October 20, 2020

The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. O save your people, and bless your heritage; be their shepherd, and carry them forever. – Psalm 28:8-9

The 28th psalm is a plea for help in a time of trouble. The psalm starts as a call for help for the individual, in fact all of this psalm is in the first person, asking for specific help.  The individual is attributed as David, but here in the last couple of verse, there is a shift from the need of personal help to the help of the community.

I think there is something to be said about how God helps us as individuals and how that relates to the community in which we are a part.  Especially when we are talking about being a part of a faith community.  We all have our individual prayers that we perhaps pray each day. We converse with God, asking God to offer us whatever it is we need in that day or moment, but when we receive that blessing, it is a blessing for us, that we share in the community.  If we are made well from an illness, we rejoice with those whom we love. If we receive a monetary blessing, we rejoice with those whom we love. Just like we bring our great needs with the congregation or community, we should also do so with our blessings. 

The plea of help that moves from the individual to the community, helps us to realize that the strength of the Lord, and the saving grace of the Lord is for the community, it is for the Lord’s people, and the great heritage of our faith.  The psalmist is teaching us that God’s blessings, saving, shepherding has never been for the individual, but for the individual as they are a part of the community.  It is the community of faith that God saves, and the great cloud of witnesses in which we join as saints of God. 

Today, our community struggles, as many of us have yet to feel comfortable joining together. We miss the social aspect of being a part of the church, but for precautionary reasons, some of us remain at home. My hope is that today, we may realize that even as you are at home, you are part of our community, you are in our prayers, in our hearts, as I hope we are in yours.  We are still the people of the great shepherd, and I know and believe with great hope we will be saved from our current situation, and the great heritage of God’s people will once again know God’s blessings.  Until then, stay safe, and be held where you are by the Father’s love.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 19, 2020

October 19, 2020

Sharing from our Congregation – David Petty

“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, the time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem... Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth.” — John 4:21,23

About six months ago, just before the shutdown began, I referenced this passage in Sunday School.  I had no idea how soon Jesus’ prediction would more or less come true for us.  Within a few days we were no longer worshiping in our “temple.”  (I hope we were still worshiping in the Spirit and in truth.)

As terrible as this pandemic has been, I do believe there are valuable lessons that we can learn from it.  One lesson is that the Church is more than “church.”

Obviously I’m playing with different meanings of the word church here.  When I say “church,” I mean in-sanctuary worship services.  When I say the Church I mean the full range of ways that Christians can worship and serve the Lord. This definition is close to what Jesus meant by “the kingdom of heaven.”  It’s also similar to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s idea “beloved community.”

As we begin the return to business as usual, I hope we won’t forget this lesson.  I hope we will continue to “do church” in the broader sense, and in the Spirit and truth.

Gracefully Submitted,
David Petty

October 18, 2020

October 18, 2020

To join worship online please visit: stmarkknox.org/sermons

14 May the Lord add to your numbers,
both yours and your children’s.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the Lord’s,
but the earth He has given to the human race.
17 It is not the dead who praise the Lord,
nor any of those descending into the silence of death.
18 But we will praise the Lord,
both now and forever.
Hallelujah! – Psalm 115:14-18

Happy Sunday everyone! Give glory to God! For the Lord your God is holy and to be praised!

As we continue through the wilderness with Moses in the Exodus story, we stop at a place where Moses is now asked to lead the people onward to the Promised Land. Moses, like any of the Israelites have only heard God speak of this land flowing with milk and honey, but never have his eyes seen this wonderful place.  Moses has the tools to build a society when they arrive, to lead the people, and create a nation of God’s own. If the people follow and obey, they will be blessed for thousands of generations, they will multiply and become a great nation.

Moses, however, is looking for more assurance. I don’t think any of us would undertake such a task without some kind of assurance. Moses, in our series today, askes to see the Lord’s glory, to literally see God face-to-face. 

We may be bold enough to want to hear God’s voice, but to see God face to face? To look on the divine, to truly have our faith be made sight.  I think there is reason that God warns Moses that looking on God’s face would result in death in this world. God may seem too awesome to behold.  However, at the same time, we behold the glory of God all the time in life.  We may not see God face-to-face as Moses requests, but we do see God in the glorious faces of those who come together in worship and praise.  We see it in the lives of those who have been touched by the glorious One, who have had their sins forgive, and proclaim the Lord’s blessings. 

