Jesus Calls His Disciples - Mark 1:1-20

      Discipleship is hard. It's hard because despite what we want to believe there isn't a cookie-cutter formula for making disciples. There are certain components - prayer, attending worship, working towards tithing, serving in the community and the local church, and sharing one's faith (in the United Methodist Church this is why our membership vows call for prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness) but we each live into what it means to be a disciple in a very particular way.

     But no one who claims to be a Christian is excused from being a disciple. If we claim to love Christ then we must be willing to hear his call and follow him, no matter what the cost. And there will certainly be costs, especially since we need to lay aside our will for Christ's. But the cost is nothing compared to what is at stake - proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is near!

Devotional: Hearing the Call of Christ

   December 27th, 2015  

Devotional

“Hearing the Call of Christ” - Mark 1:1-20

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Prepare the Way” - Mark 1:1-8

For the last several weeks we have been focusing on the theme “preparing our hearts” during worship for the Advent season. Now that the celebration of Christmas is over, what are we preparing for? According to John the Baptist, to make way for the Lord.

The Gospel of Mark starts differently then John (speaking in poetic words about Christ being the Light of the World), and Matthew and Luke that give the infant narratives of Jesus’s birth. Mark simply starts his Gospel by boldly proclaiming that this is the good news of Jesus the Messiah. The good new of God’s reign. We are certainly in need of that Good News today. We are in need, once again, of preparing the way for the Lord to reign amongst us. We are also invited to be part of proclaiming that Good News, perhaps not as a prophet, like John the Baptist, but certainly as disciples of Christ. 

What helps you hear and respond to the good new of Christ?

Who are some of the people in your life who are in need of hearing this good news proclaimed?

Prayer: God, when we have the eyes of our hearts open we notice that you help us experience the power of the gospel message, the good news of Jesus Christ, anew each day. But we confess that sometimes we get so caught up in each day’s schedule that we cease to notice, cease to prepare the way for the Lord to Reign in our lives and the lives of those around us. Use us to proclaim the good news we notice, O Lord. Amen. 

Tuesday: “I Love You” - Mark 1: 9-11

The baptism narratives are among my favorites in the gospels. Every time I read the words spoken over Jesus “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” I feel such deep emotion. Some translations take the phrase “whom I love” and translate it as “my Beloved.” It is as if, right then and there at Jesus’s baptism, God is publicly proclaiming “I love you.” 

God speaks time and time again that we are the Beloved - loved by God - as well. We can never do anything to make God love us more or love us less. Yet, the love God has for us is not to be contained. Instead we are to share it with others. That is why we proclaim the good news - so that other’s can hear and claim that they are loved by God as well! 

Where are the places we proclaim the good news?

Prayer: God of love, thank you for loving us so deeply. Your love is sometimes hard for us to understand in our human terms - your unending love for us. Empower us to share the good news of your love with others so they can experience your peace and joy. Amen. 

Wednesday: “ In the Wilderness” - Mark 1: 12-13

Sometimes we buy into the inaccurate idea that since God loves us we will never go through trials, but that is not what scripture tells us. Here in the first chapter we find Jesus, called the Beloved of God and then being sent into the wilderness for forty days to be tested by Satan. Love and a lack of trial or temptation in our lives do not go hand in hand. 

We all battle temptations, they must just look differently for each of us. Some are tempted to lash out in anger at circumstances they cannot control. Others are tempted to gluttony around food. And still others lust after that which they cannot have. Trials and temptations seem even more overwhelming when we try to battle them alone, in the wilderness of our lives, instead of surrounded by others supporting us in prayer and holding us accountable. Even Jesus, the very Son of God, was not alone in the wilderness, as today’s scripture tells of angels ministering to him. Let us learn to lean on one another for strength during difficult times. 

Where does the wilderness exist in your life?

How can you have others support you and help minister to you during times of trial and temptation?

Prayer: God, we confess that sometimes we trick ourselves into thinking that we can handle everything we face on our own. But you have given us the gift of the Body of Christ, the Church to support us during all times, including trials and temptations. Equip us to minister to each other, O Lord. Strengthen us for whatever we may face. Amen. 

Thursday: “The Good News ” - Mark 1: 14-15

Creeds and doctrinal statements exist for one purpose - to help us put into words what we believe. The number one reason people don’t share about their faith is because they don’t know what to say. Yet, in today’s scripture Jesus sums up the Gospel message into two sentences - “The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.”

The early church truly believed that Christ was coming back any day. Today we sometimes try to predict when Christ is coming back, but at the end of the day, our message remain the same - The Kingdom of God is near. It is so close that we can feel it and so powerful that it makes us rethink our priorities and the way we live our lives. In fact, it can make us turn around (repent). How can you share this message in a way that others can understand and respond to today? 

What are some of the fears you have around sharing the Good News? How can you face these fears with the help of God?

Prayer: Use us, Lord, to proclaim the ancient message of Christ our Lord - that Your Kingdom is near. That we are to repent and believe. Help us to lay aside fears that prevent us from proclaiming this message and use us to sing of your message, boldly, O Lord! Amen. 

Friday: “Follow Me” - Mark 1: 16-20

In so many ways the call story of the disciples is hard for us to wrap our minds around. Why would these men leave their boats to fish for people? Why would they leave behind their professions and families and homes for the sake of this one who was calling them?

