Jesus Paraphernalia

Jesus paraphernalia is everywhere! You can buy Jesus Band-Aids (I will be honest and say I have them in my cupboard at home). You can buy a Jesus bobble head, t-shirt, ashtray, underwear, coat hanger (you hang your coat on Jesus head), pencil topper, and some serious Jesus bling to wear around your neck. The list goes on and on…

I could argue for some of these things theologically: When I put on my Jesus Band-Aid it is a reminder to me that Jesus heals the wounds of the soul. If I were to use the Jesus pencil topper it would be a symbol for how Jesus erases my sins away.

However, the more Buddy Jesus stuff I come across the more disgusted I become. Our culture is turning Jesus into a joke. The truth is, if a good friend and I were in a serious situation where we were close to death and she took the bullet to save my life. I would never create a bobble head in her memory to share with the world – what an insult to the gift of life she restored to me.

Jesus did more for us than any human could do. Jesus renewed our relationship to God to the point that sin no longer has power over us. I can’t help but picture Jesus walking into the temple and turning over the tables. “Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the merchants and their customers. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the stalls of those selling doves.” (Matthew 21:12). He is in an uproar at the people for selling doves to make a sacrifice to God. It was an important ritual in the church to offer sacrifice; so why is Jesus so upset? People need to buy a dove before entering the church to be able to “do church correctly.”

Looks like the way we imagine “doing church” isn’t always for God’s glory. It turns into the very thing that distracts us from worshipping God. It is becomes a diversion from the true meaning of salvation given through Christ.

We become more worried about the details of how we worship than true authentic worship. We turn Jesus into an everyday figure on ridiculous gear to possibility make Jesus more known in popular culture. Instead it results in taking away the authenticity of Jesus.

http://jesusgetsaround.com

Treasure in Clay Jars

By: Joseph Murdy, Intern
Every time I think about clay jars, the first thought I usually have is how easily they break. If you have ever handled clay jars you understand that a single slip can result in a thousand pieces. No one really tends to keep anything of tremendous value in them, mostly plants. Clay jars are natural pottery, in the sense that most are made from natural elements found in the earth, such as clay for example. They can take many shapes and sizes, some can be painted, and some are kept inside and others outside. But, no matter how you look at them, they all have one thing in common. They are fragile.
Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians (4:1-15) talks about the fragility of human life. We are faced with so many obstacles, challenges, and fears. Take heart, this is part of being human. Have you ever found yourself saying, “I’m being pushed to the breaking point.” We bear witness to our human fragility every day, from scraped knees, terminal illness, to broken hearts and misplaced hope. Paul assures us by saying, “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.”(8-10)
We my friends are clay jars. Molded out of the earth from the creators hands. We are fragile, and yet our pieces of clay have been strengthened by Christ who holds us together. In ancient times when a clay pot broke they were often to expense for people to afford new ones. They would make a strong mixture of wax to piece the pieces together. The pieces would hold so well, they could continue to carry water.
“But, we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.”(7) We are blessed to carry the incredible news of Jesus Christ, the Gospel. The life changing good news of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection is carried in clay jars, you and me. That is truly an awesome treasure! God’s love for us is so extraordinary that He places this most precious message in the hands of His clay jars. We are called to carry this extraordinary message of love and grace throughout the world. Remember no matter how many times we break, crack or leak, God’s hand is putting us back together.

Reflection

Imagine sitting down to eat dinner. You are sitting across from a good friend and having an interesting and fun conversation. Behind your friends head is a mirror. You can easily see your own reflection in the mirror. As you are talking with your friend how much effort will it take for you to look your friend in the eyes instead of your own reflection in the mirror?

I imagine for a majority of us. We would rather look at our friend and not in the mirror. Yet, when that mirror is there something draws our attention to it. We begin to look at ourselves instead of the other. It’s so easy to do and it’s not what we want to do. We wish the mirror wasn’t even there. If it were me I might even have to move seats because it would be so distracting.

We are not trying to be drawn to our reflection, but it is a natural reaction. So, why is it that we are we often drawn to do the “bad” things over the “righteous”? I know if given a choice between a celery stick and a nutty bar. I’m going with the nutty bar. If given a choice between sleeping in on Sunday morning and getting up extra early for devotions before worship. I’m getting some extra ZZZ’s. It often takes discipline to do the righteous thing. It takes discipline to be healthy, eat right, and exercise. It also takes discipline to live a life of faith. It’s not a natural reaction to think of the other before you.

It’s not a natural reaction to truly reflect Christ. Yet, through the gift of the Spirit reflecting Christ will change your life and the life of whom you encounter. Being disciplined reaps reward. If eating and living healthy your body will have more energy. Your self-esteem with be renewed. If connecting with God deeply your faith will give joyously. Your connection to the earth and the people, animals, and plants of the earth will be united. The way you view this universe will be made whole. Your purpose may not be clear – but your life will have new meaning.

