmas, it better be on your amazon wish list.  Also, there are several items that we get regularly online now through subscription services, because of the convenience. 

However, in this time (with a little extra time on our hands, as well) where many of the stores and shops that we might regularly go and look being closed; some in our household have taken to online browsing, and shopping.  What I think is interesting about all of this, is that we aren’t the only ones, as we watch the delivery folks from FedEx, UPS, and the postal service stop at several house each day in our neighborhood dropping off packages.  A few have even had grocery services deliver their essential items to their front door, and of course we’ve seen some pizza deliveries as well.  The reality is, in our modern world, we really don’t have to go anywhere to get the things that we want.  Everything can come to directly to us.

In our psalm today, that psalmist is exclaiming the greatness that is found in the ways of the Lord, specifically in God’s commandments. The psalmist is seeking to know the law of the Lord more deeply, and more intimately, because the psalmist believes that knowing and understanding the fullness of God’s commands is knowing the fullness of God’s love.  Whether the writer realized this or not, they were absolutely correct.  Much later when we meet Jesus, we find the very essence of knowing God is knowing the one who was the Word made flesh, the living law of God’s love.  Jesus shows us that the love of God is as close as the breath that we breathe, and is always accepting of us no matter our situation.  Jesus calls each of us blessed, and desires for us to know God’s salvation to the fullest.

The best news is, this love of God comes to us.  It may be drawing us ever closer to God, but that drawing is not somewhere out there, but somewhere inside, in our heart, in the center of our soul, where we find God already is, waiting for us to claim the image of his steadfast love that is waiting for us, just like a package at the door.

What joy there is, even as an adult, opening a new package that waits at the door.  Let me close with these words from the One who waits with the gift. “I am standing at the door, knocking, if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you, and eat with you, and you with me” (Revelation 3:20). 

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 5, 2020

Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. – Psalm 33:22

Mac Powell, lead singer for the Christians group, Third Day, wrote a song about 20 years ago that simply put, is a beautiful tribute to the steadfast love of the Lord. The song entitled “Your Love Oh Lord” has a simple verse and chorus that remind us that there Is nothing about us, but it is all about God’s steadfast love.  Find the lyrics here:

Your love, oh Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness stretches to the sky
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains
Your justice flows like the ocean's tide

I will life my voice
To worship You, my King
I will find my strength
In the shadow on Your wings

To me, this song of praise allows us to simply bask in knowing that no matter what, God has us. God has given us every reason to sing, every reason in which to have hope.  Even in this time of pandemic, even in this time of slowly getting back into society, we should take a moment and remember the steadfast love of the Lord, and let our prayer be that it is upon.  Our hope is not in anything else, our hope is in the Lord of love, for he is going to see us through.

May your day be filled with an overflowing joy, and the praise of the Lord be ever in your heart, and on your lips.  Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 4, 2020

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer – Romans 12:12

May the fourth the with you…

Just a little fun day for Star Wars fans, who also like good liturgy (myself included). Today, we embark into the world that is a little different.  Over the weekend, several of the “safer at home” orders were lifted, and people started getting out a little more.  However, time will tell if the new measures put in place will really keep the curve flattened and the coronavirus spread down.  I remain skeptical, and in so I remain diligent and vigilant in protecting myself and others when out in public. My hope is that you will remain safe as well.

The world is going to continue to be a different and perhaps frightening place for a while.  It is perhaps fitting, then to hear the words of the apostle Paul in light of the world we are living in.  That we would remain “joyful in hope” – that is, we would continue to remember the promise that we have of an ever-present Lord, who is keeping us safe, who has already blessed us with so much, and who is continues to remind us of the hope of the life eternal and abundant we have in Him.  The joyfulness of hope keeps our spirits alive and well, help us through this continued tumultuous time by reminding us that this season, even when prolonged is temporary.  We know there will be live abundant after COVID-19.

Secondly, and perhaps the most important is that we remain “patient in affliction.” No one likes to suffer, no one likes affliction, no one enjoys this continued time of distance from ones they love.  I’ve talked some friends, whom I know are extremely introverted.  Their lives didn’t change all that much, because they don’t necessarily like being around people often, anyway.  However, even they are starting to desire some kind of interaction.  Even the introverts are having a hard time, and we must all learn, and continue learning that ever difficult virtue of patience.  Just remember, though, when you pray for patience, you don’t get patience you get opportunities to be patient. God is always asking us to grow.

Finally, remember to be “faithful in prayer.” I continue to pray for you, I miss you each and every day, I miss the routine of seeing folks in the office, and especially miss conversations in the halls on Sunday.  I think of you often, and always remember you in my prayers.  I am delighted to see your posts on social media, and I am thankful for each and every one of you.  I hope that you also will remember me and my family in your prayers.  In our times of prayer, we become one in the Sprit, one in the love of God, and we are close to one another even in our distance. May we all remain faithful in prayer.

I hope you have a wonderful week, and again, May the fourth be with you… and also with you. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 3, 2020

To join our online worship, please go to: https://www.stmarkknox.org/sermons
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He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed – 1 Peter 2:24

Today’s worship service looks a little different.  I know that may sound like an understatement, since our services have been far from normal or usual for eight weeks.  However, if you watch to the end, what you will find is a time in sharing in a great liturgy of our faith – the Lord’s table, and a type of Communion.

There has been much debate among pastors and scholars about having Holy Communion while social distant, and whether or not the Sacraments can or should be offered online.  For me, Communion is something to be shared in christian community. There is something about being present with the body of Christ, that makes that time special, meaningful, and where we can know the deep forgiving love of Christ in the bread and wine (or juice). That being said, there are times, like now, when we are not able to be in Christian community, nor are we able to gather around the Lord’s Table.

A couple of years ago, when the new book of Common Prayer was published, they included a prayer for what is called spiritual communion.  This prayer, at the end of the Table liturgy invites us to remember that we are not with the body, nor are we at the table, but that does not mean we have been abandoned.  The prayer invites us to welcome in the presence of the Lord where we are.  So, as we share in the liturgy of the Table, the Epiclesial (I know, fancy word) prayer is not over the bread and wine, but for each of us to know the presence of an Almighty God in our hearts.

 I will share, that my favorite part of the liturgy, is knowing that when we confess together, and know that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” we are forgiven and free to live joyfully in Christ’s family.  It’s the reminder for Isaiah, in which Peter shares in his letter here, “by his wounds you have been healed.”  May we cherish the healing that happened so many years ago, as we celebrate the living Lord, who has invited us to worship together, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

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