Jesus called each of the disciples, not because of their resumes, but because of their willingness to follow. And Jesus still calls today. In fact, part of being a Christian isn’t simply believing in Christ, but responding to his call to follow him. We too, will be asked to leave much behind for the sake of the call. What will your response be?

How has Christ called you to follow him? What has your response been?

What do you need to set aside or leave behind in order to follow Christ more fully?

Prayer: God, help us to respond to your call upon our lives. We know that all of the gifts and talents you have given us are from you - now help us use them as your disciples so that others may come to know your saving love. Transform us, so we can transform your world. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Be Courageous: What Lies Ahead” - Joshua 1:1-11

Family Activity: Get a bucket of water and drop a small rock into it - what do you see? The rock ripples far beyond where it entered the water. How do our lives cause ripples? How can these ripples touch others so that they can know that Jesus loves them? 

Luke 1: 5-13, 57-80 “Preparing Our Hearts: Someone to Change the World”

     To be righteous in the site of God. Seemingly every person of faith's goal. Yet, we sometimes get so distracted by our other wants and desires - to have everything we want, for our lives to be filled with good things, for nothing bad to happen to anyone we love - we get so caught up in these wants that we stop striving for righteousness.
      I've always admired Zechariah and Elizabeth because they didn't forget - they kept striving for righteousness, even in the face of disappointment and devastation. What about us? How do we respond when we are fired? Or can't conceive a family? Or suffer a tragic loss? How can we strive to be righteous so that God is glorified, even when we don't get what we want? How can we be righteous so that all of our blessings are attributed to God?

Devo: “Preparing our Hearts: Someone to Change the World ” - Luke 1: 5-13, 57-80

December 20th, 2015  

Devotional

“Preparing our Hearts: Someone to Change the World ” - Luke 1: 5-13, 57-80

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Both Were Righteous” - Luke 1: 5-7

Somewhere along the way, Christians started to believe into a lie that isn’t scriptural. We started to believe that our salvation, found in Jesus Christ, should act like a cape or blanket or shield, protecting us from everything bad or undesirable in the world. We find lots of scripture that teaches the exact opposite in fact. Consider Elizabeth and Zechariah who are described as righteous in the sight of God, yet they didn’t have the one thing that they hoped for - a child. In a society, where other’s judged God’s favor resting on you by the number of offspring, they had none. And yet they were righteous. 

Our relationship with God doesn’t mean that bad things will not happen to us, or that we will always get our way or all of our desires in our time. We don’t choose to follow Christ so that we get everything we want, we choose Christ for the sake of Christ alone. 

How can you prepare your heart for the times you will not get what you want in the time frame which you want it?

What are you waiting during this season of Advent?

Prayer: God, we come before you confessing that at times we get our priorities backwards. We follow you because we want something not because we love you. Forgive us, Lord. Let us be judged by our righteousness, found in following you completely, and not in our desires. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Praying Behind” - Luke 1: 8-10

God has unbelievable plans for each of us. Kingdom sized plans that will bring other people to know the love of God. But we each have the choice as to whether we are going to live into the plans God has for us - if we are going to follow God or follow our own yearnings. 

Zechariah didn’t have the one thing he desired the most - a child. Yet, he still had to go about his life, following God’s plan and purpose for his life. Part of God’s plan for him was to be chosen to go before God on the high and holy day to offer the sacrifice of incense on the alter. But, while he went in to do as God desired of him, there was a group of people behind him, praying. Those people were equally part of God’s plan - praying for Zechariah as he did what God desired. 

What about you? Do you pray for others as they live into God’s call on your life? And do you have others praying for you as you live into your call?

What does waiting feel like to you? Can you name your emotions and longings before God?

Prayer: Almighty God, you are the God of call. And you are the God that calls us to be a people of prayer. Use us to bless others and support them to live into your plan for their lives and surround us with others to support us on our journey as well. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Do Not Be Afraid” - Luke 1: 11-13

In scripture, whenever God or an angel shows up and tell you not to be afraid, there is generally cause to be afraid. For Zechariah he should have been afraid because an angel showed up and told him that his prayers had been answered and that he and his wife - in their old age were going to have a baby. Think of all of the risks of having a baby in old age. Think of all of the risks (and rewards) of having God intervene in your life. Think of the risk (and reward) of God interviewing in Zechariah’s life - he had every reason to be scared and every blessing to be had!

What stories, from your own life or others, remind you of God’s grace, faithfulness, and presence?

Has God ever told you not be afraid? What was your response? 

Prayer: God, sometimes even when you tell us not be afraid, our humanness takes over and we feel deeply afraid. In those moments when you are asking us to act and we freeze out of fear, give us your peace and assurance. Amen. 

Thursday: “Following God” - Luke 1: 57-66

Elizabeth has given birth and it is now time to give her child a name. Even though her husband cannot speak she knows what she is to name the child - John. God has spoken. All of her relatives try to talk her out of it - telling her to name the baby after her husband or another relative. Even in the face of opposition, she followed God. And when she insisted on following God’s way, her husband was able to speak and all of her neighbors started to wonder what this child would do with his life because of the blessing God had placed upon him. 

Sometimes it can be so hard to stand up for our convictions and follow God’s plan for our lives in the face of opposition. In the face of others, however rationale it may seem, telling us not to follow the way of God. What strengthens you in the face of opposition?

