#3/5 Five Books That Are Mighty Close to Must Reads

Many apologies for my absence from the blog. Just not available for a while. I posted a comment Susan sent in. Like Susan, I too, have been enriched by the writing of Dallas Willard. He has been very influential in my spiritual development. Thank you for your feedback. I do enjoy hearing from each of you, even though my response time is often delayed.

I'll explain what we're doing, and then on to book 3.

I have participated in a project sponsored by a publisher to name "25 Books Every Christian Should Read." So, I've asked for input, and am grateful to those of you who contributed. This is truly an impossible assignment, but has been surprisingly rich to pursue. My part was to only submit 5 titles to be considered by the editors. I could probably come up with ten more lists of five books that are all equally excellent. I don't expect any of my selections to make the elite 25 simply because there are so many from which to choose. These, however, have made a difference for me.

So, here is my second book of the five, along with the explanation of why I chose it. These are books I think can be especially helpful to those seeking to follow Jesus. I would be glad to hear from you about other titles that are important to you or comments on my own submissions.

Kelly, Thomas R. A Testament of Devotion. New York, New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1941.
• What is your personal relationship to this book? How has it helped you? Kelly offers an enticing invitation to answer Christ’s knock at the door. He reminds me eloquently and convincingly that a life of heeding the Spirit is at hand.
• Why does it make your list of top formation/discipleship titles? Kelly draws the contemporary reader into the sweetness, simplicity, and urgency of holy obedience. Testament is a twentieth-century Sacrament of the Present Moment.
• What does the book add to your idea of what it means to be a modern-day Christian? Attentiveness. Kelly kindly tells us to be still and listen; God is speaking.
• What does it offer the larger Church? Kelly considers attentive and obedient men and women to be the hope of restoring the Church to the dynamic force in culture God intends her to be.
• What specific advice on content or strategy would you provide to someone reading the book for the first time? Read and converse with companions on the journey. His invitation is personal and communal. Kelly’s well-chosen words are few. They deserve a thoughtful and prayerful reading.
• What passage do you feel most exemplifies the message of the book? “The life that intends to be wholly obedient, wholly submissive, wholly listening is astonishing in its completeness. Its joys are ravishing, its peace profound, its humility the deepest, its power world-shaking, its love enveloping, its simplicity that of a trusting child.” p. 54, Harper & Brothers, 1941.

#2/5 Five Books That Are Mighty Close to Must Reads

OK, this is 2/5. Here's my intro to explain what I'm up to. Of course, you can scroll back through the blogs to pick up preceding installments.

I have participated in a project sponsored by a publisher to name "25 Books Every Christian Should Read." So, I've asked for input, and am grateful to those of you who contributed. This is truly an impossible assignment, but has been surprisingly rich to pursue. My part was to only submit 5 titles to be considered by the editors. I could probably come up with ten more lists of five books that are all equally excellent. I don't expect any of my selections to make the elite 25 simply because there are so many from which to choose. These, however, have made a difference for me.

So, here is my second book of the five, along with the explanation of why I chose it. These are books I think can be especially helpful to those seeking to follow Jesus. I would be glad to hear from you about other titles that are important to you or comments on my own submissions.

CO

Tozer, A.W. The Pursuit of God. Harrisburg, PS: Christian Publications, 1948.
• What is your personal relationship to this book? How has it helped you? Tozer addresses me as a compromised believer and pulls no punches. He delivers a strident call to the Church and Christians to abandon shallow discipleship. His eyes seem to see into my soul. He helps me stop kidding myself.
• Why does it make your list of top formation/discipleship titles? I number him among the very few authors I would describe as prophetic. Amazingly, his prophetic word retains its edge after sixty years.
• What does the book add to your idea of what it means to be a modern-day Christian? Tozer delivers a no frills, back to the basics message relevant for Christians in the age of mass media shtick. He delineates a life of surrender for work-a-day believers. His message is a clarion call to take God for Who He is, rather than what we might get out of Him.
• What does it offer the larger Church? Tozer is a modern day Isaiah calling the Church out of hypocrisy and pathetic imitations of the genuine Gospel.
• What specific advice on content or strategy would you provide to someone reading the book for the first time? This book makes an excellent personal or group study for those who are ready to address the beam in their own eyes and respond in repentance.
• What passage do you feel most exemplifies the message of the book? “Now we have reached a low place of sand and burnt wire grass and, worst of all, we have made the Word of Truth conform to our experience and accepted this low plane as the very pasture of the blessed.” p.70.

