November 7, 2020

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

There is a wonderful promise given by Jesus in the Scriptures that if we remain in Him, He will remain in us (John 15:7).  This promise is so important, because it correlates with so many other promises: that God will never leave nor forsake us; that we have a blessed assurance that God is with us; and if God is with us and for us than nothing can stand against us.  These promises, found the holy Scriptures are on our minds, and written in our hearts, and we know them to be true.

Yet, we must be careful. We should realize that as true as these promises are, they are also conditional. The condition is “if.”  If you remain in me… And as wonderful as it is to be in the presence of almighty God, there are times when we must confess we are not.  God has not left us in these times, but we have left God.  It’s not that we have denied faith, but sometimes along our faith journey we get distracted.  We might get led astray for a moment by something that has caught our attention, and moved it elsewhere.  We might become so focused on one thing, that it causes us to have blinders and miss what and where God might be leading us next.  We get tired along the way and need a rest, but forget that our rest is in God alone. 

It is when these times happen in the life of the Christian, that the words written in Hebrews become both powerful and dangerous.  The power in what Hebrews says is that if we become refocused on God by reading what God’s word would speak anew in us; it may help us to come back the source of our conviction, our salvation, and the wellspring of life.  It can penetrate us, and help us to realize that we have fallen short of the disciples Christ has called us to be.  We find that the words of life are spoken again over us and in us, and lead us back on the path of faith by grace and mercy.

The other side of this, is that when we get tired, unfocused, or even wrong-focused, temptation rises.  While the Scriptures teach us wonderful things about God and lead us to the fountain of life, people in the past have used these same Scriptures to push personal agendas, and even to lead the Christian astray. Lest we not forget that when Jesus is tempted in the dessert, the deceiver used even the Scriptures to temp Jesus away from his path. 

God in all of this, knows our heart, knows our intentions, and will stand ready to support us, or rebuke us. Let us continue to spend time each day allowing the word of God to speak into us, and may we be aware, focused, and determined to follow Jesus the true Word of God.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

November 6, 2020

When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. – Matthew 14:14

What do we do when we receive unexpected bad news? This little verse from Matthew’s gospel shoes us what Jesus did.  Just before this, Jesus had received word that his cousin, John the baptizer and fellow proclaimer of the coming kingdom of God has been beheaded.  John was no longer alive to see the kingdom of God come to fruition.  The Scriptures say that John took this news and decided to withdraw from the crowds and find a place of solitude. I would venture to say that many of us would want such time, to pray, to think, to mourn. 

However, what happens next is the crowds of people follow Jesus. Jesus had left in a boat, but the people by foot went to the place they heard he was going. The great crowd gathered, about 5,000 men, and that didn’t include the women and children.  When Jesus saw this crowd he had compassion on them.  Even in the midst of his own human suffering, the suffering of the loss of family, Jesus showed compassion.  Jesus healed the sick among them, spoke with them, and when the evening came performed a miracle and fed them.

So often when we look at this passage we want to focus on the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. We want to focus on what Jesus did to provide for those in need. Yet, if we dive deeper into the soul, we learn a little more. We learn that the character of the Christian is to look out for others, have compassion on others, even when the self is hurting.

It is so often said that hurt people tend to hurt other people.  We have a tendency to take out our personal pain on others.  Jesus teaches us a different way.  Even in the midst of personal pain we can show compassion. Even when we are not feeling up to doing good, we can do what is right.  Even when we are at a loss and want to retreat, we are capable of compassionate deeds towards others.  The greater miracle found in this passage, perhaps is the miracle that helps us overcome our pain in a way that helps others. 

I’ve often felt, that when I’m at a low point in my own spiritual walk, that is when I have relied more on the Holy Spirit to work in me, and when I look back on the conversations, the mission, or the ministry I have done during those low times, I often see them as great successes, or times of great encouragement.  We don’t always want to do what we are called to do in Christ, but being obedient to that call, will lift us higher, as we work to have the love and compassion of Christ in all that we do and say. God will uplift the broken and brokenhearted, and they will be blessed.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

November 5, 2020

Sharing from the Congregation – David Petty

They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. — Jeremiah 6:14

Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth?  No, I tell you, but rather division. — Luke 12:51

A lot is being written about peace these days (there usually is).  This time most of it seems to have less to do with international peace than with domestic peace — specifically, all the issues that the media, at least, see as a conflict between police and African Americans. There is a great irony about peace: almost everybody wants it, but after centuries of trying we don’t seem to be any closer.

The church has a standard answer on the subject of peace, but for the next few paragraphs I want to take another perspective.  I realize that in presenting this “alternate view” I am oversimplifying, but I still think it’s worth discussing.

