APRIL: SACRIFICIAL SURRENDER

One too many times Jesus had confronted the Pharisees and Jewish officials when he was questioned about breaking Jewish ‘Law.’  Jesus consistently healed others on the Sabbath which was seen as ‘work’ and, even though he had brought back many from the dead, both spiritually and physically, the resurrection of Lazarus after having been dead for four days was the last straw.  Jewish leaders were loosing crowds of Jews from their grasp as they were becoming disciples of Jesus.

So we come upon this scene which I will call, “The second-to-last supper.”  [John 12:1-8]  

As often as possible Jesus would stop in Bethany when visiting Jerusalem.  It was only a couple miles away and the home where Lazarus, Mary and Martha resided was always ready to receive Jesus and all who came with him.  As usual, Jesus’ entourage was large. The 12 always came with him along with crowds of faithful followers we call disciples.  

It was Saturday evening.  Sabbath was over so none were limited by sacred sabbath laws.  Men and women were invited to reside at table with Jesus.  The space was large enough to accommodate a large group  . . .  even you.

Come, join the other disciples. 

Join the other followers of Christ. 

Come sit where you choose.  

There is plenty of room.  

From my perspective I see Mary lingering right next to Jesus and Lazarus is very near.  

Judas is not far away, always close to the money.  

He knows what Mary has in her hand and does not want to lose sight of this precious commodity.  

And Martha has a place at the table but, as usual, she is busy directing the meal service.  

Martha still takes little time to linger when there is so much to do.

So, those who are baptized, join Jesus at the table.  

You are all worthy because of your baptismal vow which we repeat in the Apostles and Nicene creeds.  

We are all worthy because the Holy Spirit continues to reside in us and draw us into Jesus’ presence.  

We are as worthy as Judas or as worthy as Mary. 

Imagine where you would sit.  

Would you choose that empty space that is right next to Jesus or in front of Jesus?  

Or would you sit at the far end of the table or in a spot further away in the room where other disciples might reside?

How close do you want to be with Jesus . . . to sacrificial surrender?  

Some who sit near Jesus are as grateful as Lazarus for resurrected life, for resurrected souls brought to life by Jesus through word and deed. 

Judas felt worthy to sit close to Jesus since he was chosen to be treasurer.  

Was he aware that Jesus knew his evil ways but offered unconditional grace so Judas could choose sacrificial surrender? 

Or did Jesus know that Judas had to remain in this closely knit group because Jesus knew Judas was present to fulfill prophecy through betrayal?  

Mary knew, deep in her soul, that this was the last time she would see Jesus alive.  

Everyone knew Jesus was a huge target.  

Jesus ignored their protests to him against entering Jerusalem.  

Mary’s heart was pounding with excitement.  

The expensive nard was used sparingly for cuts and scrapes.  

It would have been used for Lazarus when he died but there was something within Mary that stopped her from embalming her brother even though the stench of death was overwhelming.  Something in her knew, deep down, that Jesus would give life to Lazarus.  

And there was Lazarus at table, as animated as ever, enjoying this meal with so many who delighted in the presence of Jesus . . . and one another.  

All were on their best behavior.

Yet, Mary, being pulled by some force within her, knew she must show Jesus her total surrender through sacrifice.  

This pound of nard, worth a year’s wages, was a treasure best used sparingly.

Mary did not care what people thought. 

She was totally immersed in giving all she had to the One who gave her soul new life, resurrected life.  

In her eyes the sweet perfume that permeated the entire premises was a reminder of how the stench of death can be eliminated.  

Death of the body, death of the soul.  

It does not matter.  

Death is death.

Mary gifted Jesus the entire pound of nard on his feet . . .  to cleanse . . . to heal . . . to show Jesus what she knew deep inside.  

Jesus would die but take away the sting of death.  

Sacrificial surrender was the only way.  

Mary’s hair absorbed that nard which dripped from Jesus’ flesh.  

Mary’s inhibition was let loose.  

She surrendered all.  

