March 24 Witness to Faith

John 14:15-27

²⁶ “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.”

It was a commanding day at church.  Acoustic Sunday began with a witness from Michael Rafferty, our worship leader.

Michael was in the hospital recently with an infection on his leg.  He shared with us his worry over the pain and the growing sore.  He prayed.  He asked for prayer from us and his life friends.  As he was reading his Bible, a nurse asked him “Do you read your Bible often?” and when Michael answered “Yes”, she recommended he read Psalm 139 to settle his mind.  Michael improved the next day, and was released the day after.

As I re-read the passage, it struck me, Michael was surely tested.

”Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. ²⁴See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

And the Holy Trinity was right before me.  God is with us.  He is in us, as is Jesus, and finally, as is the Holy Spirit.  This is completeness for humans.  Teaching us.  Leading us. Healing us.

And then another powerful witness to God and His healing.  Rev. Jason shared the chilling story of his mother and a major car accident. Through the phone call to the drive to the hospital, Rev. Jason prayed and listened to the Holy Spirit.  He was afraid of what he would find.  But as he came to the room where his mother was, and prayed over her, he told us that he came to know the peace of the Holy Spirit telling him all would be good.  The doctor reported no internal injuries, just bumps and bruises, and overcoming of fear.  

When we keep God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in us, when we believe as Christians, we have life.

The song that ended worship that day was “Here’s My Heart” by David Crowder from the Passion Worship Band and the newly released 2013 Passion CD.  I was struck by the lyrics:

“’Cause I am found, I am Yours

I am loved, I’m made pure

I have life, I can breathe

I am healed, I am free” 

I am a Renewed Christian. 

P. S. I was fascinated to read about Passion, an annual gathering of young people and faith leaders of the United States.  You might be too.  https://worshipleader.com/passion2013/

 

 

 

 

March 17 How simple a gift

Ephesians 2: 1-10

⁸ “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— ⁹not the result of works, so that no one may boast.”

 For it is the simple act of belief or faith in God, that God gives humans the hope and more importantly the gift of salvation.  And as we draw nearer to Easter, Christians are reminded that God showed us the way through Jesus.  What parent would willingly give a child to death?  Not any that I know.  And yet, would you agree that is the ultimate sacrifice of a parent?

 

March 13 The power of repetition

John 14:1-11

“…The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. ¹¹Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves."

Humans learn by repetition.

Watch any baby feeding himself or herself, and you can see how studied the actions are. 1. Pinch Cheerio between thumb and finger. 2. Steady hand. 3. Raise hand straight up from the elbow. 4. Hold steady thumb and finger.  5. Move hand at an angle to the mouth.  6. Open mouth.  7. Touch Cheerio to lips. 8. Push Cheerio into teeth and over the gums. 9. Close lips.  10. Repeat.  And that’s just the first Cheerio.  There is no frustration for the baby, because the reward is a Cheerio.  And another, validating the first one.  And so on.

Rev. Jason pointed out the repetition in John 14:1-11, where Jesus has to explain not just once, but possibly in a dozen ways how Jesus is from the Father, and how our Father is in Jesus.  Rev. Jason underscores this by reminding us that repetition is power.  Just as in the baby’s deliberate movements, our lives as Christians can become more powerful with every repetition- be it prayer, reading the Bible, attending church, or showing the concern and care towards others who are in need. 

And if not for repetition, then the least of our beliefs as Christians is summarized by verse 6:”… I am the way, and the truth, and the light”.

Renewed Christian

March 6th Make Lemonade

Psalms 42: 1-11 “…Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.”

Sunday’s reading selection was chosen for me.  Looking back on the last ten years of my life, I didn’t have God by my side because I hadn’t invited Him. 

The topic of this reading is the encouragement to go on through life, remembering that God is in the present as He has been in the past.  I didn’t think that God could be my support during times that were dark for me.  Even those few bright lights during this time, well, those lights didn’t have the joy and uplifting that they should have for me.  I yearned for a time and place when I was happy and forward thinking.

I made amends.  I repaired my relationships with my family.  I met my spiritual needs by renewing my faith, and placing my trust in God.  And I am writing as Renewed Christian.

But it was not only the Scripture that spoke to me last Sunday. 

It was Acoustic Sunday, when our musical leader and his group of wonderful musicians scale back the intensity of the song.  The cello was there, no drums but percussion and xylophone, and the tempo is compelling but low key.  One song in particular spoke to me: “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman and Jake Myrin (©2011 Sparrow Music).  The song points to “singing your song again”, no matter what life has in store.  And it encourages us to keep singing “until the evening comes”. 

“Sing like never before

Oh, my soul

I’ll worship your Holy Name…”

The kids came skipping back into church with collages and miniature foam animals.  The tiny animals emerged from those brightly colored capsules that dissolve in water.  The Children’s Ministry focused on Psalm 66 that morning, and learned how the Living Water can feed our bodies (the capsules dissolving while the tiny creatures were emerging) - along with those magazine cutouts showing healthy food and drink that also feeds our bodies. 

Life isn’t simple.  But I still smile, like the kids, when the capsule reveals a surprise. 

Renewed Christian