5-31-2014

Good Morning All,

        Matthew 10:38; “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

          We see it more and more.  Just about any business has it.  All the celebrities have it.  Even those have blogs or write op-ed pieces seem to have it.   They all want you to follow them.  We follow on Facebook, on Twitter, on Pinterest or something called g+1.  “Follow us!!”  This is usually to get you to buy more from their store or to buy more of their albums or go to their movies or buy whatever they are selling.  The more followers they have; the more successful they are.  “Just follow us on Facebook!”  It is so easy.  All we do is click a button and just like that we are followers.

    Jesus started his ministry by calling his disciples.  He told them to “follow me.”  Then he told others this but some of them chose not to follow.  This might have been because of indifference or a failure to truly hear what Jesus was saying or it could have been that their sinfulness was so deeply entrenched that their hearts were just too hard to listen.  Yet Jesus called them, just like he called his disciples and just like he calls you and me.

    It is always kind of interesting when we read where Jesus tells us that he brings division or he brings a sword.  We always think of Jesus as a peaceful and uniting person but the opposite is very true.  Some people hear his call and some people don’t.  Often those who don’t hear the call are angry at those who do.  They will deride, attack and belittle those who believe.  Now if that someone is a person you barely know, you can handle it.  Yet what happens if it is your spouse or your child, a sibling or your best friend?  That can be more painful.  This is where the division can really be hard; it can be a great cross to bear.

    So how do we handle this?  It can be really hard.  First, you keep praying.  Secondly, you don’t argue.  Even if they belittle and attack you, you turn the other cheek.  It really isn’t easy, is it?  You keep showing them the love that God has shown you; but do not give up!  It may be a long and burdensome task but it is worth it.  You keep following Jesus because that is the only way you will ever have peace.

    Remember that Jesus is always with you.  The battle seems hard because the devil keeps trying to lead you astray.  Keep holding onto God’s grace.  Remember his ways are far above our ways.  We keep trusting in Jesus and his promises.  Jesus lived, died, rose again and ascended into heaven for you; he is not going to stop now.  So we continue forward, often bearing a cross that seems too heavy.  Yet when we focus on Jesus and the salvation that awaits us, the burden will be lighter.

Heavenly Father, in your wondrous mercy we have life.  Yet there are times when the burden seems great and we struggle under the weight.  Keep us mindful that the burden is only heavy when we assume the weight rather than trusting in your grace to lead us safely home. Be with the families where there is conflict.  Heal their wounds and renew their love for one another.  In the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior, amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret 

5-30-2014

Good Morning All,

        John 13:5; “After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.”

      Yesterday, my two year old grandson went to Story Book Land for the first time.  This is a playground/park with a “Wizard of Oz” theme.  He rode the train and the carousel.  He fed the animals and went on the slide.  He walked across the big sand lot area where the digger toys are.  As he went across, he told his mother that he had “icky feet”.  He wasn’t very excited about the sand.  He is kind of particular about his feet.  He likes to wear socks.  He doesn’t like to wear sandals without socks; that gives him “icky feet”.  Perhaps not the most fashion conscious young man but he knows what he likes and what he doesn’t like.  He doesn’t like “icky feet.”

     Most of us do not like “icky feet.”  I know I don’t.  If I have a tiny pebble in my shoe; I have to stop and take it out.  At the end of a long day, my feet are often hot and sore and they feel “icky.”  I think I feel more tired if my feet are aching than if my feet don’t hurt.  When my feet suffer, the rest of me suffers greatly and at the end of a umpiring a double header on a hot July day; my feet are not only “icky” they are dirty and stinky as well.  The only thing better than a soak in a warm tub of water is a good foot rub.  That would really hit the spot.

    It is interesting that when Jesus chose to serve his disciples; he chose to wash their feet.  First, the washing of the feet was the job of the lowest slave in the household.  It was the job of the new guy.  It was not pleasant.  They walked everywhere they went.  They wore sandals and no socks.  After a day’s journey, they had “icky feet.”  If you willingly wash those feet, you are doing a great act of kindness.  Yet I think Jesus chose the feet for another reason as well.  We are often most comforted when our feet are soothed.