What practices can you engage in to help you stay strong in the face of opposition?

How can you depend on God as you wait? Who do you truly believe God to be during your periods of doubts and longing?

Prayer: God, thank you for providing us strength in the face of opposition. In the face of friends and family, whoever well meaning who try to talk us out of following you. Let us boldly live into your calling and purposes, O Holy God! Amen. 

Friday: “Let A Song of Praise Emerge” - Luke 1: 68-80

What is your first reaction when God answers your prayers? What is your first reaction when God does amazing, unpredictable things in your life? Zechariah’s first response was to craft a song of praise. The first words out of his mouth after being mute for months was to praise God! To speak a powerful word of blessing over his child.

With whom do you share your longings?

How can you cultivate an attitude of praise? 

Prayer: God, we praise you. We praise you for who you are. For how you have loved us in the past, how you love us today, and how you will continue to love us in the future! We praise you, O Lord! Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic as we enter into the season of Advent: “Do You Hear Jesus Calling? - Mark 1:1-20

Family Activity: Make a praise jar. Every time something happens that you can praise God for, write it down on a slip of paper and offer to to God as a prayer. Whenever you are having a rough time, go back and read the praises from the jar. 

“Preparing our Hearts: Rebuilding and Restoring”

    What do people think of when they hear the word "Christian"? All too often I think people come up with a list of negative attributes or an image that pops up in their mind of what a Christian should be or look like. Often I find myself defying that image, so when I share that I am a Christian who loves Jesus Christ, people are surprised. Not because I don't share my faith, but rather because I don't look like what they expect. And because I have a tendency to reach out and love all people, regardless of whether they know Jesus yet.
    All too often negative words and images replace the words that should describe Christians - loving, hopeful, joy-filled. And sadly, thats because there aren't enough Christians living into these qualities. As a result the prevalent image of Christianity has become the truth. But today I find myself wondering how we can reverse that trend. How we can become known as people of hope, joy, and love - especially during the season of Advent, which proclaims all of those things in the liturgy and messages. How can we leave worship with the liturgy of hope, joy, and love in our hearts and live it out in such a way that it becomes what defines us as Christians?

Devotional: Preparing Our Hearts: Rebuilding and Restoring

   December 13th, 2015  

Devotional

“Preparing Our Hearts: Rebuilding and Restoring” - Ezra 1: 1-4; 3: 1-4; 10-13

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “God Moves Our Hearts” - Ezra 1:1, Ez. 36:26, Matthew 5:8

In today’s scripture we are told that Cyprus had his heart moved by the Lord God to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. God moving people’s hearts is not an uncommon theme in scripture. Back in the story of the Exodus, God moved Pharaoh’s heart in the opposite direction, hardening it, in order to make God’s glory known. 

Any time God moves a person’s heart it is to make God’s glory known. We may not see the immediate results of our heart being moved or the hearts of others being stirred, but whenever God is the one prompting us to do something, God will ultimately be glorified. But how can we tell if God is the one stirring our heart? As United Methodists we have four questions that we can ask ourselves that lead us make good decisions - the first is this found in scripture? Keep in mind that when we talk about scriptures it isn’t just the words that are written, but the context in which the verse(s) is found. Second, how does this relate to the traditions of the Church? Three, what does my God-given intellect/ reason say to me about this situation? And fourth, how does this reflect my experience of God?

When did you find your heart moved by God? How did you respond?

How do you go about making decisions? How could you best utilize the pieces listed above in making decisions?

Prayer: God, you stir our hearts deeply, moving us to respond in ways that give you glory. But, God, we confess that sometimes we confuse our own emotions with your deep stirring of our heart. Help us best discern the movement of your Spirit, O Lord, so we can respond. Amen. 

Tuesday: “What Are You Appointed to Do?” - Ezra 1: 2-4, 1 Peter 2:9, John 15:16

In the United Methodist Church, the word “appointed” is something that we think of in terms of pastors. Pastors are appointed to a church or parish, and as an extension the community in which that church is located, in order to serve God. However, today’s scripture points out that that different people are called or appointed by God to do different things. Cyprus was appointed to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. 

However, what Cyprus was appointed to do, he could not accomplish alone. Over 40,000 exiles returned to Jerusalem to rebuild under the guidance of the high priest, Joshua (note: not the same Joshua as the one described in the Book of Joshua). We need other people to catch the vision that God has laid on our hearts in order for the will of God to be accomplished. 

When is a time you were appointed or called to do something by God? What was that experience like?

How can you help mobilize others to fulfill God’s vision?

Prayer: God of call, thank you for calling each of us to do unique things for the sake of your Kingdom. Help us find other’s who catch the vision and dreams of your heart, O God, so that we can best glorify you. Amen. 

Wednesday: “ Time to Rebuild” - Ezra 3: 1-2, Neh. 1: 1-11

Rebuilding is hard work. For the 40,000 exiles that returned it was made even more difficult by the strained relationships with their neighbors who did not know or worship their God. The people also believed that they were taken into exile in the first place because of their disobedience to God so this time they wanted to get it right. 

The first step of rebuilding though was to return. To return to the ruins of Jerusalem. The second step to rebuilding was to craft the alter. The people believed that without the place to worship their return was in vain. What about in our own lives? We often need to rebuild and restore, relationships, finances, our attitude towards God. What is the first thing that we need to do in order to rebuild for the sake of the mission of God?