P.S. If only I could count the number of times in this blog I have typed disciple instead of discipline!

Alone in a storm?

By: Joseph Murdy, Intern

Today I anxiously arrived home while dark clouds loomed over me. Hopeful that I might be able to cut the grass before it rained yet again causing the grass to grow even longer. As I cut the grass I could hear thunder through the loud roar of the lawn mowers blades. I fought harder against my better judgment which told me to get inside the house before the storm got worse. Somewhere between the first and second lightning strike I but the mower away and came inside. While standing by the window I starting thinking about storms.

Storms can be unpredictable, no matter how hard the weather person tries to predict. As hurricane Danielle forms off in the Atlantic the weather channel repeats over and over that the path could always change. Storms have a way of suprising us when we least expect them. They can lift of trees and sometimes homes. They can flood whole cities and even sometimes take innocent lives. Storms are messy and scary. I can only image what the disciples must have been thinking when the storm hit them suddenly on the lake. They must have been terrified!

Although this story is about a real storm with real waves, the storms we often face in our lives can be just as dangerous and just as frightening. The storms we encounter in our lives can leave us worn down, depressed, and with a feeling of utter helplessness. How will we begin to repair what has been lost, broken, devastated? Storms come in many forms and in many ways. It might be the experience of losing a loved one, a faith crisis, or even feeling lost and alone. Whatever your storm might be you can be sure that one thing is certain, God is right there beside you.

When the disciples suddenly found themselves faced with a storm, in fact one of their first real challenges as disciples in the Gospel of Luke, they turned to Jesus. Immediately after the disciples woke Jesus from his nap Jesus rebuked the storm. What Jesus puts forth next is key, he says, “Where is your faith?” This is not a demanding question, but rather a reminder and a reassurance that he is with them. In Matthews telling of the story Jesus asks, “Why are you afraid?” Jesus’ comments might be puzzling, but they are gentle and loving reminders of Gods faithful presence with us especially in the midst of storms.

The next time you find yourself in a storm be that internal or while you’re cutting the grass give thanks to God for God’s enduring faithfulness and presence in your life. Remember what the disciples asked among themselves after Jesus calmed the storm, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” He is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and he promises to always be with you.

Today: Think of someone who is in the midst of a storm, call them, email them, write them, and tell them that you care and assure them that God is there.

Happy Terror

Children love to play hide-and-go-seek!

Some children love it even more when you add a new dimension to the game. That’s when the parent hides and the children seek. The child knows that before the parent is found that they are going to jump out, scream, make crazy noises, wave their arms around and scare them. Let’s go on the journey of what this would look like.

The dad looks for a hiding spot as the children, Sally and Ann, start counting. Dad hides behind a door in the bedroom. Sally and Ann start out on their mission to find their father. As they search for their father they step carefully knowing that at any time he could jump out and scare them.

First, they search in the kitchen. Maybe he’s hiding in the pantry? They carefully walk together to the door. Open it slowly, hearts beating, and jump back to find that no one is there. Next they say, “Maybe he’s in the bathroom.” They walk to the bathroom and it’s dark. They don’t both to turn on the light. It’s part of the thrill of the find. They walk over to the bath curtain, move it ever so slightly to peak in the bathtub area… nothing. Next they walk to the bedroom closet and just as they opened the pantry door they open the closet door. As they jump back, and begin to catch their breath realizing that their father is not there, dad jumps out from behind the bedroom door.

The girls scream for their life as dad is waving his arms around… they run and hide behind the bed, as Sally puts her arms around Ann to comfort her, you hear.

“Hey, it’s not a monster, it’s our dad, let’s get him.”

Then they both leap from behind the bed and run to tackle their dad. This child game is something theologian, Mike Yaconelli, calls “Happy Terror.”

Yaconelli points out that there is not much terror among Christians today. The terror he’s talking about is the bone-chilling, earth-shattering, gut-wrenching, knee-knocking, life-altering fear that leaves one speechless, paralyzed, helpless and glad. It’s a terror that’s a mix of wonder, awe, fear and worship, all happening at the same time.

That life-altering God is who we worship.

This is no ordinary God.

It is a God who shows up in the darkness… just as the children playing hide-n-go-seek with their father didn’t bother to turn on the lights. We too don’t need to turn on the lights. God is igniting a life-altering fire in the darkness.

An experience of God is happy terror.

