The Biblical Stories

The Acts of the Apostles contains so many inspiring stories.  What must not be forgotten is that they are not just stories told for our entertainment.  These wonderful stories within the pages of Acts are stories that speak the Word of God.  His Holy Spirit led Luke to choose the ones included in this sequel to his gospel from the many stories he knew and could have written.  Thus, it is safe to assume that the Spirit had some reason for these narratives to be told again and again through the centuries.  They are included to equip us for the work of God. (II Timothy 3:17).  

Reading these stories through the lens of our own situation tempts us to challenge God to work in the same way He worked in a day that is long ago.  This is not to say that He cannot and will not work in such a way, but is instead a reminder that it is risky to impose what we want to happen in some situation which touches our life upon the story in such a way that we are demanding God align our circumstances and need according to the story.  The stories in the Acts of the Apostles are not there for us to duplicate, but to hear a voice from God and to understand His ways.  

The ninth chapter of Acts tells us of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus.  Does it mean that every road toward conversion has a blinding light from the heavens and the the power to knock us off our feet?  It could happen, but it is more likely that it reveals to us that no one is beyond the reach of God and that the touch of Christ can bring about a powerful, surprising, and life changing experience.  It makes more sense to pray for God's life changing power to touch someone than to set them out to walk some road holding a lightning rod.  Unlike doctrinal teachings, stories have truth within them and in the case of the Biblical stories, they have eternal and divine truth within them.  It is best to read them with a heart open to whatever it is that God has to say to us.

Live With Boldness

Why are we so afraid to pray boldly?  Is it because we fear looking foolish if God does not respond as we are praying?  Why is that we live with a spirit of timidity instead of a spirit of boldness that takes seriously that word of Jesus about seeking, and asking, and knocking?  Why do we build and trust in our security systems as our first line of defense when trouble comes instead of calling upon the Lord to help and provide?  Is there something in us that tells us we can really only trust in ourselves?  What is there within us that keeps us from living with boldness this life of faith in Jesus Christ?   

A recent reading of the Scripture brought me to a fresh encounter with Hebrews 4:16.  In that verse the Word of God says, "Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  This Word follows a section of Scripture in which Jesus, the Son of God, is revealed to us as the high priest,who unlike the high priests of the Temple tradition of Israel, was not called by mortals, but was appointed by God to handle sin once and for all times.  It is through this priest anointed and appointed by God that we are called to offer our prayers full of faith and to live our lives full of boldness.   

Why, therefore, do we linger in our fears?  Why, therefore, do we hesitate to run toward the abundant grace of God?  Could it be the evil one whispering in our ears?  Could it be that this one whose every intent is bent against the desires of God seeks to rob us of the blessings God desires to grant to each one of us?  Why are we so afraid to ask?  Anyone of us who lived a day or two with Christ only needs to look back and see that God is faithful to keep His word and His promises to us.  "Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness..."  Amen!

The Buzzard's Message

Buzzards are not our favorite bird.  If they land in our yard, we are likely to do what we can to send them on their way.  There are two places we mostly see them.  One is on the highway feasting on road kill.  The second place we see them is soaring high above us in the rising thermals.  With wings expanded and hardly moving they go round and round getting higher and higher with each circle. If it was any other bird, we would declare it to be a thing of beauty.  They are, despite our wanting to distance ourselves from them, creatures created by our Heavenly Father.  They come from His creative hand as surely as do we.  

Being one of His created creatures means that even that old turkey buzzard can be used by God to proclaim something of His eternal truth.  Such happened a few days ago as I watched one high above the farm.  I watched it soaring and then with a single flap of the wing, it caught a wind I could not see and went in what appeared to be a straight line from as far as the eye could see to the south to as far as the eye could see to the north.  Without any movement of the wings, it raced across the dark sky like a runaway train.  Though I felt no breeze at all, I knew that old buzzard had taken hold of a powerful unseen wind.  

I could not feel the wind which carried it, but I knew it was there.  "The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.  So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8). In my moment of watching, I did not hear the sound of the wind, but I could see evidence of its presence and power. As the Holy Spirit blows into our lives, there may or may not be a sound, but surely our lives bear witness to our being caught up in that holy life giving Spirit.  If there is no evidence of the Holy Spirit in us, then maybe it is time for a season of repentance so that we might once again know the power of a fresh touch of the Spirit in our lives.

The Ancient Ways

All of us lose our way at one time or another.  Actually, it happens more than one time, but more times than we really want to remember.  The God we declare to be good suddenly seems distant and disinterested.  What we experience instead of nearness is more like a deep chasm between ourselves and Him, and struggle as we might, we still feel the separation instead of the nearness.  We experience such moments as times for abandoning our faith, or declaring ourselves too far off the path of faith to ever return.   