When you know you need to rebuild, restore, or repair something in your life what is the first thing you do? How does this relate to your spiritual life? 

What does the word rebuild meant to you and what does this look like in your own life?

Prayer: God of restoration, thank you for calling us to be part of your mission and vision to rebuild our life, our city, our church, with and for you. God we sometimes get so caught up in the details of the task before us that we never start. Other times we enter without having any plan and as a result we sputter and stop. Give us clarity and courage to move forward in rebuilding for you, O Lord. Amen.  

Thursday: “Despite” - Ezra 3: 3-4, 2 Cor 12:9

When reading today’s scripture lesson the word that stuck out to me the most was “despite”. Despite implies obstacles - in the case of the Israelites fear of their neighbors (who will eventually cause them to stop their work for a period of time). For us it could be the same thing - fear of what people may think or say about us - or maybe something completely different  - fear that we aren’t up to the task or that we don’t have enough to complete what we are called to do. 

The Israelites went ahead with their appointed tasks despite their fears. What do you need to set aside in order to fulfill what God is calling you to do with your life? 

What are some of the obstacles in completing the tasks God has given you?

Prayer: Inspire us, most gracious God, to keep going when the task seems to hard or there are obstacles in our way. Help us set aside whatever we may face, so that we like the Israelites, can press on despite whatever is in front of us. Amen. 

Friday: “Joyful Worship” - Ezra 3: 10-13, Psalm 100: 1-2

Following each phase of rebuilding the Israelites worshipped. After rebuilding the alter they offered a sacrifice. After re-laying the foundation of the temple each worshiped in their own way. The priests put on their finest vestments and shouted while playing the cymbals. Others wept. Still others played the trumpet. I’m sure even others worshipped through singing and dancing.

Over the years divisions have arisen in churches based on how people worship. However, what we need to explore is why we worship. We worship to give a Holy God praise and honor and glory. We worship to express our heart’s joy at the movement of God in our lives. The Israelites understood this, and did not care that each worshipped in his or her own way, only that worship took place. 

How do you worship best? How to you respond to those who worship in a different manner than you?

How can your acts of worship best reflect the joy you have towards God?

Prayer: God, help us remember that worship is for you and is about you. Let us worship you as we work towards completing each task you have called us to do. May our worship be joyful and invite others into celebrating your goodness. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Someone to Change the World” - Luke 1: 5-13 (57-80)

Family Activity: Read together O.Henry’s book The Gift of the Magi (or find the story online and retell it). What does this story teach us about hope? How can it help us prepare for Christmas? 

Preparing our Hearts: Hearing the Cries of God

What would God say to the people of Israel? Would it be something like this? 

O, Israel, how I wish you could trust me again. I am trying to comfort you. No, I am commanding my very being to comfort you. I want to woo you back; I want to woo back the fallen city and her defeated people. You have been punished enough. I have given you more than your sins required or deserved. So I am making my way to you. Nothing I have created will stand in my way. You will be in my presence again, and you will not doubt that I am with you. I am for you.

I tell my Divine counsel to proclaim my message – While flesh is fleeting and only here on Earth for a season, my word is everlasting. I can make the flowers fade by my very thought, my very breath. But my thoughts are directed towards you good, Israel. I tell the prophet to speak with vigor. I need to get your attention, my people. I will come and bring triumph for you. I will gather you to me with loving care. 

I have chosen you, yes you! You are my lover! See I am drawing you towards me, even now, from all of the corners of the earth. You may think that I have rejected you, but I have not. Do not fear, for I am with you, and I am God. I will give you strength and help you. I will not be shamed, but those who are against you will be as I bring them down. For I am your redeemer.

You will not be disgraced. What is in the past is done and over with. Don’t think about it again! I am the God of all of the Earth and I have chosen to redeem you! I have called you back, even though I forsook you for a period of time. But my kindness cannot be contained, nor can the love I lead you back with. By this love, I will redeem you. 

Let us free ourselves to be redeemed, people of God. 

Devo - “Preparing Our Hearts: Hearing the Cries of God ” - Isaiah 40: 1-11

December 6th, 2015 Devotional

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Comfort My People” - Isaiah 40: 1, Psalm 147:3

We each have different things that comfort us when we are going through a time of trial. For some it is a hug. For others it may be silence. Or talking. Or a cup of tea. Recently, I was at a training on how to deal with difficult deaths in the life of our congregations and our personal lives as clergy people. One clergy person asked how we know if someone is coping well, which lead into a beautiful conversation about how God created us differently with unique needs, so there isn’t any one set thing we can do in order to support a person walking through a time of grief.

But God did create us with different ways we can be comforted, we were also each given the capacity and the call to comfort other people. In fact, God’s call in today’s passage to comfort the people of God is not just for pastors or the prophet, we who bear the name of Jesus are called to comfort others - not with simple platitudes but with the hope of Jesus Christ. 

Tell about a person who offered you comfort. What made the experience helpful?

How do you offer comfort to another person? 

Prayer: God, you have called us to be a people who offers comfort to others. Give us the words to say, the tears to cry, and the the strength to walk through difficult times together as the body of Christ. Amen.

