Baptism

By Joseph Murdy
This past Sunday was the Baptism of our Lord (Matthew 3:13-17). We heard the story of how Jesus was baptized by John. Jesus came to John (his cousin) to be baptized. John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance, and even though Jesus was without sin, he asked John to baptize him in order to fulfill all righteousness. This righteousness which Jesus talks about refers to the prophecy made in Isaiah. “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations (Isaiah 42:1-19).” Jesus’ baptism was not to cleanse him from sin, rather, it was to affirm to John and to the world (i.e. us), “This is my Son, whom I love, and with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

As Christians we follow the instruction of Jesus who tells us “to baptize all nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” What is Baptism? In baptism we are sprinkled/dunked/splashed with water. The water is a symbol of cleansing. However, we believe that in baptism, we are given to the Kingdom of God. In baptism we become children of God. Martin Luther thought his was so powerful that he once said, “When we wash our face, we should remember our baptism.” Many of us cannot remember our actual baptism (unless it was recorded); instead we remember the meaning of baptism and what it means for our everyday lives.

Baptism washes away our sins and makes us acceptable to God. In baptism we believe that we die with Christ and are born again to his resurrection. Because if we share in his death than we also share in his resurrection. One of my favorite images for baptism is that when God sees us, he sees the face of his Son. In baptism there is reconciliation and forgiveness. The incredible thing about baptism is that this opportunity for reconciliation and forgiveness and the chance to change our lives and renew our relationship with God is not limited to a one time deal at our baptism. Our baptism which makes us children of God, allows us an unlimited supply of God’s grace and forgiveness.

Deep down within each of us, we want to be accepted by God for who we are. Today, splash your face with water, dance in the rain, jump in the pool, and melt snow in your hands because you have been forgiven. You are a child of God, and you are loved. Don’t believe me, just ask Jesus.

Happily Ever After...

Once upon a time…

Any story that starts out with those words is going to be a good one! I mean if it starts with “once upon a time” it is going to end with “happily ever after.” That’s our dream right?!? We want to live happily ever after. We make most of our decisions, both good and bad, based on living happy.

We hear the stories of Cinderella or The Frog Prince and long to be those characters. We want to be the slave girl who turns out to be a princess. We dream of being that slimy frog who turns out to be a prince. We know that we’re made for more. We are hard-wired to live for something more. The truth is the longing in our heart is not a dream it is a reality. We are made for intimacy with the Creator of the Universe! The world tells us to live small, but our hearts long to live big.

The Word made Flesh, Jesus, came to show us that we live big the kingdom of God. The first thing out of Jesus’ mouth when he started his ministry—Matthew, Mark, Luke, check it out—the first thing he says is, “I have come to declare the kingdom of God is at hand” We are slaves to sin and set free to live in the kingdom of God. In Jesus we live happily ever after.

That is Amazing Grace!

New Year Resolutions

By: Joseph Murdy

Wow! Is it that time again already? It’s time for, you guessed it, New Year Resolutions! If you are anything like most people, deciding what to do for your New Year Resolution will be easy. You just simply do what you said you were going to do last year around this time. We do that every year: “I’m going to do this, or that.” “I’m going to lose x# of pounds.” Or, one of my favorites… “I’m going to pray more often.” I don’t want to discourage you. I want to encourage you. We make those resolutions every year because they are the things we see as important. We all want to improve our lives. This is a great thing!

This year I want you to try three things which I think might help each of us stick to our resolutions. 1.) Instead of planning the entire year, start with a short-term goal of just January. Call it, “My January Resolution.” 2.) Tell someone you can really trust what you are doing. Tell them to ask you how you are doing with your goal every so often. We could all use a little encouragement. 3.) Most importantly make God part of your Resolution. Pray about what it is that you want to improve or make different. Let God guide you and help you in your journey for change. Remember, “With God all things are possible.” If you want to succeed, God can get you there!

I wish you many blessings at the start of this New Year. Remember Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. This year is going to be great! 2011! Let’s make God apart of it!

P.s. By the way, if you’ve never seen the adorable face above, it’s Baby New Year. If you haven’t seen “Baby New Year” make it one of your resolutions.

Lunar Eclipse

On Tuesday morning there was a total lunar eclipse on the winter solstice! Did you see it? I mean if you did then you must be crazy. It started in the wee hours of the morning, 1:33am EST. I admit I am one of the crazies and was actually outside at 3:37am checking it out. I noticed the neighbors were out too. Later I went to work and sure enough talked with numerous people old and young who were outside looking high in the sky for a unique experience. It was unique. According to NASA the last total lunar eclipse that happened on the winter solstice was Dec. 21, 1638. The next one will be Dec. 21, 2094. It really was a once in a life time experience.

Once in a lifetime experiences don’t always happen at our convenience. Yet, sometimes those experiences are the transforming, life-changing ones. I believe we are so used to hearing the Christmas Story that it has become a norm. We don’t question how odd and unique this reality must have been for Joseph and Mary.

I can’t even imagine being Mary – “Umm, Joseph you know how we’re getting married? You know that I am a virgin. But I have to tell you I’m pregnant. I swear it’s from the Holy Spirit not another man. I promise honey.”

