Nah,...

Philippians 2:19-24 New Revised Standard Version
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news of you. I have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. All of them are seeking their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But Timothy’s worth you know, how like a son with a father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope therefore to send him as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that I will also come soon.

Reflection

It seems pretty bad that Paul has to mention that he can't send Timothy yet because there aren't very many around him that are trustworthy and unselfish. I know that it is very early in Christianity at this point, but it still seems sad and pathetic. Don't worry, he does say he can send Epaphroditus in the next paragraph. Yet, I wonder how Epaphroditus felt when that part was read aloud. 

Was it that Paul kept asking any disciple that would visit him in prison if they would go to Philippi and they each kept saying "Nah, I have too much of my own things to do around here."? Did they see his imprisonment as something they didn't want to risk for their own lives? Probably. 

It is no secret that we need more people following the interests of Jesus Christ. We need more "Yeah, sure, I can help" and less "Nah, I'm too busy right now."

Lord Jesus, guide our hearts to yearn for your Way of forgiveness, charity, peace, love of God, and love of one another. May your kindness take even deeper root in our lives and drive us out to share and show with others! In your powerful Name, we pray. Amen.

GOAT

2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5 (New Revised Standard Version)

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling— if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Reflection

     Broken and flawed like every one of us, but as a vessel of the Holy Spirit proclaiming the complex mysteries of faith--Paul was the Greatest Of All Time. (Not the grazing animal.) This

passage is a good example and case for all those who would vote with me. Paul paints word pictures to help us to see into the invisible eternal. "Momentary affliction," "eternal weight of glory," "earthly tent," "further clothed," and "swallowed up by life" help us to peer into a reality that we can not yet fully know. Penned by the persecutor accused by the Resurrected One, and yet, put to work for purpose of giving words and integrity to the message of life for all.

Great brother Jesus, we cannot believe that you bring people like us into your family. We are thankful for the Sacred Pages that describe the almost indescribable and wonderfulness of your goodness. We thank you for you love and care for us and all our siblings. We lift before you those that are in need today... In Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Time to Gulp

Psalm 63:1-8

O God, you are my God. I long for you.

My soul thirsts for you,
my flesh yearns for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
Yes, in the sanctuary I have seen you,
and witnessed your power and splendor.
Because experiencing your loyal love is better than life itself,
my lips will praise you.
For this reason I will praise you while I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
As with choice meat you satisfy my soul.
My mouth joyfully praises you,
whenever I remember you on my bed,
and think about you during the nighttime hours.
For you are my deliverer;
under your wings I rejoice.
My soul pursues you;
your right hand upholds me.

Reflection

  

     I can recognize thirst. My family makes fun of me because I tend to drink a lot all at once. I am not much of a sipper. I tend to forget to drink while I am busy. Then I get thirsty and gulp to catch up. Yet, I haven't been in many scenario's when I couldn't get a drink after a few hours of thirst. There was that one time in the land of the mouse we were told to swallow our spit...

     After the typical connection with thirst, I have to say that I don't exactly get this Psalm. I am always thirsty for God. David is believed to have written this when he was in the wilderness. I am thirsty for God everywhere. Yes, of course I long for worship and all things "fill my cup" in church buildings and grounds. BUT, I have only ever felt God's presence in my spirit, in my being. I haven't ever been filled up so much that I could say I have SEEN God. The thought actually makes me feel a bit of holy jealousy. I thought Jesus said that no one has actually seen God. So, I think we have to assume that he was referring to seeing the Holy of Holies, the representation of God's closeness. I do thirst for that, too.

     

Loving God,

Come to our thirstiness. We also long to know you and see your goodness and glory in our lives. We want to be quenched by your overflowing mercy. We don't deserve to see you or know you so well, but in Jesus, we plead for it. We pray for all those who are in deep states of need... those who are sick or suffering...those who are grieving...the people of Ukraine who thirst for liberty and peace...all that we lift before you we know you are able to fill to the brim! In your eternal flowing Name of love, we pray, Amen. 

