JUNE JUBILEE

 According to an old song, “June is busting out all over!”

It’s a Jubilee year for Queen Elizabeth and all of Great Britain is celebrating.

Jubilee celebrations have been around for centuries.

But celebrating 70 years with a Jubilee is not common.

Who even lasts 70 years at their job or in their marriage much less as sovereign over a country?

With all the young deaths we hear about, reaching the age of 70 seems to be a milestone.

In fact, I am currently grieving the life of a dear friend who was full of Joy every day as she dove into the many challenges of motherhood and life in general.  

She led several prayer groups and did not skip a beat through Covid when they met in the driveway, in the snow.  

She and her hubby did not blink twice when they dined outside in the middle of winter and dressed in warm gear. 

It was something they wanted to experience together.  

A few weeks ago my friend’s body was suddenly slammed with ‘inoperable sarcoma’ and she was gone in days, well before she turned 70.

Yet, she celebrated each day with a smile.  

Her last days she thanked the nurses, thought of others, prayed for dozens and was fully attentive to her husband and children as she spent her last hours with them. 

My friend understood ‘jubilee’, a sense of celebration, for too many reasons to count.  

She celebrated every milestone that was presented to her by family and friends. 

She could spend just a few moments with someone and make a memory they might share for years. 

She thought she had decades ahead of her yet she celebrated life as if tomorrow were her last day.

I learned so much from her during the few moments we had together over the years.  

It was not what she said that was so profound but how she saw life in general.  

Embrace the day.  

Smell the roses.  

Use your mind, will and emotions as God ordained . . . each of us to give of ourself to another, even for a moment.  

Share your story.

Learn God’s purpose through a challenge.

Help another through the same challenges we may overcome. Talk to God and them be quiet . . .  and listen. 

My friend listened.  Really listened.

And then she prayed specifically according to requested needs. . . daily.  

This was never a chore for but a joy.  

She saw prayer as that eternal connection that God created us to have with one another and with God.

Those who knew her will celebrate her life in a couple of weeks.  

Some will be with the family in spirit if they live too far away.  

Yet, streams of people will come and share wondrous stories that connected each person to this dear soul.  

Jubilee invites us to stop our daily routine, celebrate the moment and make a memory.  

Since the time of Jacob in the old testament, Jubilee has been in our vocabulary.  

“Joba” is the Hebrew word for Ram’s Horn.  

Often the Ram’s Horn was blown to call God’s people together for a specific event or celebration.  

Jubilee, from the word “Joba”, was celebrated after 7cycles of 7 years, usually during the 50th year, in the same way Pentecost, ingathering of the harvest, was celebrated 50 days after Passover every year.  

The exile of the Jews from Israel suspended Jubilee for centuries until Christians began celebrating a time of grace-filled pardons after a rather lengthy interval of time.  

A jubilee was declared after 100 years during the leadership of Pope Boniface in the 1300s.  

It was reduced to 50 years which still seemed too long.  Jubilee every 25 years became the norm for a long period of time.  

Jubilee can happen any time we wish but it’s the length of time between celebrations that makes a Jubilee so special.  That said, why not set a goal that may take a very long time to accomplish!  

Plan a celebration as you near the completion date, which may take longer than intended.

List one goal that may be impossible to achieve in a short time but with planning, hard work, determination and patience it can be completed eventually.

Run a marathon

Climb a mountain

Walk or ride a bicycle across a state or a country

Write a book

Become certified in gardening, or plumbing or computer technology or . . . 

Spend a year in a foreign country employed as a . . . 

Become a leader in an area in which you have loved to Volunteer (this may take several years or just a few months.)

None of these options is easy.  

Each may be a long range goal.  

It’s more than a ‘bucket list.’   

It’s a life change.  

It may take years to find the time or to become prepared or to complete the project.  

Keep a journal of your daily, weekly or monthly progress to complete your journey.

Add names of each friend or acquaintance who enables you to meet each sub-goal.  

Perhaps a few minutes conversation with someone you only meet once might propel your imagination, your determination or bring you closer to your destination.

However, start now. . .  at least with a plan.

We never know when we might hear the word, “inoperable” and have just a few days to live.

In the mean time, celebrate each day as if you were already on the final portion of your dream journey.

Start now but do not be in a hurry.

Remember, it is often the journey that is to be celebrated, not the destination or completion of your dream.

When you feel your dream is complete or at a very good stopping point, throw a celebration party and invite everyone you have listed in your journal.  

Your heart knows who to recognize.

For those unable to personally attend,  write a note or send a picture.

Set up a Zoom link where others can join you at a specifically selected date and time with words of affirmation.

Jubilee helps us keep those special memories close to the heart.

Celebrate each day and enjoy that special moment of accomplishment with Jubilee.

MAY GOD-WHISPERS

 “Shema, Israel, Adonai eloheinu, Adonai ehad!” [Deut. 6:4] “Hear!  O Israel, the Lord, our God, the Lord is One.”         This is the ‘call’ to worship that Hebrew people heard for centuries, long before Jesus came on the scene.  