I am so glad that scripture doesn’t leave out the part about logical feeling – Joseph has his head on straight he planned to dismiss Mary quietly (Matthew 1:19). She is clearly either cheating on him or completely Looney. Then the angel appears and sure enough… Joseph stayed with her and took her as his wife.

This really is a once in a life-time experience. We marvel at God’s creation and gather in the wee hours of the morning to watch a shadow cast on the moon. That is glorious – but what happens when a drop of the Creator hits creation?

Now that is something that doesn’t just gather us in the wee hours of the morning. That is a glorious event that drops us to our knees everyday of our life.

I am on my knees wishing you a Merry Christmas!!

Suprise!

By: Joseph Murdy
“God became a man. While the creatures of earth walked unaware, Divinity arrived. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb.” Max Lucado

I can still remember the most magical Christmas I ever had. I was around five years old. We were driving home from visiting old family friends. I couldn’t wait to get home and go to bed. Do you remember trying to fall asleep on Christmas Eve? Tough huh? On the way home I remember seeing a bright red light in the sky (now, I know it was an air plane tower). Driving in the car gave it the illusion that it was moving. It was Rudolph! Santa was on his way and I had to be in bed. I was afraid my parents had kept me out to long and we missed Santa. I raced to my room, put on my Steelers footie pajamas. I fell asleep as fast as I could. I don’t remember what I got for Christmas that year (sorry mom and dad) but I do remember the thrill of being surprised by Rudolph’s bright red nose.

Christmas is about being surprised. We’re surprised that we got the tree up on time. We’re surprised by what we got for Christmas. We’re surprised that uncle so-n-so showed up for the party. We’re surprised that we were able to cook that much and feed that many people. Are we surprised that God came into the world in the form of a baby? God was born through a teenage girl, placed in a feeding trough and held by human hands. “The omnipotent, in one instant, made himself breakable. He who had been spirit became pierceable. He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. And he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl.” Does it still surprise you?

I am still mystified by God’s love and willingness to break into our world and save us. God came into our midst in human form, to laugh with us, cry with us, eat with us and to die for us. Keep Christ in Christmas; after all he’s still the biggest surprise the world’s ever seen.

Light

The famous painter Thomas Kinkade is known for painting light. He is able to capture the light in the sky or light radiating from a house. Kinkade captures how it reflects on everything that surrounds. Light doesn’t stay trapped. Light travels and even if we try to keep it confined if there is a crack in the wall the light won’t miss it.

Unlike light I am sure we’ve been in many rooms with cracks in the wall that we didn’t notice. Actually, there are lots of things that we miss. It may be opportunities, a little nuance from a friend or family member, the joy in a busy day, or something to give thanks for in the midst of a personal crisis.

During this holiday season we tend to become more aware of our emotions. We become more aware of the joy or sorrow in our heart. We reflect on the year and what we did or didn’t accomplish. As this is going on every Sunday a new light shines from the Advent wreath. As the light becomes more abundant and more radiant we tend to notice and reflect more on our own life and the people we love for whom we buy gifts.

Most people who notice a crack in the wall would likely think that it needed to be patched up and fixed. I am sure the light that shines through the crack doesn’t see it the same way. So it is with our life. The cracks that we have we may want to fix but God still shines. We each have a crack in us called Sin. That is why we celebrate this Christmas season with joy even if we are in the midst of pain. The light of the world, Jesus, takes our Sin and shines through it so we may be made whole.

Feeling stressed? Read this…

By: Joseph Murdy

Did you know:

• Forty-three percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress.
• Seventy-five percent to 90% of all doctor's office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.
• Stress can play a part in problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, arthritis, depression, and anxiety.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) declared stress a hazard of the workplace. Stress costs American industry more than $300 billion annually.
• The lifetime prevalence of an emotional disorder is more than 50%, often due to chronic, untreated stress reactions.

Stress and worry when unchecked and out of control can consume our lives, our families, our relationships and even our very own health. The Bible gives a great deal of attention to worrying. Basically, to sum it up in a few words, “God’s got it under control!” Now, this is not to say that there are moments in our life where worry and stress are a normal and healthy response. In fact, “The human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. Stress can be positive, keeping us alert and ready to avoid danger.” Stress and worry is a normal part of life. The truth still remains, God has it under control!

The feelings of stress and worry are healthy reminders for us to pray and hand it over to God. God is in the moments of stress and anxiety, despite our reluctance to give up our right to worry. When we surrender our anxiety, God is able to free us and release us.

Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not more valuable then they?” (Matt. 6:25-26)
Some of the things we worry about can distract us from our daily lives. The point, which the Bible makes throughout, is that God will take care of us. We don’t have to worry about everything. If you were to make a list of things you worry about, put it away for a few weeks and come back to it later you would discover that most of the items on your lsit would no longer seem important. We waist precious time worrying about the things which God already has under control. Worrying can turn into a bad habit. We hold on to our worry thinking that we can fix it all. Give it to God, who already has it under control!

Here is an open invitation (no r.s.v.p. required) from Jesus, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”