GO!

INVOCATION.... d365.org  (Timothy Peoples)
It's always nice to go to a place where you feel comfortable and at home. But it's another thing to leave a sense of well-being and venture into the unknown.  Jesus calls us to be with him, but his call is also to go, to move into areas that are unfamiliar and even foreboding.  Still, it is good to remember that Jesus' promise is to be with us no matter where we roam. That promise holds for you now. 

SATURDAY, July 13, 2013 "Come. Go. Return."
Luke 10:17-20 (MSG)

The seventy came back triumphant. “Master, even the demons danced to your tune!”    Jesus said, “.... See what I’ve given you? .... No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—that’s the agenda for rejoicing.”

    I have yet to meet someone who, having served on a mission trip of some sort, hasn't returned changed.  Any time you venture forth, putting your safety and trust in God hands, and do some sort of work that puts others above self, you are CHANGED!  Often workers will declare, 'I received more from the experience than I gave.'  Once we allow ourselves to accept God's call to "Go", we can't help but realize that transformation. We return able to better see the world through God's eyes.  Our priorities shift beyond our own world. This is  what turns some seniors into dedicated volunteers, or inflicted with the 'Habititus' virus as we warmly accuse some RV Care-a-Vanners.  

     The seventy returned from their "mission trip" rejoicing and filled with the Spirit.  Being sent demands trust in the Sender, but oh....the glorious rewards each step of the journey!  Come to Christ. Go forth. Return transformed.  

BENEDICTION.... d365.org  (Timothy Peoples)

Go.

Go where you are needed.

Go where you will find God –
In the eyes and
In the faces
Of God's beloved ones.

This is where you are being sent.

This is where you will find your work and,
Eventually,

Where you will find yourself again at home.    

FRIDAY, July 12, 2013 "Contingency Math"
Luke 10:16 (MSG)
“The one who listens to you, listens to me. The one who rejects you, rejects me. And rejecting me is the same as rejecting God, who sent me.”
     I have a dear friend who is currently awaiting the sale of her house.  The sale is contingent upon another, which is contingent upon yet another sale.  One thing leads to another!  I have this same sense with this Luke scripture.  Jesus is doing some 'contingency mathematics' here:  I = Christ, Christ = God, therefore..... This isn't an equation to swell our heads into thinking we are all God, but rather to remind us that our actions reflect upon God.  Those who listen to us and recognize Christ in our words and deeds, will come to know God better through us.  But our actions (hypocrisy?) can also lead others to reject God. 
     The acceptance or rejection of God by those we encounter is contingent upon our actions, our message.  Do others see Christ in us?  Do they then see God as well?  



THURSDAY, July 11, 2013  “Good News!”

Luke 10:8-10 (MSG)

“When you enter a town and are received, eat what they set before you; heal anyone who is sick, and tell them, ‘God’s Kingdom is right on your doorstep!’  When you enter a town and are not received, go out in the street and say, ‘The only thing we got from you is the dirt on our feet, and we’re giving it back…”

     I have mixed feelings on these verses.  On the one hand, I understand the intent: don’t waste time on infertile soil.  Reminds me of the Parable of the Sower and seeds planted in poor soil that do not grow.  But….haven’t we all, on occasion, planted unknown seeds among what appeared to be hostile conditions, only to return later and find young plants growing?  Teachers plant many seeds among student soil, never knowing what will grow.  Often we find later success among the most unlikely seeds!

     But….hear the GOOD NEWS, planters!  God’s Kingdom is so close we can touch it!  Reach out!  Accept it!  Grow in God!

WEDNESDAY, July 10, 2013  “PEACE!”

Luke 10:5-6 (MSG)

“When you enter a home, greet the family, ‘Peace!’  If your greeting is received, then it’s a good place to stay.  But if it’s not received, take it back and get out.  Don’t impose yourself.”

PEACE!

        A word of greeting;

        An invitation to receive God’s blessing;

        An extension of God’s love.

ACCEPTANCE…

        The soil is fertile;

        Ears are ready to hear;

        Hearts are open to receive news of God’s Kingdom.

REJECTION…

        Don’t impose.

        The hour is not right;

        The effort will be fruitless;

        Another time perhaps.

