Courageous Faith

Lectionary Readings:

Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22
Psalm 124
James 5: 13 – 20
“Courageous Faith”

In this week’s passage we have an example of courageous faith.  Esther acts with courage to speak out in defense of her people.  She does this at risk to her own life.  The Psalmist reminds the people that if it were not for God they would have been destroyed.  James tells us that if we are suffering we should pray.

All in all this tells us that our faith should give us courage.  With faith we can stand up for what is right and just.  With faith we can realize that it is God who brings us through the difficult times.  With our faith we are reminded that in difficult times we should pray.

I believe this courageous faith call us as individuals and our church as a family of God to step out with courage to work for justice in our world.  Our faith calls us to be faithful as witnesses of God’s love in all of life.

I would love to hear your stories of how your faith has seen you through difficult times, and how our faith might call us as a church to be a strong witness of God’s love.

Gentle Wisdom

Lectionary Readings for September 20:
Proverbs 31: 10 – 31
Psalm 1
James 3: 13 – 4:3, 7 – 8a
Mark 9: 30 – 37

I am looking forward to being back in the pulpit bringing a message from God’s Word.  Thank you to everyone who kept me in prayer, visited me and sent me cards.  Thank you to all of you who kept the work of the church going – this truly is the ministry of all believers.  A huge thanks to Dorice Koetje, our secretary, who  keeps the office running efficiently.  It is truly a blessing from God when I am away from the office to have an efficient and caring person in the office.

The passages above (click on the word Lectionary Readings to go to the passages online) speak of a wisdom born of service and humility.  The Proverbs passage speaks of one who does good for others.  Psalm 1 speaks of living  out of a delight in God’s law.  Mark speaks of receiving little children into our midst and thus receiving Christ.  Little children, while important in a family, were of little importance in society.  One of my favorite phrases out of these passages comes in James where it says, “Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.”  From the phrase, “gentleness born of wisdom” comes my sermon title, “Gentle Wisdom”.

1. In what ways can we practice gentle wisdom in our lives?
2. How do we as a church receive those in our society who are marginalized and seemingly unimportant, as children were in New Testament times?
3. How does the description of a “capable wife” speak to us of a life of service and good for others?

1/2 way to back to work

Last week I titled by entry “1 week into rehab”.  I was thinking “2 weeks into rehab” for this week but my mindset is more into the fact that I am half way through my  weeks of being off work.  A week ago I would have thought 4 going back to work would be rough in just another 3 weeks.  Now I am looking forward to the next two weeks passing and being able to get back to work.  I had my staples removed yesterday.  The surgical site is looking good.  Exercises are going well.  The main thing at this time is fatigue.  I tire easily, which is normal after surgery  But I am feeling good and looking forward to progressing even further the next two weeks so I can get back to work. 

I am beginning to think about which book of the Bible to study on Wednesday and Thursday Bible Studies.  I’m leaning towards Isaiah or Ezekiel.  I am thinking about a weekly prayer group.  I’m also looking forward to our involvement in Kids Hope USA (mentoring prgoram) and hosting Vadim from Russia for six weeks in October/November.

But I’m also along with exercising getting some relaxation reading a couple new mystery authors.

All comes in its right time  and now I’m 1/2 way back to work.

Blessing and peace,
Pastor Paul

One week into rehabilitation

Well, I am just over one week into my rehab from right knee replacement.  Before I update you on my status I want to comment on the love and support I have received from my family and church family.  A huge thanks to my wife, Nancy, and to Melissa and Joe for all they have done to help me out at home.

As pastor, numerous times I have had members comment on how meaningful it is at the number of cards and calls they receive from church members.  I am now experiencing that myself.  I have received many cards from my friends at the church, several visits and some wonderful chicken noodle soup from the deacons.    These have all been very comforting knowing so many people are praying for me and care about me.  Out of all of these I would like to mention two items that summerize the support and love.  One day in the hospital I received a visit from a couple in the church.  During this visit they gave me a small rock with a ceramic frog attached – reminding me of F.R.O.G. ( Fully Rely On God).  One night when I was experiencing quite a bit of pain in my leg I held that rock in the palm of my hand and did slow breathing and remembered that God would get me through this.

