Blessed to be a Blessing

I've been blessed in my life. God has blessed me with great children, many friends, a great calling/career, a fabulous wife, a life of grace. I remember the song, Count Your Many Blessings, and have heard so many times people say, "count your blessings." My problem is, I can't count that high. The blessings of God go so far beyond what I'm able to understand or acknowledge, number way more than what I deserve, and they continue every day.

The thing about God's blessings is that they were never meant for me. What I mean by that is I'm learning that even though God wants to bless me, those blessings are not meant for me to keep to myself. That doesn't mean that I'm supposed to announce to the world how God is giving me blessings, but that I become a channel for the very blessing of God. As I am blessed, I am to be a blessing to others, because of what I have received from God, I am to share it with others.

What kind of blessing have we received that we can share? They are countless but there are some we can mention...

"Whoever wants to embrace life

and see the day fill up with good,

Here's what you do:

Say nothing evil or hurtful;

Snub evil and cultivate good;

run after peace for all you're worth.

God looks on all this with approval,

listening and responding well to what he's asked;

But he turns his back

on those who do evil things."

1 Peter 3:10-12, The Message)

The ultimate blessing God gives us: acceptance, forgiveness and God's unconditional and complete love, is to be the beginning of a new life for us. Not just so we can boast about what God has done for us, but it includes the opportunity to be that for others, for our neighbors, for our children, for our spouse, for strangers. Who we are and whose we are only have real meaning if that identity becomes a blessing to others.

Peter said, "The waters of baptism do that [save] for you, not by washing away dirt from your skin but by presenting you through Jesus' resurrection before God with a clear conscience." (1 Peter 3:21, The Message) That means our mark (of baptism) is a blessing, so that others can be blessed through us. That promise goes way back to Abraham who through his faith in God long before the Law, before Moses, before the promised land and the temple was told he was "blessed to be a blessing."

That promise continues through us who know the ultimate blessing of God.

Blessed to be a blessing ><>
pc

Remember Who You Are

When Peggy and I began our youth ministry we discovered very quickly just how hard this job was. We loved those kids (now all grown adults!) and we poured our hearts into them as best we could. We are still very proud of the young men and women of God they have become. Those days are vivid in our memories and we cherish them deeply. And in our discussions with many of those former youth, they hold those days fondly, too.

If you asked any of them what they remember about our time together I am sure that they would mostly recall one phrase we told them whenever we went anywhere, did anything as a group and we left them with. It is a phrase that has stuck with our children, too, as they still hear it when they leave the house.

"Remember who you are and who you represent."

As our youth were dispersed throughout a theme park, a camp, a mall, a mission, they heard that phrase. As they left the youth room for our service work in the church they heard that phrase. As they left the building at the end of our time together they heard it. It was meant to remind them of their commitment to Christ. And they remembered.

Our daughter Sarah still remembers that phrase and I hear her say it every once in a while. Our kids are learning it and remembering who they are, children of God, redeemed of Christ, marked with baptism, living in grace.

I wish we'd all remember.

It was never a phrase that was meant to put undue pressure on anyone. It's not supposed to be a strict religious practice. Rather it's a lifestyle, a way like Jesus. The Christian life used to be called "the way" early on in the book of Acts. The "way" to live is to know Jesus' life, how he lived, and mimic that. "Remember who you are and who you represent," is a simple reminder to stick with it.

"Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants." (Ephesians 5:17, The Message)

My kids went to a concert last night and are wearing shirts today as reminders of their favorite band, Superchic[k]. The shirts say simply, "We Live, We Love." The rest of the chorus goes like this,

We live, We love. We forgive and never give up.
Cuz the days we are given are gifts from above
Today we remember to live and to love

We are to do this every day. It's who we are. It's about who we live for.

Remember who you are and who you represent.

Peace ><>
pc

Life on Mars

Two little robots costing millions of dollars were sent for a 90 day mission to Mars. So far, they have worked almost nonstop for 795 days. They are seeking answers about the planet, what certain things are that we can see from earth, its make-up, its environment. But most of all the rovers are seeking water, or at least the evidence of water that used to be there. The reason water is so important in our search not only of Mars but of every heavenly body we discover is because it is necessary for life.

