I wear glasses. Therefore, I have a choice I can make every day when I wake up in the morning. How do I want to see the world today? Through the lens that the glasses have to offer or without? Admittedly I see better when I wear my glasses but I do have to reach out and put them on it is a choice.
We also have social lens that we see life through. We have psychological, physical, emotional, and religious lens'.... These lens are not like my glasses where I choose to put them on or take them off. Instead, they are with me always even when I'm unaware. Yet, they do affect how I see the world.
I read books, listen to lyrics, listen to friends, and study Scripture often without noticing how my lens' change my experience.
Jesus Christ died, rose, and ascended to change our lens. Jesus Christ provides a transformation in our life that at the core of our being we can never be the same. Christ died so we don't have to die to sin. Christ rose so we can rise in praise. Christ accended so we can ascend with the Father.
1 Corinthians 15:10-11
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them-- though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Portrait of God
Almighty God, Alpha and Omega, the Lord our banner, The Lord who sanctifies, the Lord our peace, the Lord our shepherd, the Lord our righteousness, Most High, Mighty One, Judge, Deliverer, Savior, Redeemer, God our Rock, Logos, Sophia, I AM.
What is your portrait of God?
George Buttrick, former chaplain at Harvard, recalls that students would come into his office and declare, "I don't believe in God." Buttrick would give this disarming reply: "Sit down and tell me what kind of God you don't believe in. I probably don't believe in that God either."
One thing that makes us unique is how we all have a different portrait of God. I remember sitting down with Junior High students and asking them to draw a portrait of God. Each child was unique in their own perspective. One child drew a bunch of stick figures. Then she stated, "I can only see God through other people."
How are you drawing a portrait of God for those around you?
What is your portrait of God?
George Buttrick, former chaplain at Harvard, recalls that students would come into his office and declare, "I don't believe in God." Buttrick would give this disarming reply: "Sit down and tell me what kind of God you don't believe in. I probably don't believe in that God either."
One thing that makes us unique is how we all have a different portrait of God. I remember sitting down with Junior High students and asking them to draw a portrait of God. Each child was unique in their own perspective. One child drew a bunch of stick figures. Then she stated, "I can only see God through other people."
How are you drawing a portrait of God for those around you?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
What next God?!?
I'd recommend checking out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2naYghOqM0s
This is a song that a good friend sent to me when I was struggling. It's interesting that the song doesn't state things are going to get better. It doesn't try to tell us how to make things better. It doesn't assume that you're at fault for why things are bad. It simply states a reality of fear and struggle then encourages us to stand in the midst of the pain (the rain). After all, as the artist says, "you won't drown."
In baptism we are born new in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It doesn't mean that life will be easy.
Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
Luke 14:27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
But it does mean in the non-easiness of life we are given strength to stand.
Isaiah 40:29 God gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Romans 16:25 Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2naYghOqM0s
This is a song that a good friend sent to me when I was struggling. It's interesting that the song doesn't state things are going to get better. It doesn't try to tell us how to make things better. It doesn't assume that you're at fault for why things are bad. It simply states a reality of fear and struggle then encourages us to stand in the midst of the pain (the rain). After all, as the artist says, "you won't drown."
In baptism we are born new in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It doesn't mean that life will be easy.
Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
Luke 14:27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
But it does mean in the non-easiness of life we are given strength to stand.
Isaiah 40:29 God gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Romans 16:25 Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Meaning in a world of Chaos
Have you ever wondered where to turn - or what to believe - or what to do. In desperate need of an answer you go to the only place you know to concretely find God. You dust off your Bible - or maybe pull out your well-worn, overly marked up Bible and sit down. You say a prayer looking for anything - an answer - and you open the pages and randomly point at the book and start reading. Hoping that the words you see before are divine guidance from God.
Then you read, "So they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, crying, 'O, Baal, answer us!' But there was no voice, and no answer." It's the story of Elijah's Triumph over the Priests of Baal in 1 Kings 18.