Mary surrendered all that was of value to her . . . the nard . . . her vulnerability . . . her propriety.  

Nothing mattered but the gift of sacrificial surrender.  

Nothing.

So, where are we in our journey with Jesus to the Cross?  

Have we thought of taking some time to reflect on our sacrificial surrender to him?  

Many of you may provide inordinate time in the ministry the Lord has presented to you.  

That is amazing and incredibly appreciated.  

However, are you able to step back, take a time out, regroup, and ponder the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross?

It’s hard.   

What if you gave your all . . . sacrificial surrender?

You will be spiritually filled to the fullness you have never felt before.  

Your life will change.  

Your attachment to our Lord will change.  

Your detachment from worldly-want will change.  

Sacrificial Surrender.

Jesus, the Christ, did it for us.  

Can we do it for him?

MARCH INTO HOLY SURRENDER

Have you ever suddenly been faced with a wilderness experience?  

I have several times.  

One minute I was carefree, carving out new places to explore, thinking of new ways to fulfill my ever-expanding life-plans and the next minute I’m thinking on my feet trying to grasp what just happened.

One day I was visiting my siblings in Colorado.  

We were getting ready for dinner when I was told of news on the TV that the company I worked for went bankrupt and completely shut down.    

In an instant my life changed.  

Before I knew it I was at the airport seeking transportation back to Seattle.

I had $50 cash at that moment and my airline pass was worthless.  

I began to explain my plight but was stopped mid-sentence.  

The ticket agent handed me a free pass and gave instructions to run for it.  “The flight leaves in five minutes.” 

In those days there was no security check and the airport was small and easily accessible for passengers.  

I made the flight. 

Once nestled into my seat, it began to sink in that my life would change forever.  

As a Christian of just a few years, I had created some very strong daily habits. 

I had memorized many passages of scripture, set aside time each day for prayer and, over time, fasted from many indulgent habits.

In other words, I knew the Holy Spirit was guiding me in every thought and every action.  I had the tools to maintain my focus on God and not swirl into self-pity.  After all, there were hundreds of others who did not have the foundation in Christ that carried me through the first weeks of unemployment.  

I was at peace.

In my job we had learned to ‘assess conditions.’  

I assessed the condition of my heart, my mind and my soul.  

I assessed the condition of my bank account, my bills and how I was to move forward.  I’d spent every pay check for the past year on renovation of the first house I’d ever purchased.  A new deck, new doors, new bathroom, new carpet . . . refreshed and ready for me to enjoy.  

It was time for me to surrender all preconceived notions, all of self to God.  

I knew I would have to let go of much of my indulgent habits.  

I was ready to feed on the gifts of simplicity the Lord would present to me. 

It was as if Angels surrounded me and held me up on their wings.  

I was soaring with hope, joy, peace and plans.  

I needed to pay the mortgage, buy food and pay for basic necessities.

I invited my friends, a group of abut 150 singles from church, to lunch at my house the next week.  

This practice was common so people brought whatever they had to share.  I was surrounded by love and affirmation and was left with enough food to last a week.

I moved out of my large bedroom and created a space for myself in a tiny room just large enough for a bed and dresser.  

Two friends who sought cheap housing moved in to two very large spaces they could call their own.  

Thus began a “Women’s Discipleship House” over the next several years that would be open to any woman who needed a place to live and learn foundational skills to live a fulfilling Christian life.  

My wilderness experience bloomed into a ministry I could pursue while I entered a new line of work in software development.  

God was guiding and I was listening as the Holy Spirit swirled through this wilderness experience.  

Not that it was easy.   

Satan was right there trying to dismantle God’s work.  

Yet, through my continued focus on the Lord as I pressed into a new way of living, God prevailed.

It’s the same way with Jesus’ wilderness experience.  

His entry into ministry at the Jordan river was receive with affirming words from God and a sense of hope for the world.  

People saw the Holy Spirit come down like a dove and cling to Jesus after he was baptized.  