No further than our fingertips

By: Joseph Murdy, Intern

Read Exodus: Chapters 3-4

“Then Moses answered, ‘But suppose they do not believe me or listen to me, but say, the Lord did not appear to you.’ The Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ He said, ‘A Staff’.” (Ex.4:1-2)

If you have ever thought to yourself, “I just can’t do it! I’m not qualified!” or fill in the ____ with any number of excuses. This message is for you. Once upon a time in a land far away lived a man named Moses. Maybe you’ve heard of him. A seemingly ordinary man, called by God to do something life altering. What God was asking him to do was difficult and extremely dangerous. In fact, when reading this story one could understand if Moses laughed and said, “yeah, right!”Moses learned a great deal on that mountain that day. He encountered not only God, but himself.

When God spoke to Moses God explained that He had observed the suffering of His people and heard their cry. God said to Moses, “So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” (Ex. 3:7-12) If this is new to you, what comes next is sure to be familiar, “Who am I that I should go…?” We have all heard God’s call in our lives, it might be a call to liberate God’s people from their suffering, teach Sunday school, help someone in need, or even forgive what seems unforgiveable. The challenges and obstacles we face in our lives often remain just that, an obstacle yet to be overcome. A fear yet untamed, a worry yet relieved a doubt yet, or maybe a wound yet healed. Whatever the call of God may be, it is often echoed with our own excuses. “Who am I to speak against injustice? Who am I to teach? Who am I to ask for God’s love and help? Who am I…Who am I….Who am I??????

My friends, the questions and the excuses are ok to be asked and spoken. In fact, through Moses’ relentless excuses he learned about who God was, but who he was to God. Later in this story Moses’ fears of his own inadequacy are relieved when God said, “I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt (God already knows the task will be completed), you shall worship God on this mountain.” (Ex. 3:12) What we often fear is not the call of God; it is our own sense of inadequacy. This is what holds us back. Our fears confirmed when we attempt to do things on our own. We are inadequate and helpless, unable to do anything on our own. It is only through the grace and wonder of God that God’s plans can be fulfilled through us. The E.L.C.A. has a saying, “God’s work, our hands.” We are called by God to carry out God’s mission and will in the world. God calls us, always with the promise that He will be with us every step of the way. Don’t believe me? Keep reading Exodus. When you get to the end of that, keep reading and tell me if you don’t see God every step of the way.

My favorite part about this story is 4:1-2, “Then Moses answered, ‘But suppose they do not believe me or listen to me, but say, the Lord did not appear to you.’ The Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ He said, ‘A Staff’.” Moses was still afraid that he was not the right guy for the job. God asks Moses what he already has in his hand, it just so happens to be a staff. It is through this staff, as we will find out, that God will show signs and wonders. God calls us with the knowledge that He has already given us everything we need. We are all called to different things, and each have different gifts for the glory of God. God takes the gifts and what we already have and uses us to spread the Gospel. In Mark 6:8 we read, “Jesus ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff.” God provides everything we need; in fact, we already have all we need.

When God calls us it can be a scary thing. Certainly not because who has called us, but rather what it is that we are called to. The call of God often and most assuredly takes us out of our comfort zone and brings us to new territory we are not familiar with. The call of God comes unexpected. After reading this short reflection on this passage, read the story again, and finally take time to reflect on your gifts. God asked Moses, “what is in your hand?” Moses said, “A staff.” In searching for the possibility of answering God’s call to service in the world we need look no further than our fingertips.

Pray with me: God of all wonder and grace, there are times in my life when I hear your voice calling me to serve. I am afraid, and wonder if I can do it. Be with me in those moments of fear and doubt. Comfort me always with the assurance that you are with me always and there is nothing I can’t do without you. Amen+

I have enough money!

I would love to hear the words – “I have enough money” seep from someone’s tongue. Yes, I’m not sure I’ve ever heard that… it’s not a common sentence no matter how much money you have in the bank.

It is chilling if you think about the amount of time you spend with money. The amount of time it consumes your thoughts.

When traveling we think about the best way to keep our money safe and yet available. Weekly we think about the food on our table. Weekly and monthly we think about how we’re going to pay our bills. All of this doesn’t include any amount of time you think about your debt.

The amount of worry you carry and time you spend strategizing how to rid of the debt. I can honestly say there is not one day – much less an hour that goes by not thinking about money in some form.

The amount of worry that goes into money is unspeakable – so it is not surprising that in the verses following the parable of the rich fool Jesus continues with words of hope:

Luke 12:22-23

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes… Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life?

We may be able to hear those words and find comfort in them, but worry still creeps into our lives no matter how much we pray or fight it. The world throws the heavy burden of worry to carry around.

In God’s kingdom there is no worry. In God’s kingdom there is enough for all…

God is the great Giver. God never buys or sells, but he gives unceasingly. It is of the very essence of God’s nature to give, and the more he gives the richer he is - David McCanaughy

In God’s kingdom there is enough for all!