October 29, 2020

October 29, 2020

I’ll call nobodies and make them somebodies; I’ll call the unloved and make them beloved.  In the place where they yelled out, “Your nobody!” they’re calling you “God’s living Children.”
 - Romans 9:25-26 – The Message

We are called God’s children. Everyone you meet, even those you know and don’t care for.  All are made in the image of the divine, and for those who have accepted the truth of Christ, we have been adopted by the living God as heirs to an eternal kingdom.  All of this is proof that God loves us more than we can ever know. 

This world tries so hard to get us to disbelieve the truth of God’s love for us, and I would add we do a pretty good job of discrediting the love of others at times. The world would have us mope around, depressed, sorrowful, worried, and anxious.  Yet, God’s love has never stopped; not since the day He declared that life would exist.  Even in the oldest of Scriptures from the book of Genesis, God’s heart breaks at the breaking of covenant.  Heartbreak can only happen if love exists.

From before you or I were ever formed, we were loved, and that love has not stopped, nor will it ever stop.  As Eugene Peterson put it; we are the nobodies that God has called, and in Christ we are somebody.  Moreover, we are called by God, as children and as brothers and sisters to Christ and one another. Greater still, we have become God’s hands and feet in this world.  There is no reason for any more head drooped walking, or unsure talking.  Take your position on the hill and raise your hands.  For you have been called by name, and you are accepted and loved beyond anything you have ever known or will ever understand.  Someone needs to hear that.  And maybe to someone you need to repeat that.  You are loved by an eternal God, who wants the best for you now, and always.

Enter the gates of the king of kings and lord of lord.  Accept your place as God’s living child, and live in His awesome wonderful presence.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

 

October 28, 2020

“the Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” – Lamentation 3:24

The Lord is my portion, the steadfast love of the Lord is forever, these are phrases that seem very common to us as those who have faith. However, they may be lost on others. One of the effects that has lingered on this year, and perhaps has risen to new heights since the beginning of the pandemic is our awareness of mental illness.

We have always known mental illness exists, but this year, the feelings of loneliness, isolation, separation, for some have become even more overwhelming.  We are hearing of the rise of folks who are exhibiting true anxiety disorders, depression, and other issues of mental health.  Needless to say, more than ever, we should check on those whom we love and call friend as often as we are able.  Many people need the support of others around them to cope with the realities they face, and we never know when something as simple as a phone call or a text can have a huge impact on someone’s day.

In much the same way as interaction with others gives us hope, the church is truly a community that exists for relaying the eternal hope of Christ for all. It is the purpose of the grace of God that we have received, to transform us into having the same loving kindness that we see exhibited in Jesus within the gospels. 

Today, I’ve captured a verse from the prophet Jeremiah who is lamenting the destruction of his beloved city, Jerusalem.  The Israelites would spend the next generation in exile in Babylon, and some who are leaving this city will never see it again.  Yet, even in lament, Jeremiah is able to know that the Lord is there, the Lord can bring hope even to the hopeless, even to those who seem overwhelmed by the world today, the Lord can bring hope. However, to borrow from Paul’s letter to the Romans – “…how can they hear without a preacher?” (10:14)

We all, who have Christ as our portion, have within us the ability to reach out empathetically and sympathetically to share the hope we have with others. May we do so, and in doing so share the joy that this is still a day that the Lord has made, and we have reason to be glad, as we are glad to have one another in Christian community.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Volunteers Needed - FISH

FISH BAGGING

Please sign up if you plan to attend the FISH Bagging at the West Knox FISH Food Pantry on Sunday, November 1 or November 15. We will have two, one-hour shifts available each day beginning at 1:30PM. 2nd shift will likely be shorter depending on how much is bagged during the first hour. Masks will be required and there will be a limit of only 10 baggers allowed. Please secure your spot today to volunteer. Thank you!

October 27, 2020

Sharing from the Congregation – David Petty

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me if you understand.  Who marked off its dimensions?  Surely you know!  Who stretched a measuring line across it?  On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place  — when I said, “this far can you come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt?”

Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it? -  Job 38:4-13

I recently wrote about the lessons that the pandemic can teach us.  There are many such  lessons, great and small, and I know many of you could come up with a better list than I can.  But surely one of the most important lessons is this: we are not in charge.   

Writers, philosophers, etc. have been saying for several decades now that we are about to enter a "post-enlightenment" age.  The Enlightenment was a period beginning around 1650; if I understand it correctly, one of its most important characteristics was an emphasis on the individual intellect.  Humanity, it was believed, could achieve anything.  The moon landing, the conquest of smallpox and polio, and many other accomplishments are a direct outgrowth of enlightenment thinking. 

Now as someone who works in a scientific field, I certainly wouldn't want to lose what we have learned.  But I think it was inevitable that we would eventually discover that humanity has its limitations.  For some people, that is exactly what has happened in the past few months.  All our learning has been unable to keep our world from being turned upside down, and it is unclear when or whether it will return to normal.   A tiny, invisible virus has thrown a bucket of cold water on our visions of control.