It is a call to “listen up, all you followers of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  

Listen to the words from God, listen to the prayers, listen to the God-whispers that draw us into his presence.

Jesus spoke words that drew God’s sheep back into his fold.  He became the shepherd who would feed shriveled souls and help them regain trust in the voice of God.  

Jesus put a face on God’s word.  

Jesus’ voice was the voice of God. 

Jesus’ words and actions were solely directed by the Father.

Jesus absorbed the presence of God in such a way as to impart all he was given to others.

We, like sheep, may be myopic, unable to see very far in front of us but we have the capacity to hear the voice of the Shepherd.  

When a baby lamb is born, the shepherd cradles that new life in his arms.  The shepherd talks and sings to that little lamb and even gives it a name.  

The lamb has very good hearing and can pick up the exact sound of its shepherd when called. If these sheep are mingling with another flock they will know which shepherd is theirs and come to that shepherd when called.  

They know the shepherd’s voice.

Jesus knew well the verse in Isaiah that says, “We, like sheep, have gone astray, each to our own way . . . “  We sheep may stray but if we are tuned into the shepherd’s voice and attentive to that voice we will, when called, return to the fold.  

The challenge has always been in the knowing the voice of The Shepherd. 

Jesus spent three years with his dedicated disciples, the ones who followed him throughout his ministry.  

They were not only the twelve but the seventy and the hundred and fifty.  

Jesus knew exactly who he needed to visit, to remind them of his God-whispers.  

Jesus knew these devout followers would take his God-whispers and share them with the world in order to draw others into the kingdom.

During this time after the resurrection and before Jesus’ ascension, it took time for our Good Shepherd to draw his sheep back into the fold.

Jesus reminded his faithful followers that they had, indeed, learned to listen to God whispers.  

They, indeed, knew the shepherd’s voice.  

It was now time for them to mature from being a needy little lamb to be a fully engaged sheep. 

It was time for the ones dedicated to hearing God’s whispers to go into all the world and spill out words to others of God’s salvation.  

It was time to trust that the Great Shepherd was calling out specific leaders to feed the lambs and the sheep who had gone astray, to help others know the Shepherd’s voice.

Too many voices can cause confusion.  

The clutter of other sounds, drawing us into meaningful works may drown out the God-whispers.  

Too often we dive into life forgetting to take a time out.

The words in Psalm 23 are powerful.  

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  

He MAKES me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters.. .”  

Only then can he revive my soul. 

Only when we separate ourselves from the clutter of life around us can we breathe in the quiet God-whispers pulsing through scripture, through worship, through prayer.

When we fully embrace the presence of our Lord are we open to God-whispers.  

Only when we allow those God-whispers to penetrate our soul as we graze in his presence, can we know our Shepherd's voice and hear what action we are to take.

We see God’s action through Peter when he is called to Joppa.  [Acts 9:36-43]  

Someone who was with Dorcas when she died had a revelation, a God-whisper.  That person knew that Peter, filled with the voice of God, filled with words and actions of the Good Shepherd, filled with all the power to heal, has the same authority to touch others with resurrected life.  

Dorcas was a pillar in the community who loved Jesus, listened to God-whispers and supported widows with her gifts and talents.  She was a rare gift to the community.  

Peter knew the the clutter of voices must be removed from the room in order for Dorcas to hear the God-whispers that would be spoken through Peter.  

God acted through Peter to bring resurrected life to Dorcas.  Her body was lifeless, washed and laid out before burial.  

Then Peter spoke her Aramaic name, “Tabitha, get up.” Tabitha’s soul was alive and readily responded to these words of God spoken through Peter.  

God needed her gifts and talents for awhile longer.

In the same way, we are given the power, through our faith in Christ Jesus, to listen to those God whispers and pass them to the next person in prayer, in action, in drawing another into the kingdom of God.  

“In the name of Jesus . . . “ we can impart the God whispers of encouragement, of healing, of resurrected life.  

Yet, we can only hear those whispers when we truly know that the Lord is our Shepherd, when we are made to lie down in green pastures and chew on His word, eat his presence, drink in the living water that fills our soul.

No matter how old we are when we truly know the Lord and take time to linger with him to hear those God-whispers, we are called to share what we know with whomever is in our path. 

It takes time to learn how to graze and lie down in green pastures that build the soul, restore our soul and enables our soul to build other’s lives.  

It's so daily.

“Shema, Israel, Adonai eloheinu, Adonai ehad!”  

Listen all you who have been brought into the sheep-fold through faith in Jesus Christ.  

Listen to those God-whispers as we are called to go out and share with others what we have received from our Lord, Jesus Christ, in order to build up the kingdom of God.

Listen

Wait for those God-whispers

Learn the voice of the Good Shepherd.

Help others to learn that same voice.

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.