The church’s standard answer is that what it offers is something other than worldly peace; it offers “inner peace,” a peace “that passes all understanding.”  There’s a lot of truth in that, in the sense that this type of peace is far more important than any other kind.  The reality, though, is that we rarely achieve this kind of peace either.  For most of us most of the time, this “surpassing” peace is as difficult to attain as any other sort.  In addition, there is danger that a focus on our own inner peace can deteriorate into an indifference to the needs of our brothers and sisters.

Consider the apostle Paul.  Paul alleged that he had learned to be content in any circumstance.  I’m sure he was telling the truth in regard to his own well-being.  But if his letters are any indication, he was riddled with anxiety about his friends and the fate of the churches.

The English poet Gerard Manley Hopkins, who was also a Jesuit brother, wrote a poem (in about 1879) which is called simply “Peace.”  Hopkins was remarkable not only for his skill at putting words together, but also for his honest acknowledgement of human frailties.  In the poem, he admits that moments of peace do occur, but he calls them “piecemeal peace.”

Instead, Hopkins says, God gives us something in lieu of peace — patience.  Patience is akin to peace, but it’s somewhat different, I think.  Patience is the willingness to wait with the expectation that what we want will come to pass; it involves an element of faith.

Hopkins goes on to say that when peace does come, it “comes with work to do.”  Peace is not passivity (nor is patience).  Certainly Paul understood that.  Many others have understood it also, including John Wesley.

Gracefully and peacefully submitted,
David Petty

November 4, 2020

November 4, 2020

…but God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. – Psalm 9:18

Triumph, victory, conquest, these are often the words we use when we are on top.  These words mean a great deal as nations conquer other nations, especially within a biblical context, and of course the great victory that Christians profess, is the victory over death itself in the resurrection of Jesus our Lord. 

Words of victory in our modern world, and everyday lives sometimes mean something different. Whether it is winning the latest sport contest, seeing a cause take root, or winning an argument, we use the same since of triumph over the other whom we oppose.  There are winners and there are losers, and, for whatever reason, we love to let the losers know who the winner is. But what about hope?  Especially the hope that keeps us motivated when we’re up, and gives us life when we’re down.

If there were never losers, or contests, or difficulties, or victories would there still be hope? 

I say, yes, hope will always be present.

Hope is expectation or desire for something to happen. No matter if one is on the bottom or the top, the winner or the loser, even if everyone was on the same level, there will always be the hope for something better. 

This is what I see as the part of the purpose of Christ, to give a great hope to the nations of a better way.  Theologian Dallas Willard said “the gospel is less about how to get into the kingdom of heaven after you die, and more about how to live in the kingdom of heaven before you die.” In no way was Willard saying that eternity isn’t important, but we must realize that while we are here, it is important to share the kingdom of heaven, found in the hope, peace, and love of God as we know it in Jesus Christ.

Hope is the greatest thing, because it helps us to realize that which matters is that which is both now and eternal.  When we truly have the hope of the resurrection in us, we see the world and it’s lack of infiniteness, and perhaps then turn our attention to things more infinite. 

In the ninth Psalm there had been a great conquest over the enemies of Israel, but instead of taking the glory for the armies of Israel, glory was given to the Lord Almighty and Eternal, whose reign never ends.  In the midst of this, the psalmist is saying to us, let God, who is eternal, always hear the cries of those who hope for something better, because hope will lead us to be something better.

So, yes, let us hope is something better. Let us build something better. Let our worship and praise of God be a foretaste of the better world we hope to see as “the things of earth grow strangely dim, in the light of God’s glory and grace.”

Grace & Peace,
Sam

November 3, 2020

God revealed his hidden design to us, which is according to his goodwill and the plan that he intended to accomplish through his Son.  This is what God planned for the climax of all times: to bring all things together in Christ, the things in heaven along with the things on earth. 
- Ephesians 1:9-10

As Christians we share a common belief with many of our fellow world religions (at least the big 3 Abrahamic religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) and that belief is in a sovereign God.  What exactly does it mean to be sovereign?  The basics of sovereignty are supreme power and rule.  God rules over all, even though there may be people who rule over us. Therefore, we believe in a God who has ultimate, supreme power and rule over everything that happens, whether we understand that or not. The difference in the faith of a Christians is not that we believe in a different sovereign leader than the other religions, but that we have authority through, and are in relationship with this supreme power through Jesus Christ our Lord. Because of Jesus we have access to our sovereign God, and can make prayers and petitions as such.