What's Wrong With Being Confident

Psalm 27 The Message

Light, space, zest—
    that’s God!
So, with him on my side I’m fearless,
    afraid of no one and nothing.
When vandal hordes ride down
    ready to eat me alive,
Those bullies and toughs
    fall flat on their faces.
When besieged,
    I’m calm as a baby.
When all hell breaks loose,
    I’m collected and cool.
I’m asking God for one thing,
    only one thing:
To live with him in his house
    my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty;
    I’ll study at his feet.
That’s the only quiet, secure place
    in a noisy world,
The perfect getaway,
    far from the buzz of traffic.
God holds me head and shoulders
    above all who try to pull me down.
I’m headed for his place to offer anthems
    that will raise the roof!
Already I’m singing God-songs;
    I’m making music to God.
Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs:
    “Be good to me! Answer me!”
When my heart whispered, “Seek God,”
    my whole being replied,
“I’m seeking him!”
    Don’t hide from me now!
You’ve always been right there for me;
    don’t turn your back on me now.
Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me;
    you’ve always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me,
    but God took me in.
Point me down your highway, God;
    direct me along a well-lighted street;
    show my enemies whose side you’re on.
Don’t throw me to the dogs,
    those liars who are out to get me,
    filling the air with their threats.
I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
    in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God!
    Take heart. Don’t quit.
I’ll say it again:
    Stay with God.

Reflection

     I admit it, I chose "The Message" translation because it made me smile. Yes, the paraphrasing is a bit more than I was expecting, but the word pictures are pretty good! Yes, it is very modernized, but as a daily life Psalm, it does really put a lot into perspective. I also like the way our fickle and emotional nature comes through. At one point, strutting along asking what is wrong with being confident. At another, pleading with self to pay attention to staying with God and not giving up. The reality is, we all need to remember that self-talk and the tapes that we replay from what others have said to us can have a massive impact on the reality that we think is all around us. Our faith does have a part to play in giving us a sense of calm and perspective. We need to remember who we are and whose we are.

Dear Lord,

I pray this day and in the days to come that you will give me more confidence to rest in your capabilities as my God and less in mine to get me through. Build me up to be bold in faith and humble in love toward others. In the Name of Christ Jesus, Amen.

Refuge

Psalm 91  (The Message)

You who sit down in the High God’s presence,

    spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
    I trust in you and I’m safe!”
That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
    shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
    under them you’re perfectly safe;
    his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
    not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
    not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
    drop like flies right and left,
    no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
    watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God’s your refuge,
    the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you,
    harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered his angels
    to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
    their job is to keep you from falling.
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
    and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
    “I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
    if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
    I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
    give you a long drink of salvation!”

Reflection
     I heard the other day that all of the Psalms connect to a central theme of "refuge."
Certainly, this thought is true for number 91! Even if pastors are not supposed to have favorites, I don't care, this one makes my top three. I like the change of voice. The abundance of metaphors and images feeds my hungry imagination. Even better, it nourishes my spirit into the comforting embrace of a nurturing and mothering God.

     Even though the brutal invasion of Russia into Ukraine is many miles away. We stand with our sisters and brothers. Lutheran churches around the world are lifting up the innocents and calling for peace. It is easy in a time such as this to connect with the beautiful sheltering images of this Psalm and see the need for shelter and protection. I encourage you to give via the links below and pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia. May we truly learn Jesus' command to love our enemies!

Great God,

You bring us hope in dark times and watch over us at all times. We are thankful that in difficult times, you weep with us and show us a better way forward. We pray for strength and integrity to find the road to peace. We lift up the people of Ukraine and Russia, may Russia's invasion end and a permanent cease-fire begin. Build up democracies that have the best interests of your people in mind. Tear down dictatorships that thrive on inequalities of power and turn away from your Way of life and love. In the name of the One who endured the cross at our hand, Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Luther World Relief/ Lutheran Disaster Fund

Luther World Federation (site is in French, click on translate)

World Central Kitchen -meals for refugees