Thoughts
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Monday, 01 March 2010 00:00 |
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3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. (2 Cor. 1:3-5) The 40-day season of Lent is a time of letting go; letting go of a habitual behavior that chips away at your time, your health and your relationship with God and others. Letting go can be a scary thing. We may not know how to let go. In A Call to Holy Living, Bruce Larson writes: Having made that initial faith commitment, the next step is repentance. That’s an old-fashioned word that seems unfamiliar and somewhat threatening these days, but it’s simple enough. I once heard a story of how they used to catch monkeys. Narrow-necked bottles full of colored marbles were staked out in a clearing in the jungle. Monkeys, curious beings that they are, would soon appear and stick their hands into those bottles to grab a fistful of those interesting objects. They couldn’t get their hands out without letting go of the marbles, which they were unwilling to do. And so the hunters would simply snatch them up and put them in the cages. Repentance requires letting go of all the destructive and counterproductive things in our lives. Jesus tells us to let go of those things we’re hanging onto so tightly and follow Him. You have to take your hand out of the bottle if you are to be free to respond.
In letting go you may feel frightened and alone, as if no one else can begin to know how hard it is for you. Do not be afraid. You are not alone. As special as you are, your behavior is not unique, therefore, you are not alone. God, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort is walking with you, and, there are others who are facing the same path of repentance you are. In your Lenten letting go, as you loosen your grip on certain behaviors, some days will be harder than others. On those hard days remember that others share in your suffering. On those days that seem oasis-like, support those others in prayer. And in all you do give thanks for God’s desert compassion and the prayers of Jesus Christ. Blessings of mercy as we trod through the desert together, Pastor Sue |
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Pastor's Corner - February 2010 |
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Tuesday, 02 February 2010 12:30 |
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Then the devil said to Jesus, “If you will worship me, it [all the world] will all be yours. Jesus answered him, “It is written, Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him’.”
Can it possibly be February, 2010 already? It seems like we just got the Christmas decorations put away! In a little over two weeks from now, Ash Wednesday (February 17) will mark the beginning of the season of Lent. during Lent we remember Jesus’ 40 days of desert wandering and temptations, and we are provided the opportunity for self-examination and spiritual discipline; an opportunity for a “spiritual check-up.”
In these days of economic crisis, employment uncertainties, family and health anxieties, a growing hungry and homeless population, government cross-roads, war and natural disasters, many of us feel we are already in the desert. Some folks have told me they feel as if they are being swallowed up or buried in the desert.
How about you? Where are you? Are you in a place where you need to hear from God, to feel God’s presence or to just cry out to God? Are you experiencing the pains of fear, worry or anxiety? Could you use a spiritual check-up? In these days of obligations and pressures, make time to be part of the church. Here we offer a place for sorting out and sorting through what is going on in our lives; figuring out just what God may be up to. Here we offer comfort, encouragement and hope in Jesus Christ remembering that He is always with us.
Make an appointment for a “spiritual check-up” at FPCJ every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. Won’t you join me as we wander through this desert-like time together? Step aside. Come fast from the world which drains you, and feast on God who longs to fill you. Come; together let us remember we are not alone, for the One who brings us joy and hope is the One who also wandered and was tempted, and was beaten up by this world. Thank be to God for opportunities for spiritual check-ups, and for this place where the resurrection is celebrated! See you in church.
Grace and peace for the journey,
Pastor Sue
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Tuesday, 01 December 2009 00:00 |
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Bethlehem seems so far away. We don’t even know Bethlehem.
Talk of shepherds and crowded inns,
cruel Kings and weapon clad soldiers,
and angels … when was the last time you saw an angel? Bethlehem seems so far away. We don’t even know Bethlehem.
A teen mother,
an unmarried couple laying their child in a manger,
and Magi bearing gifts … when was the last time you
saw a Magi? Bethlehem seems so far away. We don’t even know Bethlehem.
God coming to humankind,
breaking into this earthly life,
desiring a home within each heart … when was the last time
you saw that? Bethlehem seems so far away. We don’t even know … or do we? Is Bethlehem that far away? Do we know Bethlehem?
We know people who eke out a living doing the dirtiest of jobs.
We know of crowded streets and busy hotels.