And I take it for granted.

Its not uncommon for most of us (I think) to brush our teeth and let the water run. To turn on the shower and let the water get hot before we get in. To rinse the dishes and let the water run even while we aren't rinsing. We are supposed to conserve it, but many of us waste it. We are reminded that two-thirds of the earth is covered by it but the level of Lake Michigan is getting lower every year. We do not think about water much. We swim in it, drink it, bathe in it (not necessarily in that order) and cook with it. Yet we need it to survive.

Maybe that's why God used it such a powerful symbol. Because the same water that we draw from the kitchen faucet is described in Genesis 1:2 "God's spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss." (The Message) It's the same water that God called good in creation. It's the same water that God separated for Israel to walk through to escape Egypt's army. It's the same water that people immersed themselves in as John told them to repent and be baptized. It's the same water that drew you closer to God in your own baptism. It is a symbol of life, not just of breathing, eating, scratching life, but of real living with the spirit of God in us, new life.

I don't know if they will ever discover evidence of life on Mars, even if they do find water (or ice.). Just because water exists or existed there doesn't mean the rest of the required elements and circumstances for live ever existed. And it doesn't really matter. The creation story is about life on earth, not anywhere else. It's about the salvation history of humanity from the very hands of God. And it started with water, a symbol of life.

Every time we draw water, we hear it move in the sink or in the surf, in a bubbling stream or a roaring river we should think about it's deeper meaning for us. It's God's sign to us not that there is life where there is water, like on Mars,

but that there is life in us...

...through Christ!

Peace ><>
pc

Marked

I don't have any tattoos nor do I have any piercings. I've thought about it many times, even designed a couple of tattoos that would be cool, but I still haven't found anything that I want permanently attached to my body. My tastes have changed over time and what I thought about a few years ago is very different from what I think about today. So I keep talking myself out of it.

There's something intriguing about a tattoo. They each tell a story. I've watched several shows on TV lately about the tattoo culture that is quickly moving into the main stream. The people getting inked are doing so for many reasons, to mark a memory, to remember a loved one, to reveal a faith, to honor a commitment. And I have to say, I've been moved by their stories. It's not to say that I agree that this is the best way to mark these life events, but there is a deep emotional/spiritual purpose in them.

I also recognize that to receive a tattoo is to undergo a great deal of pain. Tattoos require a sacrifice of skin, of time, of money, of a permanent symbol that says something about who you are or what you have been through. And the fact that so many are doing it today makes me think that what the church requires is too easy, isn't painful enough, isn't telling the whole truth!

When I look back on the Gospel story I find that Jesus called us to great sacrifice, suffering, pain. What Jesus expects of His followers is radical discipleship, or in simpler terms, to live like he did; no-holds-barred love, grace, mercy, compassion, generosity, patience, kindness, you know, the real radical stuff you can't just get from everyone in society. And this stuff takes real commitment.

It may not come as a tattoo, but this commitment has been marked on us. "Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19, The Message) Baptism is like our tattoo. It marks a commitment, honors Christ, and is a sign to the world who we are and who we follow. It's a sign that we are supposed to wear with pride (the good kind, without any shame). It's not to be covered up or hidden but displayed for the world to see, no not our baptismal certificate, but the life that was affected by it.

We're marked by Christ, bought with a great price. Be proud of that. It says you are Christ's, forever!

Peace ><>
PC
"

And the Oscar Goes to...

I didn't watch but a few minutes of the Academy Awards the other night. It really didn't interest me that much. I love movies, but have discovered through the last many years that the Academy doesn't reflect my taste for film. What the Academy finds worthy to award, I rarely give the time of day. Sometimes they do well, at other times it seems it's much more politically motivated.

In one moment that I did turn on the Oscars (toward the end when they give the most important awards) one of the "winners" stated that "art is not a mirror to reflect society, but a hammer to shape it." I am sure that this was a quote from someone else, but it is a telling sign what is really going on in Hollywood, at Sundance, and in independent studios around the world. Writers, producers, actors are shaping society in their own image.