The Jews surrounding him expected Jesus to remain with them but just as suddenly as Jesus appeared before John the Baptizer, the Holy Spirit whisked him away into a place of solitude.  

Instead of diving into the end of the story, it’s important for us to linger a bit with our Lord in his forty day wilderness experience.

Jesus was surrounded by angels.  

The Holy Spirit swirled around him as the Father and Jesus communed together.  Most likely this was affirming, enlightening and strengthening to his soul.  

Jesus in all his humanness knew this was a time to listen, learn and soak in the unconditional love of the Father.  

These forty days were a time of surrendering his body, mind and soul to the Father’s will.  

Jesus would continue to surrender to the Father throughout his ministry, especially when he hung on the Cross.

During Jesus’ wilderness experience the Holy Spirit directed Jesus’ path, guided his days of fasting and swirled in and through the constant conversation between Father and Son.  Jesus was in community with the Father, the Holy Spirit and the angels who surrounded him.  

In all his humanity, Jesus showed us what we are able to do when fortified by prayer and fasting as we surrender our own ‘self’ to God.

That is what Lent is all about.  

Holy Surrender.  

It’s not that we are to give up but that we are to give over to God all that is within us, our selfish desires, our neediness that sucks the life out of others.  

Our Lord is here for us.  

Talk to the Lord.  

Listen quietly for God’s answers.  

Study the life of Christ.  

Get to know the Lord, thy God.  

Develop an intimate relationship with him.  

Pour out your hurts and challenges and troubles to him.  

Let go of self, of EGO.  

Stop edging God out and open your heart to his endless love.  

Think about what it means to pray without ceasing.  

Call on the Holy Spirit, planted in us at baptism, to lead you into the loving arms of our Lord.

Study scripture in order to develop a deeper understanding of God’s selfless love.  

Give of yourself to God in new ways as you give of your abundance to others.

Live, love and give as if this were your last day on earth.

Jesus said to Satan, “One does not live by bread alone”

“Worship the Lord thy God and serve him only.”

"Do not put the Lord, thy God to the test.”

 

Don’t let Satan get the best of you.   

We are called to surrender body, mind and will to God in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Call on the Holy Spirit to guide you through this wilderness experience of Lent.

Give the Lord all that is within you in Holy Surrender.

You will receive abundant love, grace and peace.   

FEBRUARY FOREVER GIFTS

Decades ago, whenever I was asked to volunteer in an area that I perceive to be difficult, I simply said, “It’s not my gift.”  

It was the easy way out.  

Was the task really too difficult or was I just being selfish and lazy?  

As I grew in my Christian walk, God showed me how gifted I was in many areas if only I would say, “Yes.”   There are some people in this world who seem to have outstanding gifts.  

One person I recall is Ed Sullivan.  His gift of discernment set him on stage in front of millions of people when television was just beginning to break into the average household.  

This diminutive man who was not an eloquent speaker became the Master of Ceremonies every single Sunday night to millions of people.   

Ed had a unique gift of seeing talent in others.  

He lured them into this new phenomenon where an entertainer would be looking into a box in the middle of an empty stage.  

That person or group would have to give of themselves not knowing that millions of people were watching their every move.   

 Ed’s gift of discernment saw talent, invited talent, nurtured talent and drew millions of households into one spot for one hour on one day of the week.  

He brought into every household the talking hand (let me know if you remember this one), Brenda Lee, Jose Jimenez, the Beatles and talent far beyond the scope of most peoples’ imagination.  In my humble opinion, Ed Sullivan was, and will always be, the king of television variety shows.   

Yet, the most profound talent I recall from the Ed Sullivan Show to this day has become a gift to me.  

It’s as if God translated this pithy exercise into a life lesson.  Plate spinning.  Please let me know if you remember this one.  

A person stands in front of the TV camera with some plates and long, flexible sticks about one yard long.  One plate is placed on top of the stick and spun into motion.  

As that plate on a stick is moving he sets another in motion, and another and still another until up to twelve plates are in motion.  

