Comfort and Compassion .
2 Corinthians 1:3-5

3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4. who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

My NIV translation reads: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort . .” I was convicted earlier this week very powerfully and was deeply humbled about my behavior. I spend a good portion of my day taking calls from individuals who are in need of counseling services. Some of them are merely calling to leave a voice mail for their counselor, but almost daily I speak to someone who needs to set up an appointment for the first time. I am responsible for “assigning” them to a counselor based on many variable criteria. I work very hard to be sure they hear the compassion and empathy in my voice -- and in my heart.

It is, for me, easy to be kind and compassionate to people in need in that way. They have a concrete, identified situation in their lives, or life in general has become too overwhelming and they need someone to guide through the situation. The difficulty for me comes in dealing with those who don’t act as I think they should -- coworkers, other work associates, fellow store customers or drivers on the road with me. Especially if those individuals don’t act in a way that “I think” is “Christian.” One evening this week God held a mirror up to me and said, “Mary, you judge others for doing things you don’t like, and yet, you do those same things toward them--or others. How can you convict another?”

I am not one who like to be wrong -- and like even less admitting I am wrong. So I was pretty much thrown for a loop! But yesterday, I was very conscious of my thoughts, my words, my actions. And I will admit that I caught myself short innumerable times throughout the day. I’m not beating myself up. I’m glad I realized my shortcoming, so that I can correct it! And I’m sharing this rather embarrassing truth to hopefully cause you to stop and think about an area of your life that might need some “tweaking.”

It’s not easy to be a Christian. But the God of all comfort assures us it is worth it -- and will be worth it! When we get to heaven, we’ll know it was worth it! We have been saved! Because of that we are both compelled and expected to be the light of Christ to the world. Even to those who are rude, disrespectful, thoughtless -- because really they are probably in pain and distress -- and they need the comfort of Christ’s love, just as much as the weeping, the desperate and those suffering in silence.

My prayer today is that you’ll offer up to God everything in your life that separates you from Him. And that you will show your thanks for his forgiveness and mercy by offering the same to everyone you meet.

Mary  ¶ 9:40 PM

  Not Forsaken .
2 Corinthians 4:7-17

7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. 8. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9. persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10. always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12. So death is at work in us, but life in you. 13. Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak, 14. knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day. 17. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

Nothing life throws at us is insurmountable because of our faith in the risen Lord. The death at work in us is, I think, death to ourselves--death to our own interests and our need to be approved by the world. Because of the resurrection we don’t need to fear physical death, because we know that we will rise again with Christ at the end of time. So what does all that mean in our daily lives? How does that help us face challenges at home and at work and even at church? These words were written to “new” Christians who lived in a day and time when life wasn’t so complicated!

Actually, I believe these words may be a bit harder to apply than they were for the Corinthians. They faced the very real threat of imprisonment and possibly death if they opening declared themselves as Christians! So persecution and being forsaken had a meaning that was very close to their daily existence and applications that were literal, not figurative! I see these words as timely, though. In business today, employees are often asked to “look the other way” or “step over the line” of what is right. The goal for many businesses has become a better bottom line vs. serving as an example of ethical business practice. Sometimes the offenses are minor, and seem as if it’s no big deal. Other times they are blatant and cause us to question what we should do.

Even in churches there is a constant struggle between holding people accountable and offering them mercy and forgiveness. Those farther along in their faith journey than am I have even proposed that we need to apply the 10 Commandments very literally and to carry them out beyond the “worse case scenario.” One our former Sunday School teachers told us that he believed the commandment against murdering someone included thinking ill of them or speaking ill of them! That’s a pretty tall order! But I think he’s right! Paul tells the Corinthians that we must die to sin in order to reflect the light of Christ. We must destroy and weed out all evil within us to make room for Jesus. We are to look upon our fellow human beings as God does: precious, beloved, children of God; brothers and sisters in Christ. Each of them and all of us are united through Christ’s sacrifice for us.

So no matter what happens to us; no matter who God puts in our path; no matter how tough our current circumstance, we can rejoice! We know that because Jesus not only became one of us, so understands us, he won for us the victory of eternal life in heaven at the end of time. So we need to make the most of this life, living in such a way that the light of Christ is reflected through us to God’s world. And we can do that in the most dire circumstances, because Christ waits for us in heaven.

I hope today you will reflect the light of Christ to the world by extending small acts of kindness and love. And that you will feel that sunshine reflected back to you.

Mary  ¶ 7:17 AM

  The Source of Life .
1 Corinthians 1:20-31

20. Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21. For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23. but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24. but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26. For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth; 27. but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, 28. God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29. so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; 31. therefore, as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord."

Last night I took a rare opportunity to watch a network television program! I know it’s shocking! I watched about 2/3 of a new series on the first woman president (I fell asleep before it ended). I won’t ramble on too much, but do want to set the stage. The president has had a stroke of some kind and just prior to his death he specifically asked Madam Vice President to resign so the Speaker of the House could assume the Presidency because initially it was believed he would live, but would be incapacitated through many months of rehab. As the conversations take place, it becomes apparent she had been an attractive running mate not because of their shared philosophical bent, but because of the women’s votes desperately needed by the majority party.

Of course, she refuses to step down after she realizes that the current men in power are “power hungry” and driven by their lust for control of the world. Not quite that blatant or cut and dried, but in a nutshell, that brings us up to next week’s show. I probably won’t watch every week, but I may tune in from time to time if the focus remains on politics and the political system and its inner workings. The story line fits, I think this portion of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. He tells them that it is not the one who delivers the message who matters. It has little to do with ability or intellect or worldly wisdom--it is the heart of the receiver that matters.

I can be as well-educated as any person on earth. I may have a vast vocabulary. I may have written hundreds of scholarly dissertations on a variety of topics. But if my audience is not receptive, open, interested in what I have to say, I may as well be silent. Because it is through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that causes understanding to happen. I have to want to hear what the speaker is saying, and then I need to discern how it applies to my life. I cannot achieve either of my own volition. I may turn to the world, and to the scholars and the wise men and women of this world for answers to my life questions. And I may find answers that suffice for a time. But when the going gets rough, when I must rely upon my own will and knowledge to maintain, I fall short.

God wants us to give Him the glory, the credit, the praise. He want us to acknowledge and accept him as the source of every ability, all power and influence. He is the reason we get up in the morning -- so we can share the Good News with others -- it’s all about Him -- not you, not me, not anyone or anything on this earth. Only God. He doesn’t want to share us. He doesn’t want anything else to be more important to us. We buy the latest, greatest gadget to make our life easier. We follow the teachings of the latest self-help guru. We seek after success and power and recognition in this world. And all of it works. For a while. Wayne Dyer says there’s no such thing as self-help. We cannot rely on ourselves to be happy and whole. We must connect to God.