"And they know perfectly well they're spitting in God's face. And they don't care - worse, they hand out prizes to those who do the worst things best!" (Romans 1:32, The Message)

I've seen it happening through my lifetime. Things that were said on the big screen that used to make us blush have become everyday language. Images that once were left to the imagination are now illustrated on 20' screens. Subjects that were taboo in society have come out of the closet and into the mainstream culture as normal behavior. Has the art of film shaped our society? Not by itself, but it sure has contributed to the culture we have today.

The culture will be shaped. Like the landscape or a river bed that is constantly shifting because of the influences of wind and water, the forces of nature, our culture is being shaped every day. We are being shaped every day by these gentle shifts in morality, in language, in what's acceptable and shameful, in how the culture sees and believes in the Divine.

The greatest danger to this cultural influence is how God is understood. Our world is attempting to create God in its own image, the creation trying to recreate the Creator. Some would argue that this effort is not in recreating God but is simply reinterpreting who God is. Problem is, it ignores the thousands of years of biblical and human history that have shaped our understanding up to this point. It ignores the fact that when God seemed to be the most distant from the world it was human "wisdom" that steered us away.

We have journeyed this week toward finding out who God is. Paul told the Romans, "But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being." (Romans 1:19-20, The Message) God is not hard to find, nor are God's principles for faithful living outdated or meaningless.

God is gracious and gave us the greatest gift ever, the life of His Son, Jesus. God is merciful and receives all those who obediently trust in this Messiah, our Master. God is just and gives us the choice of trusting Him or doing our own thing.

"The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives." (Romans 1:17, The Message)

I'll never win an Oscar. I don't want one. The real prize is the one God gives and it's life.

That's who God is.

Peace ><>
PC

In the World's Eyes

If I were to ask who are the bad in our society, most of us would come up with a similar list: drug dealers, child molesters, murderers, corrupt politicians, etc. These are people we try and steer clear of in our lives. We don't want to be identified with them in any way. We know who they are for the most part and we know what God thinks of them.

Or is it that we know what God should think of them?

One of the problems we have as humans is this tendency to look with the worlds eyes. It's part of our human condition. We have a need to make comparisons between people and place them into categories that put ourselves in a better place than them. The problem is that the world's eyes just don't see very clearly.

Something I have tried to instill in my children is how to look at people with different eyes. In fact, while teaching my children, I have to remind myself to do the same. I have a tendency to fall back sometimes into that old way of thinking. God gives us new eyes, spiritual lasic surgery to clear up our vision so that we can see as God does.

"Go out into the busiest intersections in town and invite anyone you find to the banquet.’ The servants went out on the streets and rounded up everyone they laid eyes on, good and bad, regardless. And so the banquet was on—every place filled." (Matthew 2:10, The Message)

We've been asking the question this week, "who is God?" This passage shows that God's vision and judgment is much different than ours. God doesn't make the same distinctions between good and bad. In fact, God invites to his table, his banquet, everyone. That doesn't mean that everyone gets in, but everyone is invited, even the ones we don't think deserve it.

Truth is, none of us do.

We need the eyesight of God.

Peace ><>
PC

Who is God?

I know it's late, but here are a few of the notes from Sundays message. It's just the references. Audio tapes are available upon request (for a donation of $2)

God is Creator
Genesis 1:1-5, NLT
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.  And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.  God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

God is YHWH.
Exodus 3:14, The Message
God said to Moses, “I-AM-WHO-I-AM. Tell the People of Israel, ‘I-AM sent me to you.’ ”

God is Present
Joshua 3:10, NLT
“Today you will know that the living God is among you.”

Matthew 28:20, NLT
“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

God is Good, God is Great
Job 22:12; 33:12, NLT
God is so great, higher than the heavens, higher than the farthest stars.
God is greater than any person.
Only God is good. Matthew 19:17, NLT

God is My Rock.
2 Samuel 22:2-4
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold, my high tower, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, for he saves me from my enemies.

God is Love
1 John 4:7-10, NLT
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God—for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

God is.