The psalmist praise God’s glory, and offers glory to God alone.  The psalmists asks and prays a blessing over all who would bring glory to God (seen in the verses above). In the same way, when we bring glory to God, humbly serving in love, and lifting high the name of Christ, we do see God’s glory, and we may even see the image of God in those whom we have learned to love because of God’s grace.  May we all be blessed today, because of the Lord, and live to shine the light of His glory in our lives, now and always. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 17, 2020

October 17, 2020

Sharing from our congregation – Sue Biggerstaff

 She did what she could. -  Mark14:8

One Sunday Sam read a letter from Minnie Alcorn.  Minnie was a WWll nurse on a ship that transported wounded troops from Europe to a Charleston hospital.  On one occasion they traveled through land mines while coming into the harbor.  We can only imagine the courage and faith it must have taken to make it through.

At the age of 100, Minnie has lead an incredible life.  Her parents came to the United States as immigrants from England, and she has done an extensive genealogy of her family.  Those of us who have been fortunate enough to hear her many life stories have been truly blessed.  She has encouraged us with her faith, her sense of humor, and her love of life. 

Each week she sends the Daily Encourager  to people in South America and several places in the United States.  We have all enjoyed Sam's encouraging remarks but few of us have thought that they might brighten someone else's day.  I'm sure Minnie did not have to think long to decide that this was something she wanted to share with others.

There is a story in Mark's gospel about a woman who came to see Jesus.  She brought with her a jar of expensive perfume.  The disciples criticized her for being wasteful, but Jesus responded by saying, "She did what she could."  What a good lesson for us. Minnie, during her long life, has done what she could and then went further. 

The pandemic restrictions have kept us from our usual activities.  We can no longer visit nursing facilities and hospitals.  We have become afraid to visit some of our friends in their homes.  Perhaps we should stop worrying so much about what we can't do and and focus on what we can do. We need to think of caring ways to let people know they are important and remembered.

Mark Twain once said, "The way to cheer yourself up is to cheer everyone else up."  Let's follow Minnie's example and do what we can.

Gracefully Submitted,
Sue Biggerstaff

October 16, 2020

October 16, 2020

13 Rise up, Lord! Confront him; bring him down. With Your sword, save me from the wicked.
14 With Your hand, Lord, save me from men, from men of the world whose portion is in this life: You fill their bellies with what You have in store; their sons are satisfied, and they leave their surplus to their children. 15 But I will see Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your presence. – Psalm 17:13-15

I don’t think any of us believe that being satisfied could be seen as a negative thing. I, like most, grew up with a meaning of satisfied that was good and positive. Being satisfied meant that we were full, it meant that we had everything we desired, it meant that we didn’t want for anything.

In Psalm 17, David, prays to the Lord, this in a time when he is crying out for the Lord’s help. David says to the Lord, that those who want to have this world, power within it, prosperity within it, let them have it, let is spill over to the next generation too, the only thing I want, Lord, is that when I fall asleep, or when I leave this life, when I awake in the next, all I want to see is you. David understands what will truly satisfy the quest for more, it is the presence of God.

In the next generation, when we receive the proverbs, many believed and attributed to Solomon, son of King David. We read in the 27th chapter:

“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart, death and destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes.  The crucible for silver and the finance for gold, but people are tested by their praise.”

Life was good for king David, and king Solomon, but there still had their troubles, and they still sought to find refuge and strength in God.  Yet, we see them in the height of the kingdom that is Israel.  We see them as the leaders of a great nation, teaching those who would come after them, but I wonder how much they remembered their past? I wonder how much they had in common with those whom we heard about in Exodus, who wondered in the wilderness, and saw the manna fall from heaven, saw how the rock split open to provide fresh water?

Even when we hear the stories of our own past, or we see how far we have come; the work that we put into making our lives; all that we have overcome, or our successes. We might have a desire for more, but we might find that we are satisfied with where we are. I would warn, however, that we not equate satisfaction with complacency.

Complacency is the danger of the church.  It causes us to look out, see pain, suffering, anguish in the world, and think, ‘it’s not my problem.’  ‘Those aren’t my kids.’  It is when we have all that our hearts desire, it’s when we are filled with the things of this world, but we neglect and forget about the things that are beyond this world, as we are part of a kingdom that is eternal.