        Move on.

PEACE!

        Are we daily offering the message?

        Are we seeking ripe opportunities?

PEACE of CHRIST BE WITH YOU! 

TUESDAY, July 9, 2013 "Greetings"
Luke 10:3-4 (MSG)

 “On your way! But be careful—this is hazardous work. You’re like lambs in a wolf pack.  Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage.  Don’t loiter and make small talk with everyone you meet along the way."

     This will be an interesting week as the Lectionary text is the Missional text  our group has  reflected upon and discussed at every meeting since we began!  There is so much packed into this text! 
     Jesus is giving instructions to the seventy he is sending out: very specific, detailed instructions that will enable them to navigate their way through a sometimes hostile world and stay focused on their appointed job.  I want to comment today on verse four, "Don't loiter and make small talk..."  The Good News Translation states, "Don't stop to greet anyone on the road" and the Common English Bible simply, "Don't greet anyone...."  Wow - it seems a bit unfriendly!  Don't loiter, don't even stop, and finally no greeting at all!  Can you even nod and say 'Morning'?
     In doing a little research  I read that the common greeting among Biblical travelers was quite extensive - a lengthy exchange of pleasantries and inquiries about travels, eg. SMALL TALK!   This greeting could consume considerable time if repeated over and over.  Jesus isn't telling us to ignore those we encounter, but don't get distracted from the job at hand!  
    Do we allow inconsequential tasks to distract us from our Christ commission?   Do we spend our time exchanging greetings with fellow lambs because that is easier than walking among the wolves?   What are my distractions?  How can I keep my focus? 

Note:  Taking off for a 30th Anniversary celebration.  No internet.  Postings to resume on Friday!  And just to show off the finished wall.....  God's glory now shines from our back deck!  Thanks be to God for the ability to bring his beauty home. 

MONDAY, July 8, 2013  "Small Steps"
Luke 10:1-2 (MSG)

Later the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge:   “What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.

     You can't get the job unless you fill in the application. You can't win the trip to Tahiti unless you enter the contest.  You can't be sent by God unless you have first come to God.  It is the pre-requisite that narrows the field of choice.  Back to the "Come to Go!" notion! 
     Sometimes the task of harvesting the world seems overwhelming.  Too many problems, too many people, so few to do the work.  What is the solution when faced with a daunting task?  Break it down.  Make a plan of doable goals.  Start small.  Ask for help.  ("On your knees, ask God...") 
     I recently started a big project on our back deck: a mural of the Elkhorn Mountains.  It took me awhile to get started because it seemed a bit overwhelming.  But I took small steps of posterizing the photograph, marking it with grid lines, laying out a grid on the wall, drawing and then gathering my paints. Color by color...  I haven't finished yet, but each tiny step is reaping a rewarding harvest!  

Part way finished....

     I've filled in the application to do God's work.  The job is mine.  How will I start TODAY?  With prayer.  And then....Perhaps next door?  Down the street?  Small steps as I allow the God of the Harvest to nurture and ripen the field. 






SUNDAY, July 7, 2013  "Come to Go"
Psalm 66: 1-5 (CEB)

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth!
     Sing praises to the glory of God’s name!
        Make glorious his praise!
 Say to God:
“How awesome are your works!
   
 All the earth worships you,
    sings praises to you,
        sings praises to your name!” 

Come and see God’s deeds;

    his works for human beings are awesome...

COME...
     to praise, rejoice, glorify, honor, worship, and celebrate. 
     to gather strength and identity as community. 
     to remember daily God-moments.
     to fellowship with friends in the family of God.
     where it is comfortable, nurturing, and safe.
     to feed hungers both spiritual and physical. 
     to the place you can call home.  

But, ultimately,  
COME in order to GO. 

GO.....
     into the unknown and unfamiliar. 
     into the neighborhoods of fear and despair. 
     into a world that turns brother against brother.
     to bring bread to the hungry,
     provide shelter and comfort to the homeless.
     visit the sick and imprisoned. 
     with the love of God bursting forth, unconstrained.
     assured of God's presence. 

COME...to GO. 
It is our call as God's disciples. 
It is our call to life.