5 Books That Are Mighty Close to "Must Reads"

I have participated in a project sponsored by a publisher to name "25 Books Every Christian Should Read." So, I've asked for input, and am grateful to those of you who contributed. This is truly an impossible assignment, but has been surprisingly rich to pursue. My part was to only submit 5 titles to be considered by the editors. I could probably come up with ten more lists of five books that are all equally excellent. I don't expect any of my selections to make the elite 25 simply because there are so many from which to choose. These, however, have made a difference for me.

So, here is my first book of the five, along with the explanation of why I chose it. These are books I think can be especially helpful to those seeking to follow Jesus. I would be glad to hear from you about other titles that are important to you or comments on my own submissions.

CO

Nouwen, Henri. Jesus: A Gospel. Edited by Michael O’Laughlin, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2001.

• What is your personal relationship to this book? How has it helped you? This book captures the essence of Nouwen’s genius. Reading it is like having Henri share with me what he has learned from a lifetime of following Jesus.
• Why does it make your list of top formation/discipleship titles? Nouwen leads the reader into the profoundness of life in Christ. He does so with such accessible language and examples. The use of Rembrandt sketches provides a rich visual complement to the text. Consequently, text and illustrations engage the whole person in the message.
• What does the book add to your idea of what it means to be a modern-day Christian? Nouwen shows us the way to meet God most intimately. He quietly walks with us into our rooms of fear and insecurity – those places where God is not allowed. And there to our surprise Jesus is waiting to embrace us.
• What does it offer the larger Church? This book is a wonderful foundation for rightly understanding the message of Jesus. The arrangement of Nouwen’s insights around Gospel passages properly lifts both the message of the Gospels and the person of Jesus above religiosity and into the heart of God.
• What specific advice on content or strategy would you provide to someone reading the book for the first time? The book lends itself best to a reflective reading, enhanced with journaling or careful conversation. Take each brief chapter and digest it thoroughly before moving on to the next. Let the Gospel message work on you.
• What passage do you feel most exemplifies the message of the book? “I deeply know that I have a home in Jesus, just as Jesus has a home in God…. My true spiritual work is to let myself be loved, fully and completely, and to trust that in that love I will come to the fulfillment of my vocation. I keep trying to bring my wandering, restless, anxious self home, so that I can rest there in the embrace of love.” p.93.

Must Reads

I'm part of a group of people asked to compile a list of 25 books every Christian should read. That sounds like an intriguing, albeit, impossible challenge. I could use some help. Send me a title or two that you have found to be must reading.

I find some help by thinking in categories.

Nouwen's The Return of the Prodigal is so good on forgiveness and acceptance.
Lewis' The Problem of Pain addresses the universal questions about pain and suffering.
Lewis' novel Perelandra paints such a strong picture of the awesome goodness of God's creation, the horrid ugliness of human pride, and the painful beauty of redemption.
Fosters Celebration of Discipline introduces the reader to the grace of spiritual discipline and a host of references to great Christian writing over the centuries.
Tozier's The Pursuit of God is simply inspiring.

I can list others, especially older books, that have mattered to me, but are challenging for the modern reader to tackle. Do I list those? Well, I'm not sure.

So, please give me some help. Send me some titles that you think every believer should read.

Thanks,
CO

Promises

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)

It is possible to read this passage with a self-righteous, holier-than-thou attitude. OR, read it with the opposite, which is maybe a self-condemning, more-shameful-than-thou attitude. Either way likely leads to missing the whole point.

The plain fact is that there is some twisted, misled, even dark, stuff going on all around us that you and I are aware of. Call it what you will, it is something other than the goodness and wholeness of God.