In one of the cards I received a family ended their note: “Return to Harris Street soon.”   As I rely on God, do all my exercises and regain my strength I definately look forward to returning to the corner of Harris & Simon Street to worship and work with my friends at First Presbyterian.

Thanks for all your love!

My recovery is going very well.  I was discharged from the hospital just two days after my surgery.  I am receiving visits from Mercy Home Health and Mercy Home Rehab.  The Physical Therapist has worked well with me in teaching me new exercises and keeping me on the path of recovery.  I have been able to get out for two short outing for coffee and seen a couple friends while stopped in at the Shay.  EAch day I do one particular exercise on the knee every other hour, and do a set of exercises three times a day.  Every day is showing improvement.

I am hoping to attend church this Sunday to enjoy the celebration of Kate Murphy’s 100th birthday.

Keep praying, and I’ll see you soon.

Blessings and Peace,

Pastor Paul

Practicing what I preach!

What a wonderful comfort, in fact an exciting reminder it is for me, to look back on my own words.  I cannot count the number of times through the years of ministry that I have gone to the hospital to have prayer with members of the church who were going to have surgery, or who were sick.   In those prayers I give thanks for the presence of God in all circumstances.  I thank God for doctors and nurses.  Now I am ready for my first experience as an inpatient at a hospital as I have my right knee replaced tomorrow.  I think of those words of my past prayers and am thrilled at the truth of them.

As I was meditating on the passage of the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, and how the baby within Elizabeth lept for joy at the presence of the Lord: I was drawn to the idea of “thrilling at the knowledge” that the Lord is with me and will be with me as I go up the elevator to the 3rd floor, not as a pastor but as a patient; that as they put in the IV, as the anesthesiologist and nurse and Doctor visit with me; as they take me to surgery, and as I wake up – IN ALL THOSE TIMES God will be with me.

I’ve thanked God for that many times in the lives of others – no I can practice what I preach.  Thanks be to God.

Being Carried

God is truly awesome. In a time when I am really cherishing my devotional time God is really speaking to me. This week on Thursday I am having my knee replaced. In addition to that there are a couple other areas of stress I am dealing with. I sat down for my devotions today, once again utilizing Sacred Space on the internet. The Gospel reading for the day spoke of a kernel of wheat needing to be buried in the ground before it can come to life, and likewise one must hate one’s life on this earth to gain it eternally. In my prayers I surrendered all the stresses of life to God that God might be glorified through my life. I then went to the section of prayer following the Scripture and this is what it said: “Sometimes I wonder what I might say if I were to meet you in person Lord. I think I might say “Thank You Lord” for always being there for me. I know with certainty there were times when you carried me, Lord, when it was through your strength I got through the dark times in my life.” What a wonderfully reassuring statement that the Lord carries us when it only through God’s strength that we make it through the dark times of life. God is good! Please go to Pastor Paul’s Blog to share your comments or questions.

On another thought, this is the first time I have ever been away from the church for four straight weeks. I anticipate it being a time of both physical renewal as I rehab my knee, and spiritual renewal as I spend time in silence. I also pray that this will be a wonderful time for the church. Enjoy the time of worship and fellowship as you have the variety of different preachers on the next four Sundays. It is great knowing the church is a strong and loving community. I am thankful for our deacons whom I know will keep on top of any needs that arise during my absence. May God bless all of you in the coming month. I will look forward to being back in the pulpit, and back in your midst at the end of my time of rehab.