God calls to us, from the depths of history, from the very beginning of the prosperity of His people, and God says don’t forget me when you are blessed and satisfied.  Don’t forget me when you have everything that you have ever wanted.  Don’t forget all that I have done for you in sending my own son to save you from a life of sin.  Don’t forget the Holy Spirit that resides in you, my presence in you, which is what I truly desire for you to want.

God wants us to want more of God.  More of the love of God poured into us, that it might be poured through us, more love to truly bring healing, reconciliation, and unity in love to this world, as we strive for God’s kingdom here and forever. We will be satisfied one day, but we should be satisfied only with what king David says, the presence of our Lord with us now and always.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 15, 2020

October 15, 2020

All who prosper on earth will eat and bow down; all those who go down to the dust
will kneel before Him— even the one who cannot preserve his life.
30 Their descendants will serve Him; the next generation will be told about the Lord.
31 They will come and tell a people yet to be born about His righteousness— what He has done. – Psalm 22:29-21

The twenty-second psalms is typically one of lament. We often hear the opening verse of this psalm on Good Friday, as we remember the words of our Lord from the cross – “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

While I for one do focus on the response of Jesus and this psalm as a parallel to the passion story we read during Holy Week, it is important for us to understand the ancient song from a different time and what it means for us even today. 

This psalm is one that takes us form the utter depths of lament, feeling the pain and anguish of someone who suffers, who feels that God has abandoned them.  We may have felt that way sometimes during the past 7 months, or perhaps at some other time in life. I think there comes a time in most people, where the pain of the present moment seems to linger forever.  However, we have made in through all of those bad day, or bad moments.  I’ve heard it before, but it seems so appropriate to repeat. We’ve survived 100% of our worst days, so far.  Realizing that we survive is a blessing in and of itself, and knowing the Spirit that draws us to the sustaining source of love and blessings is even greater.

As we read through this psalm in its entirety, we find that though this psalmists feels abandoned, though they feel mocked, and rejected, they remain focused on the one whom they praise.  Verse 19 starts this pray of ascent from the depths, “But You, Lord, don’t be far away…Come quickly to help me.”

Soon, we find that the entire focus moves from feeling of abandonment and suffering, to praise and admiration to the God who saves.  The verses above even show, that this psalmist is prepared that even if they don’t make in through this present crisis, they know the Lord will be praised in the next generation, and the next, and to those who are yet unborn. For any of us, this is the greatest legacy we can leave, to share the good news, that those who come after us will know the praise of our Lord, will proclaim the name of Jesus and remember and know He is Lord, now and forever.  May we bring Christ Jesus all our praise for the good and the hard days, for he has saved us, everyone, and is worthy of such praise.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 14, 2020

October 14, 2020

But I have trusted in Your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance.
6 I will sing to the Lord because He has treated me generously. – Psalm 13:5-6

God our deliverer. We know this statement is true, we have heard it so many times before, and perhaps we have even had the opportunity to know the deliverance of some hurt, pain, addiction, or sin.  Truth is, when we turn to God, even if it is the only turn we can make, we have made the turn. God honors our turning, rewards us with grace and mercy that is not deserved, but is the very nature of God as God pours blessings and love on us.

The psalm, today, does not start so positive. In fact, many would look at the opening lines of this psalm as a plea for help. And it is true, this psalm attributed to king David, is a plea for help.  When we look at the life of the great king of Israel, we often think of a man whom had God’s favor. David is said to be a man after God’s own heart, yet, we also see the number of times David failed. I find David to be a reassuring character in the Bible, because David, though a powerful leader had faults and failures. David had to work hard to attain the heights of human glory, and never did it on his own.  David’s great successes only came from God’s deliverance.

In much the same way, when we have the mindset to turn to God for our deliverance, for our uplifting, for our needed counsel. God is with us.  We might even find, that to do great things on our won is impossible, and cause a great deal of anxiety and concern. David reminds us that when we turn to God, God is the one who has delivered us before, who has been generous in the divine blessings, and it is God who will generously love us again.

May we remember and be thankful for God’s generous love today and always.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 13, 2020

October 13, 2020

Sharing from the congregation – Don Parnell

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home.” - Matthew 25:35 (New Living Translation)

We have all met “strangers”. One can credibly argue that every person we have ever met throughout the entirety of our life were once “strangers”! Some of those persons have become our friends. Some of them may have become “best friends”. Some may be people you have never seen, or heard from, since you first met them. But in every case, those persons were once “strangers”.