The truly good and amazing news is there is a better way that is fully accessibly through the promises of God. These promises are the doorway through which we walk to "participate in the divine nature." How good is that!

Chime in and share a promise, and I'll get 'em posted.

I think I'll start with 2Peter 1:3-4 above. It is a promise of promises.

CO

Friends and Aliens

An expert in the Bible asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered with the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The punch line of this familiar parable is that the one who was truly a neighbor was the one who had mercy on the man in need. This is not a difficult parable to understand. Its application, however, can get complicated.
During the current conversation about immigration policy the question is on the table before us, “What does it mean to be a neighbor to the immigrant population?” The question is further complicated because our neighbors include both immigrants with and without proper legal status. Our neighbors also include both naturalized and birthright citizens. It’s quite a neighborhood. Now what?
Interest groups and the media tend to polarize positions and stage yet another shouting match. It is hard to imagine how that will help the neighborhood. As salt and light in the world the followers of Jesus are advocates of justice and compassion. This is a very difficult place to stand, but it is the only one that offers the hope of shalom for our neighborhoods (from next door neighbors, to cities, to a nation).
I am challenging us as Friends of Jesus to be advocates of mercy and justice in this conversation. Whether the conversation is among friends, in the workplace, at an immigration rally, on a website, or in a senator’s office, we will actually be Friends of Jesus if we advocate for justice and mercy.
I’ve become involved with a group of people working to a similar end. We are concerned about our neighborhood (our block, our state, our nation). As followers of Jesus we want to be a voice of mercy and justice. We hardly know where to begin except we must because mercy and justice need a voice. We’ve drafted a document to share with our senators and representatives. I am very interested in feedback on this document that is intended to stake out some territory for mercy and justice simultaneously. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks for your help. Here is the statement:

A Call to Our Government to Enact Comprehensive Immigration Reform

As Evangelical Christian leaders in Denver’s Metro area, we express to you our deep concern over our country’s broken immigration system. Because of our shared theology, which compels us to love, care for, and seek justice for the stranger among us, we call on our nation’s Congress and President to address this issue immediately. We believe:
• That all people are made in the image of God. As such, they are worthy of dignity and respect and have much to contribute to the common good.
• That as Christians we have a responsibility to love and show compassion for the stranger among us.
• That immigrants are our neighbors, both literally and figuratively. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves and show mercy to neighbors in need.
• In the rule of law and that Christians are to be a voice within our democracy for just laws that protect all people, especially the vulnerable.
We recognize that the current United States immigration system is limited and reform is necessary. The Bible does not offer a blueprint for modern legislation, but it can serve as a moral compass to help shape the tone, content, and purposes of contemporary laws. Using the Bible as our guide, we are compelled to support immigration reform legislation that includes the following elements:
• Secure Borders – A fundamental responsibility of the government is to secure its borders. We must improve safeguards and the monitoring of our national borders. Enforcement of our borders must reflect our deeply-held American values of due process of law, the sanctity of the human person, and the incomparable value of the family.
• Immigrant Labor – Various sectors of the American economy rely on the labor of immigrants. Laws and quotas should more accurately reflect this need and provide for the legal entry each year of a viable number of immigrant workers and their families.
• Path to Legality - Millions of undocumented immigrants live in the shadows of our country today. The present state of affairs does not allow them to flourish as constructive members in society nor does it serve the common good. A rigorous yet fair process needs to be established, requiring them to register with the appropriate authorities, embrace their civic responsibilities, and earn the privileges of legal status, for example: permanent residency, citizenship, work permit.
• Centrality of the Family – Immigration reform should reflect the central importance of the family. This commitment can be made concrete by reconsidering the number of visas available for family reunification, by dedicating resources to reduce the backlog of cases presently in process, and by acknowledging the negative impact of current deportation policies.
We urge our national representatives to re-engage the immigration reform debate in a civil and respectful manner. We emphasize the need for a national solution. We eagerly offer our time, energy, and ideas so that the current discussion might move toward greater understanding within our nation and constructive resolution through new legislation. We look forward to working together to find common ground on this critical issue.

The Pursuit of Happiness

After an extended absence I return to the virtual land to post a blog. There is evidence that I may have inadvertently deleted someone's comment. I apologize if I did so. Your input matters to me, as does posting it to share with others.

‘Tis the season for my annual plug to read the Declaration of Independence and/or the Constitution. You can read part of the Declaration now:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Although the right to pursue happiness is not listed in the Constitution it does carry legal weight. It is defined as “the right to pursue any legal activity as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others,” (Webster’s New World Law Dictionary). The legal minds behind that definition were not concerned about how one pursues happiness just as long as it doesn’t interfere with someone else’s pursuit. The application of that principle has proved a little tricky. So, the value of the pursuit of happiness endures, while we struggle to know how to do it. How do we pursue happiness?
Jefferson wrote the phrase in the Declaration, but didn’t invent it. It was a phrase being batted about by thinkers of the day including two as diverse as Dr. Samuel Johnson and John Locke. Johnson observed that his country (England) was lacking in what he called, “civil wisdom.” He wrote, “We are still so much unacquainted with our own state, and so unskillful in the pursuit of happiness….” (The Surprising Origins and Meaning of the “Pursuit of Happiness”, Carol V. Hamilton, George Mason University’s History News Network, 1-28-2007). Two and a quarter centuries later Johnson would likely conclude we still lack civil wisdom. Isn’t it also true that we remain unacquainted with our own state, and unskillful in the pursuit of happiness?
Jesus didn’t have a lot to say about civics. (Or did He?) He did say quite a bit about the pursuit of happiness. One place we find that teaching is in Matthew 5:1-12. These verses include The Beatitudes, such as: Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the pure in heart. The word translated “blessed” could also be translated “happy.” Some Bible translations do so: Happy are the poor in spirit. Happy are the merciful. Happy are the pure in heart.
Although we think “happy” is often used to describe something superficial, the pursuit of happiness matters a great deal. In nearly all of Jesus’ teaching He addresses the very things Johnson said we lack: Jesus acquaints us with our own state and describes how to pursue happiness. That is worth some serious reflection. I recommend we take time to be grateful to God that the pursuit of happiness is a nationally preserved value. Simultaneously, I recommend a reflection on at least the Beatitudes to help us consider how Jesus is telling us to pursue and find that happiness.
The pursuit of happiness detailed by Jesus works. It is for every person. It is usually legal.

Pastor Chuck

Stilling, plus

Here's a bit of a mixed bag.

Thanks for the comment on being still, Drew. Very nice word picture.

Below are more thoughts on Psalms 46, and then after that a plug for a Friends Peace Team event that I hope some Friends from Denver can attend. I'm booked on that day and will have to miss it.

I’m continue to return to Psalm 46.
This week I visited a woman who told of a time several years ago when she went to the Emergency Room with classic heart attack symptoms. After the initial tests she began feeling fine. She sent her husband home to take care of the kids, while she continued to wait to be dismissed from the examination room. Eventually the nurse returned with the test results, “You have had a heart attack. Remain calm.” Then the nurse left here alone in the room again.
A heart attack?! Remain calm?! I need my husband here! Then God spoke to her heart assuring her that she wasn’t alone at all, and that she could trust Him. She did. She settled into a wonderful calm. She became still. She knew God was God.
That is precisely the gist of Psalm 46. I recommend reading it with this story in mind. - Or with Drew's story in mind. See his comment on my previous blog entry.


Peace Teams
The purpose of Friends Peace Teams is to invite, challenge, and empower individual Friends and Friends churches and meetings to participate in Spirit-led peace team work locally and internationally. Peace Teams are groups of people working together in places and times of conflict for reconciliation, justice, and the promotion of nonviolence.
I know this possibility captures the imagination of some of you reading this. An opportunity is at hand to learn more about Friends Peace Teams from a remarkable African woman, and possibly open the door to your participation.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s 14 year civil war has led to the deaths of more people than any other conflict since World War II. Zawadi Nikuze is a Friend working for peace in the midst of this ongoing tragedy. Since 2007 she has been the Coordinator of the African Great Lakes Initiative’s work in North Kivu. In this capacity she facilitates Healing and Rebuilding our Communities workshops and reconciliation with displaced persons who have fled the violence to refugee camps.
Zawadi is a member of the Religious Society of Friends in DRC, and speaks fluent Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, French and English. She will be speaking on Sowing Hope Amidst War and Rape at Mountain View Friends Meetinghouse, 2280 S. Columbine St., Denver, 80210 on Saturday, June 5 at 3:00 p.m.
You can learn more about the African Great Lakes Initiative and serving on Friends Peace Teams at www.friendspeaceteams.org.
An opportunity to serve proactively as peacemakers is at our doorstep. Perhaps some from among can check out this opportunity. Let me know if you go. I wish I could join you, but I have a previous commitment.
Pastor Chuck

Still Shouting

The familiar passage, Be still and know that I am God, has been a good word for me during the last week. It has been especially helpful to consider “being still” in light of the entire Psalm 46. The psalm opens with some other familiar words: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Both lines inspire strength, hope, and comfort. However, I have never put the two together. I haven’t even considered they were the opening and closing of the same psalm. Now I am appreciating how each illumines the other. This week when I think about being still and knowing God, I am remembering it more as, “Easy now. God is God. You can trust Him. He is my proven refuge, strength, and help.”

I had a little fun with the passage. One translation I read put an exclamation point after "Be still and know I am God!" So, I started reading the psalm as a crescendo from a quiet first verse to a shout at verse 10. It works a little different to shout out "Be still and know that I am God," but it makes sense in the context of the psalm. Try it.
Pastor Chuck

4-21-2010

I want to never graduate from Children’s Church.

Of course if I started attending Children’s Church there would be problems. For one, I have never been able to figure out the crayon thing. And there are several other good reasons the Children’s Church teacher would probably be calling my parents to discreetly insist they find a more age-appropriate placement for me. Nevertheless, although the Christian Education administration will find ways of moving me through the system, I am reluctant to accept the demotion to Adult Church.

As we all know Adult Church is ever so much less interesting than Children’s Church, but we are there because the system moves us along, and we eventually collect in the only place left. Last Sunday two grade school aged worshippers stayed in the service upstairs even though there was a Youth Service alternative. I know they were there because they were passing notes – to the church staff. I’ll share them with you,

I love Jesus. He’s a good guy.
With lots of love,
A.


I like the prayers you guys do. I’m very thankful.
Love,
C.

My sermon content last Sunday did not surpass the down-to-earth, personal faith of these younger worshippers. A person could live well by the straightforward terms expressed in those brief notes. It is the simple, personal faith of a child that is the Children’s Church from which I pray I never graduate.

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matt 19:13-14 (NIV)

CO

River Days

“I thank my God every time I remember you,” says the apostle Paul to his friends in Philippi (Philippians 1:3). Vicky and I say the same about you, our church family. You have cared for us and our children and grandchildren for over 31 years now. You would think we would get used to it, but you keep finding ways of raising the bar of lovingkindness.

On Palm Sunday I was totally surprised by the reception after the worship service celebrating my 60th birthday and 31 years of partnership in ministry with you. It was fun and the cake was especially tasty. Vicky and I were deeply honored as we received your words of appreciation and gifts. I’m keeping your thoughtful cards on my office bulletin boards. They are very meaningful to me. It is a privilege to serve and be embraced by you. We thank God every time we remember you.

Another special treat that I took as a personal gift (though it wasn’t) was Ali singing Shall We Gather At the River at the Easter Feast. I love this hymn although I don’t remember ever having sung it congregationally. It was written in the 19th century back in the day when friends were more inclined than we are to gather at the river for a rest, recreation, and sometimes, worship. The hymn is making reference to “the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb” that John witnessed in heaven (Revelation 22:1). The picture is one of good times upgraded to even better on heaven’s river bank.

The songwriter is celebrating happy times together in a world forever healed. I imagine mixed tears of longing, sorrow and joy that accompanied the publication of this song as the Civil War drew to a close. It appeared in a songbook entitled Happy Voices. Even the book title offered a generous helping of hope and faith – scarce commodities among a war-weary people. What hope of restoration must have been expressed in the invitation, “Shall we gather at the river!”

At the smiling of the river,
Mirror of the Saviour’s Face,
Saints whom death will never sever,
Lift their songs of saving grace.

We have more days ahead of us than we can count of gathering together at the river. I’m looking forward to them.

Thankfully,
Pastor Chuck

St. Patrick Prayer

Thanks for the great story from Vienna, Carrie. Anyone is welcome to keep those "Eyes fixed on Jesus" stories coming.

Drew asked about a website for The Lord's Pantry. I don't think they have one. If you call the church office you can get a phone number for Dale and Elsie.

I normally don't even remember St. Patick's Day, but it's on my mind today. His Breastplate prayer is a gem. I’ve pasted a translation below that is minimally modernized. It reminds me that when we pray we are being cheered on by the great cloud of witnesses distant from us in many ways, but near in Christ. I like the thought of being cheered on by our ancient Celtic forebearers. I imagine them primitive in some ways, but tender in Spirit. Perhaps you, too, will find inspiration in Patrick’s great prayer of spiritual warfare. Praying this prayer is a way to "keep our eyes fixed on Jesus," while praying for God's participation in our lives.

The Lord is with us,
CO

"St. Patrick's Breastplate is contained in the ancient Book of Armagh, from the early ninth century. along with Patrick's authentic "Confession." St. Patrick is said to have written this prayer to strengthen himself with God's protection as he prepared to confront and convert Loegaire, high king of Ireland. I see in it some similarities to Paul's exhortation to "put on the whole armor of God" (Ephesians 6:10-18), except that it is much more detailed. I recommend St. Patrick's prayer to you as a wonderful prayer of spiritual preparedness." (This is taken from, and you can read more at: http://www.joyfulheart.com/stpatrick/breastplate.htm)

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.
I bind to myself today
God's Power to guide me,
God's Might to uphold me,
God's Wisdom to teach me,
God's Eye to watch over me,
God's Ear to hear me,
God's Word to give me speech,
God's Hand to guide me,
God's Way to lie before me,
God's Shield to shelter me,
God's Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.

I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.

Christ, protect me today
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort, [i.e., at home]
Christ in the chariot seat, [i.e., travelling by land]
Christ in the poop. [i.e., travelling by water]

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

Eyes on Jesus

As we approach the Easter celebration and commemoration of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection I’m encouraging us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God," (Hebrews 12:2). I've given an example below. I'd like to hear from any of you if you have an example. They don't have to be as long-winded (yawn) as mine. But, hey, how is it working for you to remember to "fix your eyes upon Jesus?"

I was invited to join the team at The Lord’s Pantry last week. The Lord’s Pantry distributes food to about 150 needy families per week. This is a big operation that is staffed 100% by volunteers. It is run by Dale and Elsie who are well enough advanced in years to have great-grandchildren. They have been doing this every week for 20 years. You might want to pause and think about that for a bit.

Here’s what it looks like. At 6:30 a.m. on Friday mornings the sawhorses and plywood are set up for an assembly line in the fellowship hall of a generous church in Commerce City. Canned goods are pulled from the storage room. There is a pile of 300 loaves of bread that was donated that morning. 1500 pounds of flour is on the way. Someone is rounding up a bargain on fresh produce.

For the next couple of hours groceries from different sources, and people, drift in. It is a merry band. Everyone pitches in dividing up the food to make precisely 154 bags of groceries, which is the number of households they are serving that day. Some of the volunteers will be beneficiaries. Most of the bags are delivered to shut-ins in the immediate neighborhood. A volunteer leads in prayer and we bag groceries.
Bob and I leave to deliver 32 bags of groceries. Bob has been doing this for a long time. He is a Commerce City native and a retired school teacher. Our stops are brief, but Bob exudes genuine care to every single person. He makes each visit personal. He knows everyone by name, their history, their circumstance in life, their family. Every recipient can’t wait to see Bob. They love this man.

I can’t help but think of Jesus telling us that when we serve the least of these we serve Him. I can’t help but remember that James said that pure religion includes taking care of widows in their distress. I don’t know what a worship service or a Bible class would look like with these 40 volunteers from a lot of different congregations, but it looked like church to me. It was being with Jesus. It was great.

By the way, a corporate sponsor is matching any donations made to The Lord’s Pantry in March and April. You might want to talk to Dale or Elsie Quillen about that.

CO

Many, many times I have turned to the Mary and Martha passage from Luke 10:38-41 and found inspiration. In brief (Too brief really. Might was well read it yourself.), while Martha was taking care of the guests, her sister, Mary, was sitting with Jesus. Martha complained and Jesus said to her, “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.”
We can all identify with Martha. There are many things to do, and who will do them if not us? There is work to do and, yes, we get worried and upset about those things. Sure, I wish I was on retreat, walking in the woods, praying, worshipping, reflecting on Scripture, repairing a house in Haiti. However, there are other demands barking at me. There is work to be done.

Here is a little prayer I heard recently that helps me retreat in the midst of a workaday world:

“Lord, may I remember the One thing as I attend to many things.”

I’ve found it helpful to stop from time to time in the course of doing many things and center down with this sentence prayer. Then reengage the responsibilities before me.

Hands and feet

Thanks for you comments Susan. It brought me back to this verse by Teresa of Avila.

“Christ has no body now on earth but yours. No hands but yours, no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion is to look out to the world.
Yours are the feet with which Christ is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands with which Christ is to bless all people now.”

This is true. We see it happening all the time. We can only live up to it by living in to it.

We seem to carry a false expectation that because of different kinds of suffering that are so regrettable, that God has left the room. Yet, it is at the very place of engaging that suffering on a personal level that we see the Light that is not extinguished in the darkness.

Be available to God's invitation for you to come along side another person experiencing great difficulty.

The Lord is with you,
CO

Back to Haiti. 2-17-10

Let’s return to the subject of the tragedy of Haiti we were looking at immediately in the aftermath of the earthquake. Here is a report from our own Dr. Katy who has recently returned from serving on a volunteer medical team.

“Our medical team of myself, three RN's, one army medic and one navy corpsman treated over 400 patients during the 8 days we were doing medical care. Many of these patients had complicated deep wounds from primary lacerations that had been improperly dressed or taken care of. These wounds required debridement, and rather intensive follow up care. We were glad to take over the care of a medical team from [another state] which had just left, and to see these patients frequently while we were there. We also saw splinted but not cast fractures, complications of splinting and casting, and many children with chronic needs such as malnutrition and infectious illnesses.

An example of God's provision for our team: An ER doctor from [Colorado], who sat on the plane next to one our RN's, was mobilized through an accredited NGO, but had no way of getting to Port-au-Prince. So this doctor, Dr. [Mike], hitched a ride with us - stayed at [our mission’s] hostel overnight in Santo Domingo, came along for our bus ride over the very chaotic border, attended church service with us the first night we arrived, and then went of the next morning to this big medical complex set up by the University of Miami out at the UN compound near the airport in Port-au-Prince.

One of the first patients that was brought into our little clinic on our first day was a woman carried in by her family on a blanket. She had been struck by a motorcycle that morning (the traffic in Haiti is just plain nuts) and I was very concerned with her exam - worried about internal bleeding and was almost certain she had a hip fracture. Her condition was far beyond any care we could offer at our little clinic. A local official informed me there was no hospital or place for us to take this woman. So then we thought of Dr. Mike! The team loaded this woman up, and drove to the UN complex where they had dropped off Dr. Mike in the morning. As they arrived, the guards at the gate were being told to turn everyone away - there had been a riot there last night. The team sort of laid low with the woman until the administrator went away, then the guards let them through, and when they arrived at this huge complex with many tents, Dr. Mike came walking out just as they pulled up! So the woman got seen and triaged right away - she had no internal bleeding but did indeed have a hip fracture, and was put into the waiting area for an operation to pin her hip.

