A Fad?

Today I read the 3 chapter of Matthew. Again I read from "The Message".
People poured out of Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordanian countryside to hear and see him (John the Baptizer) in action. There at the Jordan River those who came to confess their sins were baptized into a changed life. When John realized that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducces were showing up for a baptismal experience because it was becoming the popular thing to do, he exploded: "Brood of snakes! What do you think you're doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to make any difference? It's your life that must change, not your skin! And don't think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as father. Being a descendant of Abraham is neither here nor there. Descendants of Abraham are a dime a dozen. What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it's deadwood, it goes on the fire. I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: the main character in this drama --compared to him I'm a mere stagehand -- will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house --make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned.
WOW! Not a new story but Peterson brings it to life for me. What if we put the word Christian in place of Pharisees or Sadducces? How many of us go along with the fad of being a Christian without changing our lives, changing for a kingdom life? Christians are a dime a dozen. Is your life green and blossoming or deadwood or just driftwood? I confess that my life was more driftwood until recently when my life changed to a kingdom life. Where are you?

Reading

I love to read. I don't remember being much of a reader as a child but I certainly have made up for it as an adult. As I read, especially novels, I become a home movie theatre. That is the words conjure up images in my head and it is as if the story is acted out in my mind. I expect that you have experienced this also. But the question for today is does this happen when you read the Bible? I believe that we really don't know how to "read" the Bible. Mostly we want to start at the beginning and read straight through. While this is important to see the whole picture it is not the best way of getting intimately into the Bible. Perhaps that is why I am using Eugene Peterson's "The Message". It is in a wonderful narrative form and I read aloud. How can we make the Word alive in our hearts and minds? That is the pondering for today. How can you make the Word alive in your heart and mind? Any ideas?

The Message

I have decided to read the Gospels and Acts for my lenten devotions. I am using Eugene Peterson's "The Message" and reading out loud. I thank, Pastor Sandy Kessinger for her great spiritual retreat that gave me new tools to help in my spiritual journey. One of the new tools was to read scripture out loud. I find that Peterson's contemporary language also helps to put new perspective on scripture and makes me go into a deeper search for meaning. I often have several translations out because of new insight. As I begin the gospel of Matthew, Peterson's introduction really made me think.
"The story of Jesus doesn't begin with Jesus. God has been at work for a long time. Salvation, which is the main business of Jesus, is an old business. Jesus is the coming together in final form of themes and energies and movements that had been set in motion before the foundation of the world." "...Matthew tells the story in such a way that not only is everthing previous to us completed in Jesus; we are complete in Jesus."
This is not a totally new concept to me but the way Peterson states it stirs me to ponder. Isn't it amazing how from the beginning of time until now God's Word is constant and true. The connectedness of it all. It is truly awesome.
Ponder this with me. Feel free to comment and hopefully we can have a dialog started.

Lenten Journey

Well, today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. I'm thinking that past thoughts about what Lent and a Lenten Journey should be needs to be changed. So, let me define what the season of Lent means to me and what my Lenten Journey will hopefuly be this year. Lent is a time of personal and corporate reflection about Christ and his journey here on earth. But, it is also so much more than just that. It is a time to reflect upon and build on our relationship with God. Yes, what is your intimate relationship with God. It is not just a time to give up some part of our routine, like not eating between meals, but to add to not just our routine but how we live our lifes. How can I get closer and more intimate with my God? How can I help others in their spiritual journey? Personally, I am hoping to write a new blog everyday during Lent. And I pray that this may help reach others and that the Holy Spirit will move within, around, and through me to this end. I will spend more time in "conversation" with God. There is more that I would like to take on but I hope and pray that I can manage to accomplish most of this as is. What about you? Why don't you join me in this Lenten Journey. You know that you can make comments on each of my posts. Let me know what you think. Let me know how you are doing on your journey.

On Eagle's Wings

Isaiah 40:31but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.



Does God speak to you? God "speaks" to me. You notice that I put " " around the word speaks. God speaks in many ways and through many vehicles. Unfortunately, we don't always notice or are not attuned to "hear". There are many reasons for our oblivion. But, let me give you an example of how God spoke to me recently. I was at my friend Barbara's (she has been away) taking in her mail and filling up her bird feeder. The bird feeder is on her deck. She lives up the mountain side in a beautiful setting that is surrounded by pines, birch trees and a wondrous view of the mountains. It is also a very quiet space. As I stood quietly listening and enjoying it all, I heard a swooshing sound. Along came a large bird, probably a hawk not an eagle but I was amazed at the sound. I thanked God right then and there for that experience and was awestruck. That was on a Saturday and during worship the next day we sang Michael Joncas' "On Eagle's Wings" and I believe that the above Isaiah passage was read. This was God's word to me to have hope in the Almighty. This was God reassuring me that I am not alone. This was God telling me that I am where I need to be and I will have the strength to do God's will.



This is but one example of how God speaks to me. How about you? How does God speak to you? Are you listening?