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Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

Matthew 5:3-10 (NET)

In times of struggle and stress, I find myself reading Christ’s Sermon on the Mount.  There is always a verse or a teaching or a parable from these chapters that are pertinent to the situation that caused me to turn to them.  Instructions on how to treat others, or on how to do good for other, or on how to approach biblical law.  In this time of collective struggle and stress, I have found myself turning to the Sermon on the Mount more often than usual.  It has made me recognize that the instructions given in Christ’s sermon are largely personal, at least from the perspective of a reader two thousand years later.  It makes me wish to be among the people who heard this sermon, to understand the community Christ was addressing.  I wish to be a part of that crowd.

The reason why I chose the Beatitudes specifically is because I just finished a Bible study with a group on these verses.  We began before covid-19 made its way to the States, so we got the chance to meet in person.  About halfway through our study we started using online platforms to host meetings.  Through our study, my wish came true.  Being able to understand scripture in the context of our own small community was a blessing each week.  The honesty and love expressed in our group helped to erase the alienation time and culture had imposed on me in these texts.  I have found my crowd.

Thankyou to Bonnie Klein for hosting this study.  I am grateful that from now on when I think of the Beatitudes, I will think of you as well.  Thankyou to our pastors, David and Meghan, who remain committed to creating a generously loving and inclusive church.

Father God I pray that as this crises continues we are able to find communities to belong to even as we remain physically distanced.

“Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever, for wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons, removes kings and sets up kings. He reveals deep and mysterious things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him.”  (Daniel 2:20-23)

King Nebuchadnezzar had demanded that his magicians, enchanters, and sorcerers tell him the dream he dreamed and its interpretation or they would be “torn limb from limb.” They were terrified, for who can tell another man his dreams? But Daniel, now among the court wise men, urged his companions to ask God for mercy concerning this mystery so that they would not all perish. In a vision that night, God revealed all to Daniel, who responded with the words above.

We find ourselves, certainly now but also at many other times, feeling helpless and even hopeless in the face of overwhelming circumstances. Sometimes it feels like we can’t breathe, and we just want to throw up our hands and shout, “What do you want me to do?!” Daniel gives us the answer. We remember that the God of the Universe, who has power beyond imagining, wants the best for us, wants to love us, and IS present with us. We can ask him for mercy and seek his assistance, knowing that, every time, he will be with us in our trials.

Holy Father, you have sacrificed your Son so that we may be reconciled to you—you love us that much. Help us to keep our focus on our relationship with you, that we may experience the peace Jesus said he gives to each of us. Praise you, God, for your honor and power and glory. Amen.

Proverbs Chapter 3, Versus 5-6, Source: New King James Version (NKJV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

Note: Alternate translations for verse 6 : “make smooth your paths” or “make straight your paths”

I can still remember back when I was a small boy.  Whenever something would scare me or make me afraid, my mother would tell me “we must not rely on our understanding, we must trust in the Lord,” and everything will be all right.  It wasn’t until I was older, and reading the Bible for myself, that I realized that her message of assurance came form the Holy Scriptures.  She was just paraphrasing what I believe to be some of the most profound advice in the Bible, Proverbs chapter 3, versus 5 and 6.

I don’t know if it was the memories of my mother’s words, or some sort of a conscious act of my own, but throughout my life these Bible verses have become ingrained in my thinking and served as an anchor  in all I do.   As a mere human, my vision is limited to my experience and knowledge, but the Lord of love is all knowing, always present and all powerful.  He is unlimited.  He knows the past and He sees the future.  Again and again when I have placed my trust in the Lord, He has directed my path;  often in ways I would have never chosen.  Sometimes it’s a wonderful journey, and other times He leads me through dark and fearful valleys.  But when I look back, I realize that if I hadn’t passed through the dark and fearful valley I would have never known the new opportunities and blessings He has bestowed on me.  Sometimes God says “no” as so aptly summed up by Garth Brooks in his song “Unanswered Prayers.”  Often taking us on a path we would not have chosen on our own, the Lord will protect us and guide us if we have the courage to trust Him with all our heart.