We know of cruel government leaders and hired enforcers. Angels. Well, maybe we do or don’t know angels,
but we know of young mothers and unmarried couples
expecting babies.
We know even if there’s no insurance Grady still has to take
them in …
We know of mothers who lay their new born child in a
borrowed crib. Bethlehem isn’t really so far away. We do know Bethlehem.
When we stop the craziness of a culturally clad Christmas
we will know God wanting to beak into our lives,
wanting our time and attention like babies do,
wanting to be loved like babies need to be loved,
wanting to have a home like babies need to have a home. Bethlehem isn’t really so far away. We do know Bethlehem.
May we be the Magi, people who seek Jesus, who bow to worship him.
May our gifts be the offering of our lives to God.
May we know Bethlehem. Merry Christmas,
Sue
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God’s 20/20 Vision for 2010 |
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Monday, 04 January 2010 00:00 |
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“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Is. 43:19).
I remember getting my first pair of glasses in seventh grade. I resisted, but my parents said it was for my own good. This past Christmas I had my eyes examined, for my own good. I had begun to have difficulty driving at night. The optometrist was careful and precise in helping me find just the right corrective lenses. Optometrists strive to help us achieve 20/20 vision. They want us to see clearly both the things that are right in front of us, and the things which are approaching.
As I donned my new lenses, I wondered what God’s idea of 20/20 vision is? Created individually in God’s image, I imagine God’s vision is different for each of us and for each church. From my experience of God, God’s vision is for our own good, and the good of the world.
As you plan for the New Year, trying to see clearly what lies ahead of you, consider putting on God’s corrective lenses. How is God trying to help you see the world around you differently — including yourself, your relationship with Jesus Christ, your relationship with the church? What corrective lenses is God hoping you will put on as you start each day?
Perhaps seeing the world through the lenses of daily devotions and prayer, or being involved in our weekly Bible study, or Sunday school will help you navigate the year ahead. Perhaps God wants you to envision and be personally involved in new ministries of discipleship and outreach at FPCJ. Will you continue to wear your old corrective lenses, or will you be brave and have your spiritual vision checked again?
As anyone who wears corrective lenses can tell you, new eye glasses or contact lenses can be disconcerting at first. They may be uncomfortable, as if we can’t see straight. Sometimes new lenses make us more cautious in our walking, afraid of missing steps or falling. Optometrists tell us, “You’ll get used to it.” Putting on God’s lenses might make us feel cautious and uncomfortable too, but take heart, we’ll get used to it. God has a way of urging us on to new things that ultimately prove to be for our own good.
Your session has already taken brave steps in checking our church’s vision. We are beginning to see through new lenses regarding our relationship with Jesus Christ in the community. We look forward to sharing with you what we are seeing, and invite you to share what you are seeing. If God is in the visions, they will weave beautifully together.
With this New Year comes new possibilities in God’s kingdom. My prayer is for you to put on God’s lenses to see the new thing God desires to do within and through you; then come share what you are seeing.
Grace and Peace for the Journey, Sue
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Pastor's Corner, November, 2009 |
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Monday, 09 November 2009 14:40 |
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You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanks-giving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11). Apart from the calendar, there are seasonal triggers that turn our attention to Thanksgiving: the smell of wood fires, the crunching of fallen leaves beneath our feet, the chill that clings more closely throughout the day, and the explosion of colors that bathe in the fall afternoon sun. These sights, sounds, smells and feelings can stir memories of hearth and home. Many of our Thanksgiving thoughts center on the table and favorite family recipes. If you have not already, purchase and leaf through the newly arrived FPCJ cookbook; the recipes are a testimony to God’s gracious bounty for us. The inviting aromas, delicious flavors and colorful beauty of God’s food are all reminders of God’s good gifts coming to us through God’s good people. This church has been blessed in so many ways, and as we say thank you to God, may our words turn into actions in continuing to share with others the generosity of God. Even in the economic ups and downs of 2009, let us continue to reach out, to be generous on every occasion in our pledging, our serving, our praying and our worship of God. In this season of Thanksgiving, as we bundle up and cud-dle up this fall, give thanks to God for home and health, family and friends, and especially give thanks for this church, for all are gifts from God. Grace and Peace for the Journey, Sue
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Pastor's Corner