When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
John 6:1–21
Do you want to be a king (or queen)? If they use force to make you king, can they use force to “remove” you as that? Would they let you be the king you’d want to be?
So much swirls around in this. Jesus is already a king; but not the kind they’re looking for. Satan has already tempted Him with worldly power, but Jesus has rejected that. And besides, do those who would force Him really have the power, to overthrow Roman rule, set Jesus up, and hold onto a nation? Most rational folks would think it unlikely, if not wild fantasy. No, they’re not being realistic. And Jesus knows the realities.
And could they, would they, stay governed? Internal disputes were not unheard of. In their own trapped frustration, the Jewish sects of the time will turn on each other in violence and death. Really, that’s not any kind of a secure throne. Who wants to rule such an unruly crowd? Won’t they turn, viciously, on those who won’t give them what they want? And do the same to the next one?
No.
Not that kind of kingship, not that king at all. Better to get out of Dodge now, pull back, let them spend their hysteria until they’re calmed down, more able to listen, and perhaps actually hear.
What are you hearing? Who are you listening to? The roar of the crowd, the life around you? Or the quiet of the mountainside in God’s kingdom?
What do you want to listen to? How will you do that? What will you do?
Greg Davis
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Lenten Reflection - April 12, 2011
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
Psalm 23
This psalm most certainly was inspired by King David’s youth when, as the youngest son, he was assigned the chore of caring for his father’s flocks. Alone in the fields, with only the sheep for company, David had ample opportunity to develop a personal relationship with his god. God is his shepherd. God provided for David’s true needs. That provision went beyond the material. David makes it perfectly clear in this passage that it is God who is being the shepherd; it is God providing for his needs and keeping him safe.
Sheep are fairly weak and helpless animals, totally dependent upon humans for the provision of their food and water. Sheep lie down only when fully satiated. They will drink only from still waters, since they are frightened by moving waters, which may weigh down their coats and cause them to drown. As it is with sheep, mankind requires a good shepherd to provide food and drink for the most basic physical survival. However, this passage foretells of an even greater gift from our shepherd God. Like the shepherd to the sheep, God provides for us when he feeds us with holy bread and wine, symbols of His love for us through the body and blood of His son, our savior, Jesus Christ. This is not just nourishment for our bodies, but for our souls. And this passage makes it clear that our souls are broken and need restored. Throughout history, mankind has attempted to restore its relationship with God, and yet it is not for us to restore that relationship through our human attempts. Only God can restore us and He does it through the Eucharist. That is how and when our brokenness is healed. He restores our souls.
Susan Whitehead
Psalm 23
This psalm most certainly was inspired by King David’s youth when, as the youngest son, he was assigned the chore of caring for his father’s flocks. Alone in the fields, with only the sheep for company, David had ample opportunity to develop a personal relationship with his god. God is his shepherd. God provided for David’s true needs. That provision went beyond the material. David makes it perfectly clear in this passage that it is God who is being the shepherd; it is God providing for his needs and keeping him safe.
Sheep are fairly weak and helpless animals, totally dependent upon humans for the provision of their food and water. Sheep lie down only when fully satiated. They will drink only from still waters, since they are frightened by moving waters, which may weigh down their coats and cause them to drown. As it is with sheep, mankind requires a good shepherd to provide food and drink for the most basic physical survival. However, this passage foretells of an even greater gift from our shepherd God. Like the shepherd to the sheep, God provides for us when he feeds us with holy bread and wine, symbols of His love for us through the body and blood of His son, our savior, Jesus Christ. This is not just nourishment for our bodies, but for our souls. And this passage makes it clear that our souls are broken and need restored. Throughout history, mankind has attempted to restore its relationship with God, and yet it is not for us to restore that relationship through our human attempts. Only God can restore us and He does it through the Eucharist. That is how and when our brokenness is healed. He restores our souls.
Susan Whitehead
Monday, April 11, 2011
Lenten Reflection - April 11, 2011
And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? Here's what I want you to do: find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. (The Message)
Matthew 6:5–15
Katharine, Caroline and I sat down to read this passage and we reflected on its importance and its meaning. We believe that this passage states that you have to be modest when you pray—don’t try to make yourself boastful. Praying is a discussion between you and God, not between you and everyone else.