Most Glorious and Awesome Lord God, help me to strengthen my faith that I may put aside my fears and lack of understanding, and fully trust You to direct my paths to the glory of Your kingdom.

RISE

 Isaiah 60:2 NLT “The glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.”

Isaiah 52:2 NLT “Rise from the dust, O Jerusalem. Sit in a place of honor.”

Jeremiah 31: 20 MSG “Oh! Ephraim is my dear, dear son, my child in whom I take pleasure. Every time I mention his name, my heart bursts with longing for him. Softly and tenderly I wait for him.”

Psalm 21:13 NLT “Rise up, O Lord, in all your power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.”

Romans 8:15-17 MSG “This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike ‘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.”

During this season, the word *RISE* was placed on my heart. When that happens, I come across articles, podcasts, poems, quotes, songs about that specific word. Here is the definition of rise = move from a lower position to a higher one; come or go up; an instance of becoming higher.

One of the things I admire most about Jesus is He meets people right where they are. But He loves us too much to let us stay there. Sometimes we believe we need to get cleaned up to make ourselves more presentable before we could even think of thinking the name of Jesus. That just is NOT true. There is nothing you have done or said or thought or acted on or walked away from that could make Jesus love you any less than He does right here and now. Our Father God knows the hurt and sorrow you have buried deep inside. It breaks His heart too.

You are worthy of unconditional love and acceptance. Jesus wants to fill all of your empty spaces and broken pieces with something beautiful and everlasting. He longs for time with you and a personal, close relationship with YOU. Because Christ has risen, now we can rise. Even, and especially, with our broken pieces.

Declare today you will rise above the heaviness and darkness and brokenness. Let our loving Father have access to your heart. Let Him love you. Let your walls down. Ask Him to show you how He sees you. Just like a hot air balloon lifting up off the ground, imagine yourself rising above the darkness.

Dear Holy Father, thank you for meeting me right here. I give You the pieces of my brokenness that I have been holding on to. Thank you for loving me and caring for me like no human on earth can. Thank you for Your unconditional, eternal love. Lord, show me how to rise above it all in every area of my life to glorify and honor You. In Jesus’ name Amen.

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Psalms 118 is powerful.  It is praise to God and the strength he provides us.  It warns us not to trust in man, authorities or armies but to rely on God.  It celebrates God’s mercies and deliverance.  It joyously proclaims the entry of God’s people through the gates of the righteous and into the temple or courts of God and it is also considered by scholars to be Messianic.

Within context of Psalm 118, verse 24 is simply proclaiming a day for Thanksgiving.

However, for many of us, this verse is more profound.  It is used as a daily reminder that every day is a gift, one that the Lord has given uniquely to us.  It is a joyous and yet also prayerful proclamation of beauty, joy of living in the moment, encouragement in our walk with the Lord and an expression of thanks.

Lord, we thank you that along with the trials and tribulations of life you also provide us with the gifts of beauty, love, joy, hope and peace.  We thank you for this day and every day that you give us and that we would use them wisely in honor of you.

Turn! Turn! Turn!

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Our house sits under a landing pattern into Sanford’s airport. If I spend ten minutes outside, I’m pretty much guaranteed to hear a plane.  But today it’s strikingly quiet. I’ve been on my porch for 30 minutes. Not a plane in sight. The background roar of Allegiant overhead has been gone for a week, maybe longer.

What season is this, Lord?

The following seven verses of Ecclesiastes 3 go on to list 28 specific activities. To dance, to weep, to scatter, to love…you might recognize the list from the 1965 song “Turn! Turn! Turn!” by The Byrds.   I don’t see social distancing on the list, Lord, but clearly that is the season we are in. We – as in the entire planet! Thinking about it globally takes my breath away but it also brings me comfort.

I feel comfort because the shared experience bonds us. I feel comfort because this season of staying home leaves extra space and quiet for God to pour in.  Today He reminds me to be still and to remember that seasons change. This season will change.

