Don't Deny the Forgiver

Wednesday, June 13
Mark 3:28-30 (The Message)
" 'Listen to this carefully.  I'm warning you.  There's nothing done or said that can't be forgiven.  But if you persist in your slanders against God's Holy Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives, sawing off the branch on which you're sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives.'  He gave this warning because they were accusing him of being in league with Evil."
    The first verse of this passage seems overlooked in many commentaries.  They move on to verse 29 quickly.  But verse 28 should and can stand alone!  "There's NOTHING done or said that can't be forgiven!"  Nothing!  Wow!  What a liberating statement.  God's love is so vast, his capacity for forgiveness so great, that nothing we have done in our past or may do in the future can separate us.  Nothing.....except....
     ...to deny the source of that forgiveness.  That in itself is the unforgivable.  To blaspheme God, the Holy Spirit, is to bite the hand that feeds you, to saw off the branch on which you sit.  To be freed and redeemed in God's love and forgiveness, we must honor and glorify God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  It's unforgivable to treat the Forgiver in any other way.  To live in a relationship with God that nurtures redemption and confession is to live without fear but in freedom.
     Let's watch what we bite and what we cut away....and live in the freedom that results.

What's Next?

Saturday, June 9
Romans 8:15-16  (The Message)
"This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life.  It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a child-like 'What's next, Papa?'  God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are.  We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children."
     So...this morning Rick and I greet the world, now together in retirement, with "What's next, Papa?"  We are joyous, we are expectant!  Within hours of Rick coming home yesterday, we had signed up for another Habitat build - this one in Pagosa Springs in August.  The opportunity hadn't been there earlier.  But we acted quickly because...as Rick said, "I'm retired! I can go!"  This will not be a 'Pickles' retirement of sitting on couches or park benches!
     Touched by the Spirit, we have all been adopted into the family of God.  It's a 'forever home' to use the term of adoption agencies.  It will be filled with both the good and bad of life, the trials and hardships as well as celebrations and joy.  May we seek God's counsel and know his presence in the suffering and glorify and praise him with thanksgiving as we celebrate the family of faith we call home!
     'Adventurously expectant'.....'What's next, Papa?' ....  'The Spirit beckons....'  It is so exciting to see where God shall lead us!

Spirit Nourished

Friday, June 8
Romans 8:12-13  
"So then, my brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to.  For if you live according to your human ways, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live."  (TEV)
     The NRSV speaks of debts in these two verses, and Peterson's The Message approaches the verses even differently:
"So, don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent.  There's nothing in it for us; nothing at all.  The best thing you can do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life."
     The 'debt' for our old life has been paid by Christ.  Now we need to bury the old habits and sinful practices, whether big or small.  Now we need to 'grow' in the Spirit, to develop a Spirit mindset, which is a "crucial step between living around the Spirit and living according to the Spirit." *  We cultivate a Spirit-filled life with nourishment of spiritual food.
     What is spiritual food?  The study of Scripture, fellowship and discussion with others, and constant watering with the cleansing of Spirit baptism.  Filled and fueled by the Holy Spirit, there could be no turning us back!
     I LOVE the next verse in The Message.  It is so appropriate for this, the last day of our 'old life', our school-district lives.  "God's Spirit beckons!  There are things to do and places to go!" (8:14)  I would add and 'ways to serve'!  It sounds a little like a Dr. Seuss Spirit (now THAT would be a scribble!) sending us out into the world, a la "The Places You'll Go!"   Our Spirit-God IS sending us!  Fortified and nourished.

* From World Vision Faith in Action  Bible Commentary.

SPIRIT 'CHUTING

Tuesday, June 5
John 3:7-10  (TEV)
"Do not be surprised because I tell you that you must all be born again.  The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going.  It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit.'
'How can this be?' asked Nicodemus. 
Jesus answered, 'You are a great teacher in Israel, and you don't know this?"  
     I feel for Nicodemus.  He is a leader, a teacher, of the Jews.  Yet he has come to Jesus seeking answers in a sense of confusion.  He wants to believe.  He must have felt totally humbled, perhaps humiliated, by Jesus' "You don't know this?"