Some of the places where you can pray are silently in church, in your house and in the outdoors. In particular situations and in certain times, it may be inappropriate to pray publicly in the middle of 5th Avenue in New York City, or in the middle of school, work, or any other social events.
Praying to God makes you a star in his eyes and that is all you should need. You don’t need to be recognized by everyone to feel the need to pray. Praying should be simple and honest. Don’t be tempted by others around you to make praying a big deal because it is not. It is just a talk with God, something personal that you should do daily. It should be something you look forward to and do because you want to, not for the attention.
Katharine Milbradt, Karen Furr, and Caroline Pickart
Matthew 6:5–15
Katharine, Caroline and I sat down to read this passage and we reflected on its importance and its meaning. We believe that this passage states that you have to be modest when you pray—don’t try to make yourself boastful. Praying is a discussion between you and God, not between you and everyone else.
Some of the places where you can pray are silently in church, in your house and in the outdoors. In particular situations and in certain times, it may be inappropriate to pray publicly in the middle of 5th Avenue in New York City, or in the middle of school, work, or any other social events.
Praying to God makes you a star in his eyes and that is all you should need. You don’t need to be recognized by everyone to feel the need to pray. Praying should be simple and honest. Don’t be tempted by others around you to make praying a big deal because it is not. It is just a talk with God, something personal that you should do daily. It should be something you look forward to and do because you want to, not for the attention.
Katharine Milbradt, Karen Furr, and Caroline Pickart
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Lenten Reflection - April 10, 2011 The Fifth Sunday of Lent
Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely.
Psalm 139:1–12
“Is God bigger then Santa Clause?” “They are about the same.” “I mean which one could beat the other one up?” “Why would either one want to do that?” “Oh mom, you don’t understand.” “Why don’t you try to help me understand?” “Well, you know before Christmas I tried really hard to be good and it wasn’t all that easy either. I kept hearing that song “He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’ve been bad or good.” I made it until Christmas and it really paid off. I was relieved that I didn’t have to be as good after that. Then in church I heard the reader say “God sees us ALL THE TIME!” He sees us going out the door and coming back in again. Even if it’s dark outside. He sees me even if I’m playing hide and seek. He knows what I’m going to say even before I say it, like right now! And I thought, here we go again. Why can’t I be my own natural self? Wouldn’t he still love me?”
“Well your own natural self is pretty nice, most of the time. And God loves you at all times. Santa Clause seeing you at all times is just a song to get you thinking about being good. God sees each one of us all the time and he loves us all the time, too. Because God made us, He knows what each one is capable of and He helps us strive to become that person. Sometimes it’s harder than at other times. Just remember that God is always, always with you every step of the way. Whether it’s hard or easy.”
Caroline Chisum
Psalm 139:1–12
“Is God bigger then Santa Clause?” “They are about the same.” “I mean which one could beat the other one up?” “Why would either one want to do that?” “Oh mom, you don’t understand.” “Why don’t you try to help me understand?” “Well, you know before Christmas I tried really hard to be good and it wasn’t all that easy either. I kept hearing that song “He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’ve been bad or good.” I made it until Christmas and it really paid off. I was relieved that I didn’t have to be as good after that. Then in church I heard the reader say “God sees us ALL THE TIME!” He sees us going out the door and coming back in again. Even if it’s dark outside. He sees me even if I’m playing hide and seek. He knows what I’m going to say even before I say it, like right now! And I thought, here we go again. Why can’t I be my own natural self? Wouldn’t he still love me?”
“Well your own natural self is pretty nice, most of the time. And God loves you at all times. Santa Clause seeing you at all times is just a song to get you thinking about being good. God sees each one of us all the time and he loves us all the time, too. Because God made us, He knows what each one is capable of and He helps us strive to become that person. Sometimes it’s harder than at other times. Just remember that God is always, always with you every step of the way. Whether it’s hard or easy.”
Caroline Chisum
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Lenten Reflection - April 9, 2011
Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” … Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” … Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.
Psalm 16
Praise, contentment, faith and trust abound in this entire psalm. It ends with these words, ‘You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.’ What an uplifting song! Regardless of where we find ourselves today, the truth remains that God has chosen us. God wants us to be happy and whole. He wants our souls to rejoice. And not just for today – but for evermore.
As a husband and father, I want the best for my family. But I can’t be there for them all the time. So I want them to know that I love them and that I would do anything for them. God is trying to get that same message across to us. God wants to be in relationship with us. God wants us as a member of the family.