There is a word hidden in the long chapters of Jeremiah which can guide us from where we are to where our heart longs to be.  It is found in the sixth chapter, the sixteenth verse.  It has become a favorite of mine in recent years and has served as a signpost when I have lost my way.  "Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies, and walk in it, and find rest for your souls."  This verse does not call us to retreat and live in the past, or to make a shrine out of it, but to remember.  Memory is a powerful gift given to us by a gracious God.  The old ways are the proven ways.  It is by them that we have walked in faith.  It is good to remember them.

To look at the ways we have walked in the past is to know that there were times when we were led into a darkness that we could not understand, but those same ways always led us out into the light where God's love and presence was overwhelming.  The word from Jeremiah invites us to see that we sometimes stand at a crossroad where continuing as we are intersects with the way which the Spirit has used to nudge us forward.  The old way may seem empty and a way that seems to lead nowhere, but it is also the way which caused us to know God was walking with us.  When stumbling in the land of "know not where," it is good to remember the ancient ways.

The Language of the Rain

The rain has its own language.  Sometimes it speaks so softly the ears strain to hear it.  Other times there comes down upon the house a rising roar much like the sound of angry bees disturbed on a cloudy day. Sometimes it sounds angry and other times its language feels like a lover wrapping their arms around you. The front porch here at the farm is my favorite place to listen. There under the shelter of the porch, I can stay dry and still be surrounded and immersed in its many sounds as it come and arrives and pours forth water upon drought stricken land.   

A clerk in a grocery store today said the rain sounded like life pouring down.  "Not bad for a college student," I thought.  Most people her age would only see the rain as an inconvenience.  She was right, you know.  Water is life giving.  I saw a picture today of some African children joyfully drinking and splashing as water poured forth from a deep well that was new to their village.  A few days ago a cup of ice water brought forth a huge smile on the face of a homeless guy who was standing at the corner sweating and hoping.  Another image recently seen was a young man coming up out of baptismal waters with hands raised in praise to God. 

Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well about a water which when given by Him would become in those who receive "a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." (John 4:14).  The Revelation to John ends with the image of "the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God...." (Revelation 22:1).  The Word of God speaks of the spiritual water emanating from the throne of God and experienced through the person of Jesus Christ as being life giving.  As it comes to us, a river of living water fills us and no longer shall we want, for it is like the still waters which restores our soul. (Psalm 23:2).  When we drink of it, we shall not want for we shall be satisfied. (Psalm 23:1).

Confusing Verses

Salvation is a gift from God.  Ephesians 2:8 makes this clear as it says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not your own doing; it is the gift of God."  The word from Ephesians is like bedrock.  What creates a bit of confusion for some is Philippians 2:12 which reads, "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling..." How can salvation be a gift and something we are called to work out?  While no analogy is going to be perfect, is it not true that some are born with bodies built for running and some seem to have a natural ability to hear music and play music?  Is it not also true that those so gifted still must work and train so that their skills carry them past mediocrity to excellence?  

Salvation is a gift that opens the door to our finding and knowing once again our true self.  It must not come all at once since Jesus calls the imperfect ones we are to "be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48).  The Apostle Paul was surely gifted with salvation understood that the the moment of gifting grace led to more, "I do not consider that I have made it on my own...I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 3:13-14).  

The Spirit of God is about His work in our heart even as we are called to be at work as well.  Sanctifying grace does not come in a moment, but over a life time.  The work of the early church after the Day of Pentecost is framed inside Acts 2:42.  "They devoted themselves to the Apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers."  With these four disciplines these newly gifted disciples of Jesus began working out their salvation.  Disciplines have no saving power, but they do prepare us for what God wants to do in and through our life.

Pentecost Blessings

Being a retired preacher means it is not necessary to go to the church where you preach. I suppose after over forty years of listening to myself preach, it was time to listen to someone else have a go at it.  Retirement not only provides the opportunity of choosing, but also of going to more than one service of worship on the same Sunday morning.  Pentecost Sunday seemed like a good Sunday to exercise that privilege.  What was discovered was a Sunday of double blessing.  

The first church visited was one that had no denominational sign out front.  The worship was what is characterized as contemporary worship. The music though not preferred by this lover of the hymn book was good and the preaching was a strong Biblical message about Pentecost.  I saw some old friends there which was a blessing.  Another blessing came when I saw my name on their prayer list.  Once again I was humbled to the point of tears that my name had been called in these recent months of being treated for prostate cancer.  Overwhelmed was I when I introduced myself to someone and was told, "We have been praying for you.  May I share how God has answered our prayers?"  

The second worship service came later in a church where the sign matched my ordination papers.  "People Need the Lord," a favorite song that goes way back in my ministry was sung by the choir.  This preacher, too, thundered the Pentecost text from the second chapter of Acts.  An image he used which I hurriedly scratched on an offering envelope was framed inside the words, "The day when God showed up."  I carried the words home in my shirt pocket and in my heart.  It warms my heart and blesses me greatly to know that there are young preachers in the church where I have preached over forty years who are taking seriously the mantle of preaching for another generation.  "Bless us, O God of wind and fire!"