My prayer today is that you go to God first, last, and every time in between. And that you share the Good News of the joy, peace and wholeness found only in the One who created it all.

Mary  ¶ 6:56 AM

  Tender Heart and Humble Mind .
1 Peter 3:8-16

8. Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. 9. Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10. For "He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; 11. let him turn away from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil." 13. Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right? 14. But even if you do suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15. but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; 16. and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

These words a little hard to swallow! When I watch the news I hear politicians putting a “spin” on the voting record and even on the character of their opponent. I see that powerful CEO’s get off scot-free for embezzling, or at a minimum mismanaging, millions of investor’s dollars and getting away with it -- or serving minimal jail terms. It doesn’t seem to me that very many of those who turn to evil suffer any consequence at all! Even in the everyday operations of our own business places we see dishonesty, deceit, one-upmanship, and really just about anything else that enables one to “get ahead.”

Peter does more than caution us not to conform to the behavior of sinners. He urges us to serve as a testimony to those who have been mislead and misguided. We are to live our lives as examples to those who are easily led astray. And more, even if we end up getting the “raw deal” we are not to speak ill of the individual behind his back. We are rather to pray for him! And, we are to remain true to what we believe, even if it means we don’t get that promotion or raise, even if we get passed over for every recognition and notice. Because we have already been noticed by the God who rewards his beloved.

And in our daily lives, we are not to grumble against the aggressive driver who cuts us off in traffic, or the difficult customer in line in front of us. We’re not to judge the homeless man on the corner or the wealthy family in the expensive neighborhood. We are to view each of these individuals as if they were Christ himself--and as if we were viewing them through the eyes of Christ.

More than all this, we are to be humble and gentle, so that when someone approaches us about how we are able to maintain hope and joy in the midst of “persecution” we will be approachable. We cannot testify to loving and gracious God if we are not loving and gracious. We cannot proclaim God’s mercy if we are not ourselves merciful. We cannot convince others that God has made a place in his kingdom for even the worse sinner who repents, if we aren’t willing to share our own salvation story.

We are all broken and fall short of the perfection of Jesus Christ. That is the first part of the message we are to bring to the world. The second part is that God sent Christ to pay the price for each of us and so afford us a place in eternity with him.

I hope today you represent Christ to this fallen, sin-filled world. And that you share your own story of salvation, healing and hope with everyone you meet.

Mary  ¶ 6:58 AM

  Called, Justified, Glorified .
Romans 8:28-35

28. We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. 29. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. 30. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31. What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? 32. He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? 33. Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; 34. who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language defines justified: to free (a human) of the guilt and penalty attached to grievous sin. Used of God; and glorified: to cause to be or seem more glorious or excellent than is actually the case. The very fact that God “arranged” for our justification and glorification proves verse 28! The questions in this passage are really rhetorical. Because of God--and only because of God--we are pure and holy and blameless. With God. Embraced by Him. Wooed by Him.

Yes, he loves us enough to woo us! He is madly, desperately in love with us! After all he made us to be like him! To prove to us how very much he loves us, he sent his son to pay the price for every sin ever committed or ever to be committed in the future. He allowed his son/himself to be tortured and killed. And then to show us that we may have hope, that he has already laid in place plans for our future with him, Jesus rose on the third day!

“If God is for us” really means since God is for us. Since God is for us, there is no reason to fear any human threat or earthly trial. We may struggle, and even suffer, but God will be with us through it, and will also be waiting for us “on the other side” when we are purified and refined -- new creatures because of Christ. Isn’t it comforting to know that even in our darkest times, even in our deepest sorrow, even in our most challenging struggles, we have God uplifting, encouraging, supporting us -- and loving us through it all.

Also, though, we must be careful how we perceive others. My tendency has often been to make a judgment or an assumption about someone or their behavior based strictly on how I was personally impacted. I am growing - ever so painfully slowly - to “give the other guy a break!” In other words -- we all have “baggage,” we all have struggles and challenges, we all have things to deal with in our lives and sometimes we are not the kind of person we would like to be. What I try to remember now, is that “it’s not about me!” And if someone has disappointed me or let me down in some way, I try to figure out what may be going on in their lives -- and so pray for them and their struggle.

I’m not as successful or diligent in that capacity as I would like to be. It does help, though, to work with individuals who are much more so!

My prayer today is that will view others as if you were in their shoes. And that if you are disappointed, it will be in your inability to “heal” another, rather than in how harshly you judged them.

Mary  ¶ 9:23 AM

  “THE” LORD .
John 17:3 KJV

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.


Jeremiah 9:23,24 ESV

Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."

Jeremiah is talking about THE LORD. Not A god, but the one and only true Yahweh God who is the greatest of all gods. He’s the one who is life eternal and so is the only one able to grant life eternal. He IS love. He IS justice. He IS righteousness. That’s a really BIG god! That is ‘I AM.’

But isn’t that the kind of God we need just to live day to day in this world? I don’t know about you, but I struggle every day with life in this world. I am so fortunate to work in an environment where my co-workers are deeply grounded in their faith and that faith drives their work. That is extremely rare out there in the world! And I sometimes wonder if God placed me in that job so that I would be reminded and reassured that it is possible to live the kind of life Jeremiah heard about from his LORD.

I am blessed to be surrounded by so many individuals who are farther along the path of their faith journey than am I! They challenge me by their actions and their words. They never judge or try to push me -- or pull me. They accept me where I am and encourage me to keep growing, just by their presence and their living out their calling in obedience and joy. They know God, so they are able to spread His word to those they counsel, to each other and to me!

We must seek out people who are willing and able to provide us encouragement and hope. We need to see others living out their faith, so that we can be accountable for our actions. We want to be surrounded by the faithful so that we can be fortified against the assaults of the faithless in this world. There is strength in numbers, after all. And when we number ourselves among the faithful, we are able to offer hope and encouragement to others.

My prayer today is that you thank the I AM, Yahweh, LORD God for those he sends to uplift you and support you. And that you draw upon their strength through Him to do the same for others.

Mary  ¶ 8:32 AM

  God’s in the Details .
1 Peter 1:3-12

3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4. and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5. who by God's power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, 7. so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8. Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. 9. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls. 10. The prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired about this salvation; 11. they inquired what person or time was indicated by the Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory. 12. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things which have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Verses 3-5 could be the sole verses to discuss this morning, but the climax doesn’t really appear until verse 12 does it?! An inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled and unfading-nothing on this earth can make this claim! No man-made legacy can make such a promise! Imperishable. Undefiled. Unfading. Even gold, so highly valued by man, can be melted and eventually just burn up and evaporate, if the fire is hot enough. But our faith is stronger than anything imaginable. These verses make me think of coal, and how under intense pressure over a long, long time becomes a diamond.