Tuesday: “It is Finished” - Isaiah 40: 2, Matthew 11:28

Sometimes we get our words of comfort wrong. Sometimes we make it about us and making us feel better. A few years ago there was an opinion column in a local paper that went into the national syndicate about what Christians should not say as words of comfort. Things like “God needed one more angel in Heaven” at the death of a child. Sometimes we get it wrong because our own pain is substituted for the words of God. 

God speaks through the prophet saying to speak tenderly, telling Israel that what they are going through is finished. What makes these words unique however, is God saying that the punishment for sin is over. This was on that list in the newspaper about things not to say - that grief and trial are because of sin. Only God can say what is and what is not punishment for in. But in this particular passage that is what Israel needs to hear from God and from God alone. God had already told them that they were being punished. That is not our declaration to make, but God can. 

What are some of the words you offer as comfort in times of grief? 

Prayer: God of all judgment - we confess that we at times have thought or perhaps even said out loud that you were punishing someone, when that may not have been the case. We let our own insecurities and judgements get in the way of tender words. Forgive us, we pray. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Preparing the Way of the Lord - Isaiah 40: 3-5, Luke 21:36

The focus on our sermon series during the season of Advent is preparing our hearts - preparing them for the coming anew of Jesus Christ. That preparation may look a little different for each of us, but we must all prepare, because we know something big is coming. We are preparing for the glory of the Lord being revealed. 

We prepare all the time. We prepare dinner. Prepare for each day with a routine. Prepare to end the day before we go to sleep at night.. We prepare for holidays. For the birth of babies. We prepare. How can we prepare for something even bigger than all of those things - for the coming of our Lord and King?

How do you prepare yourself spiritually during the season of Advent?

Tell of a time you were not prepared for a big event in your life - how did you respond differently then if you were prepared?

Prayer: Almighty God, help us be people who are prepared. Help us be people who do prepare. Preparing our hearts each Sunday as we enter into the sanctuary by praying that you be glorified. Preparing our souls for the celebration of your coming during Advent just as much as we prepare our homes. Help us prepare for the coming anew of our Lord, Jesus. Amen.

Thursday: “What Shall I Cry?” - Isaiah 40: 6-8, Mal 3:1, Matthew 3:3

I think at times we do not share our faith because we don’t quite know what to share. We have all seen or heard of the sharing of faith going so badly that it turns people off to the glory of God. We don’t want to do that so we are hesitant in sharing. The prophet even asks what he is to declare - what he is to cry out - and God gives the prophet an image to share. Of things in this life withering away, but God’s word lasting on and on. 

We all need to know what words of life we can offer when we have the opportunity to share the good news of Christ. And we need to know what images of God’s glory we can share to help us to do so. What images speak to you of the majesty of Christ? What words of life can you offer?

How has Jesus Christ transformed your life? How can you tell this story or offer these words to others? 

Prayer: O God, you have transformed our lives. In you we live and move and have our being. Yet sometimes, we aren’t very bold in sharing our story and your role in our lives. Strengthen us to share about you in life giving ways so others may come to know you. Amen. 

Friday: “Bringing the Good News” - Isaiah 40: 9-11, Luke 2:10

Today’s scripture lesson reminds me of a popular Christmas carol sung this time of the year “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. Go tell it on the mountains that Jesus Christ is Lord.” There is no better news to offer. No words that better show the glory of God coming in power. We are not only preparing our hearts to receive Christ this Advent season, we are preparing our voices to declare this good news. Are you prepared? 

How can you “go and tell it on the mountain” about Jesus?

Prayer: God of proclamation, fill us with uncontainable joy this holiday season so that your good news spreads. Let us be people who go up on the mountain, into the valley, and everywhere we find ourselves to be witnesses to the coming of Jesus! Amen! Amen! Amen!

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray over this coming week’s text and topic as we continue our Preparing our Hearts sermon series: “Returning and Rebuilding” - Ezra 1:1-4, 3:1-4, 3:10-13

Family Activity: What is one thing you can do for someone this Advent season to share about Jesus with one of your neighbors. Maybe it is taking them a gift and explaining that it is a reflection of Christ’s love. Or inviting someone to worship on Christmas Eve. Or helping them decorate their homes and explaining how we prepare our hearts. What can you do this holiday season to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ? 

“Preparing Our Hearts: Writing Scripture on Our Hearts”

    Advent is a time of ever competing wants - the want, or desire, to keep things the same - to preserve every tradition perfectly, while at the same time wanting, or desiring, to carve new traditions. All within the every pressing present time restraints and mounting to-do lists. The competing want to be at all the parties and to make everything perfect while at the same time wanting to simply stop the countdown clock and retreat.
    Advent with all of its conflicting wants, also is supposed to be this time of preparing and asking the big questions like what are we preparing for? For the coming of Christ. Not only as a babe in a manger but the second-coming of our Lord and Savior. Often that time of preparation can become short changed when held against these competing desires and wants.
   What do you want this Advent season and how does it relate to what you are preparing for? How can we best support each other as we prepare for the coming Christ?

Devotional - “Preparing Our Hearts: Writing Scripture on Our Hearts” - 2 Kings 22: 1-10, 23: 1-3

Week of November 29th, 2015 Devotional

Monday: “Only Eight Years Old” - 2 Kings 22:1-2

We are told in today’s scripture that Josiah was only eight years old when he became King. Imagine back to when you were eight years old, or think back to when your children or grandchildren were eight years old - are children this young fit to be King? Probably not. Except that Josiah was surrounded by Godly people who helped him rule. 

