The Church

What does it men to be the "body of Christ". As I reflect on the messages about the body of Christ that I have shared over the past few weeks, I think it is safe to refer to the Body of Christ as the "church". It's safe, that is, provided we think in terms of the church as a living organism and not a building. I ran across an old story this week that illustrates the presence of the living church in the world. It's about a Catholic priest in North Carolina. Although his name is Paul Bryant, he became known as Padre Pablo. Padre Pablo began ministering to the growing Hispanic population in NC by going to a Laundromat where many of the Hispanic community gathered to wash their clothes. Upon entering, he set up a small table and placed a hand-woven blanket on the table with some bread and wine. On his initial trip to the Laundromat he said mass for five or six people. As I read about Padre Pablo, I recognized a picture of the life of Christ that does not cease at the threshold of the church building. Nor does the heartbeat of the church stop beating at noon on Sunday morning. The church is alive in the Laundromat. If we are alive in Christ, His body is present in the Laundromat.

Inside Out

I was reading 1 Samuel 17 this week. You may recall the famous battle between David and Goliath. It may be the best known passage in the Old Testament. I love reading it again and gaining fresh insight. This time I noticed the vivid description of Goliath. We get a detailed picture of his stature and the weight and size of his weapons. Why does Goliath get so much ink? After all, he is the enemy and we know he's going down. I think it is because it develops a stark contrast that has already been provided in 1 Samuel. It is the contrast between the inside and the outside. It is the difference between the heart of a warrior and the physical characteristics of the warrior. Goliath was huge, but he wasn't bigger than David's God. Goliath's weapons were enormous, but they were no match for David's heart. When David was chosen as King Saul's successor God reminded the prophet that there was one overriding criteria. He needed to be a man after God's heart. It determines our success in our own battles today. It is what is our hearts that will determine whether we run to battle (and victory) with David or remain paralyzed with the rest of the army on the sidelines. It was not military ineptitude that kept Israel's army on the sideline. It was their fear. On the other hand, David's heart compelled him to run to battle and trust God to fight for Him.

Grandparent's, Parents and God

I was talking to Pastor John today about his granddaughter Lily. I told him that I was with Jeremy and Mary Beth on Sunday and saw his granddaughter Lily taking a nap. There is nothing more precious than a little child sleeping. When I was watching Lily I told Jeremy and Mary Beth that it doesn't really change as they get older. There are times that I still watch Nick sleep. I am beginning to understand what my parents have told me. It really doesn't matter if his big smelly feet are hanging off the bed, in some ways he will not cease to be my baby boy. Pastor John spoke to me regarding that point. He spoke with the wisdom and understanding of a father and a grandfather. He quoted from the gospel (Luke 11:13) which compares our capacity to give our children good gifts to God's capacity to bless us (with the Holy Spirit). It was a great reminder to me of how God views us as His children. We grow up. We grow old. Sometimes we take on some of the dirt and dust of this world in our journey. But God still views us as His children. He is the Good Shepherd who makes us lie down and rest in cool green pastures and I believe He still loves to watch us sleep.

Spreading Grace

I have been thinking through an illustration that I shared last Sunday. Paul wrote in Romans 12 that he spoke "by the grace" given him. Paul attributed his ability to share teaching with the church (as an apostle) to the grace of God. As I study the context of his writing it is clear that God's grace was not only the source of the message, but also of his authority and credibility. Last week I mentioned that God gives each of us grace. I compared it to carrying around a bucket full of grace that God expects us to pour on others each day. Now that I am a few days into the week, it's worth taking some time and considering how much my speeach and actions have been grace-filled. It's not always easy to reflect on such things. Every day I have encountered many people in many different situations. Certainly I have overlooked golden opportunities to pour out some grace. Sometimes I have been in a hurry, sometimes distracted. Sometimes I have been more interested in dipping into the bucket for myself rather than sharing with others. How much grace have you poured over others this week? I have noticed that as soon as I pour out grace God replenishes the supply.