That’s what Christ won for us! We are coal, but we will be diamonds upon our arrival in heaven! Even the angels long to look because it will be such a glorious sight! We will be perfect and perfected. In light of that promise, hope and belief, nothing life throws at us can defeat us. That’s the ideal of course. Many of the individuals who lost their homes, jobs, schools, and everything else that made up their lives are probably a bit shaky in that department right now. And we have many family members evacuating the Houston area as I type! Those of us out of harm’s way must be hopeful for them. We must pray for them, believing the promise of the New Covenant Christ forged for our Heavenly Father.

Prophets of old searched for the time and place. Since the beginning of time, man has wanted to know the details, the why’s and the wherefore’s. But Peter is saying that we need not be concerned about any of that. God’s got the details all taken care of. We are to live out our part of the Covenant -- keep believing in a God who does not lie. Keep praying to a God who loves us too much to ever abandon us. Keep offering thanks and praise for the gift and sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and resurrected.

In times like these, that may be all we have! Because of that, we should cling to this truth -- all the time!

My prayer for you today is that you experience, demonstrate and represent God’s grace to everyone you meet. And that you turn over the details to the one who laid out the plan for us all before the world began.

Mary  ¶ 9:22 AM

  The First “Christians” .
Acts 11:19-30

19. Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews. 20. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. 22. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; 24. for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. 25. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; 26. and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians. 27. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius. 29. And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea; 30. and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

There isn’t really one particular verse that stands out for me this morning. I just like the fact that the excitement and energy of the time is almost palpable throughout! A revolution of sorts, has begun in earnest! How frightening! How awe-inspiring. And “in Antioch the disciples were for the firs time call Christians.” Wow! What an honor and what a scary label to have in that day and time! Stephen had just been stoned to death for proclaiming Jesus as the Christ. Not just a Jesus -- that Jesus -- from the line of David, fulfillment of the prophecies of old.

The believers were sent underground as they feared for their lives. The apostles, though, continued to preach and perform miracles and spread the Good News. They were “Christians” now! No turning back. No hiding in the shadows. Too many good men had been killed for the faith they shared with the apostles -- even Jesus himself. Those men were on fire! And even the threat of death was not going to snuff out the Spirit’s fire within them! In fact, that made them all the more steadfast in their purpose -- what a powerful truth that man would want to silence it!

“28. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius. 29. And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea; 30. and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.” A great famine all over the [known] world. Hurricane Katrina. Earthquake in California. Tsunami in Asia. I’ve seen similar acts of generosity throughout all these and other disasters visited upon the earth. And I think Americans are so often the “first responders.”

I wonder though, if we respond so readily because the thought of our losing our homes, our cars, our things is so horrific that we just can’t even “go there.” I can’t help but think that perhaps sometimes we are really making offerings to false gods. Are we really giving out of compassion and concern for the individuals impacted, or are we making a “pre-emptive” offering in the hopes that nothing like that will ever happen to us? Food for thought, I think. Not that we shouldn’t give -- we should -- all we can! I just wonder if it matters why we give.

My hope today is that you will give generously to whatever worthy cause appeals to you. And that you offer not only your financial resources, but your heart and soul to the source of all good.

Mary  ¶ 7:08 AM

  Everything .
Acts 5:1-5, 11-16

1. But a man named Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property, 2. and with his wife's knowledge he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4. While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5. When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 12. Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. 13. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. 14. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, 15. so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

My NIV translation placed a little different emphasis on verse 13, it states, “No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.” Those who dared not join the faithful at Solomon’s Portico were those whose hearts were not pure--who offered less than perfect gifts. It wasn’t that they didn’t give enough, it was that they made offerings either to “look good” or because “it was the thing to do.” They didn’t offer what they did because they wanted to express their deep gratitude for being healed/saved.

God knows what is in our hearts! We may be able to fool man, but never God. The death of Ananias and his wife serve as a reminder to us about how we are to present ourselves before God. He wants all of us and everything. Really . . . EVERYTHING. All our longings and desires. All our wants and all our plans. All our hurts and suffering. All of our rejoicing and celebration. Every one of our deepest, darkest fears, and each of our bright, shining dreams. Every breath. Every heartbeat. He wants what Jesus gave him -- from each of us.

I, for one, don’t want to wait until I’m in a situation like the residents of Louisiana. I don’t want to lose everything I have and any evidence of my former life, before I go to God with my future and even with my next day, next hour. Ananias and Sapphira had an opportunity to be blessed beyond their wildest imagining! But they held back part of their wealth for themselves--just in case. It sounds like a pretty sound financial decision, doesn’t it?! But God directs us to look to Jesus. What did he leave behind? What is the legacy of Jesus Christ? No money, no fine houses, no children. Only his complete and absolute obedience.

When one of my covenant sisters challenges me to go to a deeper level of spirituality in a particular area of my life, I half-jokingly tell them, “Hmm, that’s too hard!” They know me well enough to know, though, that I’ll be the first one to dive in and turn things over and offer up more and more of myself to God. They also know that I will be convicted and repent with abject humility. And then they will share their own revelations about their self-examination with me. God places us in community so that we will have support and comfort, admonition and guidance on our spiritual journey. That’s why all the believers gathered together each day--to lift each other up and to be present as they were healed.

And God wants us to believe in him and trust in his provision for us, just like those standing in the shadow of Peter, we are to believe that we will be whole through our faith in Jesus Christ.

My hope today is that you will offer up your life to God. And that you will look to Jesus as the answer to the question, “Everything?”

Mary  ¶ 7:28 AM

  Day after Night after Day .
2 Peter 3:3-10

3. First of all you must understand this, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own passions 4. and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things have continued as they were from the beginning of creation." 5. They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago, and an earth formed out of water and by means of water, 6. through which the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist have been stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8. But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9. The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

I am so very grateful that God waits for me to “get it” when he tells me something or reveals something to me! I almost said when “he tries” to tell me something. Of course the shortcoming is not in his message -- it is in my ability -- or lack thereof -- to receive it! His patience is greater than even my lifetime, as he created the earth eons ago, and so has a different perception of time--he can wait years and years for me to figure out what he wants me to know -- because a year is but a blink of the eye in God’s time.

The challenging part of that truth is that because God was been around forever, I tend to grow impatient with his perception of time! I ask for immediate answer to prayers; I expect instant response to requests for guidance and revelation. I grab at any word spoken by another and take it as a sign from God. What I should do is sit quietly and wait on God. Being human, I cannot perceive of God’s time -- a day is like a thousand years. I think he instilled within us a sense of urgency to know and understand him, a longing for him, for his wisdom and insight. And that deep longing sometimes gets in the way!