This is where this blog could become a choose your own story adventure.
A. You say, "WHAT?!?" That's not what I was looking for... maybe if I randomly open to a passage in the New Testament surely that would be more relevant than the Old Testament! So you try again.
OR
B. You listen for what God may be saying in this passage and look for meaning to your struggle. Look for an answer to your question.
Many of us in life are looking for answers which include yes or no. We like black and white not gray. We want God to do things our way and in our time. We treat the Bible as a magical 8 ball. Scripture is Holy - it is rich - it is alive in us today. It goes beyond giving answers to questions and gives meaning to being a child of God in this world of chaos.
Then you read, "So they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, crying, 'O, Baal, answer us!' But there was no voice, and no answer." It's the story of Elijah's Triumph over the Priests of Baal in 1 Kings 18.
This is where this blog could become a choose your own story adventure.
A. You say, "WHAT?!?" That's not what I was looking for... maybe if I randomly open to a passage in the New Testament surely that would be more relevant than the Old Testament! So you try again.
OR
B. You listen for what God may be saying in this passage and look for meaning to your struggle. Look for an answer to your question.
Many of us in life are looking for answers which include yes or no. We like black and white not gray. We want God to do things our way and in our time. We treat the Bible as a magical 8 ball. Scripture is Holy - it is rich - it is alive in us today. It goes beyond giving answers to questions and gives meaning to being a child of God in this world of chaos.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Workin' it
by Sarah Teichmann
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13 NRSV)
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling?” Hmmm, this text from Paul’s letter to the Philippians sounds like works righteousness, but how can that be? I mean our 16th century friend, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther was all about being saved by grace through faith alone, and this belief gives us Christians the joy of knowing that we do not need to worry about earning our salvation (which we could never do even if we tried). Let’s not forget that Martin Luther loved Paul’s theology, but what goes on here? Is Paul saying to the Philippians that they have to work for their salvation?
Well, taking advice from the 1980’s Jane Fonda exercise tapes, Chuck Norris’ Total Gym commercials, and any Richard Simmons fitness video, we need to exercise our salvation. We have been given a gift of righteousness and salvation by God through Jesus Christ- and there is no way we could have earned this gift regardless of the number of sit-ups, push-ups, and pull-ups we can do. But because we have been given this gift, we are to be like Christ is to the world- humble Christians who do not exploit or abuse power, but offer themselves as servants.
And as servants we are to exercise (imagine Richard Simmons doing jumping jacks right now) the gift God has given us. In fact, God is at work in us right now- making us strong, buff Christians! This work and encouragement, this exercising of our salvation, enables us to focus not on ourselves and our own desires but on the needs and cares of others, to be servants to each other, to offer love and be lights in the world- and to dare to be strong and buff disciples of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13 NRSV)
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling?” Hmmm, this text from Paul’s letter to the Philippians sounds like works righteousness, but how can that be? I mean our 16th century friend, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther was all about being saved by grace through faith alone, and this belief gives us Christians the joy of knowing that we do not need to worry about earning our salvation (which we could never do even if we tried). Let’s not forget that Martin Luther loved Paul’s theology, but what goes on here? Is Paul saying to the Philippians that they have to work for their salvation?
Well, taking advice from the 1980’s Jane Fonda exercise tapes, Chuck Norris’ Total Gym commercials, and any Richard Simmons fitness video, we need to exercise our salvation. We have been given a gift of righteousness and salvation by God through Jesus Christ- and there is no way we could have earned this gift regardless of the number of sit-ups, push-ups, and pull-ups we can do. But because we have been given this gift, we are to be like Christ is to the world- humble Christians who do not exploit or abuse power, but offer themselves as servants.