Christ tells us in this passage how a Christian is called to treat a stranger. Greeting a stranger is to include a welcoming attitude, and spirit. It is notable that the first act in welcoming a stranger is to open the door. We all continue to find ourselves in the midst of a pandemic, when not so many doors are opening, given the concern for our own health, and the health of family and friends. The passage from Matthew is not referencing the physical door at our home, but the spiritual door of our hearts and our minds.

The conditioning for each of us to endure, and to survive, a pandemic includes a reticence to physically engage with others. We are ever mindful of the six foot “social distancing” admonition that was established shortly after the appearance of the Covid19 virus in our country. Our masks are typically in place once we are in the position to encounter others, including inside our church, and even in outdoor situations. Our inability, due to masking, to fully see the face of our friends, and the smiles we would otherwise experience (and share in return!) are hidden from our view, as our own smiles are hidden from view. The fact of masking must not discourage us from having that smile in our eyes, and in our voice, as we greet one another.

The scene that Jesus describes in the passage from Matthew is a continuing reminder to us – every day – to be prepared to meet a stranger, and to be prepared to feed them, give them drink, and invite them into our home.

Thanks be to God.
Don Parnell

October 12, 2020

October 12, 2020

Sharing from the congregation – Don Parnell

Proverbs 16:9  “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps”.

Mark 8:34 “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me”.

We live in the age of the autonomous automobile – cars that can drive themselves, independent of action by a driver. For those of us older than fifteen, the fact that a vehicle has been created, through the use of artificial  intelligence, and related engineering techniques, that can start itself, maneuver itself to and from parking spaces, navigate through traffic, and do all of that safely, is a marvel. We could hardly have imagined that even fifty – sixty years ago.

The visionaries in the fields of mathematics, science, and related fields have, however, predicted over time that such an advancement as independent vehicles would come, because it had been imagined by the human mind. This circumstance would suggest that the human mind is prescient, and when applied to a specific task, can – and does – result in significant achievement. Artificial Intelligence does not imply a free will, however.

The passage from Proverbs reminds us that there exists another consideration as to the free will that exists throughout the human experience. Circumstances arise – some predictable, some not predictable – that alter the ability of each of us, as a human being, to successfully chart a course, pursue that course, and reach the destination with no changed circumstances throughout the process.

Things happen. Gravity, physics, weather, beliefs, facts, the passage of time, intervention by other humans – any and all of such factors can alter the circumstances related to the “best laid plan”.

The passage from Mark reminds us of the fundamental truth for believing Christians: disciples must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Christ.

There is an observation that I have, for several decades, referred to as “The theory of the void”. This is not a novel idea, simply a restatement of the old adage that “Nature abhors a vacuum”. Where there is the absence of substance in a particular situation, a void is created. Nature demands that something, or someone, fill that void. What fills the void may be positive or negative as to its effects on the previously existing circumstances.

All of that is to say that the fundamental truth stands firm: Christians have the opportunity, through their free will, to deny themselves, and take up their cross and follow Christ – filling the void in a powerful and positive way.

God bless,
Don Parnell

October 11, 2020

October 11, 2020

To join online in worship please visit: https://www.stmarkknox.org/sermons

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever. – Psalm 111:10

We gather as a people who praise God. Week after week, regardless of whether we are remaining at home, or are in the sanctuary of our church. We, as the people of God, gather to worship God. 

The worship of God is a practice, a habit that we are accustomed to having in our lives, it reminds us of who it is we worship, how much God has blessed us, and keeps our hearts actively seeking after more of God.  The practice of worship, reminds us of God’s presence that is every with us.  Today, as we gather, again, for worship, we will hear from the book of Exodus, the 32nd chapter.

The people of God, who have seen God do amazing things in the wilderness, who have followed God’s appointed leader, Moses, through it all (even in their complaining) are without this leader. Moses has been kept away from the people, on top of Mount Sinai with God, receiving instructions.  The people are anxious, and in their waiting want for something to do. They decided to get Aaron to do something, and find themselves violating the very command of God, not to make images for worship.  God is ready to be done with this people. Moses, however, pleads for them. Moses fears God, and in divine wisdom shows God all that he remembers.  Moses has been with God, and Moses awe of God’s divine majesty has helped him to understand what is important to God, the practice or worship and remembering God’s mercy, grace, kindness, and love.