Let us lay whatever burdens we are carrying at the feet His son, our Savior, Jesus. Let us be truly thankful for being shown the path of life. Let our hearts be glad and our souls rejoice. For in God’s presence there is fullness of joy – not momentary, but forevermore.
Earl Buffaloe
Psalm 16
Praise, contentment, faith and trust abound in this entire psalm. It ends with these words, ‘You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.’ What an uplifting song! Regardless of where we find ourselves today, the truth remains that God has chosen us. God wants us to be happy and whole. He wants our souls to rejoice. And not just for today – but for evermore.
As a husband and father, I want the best for my family. But I can’t be there for them all the time. So I want them to know that I love them and that I would do anything for them. God is trying to get that same message across to us. God wants to be in relationship with us. God wants us as a member of the family.
Let us lay whatever burdens we are carrying at the feet His son, our Savior, Jesus. Let us be truly thankful for being shown the path of life. Let our hearts be glad and our souls rejoice. For in God’s presence there is fullness of joy – not momentary, but forevermore.
Earl Buffaloe
Friday, April 8, 2011
Lenten Reflection - April 8, 2011
“…yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good—giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.”
Acts 14:8–17
At first glance, in reading the earlier chapters, it is hard to imagine the hardship of traveling in those days, 20 to 50 or more miles between towns. This was during Paul’s first work in inner Asia-Minor accompanied by Barnabas. They were visiting the Iconium region, now Konya in Turkey, where legend said Hermes and Zeus had visited in human form. Despite earlier threats of stoning, the Apostles, to their dismay, were then greeted as those returning gods. They rushed out into the crowd, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God …” “Because,” Paul said, God has left a witness “in doing good,” pointing to nature’s bounty and the spiritual food of joy. He seemed to respond to the polytheists, saying God has revealed himself through nature, yet the crowds still wanted to offer sacrifices to them. Then they turned on Paul, stoned him and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. What did he do? “He got up … the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe” more than 70 miles away, according to one commentary. These men believed so strongly that God was with them, they could handle any of man’s foibles, anger and violence and still go on to tell others about his goodness and love and the joy that can come with knowing Him. Why can't we do the same?
Val Hymes
Acts 14:8–17
At first glance, in reading the earlier chapters, it is hard to imagine the hardship of traveling in those days, 20 to 50 or more miles between towns. This was during Paul’s first work in inner Asia-Minor accompanied by Barnabas. They were visiting the Iconium region, now Konya in Turkey, where legend said Hermes and Zeus had visited in human form. Despite earlier threats of stoning, the Apostles, to their dismay, were then greeted as those returning gods. They rushed out into the crowd, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God …” “Because,” Paul said, God has left a witness “in doing good,” pointing to nature’s bounty and the spiritual food of joy. He seemed to respond to the polytheists, saying God has revealed himself through nature, yet the crowds still wanted to offer sacrifices to them. Then they turned on Paul, stoned him and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. What did he do? “He got up … the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe” more than 70 miles away, according to one commentary. These men believed so strongly that God was with them, they could handle any of man’s foibles, anger and violence and still go on to tell others about his goodness and love and the joy that can come with knowing Him. Why can't we do the same?
Val Hymes
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Lenten Reflection - April 7, 2011
You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it. You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.
Psalm 65
The palmist is acknowledging God’s grace. This passage reminds me that God is in control, not I. That God is in control does not absolve me of the need to try as hard as possible in my daily efforts, but the passage reminds me that if I succeed, I do so because of God’s grace. There are too many uncontrollable variables that condition the outcome of my efforts to ever ascribe success to myself. God ultimately determines the course of my life. I must seek through the Spirit to find and do God’s will. If I do that, the passage says God will provide a helping hand.
Mitchell Owens
Psalm 65
The palmist is acknowledging God’s grace. This passage reminds me that God is in control, not I. That God is in control does not absolve me of the need to try as hard as possible in my daily efforts, but the passage reminds me that if I succeed, I do so because of God’s grace. There are too many uncontrollable variables that condition the outcome of my efforts to ever ascribe success to myself. God ultimately determines the course of my life. I must seek through the Spirit to find and do God’s will. If I do that, the passage says God will provide a helping hand.
Mitchell Owens
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