     I feel because this happened to me constantly while teaching computers.  While I had a basic understanding of the programs we used or computer "law" as Nicodemus did, when we got into something new, I was stumped.  The students would ask questions and when I didn't know the answers, they would eventually ask, "How come you don't know this yet you're the teacher?"  It IS humbling.
     But Nicodemus knows Jesus is speaking of new, unfathomable, concepts.  Born again?  Winds of the Spirit blowing all around?  The author of d365.org today offered the idea of experiencing the RUSH of the Holy Spirit while sky-diving.  The image of Nicodemus free-falling and feeling the Winds of the Spirit came to mind.  Hey, Nicodemus, it's ok to NOT have all the answers!  We today are glad you asked these questions - because Jesus had to explain it all in words that we can begin to understand.
     Let the transformation of rebirth begin again...and again....and again. (God is so very patient with us!)  The Spirit of God is at work.  Let us seek and be led by that Spirit.

RESET BUTTON

Sunday,  June 3
John 3:1-3  (The Message)
"There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews.  Late one night he visited Jesus and said, 'Rabbi, we all know you're a teacher straight from God.  No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren't in on it!  Jesus said, 'You're absolutely right.  Take it from me: unless a person is born from above, it's not possible to see what I'm pointing to - to God's kingdom."  
    We all have opportunities in life to hit the 'Reset' button.  For students and teachers, it's that first day of summer vacation when three months of 'new life' beckon.  For Rick and I, it is the start of our retirement life.  For Nicodemus, it is to be 'reborn from above'.
     Jesus is asking all of us to get out of the ruts of our old ways, not necessarily always bad ways, but ruts that aren't allowing us to feel the inspiration of the Holy Spirit calling and leading us in a new direction.  We need to reset, to be reborn.  What worked in the past may not be the solution for the future.
     Is this the purpose of the Baker City Missional Group?  Will we serve as 'mid-wives' in the Spirit-led rebirth of our congregation? Will we assist in hitting reset buttons in ourselves and throughout our faith family?  Where is the Spirit leading us?  And once we discern our destination, are we prepared to follow?

Sermon Notes....
     Today the sermon notes will be added to the Missional blog, because everything - devotions this morning, the choir anthem, and sermon - all fit together.  It is so awesome when that happens!  The choir anthem was "Freedom Train" which made me think that when we hit that reset button, when we are reborn from above, we board the Freedom Train!  We are free from our old life and free from old wrongs!  The Holy Spirit is our conductor.  As John 3:8 reads, "The Wind [Conductor] blows [goes] where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it [Toot! Toot!], but you don't know where it goes." We know the train will lead to the glory of God, but exactly how and when....we don't know!  Anymore than we know where the Spirit will lead us when we are born again in Christ.
     Baptism is pushing the Reset Button - a chance to be washed clean, start over, and get on board!  Perhaps the waters of baptism are the fuel for the Freedom Train!
     All Aboard!  The Spirit is calling!
   

SPIRIT PRAYERS

Friday, June 1
Romans 8:26-27  (The Message)
"Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside us helping us along.  If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter.  He does our prayer in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.  He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition; and keeps us present before God."
     "I'm too upset to pray!"  "I don't even know what to pray for!"  Sometimes we are so distraught and empty, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, that the words just don't come.  The hole is too big.  Our despair too deep.  We don't even know where to start.
     On our knees.  In prayer.  The Spirit, once again, is our Advocate and Friend.  The Spirit can handle the prayer from there.  The Spirit can put words to our inexpressible thoughts.  God knows our despair.  God is listening.
     This made me think of the rote Catholic prayers.  The rosary is a way to pray without having to find the words.  Sometimes I believe we Protestants get too hung up on praying a 'well-delivered' or 'well-written' prayer, a prayer that sounds good in public but might have lost its personal touch.  God wants prayers from the heart and soul.  If we can't come up with the words, let the Spirit do so.  Even a favorite hymn can be a prayer.
     "God of words I do not yet know how to speak, send your Spirit to intercede on my behalf, that my words might be your words." (d365.org)  Keep present before God.  Keep in touch with God.  Even wordless prayers will work.