Those who don’t know the truth, may think we’re fools to believe that God’s timing in perfect. They don’t know what we do--that while an event or incident may seem untimely in the moment--later God will reveal his purpose. Or later God will use a tragedy or a painful experience to help us grow, to become more like him so that we can help others when they go through a similar experience. Those who have never felt God’s presence in their lives, can’t understand our certainty of his promise, our absolute trust in his word. Scoffers abound. Do not listen. Do not believe them!

The word of God brought the world into existence. How can one doubt that kind of power? That same God still reigns in heaven. A mere word and the sun began to shine, a vague thought and stars and planets aligned themselves perfectly in the sky. Day. Night. Day. Night. Perfectly timed. Perfectly planned. Don’t you think a God who can create a universe, can manage to meet our needs? As I have watched the news coverage of the Gulf Coast residents and their plight, one fact is driven home over and over again. When it’s all said and done, God is all we have. We (that’s the collective we, to include myself!) would be well served to remember God is all we Need, before God is all we have left!

My prayer today is that you fall to your knees thanking God for his eternal patience in our struggle to achieve perfection. And that we have the hope and promise of life with him in heaven when he decides that time will end.

Mary  ¶ 7:46 AM

  Comfort and Good Hope .
Colossians 3:16-17

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts
to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

13. But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter. 16. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17. comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Words of encouragement this morning. And instructions/reminders about the reason we can always be encouraged. Also, we are to be encouragers for others in our lives. Life is so full and busy and complicated these days that we find ourselves forgetting these basic truths. We were chosen by God in eternity -- before time began -- to be saved. To be so valued as to have been thought of before the first star was placed in the sky! Before Adam and Eve! We were in the mind of God -- Alpha -- just as we will return to him at the end of all things -- Omega.

I’m having a period in my life where I am breaking free of strongholds and spiritually toxic relationships. That leaves me pretty much at “square one” in some areas of my life. I have found myself thinking, “OK, now what?!” While I hope these scripture verses offer you comfort and encouragement today, they have allowed God to reveal part of that “Now what” to me this morning, and I am greatly encouraged by that revelation! Isn’t God amazing? When we seek to serve others we find that we ourselves are the recipient of a far greater service! When we reach out to others in love, we receive God’s grace!

I know, you’re probably thinking, “Mary, that’s what you’ve been telling others all along!” So often the teacher speaks from what is known, not necessary what is practiced. Except for Jesus. He was the living, breathing, perfect example for us all. He gave everything--even his life--to God. While we may think that it’s too difficult to give up our own gods--the strongholds in our lives--compare what Jesus endured. That puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?

My prayer today is that you go to God, humbly and sincerely asking him to reveal the strongholds in your life. And that you offer them up to God, just as Christ offered up his life.

Mary  ¶ 7:02 AM

  A Hope and A Promise .
Hebrews 10:1-7

1. For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near. 2. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? If the worshipers had once been cleansed, they would no longer have any consciousness of sin. 3. But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year. 4. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. 5. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body hast thou prepared for me; 6. in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure. 7. Then I said, `Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,' as it is written of me in the roll of the book."

Revelation 22:12-14

Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.

It is simply a “given” that attendance at our church services nearly double at Christmas and Easter. And each year our worship leaders are compelled to think of how to make those particular worship services so compelling that those twice a year attendees will turn into regular attendees. “What can we say that will cause them to want to return next Sunday, and the Sunday after?” About six months ago our congregation began offering an “Alternative Worship” service in the hope of attracting “less traditional” worshipers.

Our church has always been very welcoming, I think. We invite newcomers in and work hard to make them feel as if “our home is their home.” I remember when we were new our church, several people approached us and asked us what our hobbies and interests were--right away! They hoped to find a small group for us to join so we would feel connected righ off the bat. So often, though, those who come only at Christmas and/or Easter are leery of being approached by congregants. Perhaps they were raised in a church where outsiders weren’t necessary welcomed and so they assume they won’t really be welcome--but for their checkbooks. Perhaps they have been so hurt and broken by the world that they don’t trust true Christians-survivors of hurt and brokenness-reaching out to others like themselves. Perhaps once or twice a year the hopeless come, looking for hope, wanting to feel closer to Christ during holidays that encourage just the opposite “in the world.”

The world cannot meet that deep, abiding need within us. Only Christ can. Some may cast aspersions on those semi-annual attendees. I’m just so grateful to be in a church that welcomes them. I want them to come -- even if only twice a year and feel the warmth of Christ’s love celebrated in the hope his birth and the promise lived out through the resurrection of his body. Our task is to be certain we are living out that hope and promise when others come looking for them! “Come on in! Stay a while! We love Jesus here, and we’re so glad you came. We are far from perfect, but we try very hard! And that’s all we’ll ask of you if you join us in the weeks and months to come.” That’s what our message should be!

Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. When someone walks out of our church after attending the first time, I hope they feel their robes have been washed and that they feel born anew. We need to remember though, that WE can’t make people feel that way. It’s a personal thing--between God and man. Each one will respond depending upon where his name is written in the book of life.

I hope today you grab hold of the hope of Jesus’ birth and the promise of his resurrection. And that you share that hope and promise with everyone you meet.

Mary  ¶ 7:21 AM

  The Work of an Evangelist .
2 Timothy 3:1-5, 4:2-5

1. But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress. 2. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3. inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, 4. treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5. holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people. 4. 2. preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. 3. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, 4. and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. 5. As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.

I am ever amazed at how the words written 2000 years ago about events of the day have so much similarity to what is going in the world in this day and time. Times of stress? I know that Katrina and Niger and Iraq and all the other issues of the day all together don’t compare to WWI or WWII. At least not from what I image it was like to live through one or both of those wars. But those of us who were born after that time only have our own experiences to draw upon. Good and evil seemed to be a little more clear cut in those days. The enemy was more clearly defined. It was easier to be united around one single cause.

The internet and 24-hour television bring us every detail of events throughout the world (at least from the editorial point of view of the news source!) It can be overwhelming to hear about devastation, war, starvation, natural disasters, social unrest and everything else distressing, discouraging and disheartening going on in the world. Or we are numb to it all because it isn’t really personal when viewed in only 1 dimension. Often it isn’t until we are personally touched by a tragedy, a loss, or other experience, that we begin to understand the experiences of others.

These verses offer lots of room for political commentary--to which I am so often and easily drawn and prone! I will refrain from all of that this morning, as that can be wearying as well. The bottom line is that no matter what happens in the world--to others or to us--our faith determines how we are to appropriately respond. We can believe the end is near and live either as if there is no point in looking to a bright and glorious future because all is hopeless; or as if we better get busy and prepare ourselves and each other for the 2nd coming!