A good place to be

I was visiting Sacred Space on the internet and realized today (Aug. 6) is the day in Catholic traditions that they commemorate the Transfiguration of our Lord.  In the passage on this story (Mark 9: 2 – 10) Peter says “it is good for us to be here”.  This is speaking to being on the mountain where Jesus clothing became radiant white and he was found speaking to Moses and Elijah.  Peter went on to say they should make tents to dwell in.  Thus he was thinking it was good to be on the mountain – and to stay there.  It became clear that staying there was not to be.  However, as I meditated on this passage, I realized that when we can’t stay on the mountain all the time, it is good at times to be “on the mountain” if you would, clearly in the presence of the glorified Savior.  By this, I mean we meditate on the fact that we are dwelling in the very presence of our God.  Being on the mountain is symbolic of a very real experience of our God.  Reading in Richard Rohr’s “Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality” he speaks of “truth” not being an intellectual thing (agreeing to certain doctrines or ideologies) but it is an “encounter with” the divine being.    Thus, we experience truth, reality not in our intellectual pondering about God, but in our experiencing the person of God in our lives.   We can experience God in many ways, but there are times we go to the mountain and have a special experience of God’s presence.    We cannot stay there always.  We are called, liked the disciples, to come down the mountain and live in the midst of life.

In stressful times though I believe it is good to “be on the mountain”.  As most of you know I am having knee replacement surgery next Thursday (Aug. 13).  With that, and other family stresses going on, I hope to spend much time on the mountain enjoying the presence of God in my life.  I invite you, to also find time to go to the mountain and be with God.

What are times you have needed “mountain” time?
How are you able to make your way to the “mountain” in your life?

Community of Love

Lectionary Readings

Psalm 130
Ephesians 4: 25 – 5:2
John 35, 45 – 51

As you read these passages it will speak of God’s love being present in the community of the church.  In what ways are we, and can we be the presence of God’s love for one another and the world?

This Sunday we will be worshipping at the Rotary Performing Arts Pavilion by Lake Cadillac.  This is a wonderful opportunity to gather with the church family and worship out in God’s beautiful creation.  It is also a great opportunity to bring friends and family.  We will be singing church camp style songs during worship.

Following worship you have the opportunity of enjoying lunch together with your church family.  We are making boxed lunches available from Kodiak’s deli.  These are $5 per lunch.  If you desire a lunch please click on this link and fill out the reservation form and submit it.  We need sign ups by 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning.

Bread of Life

Lectionary Readings:

II Samuel 11: 26 – 21: 13a
Psalm 51: 1 – 12
John 6: 24 – 35

The gospel lesson for this week is a follow up of the feeding of the 5000.  After this miracle or sign Jesus refers to himself as the “Bread of Life”.  Bread is a basic staple of many diets.  I heard once that if Jesus had been oriental perhaps he would have mentioned the “rice of life”.  The idea is that Jesus is the one who sustains and fills our lives.  He gives us abundance in living.

Sometimes in our lives we find ourselves with various hungers (physical, emotional, spiritual).  The Seasons of the Spirit material I use in worship preparation raises some interesting questions.

Jesus, the Bread of Life, reminds us that God provides what and who is of real value for the nourishing of our lives and communities.  There is bread and love enough to share.  For what do you find yourself hungering in terms of your life and relationships?  How do those hungers play out in your spiritual journey?  Where do you and your church experience God’s “Bread of Life” broken open for you and others?

God’s Abundance or Ours?

Lectionary Readings:
2 Samuel 11: 1 – 15
Psalm 14
John 6: 1 – 21

The story in 2 Samuel and our gospel lesson bring a real dichotomy to us.  In the gospel we have a lesson about God’s abundance and God’s providing for us.  In 2 Samuel we have the story of someone who had plentiful abundance and yet wanted what wasn’t his.

We look at these stories in a time of economic difficulties.  In the worship material I use for worship preparation, Seasons of the Spirit, it has the following blessing:

“May the fullness of God complete you
And so overwhelm you,
That grace will overflow and rund down
The sides of your life
And bless all creation.”

1. In what ways do we experience the abundance of God in our lives?
2. What are examples in our time of people wanting what they don’t have (and perhaps isn’t rightfully theirs)?
3. How can our faith in God bring us through times of scarcity?