It doesn’t matter if we are eight or eighty, we need to surround ourselves with Godly people who can hold us accountable and pray for us. I have three dear friends, located up and down the Eastern part of the Untied States. When I need someone to help me do what is right in the eye of the Lord, I contact them. If I need someone to pray for me, I contact them. They help me walk in the path of the Lord and I do the same thing for them.Now maybe you think that you can walk in the path of the Lord alone, but that is not how we were designed. Instead we were made to need each other. To need the body of Christ, no matter what our age or how long we have been on this journey.

Who are the people in your life who help you lead a Godly life? How do they do so? Who do you help on their Christian journey? 

Prayer: God, all too often we try to be lone-rangers, pretending that it is just about us and you, all the while forgetting that you have given us brothers and sisters that we are on this journey with. Help us rely on each other Lord, just as young Josiah turned to others during his rule as King. Bring people into our lives that can point us to you. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Money for the House of the Lord” -2 Kings 22: 3-7

Money. The topic that no one wants to talk about, yet is what makes ministry possible. When King Josiah reigned the people of Israel were in the midst of a building project at the temple making repairs. The people had collected money that Josiah sent via his secretary to pay the people making the repairs and for their materials. 

Sometimes we would like to think that ministry can happen without money - and sometimes it can. We can love our neighbors in concrete ways and share the gospel of the Lord at times without any funding. But other times, like during the reign of Josiah, we find that we do need funds to repair the house of the Lord or to start a new ministry. 

It is especially uncomfortable to think about money during the season of Advent when we find ourselves buying Christmas presents and more and more non-profits are calling us to support their very worthy causes. But today’s passage reminds us that we do need to talk about using our money for the sake of the mission and ministry of God, because all that we have is from God and thus is a gift to be used for God’s glory.

Do you feel comfortable or uncomfortable talking about money? Why? 

Tell of a time that you have used your money intentionally for God’s glory. What was that experience like? 

Prayer: God who provides for us, you have given us all that we have, so we return a portion of what we have back to you. Sometimes it is needed to repair the space we worship in. Sometimes it is needed to fulfill the vision you have placed on our hearts. Help us to be faithful to always give first and foremost for your honor and glory. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Found” - 2 Kings 22: 8

Have you ever lost something that you really treasured? Maybe a family heirloom or a special picture? The people of Israel had misplaced something that was dear to them - the Book of the Law, also known as the Book of the Covenant. The writings that reminded them who they are, where they had come from, and the covenant they had made with God that propelled them forward.

We all need things in our life that reminds us who we are and whose we are. That remind us where we belong. But when we cannot have those tangible things with us, we need to have those marks written on our hearts. For the people of Israel that came in the form of memorizing the Book of the Law. For us it comes in retelling again and again the stories of the faith - like the Christmas story - to remind us that we are God’s children. For its not until we can answer the questions of who we are and whose we are that we can ask who God yearns for us to be. 

What are some of the ways that you remember the stories of the faith?

How do you remember who you are and whose you are?

Prayer: Almighty God, all too often we forget that we are yours. We forget that you have claimed us as your own because we forget our story - the story of our faith, the creeds that remind us what we believe. We neglect the relationships that speak to us of your grace and truth. Forgive us, Lord, and reminds us anew who we are and whose we are. 

Thursday: “First Things First” - 2 Kings 22: 9-10

But notice, even though he would have known how wonderful this book was and what celebration would ensue now that it was found, Shaphan didn’t tell the thing about it first in his report. Maybe he just wanted to the tell the King that the task he was sent on was complete, but either way Shaphan, didn’t put first things first - he put the task he was given before God’s ultimate purpose for him being there. 

How often have we done something similar? Getting so caught up in the details of living that we forget why we are here on earth - to proclaim God’s glory - or miss the opportunities that God is giving us. Let us claim anew the eyes of God - looking to seize the Kingdom opportunities that we are given. 

How can you remind yourself to put first things first instead of getting overwhelmed by the details?

Prayer: O God, you invite us into this story that is bigger that ourselves and into your mission! What a gift! But, O God, how we sometimes neglect that gift - looking instead to get a task accomplished instead of seeing and seizing the opportunity that you are trying to give us. Give us new eyes in our hearts, O Lord. Amen.  

Friday: “Renewing the Covenant” - 2 Kings 23: 1-3

While Shaphan may have failed to put first things first, Josiah did not. He called together the prophets and priests and they read aloud together from the lost Book of the Law. No matter how well you may have memorized something there is always power in hearing it spoken aloud again. Then after hearing the power of the spoken Word, read anew, the people renewed their covenant. 

We all have covenants we live by. But sometimes when we are going about our daily lives we forget about them. Covenants with God. With our families. Covenants about what it means to be a member of a church. But when we renew these covenants we put them back in right-perspective, right in front of us so we cannot forget. 

What are some of the covenants in your life and what do these covenants mean to you?

What reminders do you have of these covenants?

How can you renew these covenants to put them in a new perspective? 