    This is what Jesus does for us.  He washes us and soothes us.  He washes away our sin and in doing this, we have comfort and relief.  There are many things in life that cause our “icky feet.”  We may face pain and suffering but Jesus comes to heal us and to soothe our pain and our sorrow and he does it by going to the dirtiest and stinkiest place.  It may be our feet but, in reality, it is our heart that is the worst.  This is where our sinful desires grow and form and then exude themselves.  It is there that the dirty, sweaty, stinky sin begins.  Just as Jesus washes our feet; he cleanses our heart of the impurity.

    So by the washing away of our sins, we are cleansed.  We are given renewed hope; we are given a fresh start.  We lose our “icky feet” for clean feet.  We leave our treacherous heart for a clean heart, renewed by the loving grace that God gives us.  Jesus washes our feet but more than that he washes all of our body and changes us from the sinful, self-centered being into a new creation; one that desires to do his will.  That is what we get from his washing us.  We get cleansed and healed.

Gracious Lord, in the washing and the regeneration of our spirit you make us wholly yours.  Keep us safe within your loving embrace.  Bring those who have “icky feet” to know the wonders of your redemption.  Keep them safe from harm and send your Spirit to them.  In your precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace

Pastor Bret

5-29-2014

Good Morning All,

       Luke 24:13; “That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem”

     This is part of one of those stories that will always intrigue us.  This is part of the story that occurs that first Easter Sunday.  Two of Jesus’ followers, one named Cleopas, were walking to a small village called Emmaus.  It is about 6 or 7 miles from Jerusalem, we just aren’t sure which way.  This is a story that we can see in our mind’s eye so easily.

    Cleopas and his friend were followers of Jesus.  They even thought, no they believed, that Jesus was the Messiah.  Yet, they had just witnessed his execution by the Romans.  It was horrible.  They had watched as some had taken down the broken body and buried him.  They hid over the Sabbath, afraid that the Jewish council would come after them next.  On Sunday, they headed to Emmaus.  It could have been home or it could have been on the way home or just a plan to leave Jerusalem.

     As they walked, they talked about the events of the past week especially the women.  They claimed that they had seen him, alive!!  Soon they were joined by a stranger.  He hadn’t heard anything about Jesus or the crucifixion.  Where was he hiding?  Didn’t he see the darkness or feel the earth tremble?   They told him their story; then this stranger told them his story about how everything that had happened needed to occur.  They invited this stranger to have dinner with them.  When they did, their eyes were opened and they saw that it was Jesus with them.

    How many times are we “walking to Emmaus”?  How many times have we had our expectations, our hopes, our dreams shattered before us?  It doesn’t take long for us to start wandering down the road to Emmaus; dejected, lonely, frightened and sad.  As we walk wondering what happened, we do not walk alone.  We may not recognize him, we may not see him but he is there.  Jesus walks with us even as we walk to Emmaus.  All the time he speaks to us through his Word.  He tells us that he loves us, that we are forgiven; that what is behind us is behind us, we don’t need to bring it along with us anymore.  We can leave the pain of the past in the past.  Jesus reveals to us his incredible love.

    We will have those times when we walk to Emmaus.  Just know that you do not walk alone.  Listen for God’s comfort.  It may come from a family member or a friend or a member of your church but God will speak to you and comfort you.  Trust in his everlasting mercy.  Our walk may be long and arduous but we never walk alone or for long.  The pain and the sadness is only temporary.  God’s grace will always be there for us.  So as you walk, listen for our Savior’s gentle voice.

Gracious Lord, on our walks to Emmaus, filled with doubt and sorrow; go with us.  Speak to our broken hearts with your tender love.  Gently lift us up and heal our pain.  Guide us as we travel down this path of life.  Keep us mindful that as you travel with us, you protect us from the devil’s assaults.  Be with those who are lost in their travel and bring them safely home.  In your precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret