Happy Leap Day

What a great solution to match up our calendar with the solar year! Because it takes the earth 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds to travel around the year, we have "provided" another day on the calendar every four years. Wouldn't it be nice to add a day "as needed" to our schedules the same whay we do with our calendar? Behind schedule on a deadline? Just add a "leap day" to catch up. We would probably want more than one day every four years. I have been studying "belief" in preparation for the message on Sunday. Once of the greatest challenges to our faith relates to our view of time. When I was in college I heard a message about time that has stuck with me through the years. One of the most significant points in the sermon was a reminder that every day is a "provided" day. God is the provider. Taking that personally is a challenge. In other words, today is a day that God has provided for me. That means that God had some things in mind for me on the day. It is nearly 5:30 pm. How well have I done so far? Along with the day, God "provides" everything I need to be faithful, obedient and fruitful. Believe.

Believe

In my last blog I shared some thoughts about belief drawn from the story of the woman who was healed in Mark 5:24-34. She had spent all her money going to physicians and grew worse instead of better. Her willingness to reach out to Jesus demonstrates a desperate courage. She was desperate in terms of her repeated frustration and disappointment. She was courageous in her perseverance. She refused to give up. When she heard about Jesus she must have found a way to silence the voices inside her head that told her is was a waste of time and effort. As I have reflected on the story this week, I have thought about how loud and numerous the voices are in our world today that seek to discredit the value of reaching out to Jesus. It's ironic that there are many voices that encourage belief in other "pathways" to peace and purpose. Discussions of spirituality and metaphysical issues are at an all time high. Books, television programs and movies regularly present supernatural "phenoms" of all shapes and sizes. Yet, belief in Jesus in maligned. Sometimes it may seem to you that believing in Jesus with a sincere and trusting heart is like swimming upstream. In those moments I hope you will remember the woman. What would she say to you? Would you listen to her voice? I hear her say to me "It's worth the effort".

Belief and Futility

The story of a woman healed (Mark 5:25-34) presents a great message of belief. Mark describes a woman who has suffered for twelve years and has "spent all she had" and yet she has continued to grow worse. When she hears of Jesus she finds the courage to reach out to Him. She touches His garment and receives a miraculous healing. Not only does she receive physical healing, but Jesus sends the woman on her way with a proclamation of "peace". What is the relationship between belief and our own futile efforts to find peace? I believe the description of the woman's costly and ineffective efforts to find a remedy for her affliction illustrate an important principle of belief in Jesus. At some point, we have to take a significant step of faith. Belief emerges from our recognition that faith in Jesus is bigger than our ability to control. It is necessary because our efforts to be adequate for life are always insufficient. It seems to me that the woman's efforts to find healing through her own means illustrates our desire to believe "on our own terms". In fact her healing seems to occur "anonymously" at first - but Jesus does not permit that to happen. Belief is interpersonal. It connects us with a personal God. Our belief is nevr unnoticed by God. Our belief in God is more than a means to healing, it is an eternal relationship of love.

Believe

The more I consider what it means to "believe" the more I am struck by the personal aspects of belief. Belief requires a personal investment and that seems to go against a lot of popular thinking. More and more we are bent toward discovering a path or a process rather than a personal God. Sometimes we don't even realize how selfish our thinking has become. All the while God draws us toward Himself. He has designed us with a need to know Him and trust Him. When we seek to satisfy our need to trust Him from a distance we sacrifice peace.

Change your perspective

I am sharing a message with our Youth tonight. In preparation, I was reading in Acts 8 where Philip was directed by an angel of the Lord "to go toward the south along the road which goes from Jerusalem to Gaza". When Philip went on the road he met an Ethiopian who was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah. Philip helps him understand what he is reading and helps him believe in Jesus. Usually I read this story from Philip's perspective. I think about his obedience and how I should be ready and willing to go and share my faith. However, it is very valuable to read the story from the Ethiopian's perspective. He was reading Isaiah and trying to understand. But, he needed help and guidance. The fact that Philip came and shared is a testimony of God's love for the Ethiopian and God's perfect knowledge of his need for help. How often do we recognize that God sends us help when we need it most? How often do we appreciate God's love for us? I can hear the silent "sigh" of the Ethiopian as he read. I can hear him whisper, "I wish I understood". And God heard and answered.