We believe that Jesus was, and is, and is to come.  Jesus is everlasting, and He is God’s only Son.  God’s plan is that through the Son all things will come together on heaven and earth and God will be our sovereign king, forever.  For those of us who accept the belief that Jesus is alive in us, and empowers us through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we have found the place where our sovereign may rule over us, in our everyday lives. Though we often consider this a relationship more than a sovereign rule.  We strive to do what brings blessing, and seek to see the blessing even in the lessons we learn along the way. We who believe, allow God’s will to be the very essence of our lives and find joy in serving our almighty king. 

I stive to live in the hope that my life, and the life of my family would find such joy, and find joy in serving others in our faith.  I allow Christ to be my leader, guiding me to live into the will of God, and to do so in a way that serves others for the kingdom that is still to come.  It is also my hope that others will live the same, especially those who have power and authority over other people on this earth.

If we live to be like Christ, live to reflect Christ love for all, even if we have power over others, we should guide them on a righteous path with grace and peace.  I am prayerful today that our country and our world would be led by such leaders who would seek to do the good and pleasing will of a sovereign God, through the same humility of Christ Jesus. It is a blessing to be in such position, yet we should always remember who is really in charge – our sovereign God.  Jesus led us to God by giving of himself, that we would know love, and have power through such love to offer the same love to other in His name. I remember that God is working to bring us together, in this life as well as the next.  I pray that we might find unity under Christ’s holy name.  May God bless you in all your days ahead.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

November 2, 2020

If you get the Holston Conference Daily Devotion, I apologize for the double message as I am also using this message for today's daily encourager.

17 But as for us, brothers, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face. 18 So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy! - 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

Yesterday, we celebrated one of the high and holy days of the church – All Saints Day.  One of the things I enjoy about All Saints day is hearing the stories of the saints that have gone before us into glory.  Each year, we remember those who have gone ahead into glory that particular year, but we are also reminded of the saints that have gone before, those who established our churches, were workers in their community, who lived into the example of Christ.  It is a wonderful time to be reminded that we are all, who profess Christ, a part of that great cloud of witnesses that surround the throne in glory.

Like so many celebrations this year, things are a little different this year. It has been a year where we have been reminded of our mortality, of death more than many others.  The pandemic has called all of us to grieve in some way, but for those who have lost loved ones this year, the grieving process has been even more difficult.  We may have not been able to gather with family and friends, we may have had private funerals, or travel restrictions to go and be with loved ones.  Some of us are still grieving and may have difficulty celebrating the life eternal that is still to come when we join again with that great cloud of witnesses including those closest to us.  Some may still be grieving the ability to gather in the sanctuary of their church, desiring to see friends and siblings in Christ, but staying home for their own safety or the safety of others.

Paul, in this letter to the Thessalonians, speaks of the great desire to return and see the people of God at Thessalonica face-to-face. Even now, after many months apart, some of us have not seen face-to-face, and it is difficult to remain hindered even though we know it is the best course of action for us.  We long to see one another, to gather together, to see the saints whom we love.  Yet, after Paul speaks of what hinders him from returning to Thessalonica, he speaks of the true glory of the church and Christ.

Paul asks a series of questions, but the point is, you, the people of God, you are the glory of the church, and the glory and joy of the Christian gospel.  The treasure of heaven is the people who believe, who find themselves joined with Christ now and always. The beauty of this statement is that even when we are kept from one another, we are a united people.  We are united in the glory of the gospel message, our salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord.  It is a struggle for us to be separated from one another, whether on the earth or by the veil between this life and the next. Still, we are united in Christ, we are a part of the great cloud of witnesses, and I hope we can find, in us, the joy that is everlasting, as we are in Christ.

I know that we still grieve many things this year, but it is my hope that we might be reminded of the hope of Jesus Christ in us; that we might take a moment to give thanks to God for the uniting love of Christ that keeps us together, even while we are yet apart.

To God Be the Glory! Amen.
 

Grace & Peace,
Sam

November 1, 2020

November 1, 2020

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

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
    And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
    who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
    and do not swear deceitfully.
5 They will receive blessing from the Lord,
    and vindication from the God of their salvation.
6 Such is the company of those who seek him,
    who seek the face of the God of Jacob. – Psalm 24:3-6

If you were to read a commentary on Psalm 24, most would agree that Psalm 24 is read or recited as an entrance liturgy.  The idea of the question and answer is to help the person entering into the temple put themselves in the right head and heart space as they come to give their offerings or prayers to God. The heart of the psalm describes the contrasting nature between God who willingly enters into human space and the nature of humans who are able to meet God – the King of glory. The essence is that God accepts those who “seek the face of the God of Jacob” often seen as a heart that truly desires God.

In the given portion of the psalm, the liturgy moves to a very specific purpose of those who would be entering the Jerusalem Temple – in the minds of Hebrew people, this would have been the place that heave and earth intersect, where they could go and literally be with God. The surprise of the requirements to go and be with God is that they are not ritual (which is what most of the Old Testament Law was made to be). Instead these questions and responses are of a moral nature.