It's frightening to suddenly realize we are not in control.  It's a bit like having the steering wheel come off while the car is heading down the interstate.  We are comforted, though, by the awareness, however limited, in that there is one who IS in control.  And that one is one who loves us in ways beyond our imagining.  Maybe -- just maybe -- this crisis can make us stop listening to ourselves long enough that we can hear the morning stars singing.

Gracefully Submitted,
David Petty

October 26, 2020

Sharing from the congregation – Ashlyn Beal

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

This verse illustrates that you are not alone, that God is with you always. He will be there to pick up the broken pieces. He will be there to push you. He will be there to help you make the right decision. He stands with you through everything. These past few months I have had trouble remembering this. I‘ve felt alone at times even when I had my biggest supporters there to ask me how I was or just tell me they loved me. I also have hidden my emotions thinking if I ignored them they would go away. If I didn’t give it attention then those thoughts, feelings, and situations would all just go away over time. Boy was I wrong, ignoring only makes it worse. I was surrounded by my own feelings which made me feel trapped. I wanted to ignore them and be happy. I’m the type of person who likes to be happy, full of smiles, and brighten others people’s days. I was quick to learn that didn’t make me happy but made me feel alone and sad.

Love yourself.

That’s another thing I’ve struggled with. God made us to be unique and beautiful in our own way. Each of God’s creations are beautiful and has value to this life. It’s what’s on the inside that counts. These days people only care about what’s on the outside. Body shape, face, and skin tone are things that everyone is judged on every day. We have all been guilty of it and if you say you haven’t, you are not human. We all take for granted the beauty of God’s creations every day. As people we need to be grateful, kind, loving. That what God wants. He loves us all and we are never alone. Remember that!

Gracefully Submitted,
Ashlyn Beal

October 25, 2020

October 25, 2020

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

O God, you are my God, I seek you,
    my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
    as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
    beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
    my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live;
    I will lift up my hands and call on your name. – Psalm 63:1-4

When the world is lost, we are called to remember who rules the world.
When the world is fearful, we are called to remember who rules the world.
When the world is seeking direction, we are called to remember the director of the stars.
When the world is on its knees, we are called to rise up and go to the arms of a loving savior.

As this difficult and unusual year continues on, we need to be reminded that God is still in control, even when we don’t think God is, but I do believe God is lead us to the place of His power and glory.  I do believe we have reason to celebrate and rejoice.  I do believe we can gather whether online or in person and find the strength to encourage one another that God is still in control.

Recently, I heard a song from several years ago for the first time in a while, it is written and sung by the soulful Andra Day, entitled “Rise Up” As I listened again, I am reminded of the psalmists and the saints of God who have reminded us to keep our eyes looking upward, knowing that there is something bigger and greater in store as we keep pressing on longing for God as if in a dry and weary land.  I hope you will take the opportunity to listen to that song if you are able, but if not, here are just a few of the lyrics:

You're broken down and tired / Of living life on a merry go round
And you can't find the fighter / But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out
And move mountains / We gonna walk it out / And move mountains

And I'll rise up / I'll rise like the day / I'll rise up / I'll rise unafraid
I'll rise up /And I'll do it a thousand times again
And I'll rise up / High like the waves / I'll rise up / In spite of the ache
I'll rise up / And I'll do it a thousand times again / For you

To me, this speaks, beautifully, reminding us of our call to rise up and follow Christ. It speaks of the hardships that may be in our way, but for Christ, for the glory of the coming kingdom, the sanctuary of the presence of God, we can do it.  We can rise again and again, to bring Christ to those who need him most. May we strive for more of God, more strength of God, and more of God’s holy presence in our lives now and forever. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 24, 2020

Send Your light and Your truth; let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to your dwelling place. – Psalm 43:3

Why does it seem that light and truth are so hard to find? In our world, it seems as though the bad news of the darkness, the dishonesty of leaders or potential leaders is all we ever hear about.  Why do we as a society often forget to search for light?

There is a cartoon by Henry Kotula I’ve shared below. I believe it speaks to our dilemma with truth and light, It shows a crowd of people lined up to hear ‘comforting lies’ rather than anyone who would choose to hear an ‘unpleasant truth.’ To me, this represents how we as a society choose to live. The truth is not always easy, the light of God’s grace is not always easy to find. Following the command to love our neighbor as our self isn’t always our easiest course of action, and offering forgiveness to someone who has wronged us (whether we know them or not) is one of the most difficult things we might do.  For these reasons and so many, many more, we often like to find those ‘comforting lies’ that make us feel better, because we can’t handle the truth.

The psalmists in another plea for help, asks for a divine intervention, that God would send the divine light of divine truth to be the guide to the presence of God.  Each time I think of coming into the presence of God, or the kingdom of God, I’m reminded of Jesus words of how it is near to those who have learned to live in the command to love one another.  I think, as unpleasant as that truth can be for us to swallow when we don’t like our neighbor or those we live with in community, it is a reminder that we need to plea for God’s guidance and help, we need to know God’s mercy as much as we need to offer it. For the light of God’s truth is found in understanding God’s love for all humankind, God’s offering of salvation for all, and Jesus call for us to love one another has he has first loved us. 