This singular act of fear and wisdom saves the people from divine destruction.  God is calling to us through the Scriptures, through the psalms. We are to remember what God has done, and give thanks. For God is with us now, as he has been with his chosen people, forever. Praise be to God.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 10, 2020

Sharing from our Congregation – Don Parnell

“Comfort each other and edify one another.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” - Galatians 6:2

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” - Philippians 2:4

Throughout the world, the pandemic has added immeasurably to the burdens of people. Guidance has come from physicians, scientists, elected and appointed leaders, as to how to deal, personally and collectively, with the effects of the Covid19 virus.

The domino effect of the virus has included measures to protect the most vulnerable among us, to work toward a vaccine that will prevent the infection, and to put in place a discipline for individuals to wash our hands, wear a mask, and maintain a social distance.

We intellectually understand that these measures are important to our ability to avoid contracting the virus – but we also know that important relationships in our lives have been disrupted, sometimes with tragic outcomes.

We are reminded in these messages written by Paul and Timothy in 1st Thessalonians, Galatians, and Philippians, that there are other measures that we can take that will have us engaging with, and helping how best we can, others who are struggling with illness, but perhaps more so with the effects of isolation, depression, neglect, and sorrow.

St. Mark has a history of embracing these admonitions of Paul and Timothy, and that tradition continues to be evident in the words of comfort and deeds of grace that you as a congregation offer to others.

Gracefully Submitted,
Don Parnell

October 9, 2020

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.  May Your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground.  - Psalm 143:10

I don’t know how many times, I’ve heard it, and I’m sure I’ve said it just as many; that “God is in control.”  But I wonder if our hearts really understand what that means?  I sometimes even wonder if we believe that it’s true?

Everyday life has its share of routines and schedules, we get up, do what we need to do for the day (whether that be school, work, appointments, etc.) then we perhaps spend some time with family, and go to bed.  Each and every day, like clockwork, like cogs in a wheel, we do exactly what needs to be done.  Perhaps we’ve worked up to incorporate the spiritual disciplines of prayer or Bible study into our daily routine, but it’s now and still just part of a daily routine. When does life change?  When does the soul awaken to something better?

I believe we find something better when we begin to seek it out.  Jesus tells his disciples early in his ministry that if you want something you have to ask, if you want to find something you must seek, and if you want to have a door opened you must knock (Matthew 7:7-12).

Perhaps, when we added disciplines of a spiritual nature to our daily routine it was for the purpose of seeking something better; peace, enlightenment, patience, courage, etc.  However, over time our routines again become just routine, if don’t keep our hearts and minds open to the leading of God.  We need, from time-to-time, to acknowledge anew the One whom we want to lead us.  I love the words of the psalmist above: teach me to do Your will…May Your gracious Spirit lead…  The psalmists is reminding us of who and for whom our life has purpose.  The Psalmist reminds us to acknowledge God in and with the depths of our soul, that we might find, again, God’s ways above our own.  It’s hard to know that God is in control, when we only acknowledge God as routine, and have forgotten that it is toward God that we are moving. 

Whatever our current routines, I pray that we will seek God, seek the presence of God’s Holy Spirit, and that God will lead us on level ground to do God’s will, serveing to build God’s kingdom, here and now.

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Sam

October 8, 2020

1 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up,
    my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
    too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
    like a weaned child with its mother;
    my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.
3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
    from this time on and forevermore. – Psalm 131

I wish I could spend every day in the position of quiet trust that this psalm elicits.

In this song of ascent, the psalmist ascribes the calm and quiet soul to be like that of a waned child with its mother.  The beauty in those words, is that the mothers’ love is no longer something that is desired for what the mother provides in physical nourishment. The child has learned to take care of themselves, yet, in the quietness of the evening, they still choose to rest with their mother for the comfort and peace there is in that place.

I feel privileged to get a visual of this almost every day, as our days wined down, and we prepare for its close. The children, can’t help themselves but want to climb as close to their mom as they can, asking her for stories, and hugs, and kisses good nights. 

Sometimes, as parents it can feel smothering to have those moments with all the children pile on, but one day, and too soon, those moments will be missed.  For some, those moments may now seem like a distant memory. Yet, we are reminded in this analogy, we always have arms open wide to hold us in our time of need. the Lord is our hope, our comfort, our place of rest. So even if we miss the physical touch of care, we know that we are still be held in love by a God above who will be with us always.