The requirement that the people do not lift their souls to what is false or do not swear deceitfully is that they are doing what they can to be in the nature of God, and being honest, with great integrity, and showing God’s loving kindness. 

As this psalm indicates those who understand this are able to receive the blessing of God’s salvation. As we look at from the day we celebrate the saints of God who have received their reward, and now rest from their labor with God, I see this as the culmination to the journey of faith.

The whole understanding of our faith is it get into a place where we are constantly seeking to do the will of God.  If we haven’t figured that out yet, the will of God is to act in a way that is loving towards our neighbors. In fact the very nature of God’s saving grace is to bring us into a community where love is spread from the grace of God to everyone.  The culmination of this journey is when we arrive with those who have been on this journey before us, in the arms of an ever-present, all-loving God.  We find that we have become a part of something, we are more than just ourselves, and we have our eyes opened to the reality that we truly are one body in Christ.

The end our journey in this lift has us ascend to the greatest heights of heaven to be face-to-face with the God whom we profess and love.

Today, we celebrate those who have made it to such heights, we give glory to God for their shining example, and pray that we may ascend to be with them and God when our journey is complete.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 31, 2020

Happy Halloween!

Then He said, “Watch out that you are not deceived.  For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’  Don’t follow them…” -  Luke 21:8

Halloween is here, and while there may not be as many ghouls and goblins running round your neighborhood as in years past, I can’t think of a time when deception is more common (I refuse to talk about politics). 

There are some who live for this holiday, where the entire point is to personify something other than oneself. Halloween is a time for frivolity, masks, and deception; for candy and the excitement of being scared. My kids love the candy more than any of the rest of it, but they also like to personify their heroes, characters, and even animals of choice.

I find it interesting to think about the festivals of Halloween from a Christian perspective.  Of course, even Halloween has a basis in the Christian faith once being called “All Hollow’s Eve” or the night of remembrance.  It was once believed to be a night when the veil between this life and the next was extraordinarily thin, to remember loved ones past, to pray for their souls in hopes that they would be counted among the saints the very next day; “All Saints Day.”

Now, almost all of the festivals we celebrate are highly secularized and don’t hold much if not any of the original meanings. Now, we pursue the opportunity to dress and be someone else, and let’s not forget the joy of eating all that candy the kids collect (parent tax) and the start of our “winter weight gain.” 

We must be reminded that this is all in fun, and none of it should be taken seriously.  After all, the purpose of the season’s end is to bring about a new season and a day when we celebrate the saints in the church that have gone to glory ahead of us.  They were not deceivers of the word, but doers of the word of God.  They were not deceived by the ways of this world, nor did they follow falsely, but they went on in life, paying attention to the Scriptures and living according to the grace and peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  It is for them that we should look and rejoice; knowing that if we follow in their shining example, as they followed in the example of Christ, we, too, will be made perfect, saints in heaven.  So as you celebrate this weekend, forget not those persons in your life who lived according to God’s will, follow them and find yourself resting in God’s awesome presence. And enjoy the candy if you can.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 30, 2020

October 30, 2020

But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. – Psalm 54:4

Knowing that we have been accepted and saved; moreover, loved by the God of the universe can have a very freeing effect on our being.  We can probably think of many an old hymn to quantify such lifting. One that comes to mind is, “Loved Lifted Me”

I was sinking deep in sin / Far from the peaceful shore
Very deeply stained within / Sinking to rise no more

But the Master of the sea / Heard my despairing cry
From the waters lifted me / Now safe am I

Love lifted me / Love lifted me / When nothing else could help / Love lifted me

The idea of a love that is lifting isn’t just God’s saving act towards us. It can also be expressed as we allow the love of God to work in us as we strive to love others, or fulfill the goal to love our neighbor as ourselves.  This command by Jesus that we find at the end of his ministry with the disciple – love others as I have loved you (John 13:34). Is repeated in the book of James, and often in the letters of Paul.  The idea that we would be more than just receptive of God’s love, but offer it the same tells me that there is more to the connectedness of the divine love to our human love than we might first realize.

At the very basic, we should understand that God is love, and that without God love is not present. Following that understanding helps us to see that God is all thing, even and especially in the love that we share with one another, uplifting one another and caring for one another. God’s help and upholding of our life, as the psalmists remarks is, in some way, the infusion of God’s love into us, gives us a dose of the dive within us to spur us on to do good works, and especially to show love to those around us.

Maybe the uplifting love of God is calling you to lift someone else today, to be their helper and connect us even more with the one who lifts us all.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

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

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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

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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