You have our attention, Lord. You have cleared the man-made clutter of background noise and opened our ears to your whisper.     Thank you for the gift of this day and this unique season.  . Help us to actively listen as you speak to us through prayer, through nature and through the words of others. And use us, Lord, to spread your love and peace to those we interact with.  Amen.

Faith Without Works Is Dead

James 2: 14-17 “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?  Can such faith save him?  Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”

I have always loved these verses because to me, faith without action is not what Jesus taught us.  I once attended a church that acted as if faith was enough – no actions were required or needed: their prayers were enough.  Every time I attended, I felt as if something was missing.  I know we are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ, but I know He wants us to share our faith by ministering to others, as He did.

I am so excited to be a part of FUMC Sanford because I see the faith of others in their actions by visitations to shut ins, hospital visitations, Grace and Grits, the Quilt Ministry, the Picnic Project, the Bear ministry, the combination of services with The Children’s Home (not just sending them money) and ways I’m sure I’m not aware of. This Church is Faith in Action.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, thank you for a church that shows their faith through their work.  Make us aware of needs that we have not met.  Help each of us to do our part to live a life of service as Jesus did.  Bless the work being done in Your name.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen

[Trigger Warning: brief mention of sexual abuse]

“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of God in the land of the living.” – Psalm 27:12

Early on in my relationship with God, I nailed down a deep belief that He is good. Based on a study of the scriptures, I affirmed goodness as one of many the core aspects of His nature. I have clung to that belief through the years though it has been sorely tested many times. It was tested when my beloved mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 40 and as I watched her suffer and declined over 26 years with debilitating side effects of the tumor and numerous surgeries. It was sorely tested as a history of sexual abuse and trauma at the hands of a family member during my childhood came to light and I stepped away from my ministry to embrace healing and lost my family in the process.

Psalm 27 became an anchor in the storm for me during these times and specifically verse 12. David wrote Psalm 27 during the years following his anointing as future king and while he was hiding from Saul. David knew pain, suffering, persecution and his fair share of very difficult circumstances and he too clung to deep belief in the goodness of God and the hope that he would see that goodness manifested during his lifetime. That belief and hope is what sustained him.

We are all living currently living through a very challenging time with the coronavirus. Perhaps, you are also facing other difficulties in the midst of this pandemic. As we face global and personal trials, it is easy to doubt and/or forget the goodness of God. I want to invite you to return to a deep centered belief that we have a Father who is very, very good. A Father who is actively at work in the world bringing forth good. A Father who is committed to redeeming and working all things together for our good (Genesis 50:20, Romans 8: 28). Our Father, also, invites us to participate with Him in the manifestation of good in our world.  Richard Rhor, a Franciscan theologian, has beautiful said that “Our job as conscious human beings is to bring the beauty and goodness of God…of everything…to full consciousness, to full delight, to full awareness.”

The goodness of God shows up everywhere through the kindness of others, through us and our love, kindness and grace offered to others, through the beauty of nature, etc.. Do you eagerly anticipate His goodness in your life and in the world around you? Are you intentionally on the lookout for his goodness? Are you consciously committed to bringing forth His beauty and goodness in the world?

Father, in the midst of the dark, ugly, painful things of this world, open our eyes to your goodness and beauty. Father, use us to bring forth and shower your goodness to a world in need all around us. Father, sustain us with hope in your goodness now and to come.

“Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit…” -Eph. 6:18 (CEV)

After spending a long 4^th of July weekend with us, my brother and his family had returned to South Florida and our Mother was back in Merritt Island. The call came late one night that same week for my brother: our amazing mother had quite suddenly and unexpectedly died. Since no family had been with her at the time, all the arrangements were made over the phone with the funeral home to prepare Mom for burial. When I shared with my friend, Joan, my anxiety and dread of going to the funeral home the next day, she asked: “What time is your appointment?” I replied 11:00 o’clock and she said: “I will be praying for you at 11:00 o’clock tomorrow.” At the appointed hour, upon entering the room to see Mom, my stomach settled and I felt a sense of calm and well-being. I knew Joan’s prayer had been heard.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of powerful prayer and for friends who will pray for you during the dark times when you find it difficult to find the words. Amen