This opened the door for another young man with an amazing bright and cheerful spirit, to be taken to this hospital for an unstable fracture in his upper leg that had only been splinted with cardboard for 16 days. When we checked on him 5 days later, he had received the operation to put hardware in the leg fracture to stabilize it, and was doing very well.

So thanks again for the prayers and support - I am really grateful for the opportunity to be so blessed working alongside these amazing people to respond to Haiti's need.“ Dr. Katy

In the original blog I wrote that God’s love isn’t hypothetical. The love that emerges in a tragedy matches the loss. It doesn’t compensate for the loss, but it is as real. How great the tragedy. How great the love. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. That is real life.

We can and will grapple with the “Whys” of a great tragedy. Those are big questions. However, the more significant questions are, “Will puzzling over ‘Whys’ paralyze me into inactivity? Or will I wade into the fray bereft of answers and equipped only with God’s compassion and my willingness to be available?”

It is from those who enter the fray that we learn that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. That isn’t an answer to the big “Whys.” It is, however, the redemptive response to the tragedies that inspire those questions. Thank you Dr. Katy, and the countless unnamed “amazing people,” for being the heart of God.

CO

1-28-10

I heard a Bible verse in staff meeting this past week that spoke to my condition. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13-14 (NIV).
This is such a fine “one thing.” We could all sit in a circle, and I imagine everyone one of us could describe what it means in our circumstance, this very day, to let go of something in the past and press on toward the goal for which God has called us.
If I let go of what lies behind that probably means I need to forgive someone. More often than not that someone is myself. Can I let that thing go and trust that God is big enough to handle the situation? And if I press on toward the prize to which God has called me, that will pretty much color how I do what I do today. And that seems to give me less to let go of tomorrow.
Paul knew what he was talking about. Those are word we can live by.

Pastor Chuck

1-22-10

Thanks for the thoughtful comments on last week’s article on Haiti. Both Drew and Jeff made excellent observations about how to keep from being immobilized by the immensity of a tragedy. Drew, who has been on site in a Rwandan refugee camp, counseled on the value of managing one’s news sources. Jeff spoke of the value of keeping the subject alive in a faith community so our ambitions to act don’t “flee to Tarsus.” Read their comments if you get a chance.
2 Corinthians 8 is a wonderful chapter for reflection during this season of great need. “Excel in this grace of giving,” says the Apostle Paul (v.7). How do we do that? That’s exactly what Paul, Jeff and Drew are inviting us to engage. Good news: I don’t think we can miss on this one. Whenever and however we engage the grace of giving, we’re probably moving towards excelling in that very thing.
For example, thanks for the $2200+ our congregation gave last Sunday for Haiti relief. Let’s continue to encourage one another to discover what it means to excel in the grace of giving as a lifestyle.
The Lord is with us,
CO

Death Life Mourning Joy Crying Laughing Pain Health

The extent of the tragedy in Haiti is beyond imagination. Understandably, we can’t help but wonder how God can let such things happen. Here are some thoughts that help sustain me in such times.
• There is a difference between heaven and earth. We live in a world of death, mourning, crying and pain (Rev. 21:4). Of course there is also life, joy, laughing and health. We want to believe that the latter are normal. However, the very hard fact is that as long as we are on this earth we will have tears. Yes we will. Now what?
• We put our hope in the One Who is bigger than this life. We tend to think of tragedy in terms of a human life span. When we really believe that the best comes after this life on our tear-stained planet, our view of tragedy takes a significant shift. But what about those who are suffering right now?
• “Religion that God... accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…” James 1:27. What do we do? We love our neighbors who suffer. Notice that James assumes tears will always be at hand. Widows and orphans are the living reminders of loss. For tell-it-like-it-is James, the evidence of God’s love is not the absence of tragedy, but the action of people.
• God’s love isn’t hypothetical. The love that emerges in a tragedy matches the loss. It doesn’t compensate for the loss, but it is as real. How great the tragedy. How great the love. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. That is real life.