May God’s care, grace, peace, and love fill you today, that you rest again in His arms of love.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 7, 2020

For I desire loyalty and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.  - Hosea 6:6

What does the Lord require?  “A faithful heart” is the answer than generally comes to mind, and I never knew why until I ran across this verse in Hosea.  What does the Lord require? God has simply asked us to be loyal, to trust, to listen to God’s commands.

The reason for this, is because God wants us to reciprocate a love that is poured out to us, that we might become one with him, in everything, and realize that everything we have or desire is founded on God’s words for eternal life.  Even in the time of the Old Testament, when sacrifice was still common place, the LORD spoke through the prophet Hosea to tell the people that their loyalty to him is far more important than their ritual sacrifices. 

However, God’s teaching and call for loyalty in scripture does not stop there.  In Matthew 9, Jesus calls Matthew the Levite, to leave his tax collection and follow him.  When Jesus and his disciples went to Matthew’s house to eat the Pharisees saw this and began to ask “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  Jesus response to this however, was “Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the sick do.  Go and learn what this means:  I desire mercy and not sacrifice.  For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matt 9:9-13). 

God was teaching  even the professionals, the Pharisees, of his own Hebrew people what God has said through the prophets. God echoes this teaching from Jesus down to us today. These same things that he taught long ago; to love God completely, with all our heart, minds, strengths, to seek to be in, and recognize God’s presence in our lives, and to live in loyalty and mercy. 

How often do we still want to “do things for God,” that God might look on us with favor?  God does not desire work that one might boast, but that you love God humbly and obediently, and seek to be in His presence, loyally, as a loving sacrifice.  God desires for us to desire the divine love, more than sacrifice.  The desire of our heart is granted by God (Psalm 20:4), but may our one desire be always for God’s love, God’s mercy, grace, peace and presence in our lives.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 6, 2020

…Out of Christ fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. – John 1:14

Since today, I celebrate the blessing and the grace of another year on this earth, I want to share from one of my favorite authors, Brennon Manning, on grace.

What is grace?  Is it the belief that we have the free and unmerited favor of God?  Is it the manifestation of salvation in the sinner’s life?  Is grace the blessing we receive, whether expected or not?  Yes, grace is all of these things.  Grace is the very essence of knowing the honor and glory of God, having been in the presence of God, even unaware, and knowing that it is all going to be okay.

In his final book before death, Author Bennan Manning says this:

“My message, unchanged for more than fifty years, is this: God loves 
you unconditionally, as you are and not as you should be, because 
nobody is as they should be. It is the message of grace…A grace 
that pays the eager beaver who works all day long the same wages 
as the grinning drunk who shows up at ten till five…A grace that 
hikes up the robe and runs breakneck toward the prodigal reeking 
of sin and wraps him up and decides to throw a party no ifs, ands, 
or buts…This grace is indiscriminate compassion. It works without 
asking anything of us…Grace is sufficient even though we huff and 
puff with all our might to try to find something or someone it cannot 
cover. Grace is enough…Jesus is enough.”

All is grace, Manning would say, it’s there is every breath in the lungs of every person who needs it, and the truth is we all need it.  Nothing is too big for grace, nor is anything too small for grace.  Grace can be found each and every day as we look into the eyes of someone who needs to know they are loved by God, or in the voice telling us we are loved.  From birth till final breath, and everything we may do in between this is what we need most in this life; grace and the understanding that it is already given freely and openly. 

This year’s activities have not been as expected or planned, but I hope that as bad as things seem from time-to-time in this life we would remember that grace is here, grace is in the blessing of each new day, and the love that we share in the name of Jesus Christ.  Go and be grace given to this world in His name.

Grace and Peace,
Sam

October 5, 2020

Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other… - 1 Corinthians 10:24

If we are being truly honest with ourselves, the idea of thinking of our others before ourselves is perhaps the hardest of Christian concepts.  It isn’t that we refuse to what is good or right. It isn’t that we do not know how to care for others and show love.  We are simply hardwired to worry about self, first.

It would seem that if we were made in the image of God that it would make more sense that we are wired to care for others, but we must remember theologically that we gain this image of God, and grow into the image of God through faith and the acceptance of salvation through Jesus Christ.  Thus, before we gain this image we have ‘fallen short of the glory of God.’