Yes, a plate may drop off but somehow he is able to stoop down, while spinning all the other plates, pick it up and begin this odd plate spinning again.  

In all my careers over the past several decades, I equate that talent with my own actions.  I often ask myself, “Am I spinning too many plates at one time?”    

When it comes to serving the Lord with gladness, I have met several gifted plate spinners.  

They are the ones who keep a ministry going when everyone else has said, “It’s not my gift.”  

They are the ones who help a worship service run smoothly as they greet then usher then read from the lectionary.  They might preach, too, if it were permitted.  

They may have also done all the background work with church bulletins and setting the altar for communion.  They are most excellent plate spinners.    

And then there are the hand-sitters.  They are also gifted.  They have great discernment when it comes to pitching in.  

“It’s not my gift. . . . I’m already spinning one plate and that is plenty in my life right now . . . I’m retired from plate spinning.”   Many hand sitters do not realize their many gifts because they choose not to exercise this simple word, “Yes.”  

In their defense, perhaps no one has invited the hand sitter by simply asking for help.  

It’s not the hand sitters' fault if they cannot see the need.  

Plate spinners are notorious for saying, “yes” far too many times.  

Plate spinners need to offer one of their spinning plates to a hand sitter.   

This article was written to encourage people in our church to find out their hidden talents, their God-given Gifts. Yet, I invite anyone reading this blog to share with others the opportunity to say, “Yes” when invited to help each other give aid to another. 

Whether in a church ministry or another place where you volunteer, those talents which give you joy can be used as a gift to others. Giving of ourselves in meaningful ways not only enhances our own sense of purpose but also may enhance another’s life, even for a moment. 

A wonderfully balanced life begins when plate spinners hand off a spinning plate or two to hand sitters and hand sitters gladly put into action their gifts they know, deep inside, which are to be shared with others. 

 Hand sitters only need to say, “Yes” and offer to grab a spinning plate. 

All of us can find renewed joy in giving of ourselves one more time.

JANUARY JUMPSTART

 

I thought this year would be different.  I thought I could jot a few thoughts for a blog on the first day of this new year.  Obviously my intention failed miserably.  I need a January jumpstart, a shot of creativity.

Some may not know about a ‘jumpstart.’  Years ago, when car batteries were not as reliant as they are today, we would have to carry ‘jumper cables’ in the car just in case we found our battery drained and we were far from home.  This happened to me with my first car, a rickety old Valiant.  I’d always find a way to connect my battery cable to someone else’s battery in order to ‘jump start’ the car and take it to the local garage to get a new battery.  It was like a new beginning for my car.

Perhaps we no longer need that jump start for cars but I find that I need a jump start from God every now and then.

Each day speeds by like lightening in a summer storm.

My intentions are right up front in the race to shove all I can into each day.

I love learning so that I can teach others.

I love listening so that I can encourage, motivate and pray with those who might need a daily jumpstart.

Each day offers a new beginning.  I get to start over, see my surroundings in new light, and celebrate a new day in all its simplicity.

Each day brings a new surprise which I add to my collection of treasures.  

I was reminded that I now have a mighty fine collection of memories that are packed into three quarters of a century if life.

One of these days I’ll take an inventory of all my grand adventures.

Currently I choose to fill my soul with new insights rather than scurry too far from home.

My vast travel experience is now via my heart and soul.

God is showing me that life is magnificent right where I am.

I think of the grand adventure I am enjoying in the book of Nehemiah in the   

Old Testament, where I love to linger.

Each adventure I read fills my soul with thanksgiving that I am where I am, doing what I love to do.  

I study the story of another new beginning for the bold Israelites who were released from Babylonian captivity and chose to return to Zion, Jerusalem, the home of their ancestors, a place where they knew they could worship God as they had been taught for generations.  

This brave remnant had a vision of a new Jerusalem, a new temple, a new life solely directed by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  

Nehemiah led the pack as they were ushered out of Babylon with an abundance of provision to begin again.  Little did they know how harsh life would be when they returned to their homeland.