And as servants we are to exercise (imagine Richard Simmons doing jumping jacks right now) the gift God has given us. In fact, God is at work in us right now- making us strong, buff Christians! This work and encouragement, this exercising of our salvation, enables us to focus not on ourselves and our own desires but on the needs and cares of others, to be servants to each other, to offer love and be lights in the world- and to dare to be strong and buff disciples of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Prayers across time
by Sarah Teichmann
A short while ago I came to work and found out that a colleague and friend was in the hospital. My supervising pastor and I went to visit him. His hospital stay was not planned nor was it expected. We sat with him for a while and talked about what was going on with his health and before we left we prayed the Lord’s Prayer together. We had prayed this prayer together many times in church during our routine morning devotions. Gone was our usual church location- gone was our predictable routine. As we prayed the Lord’s Prayer I could hear the emotion in our voices. There were times during the prayer where one of us had difficulty speaking but the other voices would carry on.
And it hit me. Fellow Christians have been praying the Lord’s Prayer for centuries, and we have been united by the bonds of God’s love in Christ Jesus. There have been times where one voice- burdened by fear and sadness- has difficulty finding the words, but this one voice is supported by the melody of prayers lifted around them.
We were not simply three people who were reading off a grocery list or reading from a phone book. We were three people who were part of a fellowship of believers that existed before any of us were born and will continue long after our days come to a close. The same prayer which carried us through days filled with routine was now carrying us through this day filled with trepidation. And we were not alone- we were three voices amidst an unending chorus of prayer, joined by a fellowship of all believers past, present, and future, and embraced in the loving arms of our savior, Jesus Christ.
A short while ago I came to work and found out that a colleague and friend was in the hospital. My supervising pastor and I went to visit him. His hospital stay was not planned nor was it expected. We sat with him for a while and talked about what was going on with his health and before we left we prayed the Lord’s Prayer together. We had prayed this prayer together many times in church during our routine morning devotions. Gone was our usual church location- gone was our predictable routine. As we prayed the Lord’s Prayer I could hear the emotion in our voices. There were times during the prayer where one of us had difficulty speaking but the other voices would carry on.
And it hit me. Fellow Christians have been praying the Lord’s Prayer for centuries, and we have been united by the bonds of God’s love in Christ Jesus. There have been times where one voice- burdened by fear and sadness- has difficulty finding the words, but this one voice is supported by the melody of prayers lifted around them.
We were not simply three people who were reading off a grocery list or reading from a phone book. We were three people who were part of a fellowship of believers that existed before any of us were born and will continue long after our days come to a close. The same prayer which carried us through days filled with routine was now carrying us through this day filled with trepidation. And we were not alone- we were three voices amidst an unending chorus of prayer, joined by a fellowship of all believers past, present, and future, and embraced in the loving arms of our savior, Jesus Christ.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Moving to the Music
I love it when we worship together and the music is so vibrant that people begin to move. You know that moment when the music is sinking into your soul so much that you want to sing a little louder to express your emotions – or move your body with the music. As I was walking out of the sanctuary after my installation I noticed some movement with the music and it warmed my heart. Sometimes it takes a different beat to get us up out of the pew and moving in the world.
Jesus walked to a different beat. He was born of the Spirit, healed on the Sabbath, turned water into wine, ate with the tax collectors, encouraged people to love their enemies, and died to overcome death. I pray we all have the strength and inspiration to walk to a different beat in the world! Jesus showed us how much it makes a difference.
I would like to take a moment and thank everyone who was able to attend my installation as the Associate Pastor at Christus Victor. I would also like to thank everyone who was unable to attend, but was present with us in prayer. I know the Spirit will be with us as we move to the music and make a difference in the world.
Jesus walked to a different beat. He was born of the Spirit, healed on the Sabbath, turned water into wine, ate with the tax collectors, encouraged people to love their enemies, and died to overcome death. I pray we all have the strength and inspiration to walk to a different beat in the world! Jesus showed us how much it makes a difference.
I would like to take a moment and thank everyone who was able to attend my installation as the Associate Pastor at Christus Victor. I would also like to thank everyone who was unable to attend, but was present with us in prayer. I know the Spirit will be with us as we move to the music and make a difference in the world.
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