Out salvation starts us on a journey that draws us to be more like Christ, and in that we start to consider what it is that we have to offer to God, and how we live out the call to love our neighbor as ourselves.  We, of course, need to first learn how to love ourselves as God loves us, and I know there are times even that is a struggle.  To truly get to the place where we seek to do what we can for the glory of God, and looking out for the interests of others, is to search deep within and realize that there are times when the decision we make as an individual has a great effect on our relationships with others. Or we may be in a position at some point where the decision we make effects the life or livelihood of others. My understanding of Paul’s message is that we should really consider these choices, and honestly think not only to our advantages, but how these decisions will impact our neighbors whom we say we are to love.

There are plenty of times where there are no good decisions, or times when we know a decision might cause hurt or pain to someone else. It’s doesn’t make it a wrong decision, it just means we need to own our choice, and help a person understand we were doing the best we could for the benefit of all.  The higher up we might be on a social, political, professional level, the more difficult those decisions can be. However, I believe through grace, understanding, and having a character of love and compassion might help even those effected negatively to understand we all strive to do the best we can for the glory of our God.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 4, 2020

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43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. – Acts 2:43-47

While some might be perplexed by the notion of this moment in the history of the church, I for one, have always had hope in these few verses. Luke the physician, giving an account of the actions of the early church, in just a couple of lines paints a picture of what I would consider heaven on earth.

Those who had come to believe in the miracle of resurrection, who understood the gift of the Holy Spirit, who have seen their needs met by the Lord, they came together and day-by-day offered the support each on needed.  They spent their time in worship and fellowship.  I know that some have looked at these verse and scoffed thinking of some hippie commune of old, and I’m sure there have been plenty who have tried to recreate a system like this, and most likely have failed.

On this world communion Sunday, however, I hope I might share some of the hope I see in these words.  The words about the work of our Savior for the people of this world.  These words are very eucharistic. Luke is telling us, that the table of our Lord, that experienced by the disciples at the last supper, is not extended to the homes and to the places where the people gather in the name of the Lord.  People are doing exactly what Jesus asked of them, to break bread and remember. In their remembrance of Christ, they see the people who Christ saw, the poor, the outcast, the sick, and lame.  They offered what they had as a blessing to those who were without.  They didn’t rely on the government to fix the problems they saw around them, the church believed in helping and doing good. Those who were able, continued to work in their professions, continued to provide for their families, they chose to help others out of their abundance, but also worked together so that needs were met in their communities.

This vision Acts gives us of the church is less about a society trying to tuck away from the world, and more about a group of people who really see how bad the world is, and choose to try and make it better for all.  I have a great hope in these verse and for the church, because when the church chooses to do what is right and good in the actions and love of Christ, we see this same thing happening. We see a church making a difference to those who are in their community, and we get that glimpse of the heavenly kingdom even now.

I know we are that church, and I pray we continue in that focus to reach deep and wide in the love of Christ.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 3, 2020

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13

Temptation comes at us all the time, especially when your own spirituality and Christianity is at a point when we are “comfortable with God.”  What I mean is that point when we become comfortable with our relationship with God, and we might stop growing or seeking. We may find ourselves in a position of stagnation in faith. Much like a pond that has nothing to move it around it become stagnant and forms of scum or undesirable stuff begins to grow.  Likewise, when we are not seeking after Christ alone, or having anything added to our faith, we may find bad habits, or laziness, or any other unhealthy opportunities catch up to us and find ways to temp us away from Christ.  Our human might take over, and even though we are moving or busy, undesirable stuff grows in our lives.

The power that we have over such temptation is to continue to move towards God through our relationship with His Son, Jesus.   In Jesus we can find solace, community, and the power to stay away from sin.  Jesus is the “way out.” He covered our sin once and for all; therefore, He can keep us from temptation as we trust in his grace and mercy.  Jesus stirs the waters of our souls and helps to filter out the undesirable stuff so that we can move towards becoming a stream of living water.  We may endure many temptations that are thrown our way, and sometimes even falter, but we will be lifted up because “love holds no record of wrongs” (1 Cor. 13:5).  When our true love, Jesus, is our focus, no temptation can overtake us, even though they will remain present. 