New Beginnings would gain new definition.  God’s chosen people definitely needed a jumpstart.  All fruitful land had been destroyed in such a way that new crops would be difficult to grow.  The temple was demolished and even the wall of protection around the city had to be completely rebuilt by this small remnant of God’s faithful. 

Nehemiah led God’s people as he encouraged each household to join in the building of the new wall around Jerusalem.  He emboldened a motley crew of faith-filled people to begin each day with hope as they rebuilt their lives one stone at a time.

Ezra, a Rabbi and priest, arrived a little later but worked with Nehemiah to encourage God’s people.  Ezra found scrolls, the most exquisite treasure one could hope to find in the rubble of the old temple mount.  They contained the fist five books of the bible, the Pentateuch.  

What a glorious affirmation of God’s presence, the Word of God, that told the story of the beginning of life on this earth, God’s Creation.  Many of these Israelites had not heard the ‘Law’, God’s word, nor worshipped according to Jewish custom.  

They took time to CELEBRATE! 

They stopped their work.  

They stopped their complaining.  

They stopped everything in order to listen to the words of God from the scrolls. They lingered with God for SIX hours outside, where all were welcome, from early morning to the time of day when the sun is too hot to remain outside.

I cannot imagine anyone today taking a time-out to listen to the reading of scripture for any great length of time.  

It only takes a moment of our life to listen to God in order to jumpstart a new day, a new life.

It only takes a few brave ones to press through adversity in order to glorify God and his creation and rejoice in the miracles of each day.  

It only takes one person at a time to turn to God and say, “Give me a jumpstart to enter your kingdom.”

Each day I make the same choice as those who followed Nehemiah from Babylon to a New Beginning in Jerusalem. 

Each day I choose to celebrate the treasure God has set before me.

Each day I wake with anticipation of a new adventure as I breathe deeply the life set before me.

Each day is a celebration, however small or large, of God’s grace that has brought me thus far in my life.

Each day I pray for a jumpstart from scripture to stimulate the gifts God provides within me to lead me through the day with renewed vigor.

Each day I think of some one or a group of people who might need a jumpstart and lift them in prayer.

Each day I praise God that I am able to meet any challenges head-on with the Lord as my guide.

Each day I give thanks that I am never alone in my joy and my struggles.  The Lord is always with me as well as my dear husband who loves the Lord as much as I do.

Hubby and I are a team who rely on the greatest team of all.

 God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, leads us, guides us, embraces us, encourages us, chides us, strengthens us every single day as we “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus,” [Philippians].

I am glad I do not have to rebuild a life with God from scratch.  

I am blessed that the Lord has built within me a strong structure of his presence over several decades.

I thank God that I can wake each day to a new beginning according to his will even if I need a jumpstart.  

Now that we are moving into another month, I pray we all can celebrate a January Jumpstart.

.

DECEMBER REJOICING

 

Rejoice in the Lord, always,

Again, I say Rejoice !!!

Gaudete is Latin for ‘Rejoice’!  

We light a Rose Candle on the Advent wreath to remind us to ‘lighten up’ our penitential load just a bit as we are half way through our time of anticipation of the coming of the Lord.  

The Lord is near!  

Let us anticipate another year serving our Lord with gladness of heart.  

 

It’s especially difficult this year to take time to quiet our soul, read a little extra scripture, and pause a little longer each day.  

It’s as if we have been caged with Covid for two years so every party invitation is a must.  

Shopping is a little off the chart.  

Travel to see loved ones is top priority.  

December is busy enough preparing for all the festivities.  

How do we find the time to breathe deep and quiet the soul as worldly  noise swarms around us daily?

 

Perhaps we can take time to remember the physical and emotional weight Mary carried as she anticipated the birth of the seed planted in her by the Holy Spirit.  Just as the Ark of the Old Covenant carried the very presence of God, so also, Mary, the New Ark, carried the presence of God in the flesh, the New Covenant.  

Perhaps we can take a pregnant pause with Mary.  