Prayer: God of covenant, just as we can sometimes forget our identity as your children, we can also sometimes forget the covenants you have given us to live by, that which binds us to you and to each other. During this season of Advent, we repent, and with anticipation, we start anew with you and others, Lord. Thank you for helping us see things differently during this season. Renew us. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray over this coming week’s text and topic as we continue our Preparing our Hearts sermon series: “Hearing the Cries of God” - Isaiah 40:1-11

Family Activity: During this Advent season think of one thing you can do each week as a family to help you prepare your hearts for the coming of Jesus. Maybe its having devotions together and lighting the Advent candles or shopping for someone in need or working to help a neighbor. Try doing one different thing each week together, discussing what the experience was like and what it taught you about the coming Christ. 

Story of Redemption in Christ!

What defines those who gather together and call themselves the church?

Well we hope to be marked by wisdom and insight, counsel and valor, and as one’s who are true to God. As United Methodists we believe that we strive towards this is four ways. First we look towards the scriptures. We believe them to be a living word that can meet us where we are. But scriptures cannot be interpreted alone. They are looked at against the backdrop of tradition, of our collective history. Not just the history of the UMC, but of this particular UMC. Not just the history of the church as a whole, but the history of our experience with each of the churches we attended before. When we bring our traditions together, we have a richer understanding of who we are. We also believe that everyone’s experiences matters. We each have personal stories to tell, and we gather together to share those. God did not create human beings to be in a vacuum. No, we need to honor our past as we look towards our future. And out of our experiences, we derive wisdom. And reason. We are intelligent beings and church is not a place to throw that out the window. We gather together to help each other grow in reason and discernment.

Next, the church is about the marginalized first and foremost. This is not charity. This does not mean giving people handouts. It means sitting with people who have suffered various forms of oppression and creating a space where their story can be heard. It is asking them how they want to change what has been done to them, either personally or systemically, and seeing how we can match our gifts with theirs to make that happen. In a world that seems to have justice only for those who can afford it, this may be a charge that makes the church unpopular in the eyes of those who don’t understand this mission, but that does not excuse us from the charge. 

And lastly, we are about redefining relationships. Instead of asking what can the church do for me, we gather together to ask how we can serve each other and those we come into contact with each day. We say that each and every one of our relationships – no matter their level of depth – is important. And we exhibit this principle every week when we gather. Those around us in worship matter. The very presence of another human being affects our physiological responses. We need each other to be present around us in this space, because we are incomplete without each and every person. We are the body of Christ – with each of the members being vital. When we are not present, we cause the body to be less than what it could be. 

“Stories of Faith: The Presence of the Lord” - 1 King 18: 20-39

    There is an old hymn that has the words and title "Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place". But if you are anything like me you stumble around the word surely. Because we cannot see God, only the blessings of God interacting in our lives, sometimes its hard to proclaim that surely the presence of the Lord is here. Especially in those times when God is silent. Or seems absent. Or doesn't quite answer that prayer request the way that we hoped. It becomes really hard to declare surely.
   And because of that, I sympathize with the Israelites. They hadn't experienced God or heard the word of God for three years. That's a long time! Instead of the childhood game of "Where's Waldo?" its become "Where's God?" and it is not a fun game to play.
   But then again.... then again, maybe we do need to be playing that game of Where's God, every single day. Looking and proclaiming where God is present, even when God seems silent, so we can proclaim, loudly and boldly, Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place and keep our hearts and minds every worshipping our Holy God.

For All the Saints

  All Saints Day is one of my favorite liturgical days in the life of the Church. A day when we celebrate those who have went to their enteral home over the past year who have made an impact in our faith lives.
   I still remember my first All Saints Sunday as a pastor. I was struggling. One of my seminary classmates had recently lost her battle with cancer. I was struggling because, while she was someone who had a tendency to rub me the wrong way, I wanted to honor her and how she impacted my faith journey, even when we disagreed. I wanted to wholly honor her, and other Saints in our lives - not pretending that people have to be perfect in order to impact our lives or to be saints.To this day, I still have a candle bearing that classmate's name on the shelf in my office. Every time I look at it, I pause and remember her and how she touched my life.
    Who are the Saints in your life? How have they shaped you? And how do you honor who they fully were - not just the good moments, by the trying moments as well? And what legacy do you want to leave behind someday when you are called Home?

Let This Be a Place of Worship

   I think all too often we forget why we are on this earth - to worship God. And when we forget that, it is not too far behind that we start to forget what worship truly is - offering God honor and praise. Instead, we make it into an experience of what we like most or what we don't like at all... all the while forgetting God.
   One of the statements that saddens me most as a pastor is that someone is "not getting anything out of worship" - which more often than not means that they don't like the sermon or songs being sung or style of worship. I often find myself responding by asking what that person is putting into worship. As you can imagine this is not quite the response that they are expecting.
   This week we talked about how David put his all into worshipping God. It wasn't about making a memorable experience or one that he enjoyed because it personally met his needs - it was about him bestowing worth upon God for simply being God.
   Why do you worship today? What worship hang ups do you experience? And what are you putting into worship?