Begin the day with confidence

When I woke up this morning I spent a few moments meditating about what I needed to get accomplished today. "Meditating" sounds so much more spiritual than worrying doesn't it? As I thought about the day I was reminded that the Holy Spirit is my guide and my helper. The Holy Spirit is able to provide everything I need within my life today. I am able to do everything God wants me to do today if I will allow and rely upon His help. I have thought a lot about "repentance" this week. The message on Sunday was a reminder that repentance is much more than we often think it is. It is not simply saying "I'm sorry". Repentance is a change of mind, a change of direction. It is a commitment to go toward God rather than away from God. As it relates to our daily activities, our greatest need for repentance may relate to our desire to rely upon our own strength rather than depend upon God's strength and guidance each day. God's early morning reminder to me was that He is my help.

Three Words

Repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15)
Follow Me (Mark 1:17)

Repent, Believe, Follow. These three words will be the focus of my attention for the next few weeks. They are the words of Jesus found in the first chapter of Mark. They are significant markers that point the way to radical transformation. As a matter of fact, I believe the message of these three words is unavoidable in life. We must confront the need for repentance if we have any concern for direction in life. All of us must reckon with the question of belief. And in the infamous words of Bob Dylan, we gotta "serve somebody". Who do we follow? Three words strategically located in the early pages of the Gospel according to Mark. Jesus knew they packed the power to rock our world. But, that's why He came.

Lost and Found

As a follow up to my message on Sunday, I have continued to read some moving comments by Henri Nouwen on Rembrandt's painting of "The Return of the Prodigal". Nouwen confesses,

"For most of my life I have struggled to find God, to know God, to love God...Now I wonder whether I have sufficiently realized that during all this time God has been trying to find me, to know me, and to love me...God is looking into the distance for me, trying to find me, and longing to bring me home. in all three parables which Jesus tells in response to the question of why he eats with sinners, he puts the emphasis on God's initiative. God is the shepherd who goes looking for his lost sheep. God is the woman who lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches everywhere for her lost coin until she has found it. God is the father who watches and waits for his children, runs out to meet them, embraces them, pleads with them, begs and urges them to come home...when I look through God's eyes at my lost self and discover God's joy at my coming home, then my life may become less anquished and more trusting."

Nouwen's words are a fitting plea for us to cherish the love of God.

Time Flies

We have heard the saying "time flies when you're having fun". How about this? Time flies when you procrastinate. On Sunday, I will conclude "the Biggest Loser" series of messages. During the past few weeks we have been considering how to leave the "old life" behind and live the "new life" that God desires for us to live. So, since the dawn of 2008, how much of the "old" have you left behind? Usually, it's easy to talk about the changes that we need to make. But, then "time flies" while we think about how to actually make the changes. This week, I will revisit some thoughts about forgiveness. Nothing keeps us stuck in the mud quite like unforgiveness. If we are struggling to live the "new life" that God has for us, it's a good sign that we should check to see if there are pockets of unforgiveness hiding within. Learning to receive and give forgiveness is an amazing catalyst for positive change within us.

Happy Camper

Everybody loves an underdog. I have to admit that I am a happy camper today. I was thrilled to see the New York Giants defeat the New England Patriots. I was pulling for the Giants even though they were given little or no chance to defeat the previously undefeated Pats. To quote the old cliche - that's why they play the game. It was clear in the final drive to the endzone that the Giants believed that they could win. They were determined to finish strong. During the current Sunday morning message series I have referred to the opening words of Hebrews 12 several times. The words were written to some early followers of Christ who were beginning to feel like "underdogs". They were growing fearful of the threat of persecution. The challenge to them (and to us) was to be diligent and encourage one another. Finish strong.