I choose the latter! I don’t think this world is anywhere near the point that Christ will return--we still don’t get it--as a nation or as Christians! We still aren’t willing to do the hard work--preach the word, stand firm in our faith, gather together for prayer and for worship. God isn’t our priority. I don’t mean this as a condemnation on the world or on anyone else. I mean that as a collective body of Christians, we are still divided by denomination and doctrine, rather than united in what Christ preached and modeled for us.

From my point of view we’ve still got a lot of work to do! I guess we’d better get busy!

My hope and prayer today is that you’ll be steady in doing the work of an evangelist. And that you’ll hold firm with unlimited patience as you fulfill your ministry as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Mary  ¶ 7:27 AM

  The Mighty Hand of God .
1 Peter 5:6-7

6. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. 7. Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.

Philippians 4:6-7

6. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Both Peter and Paul offer sound advice to a world full of sorrows and woes. They both also offer a way to alleviate our sadness and relieve ourselves of the burden of worry: Give it all to God. It is certainly legitimate to be concerned about the physical welfare of our fellow man as well as their spiritual well-being. What both men are cautioning against is the self-centered worry that distracts us from the hope of life in Christ and the promise of God’s grace at the end of time.

The world offers us countless reasons to be concerned about the future of mankind! There is an on-going, relentless battle for our souls being waged by the powers of this world. It would be so easy to fall prey to the idea that we must live for today, because tomorrow may never come! No need to plan ahead, no need to invest our lives in an eternal inheritance. Why be concerned about the AIDS epidemic in Africa? Why lose sleep over the displaced citizens of the Gulf Coast of America? Why educate ourselves about legislation that will impact our way of life, and potentially restrict our freedom or someone else's? Who really needs to know about an entire African nation starving to death before our very eyes? All these things cause us to worry, right?

We must be intimately and acutely aware of and involved in our world! Our lives may be brief in view of eternity, but we are responsible for what happens in our lifetime, in our world! Our natural response to God taking all our burdens upon Himself, is to tackle more and more of the issues of the day, and lifting them up to Him. Our faith that He is bigger than any problem in our lives, stronger than any evil in the world, more powerful than famine, flood, or any other phenomenon, allows us to be proactive and empowers us to act. Because He is behind us, within us, and ever before us.

It sounds so simple! Of course all of these issues and so many others are complex. To me, that’s all the more reason to pray; to ask God for revelation and wisdom. And to invite Christ into the equation. What would our world be like if every Christian lived out our promise and our hope in Christ? I don’t think that’s an unrealistic question to pose. I also know, though, that too many involved in the solutions, or lack thereof, do not go to God first. It is apparent, because the problems keep coming, and growing, and multiplying.

I’m not judging anyone! I am convicted in my own life! I clutch every situation to myself, as if hoarding one small bit of control in a world that affords me none of it’s own accord. I know that if I would give it up, in humility, in faith, in joyful assurance of Christ’s victory for me, that I would have an easier time! I would sleep better at night. I would see the “glass half-full” much more often. I would share the Good News with others merely by how I lived my life -- an example to others. But alas, I am human. Fortunately God loves me in spite of my flaws and weaknesses and my pride. That is reason to be anxious for nothing.

My prayer today is that you will humble yourself before God as you offer up all your cares and concerns to Him. And that you will rejoice in the peace that surpasses all understanding in Christ Jesus.

Mary  ¶ 7:24 AM

  Lesser gods .
Exodus 9:15-16

15. For by now I could have put forth my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth; 16. but for this purpose have I let you live, to show you my power, so that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

Isaiah 44:24-26

24. Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: "I am the Lord, who made all things, who stretched out the heavens alone, who spread out the earth -- Who was with me? -- 25. who frustrates the omens of liars, and makes fools of diviners; who turns wise men back, and makes their knowledge foolish; 26. who confirms the word of his servant, and performs the counsel of his messengers; who says of Jerusalem, `She shall be inhabited,' and of the cities of Judah, `They shall be built, and I will raise up their ruins';

Romans 9:15-18

15. For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16. So it depends not upon man's will or exertion, but upon God's mercy. 17. For the scripture says to Pharaoh, "I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth." 18. So then he has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens the heart of whomever he wills.

In the time Moses lived, pharaohs were considered as gods. Massive statuary and magnificent building were erected to honor the pharaoh in power. They had tremendous wealth. They literally held life in the palm of their hand--if they just had a bad day, one who was in the general vicinity might be put to death--just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time! Even though Moses had been brought up in pharaoh’s house-hold, he was considered a traitor, because he ran away--denying his adopted family that had given him so much.

Fast forward several decades. Moses returns to his childhood home. Not for a joyous reunion, but as a messenger from God -- that’s with a capital “G!” “THE” God! What Pharaoh didn’t realize was that God had laid in place this great plan for Moses before the world began. And the Pharaoh was part of that plan! Pharaoh was amused initially, I’m sure. Then irritated. Finally, after his own son died, he understood that Moses spoke of a god who had more power than even Pharaoh and his powerful magicians and soothsayers could defeat. So he tried to defeat Moses and his plan (which was, of course, God’s plan) with his mighty army. And God took care of that in short order too! (THE GOD, that is!)

Pharaoh thought he had it all figured out. He had power and wealth and really, anything he desired. In those times, it was believed that pharaohs ascended to power by will of the gods. Sometimes it was fabled that pharaohs were “children of the gods.” But guess what? God used man’s plan to fulfill his own plan! He used Pharaoh's stubbornness and arrogance to give Moses opportunities to display a power that could only originate from a god greater than all other gods! Those slaves needed to see that too, otherwise their fear would have been greater than their hope and they wouldn’t have followed Moses.

We might excel in a particular skill or profession. We may be the “top producer” or “star seller” or CEO of a huge conglomerate or even the president of the country. Society values those titles and labels. Excelling is important to man. And so often we begin to “believe our own press” don’t we? Like, Pharaoh, we believe that our lesser gods are the ones to whom we owe homage. We worship them and even put ourselves on a pedestal. It is tremendously reassuring to me that God -- THE GOD -- uses even man’s foolishness to bring about his plans and to show his power to us.

I hope today you stop to remember that those lesser gods in our lives interfere with our relationship with the one true God of all. And that you cast off your life of slavery to those gods, accepting the freedom afforded us through God’s grace.