Pregnant with the Spirit

Thursday, May 31    
Romans 8:22-25 (The Message)
"All around us we observe a pregnant creation.  The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs.  But it's not only around us; it's within us.  The Spirit of God is arousing us within.  We're also feeling the birth pangs.  These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance....We are enlarged in the waiting....The longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy."  
     Thank you, Eugene Peterson, for making this passage slightly easier to understand!  Even the Good News Bible seemed convoluted.
     "The Spirit of God is arousing us within." (vs. 23)  I like this verse!  We are all in a pregnancy of Hope - our hope in the complete fullness of life in Christ, our hope for a God-filled life in the present, and the promise of an intimate life in the direct presence of the Creator for all eternity.  We can endure the hardships and pains of our pregnancy because we anticipate the absolute joy with which we shall welcome our delivery into the hands of God.  We are "swelling larger and larger as the power of the Spirit grows within us."  (d365.org)  Somehow, linking the trials and struggles of discipleship with the pains of pregnancy makes it so clear!  The anticipated joys of birth overwhelm all the pain.  Just ask a new mother.
     People treat a pregnant woman differently - with more respect and love.  What if we were to view each person we meet as pregnant...with the Spirit?  Would that change how we treat them?
     Let us live in joyful hope and anticipation of the Spirit growing within us!  All Creation is pregnant!  Come, Spirit, Come!

Holding Hands with the Spirit

Wednesday, May 30 
John 16:12-13
"I still have many things to tell you, but you can't handle them now.  But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you in all the truth there is." (The Message)
     I have often heard the phrase, "God won't give you more than you can handle."  Jesus seems to be telling the disciples the same.  Step by step the Spirit will guide us.  We may never see the Big Picture of God for it is more than we can comprehend!  But piece by piece our part in the overall plan will be revealed.
     Perhaps the question we should ask of ourselves is "Are we ready to receive, ready to hear, ready to act upon, what the Spirit's revelation may mean in our lives?"  That revelation may be confusing or unsettling.  It may be 'out of our comfort zone'!  It may not be what it on 'our agenda'.   But it will never be more than we can handle.  The Holy Spirit will be holding our hand!      

Father Knows Best!

Tuesday, May 29     Father Knows Best!
John 16:4-7
"I didn't tell you this earlier because I was with you every day.  But now I am on my way to the One who sent me.  Not one of you has asked, 'Where are you going?'  Instead, the longer I've talked, the sadder you've become.  So let me say it again, this truth: It's better for you that I leave.  If I don't leave, the Friend won't come.  but if I go, I'll send him to you."  (The Message)

          This passage has the classic sound of parents telling their children, "This is for your own good!" or "This will hurt me more than you" or "Father knows best!"  But.... the Father DOES know what is best for us!  We cannot fathom the plan of God anymore than we can comprehend the depth of God.  We have to trust in faith the untimely events, the strange requests, the good and the bad of life, can all ultimately be 'for our own good' because it is with unfathomable love that God operates.  We pray our prayers and then complain that God didn't answer them as we requested.  No, because God answered in the way that was best for us!  Our Father does know best!
          Jesus is reminding the disciples he will be leaving....for their own good.  But he also reiterates that when he leaves, the Advocate/Friend in the form of the Holy Spirit will come!  He will not be gone except in a physical sense.  What wonderful reassurance to have!  God is taking care of us!