Perhaps we can find a moment each day to slow down, breathe deep and ponder what is next for us according to God’s will.

 

In fact whenever we read scripture we take time to humble ourselves before our  God.  

Zephaniah, a prophet of God, warned the people of Judah to return to God.  “Return to Zion, the seat of God” says Zephaniah.  

He warns God’s people not to turn their backs on God.  

Trust.  

Rejoice in God forever!

“Sing aloud, oh daughter of Zion.” 

"Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter, Jerusalem!” 

“The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.”  

These are words of hope given to a people who had given up hope. 

God’s word, spoken through the oracles of Zephaniah, showed the Hebrew people the error of their ways.  

Yet, in the end, there is always rejoicing in the hope of Messiah whom God’s people knew was to come.  

The first Song of Isaiah, Chapter 12, begins with words of joy, hope and anticipation.  

“The Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense and he will be my Savior.”  “Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy!”  

These words remind us that the Lord, thy God, is in our midst from the very beginning.

 All who immerse themselves in the springs of salvation will rejoice!  

 

Paul’s words in Philippians also echo the joy that is possible for us all when we empty ourselves of our burdens and fill ourselves to overflowing with the presence of our Lord.  

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice.  Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”  

Paul writes these words from Rome where he is incarcerated.  He assures the Christians in Philippi that, indeed, death may be near but that is all the more reason to rejoice in the Lord!”  

 

Paul reminds us that if we have been filled with the Holy Spirit in Baptism, we have all we need to draw close to our savior.  

The Holy Spirit directs our path if we wait, fill ourselves with God’s presence and fortify ourselves for any adversity set before us, even death.  

For Paul, “to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

 

Rejoice that the Lord is near.  

Rejoice that we have all that we need to live eternally. . .  or do we?  

Have we fortified our soul through God’s word, prayer, worship and Holy Communion regularly?  

Have we gathered in community to share our faith-stories or to pray with someone if our burden is heavy? 

 

During this wonderful period of rejoicing, we must also look at reality.  

Luke’s long focus on John the baptizer shows us the importance of taking time to prepare our souls, for the Lord IS near.  

John’s ministry paved the way for faithful Jews to “make way for the Lord.” 

Those flocking to John have been convicted of their prideful ways.  

The jews who swarmed to hear good news from John were greeted with words of conviction.

 

John says it like it is. “You sneaky snakes thinking you can manipulate your way into God’s kingdom as you break God’s laws daily.”   

You think your salvation is locked in because of your lineage from Abraham.  That's not enough.  Righteousness before God must bear fruit.  ‘Come, repent as you prepare for the One who is to come.'  

"Soldiers, quit your extortion tactics.  

Tax collectors, stop taking from the people more than is required.  

All of you, if you have a morsel of extra food, share it.  

If you have an extra blanket, give it to one who has none.  

Return to the matters of the heart." 

 

John wanted God’s people to understand that he had no power other than to be the prophet of judgment, the prophet who would lead others to the One who is to come.  

John knew he was unworthy to be in the presence of the most Holy One who would soon appear.  

John made sure others knew there was One who would not just baptize with water but who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and clean out the chaff with the fire of conviction. 

“The Messiah is near.  He will clean up this mess that has been laid to waste.  He will burn the chaff that is of no use to God.”

 

And so we rejoice in anticipation of the One who was, and is, and is to come.  

We rejoice that we can repent, clean out our soul and confess our sins to God and our neighbor.  Once we come before our Lord with humble hearts, having cleaned our souls, we can know that the Lord is near and rejoice always, no matter how challenging our circumstances.

 

So, pause, 

Take a deep breath. 

Breathe out all that gets in the way of the Lord’s presence in us.  

Let us “Rejoice in the Lord, ALWAYS.  

Again, I say Rejoice, for the Lord is near.”  

Let’s celebrate now and throughout the coming year. 

 

 [An edited sermon from the third Sunday of Advent: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7;  Luke 3:7-18 ]