Mary  ¶ 7:10 AM

  Fellow Citizens

Ephesians 2:19-22

19. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20. built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21. in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22. in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

The continuous coverage of the victims of Katrina has taken it’s toll. As soon as I fall asleep at night, my mind starts racing in the form of crazy dreams and its as if I don’t have an “off” switch these days. I really wanted to go back to bed when I returned from my walk and none of the scripture really stood out for me until I read these verses in Ephesians.

As I read verse 19, I thought all the families who are being sent all over the country as strangers and sojourners, with nothing but the clothes on their backs for the most part, and how they are being embraced by the communities in which they are placed. School children all the way to college students are instantly surrounded by a support system and “rules and regulations” are forgone in order to restore one part of the lives of these families and individuals. And families opening their homes to other families, communities offering housing , churches caring for the vulnerable in very tangible ways.

Driving to an from work each day I see a homeless man who is really a fixture of one of the main roads through my part of town; he‘s been traveling the same route for years and years. Each morning I see him headed east, same coat on, three plastic bags on each arm. Each evening, I see him heading west, same coat on, same bags. Once in a while he’ll have yellow shopping bags, or one more or less on his arm. I often wonder if I gave him a backpack if he would use it. I don’t want to intrude upon his private world, and yet I want to offer him a tangible acknowledgement that I am aware of his existence and think of him, and care for him. I don’t know if he would even talk to me or come near enough to my car if I were to stop, to even have a conversation.

I wouldn’t say my hesitation to act is “political correctness” because that is just not what I am about. It’s more about sensitivity to his choice (I assume it’s a choice) on how he wants to live. He never panhandles, I’ve never seen him talk to anyone, or deviate from his routine. My impression is he doesn’t want “help” and he just wants to be left alone. I don’t know what’s in those bags, or how he lives, or anything else about him. He’s a stranger and sojourner too. As a Christian, I am torn on what to do.

So often we are paralyzed with indecision, with uncertainty. But while politicians posture on who’s to blame for the “Katrina disaster” and what someone didn’t do what should have been done, and who should have called whom, and when, “regular” people everywhere are doing all they can to build up the body of Christ. They’re not throwing up their hands and saying that someone else is responsible for their displaced neighbors. They’re doing what needs to be done. And those who have been on-site from the beginning, working around the clock, risking their own health and personal safety, “get it” too.

Because of Christ, we are all one family -- God’s children -- and we are responsible for and to each other. I hope the politicians get it soon. The people are acting -- now the politicians need to work to set in place more systems to respond appropriately the next time a major disaster occurs. More than that, they need to get on their knees and look into their hearts along with the rest of us and listen to what God reveals to them is the right thing to do.

I’m not passing judgment. I included my self in this dissertation. Our faith unites us and we have the reassurance from Christ himself that there are many rooms in his father’s house. I thank God that there are many rooms in the homes of loving, generous, faith filled Americans, too.

I hope today you’ll look at the “foreigners and soujourners” who cross your path with eyes of Christ. And that you’ll extend Christian hospitality to each of them, as God reveals is appropriate.

Mary  ¶ 7:28 AM

  Christianity is Not for Wimps! .
1 Peter 1:22-25, 2:1-3

22. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart. 23. You have been born anew, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24. for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25. but the word of the Lord abides for ever." That word is the good news which was preached to you. 2. So put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander. 2. Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation; 3. for you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

We’re not supposed to be wimpy Christians! We’re to love one another earnestly, we’re born of imperishable seed, and long for spiritual milk. In other words, if you really do “get it” act like it! Using Christ as our model, it follows that we would stand out in a crowd. People will turn to look at us and marvel at the glow of God’s love that emanates from us. The world will know we are Christians by the activity we generate and the empowered, glowing, love-emanating souls we leave in our wake!

The comparison of how we are to long for pure spiritual milk really hits home with me. Newborn babies--human and otherwise--are programmed to seek their mother’s breast! As soon as a baby is placed upon the mother’s chest for her to view, the little head starts thrashing around, and their mouths start working, making the sucking motion! And puppies--well, they’ll bowl right over all the other litter mates to get what they need--even before they can see, they know what they need and where to get it! We used to breed dogs, and it really is quite comical to watch -- of course, I always was inclined to pull the big, fat, bully away so the runt could get a turn!

I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “He comes from good stock.” That’s us! We are born of seed that does not perish. Our faith can withstand anything life throws at us--no obstacle is too great to overcome! We can jump any wall, bear any burden, right any wrong, and love the unlovable--because of Christ. Notice that all the very busy people in this country suddenly have time to organize relief efforts for our brothers and sisters in the southern states along the Gulf Coast? Isn’t it amazing how compassion and love can mobilize an entire nation? And the churches have been at the forefront--as is typically the case.

Christians don’t need to change their way of living or thinking or acting--no planning required there! Perhaps that’s the reason that, so often, faith-based organizations are the first responders--we already have our foundation laid. We have the most crucial resource present in our daily lives--our faith in God. In our church, often the youth take the lead in missions and service projects. Some would say their joyful, worship-ful attitude is because they haven’t been disappointed yet, they haven't been discouraged by the state of the world. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we never did!? I know whenever I’m around those teenagers, my whole attitude changes! I feel a little more energized, and forget a lot of the negativity and find myself thinking, “Maybe we can change the world . . .”

Our priorities change when we’re saved--we really do become like brand new creatures. Our desire to serve others takes over our lives. Our eagerness cannot be contained. Our need to reach out to others and share the good news with them is urgent! Our lives reflect the joy and the wonder of being born into a family who grants us each an eternal inheritance. How can we be silent? How can we turn back to our former lives? How can we doubt our future? Our stubbornly hopeful optimism is contagious! We make the world a better place, merely by our presence.

My prayer today is that you eagerly, earnestly, long for the life Christ afforded us by his sacrifice. And that you joyfully, with the single-mindedness of a new-born babe, spread the good news of the risen Christ to everyone you meet.

Mary  ¶ 7:26 AM

  Clean and New .
Psalm 51

1. Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love; according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment. 5. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8. Fill me with joy and gladness; let the bones which thou hast broken rejoice. 9. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. 11. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. 12. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13. Then I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners will return to thee. 14. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of thy deliverance. 15. O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. 16. For thou hast no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, thou wouldst not be pleased. 17. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 18. Do good to Zion in thy good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, 19. then wilt thou delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on thy altar.

David has kept his unconfessed sin of adultery bottled up for a year. His sense of relief--and release--is almost palpable, isn’t it? He has not had a very good time of things in that year either. Life hasn’t exactly gone his way. He has felt adrift in the world, even in the midst of great wealth and power. He no doubt had an ever-present sense of unsettledness and probably a good dose of self-loathing. He just couldn’t give up his pride to confess his sin. He could not relinquish the hold sin had on him, because it would require him humbling himself before God. And that is always painful--never pleasant--even though we know that once we have done so, we’ll feel so much better!