Memorial Weekend Devotions on the Road

Monday, May 28   The Spirit As Advocate & Friend
John 15:26-27
"When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes - the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father - he will confirm everything about me.  You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence since you are in this with me from the start." (The Message)
     Jesus is still in the middle of his long prayer with the disciples in this passage.  He speaks of the Spirit to come as The Advocate (NRSV), the Friend (Message), Helper (TEV), Comforter (KJ), Counselor, Intercessor, and Strengthener (Amplified) as per various translations.  Advocate is most commonly used in many modern translations.
     What is an advocate?  One who has the power to speak on behalf of and ensure the best possible resources and blessings are granted to an individual or group.  In looking up the official definition, I found the term publicly used.  This is an obvious and public demonstration of support. As the Spirit speaks with the power of God on our behalf, it empowers us to speak on behalf of all God's children in need of a friend and comforter.  Verse 27 emphasizes our responsibility in sharing truth of God's love, as revealed in Jesus.  A-A Masters of d365.org writes, "As children of God, we must testify and be advocates for justice and truth because we ourselves are given the ultimate Advocate." 
     Who needs me to be their advocate/friend or comforter today?  How can I let the Spirit which strengthen me, intercede on behalf of another?  Am I giving confirming evidence of the presence of Love in my life?


Sunday, May 27     PENTECOST!  The Spirit Comes!
Psalm 104:24-30 (Selected text from The Message)
"What a wildly wonderful world, God! 
You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, 
Made earth overflow with your wonderful creations. 
All the creatures look expectantly to you to give them their meals on time...
Take back your Spirit and they die, revert to original mud;
Send out your Spirit and they spring to life - 
The whole countryside in bloom and blossom." 

     Today is the birthday of the church.  A celebration and time to remember when the Holy Spirit of God breathed life into a collective people so they could spring forth and blossom as God intended.  When the Spirit isn't present, we are back to the old life; we've died to God's promise of eternal life.  Let our hearts be filled!  Let us work together as a Spirit-led church.  May we celebrate our birthday with joy, with blossoming hearts, party balloons, and the flames of passion!  Come, Spirit, Come!
  
Saturday, May 26, 2012
1 John 5:12-13
"Whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life.  My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life."  (The Message)
     Simple, short, and a good reminder.  That's all John is saying.  As I couldn't log into d365.org initially this morning (figuring out campground internet!), I went to the Introduction to John 1,2,and 3 written by Eugene Peterson.  I found it an excellent summary of John's concise words:
     "The two most difficult things to get straight in life are love and God.  More often than not, the mess people make of their lives can be traced to failure or stupidity or meanness in one or both of these areas...

     "....the two subjects are intricately related.  If we want to deal with God the right way, we have to learn to love the right way.  If we want to love the right way, we have to deal with God the right way.  God and love can't be separated.  
     "John's three letters provide wonderfully explicit direction in how this works.  Jesus, the Messiah, is the focus...provides a true understanding of God; ....mature working out of love... God and love are linked accurately, intricately, and indissolubly in Jesus. 
     "There are always people who...want to make up their own idea of God,...their own style of love. ...In his letters, John is reestablishing the original and organic unity of God and love that comes to focus and becomes available to us in Jesus Christ." 
     Suddenly the image of Professor John, trying to get his message across, writes it on the black board of life as a mathematical equation.  An absolute Truth or principal of life.  A Scientific law.  A reminder for his students over and over of how to gain eternal life.  How to live in the relationship of God and love.  The Law of God.

Friday, May 25, 2012                        “Eternal Life”

1 John 5:11 

“This is the Testimony in essence:  God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son.” (The Message)

            Once again, John can’t get any more succinct.  He certainly doesn’t waste words:  God gives us eternal life in Christ.  That’s it!  That’s enough!

            So often I think people envision eternal life as just life after our physical death here on earth.  I believe it is more than that.  A death must take place, but I see it as a death of our past behaviors and life, a death to the pre-Christ way of doing things.  Eternal life is truly living in the here and now.  It is living into the grace of God, living into the Truth, living into and through the overwhelming love of the Father.  Eternal life is living a God-filled life, just as Jesus did.  If we live as Jesus lived; we shall experience the eternal life God promised.