May we strive for more truth, more light, more good, for us and for all in the name of Jesus.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 23, 2020

If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. - John 15:10

What is the greatest commandment?  It’s a question that was asked of Jesus during his time on earth, and it’s a question that has resonated throughout the generations.  We have to know the command if we are to ever allow our hearts to truly obey it.

So what is the response? “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  And love your neighbor as yourself?  Everything else falls in line with these commands.  Our response however, as a people, is not to follow this command but to question this command.  Even in the day of Jesus this command was questioned, “the who is my neighbor.” (see Luke 10:25-37).

If others, even in that time, questioned the commands of God, how much more do we question the same command in our hearts, and with our own actions?  Our response is such that we want to find a way to compromise, to get around loving some, in order to love only as we choose, or who we choose.  We like these people, so they are easy to love, but those people, we don’t like their actions, their attitudes, their religion, their color, we don’t like them, therefore we question whether we have to love them.  But God can and does respond even to our questions about his command. 

In John 15, Jesus gets very specific with his disciples, “if you keep my commands, you will remain in my love…” It’s that simple we are called to keep Jesus commands no questioned asked.  If we desire to remain in the love of God, through there is forgiveness when we do fall short, we must keep God’s commands, and how should we keep them? Just as Jesus did.  Jesus who love all, but who took time to be specific about God’s love for individuals, for groups, for nations that were outside of his own context.  Jesus love was for all, in general, and in the specifics.  Therefore, if we are a people after God’s heart, who desire to be more like Jesus, we are called simply to love.  No questions, no excuses, our response is to love.

Let us pray, that we will allow God’s love win in all things.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 22, 2020

October 22, 2020

But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here! If you had known what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would have not condemned the innocent… - Matthew 12:6-7

The verse above come from a familiar story. Jesus and his disciples are walking through some grainfields.  They have been traveling and are quite hungry.  It just happens to be on the Sabbath day, which is a day of no work for the Hebrew people.  But in their hunger, the disciples see that the grains of wheat are ready for harvest, so they simply pick a few, grind them in their hands, and eat. 

I don’t know that any of us would consider what they did work, no more than picking a few blue or blackberries off the trail while on a hike.  The disciples simply did what they could to pacify their hunger. Yet, we see come in contact with the Pharisees in this story, the keepers and teachers of the law, who believe that being righteous is all about keeping every letter of the law, doing exactly as one has been taught to do.  In their eyes, this would be considered work on the Sabbath, and would need to be atoned for. Now, part of this ritual of atonement, in those days, would have included an offering of some kind, or sacrifice of some kind, or both.  The idea here is that if they Pharisees call out the disciples who are travelers in this instance, and get them to atone, they will fill their own pockets or bellies from the offerings made. 

It is this staunch interpretation of the law, that benefits only them, that Jesus speaks against, quoting the prophet Hosea’s call for mercy and not sacrifice. This is a call that any Pharisee would have known well having read and understanding the scriptures (our old testament). The Pharisees would recognize that Jesus is speaking of a greater kind of mercy, the mercy that God desires.

The mercy that comes from God, is often a reflection of the mercy we show one another. It’s that same reflection we pray when we ask = “forgive our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.” It is a call that we look inside and truly desire to reflect the God who has saved us, in the way we treat others.

Then maybe we might like Jesus says, realize that there is something greater than an earthly temple, greater than a worldly kingdom, but there is something more, that comes from above, and we are part of that even now, as we build on the love of Christ for all.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 21, 2020

October 21, 2020

Sharing from the congregation – Sue Biggerstaff

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  
My help cometh from the Lord , who made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:  He that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper:  The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil:  he shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. - Psalm 121 KJV

When we lift our eyes up to the hills, we probably think of the Smokies.  Out west the people might think of the Rockies.  Living in the Appalachian Mountains, we are surrounded by beautiful views especially this time of year.  

Growing up in the western North Carolina mountains, I have wonderful memories of sitting with my grandmother on her wrap around porch and looking toward Grandfather Mountain.  We all probably have favorite mountain memories.

Psalm 121 is one of several in the Bible known as Songs of Ascent.  These were songs pilgrims would sing as they made their way toward Mt. Zion and the temple in Jerusalem. Their journey was a dangerous, arduous, and hostile one. The psalmist believed that his God, who made heaven and earth, would be his protector.  He was not afraid God would fall asleep during the long, cold nights nor would he forsake him in the heat of the day.  He would be his protector through rough terrain and any mishap along the way.

Today we are traveling through a time of uncertainty with the pandemic and the political upheaval.  We must be like the ancient pilgrim psalmist and recognize that God accompanies and preserves us.

We often sing a hymn that conveys the message of this psalm.

God will take care of you, thru ev'ry day, o'er all the way;  He will take care of you; God will take care of you.

Gracefully Submitted,
Sue Biggerstaff

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