God’s been working pretty strongly and deeply in me lately. Each time I peel off a layer of my humanness and turn it over to him, he asks for more. He continues to send me deeper and deeper within my heart and soul to examine my own sinfulness-the areas of my life that I hold back from him. And boy, I can put up a pretty good fight! My husband who is very tall and strong, considered himself complimenting many years ago as I hoisted one end of a sleeper sofa down a flight of stairs, “You’re short, but you’re sturdy.” Any one who knows me will attest to the fact that I’m pretty feisty, too!

I think I’m beginning to soften around the edges a bit, though. God has been chipping away at the rough exterior--the walls I’ve built around myself, the obstacles I’ve thrown up--my sinfulness. And he is polishing and smoothing out the areas of my life I have relinquished to him. That’s what David is talking about in the Psalm, I think. We humans puff ourselves up and stamp our feet to have our way. We want what we want. We want to have our cake and eat it too. But in the end, we know that once we surrender to God’s will, we will feel so much better about ourselves.

Once we admit our sinfulness-our innate proclivity to sin-we can freely run to God! He made us human. He understands our human-ness. And he rejoices when we admit our complete and absolute need for him to take away those parts of us that aren’t like him. Of course, if he took it all, there would be nothing left! Or would there? Maybe we would be like David begs God to become: cleansed with hyssop and whiter than snow. Christ-like in all our strivings. Filled with the Holy Spirit as we proclaim God’s unspeakable love to the world.

My prayer today is that you’ll offer up all the places in your life and in your heart that separate you from God. And that you run to him, begging him to make you clean and new.

Mary  ¶ 7:36 AM

  What We Have Not Asked .
1 Kings 3:4-15

4. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings upon that altar. 5. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I shall give you." 6. And Solomon said, "Thou hast shown great and steadfast love to thy servant David my father, because he walked before thee in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward thee; and thou hast kept for him this great and steadfast love, and hast given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people whom thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered or counted for multitude. 9. Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?" 10. It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11. And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12. behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days." 15. And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

This is it! Here’s your big chance to ask God for anything you want! Anything at all! Wow, it’s unimaginable, isn’t it? What would you ask God for? Remember now, this is your one and only chance to have anything you want. Does Solomon’s response surprise you? Does he seem foolish to ask for “so little?” Without knowing what the verses that follow his answer reveal, Solomon does seem like a child indeed! An understanding mind? The ability to rule with clarity and discernment? Come on Solomon! You blew your big chance!

Solomon appears to limit his blessings by asking for so little, doesn’t he? But then we see that God gives Solomon abundantly, extravagantly more than he even thought to ask for. The task ahead of him seemed so overwhelming, following in his father’s footsteps was so daunting a responsibility, and yet he didn’t ask for riches or for personal comfort, or even for an easy life. He only asked for what he needed to do that for which he was made. He wanted to fulfill his purpose -- his destiny. And he realized he was not up to the task on his own. He knew he would need God. And that is what he asked for--God‘s blessing.

Do we limit God in our requests? Do we pray that we’ll get a bonus so we can make a down payment on a car? Do we ask God to lead us into a relationship so we won’t be alone? Do we beg for money, recognition, beauty, power, tangible material rewards? Don’t we “think small?” How is it that God granted Solomon’s request and then gave him so much more than he would even imagine asking for? Again, he asked for God to bless his purpose! When we try to tell God what we need, when we decide that something needs to happen to make us happy, when we make a plan for our lives that edges out God, we limit our own capacity to receive God’s blessings.

Think about it, God created our world. He designed it to sustain every physical need we have. Doesn’t it follow that he would want to provide for every spiritual need as well? Wouldn’t we be better off if we let God decide how to bless us? He’s so much bigger than we can fathom, doesn’t it just make sense that his vantage point is a lot wider than our view of our own little piece of the world?

My hope today is that you will ask your God to bless you as he deems necessary to fulfill his purpose for your life. And that you rejoice in the fact that God allows us to ask for so little, yet gives us so very much.

Mary  ¶ 7:04 AM

  God’s Paint-by-Number .
Isaiah 46

3. "Hearken to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from your birth, carried from the womb; 4. even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. 5. "To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike? 6. Those who lavish gold from the purse, and weigh out silver in the scales, hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; then they fall down and worship! 7. They lift it upon their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble. 8. "Remember this and consider, recall it to mind, you transgressors, 9. remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10. declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’”

My walking buddy and I met two hours later than usual, due to the holiday! It was wonderful to sleep in! We were pleasantly surprised to hear our rooster crowing -- just once, though, and pretty half-heartedly. It was as if he had been waiting that extra time to hear the vibration of our voices and was so relieved that we finally made our first circuit around the school! And I thought of my faith-filled leaping squirrel! I’ve heard him landing on the roof of the garage a few times this summer. And heard his skittering through the trees, but it has just been too hot to sit on my deck--even in the hours before sunrise. This morning was blessed, indeed--almost chilly!

We paused as we often do, to comment on the sky. This morning the sun had already risen, of course. The entire sky was full of clouds--perfect, cotton-ball clouds, each encircled by the sun’s glow--gold rimmed and magnificent! I commented that it looked like a paint-by-number painting. The crooked, solitary tree in the field took on a vivid dark green shade this morning and appeared to have been “painted in” as an afterthought--and the world looked almost surreal to us. It was as if God was showing us a new beginning, fresh and clear and cool and so very welcome.

It was easy to believe in God this morning, and to worship him. It was a natural response when the world seemed almost to glow with his love. Perhaps he was reminding us what he revealed to Isaiah, who shared with us his divinely inspired vision: I am the God who made that magnificent sky for you to admire this morning. Don’t forget that! Don’t imagine that I could create something of such marvelous beauty and want anything but good for you. Don’t believe that anything on the earth or anyone in all of creation could have placed those gold-rimmed clouds in my beautiful blue sky. I made them! And I made you. I have a purpose for your life so much more significant than those clouds. I marvel at you for who you are, a million times more than you marveled at the sky. I love you so much it hurts!

That’s exactly what I needed to know this morning -- the past week of news coverage and reports of tragedies in the lives of several friends and acquaintances has been so deeply troubling. And I’m not forgetting that any of that is going on. I’m merely finding comfort in remembering that God is bigger than it all. He does not burden us -- rather he lifts our burden. He doesn’t weigh us down with worry and fear -- he lifts our cares from us and calms our fears -- in gold-rimmed clouds and in simply allowing us extra time to sit in the quiet of the morning and read his word.