"I'll Go Where You Go"

   One of the most ironic things about the story of Ruth is what it has become. In particular Ruth 1: 16-17 has become a popular verse to read at weddings, pledging fidelity and loyalty. But when we take verses like this out of their context, they lose some of their beauty. We forget that Ruth being with her mother-in-law, would be as much of a reminder of tragedy as a sign of comfort. For every time the women saw each other they would be reminded of the lose they had experienced. Why Ruth was pledging to go with Naomi in the first place. And yet. And yet, according to Pastor Dale  P. Anders in his homiletics article on this passage of scripture found in Feasting on the Word, "Yet through the relationships the women already begin to break to break the bondage of tragedy. They struggle to give to each other, to act in each other’s best interest."
   This isn't necessarily a pledge to be taken at weddings, but if it is, it should remind us that we are to go through life together through the good and the bad - and Ruth and Naomi surely knew about the bad. They knew about life's struggles and hardships that had brought them to this point - the point where they absolutely had to rely on one another. 
   Who are the people in your life who will walk with you through life's darkest valleys and point you to the shining light of God? 

“Stories of Faith: Loving God with Your All”

   I love a good story. I'm now in my fourth month of being the pastor at a new parish, and a lot of my time has been spent hearing people's stories. Going from home to home to hear who they are, what relationships are important to them, and what brought them to this church. Stories are vital to who we are as human being and when we tell them, they are powerful.
    Big Daddy Weave has a song out right now entitled "My Story" which is summed up in the one line, "to tell you my story is to tell of Him." Our stories should powerfully proclaim God. But all too often we have seemed to forfeit telling our stories in favor of scolding folks. We substitute witty one liners and jabs for telling of God's goodness in our lives. What would it take to realign our lives to have our stories tell of God's love, mercy, and goodness?

Stories of Faith: In the Garden

  I love stories. I love telling stories and hearing other people's stories. For stories are the stuff of life. They are the way we express what is important to us and how we get to know other people. In a devotional I was reading this morning, it was even commented on that stories are how we build trust between people.
  We hold other people's stories gently. We share our stories with open hands. Yet, it seems to me that as Christians we seem to struggle with connecting our story to God's greater story from time to time. We may be able to tell a Bible story, or at least our interpretation of it, but we can't really articulate how it intersects with our life, how God has changed our story, and how we are transformed because of stories.
   How have stories touched and changed you? Is it easy or hard for you to share stories of faith with others? Why or why not?

Justice and Redemption

    We were all probably told at least once in our life that "life isn't fair." Perhaps there is no greater place we near to hear that as adults then in our faith journey. Guess what, life isn't fair. If life was fair, God would simply go back to the days of Noah. If life was fair, God would have good grounds with all of us to punish us for our sins by death, for as the apostle Paul reminds us that is the wage for all of the sin we commit against God. And sin is sin to God - without the hierarchy that we like to create about sin as humans in order to absolve ourselves.
    But praise God that life is not fair. That God's sense of justice isn't like ours. Thank God that God is in the redemption business, doing a new thing with our fractured lives and fractured world. And praise God that we are invited to be part of that new thing - trusted even with our poor track records.
    Next time you catch yourself stating that something isn't fair - remember that God, the ultimate judge and redeemer, is the God of fair, but rather the God of new beginnings.

Hope and Redemption: Hope In Chaos

    This was a hard sermon for me to write. There is something that almost seems intangible about hope. As if it is so elusive, that we would rather not think about it. We would rather not hope in hope. Yet hope is central to our faith as Christians. Two of my favorite quotes/ statements about hope that I came across researching this sermon were:
   Hope is believing that we live for something more than simply to die some day (Desmund Tutu - paraphrase)
   "Hope is passion for what is possible" (Kierkegaard as quoted by Moltmann)
    I think I found this sermon so hard to write and did so much research for it because I'm worried that we've forgotten what hope means as Christians. We've substituted heavenly hope for all hope. In other words we make everything about just getting to heaven where everything can be better. But in all of the books I read about Christian hope the idea came up again and again that it isn't just about getting to heaven. As Christians we have hope for this fallen wold that God is doing a new thing. How can we reclaim this very Christian belief about hope that its not just about everything being okay in heaven someday, but is about hope for our current world as well? How can we become passionate again for what is possible with God?

Wrestling with God

Girl. Daughter. Pastor. Lover of God. LOVED by God. Social Advocate. Intern. Complex. Emotional. Learner. Ambitious. Anxious. In between. Lost. Lonely. Bold. Scared. Timid. Caring. Student. Dependable. Dependent. Loving. WORTHY. Insecure. Liberal. Innovative. Intelligent. Happy. Mixed-Up. Fearful. Helpless. Maternal. Self-aware. Sarcastic. Wounded. Thoughtful. Spiritual. Uncertain. 

These are just a few of the words to describe who I am. Imcomplete, yes, but they give some idea of the shape of my soul, my emotions, my being. But notice that most of those words, most of the things that define me are not things that people can tell just by looking at me. 

We live in a society where we desire everything to be easy, including getting to know people. But there is a process, that begins with asking people their name and inches forward into more intimate areas. It's a long process. There is a complete difference in my mind between recognizing someone's name and knowing their name. When I know someone's name, I know something meaningful, true, and deep about them. Honestly, even with my closest friends, I'm still getting to know them, and there are things that I learn about my family that are new just about every day. Yet, we try to circumvent this process in the church with a name tag. Is there any hope for intimacy if we aren't willing to take the time, even to introduce ourselves and ask someone their name?

Yet God knows us intimately, warts and all. God knows us deeply and then chooses to rename us, like Jacob. Chooses to give us new life as the beloved. How have you lived into your new identity in Christ and where do you still struggle?