The temptation to give up on many aspects of faith has be very present this year, we were closed to gather for almost 6 months, we may have feel we lost track of one another for a bit. We may have had difficulty with the technology of gathering remotely, online. The temptation could be for us to give up. Yet, God does not give up on us, God is still seeing us through, and God has made a way even in the midst of a pandemic for us to share our faith in community.  It might not be “like it always has been,” but still God is who God has always been, offering us grace, mercy, peace through Christ Jesus, and drawing us ever forward in love.  May the God of peace lift you from temptation, and lead you to join with the saints above and below, in spirit and truth.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 2, 2020

25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you endure;
    they will all wear out like a garment.
You change them like clothing, and they pass away;
27     but you are the same, and your years have no end.
28 The children of your servants shall live secure;
    their offspring shall be established in your presence. – Psalm 102:25-28

We’ve reached the days that the leaves are about to change color (some already started), pretty soon, we will be reminded of the beauty that is painted on the mountain trees as the colors shine brightly in the sunlight.  However, as beautiful as these colors are, we know that this means death to the leave on the tree.  Those leaves will soon fall to the ground, and the trees will be bare.

A mentor of mine, who with his wife adopted a child who was from Malaysia, said he remembers the first time this child experienced autumn here in east Tennessee.  The child wanted the tree leaves change color, enjoying the beauty, but as the leaves  began to drop each day the child became sad.  His adopted father asked why the boy was sad at the sight of the tree losing it’s leaves. The boy said that the tree is dying, and he liked that tree. Where the boy was from, when a tree lost its leaves it meant that the tree was dead, and it wasn’t coming back.  The father assured the boy that the tree was fine, and that when spring time would come the tree would bud and sprout new leaves.  It was hard for the boy to understand, and perhaps he didn’t fully believe until the spring.  When spring arrived, however, the boy saw the buds just as his father has said they would appear, and his little faith became sight – the tree was alive and sprouting new growth!

Long ago, the ancient psalmists new the cycle of things, all of their society, all of creation as they knew it, they understood would one day pass away, but in their faith, they believed that God would endure forever. Even more, they believed that their children (or down their family lines) as they remained faithful, would survive. “the children of your servants shall live secure…”

Their understanding has now become one of the great markers of our faith. We have a hope, that though we will one day pass away from this earth, there is a beautiful resurrection (new life) that is waiting for us.  There our faith will be made sight, and we will rejoice in the presence of our God, forever and ever.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 1, 2020

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 9:12

Do we have obstacles in the way of our life reflecting the gospel of Christ?

Our obstacles may be different than what Paul is referring in 1 Corinthians. In this chapter and starting in the previous, Paul has been questioned about the appropriate food a Christian should partake. This call is less about any dietary law, but about what is socially part of the culture of the day. In a region where the gospel is new, much of the food especially meat that is prevalent for consumptions comes from animals that had be slaughtered at part of ritual sacrifice to other gods. Should those who profess the One God and father of the Lord, Jesus partake of such food? Wouldn’t that hurt our witness?

Of course for those who understand and have faith, we learn that God is the One true God, and all other gods are nothing more than false idols, in this instances Paul’s argument is food is food, and it is a gift from God, so it shouldn’t matter.  However, Paul understood that there is sometimes a perception that can’t be overcome among those who don’t yet believe. Therefore, the better choice is to not make someone else stumble because of their lack of understanding or faith.

This secondary argument is the reason for Paul saying ‘we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel…’ When we think about the idea of integrity, being of sound Christian character, then we should strive to not feel we have to explain our way out of a situation.  I’ve heard it said before; “If you have to explain, your already losing.” The idea behind that statement is that if you have to try and explain yourself out of a situation, that person to whom you are explaining already feels they have reason to question you integrity. The question of character creates an obstacle to one ability to share faith.

As a leader, I know how difficult it can be to be transparent, to share the reasons behind decisions, or to for people to trust when they don’t understand those decisions. Mistakes are made, and explaining our way out isn’t always an option. The best course of action, I’ve found, in removing obstacles is to acknowledge our choices, own our choices, and if they are brought into question ask forgiveness if those decisions have caused pain or grievance.  Character or integrity is best seen not explaining our way out, but working our way through, so that obstacle do not become barriers, and we are able to reflect the kind of grace we believe is offered from God, through Christ Jesus our Lord.  May we seek to remove our obstacles for the good sharing the gospel now and always.

Grace & Peace,
Sam