I’m doing positive, pro-active things to help out the Katrina victims and I’m praying for our friends who are in grief. I’m offering up all the sadness, darkness, grief and pain in the world to my good and gracious God this morning. I trust and believe that he will continue to work in me and through me to reveal his good purpose for his world. I saw God at work this week in those caring for tiny babies in the midst of hardship, and for people in boats, going house by house to look for survivors, and in the many acts of kindness that occurred. I know it wasn’t all good, and it’s not going to go away! I also know that we need to pray for God to reveal his good purpose and plan for us through these times.

My prayer today is that you will take this Labor Day to spend a few extra minutes in quiet reflection and prayer. And that God reveals to you more fully his purpose and plan for you, which he set in place before you were born.

Mary  ¶ 9:46 AM

  Love and Disaster .
Psalm 77

1. I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, that he may hear me. 2. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. 3. I think of God, and I moan; I meditate, and my spirit faints. [Selah] 4. Thou dost hold my eyelids from closing; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5. I consider the days of old, I remember the years long ago. 6. I commune with my heart in the night; I meditate and search my spirit: 7. "Will the Lord spurn for ever, and never again be favorable? 8. Has his steadfast love for ever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? 9. Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" [Selah] 10. And I say, "It is my grief that the right hand of the Most High has changed." 11. I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; yea, I will remember thy wonders of old. 12. I will meditate on all thy work, and muse on thy mighty deeds. 13. Thy way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? 14. Thou art the God who workest wonders, who hast manifested thy might among the peoples. 15. Thou didst with thy arm redeem thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. [Selah] 16. When the waters saw thee, O God, when the waters saw thee, they were afraid, yea, the deep trembled. 17. The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; thy arrows flashed on every side. 18. The crash of thy thunder was in the whirlwind; thy lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. 19. Thy way was through the sea, thy path through the great waters; yet thy footprints were unseen. 20. Thou didst lead thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

What can possibly be said about the situation in the Gulf Coast states? I notice that literally nothing else has been reported on the news -- next to nothing. I have not heard an update on the situation in Iraq. I don’t know the latest development in the Holloway case in Aruba. I couldn’t even begin to comment on the state of Niger. I found myself sobbing last night as individuals reported on their plight because of Katrina. Sobbing. I can’t even really think of what or how to pray!

When disasters of that proportion take place, we struggle in our faith and we feel so small and powerless and helpless. Earlier this morning I thought, “There is nothing I can say today, because I am overcome with a multitude of emotions and thoughts." And then I remembered that is exactly when we need to pray. We need to pray the prayers of faithful, saved, beloved children of God. It’s okay to tell God that we don’t understand how terrible, huge disasters can be allowed to happen. And we can tell him that we are angry and afraid because for but “luck” that could be us.

And as I type, I find myself pondering this: Why aren’t we horrified when a single person, or a single family losses everything they own--home, job, vehicle, perhaps a family member? We may feel sad for them in passing . . . but are we “reduced” to prayer for them? Do we begin to think that maybe a family could come to live with us for a few months till they get back on their feet and begin to build a new life?! I’m not going to get preachy or begin to talk about anyone else’s short-sightedness or self-involvement. I wrote that book in many ways!

My words will be few this morning as I invite you, bid you, urge you to join me in focusing not upon the magnitude of the disaster and the multitude of the suffering brothers and sisters in Christ. I find that this morning, as I am nearly overcome with desperation and despair on behalf of those in the path of Katrina, that I must simply offer all of it up the God who created hurricanes and floods and sunrises and daffodils.

My prayer is for all of God’s hurting world this day, however that hurt may be manifested. And I urge you not to lose hope or faith as you seek to resolve this difficult paradox of God’s love and the earth’s disasters.

Mary  ¶ 7:11 AM

  Scorching Heat and Wooly Caterpillars .
Luke 12:54-59

54. He also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, `A shower is coming'; and so it happens. 55. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, `There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. 56. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? 57. "And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58. As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. 59. I tell you, you will never get out till you have paid the very last copper."

Jesus used a lot of references to nature and natural things of earth in his lessons. In the time he lived, people were much more in tune with nature. They predicted the weather by the wind direction -- in this story, the western wind would have been blowing from over the Mediterranean Sea; wind from the south from across the desert. It would have been pretty easy to predict the temperature and humidity level based solely upon the direction from which the wind blew. I don’t know if most people are in touch with the sky and the elements today. We’re all so busy and often our lives are such a whirlwind we forget to look up!

My walking buddy and I are very conscious of the sky and the heavenly bodies therein. She has told me that her Grandmother allowed her to sleep on a sofa by a window that afforded a clear view of the moon when she was a child. In fact, her grandmother taught her a great deal about how to plan activities based on the signs in nature. Each morning that we walk we comment on the moon, the cloud formations, and yesterday we’re pretty sure we saw a weather satellite (at least we hope that’s what it was!) My dad taught me about the constellations when I was a child and I still recognize a few of them and have taught those to my kids. I wanted them to see the wonder of the skies -- the stars and the clouds and all of nature.

Every year we wait for the groundhog to tell us if we’ll have an early spring. We listen to reports on wooly caterpillars and squirrels to determine how cold the winter will be. We listen to the stock market reports and hear the “experts” give us their best bet -- notice no 2 of them ever agree?! Already there are predictions about what economic impact Katrina will have on the entire country--spiked gas prices, and other economic factors. Jesus is saying, “Guys, you spend all this time and energy; you do all this research and comparison analysis; you argue with each other and accuse each other--about things that do not matter in the big scheme of things. None of this has anything to do with eternity!”

All this experience. So much technology. All these brilliant minds. What if they spent that time and energy evaluating the spiritual crisis in this country. What if we stopped arguing about whether or not the founders of the constitution would have wanted the Ten Commandments displayed in our court houses. What if we opened the bible, and page by page, word by word, evaluated our own lives. What if we changed the way we think and how we live and how we treat others. That’s what Jesus was saying. Do it now or you’ll pay the price later! Take a long hard look at what you value and determine if it’s worth the cost.

So I guess I would sum up this commentary by saying, “Look up!” God is in the heavens, and in the grass and trees. And look around. He’s in each of us--you and me and those residents of the Gulf Coast states. He’s in the air and in your soul. We are all connected in some cosmic way that makes us seek that which is outside ourselves. God is within us--that’s where we need to go. We need to learn to trust that part of us that wants good for us. But we have to slough off all the stuff and the noise and the lies of this world to find it. We need to look at the moon in the sky an hour before sunrise and the sun before it breaks onto the horizon. We need to see the leaves curled up and know its going to rain. We need to look around and see the signs of the time. In Revelation Jesus testified, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

My prayer today is that you turn to God and the example he gave us through his son. And that you read the signs of the time in order to turn your life toward heaven.

Mary  ¶ 7:05 AM